What to consider when buying an ultraportable laptop

Last updated on April 16th, 2023 at 11:27 pm

Read Time:2 Minute, 34 Second

There is certainly no shortage of laptops to choose from these days and to help you fund your next purchase, you can exchange your old versions for cash with the help of firms such as Laptop Trade In.

If you plan to use your laptop on the move a lot, it could be wise to select an ultraportable model. Here are some top tips to help you make the right purchase.

Know what you’re in for

Before you start perusing the plethora of items on the market, it’s important to note that, while extremely convenient, ultraportable laptops are not without their downsides. For example, most of these products are sealed units, meaning it may not be possible to upgrade elements such as batteries. This can shorten the laptops’ lifespans.

Also, be prepared to shell out a decent sum of money for the devices. They tend to fall at the higher end of the price spectrum.

In addition, it’s worth bearing in mind that most ultrabooks lack the room needed for a CD drive. The shortage of space also means ports tend to be minimal and many of the products don’t feature ethernet ports. Such devices are restricted to accessing the internet via wi-fi connections.

Features to prioritise

When selecting your laptop, make sure it has an impressive battery life. Good models last at least six hours while connected to wi-fi and the very best claim to keep going for eight or nine hours.

If you find reflections on computer screens irritating, try to find a laptop with a matte screen. Tests show no discernible difference in quality between matte and shiny screens, but the former can be easier to use near both natural and artificial sources of light.

To ensure that your new laptop is easy to get around with, aim for light versions. Products weighing anything up to 1.5kg should be comfortable to carry. At just over 1kg, the aptly named MacBook Air by Apple is among the lightest on the market.

It’s also vital to pay attention to laptop memory. Bear in mind that most ultrabooks have solid state drive storage. This is fast, quiet and it improves battery life, but capacity can be limited and it is more expensive than standard hard drives.

Practical and attractive materials

Given the amount of money you’re set to spend on your new laptop, you’ll no doubt want to ensure that it looks the part. All the best ultraportable models benefit from premium designs and they feature materials such as aluminium, carbon fibre and magnesium.

As well as helping to boost their aesthetics, these materials make the products lighter and more robust.

Take your time

Given the variety of laptops on the market, it’s important to take your time when choosing between them. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the options open to you before you make a final decision. For extra information, you can take a look at customer reviews online to see what fellow consumers make of the products.

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