TecQ Buy: Choose the Right Laptop, For the Right Price

We give buyers the right way to choose a laptop for themselves before getting one.

We at The Quint regularly review phones, laptops, speakers, and other cool gadgets of interest. We’ve tried to give you some clarity to help you make the best buying choices.

But in a somewhat cursory fashion. Which is why we have decided to come up with a better way to help you make the correct choice. TecQ Buy will be our weekly guide on products, which will cover products across different price bands, for all users, comprehensively.

Laptops Across Price Point

• Basic Computing PC: Rs 15,000 - Rs 25,000
• Entry-to-mid-level: Rs 30,000 - Rs 45,000
• Mid-Powered: Rs 50,000 - Rs 65,000

Basic Computing: 15K - 25K

The Good
Yes, you can get a fully functional laptop for this price, but be aware of what you’re asking out of them. For starters, these get a mere 11.6-inch display size with 1366x768 pixels resolution that’s easy to carry but too light on performance for most of us. With so little power in tow, the battery life will be a pleasant surprise.

The Bad
Underneath the laptop, you get a processor that has been designed for mobile devices like phone and tablet. Going by the size of the device, you’ll likely be stuck with a keyboard that may not do justice to your skills. Skipping an alphabet or two will be a common problem.

You’ll have a hard time switching between tabs on the Chrome browser, if gaming is on top of your agenda.

Who is it for?
As you might have figured by now, the laptop isn’t meant for anyone who wants storage space and a multi-tasker device. Basic computing is all one can hope for.

Brands available
Asus, Micromax, iBall, HP, Notion Ink and Lenovo

Entry to Mid-Level: 30K-45K

The Good
This is where you finally can expect to get a multi-functional laptop. By that we mean, a 14 to 15-inch laptop with 1366x768 pixels resolution display, and packs enough punch to work as a day-to-day machine. Go beyond the Rs 40,000 mark and you might get yourself a portable laptop that will never feel like a burden on those shoulders.

Laptops with Intel Core M, i3 or i5 processor maker multi-tasking easier, you get ample (up to 1TB) storage space to save data and a lot more. You can also expect 8-10 hours of battery life on a consistent basis.

The Bad
It is still not a gaming laptop as the machine does not come equipped with a powerful graphic card capable of running most role-play and strategy games. Reliability could also be an issue with these mid-range processors, that may or may not be up to the mark for you. Battery life can also be a mixed bag, depending on the usage.

Who is it for?
Most users prefer laptops in the price range for its sheer value. You not only get ample onboard memory (up to 8GB) but also a lot of storage as well.

Brands available
HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus and Acer

The Laptop for Everyone: 50K -65K

The Good
Money gets you the best. The more you bump up the budget, the higher the chances are you’ll find the right laptop companion for you.

You can rest easy about performance, reliability and dependency with hardware that serves the purpose of most consumers out there. Readers have mostly asked for laptops of up to Rs 65,000.

But in addition to that, you also get ‘add-on’ features. For example, Lenovo gives you laptop that opens up 360 degrees. You also get a convertible 2-in-1 that can be used as a tablet or laptop.

This is also the range at which you can opt for the entry-level Apple MacBook with features that rival most Windows laptops in this space.

The Bad
There isn’t much to complain about with these laptops but do make sure that your chosen laptop is battery-efficient. In all probability, the latest generation hardware is power-friendly, but still be careful you don’t end up buying a power-guzzler, that too at a high price.

Who is it for?
Anybody who is comfortable shelling out big bucks on a laptop should consider their usage before taking a call.