With the pandemic extending work from home setups and pushing online classes, the demand for laptops surges. 

According to Stackline, a retail analytics firm based in Seattle, USA, page visits to laptop pages have significantly increased up to 130%. However, despite high website traffic, sales have dropped. This means that more people are looking for laptops but they’re having a hard time deciding what to buy.

If you’re just as clueless and completely overwhelmed with so many options and specs to consider, below are tips that may help you finally make that decision. 

Choose the right size

Choose a size that fits with what you’ll be using the laptop for. It’s easy to just go with something that’s light and portable. However, if you’ll be using it for more heavy-duty work such as video editing or gaming you might have to look for something bigger. Picking a laptop size helps you narrow down your options so it’s important to identify this first before diving into the specifics. 

Aside from the size, bear in mind the weight as well. A new laptop should last a couple of years so even though most of us may still be working from home, we should still consider mobility. According to Sam Grobart, a writer for The New York Times, our laptop should weigh no more than 6 lbs to prevent shoulder and back pains. Fortunately, some laptops are now as light as 1.2 kg and as thin as 15.9 mm.

Decide on the storage space

Experts say just buy what you need. Check if the laptop uses SSD or HDD. Both are storage devices that store and access your data. SSDs are non-mechanical compared to the HDDs so they require less power. And we all know that less power required = better battery life. The main advantage of an SSD is its responsiveness. They make saving programs, opening and loading files so much faster than HDDs. The only downside is it contains less storage space. If you’re a student, you will have a LOT of files. But you can always store them in a cloud or keep copies on an external hard drive. Given the variety of external storage that is now available, an SSD might be the better option for you. 

Know the industry standard

If your head’s already spinning trying to figure out what’s the best RAM or processor to use, you’re not alone. Computer jargons can be confusing. Yet sometimes, you allow yourself to become even more frustrated by trying to absorb as much information as you can because you want what’s best. So, how do you manage? Simply know the industry standards. For RAM, 8GB is already good enough for professional work, but if you’re also gaming 16GB will work best. As for the processors, Intel has just launched its 10th gen, a more power efficient CPU which helps extend battery life. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), the latest Wi-Fi standard that offers greater speed and better connectivity. What’s more, Intel’s 10th Gen has also improved its graphics performance for smoother gaming. 

Choose a laptop you find beautiful

Your laptop’s performance matters but if it doesn’t “spark joy” then what’s the point? Studies reveal that the sight of something attractive triggers the part of our brains that is responsible for hand movement. Beauty literally moves us. Gone are the days when we thought that laptops are simply tools to get something done. They’re now regarded as things that reflect a person’s taste and aspirations much like bags and shoes.

One laptop that offers its users great personalization is the Asus Vivobook S Series. Asus has always been known for its bold colors and style. This year, they’re amping up their design by launching the Vivobook S Series in 4 vibrant colors: gaia green, resolute red, dreamy white, and indie black. It also has a set of quirky stickers so you can make your Vivobook uniquely yours. And if these aren’t stylish enough, their laptops also sport color-blocking with the ‘Enter’ key in bold yellow keycap. 

However, the Asus Vivobook S Series is more than just an eye candy. It’s a dynamic line of laptops that covers all the tips mentioned above. It’s not just lightweight at 1.2kg and 15.9 mm thin, it’s also powered by an SSD and the 10th generation Intel processor which makes multitasking easier and entertainment more immersive thanks to its three-sided NanoEdge display. The three-sided NanoEdge display has narrower borders around the screen, making its screen-to-body ratio at 86%. 

The Asus Vivobook S Series also features high-quality batteries which last 3x longer than standard lithium-ion batteries. With its fast-charging  technology,  your laptop can go from low battery to 60% in 49 minutes.

At a time when we’re forced to tighten our spending, it’s smart to invest in something that suits even our future needs. It may be hard to believe but yes, gadgets such as laptops and smartphones can last for a long time. It just takes a little bit of patience, discipline, and research.  – Rappler.com

Asus is having a digital launch of the Vivobook S series on July 31 and they’re giving away tons of prizes. To qualify for their giveaways, make sure to click “Going” and tag 5 of your friends by sharing this event: https://www.facebook.com/events/334064207989617/ 

Want to know more about the Asus Vivobook S Series? Watch the Digital Launch here: https://bit.ly/ASUSWowTheWorldLaunch.