What could be better than working from home? Getting to do it while still having the benefits of an office job, of course! Most people value free air conditioning, the opportunity to socialize with coworkers, and free equipment. Unfortunately, for new and experienced home-based workers, this isn’t always the case, especially when it comes to equipment.
Having a functional laptop is essential if you’re looking to start a home-based business or improve your present one. This is why you can never avoid the topic of selecting the best budget laptop specifications for working from home.
Processor: You can’t talk about laptops without first discussing the “brains” of the gadget. Intel Core processors are superior in terms of performance. Choose a processor with a Core i5 or above. The higher the CPU, the more and faster you can complete tasks! Even if you will only be performing basic activities like typing, it is always a good idea to make a budget. Be sure not to limit yourself to the types of jobs you can take on.
RAM: As with the CPU, the more memory your laptop has, the more efficient it is. Because RAM is in charge of storing and accessing data on your laptop, you’ll want something with at least 8GB of RAM. You can go up to 32GB, which is perfect for high-performance applications such as photo and video editing. Alternatively, when you need to manage big amounts of data at once.
Size: Laptop sizes aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when deciding on the greatest laptop to use. But you might want to reconsider. The size determines the presentation and overall user experience. You should aim for a size of 12 to 13 inches and a weight of 1.5 to 2kg. This makes your laptop more portable, especially while travelling for work. In terms of quality, choose those with full HD or 1080p resolution.
Storage: A good laptop can give you the majority of the tools you need to be productive at work. However, as with any gadget, if you don’t take care of the data stored in it, it can just as easily break down as its lower-end competitors. Depending on your requirements, choose between a less expensive hard disc drive (HDD) and a faster but more expensive solid-state drive (SSD).
Ports: New generations of laptops have few to no ports. While they appear sleeker, they are also incredibly restrictive for folks who do not have the luxury of being able to use a working Bluetooth (for data transfer) or touchscreen (for navigating). Choose a laptop with a USB 3.0 or USB-C port as much as feasible, as this is one of the most adaptable connectors to have.
Battery: Longer battery life translates to greater portability and flexibility. Even if you are able to utilize a laptop to work remotely, it is useless without a reliable battery. What if you run out of battery power in the middle of a meeting and there is no convenient plug, such as at home or in a cafe? Higher Watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours (mAh) battery capacity means you can use your laptop unplugged for long periods of time!
Connectivity: Having a laptop to complete your chores is one thing. Connecting to the most accessible Wi-Fi at home or in a public place isn’t necessarily the safest option. If your budget allows, consider purchasing a laptop that supports Wi-Fi 6, a more stable alternative to the simpler 802.11ac. Alternatively, select one that supports 4G LTE or 5G.
Even for someone accustomed to working remotely, discussing laptop needs for work from home is more difficult than it appears. Mainly because work requirements change as frequently as computer companies modify their laptops to meet the needs of their customers. Despite this, these are the few specifications you should always look for when selecting the best laptop UK for yourself.
