2024 Laptop Buying Guide

Summary

This video script highlights the importance of key features when choosing a laptop. It recommends looking for an Intel Evo badge, signifying a laptop engineered for superior performance, all-day battery life, seamless syncing, and versatile options like touch screens and 2-in-1 designs. The script emphasizes the need for a modern CPU, USB-C charging, Thunderbolt 4, Intel Unison for iPhone users, biometrics, a comfortable keyboard, and a good camera. It guides viewers to Intel.com/Evo for more information and to make an informed choice.

Takeaways

• 💻 Look for the Intel Evo badge for laptops engineered to meet various needs, including all-day battery life and seamless syncing.
• 🔍 Intel Evo laptops are rigorously tested for real-world performance and offer features like touch screen and 2-in-1 options.
• 🛒 Visit Intel.com/Evo to find out more about Intel Evo laptops and make an informed purchase.
• ⚙️ Prioritize a modern CPU for long-term use and to avoid being limited by outdated technology.
• 🔋 Seek laptops with close to all-day battery life to avoid battery anxiety and ensure uninterrupted use.
• 🔌 USB-C charging is becoming standard, offering flexibility and convenience with multiple charging options.
• ⚡ Thunderbolt 4 is a must-have for its high data throughput and ability to connect to various peripherals.
• 📱 Intel Unison is beneficial for iPhone users, allowing for seamless integration with contacts, files, and iMessage on a Windows 11 laptop.
• 👁️ Biometrics, such as Windows Hello, provide a quick and secure login option without the need for a password.
• ⌨️ A good keyboard with adequate key travel is essential for comfort during long typing sessions.
• 📹 While 1080p webcams are preferred, standalone webcams can also be a cost-effective alternative for better video quality.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The video script aims to guide viewers on what features to look for in a laptop and highlights the Intel Evo badge as an indicator of a high-quality laptop with specific features.

What does the Intel Evo badge signify in a laptop?

The Intel Evo badge signifies that the laptop has been engineered to meet high standards, offering features like all-day battery life, seamless syncing with phones, superior performance, and rigorous real-world testing.

Why is having the most modern CPU important for a laptop?

Having the most modern CPU is important because it ensures the laptop will last for several years, as CPUs are not typically upgradable and new capabilities are added annually, such as faster clock speeds, more cores, and lower power consumption.

What is the significance of having close to all-day battery life in a laptop?

Close to all-day battery life is significant as it prevents battery anxiety, allowing users to work without constantly worrying about running out of power, which is crucial for productivity on the go.

Why is a USB-C charging option beneficial for a laptop user?

A USB-C charging option is beneficial because it offers flexibility, allowing users to charge their laptops with various chargers, including their phone's charger or third-party chargers, making it convenient when the original charger is not available.

What is Thunderbolt 4 and why is it essential for a laptop?

Thunderbolt 4 is a technology that increases data throughput to 40Gbits per second and enables connection to external displays, SSDs, and graphics cards. It is essential as it dramatically expands the capabilities of a laptop, making it more versatile and powerful.

What is Intel Unison and how does it benefit iPhone users?

Intel Unison is an app that allows Windows 11 laptops to sync with an iPhone, providing access to contacts, photo galleries, files, and iMessage. It boosts productivity by enabling users to type messages from their desktop without needing to switch to their phone.

Why are biometric features like Windows Hello important in a laptop?

Biometric features like Windows Hello, which include depth cameras or fingerprint readers, are important as they provide a quick and secure login method, enhancing user convenience and reducing reliance on passwords.

What role does the laptop's keyboard play in the user experience?

The laptop's keyboard plays a crucial role in the user experience as it is used thousands of times per day. A comfortable keyboard with good key travel can significantly improve the typing experience and overall satisfaction.

What is the recommended resolution for a laptop's webcam?

The recommended resolution for a laptop's webcam is at least 1080p, providing clear video quality for video calls and conferencing. However, the need for a high-quality built-in webcam is less critical as standalone webcams are readily available.

What advice does the script offer for ensuring long-term satisfaction with a new laptop?

The script advises looking for specific features such as the latest CPU, all-day battery life, USB-C charging, Thunderbolt 4, and other enhancements like Intel Unison for iPhone users, biometrics, a good keyboard, and a high-resolution webcam to ensure long-term satisfaction with a new laptop.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Essential Features for a Long-Lasting Laptop

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of choosing a laptop with the right features to ensure it remains useful for years. It highlights the Intel Evo badge as a mark of quality, indicating laptops designed for all-day battery life, seamless device syncing, and superior performance for various tasks. The script also stresses the necessity of a modern CPU for longevity, the convenience of USB-C charging, and the benefits of Thunderbolt 4 technology for expanding laptop capabilities. Additionally, it mentions Intel Unison for iPhone users, biometric login options, the comfort of a good keyboard, and the preference for 1080p webcams, suggesting that while not as crucial as other features, they contribute to a better user experience.

05:03

🛒 Key Considerations for a Satisfying Laptop Purchase

The second paragraph reinforces the message that certain features are indispensable for a satisfying laptop-buying experience. It reiterates the advice given in the first paragraph, suggesting that following these guidelines will lead to a happy and confident decision. The summary serves as a reminder of the key points discussed, urging consumers to prioritize modern CPUs, all-day battery life, USB-C charging, Thunderbolt 4, and other features that enhance the laptop's performance and adaptability to various use cases.

Keywords

💡Intel Evo

Intel Evo is a designation for laptops that meet certain performance criteria set by Intel. These laptops are designed to deliver a premium user experience with features like instant wake, all-day battery life, and fast charging. In the context of the video, Intel Evo serves as a badge of quality, indicating that the laptop has been rigorously tested and optimized for real-world performance, making it a reliable choice for consumers.

💡All-day battery life

All-day battery life refers to a laptop's ability to provide power for an entire day of typical use without needing to be recharged. This is crucial for users who need their devices to be portable and reliable for extended periods. The video emphasizes the importance of this feature for avoiding 'battery anxiety,' especially during travel or when away from power outlets.

💡Modern CPU

A modern CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the computer. The video script suggests that buying a laptop with the most up-to-date CPU is essential because it will offer better performance, more cores, and potentially AI capabilities, ensuring the laptop remains relevant and efficient for several years.

💡USB-C charging

USB-C charging is a feature that allows laptops to be charged using a USB Type-C port, which is becoming a standard for power delivery and data transfer. The video highlights the convenience of this feature, as it enables users to use a variety of chargers, including those for smartphones and third-party options, providing flexibility and reducing the need to carry multiple charging devices.

💡Thunderbolt 4

Thunderbolt 4 is a hardware interface that enables high-speed data transfer and connects to external devices like displays and storage drives. The video script mentions that Thunderbolt 4 increases data throughput significantly and can expand a laptop's capabilities by allowing connections to powerful peripherals, making it a critical feature for enhancing productivity.

💡Intel Unison

Intel Unison is an application that facilitates seamless integration between an Intel-based Windows 11 laptop and an iPhone. It allows users to access their iPhone's contacts, photo gallery, files, and messages directly from their laptop, enhancing productivity by reducing the need to switch between devices. The video script positions Intel Unison as a valuable feature for iPhone users looking for a cohesive experience across their devices.

💡Biometrics

Biometrics in the context of laptops refers to the use of unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, for user authentication. The video script underscores the convenience and security of biometric login options, like Windows Hello, which allow for quick and password-less access to the laptop.

💡Key travel

Key travel is the distance a key on a keyboard moves when pressed, which can affect typing comfort and手感. The video script suggests that a good keyboard with adequate key travel can enhance the user experience, making it feel more responsive and comfortable for extended typing sessions.

💡1080p webcam

A 1080p webcam is a camera with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, which is considered high-definition and provides clear video quality. The video script mentions the preference for laptops with at least 1080p webcams for better video conferencing experiences, although it also notes that standalone webcams are an alternative for those who do not prioritize this feature in their laptops.

💡Gaming laptops

Gaming laptops are a category of laptops specifically designed for gaming, which often require more powerful hardware and cooling systems to handle resource-intensive games. The video script briefly touches on the unique charging requirements of gaming laptops, which typically use higher wattage 'barrel chargers' due to their increased power needs.

💡Thunderbolt dock

A Thunderbolt dock is an accessory that expands the connectivity options of a laptop by providing additional ports and capabilities, such as connecting to multiple monitors, high-speed storage devices, or even external graphics cards. The video script highlights the Thunderbolt dock as a way to significantly increase the functionality of a laptop, particularly for users who require a more extensive setup in a home office environment.

Highlights

Intel Evo laptops are designed to meet various user needs, such as all-day battery life, seamless phone syncing, and superior performance for work, gaming, and creation.

Evo laptops undergo rigorous real-world scenario testing to ensure the best user experience.

Intel Evo badge signifies a laptop engineered for user-specific needs and offers features like touch screen and 2-in-1 options.

For long-term use, it's crucial to invest in a laptop with the most modern CPU available.

CPUs evolve yearly with faster speeds, more cores, and lower power consumption, making older models less desirable.

Laptop CPUs are typically non-upgradable, unlike memory or storage, emphasizing the importance of choosing a future-proof CPU.

All-day battery life is essential for a truly mobile laptop experience, reducing battery anxiety.

Thicker laptops can accommodate larger batteries and better keyboards, enhancing the overall user experience.

USB-C charging is becoming a standard feature, offering flexibility and ease of replacement.

Thunderbolt 4 technology is critical for expanding a laptop's capabilities, including external displays and graphics cards.

Intel Unison is an app that integrates an iPhone's features with a Windows 11 laptop, boosting productivity.

Biometric features like Windows Hello offer a password-free, quick login experience.

A comfortable keyboard with good key travel is essential for a laptop used for extended periods.

A good trackpad and at least 1080p webcam are desirable for a comprehensive laptop experience.

While external webcams are available, an integrated 1080p webcam is less of a necessity than before.

Following the advice provided ensures long-term satisfaction with the chosen laptop's features and performance.

Transcripts

There are a ton of laptops out there, but only a few are worth buying.

Why?

Because of what they have inside them.

If your next laptop doesn’t have these features, forget it.

This video is sponsored by Intel Evo.

Want an easy way to find the best features in a laptop? Look for the Intel Evo badge.

That means this laptop was engineered to do what you want.

Whether you’re looking for all-day battery life, seamless syncing with any phone (yes, you too iPhones),

or looking to work, game, and create with superior performance, Intel Evo laptops offer that and so much more.

Evo laptops even feature touch screen and 2-in-1 options

and are rigorously tested against real world scenarios so you can get the best overall experience.

Visit Intel.com/Evo to find out more and get your new laptop today!

Friends and relatives often ask me, “So what is a good laptop?”

It doesn’t matter how good of a deal you see on Black Friday -- if a laptop doesn’t

have these features, you probably aren’t going to be happy in the long run.

The first requirement: buy the most modern CPU you can find.

This might seem sort of obvious, but unless you plan to buy a new notebook on an annual

basis, you’re going to want a laptop that will last for several years.

Each year, the CPU companies add new capabilities -- faster clock speeds, more cores, lower

power, even potentially AI.

So, there’s just no reason to handcuff yourself to an older device.

Remember, you can upgrade a laptop’s memory or storage, but the vast majority of laptops

don’t allow you to upgrade the CPU.

If you think of a laptop as a truly mobile device, then another must-have requirement

is close to all-day battery life.

You’re going to feel nervous if your battery icon is warning you that you’re running

out of juice, whether it be taking notes or putting together a presentation.

Yes, planes now often route power directly to your seat, but there will be some time

where you absolutely have to have power.

Don’t let battery anxiety get the best of you.

Remember that a thicker laptop will offer more room for a bigger battery, and leave

room for a better keyboard, too.

Seek out reviews which test battery life, like PCWorld offers.

Next up: a USB-C charging option.

Fortunately, this requirement is becoming more common.

Most productivity laptops require 100W or less of input power.

Gaming laptops require more, but they also ship with what we call “barrel chargers”:

round, semi-proprietary plugs.

A laptop that can be charged via USB-C has options: you can use its own charger, possibly

your phone’s charger, plus tons of third-party gallium-nitride (or GAN) chargers that can

be bought anywhere.

If you forget your laptop’s USB-C charger, you’ll be able to find a replacement almost anywhere.

Many laptops with a USB-C port can accept power via USB-C even if they have a proprietary

charger, but just check and make sure.

Thunderbolt 4 -- you just gotta have it.

This might not be a familiar technology to everyone, but Thunderbolt is becoming the

critical technology you didn’t know you needed.

Many of the small Thunderbolt ports on laptops are coming equipped with Thunderbolt 4, which

increases data throughput from 10 gigabits per second to 40Gbits,

with higher speeds on the horizon.

Thunderbolt is what makes your laptop more than a laptop, with a bus that can connect

to external displays, SSDs, and even graphics cards.

A Thunderbolt dock can dramatically expand the power of your laptop, and is almost a

must for a home office.

It’s just not a feature that I’d ever give up.

If you are an iPhone user, than another critical feature you want is Intel Unison,

an app that let's your Windows 11 laptop tap into your contacts,

photo gallery, files, and most importantly, iMessage.

Being able to type messages from your desktop can be a huge workday productivity booster,

saving you the hassle of jumping into your phone and splitting time between two devices.

Just be aware: you'll need modern laptop specs for Unison to work.

Biometrics is another feature you might forget about, since Windows Hello depth cameras or

fingerprint readers are built into many laptops.

Even still, the ability to log in in just a second or two, without the need for a password,

is an absolute must.

Next, you’ll want a good keyboard.

Think of a keyboard as a springy pair of shoes, or a supportive mattress.

Your fingers tap tap tap thousands of times per day,

and you’ll feel better at quitting time after using a comfortable keyboard.

What’s comfortable is somewhat subjective, but a key metric is key travel:

how much give a key has, matters.

Trackpad comfort matters, too, but quite a few laptops already offer a good experience.

Speaking of cameras, I prefer laptops with at least 1080p webcams.

Since you can buy a quality standalone webcam for cheap, however -- even one with Windows Hello

-- they’re less of a necessity than they used to be.

Let’s be clear: If you really want to be happy with your next laptop, there are certain

things it absolutely must have.

And if you follow my advice, I’m confident you will be.