STACK #195 Jan 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

TOP LAPTOPS

If your kid needs more grunt than a Chromebook, tap into the versatility of a PC built to travel.

L aptops have long been a constant for mobile computing. But they’ve had to evolve in recent years because of stiff competition from portable (usually cheaper) Chromebooks and sometimes similarly priced tablets. Generally speaking, you can expect laptops to boast plenty of storage, speedy CPUs to run more demanding software, and enough RAM to let you effortlessly multitask. Screening differences Compared to Chromebooks and tablets, laptops are also where screen sizes start to get bigger. You can stretch as far as 17-inch screens, but hanging around the 13-inch to 15-inch mark is a great midpoint between portability, price and plenty of screen real estate to see what’s going on. It also helps that there’s a trend towards minimalist screen bezels, which means consideration alongside screen size, too: the higher the resolution, the easier it is on your pupil’s pupils. Just be sure to get your kid to tweak default icon sizes and zoom levels in display settings if things are looking a wee bit too small on high-res screens. Another key consideration is screen brightness, which makes everything easier to see, as well as detail clearer in darker areas, but bear in mind that the brighter you make the screen, the more it drains the battery. bigger screens in smaller chassis. Screen resolution is an important

Dell Inspiron 15 5000

How to buy Laptops range in price from a few hundred dollars through

8GB of RAM allows for straightforward software switching. While the Full HD resolution and RAM count are the same, the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is a mid-range upgrade for a few hundred dollars more. It has a slightly bigger 14-inch anti-glare backlit LED screen and noticeably beefier innards: double

to thousands of dollars on the higher-end of town. For students, though, laptops are the high school to the primary school otherwise known as Chromebooks. Weight and screen size tend to be linked, so stick to smaller if portability is paramount. Similarly, battery life matters here, with six hours enough to get through a school day on a full charge. Also factor in that pricier models tend to have more powerful hardware that offer speedier results and more versatile multitasking potential.

Wireless evolved The latest Wi-Fi standard is here and it’s a speedy operator built to accommodate connections from more devices. Wi-Fi 6, or Wi-Fi 802.11ax as its parents call it when it’s in trouble, is the new norm that’s slowly taking over. To get the most out of it, Wi-Fi 6 devices need to be paired with a Wi-Fi 6 router. Wi-Fi 6 devices tend to be backwards Wi-Fi standards, though, so Wi-Fi 6 devices can still connect seamlessly today, but you can take advantage of the perks when you’re ready to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6 router. compatible with older

LAIRY LAPTOPS Despite boasting the latest Intel CPUs, this trio of laptop choices are still reasonably priced. For starters, the HP Pavilion 13-BB023TU has an Intel Core i3 CPU that offers a good mix of speed and battery life, built atop a Full HD (1920x1080) 13.3-inch BrightView screen, which is aurally matched with Bang & Olufsen dual speakers. The 256GB SSD is a healthy amount of internal storage for a faithful study companion, while the

LenovoYoga S7 Carbon 13-00G

the storage space with a 512GB SSD and a speedier Intel Core i7 CPU. To make things even easier on your student’s eyes, consider the Lenovo Yoga S7 Carbon 13-00G. The 13.3- inch screen boasts a Quad HD (2560x1600) resolution that makes

HP Pavilion 13-BB023TU

Types of lappies While screen size tends to determine the type of laptop, ranging from ultraportable 11-inch options to 17.3-inch powerhouses, there are a few types to be aware of. The first is the aforementioned ultraportable, which is linked to the ultrabook that combines mobility with battery life and security features. Netbooks don’t really exist anymore and have since evolved into Chromebooks. MacBooks are Apple-forged laptops that use the macOS operating system. And convertibles, or 2-in-1s, have removable or foldable keyboards and touchscreens to convert into impromptu tablet modes.

long study sessions easier to manage. There’s a good balance of power, too, with an Intel Core i5 for a mix of speed and battery life, alongside a dependable 256GB of internal storage.

JANUARY 2021

jbhifi.com.au

8