Introduction
The holidays are upon us and shopping season is still in full swing. While many of us have already had our eyes set on getting a new desktop, laptop, or just an upgrade to end 2024, there may be some of us who are still experiencing choice paralysis due to the huge selection out there. In this article, I’ll guide you through some buying considerations and what to keep in mind. Take note that these ideas can apply regardless of season so if you’re buying January, February, March, April, so and so forth, it’d still apply so read on!
Identify Your Needs
Here’s the issue a lot of us can’t nail down when its asked directly: “so what do you do with your PC or laptop?” Some folks do freeze up and just say they some spreadsheet, some Photoshop, some browsing, some Netflix and then just laugh it off. But seriously, those are valid user requirements and even watching Netflix or other streaming service has an impact on your experience.
But in this article, I want to focus on some key topical things like general usage.
If you want a deeper discussion regarding the professional use of NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ and how it benefits professional applications, you can head on over to my article on who’s actually using AI laptops.
But before we tackle anything AI, let’s talk about what it is you actually do and if you really need it.
What Am I Running on This Thing
- The Family Computer – We’ve come a long way from the pale white box and the CRT monitors of our youth that we called the “family computer.” Today, the family computer can either be a desktop or a laptop and can be used much the same way just incredibly faster and smarter. Nowadays this will mostly be for browsing, streaming videos, some home accounting work on spreadsheets, signing digital documents, and overall word processing. Maybe organizing photos of daily life or life events like a newborn, a wedding, etc.
- The Gaming PC – it doesn’t matter if its light or heavy gaming, any PC that will be used primarily as a gaming PC whether its for sharing or individually, this falls under this category.
- The Study PC – while it can share any of the categories above, a study PC will mostly be related to have dedicated software installed for learning. Regardless if its programming, accounting, multimedia, engineering, data science, and many more. Due to the critical nature of homework, these are sometimes dedicated for their primary use.
Desktop or Laptop?
For this discussion, we’ll be focusing on laptops primarily. While desktops are known for their heavy customizability, but with laptops offering a great alternative to a beefy desktop, they’ve become a viable option for those that see portability as the more practical choice.
If you still insist on desktop, that’s a discussion reserved for a MUCH, MUCH LONGER article and something that I’m reserving up until the next-generation of hardware. If you do need some help with this, contact me directly at Facebook.com/back2gaming or any of our socials and I’d be glad to help you out.
Picking the Right Laptop: What Specs do I Choose
Before we start, you really have to set your budget first. We need the hardest limit you can take. If you’re capable of earning a step-up to the next-tier of pricing in a month and you can afford to wait that long, I highly recommend doing so. This means you don’t have to skimp on parts on features that could you so much more.
Once your budget is set, focus on these core specifications:
- Processor (CPU): For general usage and light productivity e.g. the Family Computer, an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is a good starting point. For gaming or creative work, aim for an Intel Core i7/i9 or the newer Core Ultra processors while for AMD, there’s the Ryzen 7/9.
- Graphics (GPU): NVIDIA RTX GPUs are the gold standard for gaming and creative tasks. The GeForce RTX ™ 4050 or 4060 is sufficient for moderate use, while the GeForce RTX ™ 4070 and above are ideal for heavy workloads or gaming at higher resolutions. Truth be told, the GPU will largely be the determining factor of what your laptop can do. An Intel Core i9/Core Ultra 9 pitted against a Ryzen 9 would both be relegated to primarily a gaming PC using anything else. If you plan to use your PC for more than just gaming, the introduction of the RTX AI PC concept has made it possible to really push the GPU in doing so much more.
- Memory (RAM): 16GB is the sweet spot for most users, but creators and power users might want to consider 32GB. In terms of speed, newer DDR5 systems will mostly run on DDR5-4800 or DDR5-5200 but you may occasionally see DDR5-7200 or higher. For laptops in general, your capacity is much more important than the speed but having a 32GB DDR5-5200 is much more desirable than 32GB of DDR5-4800 especially when the price is the same for similarly speed systems.
- Storage: An SSD is a must for speed and efficiency. Look for at least 512GB at the budget end, and consider models with additional NVMe slots for expansion although that would be reserved for gaming models and would probably need the have your unit serviced if you plan to expand storage.
- Display: Gamers should prioritize high refresh rates (120Hz or higher), while creators might opt for 4K or color-accurate displays.
- Battery Life: Check reviews and manufacturer claims, especially if portability is important.
What to Look for in an RTX Laptop
When considering an RTX AI laptop, think about your specific needs:
- Purpose: Are you buying for gaming, content creation, or productivity? Different models cater to different priorities.
- Performance: Look for laptops with GeForce RTX ™ 40 Series GPUs for top-tier performance. Models with GeForce RTX ™ 4060 and above provide great balance for gaming and creative work.
- Display: Consider the screen’s size, resolution, and refresh rate. Gamers may prioritize high refresh rates, while creators might prefer 4K displays.
- Battery Life: High-performance laptops can be power-hungry, so check for models with long-lasting batteries if you’re always on the go.
- Deals: Year-end sales bring big discounts. Check for bundled freebies or cashback offers to get the most value.
Making the Right Choice
If you’re a gamer, a content creator, or someone who needs serious computing power, an RTX AI laptop is a fantastic investment. Their cutting-edge technology ensures they’ll remain relevant for years to come, offering the versatility and performance to handle even the most demanding tasks.
Still undecided? Take advantage of the year-end discounts and freebies to snag the best deal. And remember: the right laptop isn’t just about specs—it’s about finding a machine that fits your unique needs.
Download the December Studio Driver
Don’t forget to keep your RTX AI laptop running at its best. Download the latest NVIDIA Studio Driver today to unlock the full potential of your system and enjoy enhanced performance for creative and productivity applications.
