Screen size
Diagonal size of laptop display.
The larger the screen, the more convenient the laptop for watching high-definition movies, modern games, working with large-format graphic materials, etc. Large screens are especially important for multimedia and gaming models. On the other hand, the diagonal of the display directly affects the size and cost of the entire device. So if portability is key, it makes sense to pay attention to relatively small solutions; especially since most modern laptops have video outputs like HDMI or DisplayPort and allow connection of large-format external monitors.
In light of all this, the actual maximum for laptops these days is
17"(17.3"); however
larger devices (18") reappeared at the beginning of 2023. The standard option for general purpose laptops is
15"(15.6"), less often
16", a diagonal of
13"(13.3") or
14" is considered small by the standards of such And smaller screens can be found mainly in specific compact varieties of laptops — ultrabooks, 2 in 1, transformers, netbooks; among such devices there are solutions for
12 ",
11" and even
10" or less.
Passmark CPU Mark
The result shown by the laptop processor in the Passmark CPU Mark test.
Passmark CPU Mark is a comprehensive test that is more detailed and reliable than the popular 3DMark06 (see above). It checks not only the gaming capabilities of the CPU, but also its performance in other modes, based on which it displays the overall score; this score can be used to fairly reliably evaluate the processor as a whole (the more points, the higher the performance).
RAID
An array of several interconnected drives, perceived by the system as a single unit. There are several RAID formats (levels) — RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, etc. — differing in application features: some increase speed, others increase data storage reliability. The specific level of RAID provided in the laptop and its capabilities should be specified separately. However, anyway, this feature is found mainly among premium models — gaming laptops and workstations.
Note that initially RAID was created on the basis of HDD, however, in modern laptops there are also arrays of SSD (see "Drive type").
Num block
The presence
of a Numpad in the design of the laptop.
The numpad is a block of separate numeric keys on the right side of the keyboard: the numbers themselves. four mathematical action buttons, dot and Enter. Such equipment greatly facilitates some tasks, in particular, working with calculations and office applications: for example, the Num block is convenient to use with a calculator, and through it it is easiest to insert special characters into the text with the combination “Alt + [numeric character code]”. Note that this feature is found only in laptops with a diagonal of 15 "and above — in more compact models, to save space, there is
no Num block or it is placed on the touchpad.
Additional keys
The number of additional keys provided on the laptop keyboard.
Additional are called keys that do not belong to the standard set and perform various specific functions: calling the browser, controlling the media player, switching power and cooling modes, etc. Such equipment facilitates quick access to certain settings and applications. On the other hand, additional keys require additional space, and there is not much of it in laptops; in addition, some specific functions can be implemented through the Fn key, pressed simultaneously with one of the standard buttons. Therefore, this function is relatively rare in modern laptops, mainly among gaming models.
Input device
Under the manipulator in this case, we mean a device used to control the mouse cursor and other similar tasks. Recall that it is not always possible to use a classic mouse with a laptop — in particular, it can be difficult on the road. The standard type of manipulator for modern laptops is the touchpad, however, in addition to it, there are other options — ranging from classic
trackpoints and modified
glass touchpads to such specific equipment as
ScreenPad or NumberPad (
Num block in touchpad). And some models may not have a separate manipulator at all. Here is a more detailed description of the different options:
— Touchpad. The traditional touchpad is a touchpad with a diagonal of about 8 – 12 cm, located in front of the keyboard. It combines low cost, reliability and functionality: in particular, a modern touchpad can recognize multi-finger gestures and tapping. Thanks to this, such manipulators are extremely popular, they are used in almost all general-purpose laptops, as well as most specialized models. Usually touchpads have a plastic surface, glass varieties are classified into a separate category (see below). Laptops with a touch screen keyboard (see "Key design") are also a separate case: such a screen is also considered a touchpad, since when the keyboard is displayed, it shows not only the keys, but also the manipulator.
...
— Glass touchpad. Touchpad (see above), the surface of which is not made of traditional plastic, but glass. This material has a number of advantages over traditional plastic: a finger slides easily over a glass surface, it looks stylish and is easy to clean, and it is also easier to integrate a backlight, a fingerprint scanner and other additional functions into such a touchpad. On the other hand, such manipulators are expensive, and therefore they are found mainly in premium laptops.
— Trackpoint. A kind of analogue of the joystick — a characteristic "point" with a diameter of several millimetres, usually located in the centre of the keyboard. The cursor is controlled by deviating the "point" in the appropriate direction. Trackpoints are noticeably more compact than touchpads and allow for more precise cursor movement over short distances. On the other hand, they are less convenient and significantly limited in functionality. So in its pure form, this type of manipulator is practically never found nowadays — most often it is used in combination with a touchpad (see below).
— Touchpad and trackpoint. The presence in the laptop at once of two types of manipulators. Each of them is described in detail above, and such a combination provides additional features for choosing a control method for a particular situation. So, in most cases it is more convenient to use the touchpad, but for subtle manipulations, the trackpoint may be more appropriate. Such equipment can be found mainly in business and professional laptops.
— Touchpad/NumberPad. A manipulator that simultaneously combines a touchpad and a block of numeric keys (see "Num block"). Usually, it looks like a touch surface with numbers printed on it, installed on the right side of the keyboard. The specific format of operation of such a device can be different: with manual switching between modes, with automatic switching depending on the active application, and even with automatic recognition of the type of touch (pressing a number is processed like on a keyboard, and sliding a finger like on a touchpad). Anyway, this is a rather specific option, which, moreover, is not cheap; it is found mainly in gaming laptops.
— Touchpad/DialPad. Touchpad (see above), complemented by a built-in DialPad work surface. Such a surface has a characteristic round shape, and it is intended mainly for tasks related to the creation of visual content: drawing, 3D design, video editing, etc. Software from Adobe, as well as the ability to adapt to other similar software. The functions of such a manipulator include, in particular, fine control of brushes when drawing, as well as an extensive set of multi-touch gestures. At the same time, if necessary, the DialPad can be turned off and the entire surface of the touchpad can be used in the traditional format.
— Screenpad. Touchpad (see above) with a built-in display, in other words, a small touch screen that plays the role of a manipulator. Note that initially the term “ScreenPad” belongs to Asus, other manufacturers may call such manipulators differently. Anyway, such equipment has an extremely extensive functionality. Firstly, a wide variety of controls can be displayed on the display: icons, buttons, sliders, special graphic elements (like a geographical map with the ability to select a region by touch), etc. Secondly, the capabilities of the screen are not limited to controls: it can be used to display special notifications, to show the interface of a programme running in the background, etc. There are even specialized applications for ScreenPad, not to mention extensions for more traditional programs. The main disadvantage of such devices is their high cost, which is why their use is limited mainly to top-end performant laptops. In addition, ScreenPad consumes additional power and reduces battery life.
— Is absent. The absence of any manipulator in the device. This option is extremely rare nowadays — in single models of the 2-in-1 type (see "Type"), where the corresponding function is performed by a standard touch screen. Also, some netbooks had a similar design — to reduce the cost — however, we recall that this type of laptop is practically out of use.Operating time
Maximum laptop operating time on a single battery charge, without recharging. In this case, usually, the operating time in the maximum energy saving mode is implied: disabled wireless modules, minimum screen brightness, a small load on the processor, etc. Accordingly, the time of actual work on a charge is usually noticeably less than this indicator. Nevertheless, it can be used both for a general assessment of the battery life of a laptop, and for comparing it with other models. And choose work laptop (
from 7 operation hours) or
with more powerful battery (from 11 operation hours).
Weight
The total weight of the laptop — the device itself, without additional accessories (wires and power supply, mice, bags, etc.). For 2 in 1 models (see "Type"), the weight is indicated when assembled, with a keyboard connected.
Nowadays, models weighing
less than 1 kg are found even among fairly large devices — 14 – 15 ", not to mention smaller solutions. Laptops weighing
1 – 1.4 kg are also considered very light,
1.4 – 1.7 kg — light, weight
from 1.7 to 2.1 kg(more precisely, even up to 2.5 kg) can be called average,
up to 3.5 kg — more than average, and a mass of
more than 3.5 kg means that this is an advanced gaming or multimedia laptop designed primarily for power, not portability.
It is also worth remembering that when assessing the weight, the diagonal (size) of the device must also be taken into account. For example, 1.7 kg for a 13" laptop is a lot, and a 17" model can be considered very light if its weight does not reach 2.1 kg.
