Whether studying or playing, laptops are the perfect solution to the growing technology that surrounds us today. Laptops, or sometimes, desktops are now more needed than ever considering everything we work for is going digital. Even before the pandemic, every student needs a computer of some sorts to manage their reports, essays, presentations and more.
However, now that the Quarantine has started, and is still on-going, online classes are starting to trend. Therefore, laptops are much more needed than ever. With video conferencing and video presentations at stake, laptops are considered essential for school use.
There are a lot of laptops available in the country, from affordable to ridiculously expensive. You are not buying a laptop just because you need a laptop, you need to be a smart consumer and know which one is right for you, otherwise you might regret your purchase and feel like your money just went down to the drain.
This guide will help you determine which laptop is perfect for you, whether at work or at play.
(If you want to, you can skip the below opinion-based post and start with SPECIFICATIONS part of this post)
So, about a month ago, I stumbled a post saying that you should not buy laptops that have Intel Celeron processors, or low-power consuming AMD A series chipsets. The post also said that not to buy 2GB or 4GB RAM laptops, even when new.
While the post certainly has good points, these low-end laptops have a few purposes, mainly for students/families who have little to no budget, and those who are looking for laptops "that just works" for them, these laptops also are low-power consuming, meaning you could save battery and make it work for around 8h or even a day. These laptops also work just fine for a number of Office Suites, such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel. These laptops are also the minimum requirements for you to run video conferencing apps such as Zoom.
Like what the post said, don't expect it to run well for other things, these laptops are there just to "get the job done".
SPECIFICATIONS:
Laptops are more expensive than tablets. That's the nature of these laptops as they have more parts and much more expensive processors and/or graphics cards. Like I said, you're not buying a laptop just because you need it, you want it to last long, or even a lifetime with you. Something that you could rely on, so that you could see it's money well-spent.
It depends on the user on how he/she is going to use it. By default, most decent laptops cost around 25-35k php ($500-700 US), these laptops usually have AMD Ryzen 3, Intel Core i3, AMD A8, Intel Pentium Gold, Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5 or sometimes, although rare, Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 processors. Some of these laptops come with 128gb or 256gb SSD + 1TB HDD as a form of storage, making bootups fast or instantaneous.
In general, here are my recommended MINIMUM specs
- AMD A10 current gen, or Intel Pentium Gold, or better
- At least 4GB RAM
- GPU of at least Nvidia MX110, or AMD Radeon Vega 6, 2GB VRAM
- Screen size is preferable
- 1TB HDD
As you can see, these specs are not just "just enough". These laptops may run some 2010-2013 games in low or medium graphics without problems, and can render light graphics with ease. It can render 1080p videos under 10 minutes just fine. These laptops may also render light 3D graphics without problems as well. Of course, it can run Office Suite and Video Conference apps flawlessly. We will list down example laptops with matching specifications in the section "RECOMMENDED LAPTOPS" below.
These are my RECOMMENDED Specifications:
- Intel Core i3-7020u, AMD Ryzen 3-2200u or better
- at least 8GB RAM
- GPU of at least Nvidia MX150 or MX230, or AMD Radeon Vega 8, R7 graphics, 2GB VRAM
- Screen Size is preferable
- 1TB HDD + 128GB SSD
Sometimes, 4GB RAM isn't enough anymore, the industry standard is going for 8GB and will just keep getting bigger as time goes on. While the minimum specs can run games from 2010-2013 with light or medium graphics with ease, these specs can run them much more smoothly. Video rendering, graphics and 3D rendering (such as Blender and AutoCAD) will be much smoother here as well. 8GB RAM is also perfect for programmers, especially those who are making apps using Android Studio. Take note that while it will indeed perform better than the minimum specs, it still has its limits. These laptops may not handle heavy-demanding apps well if they're simultaneously running in the background. With SSD on-board, bootups are much faster than those without.
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING A LAPTOP
Before going out and buying your laptop, make sure to ask yourself the following questions first
1) What are my purposes for buying my laptop?
This might sound like a broken record already but, you're not buying a laptop just because you need it. You need something that lasts. Other than Video Conferencing, what else could you be using it for? Is it for Video Rendering? Programming? Photo Manipulation? Architecture? Know your choices as the laptop you're buying may become yours forever.
2) Is my internet connection stable? Is it reliable?
Online Classes are obviously useless without internet connection. Make sure that your internet connection is stable and reliable and fast. Otherwise, the laptop you're buying may be futile for online classes
3) Is after-service reliable and well?
Specifications maybe the same, but not all laptops are created the same. Make sure that the laptop you're buying has a good quality customer-service, easy replaceable parts and has good build quality. You might end up annoyed on how your laptop isn't actually supported, or has no available parts for replacement. Consider the practicalities as well. Non-glare screens are recommended, and most laptops starting 30k ($600) have those non-glare screens
4) What size is preferable for me?
Laptops come in all shapes and sizes. Most come with a 13 inch screen, or if you wanna go extreme, 17 inches. Size is preferable but consider the size that actually suits you. 14 inch laptops don't come with numpads, most 15 inchers do, however. There are also laptops making wider room for keyboards so even some of the biggest laptops don't come with numpads in compensation for a more comfortable and wider keyboard experience such as the Huawei Matebook D15 and Macbook Pro. If you really wanted a numpad, then get a 15 incher. If you're fine without them, then get the ones that are actually comfortable to hold, such as 14 inchers.
5) How long will I use the laptop for?
Since you're going to use that laptop online, you're probably going to use it for a long while. Most laptops last an average of 6-8hours on normal usage, and up to 4h on heavy usage (including long periods of gaming, and rendering, depending on the CPU power). Processors with a "U" label on them are low-power consuming. Conversely, processors with "H" labels are much more demanding in power but offers better and higher-grade performance.
Example Recommended Laptops (for both Minimum and Recommended Specs)
Here are my recommended laptops for starters. These will be divided into several categories, depending on the specs.
Take note I have not reviewed any of the laptops shown, and are all based on specifications. I will also not recommend any Chromebooks or Macbooks here
Performance is based on benchmarks from 2010-2013 games. You can run your own benchmarks once you own one of the laptops listed, or simply look for the benchmarks of the CPU and/or GPU listed
All prices are based on Villman.com's listing
MINIMUM:
Lenovo Ideapad S145-14IWL
Specifications:
- Intel Pentium Gold 5405u 2.3ghz
- 4GB RAM
- Intel Integrated Graphics
- 500GB internal storage
- 14 inch LCD, HD
- Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, Card Reader, Headphone/mic port
- Weight: 1.8kg/4.0 lbs
- Windows 10 Home
- PRICE: 19,995 php ($400 US)
Lenovo' is the brand that has sold the most laptops, mainly because of their stylish and lightweight design. This lightweight laptop is perfect on-the-go. Its slim and lightweight body means you can carry it anywhere easily, inside your bag, in class or at home. The laptop also comes with a 0.3MP webcam so that video calling is easy. According to Lenovo's website, this laptop would last you 6 hours. Still, your usage will depend on the longevity of the battery. If you don't mind the 500GB HDD, then this laptop is more than enough for you
Asus Vivobook 14 X412UB EK048T
Specifications:
- Intel Pentium Gold 4417u
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB SSD
- 14inch Anti-Glare LCD 1366x768 resolution
- Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, audio jack 3.5mm, Type-C port, HDMI
- Battery: 2 Cell 37Wh battery
- Weight 1.5Kg
- Windows 10 Home
- PRICE: 22,995 PHP ($460)
Asus is known for making bang for buck laptops with specs that is actually worth for the price, and the Asus Vivobook 14 is no exception. The display is anti-glare, and it comes with "Ergolift Hinge" from Asus that autotilts your keyboard for typing comfortability. This ultrabook is much lighter than the Lenovo we mentioned earlier and that includes the battery. We suggest also getting a 1TB HDD and extra stick of 4GB DDR4 RAM after purchasing as the storage may not be enough for you. The screen resolution is not 1920x1080, so if that's something you're looking for, then find other laptops. If portability is what you're looking for, then look no further
Acer Aspire 3 A314-41-98BRQ
Specifications:
- AMD A9-9420 3.0Ghz
- 4GB RAM
- Integrated AMD Graphics
- 1TB HDD
- Windows 10 Home
- 14 inch HD (1920x1080) LCD
- Ports: 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet (RJ-45)
- Weight: 2.3kg
- Battery: 2 cell battery, Li-Polymer
- PRICE: 22,999php ($460 approx.)
Acer is known for having laptops that look rugged, and the Aspire 3 is just exactly that. This is one of the most powerful laptops (in the minimum section) in this list considering the specs. The screen is also HD so watching videos is a breeze. This is probably the only one in this list that includes an ethernet port so you could connect your laptop to the internet with the wired port. This is also the heaviest laptop in this list weighing around 2.3kg. So if you frequently carry laptops, then this one may be a slight burden.
Specifications:
- AMD A12-9720
- AMD Radeon R7 Integrated graphics
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HDD
- Windows 10 Home
- 15.6 inches Anti-glare 1366x768 60hz resolution screen LCD
- Ports: Ethernet RJ45, USB 2.0, VGA, HDMI, SD Card Reader, 2x USB 3.1, Audio jack 3.5mm
- Battery: 2-cell Li-Polymer
- Weight: 2.3kg
- PRICE: 23,995 PhP ($480)
The most versatile laptops on this list, considering it has multiple connectivity ports including the ageing VGA to which many projectors still use today, so you never run out of choices. Packed with respectable specs for the price, an AMD A12. It also comes with Radeon R7 Graphics, which is close to competitors like the MX130 and MX110. Of course with that many features comes with compensations such as heavy weight, lack of 1080p screen and non-backlit keyboard. If you want to be as versatile as possible, without breaking the bank, then this laptop is for you
EXAMPLE LAPTOPS FROM RECOMMENDED SPECS:
Lenovo Ideapad 130 14-IKB
Specifications:
- Intel Core i3-7020u 2.3ghz
- Intel Integrated Graphics
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HDD
- Windows 10 Home (sold separately, comes with DOS)
- 14in. 1366x768 LCD
- PORTS: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, Ethernet RJ45, 4-in-1 card reader, Audio Jack 3.5mm
- Battery: Up to 5.5 hours (according to Lenovo's website) 2-cell Li-Po
- Weight: 2kg
- PRICE: 22,992 ($460)
What's good about Lenovo's laptops is that you have so many choices to choose from, from Intel Pentium Gold to Core i7. In this listing, we take a look at Lenovo's Ideapad 130 14-IKB. The price is really affordable, even more than some of the laptops in this list. It comes in a stylish design with that "Lenovo" feel and the battery lasts you up to 5.5hours according to their website. Being 14inches mean it's portable and smaller, meaning it's easier to carry anywhere. The price comes with a compensation, as it does not come with Windows 10 installed, has no back-lit keyboard and non 1080p screen. It does come with 2 years warranty, which is a nice bonus.
Asus Laptop X509FA-HT831T
Specifications
- Intel Core i3-8145u, overclockable up to 3.9ghz
- Intel Integrated UHD Graphics 620
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HDD
- Windows 10 Home
- 15.6inch 1366x768 resolution LCD
- Battery: 2-cell 32Wh Battery
- Ports: USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, USB-C, HDMI, Optional Fingerprint Reader
- Weight: 1.8kg
- PRICE: 25,995 PhP ($520)
This laptop is the real deal between productivity and gaming. It balances the two out. It comes with an 8th gen Intel Core i3 processor with integrated graphics, This ultrabook is the simplest in the list as it comes with just the most essential ports, including Type C and USB 3.0. Some models also come with a Fingerprint Reader so you're just one tap away from signing in using Windows Hello; no need to type in passwords every time. despite being 15.6inches, it is light, weighing less than 2kg and is power efficient as well. If you get it via Villman, you also get a backpack as part of the bundle. The screen, dubbed by Asus as "Nano-edge Display" gives immersive visuals so you enjoy watching your movies that has a "theater-feel" to it
HP Notebook 14-CM0015AX
- AMD Ryzen 3-2200u, 2.5ghz base frequency, up to 3.4ghz
- AMD Radeon 520 Graphics
- Windows 10 Home
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HDD
- 14inch 1366x768 resolution LCD
- Ports: 2x USB 3.1, USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet RJ45, Audio port, SD Card Reader
- Weight: 1.47kg
- Battery: 3-cell 41Wh Battery
- PRICE: 27,490 PhP ($550)
When it comes to rugged-design and comfortability, you never go wrong with HP. The HP Notebook 14 is perfect for students who love to program and render short to medium-length videos, and those who wanted portability, as it's ultra light 1.47kg weight means that carrying the laptop is hassle-free. Unlike others, the laptop's battery is 3-cell which means that it will use more power than regular 2-cell battery. It also pricey, costing about 27.5k PhP, but its processor, GPU and lightweight design make up for it, as well as the inclusion of 2 USB 3.0 ports.
Dell Inspiron 15 3585
Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 5-2500u
- AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics (integrated)
- Windows 10 Home
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HDD
- 15.6inch FHD 1920x1080 resolution LCD
- Ports: USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.1, HDMI, Ethernet RJ45, Lock Slot, Audio Port 3.5mm
- Weight: 2.18kg
- Battery: 3-cell 42Wh
- PRICE: 27,990 ($560)
Dell is known for their premium design and excellent customer service quality. The Laptop we have in question is the Dell Inspiron 15 3585 that comes with Ryzen 5-2500u and Integrated Vega 8 Graphics. The processor can handle light to moderate tasks and render HD video with ease. I also recommend it, the processor, for users using Android Studio and students who use Java for programming. It also has numerous ports but is also slightly heavy considering its 15 inch size. If you're looking for a business laptop then this one is for you.
Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 5-3500u 2.1ghz base, up to 3.7ghz
- AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HDD + 256gb SSD
- Windows 10 Home
- 14 inch IPS 1080p LCD
- Ports: HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1
- Battery: 4-cell Li-ion
- Weight: 1.5kg
- PRICE: 30,999 PhP ($620)
The Swift series from Acer is one of the most respected due to its specs:price ratio and as well a premium feel. The laptop we recommend comes with AMD Ryzen 5-3500u and Vega 8 Graphics. The display is immersive and full HD, you'll enjoy your movies without barriers. According to TechRadar, it is a highly portable laptop with the ability to handle multi-tasking well. This laptop is made for those who are productive in life and in the office.
Huawei Matebook D15
- AMD Ryzen 5-3500u
- Integrated Graphics Card
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD
- Windows 10
- 15in IPS LCD HD (1080p)
- PORTS: USB-C (65W Quick Charge), 2x USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, Audio Port
- Battery:
- Weight: 1.62kg (inc. SSD and HDD)
- PRICE: 37,990php ($760 US)
The ultimate productivity machine! Huawei is known for making telecoms equipment and smartphones but they also make laptops. The Matebook D15 is ultra-slim, making it light even for a laptop with 15in size weighing around only 1.53kg (by default, no SSD installed) and 1.63kg with both SSD and HDD. Having no graphics card means this laptop is purposefully built as a productivity laptop. It also comes with a 65W USB-C so that you can charge your phones quick. It also has some perks such as Huawei PC Manager and an app that mirrors your phone (be it Huawei brand or not) through your PC. Multi-tasking has never been this easier
Lenovo Yoga 530-14IKB 2-in-1 Laptop
Specifications:
- Intel Core i3-7020u
- Intel Integrated Graphics 620
- 4GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Windows 10 Home
- 14inch HD 1366x768 resolution LCD with touchscreen
- Windows Ink Pen Support
- PORTS: 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, HDMI, 4-in-1 card reader, Audio port 3.5mm
- Battery: 4-cell Li-ion 45Wh
- Weight: 1.6kg
- PRICE: 29,995 PhP ($600)
A laptop AND a tablet at the same time? That's what 2-in-1 Laptops do. Its 360-degree rotation makes it fully rotatable and flexible. This particular model comes with Intel Core i3 7th gen and 256gb SSD. This is probably the cheapest 2-in-1 Laptop I can recommend. The screen is also touch screen and supports Windows Ink. If you're looking for a tablet and a laptop but don't know which to pick, then 2-in-1 laptops is a must-have.
Lenovo Ideapad 330s-15ARR
Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 7-2700u 2.2ghz
- Radeon 540 GPU 2GB VRAM
- 4GB RAM
- 2TB HDD
- 15.6inch 1080p IPS
- Windows 10 Home
- Ports: USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, USB-C, 4-in-1 card reader, Audio Port
- Weight: 1.87kg
- Battery 3-cell 52.5 Wh
- PRICE: 34,995 PhP ($700)
When I was browsing Villman for recommendations, this laptop caught me off-guard. I was surprised to find a 700 dollar laptop with surprisingly good specs, adding the 2TB HDD as a bonus. This is definitely a top pick for everything, not just gaming but also as a form of storage. Laptops of similar calibre usually have 1TB HDD and budget GPU, but this laptop took it to the next level by adding the Ryzen 7-2700u, making it power-efficient. It can handle most 2010-2013 titles fine medium graphics (depends on the game, still), and can render 10minute videos easily. It is also perfect for those who are using AutoCAD and other architectural apps. This is a must-buy, not just for students but also for those who are looking for a laptop that lasts a lifetime, and for workspaces.
EXAMPLE RECOMMENDED LAPTOPS (GAMING)
You want to go all-out? Gaming Laptops are the solution. Yes it has "gaming" in the name, as it is their main purpose but it can also do productivity tasks just as well.
If you have a desktop, I personally don't recommend getting a Gaming Laptop, and instead invest on a gaming PC as PCs last longer and has replaceable parts
Asus TUF Gaming FX505DT
Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 5-3500H 2.3Ghz up to 4.0Ghz
- Nvidia GTX 1650 4GB VRAM
- 4GB RAM DDR4
- 1TB HDD
- Windows 10 Home
- 15.6inch HD 1920x1080 Anti-Glare display, LCD
- Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.1, HDMI, Audio Port, Ethernet RJ45
- Weight: 2.2kg
- Battery: 4-cell
- PRICE: 38,995 PhP ($780)
The Asus TUF Gaming FX505DT is an affordable gaming laptop packed to the brim with great processing power and GPU. As a gaming laptop, it can handle games like Battlefield 3, GTA V or Need For Speed Rivals at High graphics without fluctuation, is great for rendering heavy graphics and a great multitasker. The keyboard is also backlit so that you can see keys while working at dark light. Upgrade the RAM for an even better performance.
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming (L340 15-IRH)
Specifications
- Intel Core i5-9300H
- Nvidia GTX 1050 3GB VRAM
- 4GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Windows 10 Home
- 15.6in IPS LCD 1080p
- Ports: 2x USB 3.1, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet RJ45, Audio Port
- Weight: 2.2Kg
- Battery: 4-cell, up to 9h use, according to Lenovo Website
- PRICE: 40,995 php ($820)
Not an AMD fan? Well, here's an alternative, the Ideapad L340 Gaming comes with Intel Core i5 9th Gen, and since it's labelled "H", it means better performance at the cost of some power, as opposed to "U" chipsets. It weighs similar to the TUF Gaming FX505DT. Also, instead of HDD, it comes with 512GB SSD so bootups are fast. Take note that Intel processors are more expensive to manufacture, and this laptop comes with an SSD, hence the price.
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-43-R2WK
Specifications:
- AMD Ryzen 5 3750H 2.3ghz base, up to 4.0ghz
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB VRAM
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB + 256GB SSD
- Windows 10 Home
- 15.6in IPS Anti-Glare LCD, 1080p
- Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.1, HDMI, Audio Port, USB-C, Ethernet RJ45
- Weight: 2.3kg
- Battery: 4-cell, 9h use (according to Acer website)
- PRICE: 44,999 PhP ($900)
This one is recommended by many tech reviewers, due to its build, great processor and the fact that it has controllable fans, thus controlling heat. It also has numerous ports ensuring convenient connections. It also comes with 256gb SSD which makes booting up fast. However, this is also the most expensive laptop in this list, and is only recommended if you don't have a PC. It can play most 2010-2015 titles such as NFS 2015, Dark Souls 3, The Witcher 3, COD Black Ops III and RPCSX3 emulator real well (depends on Graphics option). Because it is a performance laptop, everything is smooth and lag-free, whatever the activity you do.
That's all for our laptop recommendations, do you agree with this list? Tell us in the comments below. If you have other recommendations, we would love to hear it.
