While working with UX works you don’t create experience just for your system but probably for the varied types of devices around the world. This can be devastating to choose the ideal working device.
We spoke to hundreds of top UX designers in the world to figure out what do they expect before they choose their development machines:
1. Choosing An Operating System
The first thing to do, before even looking at any model is to decide which operating system you would like to use on your new laptop.
The four most commonly used operating systems for web design and web development are Chrome OS, Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Windows
Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world. According to recent statistics, approximately 90% of computers worldwide run the operating system.
The Windows web design and development community is excellent, with many programs and tools available for Windows that aren’t available on other operating systems. Windows is also available on a variety of laptops at different price points, making it the most flexible of the four operating systems listed above.
Linux
Linux is arguably the most difficult to use operating system available today. Many commands need to be entered directly into the command line, which can be rather daunting and unintuitive. Installing apps and making changes to the operating system can be difficult, too.
Perhaps the most ‘user-friendly’ derivation of Linux is Ubuntu which is a free operating system for desktop and mobile devices.
Mac OS X
Apple’s Mac OS X is a powerful operating system. Aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and immensely powerful, OS X is quickly becoming the operating system of choice for web designers and web developers with deep pockets.
Unfortunately, Mac OS X is only available on Apple units, which are often more expensive those that are manufactured by other companies.
Chrome OS
Chrome OS is the simplest and most straightforward operating system available today. The operating system, created by Google, is very similar to the popular Chrome web browser, except transformed into an operating system.
For designers and developers who like to code directly in raw HTML and CSS, and don’t like using code editors or interactive development environments, Chrome OS is a fine, albeit limited, choice.
2. Setting a Budget
Before starting your laptop search, it’s important to set a budget to work with.
Unlike graphics programmers or computer scientists, web design doesn’t tax computer hardware much. A fast CPU and a decent amount of RAM is all that’s needed for most web development work.
Most models fall into one of four price brackets:
- Budget —$150-350
- Mid-Range – $350-700
- High-End – $700-1000
- Performance – $1000
If you’re looking to keep your laptop for a few years, it might be worth splashing out on a more expensive model.
3. Choosing Appropriate Specifications
Before starting your search for a laptop, make a list of the tasks you’ll be using it for. This list will help guide you when comparing different models with different specs.
If you’ll be diving into Adobe Photoshop or GIMP on a regular basis, it’s important to choose a laptop with a fast CPU able to quickly render effects and carry out computations.
If you’ll be moving around a lot, then it’ll be important to choose a laptop that is light and has great battery life. Laptops that use Intel’s ULT Haswell architecture are normally a great fit for people that are constantly on the go.
If you’ll be spending most of your time using your laptop at a desk, you might be better off with a desktop replacement laptop.
It’s also important to get a laptop with a good quality trackpad and keyboard. At the moment, Apple is the gold standard when it comes to trackpads and keyboards, but other companies – mainly Lenovo, Samsung and Sony – are quickly catching up.
4. Summing Up - Factors To Look Out For
Budget
The budget laptop space belongs to Chrome OS and Linux exclusively. Samsung, HP, and Acer are the main players in this market, with a variety of laptop models available to buy at affordable prices. Make sure to try them before buying one, though, as trackpad / keyboard / screen quality can vary wildly.
Mid-Range
The midrange market is mainly dominated by Lenovo, Dell, Acer, Samsung, and HP. They offer excellent units that are perfect for any web design task. Plus, they are available at flexible price points.
High-End
Sony, Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo rule the high end laptop space with a variety of different units available, each with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Of these manufacturers, Samsung, Sony, and Lenovo are arguably the best, with Lenovo’s iconic Thinkpad range being particularly excellent value for money.
Some bargains are available in Apple’s online refurb store, though, with discounts as high as 20%.
Performance
The performance category belongs to Apple, Alienware, Sony, and a few others. These companies all produce incredible machines that boast best in class performance and features, but they often come at a great cost.
Competing machines from Sony, Alienware, etc. normally trip up in an area or two compared to the Macbook Pro, but they’re still worth considering if you prefer Windows and Linux to OSX.
(Article previously published on Usability Geeks)
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