Buying guide for best samsung laptops

Samsung makes all kinds of electronic devices and appliances, such as smartphones, tablets, refrigerators, and TVs. It may be hard to believe, but Samsung started as a grocery store in the 1930s; they didn’t begin making electronics until 1969. Today, their laptops are extremely popular and range from budget models to high-end gaming machines.

Samsung’s family of laptops run the gamut from simple, inexpensive Chromebooks to full-size laptops that offer the power and performance required for high-end computing. This means it’s easy to find a Samsung laptop that will meet your computing needs or your budgetary needs — or both. As with any laptop, their models vary in processing power, screen size, battery life, and other features. Finding the right model means considering your needs and what you will primarily use your laptop for.

Our buying guide will help you figure out which components you need to focus on to find the Samsung laptop that’s perfect for you.

When cleaning your laptop display screen, use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water.

Key considerations

When shopping for a Samsung laptop, you’ll want to start by choosing between a full-size notebook and a Chromebook. You then can focus on some of the key components of these devices.

Laptop vs. Chromebook

Chromebooks from Samsung are quite a bit cheaper and smaller than traditional notebooks and laptops. They have a lightweight design that makes them easy to carry for the entire day. Some offer touchscreen capabilities in a 2-in-1 design, which combines the best features of a tablet with a small laptop. Many Samsung laptops also feature 2-in-1 designs.

For the best processing power and performance speed, though, you’ll want to stick with a full-size Samsung notebook or laptop. Their laptops can run all kinds of software, including gaming software, which a Chromebook cannot run. Notebooks from Samsung also feature larger screens than Chromebooks and sometimes sport longer battery life.

CPU

The central processor unit, or CPU, is the most important chip inside any laptop, including those from Samsung. All of the computer’s processes will go through the CPU at some point, so you’ll want a fast, powerful processor.

CPU power is measured by the clock speed of the chip (in GHz) and by the number of cores it has. Larger numbers for both measurements result in better performance.

However, the best CPUs are only found in Samsung laptops with high price points. So if you need to save money and you don’t need to run high-end software, you can go with a slower CPU.

Even though Samsung makes waterproof smartphones, only a few of its laptops have water-resistant features.

Screen size

Because the screen is built into the laptop, it’s important to pick a screen that fits your needs — it’s not like you can swap out the laptop screen later for a bigger one if you change your mind. Full-size laptops from Samsung typically have screens measuring between 11 and 16 inches. If you go with a Chromebook from Samsung, you’ll usually choose between screens of 10.1 or 11.6 inches. Screens are measured diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner.

A Samsung laptop with a precise touchscreen is especially helpful when you’re on the move or working in a tight space. We look carefully at touchscreen Samsung laptops in our research.

In addition to straightforward measurements like screen size, we take into account each Samsung laptop’s aspect ratio, the ratio of its screen width to height. A good aspect ratio allows you to make the most of the available real estate.

Some of the most worthwhile Samsung laptops we review aren’t big and flashy. Instead, many of them are compact, durable, and reasonably priced.

While Samsung is well-known for its smartphones and tablets, our research shows that Samsung laptops are some of the best notebook PCs on the market.

We look at Samsung laptops that are suitable for casual use or simple word processing. To get a balanced view, we also look at those that pack great power and high-end features.

While the Windows operating system is the most powerful and customizable platform offered by Samsung laptops, we also spend time researching the company’s excellent Chromebook lineup.

We seek out Samsung laptops with bright, high-contrast screens, wide color gamuts, and narrow bezels.

We enjoy reviewing Samsung laptops and are particularly inspired by their slim form factors and light weights.

In our research, we have found that the Samsung laptops of the last few years utilize a number of advanced and convenient features. This includes premium touchpads and 360-degree hinges.

When selecting Samsung laptops for our shortlist, we pay attention to the aesthetic appeal of the display and finish.

Features

After you’ve chosen the key components you want in your Samsung laptop, you can select some other features. These items will help you enjoy your laptop more, so think about how you’ll use the machine and find features that match your desired use.

• Battery: The majority of Samsung laptops can run a full work day (about 8 hours) before needing a recharge. However, you can find models from Samsung with battery life in the range of 4 to 12 hours.
• RAM: RAM, short for random access memory, is the temporary storage area where the laptop keeps data it’s using. The more RAM you have, the faster the Samsung laptop will perform. Average Samsung laptops will have 4GB or 8GB of RAM.
• Storage: Samsung laptops typically use an SSD, or solid state drive, for storage. SSDs deliver above average performance speeds, so they are usually preferable to older HDD (hard disk drive) technology. A typical SSD size is 512GB for a Samsung laptop and 64GB for a Samsung Chromebook.
• Case color: Samsung laptops are available in a few different colors of cases, but black is by far the most common.

Samsung laptop prices

Prices for Samsung laptops vary quite a bit. If you need to save some money, you can find a low-priced Samsung Chromebook for $100 to $300. Renewed laptops and notebooks also may fit in this price range.

Midrange Samsung laptops will cost $300 to $700. These are typically powerful Chromebooks or low-end full-size notebooks.

The priciest laptops from Samsung will run from $700 to $2,000. The top end of this range consists of laptops that will be suitable for gaming or running high-end software. If high processing power and superior graphics are must-have features, you may need to consider laptops on the higher end of this range.

Tips

Take care of your Samsung laptop properly to get the most out of its lifespan by following these tips:

• Install trustworthy antivirus software. Anyone who has a laptop connected to a WiFi network runs the risk of receiving a virus. Always have antivirus software running, and keep it up to date.
• Keep hazards away from the laptop. Rambunctious pets and young children could break your laptop by tripping over a power cord. Liquids and food crumbs will shorten the life of the laptop as well. When you carry your laptop from place to place, always set it down carefully. Never place heavy items on top of it in a backpack or bag.
• Don’t carry the device by the screen. Always carry the laptop by supporting the base of the laptop (the part with the keyboard). Consistently carrying the machine by the screen could cause permanent damage.
• Avoid rapid temperature changes. If you’re carrying your laptop with you to class or to a meeting off-site, avoid leaving it exposed to excessively high or low temperatures for extended periods of time. Keep it out of direct sunlight. If the machine is extremely cold, don’t turn it on until it has reached room temperature.
• Allow the laptop to breathe. Laptops cool their internal components with airflow and interior fans. If you block the machine’s vents, you could cause it to overheat. Leave plenty of free space around the vents in the computer case.

Other products we considered

The majority of shoppers should find a high-quality Samsung laptop in our matrix that they can use for years to come. But if you’re looking for something a little different, we did consider a few other products that are worth a look.

If you want a big screen above all else in a low-priced laptop, the Samsung Chromebook 4 has a 15.6-inch full-HD screen. The generous screen size makes it easy to multitask, and the plastic case is highly durable.

For a laptop that stands out with its whimsical design and interesting color options, the Samsung NP530XBB Notebook is a fun choice. The inclusion of an HDMI and USB-C port make this laptop easy to connect to a variety of devices.

If are looking for a high-power gaming laptop but need to save some money, we recommend the Samsung Odyssey Notebook, a great value choice. Its Intel Core i7 and 8GB or 16GB RAM make it well equipped for the latest games.

Some Samsung notebooks and laptops have touchscreen capabilities, which simplify using the device, especially for someone who is used to using a smartphone.

FAQ

Q. Is there any benefit to sticking with a Samsung laptop if I already own a Samsung smartphone?
A. Not necessarily. A Samsung laptop operates quite a bit differently from a Samsung smartphone. Samsung devices can use a variety of operating systems, including Android, Windows, and ChromeOS, so there are plenty of differences in how the devices run. That said, if you have developed a trust for Samsung devices, there’s nothing wrong with sticking with Samsung for all of your electronics.

Q. Does the S Pen come with all Samsung touchscreen laptops?
A. Not all Samsung touchscreen laptops include their versatile and precise S Pen stylus. However, many of their models do. Read the product description carefully to see whether the S Pen is included if this is a must-have feature for you.

Q. How many years can I expect to use my Samsung laptop before it needs replacing?
A. For a full-size laptop, you can expect to receive three to five years’ worth of use. For a Chromebook, two to four years is typical. Those who need the highest levels of power and performance will be at the low end of these ranges, needing replacement machines often. And, of course, if you treat the computer harshly or drop it occasionally, it won’t live to see the low end of these ranges.