Freelancers, who have been working to pursue their goals for a couple of years now, must be aware of the perks that this working style brings along. The freedom to work from anywhere is one of the major advantages, yet you have to deal with some challenges as well.
The significant career shift also demands you to be equipped with the right tools and equipment to make freelancing possible. Keep in mind that you will be wearing different hats at different times, as you are your boss, your supervisor, your manager, and your accountant too.
To get started, you need a computer, a laptop to be more specific as you might be traveling a lot, meeting clients, while accomplishing your freelancing tasks.
On top of that, having a laptop gives you the real freedom and portability you need as a freelancer and gives you a different experience from that of working 9 to 5 in an office cubicle.
So, when it comes to buying a laptop, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, based on the type of tasks you will be handling as a freelancer.
What You Need to Look For in a Laptop?
The best configuration within your budget is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of buying a laptop. Right? Let’s make your task easier.
First thing’s first, decide on the operating system as it will help you filter your search precisely. Once you select the operating system, you can easily pick major specifications such as memory, processor, storage, and so on for the laptop.
Even if you are not willing to spend hugely on top-notch specifications, opt for optimal ones to avoid system slowdowns later as they are simply frustrating.
Windows or macOS?
Windows or Mac?
You are going in the right direction by deciding the operating system that you want to work with as a freelancer. Your budget plays a vital role here. If you have budget constraints, go for Windows as the post-purchase stuff will be easier to deal with, such as if you want to get an app or something.
MacBooks come with a heavy price tag, and that’s something justified. You will only get to understand it when you start using it in your daily routine. The performance of Mac computers is outstanding, but high-end Windows laptops are no less with better compatibility and support.
The decision to go with a Windows laptop or a MacBook is very much based on the budget and individual preferences. However, when it comes to storage, memory, processor, and other specifications, we can help you decide right away.
Memory
The memory you select depends on your profession and the intensity of tasks you will be handling daily. Do not settle for anything less than 8 GB if you are a writer, data analyst, or deal with volumes of data and high-end applications.
If you are a graphic designer or an avid gamer, opt for a 16 GB RAM as it will prevent you from the hassles of looking for upgrading it 2 years down the line. If you get 4 GB RAM, you will find it difficult to work efficiently in a Word document, with a couple of Google tabs opened while you are downloading an app.
The memory in your laptop decides your ability to multi-task efficiently without experiencing performance lags. Insufficient memory will result in continuously spinning fans, CPU temperature rise, sudden shutdowns that demand to reduce the memory consumption.
Storage
SSD storage with a minimum of 256 GB capacity is our recommendation. If you are involved in storage-intensive tasks, you can select a laptop with dual storage capabilities; such computers support an SSD and an HDD together.
If you are a power user, 512 GB would be sufficient for all your data storage needs, given that you are aware of the free cloud storage services available today. You may need to spend additionally on a laptop equipped with an SSD, and it’s a smart decision as it makes no sense to get hard drive storage in 2022.
Solid-state drives are faster, they are fail-proof, so it’s worth spending some extra money for efficiency and reliability.
Processor
When it comes to processors, Intel and AMD are two giant players in the industry. Your options in Intel include i5, i7, and i9, while AMD offers Ryzen 5, 7, and 9. Processing power works in collaboration with the memory to deliver seamless performance.
Both Intel and AMD provide multiple generations that complicate the decision-making process as users find it difficult to differentiate among them. To simplify this, we recommend buying a processor that has been introduced within the last two years. You can browse the web to find the exact launch date and make the best purchase decision.
Freelancers with graphic designing gigs should select either Intel i7 or Ryzen 5. For better graphics performance, pick a discrete graphics card with in-built memory.
