Computer usage may be borderline universal, but the purposes for which they’re used can vary wildly. To help you find the ideal computer for you, here’s a quick, essential guide to five types of computers for different needs.
1. Research and Academia
Researchers, Ph.D. candidates, and any data-driven professionals who handle sensitive data need to have faith in a secure and reliable device. Avoiding third parties – including IT or repair shops – and being able to easily encrypt data can help to keep important confidential files locked away.
User-friendly interfaces and seamless cloud connectivity can mean potentially fewer operational and workflow interlocutors. Shortening the learning curve on any new piece of technology is important, but it is essential when typical methods of IT assistance, such as screen sharing and remote access, can mean potential leaks or data exposure.
Computational-heavy research divisions also have the added necessity of robust processing power. A workstation that offers a powerful NVIDIA GeForce (or its equivalent) is absolutely vital.
A carbon-fiber and aluminum shell is best for travel and field-work durability, mitigating the need for hardware repairs. Refurbished rugged toughbooks make an excellent investment for the wear and tear of research-heavy travel. Even so, any system requires safe storage and backup. Connectivity between a trusted cloud server and end-to-end encryption with compatible software keeps data safe. Many operating systems offer a compatible cloud-based storage solution, which can be a smooth transition from solid state to virtual storage.
2. Graphics-Heavy Editing
When it comes to editing 4K footage, using graphics-heavy creative programs, or building pre-visualizations for cinematic shoots, a powerful desktop is vital. For creative professionals, the choice of computer should offer a combination of high-speed processing, RAM, and a high-density pixel display supporting HD footage.
Remember these guidelines for building out your editing bay:
- Smooth playback means a seamless workflow: 4K footage will need, at minimum, 64 GB of RAM and a 1-4 GB graphics card.
- RAM is nothing without a solid processor. Be sure to check the specs for two high-frequency, high core-count processors.
- Rendering files can be a sneaky thief of local storage; while most professionals can rely on external storage, running temporary editing files from an external drive will bring your system to a crawl. 8 TB SSD RAID is a good minimum guideline for local storage.
Color accuracy, image resolution, brightness and “true black” sharp contrast are also important. Be sure to find a main monitor supporting a 16:9 aspect ratio and a brightness rating of at least 400cd/m2. Fully HDR-capable monitors will run a brightness rating of 1000cd/m2, and DCI-P3 monitors are superior to Rec. 709 with regard to the range of display colors.
Tech-savvy creatives can build a station from these specs, but select workstations are often designed to cover the basics. Ultimately, power and versatility are key for creatives who need high-performing tech solutions.
3. Writers and Professionals on the Go
When portability trumps power, finding a lightweight laptop that you can trust to keep your projects on track is essential. Lightweight often means a lack of local storage, so reliance on the cloud is vital for the person who needs solid computational power on the go.
The simplicity and ease of cloud-based computing can be the perfect solution for connectivity, productivity, and security. Cloud-based data storage means a secure method of keeping and sharing documentation, perfect for small teams working on remote projects. This type of computer tends to travel well, due to its light weight and lack of accessories, such as dongles and solid state connections. A cloud-based storage computer can be a perfect machine for anyone who needs a simplified and connected device capable of high-performance word and data processing.
With old-school companies continually investing in more robust infrastructure, along with a slew of new offerings from innovative tech brands, the horizon for low-cost, simple laptops is bright. For anyone who is using only a portion of their high-end laptop’s offerings or looking to supplement their at-home work suite with a mobile option, this type of computer is an excellent alternative.
4. Video Streaming & Vlogging
With an increasing number of successful bloggers and streamers, many are capitalizing on the opportunity to turn their hobby into a successful web-based series. Add that to the numerous people working from home, and remote teams working on projects from around the world, and the need for a device capable of surpassing the typical phone -to-phone lag becomes clear.
Ease of use regarding internet connectivity and easily integrating plug-and-play external devices (especially USB mics) is the name of the game when it comes to the vlogging community. Luckily, most brands have shown a great degree of flexibility when it comes to the prosumer class of pro-YouTubers and streamers.
Portability is a huge consideration, especially for travel bloggers, so a lightweight option with access to video editing software is essential. A lightweight laptop with an AMD Radeon Pro-class processor is a great option, and a built-in HD webcam is always a plus.
The all-in-one workstations offered by mobile hybrid devices that can act as a display tent, laptop, tablet and camera make creating videos or live streaming with flair simple and dynamic.
5. Gaming
If the big prizes offered at last year’s Fortnite World Cup are an indication, gaming is nothing to take lightly. A powerful PC built for lighting-fast video processing and seamless connectivity can make all the difference in performance at the upper levels.
Gaming computers are powerful machines, processing at similarly high speeds to what is seen in digital rendering for professional editing and after-effects. There are a few notable differences in the world of gaming PCs that are specs that any potential consumer should look out for:
- Specialized processors offer better performance, and there are variations on the multicore Ryzen family of processors that make for affordable and impressive graphics additions. Be sure to opt for a solid state hard drive, and check compatibility for best options.
- The GPU (graphics processing unit) is a variant of the CPU for most computers, with its designed focus being rendering video and images concurrently. Gamers should opt for at least 6 GB of memory for high-definition gaming.
- While local storage—RAM—is an important factor, it definitely factors in differently. The most popular games today use between 8-16 GB, but anything beyond 16 GB becomes a redundancy for gaming purposes.
- The power supply is also a vital difference when it comes to gaming computers versus other desktop uses. 650W or 700W should be sufficient (and most quality gaming PSUs match that). Of course, PSU also has a unique importance when it comes to gaming hardware: cheaper power supplies can easily burn out and damage other components.
Finding the Right Type of Computer for You
Ultimately, no two computer users are exactly alike, and a one-size-fits-all solution is rarely ideal. By taking the time to consider your usage, objectives, and lifestyle, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect computer to fit your needs and achieve your goals.