Common Laptop Myths That Small Business Owners Should Stop Believing

Small business owners are often faced with the challenge of choosing between a high-end laptop and a low-cost alternative.

Many small businesses choose to go with cheap laptops because they don’t think that their employees need anything more than what those machines have to offer. The truth is that you’re compromising on performance, security, and durability when you buy cheaper laptops for your staff.
But don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Keep reading to see the most common laptop user and laptop experience myths that small business owners should stop believing!
 1. You Can’t Create a Spreadsheet Without a Laptop
You can! The days of the desktop computer are far from over. You’re more likely to see a desktop in an office environment rather than a laptop. With modern technology and new laptops running on all-day batteries, there’s no longer as much need for portability as before.
The term “desktop replacement” has been thrown around lately as well-meaning you can take your work with you, but it’s designed to be used at home or the office.
That way, nothing is separating you from your data should something happen to your gadget during travel. And if your company uses Google Docs, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, or any other cloud storage services, you can work from anywhere without even needing a laptop.
 2. Pay Attention to the Processing Power
The days of adding RAM and upgrading your HDD are over. While this may have worked in the past, it’s now almost impossible to find an individual part that you can upgrade or replace on your own.
All components are soldered onto the motherboard, so if you need additional memory, for example, you’ll purchase whatever is currently available directly from Apple. Just like laptops, that memory isn’t intended for DIY repairs or upgrades anyway – it comes ready to use out-of-the-box.
 3. You Should Pay More Attention to Battery Life Than Display Size
Forget about purchasing a laptop based on how to screen real estate you think you’ll need. The best laptop available today has a 15-inch display, while the cheapest model is only 13.3 inches.
If you’ll be using your laptop for work all day or are just too fond of watching full HD movies on it, then that’s something you may want to consider when purchasing a laptop. Otherwise,
battery life will always outweigh screen size – especially if you’re not looking to spend more than $700 on your next purchase.
 4. Faster Is Better When It Comes to Processor Speeds
There isn’t much difference between 3GHz and 2GHz anymore. When used in everyday apps like Microsoft Office or email, any laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor should do the trick for most individuals.
Sure, there are more expensive Intel Core i7 processors, but most won’t notice the difference. Likewise, if you’re not editing high-definition movies on your laptop or playing many graphics-intensive games, don’t expect any performance benefits with this upgrade.
 5. It’s Important to Look for HDMI Outputs
While there is some value in connecting a mobile device to an HDTV, it will only be as good as the content it provides. While this capability does allow you to watch those big blockbuster movies from your laptop on a large display, those same movies are available through streaming services like Netflix.
Therefore, relying on an HDMI output isn’t as important anymore – especially since most modern laptops have Bluetooth capabilities already installed. This way, you can hook up to wireless speakers or headphones for an immersive movie-watching experience!
 6. The More Battery Life, the Better
Just like cars with bigger engines, there’s no point in purchasing a laptop with more than 24 hours of battery life. There are too many factors that can affect your machine’s battery life, so you might as well purchase the one with fewer limitations.
This way, if something goes wrong, you won’t feel trapped because of a lengthy battery recharge time. At any given moment during a flight or trip to another city, it’s best to have a backup charger handy, so you don’t have to worry about making it back home on time.
 7. A Faster Processor Will Help with Work Productivity
Most people use their laptops for basic applications like word processors, photo editing, or web browsing. Therefore, there’s no need to purchase a machine with 16GB RAM because you’ll only be using 5-7 GB. Anything more will just weigh down your laptop and cause it to run slower – so don’t waste your money!
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 8. You Should Always Pay More for Additional Software
Laptops are sold preloaded with trial versions of software that you probably won’t end up purchasing after trying them out. Even if you do end up getting Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, or other programs that cost hundreds of dollars, they may not work as intended on older hardware.
And since this type of software usually requires regular updates, the savings associated with buying a “naked” laptop (without extra software) will be greater in the long run.
 9. You Shouldn’t Worry About Usability Unless You Plan on Playing Games or Editing Videos
Modern laptops are meant to be used with apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite. Although you’ll want to look for certain features such as a high-definition display, Bluetooth connectivity, and full-size keyboard, other extras aren’t necessary anymore.
This is especially true if you have a smaller budget – since laptops have less variance in price points than smartphones or tablets, there’s no need to consider unnecessary options!
 10. The More Ram, the Better
This myth probably stems from older computer models that had a finite number of memory slots. Since most modern desktops and laptops have multiple slots for RAM, there’s no need to purchase a machine with 16GB of memory.
If you do have the money to spare, it may be more worthwhile to look into investing in solid-state drives that are better for data storage than older hard drive technologies.
 11. You Should Always Buy the Newest Model
This is another mistake that stems from older computer technology that was easily outdated with a faster, more powerful successor. Laptops are built to last at least five years, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing one without considering its longevity.
If you’re planning on reselling your used laptop at the end of its lifespan, it will be easier to flip if it’s in good condition and not too old. Likewise, there’s no reason to pay for a new operating system either – simply wait until the free upgrade is available instead!
 12. The Most Expensive Laptops Perform Better
Most people who need a laptop do so because they travel a lot or work from home often. Therefore, it’s best to purchase a lightweight machine that isn’t too bulky or heavy. If you’re going to be traveling a lot with your laptop, a more expensive model will just be an extra inconvenience since there aren’t many differences in performance between two similarly priced laptops.
 13. You Shouldn’t Bother Checking the Battery Life on Laptops in Person Before Buying Them
Since most stores only show you preinstalled software and offer no guarantee for the longevity of its hardware, it’s best not to purchase a laptop online without first testing out its battery life. Remember – while some may work perfectly fine while plugged into a power source, others may become sluggish after only an hour of use!
 14. It Isn’t Necessary to Purchase a Laptop from a Well-Known Brand
Since Apple laptops are expensive, many people assume that they’re the only brands worth buying. While it’s true that Macs are built to last for years without an upgrade, it doesn’t mean that other laptops aren’t durable as well!
Try shopping at large electronic stores instead of high-end office supply stores – laptop prices tend to be lower when you purchase them online. Just make sure to check the return policy before buying anything and read reviews from previous customers on popular websites such as Amazon or Best Buy.
When purchasing a laptop, you should always consider your needs first. There’s no reason to splurge on extra features if you don’t use them more than once in a blue moon. Likewise, it isn’t necessary to buy the cheapest laptop available either – look for deals that offer the best value for your money instead.
 15. You Should Avoid Online Retailers at All Costs
Although you’ll sometimes find deals at independent brick-and-mortar stores, most competitive prices can be found at big-name retailers like Best Buy or Walmart. These laptops are normally low-quality pieces of hardware, but they’re fine if you simply need something to check email or browse the internet!
If you purchase a machine without considering your needs first, however, it’s not advisable to purchase an expensive model just because it has fewer features than its competitors.
Want More Help Finding the Best Laptops for Small Business Owners?
We hope that this article has helped you debunk some of the most common laptop myths for small business owners. If it’s not too much trouble, please take a moment to visit our blog for more articles on smart business and to learn about different types of laptops.