Where do you primarily use your device?

Laptops deliver the flexibility to work from anywhere. But if you commute daily to an office or take your laptop on business trips, your needs are significantly different than someone who primarily works from home or in a fixed office location. The first factor to consider is where you primarily use your device.

If your device typically stays in the same location, such as a dedicated home office, you have flexibility with choosing a larger screen size or trading cost savings for a slightly heavier model. However, if you often travel between locations, it’s important to consider options such as lighter weight and thinner form for ease of use. The form factor can impact both the style and performance options of this device.

Are you on the go, or working in a tough environment?

Whether you primarily use your device in the office or you’re constantly on the go, it’s important to consider the environments you’ll be working in. For example, a sales representative who travels to make pitches or visits clients is likely going to be in a climate-controlled environment such as an office or conference room.

However, if your work takes you into places where a hardhat is required or into inclement weather or environments like a warehouse, a durable military-grade device with features such as water, dust, and drop resistance can help ensure you have a laptop that meets the challenges these environments provide.

Do you ever use your device for gaming?

Whether you work in the gaming field or have a device that’s dual personal and business use, gaming laptops have special requirements. One of the most important is a high-quality graphics card, which can help deliver the immersive experience today’s video games offer.

Other factors to consider include a high-performance CPU and efficient RAM to lower the risk of latency. The size of the screen can also be key to think about if you don’t intend to connect the device to an external screen when you want the flexibility to play. Overall, gaming developers and designers—as well as players—need high-end laptops that don’t compromise performance.

What’s more important—performance or portability?

As you consider laptop options, it can be helpful to assess if you care more about performance or portability—or if you need a device that can successfully balance the two. The reality is that most devices will require some tradeoff between these two aspects. However, knowing which one takes priority can help you assess the best option within your budget.

For those who push the boundaries of performance with programming, large spreadsheets, or heavy graphics work, there are laptop options that can meet those performance demands. In some cases, the form factor of these devices may be larger or a bit heavier than an ultralight device designed for light email or web browsing on the go. If portability is a higher consideration for easy commuting or long-distance business trips, a slimmer form factor and smaller screen can offer an ultralight device that’s designed to best support work on the go.

Do you want a traditional laptop or a hybrid device?

Today’s lineup of available devices allows you to choose from a traditional laptop or something that can act as a tablet and laptop, for example. The options are far more diverse than a decade ago—and understanding where these devices can transform your workflow is a key part of finding the right device for your needs.

If you’re a creative worker who uses your device for drawing or you simply like to take handwritten notes, a hybrid model with a touch screen could be a great choice. Also called a convertible notebook, or a 2-in-1, these devices bridge the gap between keyboard-based work and touchscreen devices. If your workflows demand that you switch between reading or taking notes on a touchscreen and then pivoting to the ability to type data into a spreadsheet, a convertible allows you to keep up with the most specialized projects with the flip of the screen on its hinges. These devices offer the benefits of a single device that meets all your computing needs in one, without the need to carry both a laptop and tablet while on the go or in the office.