SSD Laptops
SSD stands for Solid State Drive whereas HDD or Hard Disk Drive is the old-fashioned method of storing information. When you start your computer each day and retrieve information (including permanent functions like Word, Email, Entertainment, and Games), store your anti-virus, or search for documents you saved (essays, email messages, photos, and sound recordings), your storage device plays a huge role in all of that work.
Solid is Better
SSD storage on a card or removable drive (not a USB thumb drive but a superior, removable item) is faster, quieter, less prone to fragmenting information, smaller, and sturdier than HDD. The latter, older, magnetic mode, however, is cheaper; therefore, you can afford to buy a computer with more memory in this format. But if you are thinking of buying a new laptop, SSD is going to provide the best performance. Upgrades will come; be patient. By the time you really need more storage at a reasonable price, it might be time to replace your laptop anyway.
Best SSD Laptops
I am not going to be finicky and choose only laptops below a certain price or of a particular size. Just a few companies are making these items today and selling them at major electronics retailers, through e-commerce, and at large department stores. Acer, Asus, MSI, Hewlett Packard, Dell, and Samsung all have something to offer, but be aware that some of these products are extremely pricey.
ASUS Models
Here are five choices from ASUS, one of them specifically for gamers. Gamers (people who play role-playing games or generally spend hours immersing themselves in virtual worlds online) need features regular users wouldn’t think about or these features become more critical in their case (temperature control, for one thing). The ASUS Republic of Gamers 17.3″ laptop costs about $2,200. It contains 1000 GB and 7200 rpm Hard Drive with 256 GB SSD. The battery lasts about 4 hours after it is fully charged. Reviews suggest this is an excellent product which stays cool even when used for hours at a time. Overheating is a primary concern among users who run their laptops extensively without breaks. Now that gives you an idea why your 15-year-old son is willing to mow every lawn in the neighborhood and why he needs to save so much money.
The ASUS 17.3″ Full HD Notebook with Intel Core i7, Blu-Ray writer, contains 256 GB once more. There is also a high definition camera, Bluetooth 4.0, and an illuminated keyboard. Customers call it “amazing.” ASUS calls it “fast.”
Aces by Acer
The Chromebook by Acer offers affordability but limited memory: 32 GB SSD as compared with 256 GB above. This is not meant to be the high-tech wonder a gaming computer has to be and only costs around $400, so sacrifice a bit of memory; there are at least 1,600 reasons (US Dollars) to do so. Acer puts out affordable products in general. Some of the consumers who fell in love with their Chromebook were looking for a portable unit as opposed to a 17″ screen and they include information technology professionals who find it user-friendly.
Acer promises a day’s use on a single charge if you want to use their laptop wirelessly. High resolution makes images and text clear and bright: the perfect combination for reading e books or watching movies. SSD ensures this piece of high-tech equipment operates so fast you won’t be able to make a cup of tea while waiting for your computer to boot up anymore. You’ll have to learn new time management strategies.
The Aspire Notebook takes a different shape from the rest: it unfolds. As you open the screen, you have the option to prop it up like a book against a stand and use the keyboard or take your screen out and use it as an iPad by switching to touchscreen mode. The Aspire Notebook is enabled with Bluetooth, Dolby Home Theater sound v4, and a wide viewing angle. It’s what Acer calls a “hybrid” and about the most convenient device around for roughly $800.
Stealthy MSI Notebook
Cast your eyes over the 17.3″ MSI GS70 Stealth Pro Full HD Notebook. For almost $2,000, customers receive 128GB SSD (half the gamer computer), Windows 8.1 Multi-language, and a fourth generation Intel Core i7-4700HQ quad-core processor. Graphics are slick. The speed is amazing. LED back lighting is easy on the eyes. A dual fan cooling unit should keep this unit from overheating without making a lot of noise. MSI claims the speed is even good enough for extreme gamers.
Samsung Shines
Compared to the other names above, Samsung is a well-known performer in the electronics business. Their Chromebook, measuring 11.6″, provides the convenience of a small size but affordability too. At about $400, it’s within the range of average laptop prices. Ratings say a lot about this device: there are lots of them so Samsung’s SSD laptop is popular. Most of them give the product at least 4 stars, so it’s better than average. Consumers feel protected from losing data by a 16 GB SSD system, so they feel comfortable performing online transactions with the Samsung Chromebook. They love how light and reactive it is, responding to the barest touch without being over-sensitive and doing odd things when you breathe heavily.
Hewlett Packard Pavilion
Not to be outdone by Samsung, Acer, et al, HP has contributed a 64 GB SSD Pavilion touchscreen laptop to the stakes. This $600 device features a detachable screen which may not be quite as slick as the Aspire, but still handy if you prefer a portable iPad-style method of surfing and won’t be doing much typing.
Dell Chromebook
I’m mentioning Dell’s contribution to the list because Dell has been a good brand for at least two decades. They have performed reliably so it would be good to see them succeed with the next generation of computers. Their Chromebook contains 16GB SSD, costs about $350, and rates highly if you just want a decent SSD laptop, not a gaming device.