The Advancements of Portable Computer Technology
Buying a laptop in 2023 is a challenge, but only because there are so many outstanding options available to the consumer. Whether you go with an Apple device, or a Windows machine, or even a Chromebook, you can find a device that fits your specifications, budget, and desire for specific amenities. While the power of laptop performance is not in question in 2023, there are some computers that stand out from the crowd. Rather than looking at numbers on a spreadsheet or the raw performance of a chip, we’ve chosen to assess the special features that such laptops bring to the table.
Portable computer technology, driven by the global demand for smartphones and tablets, is trickling down to laptops and desktops. Smaller parts, more efficient processors, better batteries, and screen technology advancements mean that laptops are a lot more futuristic in 2023 compared with even four or five years ago. Below are a few examples of how the advancements of portable computer technology are leading to unique laptop experiences for consumers.
OLED and mini-LED screens
Two of the most interesting innovations for laptop screens have been led by the smartphone market: OLED and mini-LED screens. The OLED technology is a significant leap from the typical LCD screens that we see on most laptops. While there are many technical differences between OLED and LCD screens, one of the most important ones is how the screen’s pixels are lit up. When an LCD screen is active, every single pixel is on, no matter the color(s) of the image that is being shown at the time.
In contrast, an OLED screen can shut off or dim pixels depending on what is being shown. For instance, an OLED screen that is showing a black background could be entirely off, which saves a lot of power and results in much deeper blacks. Such screens are outstanding for creating and editing content, along with watching movies, television shows, and any other media. Mini-LED screens are similar to OLED, but they have eliminated some issues that are present in the OLED technology, such as screen burn-in.
Efficient processors and longer battery life
Another advancement that has come to laptops in 2023 is much better battery life compared with previous generations. If you bought a laptop in 2017 or 2018, even if it was an ultrabook with a modest processor, you would not expect to get more than six or seven hours of use time. Even the best laptops at the time were only offering one or two more hours, at a push.
Now it is common to see laptops with 10 or more hours of battery life. Devices such as Apple’s Macbook Air have an even longer battery life, which means that you can easily leave your charger behind when you take your laptop to school or work, or on a day out.
Much of the increase in battery life is coming from more efficient processors. Even when a computer has a very powerful processor, it may be designed in such a way as to take efficiency into account. The processor is usually made up of many cores, with some of the cores being low-powered for handling simple tasks.
Laptops that play around with the display
When you look at the latest laptops that were unveiled at the recent CES 2023 in Las Vegas, it’s noticeable that a lot of risks are being taken. Companies such as Lenovo are pushing the boundaries of what a consumer laptop is capable of. There are devices that have more than one usable screen, which means you can set the laptop up on a table to view both screens on top of each other, while also using a keyboard. There are other laptops that have a giant foldable display, which you can either use as a huge screen or as a typical, smaller laptop. Such designs are still emerging, which means there may be some kinks to iron out for manufacturers. However, consumers should be excited about what the future has to hold regarding laptop technology.
Finding the ideal balance between ingenuity and practicality
Futuristic tech is very exciting, and we always want to see manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what is possible. What you do not want to do, however, is invest in a device that is too unique to be practical. If you are buying a laptop you would primarily use around the house, you can experiment with one that has a giant screen that is foldable or has two screens. If you’re buying a primary laptop to use on the go, however, you may want to stick with tried and trusted builds that prioritize efficiency, battery life, and longevity.
