We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This adds no cost to our readers, for more information read our earnings disclosure.
If you are learning Artificial Intelligence or Data Science, you need a responsive laptop equipped with the latest hardware. At a later stage in your learning cycle, you will need to write and execute your own code.
Once you complete your training, the next challenge is to find a competitive job in the AI or data science industry. That’s not all; you will also need to pick a laptop that can store loads of data as well as the tools you need for data processing and analytics tasks.
If you are exploring a guide to pick the right specifications for a data analytics laptop, you’ve landed at the right place.
Processor Is the Priority
The first thing that you must look for in your laptop is the processor – it has to be ultra-responsive. When it comes to the processor, consider buying a newer generation. AMD 7th Gen and Intel Core 12th Gen processors are today’s latest variants.
The number of cores and threads is another key requirement that you should look for in your data analytics laptop. Most ML and data analytics tasks require parallel computation. Cache memory and base clock speed are something that you need to consider.
Related: Best Processors for Data Analysis
There Should be More RAM
When you are deciding on RAM (Random Access Memory), go for the higher variant. Having 32 GB of RAM is recommended over 16 GB. The higher the RAM size, the more efficient your laptop will be in handling different tasks seamlessly.
Most people believe that the RAM decides the speed of your computer. In fact, RAM allows the device to multitask. For example, you can search how to refresh email on Mac or download an app while your laptop is converting business reports to PDF in the backend.
Secondary Storage Has to Be Bigger
Data analytics professionals deal with tons of data on a daily basis, so get ready for the challenge. However, before you enter the industry, make proper arrangements to store this data securely. Get a laptop that has ample storage space available.
Today’s latest laptops integrate SSD (solid-state drives), which are faster and more energy efficient than traditional hard drives. You can consider upgrading storage if the laptop’s motherboard supports NVMe SSDs.
Graphics Card Should Be of Higher Quality
The two major brands ruling the graphics card industry are NVidia and AMD. The deep learning tasks will require you to have a good GPU, such as one from the house of NVidia. As you advance in your career, you will realize the importance of a powerful GPU.
When it comes to graphics processors, the size really matters. Professionals working in data analytics, artificial intelligence, data management, or deep learning realms must have at least 4GB GPU in their laptops.
The display Must Be Clear & Large
As a data analytics or machine learning professional, you must spend hours in front of the laptop analyzing and creating reports. Your laptop display must have blue light filtering technology to prevent your eyes from harmful rays.
Buy a laptop that has a low blue-light ratio and gives you a flicker-free experience. Buying a full-HD external monitor in a larger size is an ideal option. So, consider connecting a 22-inch or 24-inch monitor to your data analytics laptop.
What Else?
After you determine all the technical specifications, it’s time to decide on the non-tech aspects of the laptop. Here, you need to consider the reliability and durability factors. Laptops are delicate, so pick one with a metal body, particularly if your job involves frequent traveling.
Regardless of the brand you buy, you must learn some common troubleshooting tips. Learning DIY solutions will help you to fix your laptop in case you encounter general errors like apps not responding, internet connectivity problems, or sound issues.
Technical Support is another important factor that influences your purchase decision. The brand you buy must provide extensive post-sales support and upgrade options. In addition, check the guarantee and warranty policy as well as other terms and conditions.
Also, compatible hardware components such as the RAM, storage, or battery must be easily available even five years down the line. Considering all these factors when buying a laptop will allow you to buy an efficient device that delivers performance.
Conclusion
As a Data Analyst, your primary responsibility is to extract data from various resources and filter it using various tools and techniques. It is a dynamic profession that demands you to be efficient at whatever task you do.
Therefore, having a responsive and functional laptop is a must, as it can help you handle all your tasks proactively. Whether you buy a MacBook or a Windows Laptop, go for higher RAM and bigger storage so that you can multitask and can store tons of data seamlessly.