New Homes New Home Builder in North & South Carolina

Table of Content

• Affordable Dream Homes in just 10 simple steps.
• Helpful Tips for Building in North Carolina
• Pillar: Custom Homes North Carolina
• How much does it cost to frame a house in North Carolina?

Homes on the coast tend to cost more because you need things like hurricane-proof windows, increasing the costs of the entire project. Below are some of the costs per square foot to build a new home in various parts of the state. The state average cost to build a home in North Carolina is $420,000 to $630,000, with most homeowners spending around $525,000 for a 2,100 sq.ft. Georgian-style Federal home using good-quality materials and traditional building methods. Bungalow using mid-grade materials and built with modular technology. The high cost for this project is $1,500,000 for a 3,000 sq.ft.

That amount has increased with rising prices across the nation. The cost can vary significantly by size, location, and proximity to the nearest city. Here is a step-by-step guide for building your new house in North Carolina. Homeowners might consider the irrigation plan for their property if the area is prone to severe storms.

Affordable Dream Homes in just 10 simple steps.

Homeowners should purchase a robust home insurance policy that protects against damage by natural disasters. “Our name change speaks to our confidence in our mission to make it possible for all future generations to eat meat. Structural and layout upgrades such as ceiling height and room additions are generally much more expensive when added to an existing house.

Both home types can be done using existing or custom designs. Custom homes will be more expensive using both building types, while existing plans will be less expensive. Both types give you a wide range of different home styles, influencing the final project cost. Below are the average costs to build a home in North Carolina using the two methods.

Helpful Tips for Building in North Carolina

Extra insulation along with well-sealed siding and ductwork will be beneficial in the case of severe thunderstorms and harsh winters to keep cold air and excess moisture out. In certain areas that may be at a greater risk of hurricane damage, homeowners may opt for storm windows and incorporate shelter areas in the design of the home. An Israeli company that specializes in 3D-printed lab-grown meat with non-GMO animal cells is currently building the world’s largest commercial-scale production facility in North Carolina. Download our free guide on how to budget for and find the perfect lot. Check out our answers to some common questions about the home building process.

Homeowners Funding and other assistance to help property owners restore or rebuild. The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. All information is subject to change at any time without notice.

Pillar: Custom Homes North Carolina

Homes built in North Carolina can be constructed using one of two methods - stick-built and modular. The first, stick building, is the most common in the region and the most traditional. With this style, your home is built on the site from the ground up. This is generally the more expensive method of building a home, but it allows for more flexibility because you can make changes during the building process. Once you’ve decided on a floor plan, your next step is to finalize your finances and submit your plans to your builder.

Buying a Kit home in North Carolina is much different than buying a Kit home in other parts of the country. Kit homes are manufactured homes that are built off-site and then transported to the site where they will be installed. Kit homes can be purchased as individual units or as part of larger developments, with many buyers opting for the latter option. We’re honored to have received the prestigious Gold National Housing Quality Award, regarded as the highest level of quality achievement in the housing industry.

However, it is challenging to build a tiny home because not all states in the U.S. are open to tiny homes. Only a few states are tiny house friendly, and fortunately, North Carolina is one of them. An experienced real estate contractor can arrange for all the resources needed in the construction. We recommend you do the necessary research before building your own house in North Carolina. In North Carolina, a building permit is required to construct a new house. State laws charge differently for commercial and residential building permits.

We proudly build a variety of custom homes in several areas of North Carolina up to an hour and a half away in distance. Although we're based out of Burlington, we proudly build a variety of custom homes in several areas of North Carolina up to 60 miles in distance. If you're unsure if we build in your area, give us a call and we'll be happy to speak with you. We could not be happier with the level of expertise we experienced at Carolina Custom Homes of Burlington with Andy, Mark, and Paul.

Custom Homes.Modular Prices.

They will help connect you with reputable home builders in Minnesota. All Lindal homes can be designed and engineered to meet permitting and other regulations required by your state, province, or the particulars of your build site. Together, we will take your dream home from original conception to livable reality. Unlike traditional houses, there is no property tax imposed on tiny houses. However, you will have to pay property taxes on tiny houses on wheels because they are considered recreational vehicles in North Carolina.

Build any of our plans as designed or make minor modifications to suit your needs. You’re trying to find a home to meet every item on your wish list, without having to go through the expensive and time-consuming process of renovation. Your builder will add siding, doors, and the roof as they work on the interior.

Many areas are involved in building a home, and each contributes to the total project costs. All homes have some prep work, including land clearing, permits, and drawings, as well as foundations, framing, major systems installation, and finishing work. This, combined with the home style and materials used, can impact your final costs. Home built in North Carolina using traditional stick-building methods. Modular homes are constructed differently and have a different set of costs.

Typically, if you hire a general contractor, they should be able to manage any permit applications for you. Browse our available floor plans in our Platinum Series for a gorgeous selection of single family homes in a variety of styles and layouts, including open concept floor plans. The process of building a custom home can be an exciting and daunting time. There are a lot of steps to follow, so it’s important to find the right builder to guide you through the process from start to finish. The minimum size of a tiny home is one requirement that differs throughout the state. In most cities, such as Wilmington and Charlotte, tiny homes must have at least 150 square feet for the first dweller and an additional 100 square feet per additional house resident.

Each home style has its own costs to build due partly to the size. Bungalows and Capes are much smaller than Victorians and Southern Plantation homes. Below are the average costs to build a home in North Carolina by its style using both building methods. Because so many homes in North Carolina feature things like oversized porches, some builders quote costs per heated square foot, at around $200 to $300 per heated sq.ft.

Most home additions are worth the added cost because they’re easier to add during the construction process. Check out online reviews for local home builders in your area, or ask a friend or family member for referrals. Many people are tempted to jump into building a house that doesn’t fit their needs due to their budget. Don’t get caught with buyer’s remorse–it’s worth it to hold out until you can afford all those “must-haves” on your list. While it’s tempting to buy your first home, creating a custom modular home allows you to get your dream home in a matter of months, so you can start living the life you’ve always wanted. Modular home building process for homeowners, so you can finally get the home of your dreams.

Where We Build North Carolina

Table of Content

• Check to see if we serve your area
• Get the FREE Buyers Guide!
• Build a House in North Carolina Cost by Project Range
• Floor Plans!
• Do I have to pay property taxes for my tiny house?
• How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in North Carolina?
• Custom Home Builder in the Carolinas

The cost of a permit in North Carolina varies per county and is usually charged in accordance with the total area of the project. For more information on custom homes in North Carolina or about our home building plans, contact us by phone or email, stop by one of our model homes, or schedule a free consultation online. We are committed to delivering unique, customized homes, built onsite from the very best materials while staying squarely within your approved budget.

The perfect home ought to give you what you want at a price that’s right for you — and without ever compromising quality and True-style. That’s why we created five unique collections, each with dozens of flexible floorplans and plenty of True-style options to fit almost any budget. Any property that costs more than $30,000 requires the supervision of a licensed builder or firm. This means that for most homes built in North Carolina, it is not legal to build your own home unless you are a licensed builder. Built on a property of 360 sq.ft., but check with your local municipality for more information.

Check to see if we serve your area

Don’t get overwhelmed by the number though, this cost varies depending on the size, type, and location of the property. Whereas, the median home value in the Tar Heel State is $345,300 . At Vista Homes, we believe that building a home should be a fun, life-changing journey and it’s our responsibility to guide you through it. We believe building can actually be more affordable than buying an existing home and allow you to put your fingerprint on your new home.

Buying a Kit home in North Carolina is much different than buying a Kit home in other parts of the country. Kit homes are manufactured homes that are built off-site and then transported to the site where they will be installed. Kit homes can be purchased as individual units or as part of larger developments, with many buyers opting for the latter option. We’re honored to have received the prestigious Gold National Housing Quality Award, regarded as the highest level of quality achievement in the housing industry.

Get the FREE Buyers Guide!

Each home style has its own costs to build due partly to the size. Bungalows and Capes are much smaller than Victorians and Southern Plantation homes. Below are the average costs to build a home in North Carolina by its style using both building methods. Because so many homes in North Carolina feature things like oversized porches, some builders quote costs per heated square foot, at around $200 to $300 per heated sq.ft.

Once the concrete it poured, we let it cure and ensure it passes inspection. Fixr.com provides cost guides, comparisons, and term cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation and repair projects. Cost to build a house in North Carolina varies greatly by region . To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours. New homes may be warrantied for up to 10 years by the builder.

Build a House in North Carolina Cost by Project Range

Apart, you need a contractor or a firm to manage the construction process. Usually, the contractor or the firm hires the professionals involved in the construction. According toFixr, the cost to build in North Carolina is about $420,000 to $630,000.

The costs for these professionals vary depending on the materials used and the area of North Carolina you live in. In some parts of the state, you may find that labor can be higher, particularly in larger cities and more densely populated areas. Labor costs may be lower if you are building in a more rural part of the state. Below are the most common professionals who will work on your new home and their average hourly costs in North Carolina. Additionally, if your area is considered a floodplain, you will need to get an elevation certificate from FEMA before you may obtain a permit.

Build any of our plans as designed or make minor modifications to suit your needs. You’re trying to find a home to meet every item on your wish list, without having to go through the expensive and time-consuming process of renovation. Your builder will add siding, doors, and the roof as they work on the interior.

In more rural areas, homeowners might face some challenges in finding power companies that will run a line out to the homesite. Consult your builder for more information on what is available in your area. The first step to building your dream home in North Carolina is taking the time to research the step-by-step guide to the homebuilding process.

Do I have to pay property taxes for my tiny house?

Tiny houses that fall into the accessory dwelling unit category can be used as permanent homes. ADUs can be either detached or attached to your single-family home within your property. They are perfect for simple, minimalist, and sustainable living, which makes them undeniably attractive to homeowners.

Below are the average costs to build a new home in North Carolina with varying numbers of bedrooms using both building methods. Once the foundation is set, the frame is the next major piece of the home building process. The house frame is often the most expensive part and may fluctuate in cost due to changes in material prices and labor. The cost to frame a new home in North Carolina is in line with the U.S. average costs.

This is to ensure that your building plans meet the criteria for the National Flood Insurance Plan. Be sure to check with your local building department to find out if your lot is in a flood zone and if your home requires any additional approvals or permits. From the layout and appliances to finishes, flooring, colors, and everything in between, you can get what you want from your custom modular home. You can now create the perfect floorplan for you and your family, with our team of designers by your side. Connect with a Lindal dealer to find out how to build your own home in North Carolina. Lindal dealers offer site visits, design assistance, pricing, and facilitate materials delivery.

Interior designers work with your builder or architect to help plan the layout of your home. This helps you make the most of your square footage and may even save costs. It is common to involve an interior designer in North Carolina at some stage of the project. Most homes built today in North Carolina have between 3 and 4 bedrooms.

The 10 Best Laptops of 2016

Table of Content

• Apple MacBook Air (M2,
• Best MacBook Pro 14-inch alternative
• Best Business Laptop

Laptop screens have grown denser over the past decade, packing more pixels into the same area. That enables crisper text, sharper onscreen images, and, often, better-looking colors. Display density is sometimes measured in pixels per inch , but the main specification that defines a laptop screen is its native resolution, which is expressed in horizontal by vertical pixels. The two main downsides to the Triton 300 SE are its 14-inch screen that may be tight for some gamers, and a 512GB SSD, which is potentially cramped for large game libraries. Unless you can't overcome these drawbacks, the Triton 300 SE is definitely for you, the gamer seeking a laptop at the nexus of affordability and performance. If you’re an Apple die-hard, or even just ambivalent towards Windows, then the M2 Apple MacBook Air is the general-use laptop we recommend.

You'll want to see high numbers for RAM, hard drive, battery capacity, etc. Since laptops can be hard to upgrade, you'll generally want to get as much as you can afford when you initially make your purchase. Laptops are usually harder to upgrade than desktop computers because of space. In order to have as slim a profile as possible, laptops are usually designed with specific components fitting in and around other specific components. Usually, you'll want to get the highest specifications you can afford at the outset. The laptop is on the heavier side, at least compared to competitors in the field, but it's not too bad.

Apple MacBook Air (M2,

Carrying independent software vendor certifications for specialized design, CGI, and scientific apps, the CreatorPro X17 is our Editors' Choice winner for laptop workstations. There's a lot of competition in this category, but the CreatorPro X17 is the clear choice on a performance basis, leading a competitive category in making light work of our benchmark tests. It's certainly not the lightest option, if you are prioritizing mobility, at 6.82 pounds, but it more than makes up for that in raw power (our review configuration packs an Intel Core i HX CPU and an Nvidia RTX A5500 GPU). It will, unsurprisingly, cost you a pretty penny, but that's par for the course in the world of high-end workstations.

This PC is designed to satisfy your everyday computing needs, making it the perfect companion. An average of 6 hours of battery life, in a thin, lightweight design that's perfect for travel. Consumer Reports compared three types of desktop computer, testing performance, versatility, ergonomics, display and speakers. It also considered features like display size, processor, memory and storage. The MacBook Pro is as good as Apple laptops get, with high performance and good battery life in a svelte, attractive, 13- or 15-inch package.

Best MacBook Pro 14-inch alternative

When you determine the best features for your needs, you can focus on just those laptops that incorporate them. A big battery can be your best friend on a lengthy flight or a long commute. Some enterprise-class laptops have two or three different kinds of batteries (four-, six-, and nine-cell options). The "equal" is the tricky part; this isn't always the case with laptops that use 4K displays or other power-hungry components. A big battery adds some heft, but being able to run it unplugged from dawn 'til dusk is worth the weight gain.

Enterprises also prefer Windows 11 Pro over the consumer-oriented Windows 11 Home (or sometimes a business-focused Linux distribution) and look for laptops with less bloatware or fewer extraneous bundled programs. With so many thin black and silver notebooks on the market, business machines tend to look samey, but the differences that matter most to office users tend to be below the surface, inside the chassis. Does your company buy laptops by the hundred or thousand instead of a few at a time?

Best Business Laptop

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop to convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and to duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Dirt 3 benchmark with medium settings and 1080p resolution. We put HP laptops through extensive benchmark testing -- both synthetic and real-world -- before they end up in the hands of our reviewers. We evaluate everything from speed and battery life to display brightness, speaker volume and system heat. Armed with an Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU, this workstation is ready to take on all challengers. Wrapped in a sleek, svelte chassis, the laptop is easy on the eyes, but thanks to MIL-SPEC certification, it can take a bump or two.

This will accommodate the considerable requirements of operating system updates and large apps like Microsoft Office with room left over. People who have sizable collections of videos, photos, or music should seek out a minimum of 512GB. At the high end, you’ll find laptops configurable with 1TB or even roomier SSDs, and these will sound great. But beware that the very highest capacities can cause a laptop’s price to skyrocket—a 4TB SSD can add thousands of dollars to the overall price of a high-end laptop. It’s more cost-effective to get a 512GB SSD and add an external drive if you need additional space. A graphics processor that’s built into the CPU (also known as an “integrated graphics processor,” or IGP) is perfectly adequate for most everyday laptop use.

The screen actually detaches to become a powerful, lightweight tablet on its own. And some models of Microsoft Surface Book go so far as to include a dedicated graphics unit right in the keyboard base, making it a gaming and video-editing powerhouse. In fact, Microsoft says it's twice as powerful as an Apple MacBook Pro. The Dell G3 15 is an inexpensive gaming laptop with a mid-range GTX 1650 GPU. The plus side of this is that the laptop actually gets good battery life when you leave your cable at home.

The only downside is that, like Apple, that flashy design comes with a price premium. Darragh Murphy is fascinated by all things bizarre, which usually leads to assorted coverage varying from washing machines designed for AirPods to the mischievous world of cyberattacks. Whether it's connecting Scar from The Lion King to two-factor authentication or turning his love for gadgets into a fabricated rap battle from 8 Mile, he believes there’s always a quirky spin to be made.

With the convenience of AI, the process of product selection or evaluation will completely become faster and faster, and untroubled. The Acer Aspire 5 isn't going to blow you away if you compare it to laptops for $1,000 and up, but for a Windows 11 laptop that you can find for under $500 it is a solid choice. The Intel 11th gen processor and Intel UHD graphics are enough to handle any productivity or web browsing tasks you toss its way and even some older games. The Acer Aspire 5's solid performance and battery life paired with a sharp 1080p display make it the best Windows 11 laptop under $500 that you can buy.

MEMORY AND STORAGE – Boost your performance with higher bandwidth, courtesy of 8 GB of RAM. Plus, with 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage, save all of your photos, videos, and documents while getting up to 15x faster performance than a traditional hard drive . POWER THROUGH FROM ANYWHERE – Designed to keep you productive and entertained from anywhere, the HP 14-inch Laptop combines long-lasting battery life with a thin and portable design. Choosing the best laptop under $500 for you really depends on where you are at with your budget.

Moreover, the Envy 13 has a bright, vivid 13.3-inch display and a comfortable keyboard. The next wonderful laptop for home use on this list is the Asus VivoBook 15. It is a perfect combination of a big screen, elegant design, excellent performance, great connectivity and a very reasonable price. The battery life won’t impress you, but it is quite decent for a 15-inch laptop at this price range.

MODERNIZE YOUR WORLD - Navigate seamlessly through tabs and programs with the Chrome operating system. Also, rest easy knowing your investment is protected with HP’s 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty. LIGHTNING FAST PROCESSING - Games, music, and binge watching are taken to new heights with Intel Celeron N4000 processing power and Intel UHD Graphics 600 . The new Apple M1 chip with a Retina display is all you need to run Mac OS, and upgrade your MacBook Air to the next level.

Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch (2022, M

We consider everything over the category average to be a good result. Of course, these tests are complemented with hands-on testing from our reviewers. Not only does the Elite Folio have the endurance of an Olympic champion, but it breaks records like one, too.

While pricier and more meager in their storage capacities,solid-state drives don't have any spinning parts and are therefore better suited to take a licking on the road. If you'll travel or commute much with your laptop and don't need maximal storage capacity, an SSD is the right choice. SSDs tend to be pricier than hard drives, which means that you'll likely be looking at 256GB or 512GB capacities to maximize your budget. Mainstream business laptops employ Intel's Core i3, i5, and i7 U-Series processors, and these will end in either a "U" or with a "G3," "G4," or "G7," indicating the relative strength of the on-chip graphics. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 isn't Lenovo's flagship mobile workstation—it's not quite as powerful and expandable as the ThinkPad P15.

The Best Laptops Of 2016: Ultrabooks, Hybrids And Gaming Machines That Take Home The Gold

Table of Content

• Microsoft Surface Pro 8
• HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8
• Dell Latitude 7420
• Best General-Purpose MacBook
• TechRadar Newsletter

There are value-priced notebooks that include full-HD displays, solid performance, and long battery life. If you’re a road warrior that also has a propensity to be a pixel snob, Lenovo’s ThinkPad Yoga With OLED display might just be complete nirvana. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is no exception with a typing deck that I personally can fly on. It weighs a svelte 2.8 pounds, its display articulates a full 360 degrees and yes, that 13-inch OLED panel is so very pretty. Nothing can match the saturation, contrast and pop of an OLED display.

AI is known as Artificial Intelligence; AI allows simulating human intelligence expressed through available programs, machines, or devices. These devices are able to be used with thoughts and actions like well-being. Thanks to AI, something which is similar to human intelligence is programmed through many practical applications, usually known as natural language processing , expert systems, or even speech recognition, and machine vision. GS SCORE is the process that can evaluate, sort, and classify all kinds of audio-related equipment based on AI technology.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

If you’re not picky about image quality, though, a lower-resolution display might be an acceptable sacrifice in the quest to save money. Some of these designs can exceed 8 pounds and measure more than an inch thick. If you plan to park your gaming rig on your desk and seldom move it, a 17-incher is a possibility. The 17-inch 4K display is a treat for the eyes, and if you need ISV certifications and raw muscle to power through demanding data or graphics applications, this is your best bet. The upgrade ceiling is very high, it's bursting with useful ports, and it will make mincemeat of the demanding tasks you throw its way. For anything more demanding, you'll need to invest more money for discrete graphics like Nvidia's RTX 30-series GPUs.

Last but not least, our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 11 laptops, a runtime of over 10 hours is considered a good result whereas gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered for longer than 5 hours deserve praise. It should get you satisfactory throughput, but you have to find a hotspot or an unprotected network to surf the web.

HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8

Though these are still fairly uncommon fixtures on business laptops, they're emerging at least as options in some isolated models, and worth the money if your job will make use of extra pixels. Just know that, all else being equal, a high-resolution screen will drain battery life more rapidly than a lower-res one of the same base technology. The Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 7 offers outstanding gaming performance while still managing nine hours of battery life. There's also a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel resolution display with a 165Hz peak refresh rate for some visually stunning gameplay. Microsoft has been on a tear lately in the hardware business, defining products in both the mobile and desktop space that set an example in the market for best-of-class design, functionality and performance.

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop to convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and to duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Dirt 3 benchmark with medium settings and 1080p resolution. We put HP laptops through extensive benchmark testing -- both synthetic and real-world -- before they end up in the hands of our reviewers. We evaluate everything from speed and battery life to display brightness, speaker volume and system heat. Armed with an Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU, this workstation is ready to take on all challengers. Wrapped in a sleek, svelte chassis, the laptop is easy on the eyes, but thanks to MIL-SPEC certification, it can take a bump or two.

Dell Latitude 7420

But we should note that a refreshed version will be coming out in February, so if you are in the market for this type of laptop, you should probably wait another month before buying. Microsoft turned plenty of heads this year with the announcement of the Microsoft Surface Book, its first laptop. Buying a laptop is a big investment, but the right choice can make you happy for years. Unlike the HP spectre and the Apple MacBook Pro 2016, the XPS 13 doesn't skimp out when it comes to connectivity.

There are 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage that will keep you going for a long time. There are also several ports on this computer, including an SD card reader, HDMI output, three USB Type-A ports and a headphone jack. There's a lot to like here, but don't plan on doing anything more than the basics on this laptop. Its combination of performance, lightweight, and budget price is very hard to beat, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget who only need a laptop to handle the basics and enjoy some content. The HP Envy 13 is the best laptop for under $1,000 and one of the best 13-inch laptops on the market. While it still has a plastic touchpad, the Envy 13 is a fantastic value if you want the best laptop for less than four figures.

I have picked the best options available today, that allow you to solve work-related tasks effectively. Among these laptops, you will find even a Chromebook, as it has good specifications and comes at a reasonable price. So, if you don’t need to buy a Windows-based laptop, this can be a great choice. It’s a common misconception that if you want to buy the best computer for home business, you need to pay a lot. A decent laptop doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune, though you have to check if it meets some important criteria to guarantee you the most efficient performance.

We've also detailed our top picks in three categories in our lineup of favorites above. The Katana GF66 is about as wallet-friendly a gaming laptop as you’ll find. The top-tier model seen and tested here has an eight-core, 2.3GHz (4.6GHz turbo) Core i H, GeForce RTX 3060 graphics with 6GB of display memory, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. That price only applies in-store at Micro Center, but even if you spend up to $200 more online, it's still reasonable. Though we wish the MSI Katana GF66 had a more vivid screen, a little more CPU muscle, and longer battery life, none of those flaws stops it from being a respectable budget gaming laptop.

Best General-Purpose MacBook

We recommend buying the Spectre x over the Envy 13 if you have the money, especially if you need the flexible design. In fact, the Spectre x is the best HP laptop if you want a convertible notebook. Sure, it has a few faults, but those are easily forgotten once you get this beauty in your hands. The HP Envy 13 is the best laptop for under $1,000, offering similar benefits to the Spectre at a lower price.

Budget laptops may only have Type-A ports, which is a disadvantage in an increasingly Type-C world. On the other hand, some ultra-thin designs only have Type-C ports, which means you’ll need dongles to connect any Type-A peripherals you might already own. Serious gamers might want to opt for a machine with a Killer Networks setup. It will allow for more granular control over giving wired or wireless gaming traffic priority on your internet connection. Most gaming machines will have one, and some gamers insist wired Ethernet is still the only way to go for competitive online gaming.

The ZenBook 3 packs incredibly powerful specs and a great HD display in a small and svelte chassis. The Spectre is an exquisitely crafted laptop with astonishing attention to detail and gorgeous looks. It is incredibly thin, light and is extremely powerful for such a petite laptop. The flagship variant comes with an Intel Core i7 7500U processor running at 2.7 GHz with a turbo boost unto 3.5GHz, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, Intel HD Graphics 520, 512 GB PCLE SSD and Windows 10 Pro. The lower spec model comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, the same 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

The Acer Chromebook 317 is a record-setter, but served up middling performance scores in our testing. During that time, I've built and torn down enough desktop PCs to equip a city block's worth of internet cafes. Under race conditions, I've built PCs from bare-board to bootup in under 5 minutes.

However, the category has been making a comeback as of late thanks to incredibly thin and light laptops such as the HP Spectre and 2-in-1’s such as the Surface Pro. The last thing you want to do is lug around a charger along with your laptop and hunt for outlets at your local coffee shop. Battery life is usually measured in hours, and six hours is a median benchmark to look for, but obviously longer is better.