As computers become more advanced, they can process more information, making them increasingly powerful. However, computers need to store data to work, and storage devices have had to develop along with the rest of computer technology.
SSDs have helped enhance how our computers and other devices store and retrieve data. SSDs are still a relatively new technology and are gradually replacing hard disk drives (HDD), with most new machines including an SSD as standard.
With the benefits that SSD offers over HDD, it's a good idea to insist on the new technology over its predecessor, and laptops are no exception.
This article looks at some of the best SSD laptops available in the UK and explains why you should choose one.
Why choose SSD?
The main benefits of SSDs over HDDs come from how the two storage devices work differently. An HDD drive consists of disks and a laser that writes or reads information on them. Each byte of information is stored in a physical place on the disk, and it must rotate to allow the laser to read the information. You can often hear the disks spinning in a laptop that uses an HDD for storage.
Although each rotation will take a fraction of a second, the disk will still need to rotate many times as the computer requests more information. As more rotations are needed, the amount of time required increases.
However, SSDs contain no moving parts. Instead, the data is stored on chips and can be accessed almost instantly without having to wait for disks to rotate. The result is a faster, smoother laptop that stores or reads information considerably faster. This means your games and files will open faster, while starting up your machine will also be quicker.
Another advantage of SSDs over HDDs is their much smaller size, which is especially useful in laptops because of their limited space. Physically smaller storage capacity helps free up room for other components, allowing laptop designers to pack in more features for better performance.
One drawback of SSDs is their price, and a 1TB SSD internal hard drive for a laptop will cost considerably more than an HDD with the same capacity. However, the price is gradually reducing as the technology develops and SSDs become more commonplace. Regardless, the higher price still represents excellent value for money thanks to the noticeable boost in performance.
10 best SSD laptops
Here's our pick of some of the best SSD laptops on the market today.
The HP Spectre x360 is one of the best SSD laptops for flexibility and ease of use. This higher-end machine offers impressive performance, thanks partly to its 11th Generation Intel™ processor. It is also a convertible laptop, adding to its flexibility.
This laptop's 13.3-inch 4K screen offers outstanding graphics for people who need high-quality visuals. There is also a 4K screen option for people who need even more visuals. Alongside its impressive display and powerful performance, this machine is also known for its fantastic look and long-lasting battery. You can also choose from a 256GB or 2TB SSD.
The mid-range HP ENVY 13 offers some impressive stats for its price, thanks largely to its graphics processor unit (GPU). Thanks to its powerful GPU, this machine is one of the best SSD laptops for gamers, graphic artists, or anyone who needs high-end graphics.
This laptop's 13.3-inch Full High Definition (FHD) screen boasts impressive colour accuracy and brightness, helping to make the HP ENVY 13 ideal for working as well as gaming. You can also choose between a 512GB SSD and a 1TB SSD laptop hard drive.
The HP Pavilion x360 convertible is one of the best general-purpose SSD laptops available. This model can be used as a laptop or a tablet, helping to make this machine a great all-rounder. The 14-inch FHD touchscreen also helps make this laptop easy to work with, as well as offering impressive visual performance. The dual sound system also helps make this computer great for watching movies or your favourite TV shows.
This laptop offers solid build quality and decent all-around performance that helps make it suitable for work or leisure. It is also sleek and lightweight, making it ideal for people on the move. The HP Pavilion x360 is available with a 128GB or 512GB SSD.
This convertible laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen that is suitable for gamers and a reliable workstation. The HP ENVY x360 isn't exactly on the light side but is beautifully made with a sturdy design that's ideal for some people's needs. With a portable laptop, you also have flexibility in how you use your computer.
This machine comes with a Ryzen processor or an AMD processor and lets you choose a 4K display. Such stats help make the HP ENVY x360 one of the best SSD laptops available. It also comes with a 512GB SSD, and the long battery life will also appeal to many users.
The HP ProBook 450 offers all the performance needed for working effectively and efficiently. Its performance helps make it suitable for tasks ranging from office work to watching movies at home. This laptop's great all-around performance is thanks largely to its 12th Generation Core i7-1255U CPU.
This computer comes with a 15.6-inch FHD that helps make it one of the best SSD laptops for working on. The laptop also boasts top-of-the-range security for those who want peace of mind knowing their sensitive data is safe. The ProBook 450 also comes with a 512GB SSD.
The HP EliteBook 865 falls into the mid-to-upper-end category and offers impressive performance that matches its price tag. This laptop is driven by a powerful Ryzen™ 7 CPU that helps make it an excellent machine for professionals.
This computer has a 16-inch FHD screen, offers excellent security, and is packed with features that will help entrepreneurs and casual users. Such features include conferencing tools that are perfect for those who work remotely.
The HP 470 is built for getting work done with mobility and performance, which helps you keep your productivity levels high. This laptop has a sleek, simple design and is a great all-rounder, suitable for a wide range of tasks.
If you're looking for the best SSD laptops with large displays, the HP 470 could be just what you need, thanks to its 17-inch FHD monitor. You can also choose between a 256GB or 512GB SSD.
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 falls at the higher end of the budget spectrum. In addition to its solid performance, this laptop is also ruggedly built, making it suitable for people who work in the field. This computer also offers impressive graphics for gamers and others who need high-quality visuals.
This mobile workstation has a bright 14-inch FHD touch screen with an impressive colour display that helps make it one of the best SSD laptops for productivity. You can also choose between 512GB or 1TB SSD laptops of this model according to your budget and needs.
The HP ZBook Fury G8 is one of the best SSD laptops money can buy and is ideal for people who need performance that matches the price tag. With outstanding processing power and a powerful graphics card, the HP ZBook is a must-have for anybody who needs the best possible display quality.
The 17.3-inch 4K display helps make the most of the top-of-the-range components and adds to this laptop's stunning look. You can also choose between a single 1TB SSD laptop hard drive or having a 2TB SSD alongside a 512GB SSD.
The HP 15s is one of the best budget SSD laptops and offers strong performance for its price. Despite its relatively low cost, this laptop is well-built and has a sleek appearance, making it suitable for people who value how their laptop looks.
This machine comes with a 15.6-inch FHD display that offers more than most people will need, while the long-lasting battery is also popular among users. This SSD laptop comes with a 512GB SSD.
Summary
The above models benefit from the extra speed that SSD offers over HDD. Some will also benefit from the SSD's smaller size, letting designers fit more features to achieve better performance. However, each model also offers different components that affect performance and cost. For example, some will have powerful graphics cards, while others will offer less advanced GPUs.
For many people, it's important to have a good quality graphics card, while others will look for other features such as screen size and quality or storage space. Budget is another deciding factor when buying an SSD laptop, although the less expensive models will still deliver what most people need.
with almost 20 years of writing experience. He has a focus on marketing topics but enjoys writing on pretty much any topic under the sun. Jamie enjoys gaming, virtual reality workouts, and relaxing with friends and family in his spare time.
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