For people looking at purchasing laptops, there are two important deci

Question

For people looking at purchasing laptops, there are two important decision parameters—the speed of the laptop’s processor and the backup that its battery provides. Jake, an expert at computers, believes that, of the two determinants, processor speed is the more important one. Surprisingly he recommends that his friends buy the laptop with the longest battery backup.

Which of the following best explains the apparent contradiction between Jake’s belief and his recommendation? 
 
(A) Jack is aware that a laptop with a processor that is faster than any of the current processors will be launched within the next six months. 
 (B) Jake is aware that for a lot of buyers, a third factor—the weight of the laptop—is more important than the other two factors. 
 (C) All the laptops currently available in the market use the same processor. 
 (D) Laptops with powerful batteries cost more than those with regular batteries. 
 (E) Jake is probably not as much of an expert at computers as he likes to believe.

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Nitish1103 · Answer

(C) All the laptops currently available in the market use the same processor.

If all laptops have the same processor, meaning they all must be running at same speed. Hence only determinant left would be to choose the 2nd that is battery backup.

siddhantvarma · Answer

To resolve the apparent contradiction between Jake’s belief and his recommendation, we need to find an explanation that would make it reasonable for him to prioritize battery backup when he actually considers processor speed to be more important. This would mean finding a reason why the battery backup, in this case, outweighs processor speed in his recommendation.

(A) Jake is aware that a laptop with a processor that is faster than any of the current processors will be launched within the next six months.
If a significantly faster processor is expected soon, why recommend buying any model at all today? Eliminate A.

(B) Jake is aware that for a lot of buyers, a third factor—the weight of the laptop—is more important than the other two factors.
While this introduces another factor that some buyers consider important, it does not explain why Jake would specifically recommend the laptop with the longest battery backup. It does not address the apparent contradiction between Jake's stated belief and recommendation. Also we don't know how weight of the laptop recommended compares to other laptops. Irrelevant, rule out B.

(C) All the laptops currently available in the market use the same processor.
If all laptops have the same processor, the processor speed would not be a distinguishing factor for current choices. In this case, Jake's recommendation could logically focus on battery backup instead, as that would be the most differentiating factor. Sounds good, hold on to it.

(D) Laptops with powerful batteries cost more than those with regular batteries.
This choice mentions cost differences based on battery power, but it does not explain why Jake would recommend focusing on battery life over processor speed. The cost information is irrelevant to the apparent contradiction. If anything, it questions Jake's recommendation of buying a laptop with powerful battery. Eliminate D.

(E) Jake is probably not as much of an expert at computers as he likes to believe.
This option questions Jake’s expertise but does not provide a logical explanation for why he would prioritize battery backup despite considering processor speed more important. It's questioning the premise that Jake is an expert, rule out E.

Therefore, the best answer is (C).

Ratanp · Answer

C

Because if all the laptops have the same processor the other important determinant to look at is the bettery life.

dkpkoti · Answer

This is kind of resolve the paradox question. In order to justify the recommendation from jack which is opposite to his belief we need to look for an option that bridges the gap.

A)  INCORRECT  Does not justify why would he recommend a longest battery backup.
B) INCORRECT - Add new information without explaining the recommendation.
C) ✅ As the factor that he consider more important is same for all the laptops in the market, then going next for a longer battery backup makes sense. Hence it explains his recommendation.
D) price is not discussed in the argument. Irrelevent and does not bridge the gap.
E) Contradict the premise of the argument. Can not be correct.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

Answer: C

The only way to explain this fact is by assuming that out of the two factors in question, one is constant. In that case it makes sense to maximize the other factor. C states that all the laptops in the market have the same processor, therefore, it makes sense to buy the one with the longest battery backup.

(A) If this was the case, Jack should have advised his friends to not buy a laptop at all for the next six months.

(B) The presence of a third factor is outside the scope of the argument.

(C) The correct answer.

(D) Does not explain the contradiction in the stimulus.

(E) The stimulus clearly states that Jack is an expert at computers.

VerbalBot · Answer

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For people looking at purchasing laptops, there are two important deci

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