Laptop computers are no longer luxury products for important business people. When prices of basic models start at around $800, anyone who's considering the purchase of a regular desktop computer can make the transition to a laptop without a significant price addition.
Today a variety of laptops can be found from the leading manufacturers in the world and the average consumer can be easily confused between the various offers. In order to help you out, we've collected ten tips which can be an excellent starting point for your laptop shopping spree.
1. What Do You Need it For?
You might be a student who needs a laptop in order to type during class, you might in fact, be a salesperson who is interested in making presentations to various clients and maybe you're an executive manager who spends all of your time on flights and work on your laptop from your seat.
In any case, you should know exactly which laptop you need. Do you require a small and light laptop, or in fact, the weight is less critical and the screen size is of great importance. Many consumers can be found who buy a laptop simply because it takes up less space at home than a desktop computer.
In this case, because the laptop isn't carried anywhere, there is no importance, for instance, to its weight. Even laptop manufacturers define different series according to these needs, for example: extremely light, workhorses, presentation and multimedia computers. If you'll define to yourselves what you need in advance, you'll be able to focus on one product series and narrow the range of options accordingly.
2. Which Processor to Choose
The processors market contains a variety of processors no less confusing than in the desktop market. We'll try to make simple order. Intel's recent processors series is called Centrino, and we're talking about an entire series of processors in price ranges, speeds and different performances.
In general, the processors belonging to this family offer good performance; they heat up less and use the battery optimally. The prices of computers based on Centrino processors generally start at about $1,200, which is fairly high considering the low-priced models available lately.
If you're satisfied with laptops based on old processors such as Mobile Celeron and Mobile Premium, you could significantly save money. These kinds of computers can be attained at prices around $700 and even less.
3. Should Used Computers be Purchased?
Contrary to desktop computers, in which case it is best to stay away from used ones, with laptops the situation is a little different. Their high prices and technology's fast pace can turn last year's state of the art computer into a ridiculously low-priced computer. On the other hand, used laptops are riskier.
It's possible that the computer was in the hands of a business man who dragged it all over the world and on every possible flight, which would cause accelerated wear of part of the components. An additional problem with laptops: the battery. In time, it's charging and work abilities lessen and a used computer could require a change of battery. In any case, in the case of a used laptop, it's best to get help from a friend who understands or a professional lab which could offer an opinion regarding the state of the computer.
4. Why is Weight Important?
In the world of laptop computers it's convention to divide the computers into a few types according to their weight. The logic is simple: the heavier the weight the less the computer is portable. Much to our disappointment, the weight is generally not in direct proportion to the price. It's usually in inverse proportion: the lighter the laptop the higher the price.
The heavier it is and the more features and options it has, the more expensive it gets. Therefore it's best to think through how much you need the mobility of a laptop computer. You may be moving the laptop only once a week, in which it isn't too bad to drag another half kilo. If you need it every day, pay close attention to the weight.
An additional tip: check the weight including everything – meaning, the computer, the battery, the charger and if needed also the CD drive. Light laptops can be suddenly discovered to be heavy when dragging all the accompanying accessories.
5. Check the Screen
An important element in a laptop is the screen. Opposed to regular computer screens, screen sizes such as 12. 1 inches, 13. 1 inches, 14 inches and so on can be found. A bigger screen size means larger work space, but also increased battery consumption and shorter work time.
For instance, if you're showing presentations with the computer you'll want a computer with an especially big screen, but without doubt you'll be forced to connect it to electricity in the course of the day. A patent that part of the manufacturers embrace is to offer a wide rectangular screen instead of the usual screen in order to exploit the computer's space in the best possible manner.
This is an advantage since you're receiving additional work space without having to pay for the computer size itself. An additional perk: the rectangular screen is more appropriate for viewing DVD movies since we haven't bought the laptop strictly for business purposes.
6. Keyboard and Mouse
The keyboard is a point of failure in many laptops; it's sometimes too small, too crowded and inconvenient for typing. Our advice – there's no escape from touching it yourselves. Go to the store and try the keyboard, especially if you're planning to purchase a computer at an internet store. Type a few sentences and notice if you feel comfortable.
This could be the difference between a useful laptop and a very expensive paperweight. In the case of the mouse, there are those who make do with the laptop's integrated touchpad. But here we're talking about something that is less critical, because you could always take along a small mouse, which is even cordless and use it instead of the laptop's mouse.
7. The Battery
The battery time of a laptop will either enable you to use it free of cables for as long as possible, or like what most laptop users are compelled to do eventually, keep it connected to the outlet all day. Reasonable battery time goes from 4-5 work hours, while in smaller computers it's even less.
Some of the manufacturers allow combining an additional battery to the laptop instead of the CD or DVD drive therefore allowing you a few more work hours. It's best to explore this possibility at the time of the purchase. In the future you'll be able to purchase an additional battery and take advantage of it in order for you to be able to work longer.
8. Browsing Wirelessly
Lately the use of Wi-Fi wireless networks has become common in the country and they can be found at hotels, recreation places, malls etc.
In some cases the access has a fee, but in many cases the access is free. In this way you could sit in a coffee shop at the beach and enjoy browsing the internet on your laptop. But for wireless internet you don't need the most expensive computer. Any laptop, even a five year old one can connect to wireless networks by using a simple card that costs a few dollars.
The laptops based on Centrino processors, arrive with the connection to wireless networks as an integrated component inside them, which saves the need for a card, not more than that.
9. What More is Needed?
When purchasing the computer, you should pay attention to the accessories that should be bought in order to make your life simpler. Some of the manufacturers supply, in addition to the computer, only the charger. But most cases it's best to examine the addition of a convenient carrying case, an extra battery, a small cordless mouse which will enable you to refrain from using the integrated touchpad and so on.
If you work with the laptop at the office, a docking station which allows immediate connection to a big screen, and a regular keyboard would be a serious perk for you.
10. Warranty and Service
Laptops are the last product in which you'll want to save in warranty and service. These are products that are doomed in the first place. You carry them in a case, load them to suitcases, operate them out of the office and the number of malfunctions and damages rises accordingly. Therefore it's best to stay with a manufacturer that you know will supply credible warranty and service.
Opposed to desktop computers in which the internal components can be played with, with laptops you're restricted to the components of the original manufacturer only. The cost of the components is very high; therefore an expensive warranty can pay off in spades.
Some of the manufacturers offer a three year warranty which is nice, some of them offer only a one year warranty, with the option for an addition period with fee. There are manufacturers that offer international warranty, this is crucial only to those who spend a lot of time traveling with the computer.
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