What You Need To Know When Shopping For Laptops
Today’s technology is constantly advancing. Computers are becoming faster and stronger. This is very true in the world of laptops as well. As the need for mobility becomes more important, laptops are making their way into many homes. This means it is up to you, the consumer, to make the right choice when buying. Read on to get some sage advice to help with your decisions.
Consider the weight of each computer while you are shopping. Most laptops are less than 5 pounds, which is important if you will be using your computer while on the go. Although some laptops focus on mobility issues, these computers are often more expensive. Consider buying a computer with a smaller screen.
If you need to get something fixed on your computer, make sure you know how long a repair place will take to do it. You don’t want to have to send in a computer you need only for it to take forever to get back. Try finding some place that isn’t that busy and does good work in your area.
Upgrade your RAM storage whenever possible. Random access memory is being used by the operating system and any software running on your computer. Increasing the RAM will help your computer run more quickly. If you plan to save a lot of media to your computer, you will need to increase your data storage capability.
Look for a display that will suit your needs. If you intend to watch movies on the laptop, you will want a larger, quality screen. Those with more mundane needs, like web surfing and email, are not going to require expansive screens. The screen size will impact the weight and size of the laptop, so be realistic about your needs.
Look for a laptop with a hard drive that will offer the kind of storage you need. Laptops are designed for portability, which means you do not want to drag an external hard drive as well. Understand that software, music and videos take a lot of space, and target a hard drive that will give you ample storage.
The hard drive is an important part of any laptop. Usually, the speed is more important than the size. Speed is measured in rpm and size is currently measured in GB. The higher the number for rpm, the faster the laptop will be. The higher the number of GB, the more files, movies, songs and programs you can store on your laptop.
Do you need a CD drive? Many computers today do not come with CD drives. If you need or want one in a computer, be sure that any computer you are considering purchasing has a CD drive. If you aren’t sure if you need one, you can always purchase an external CD drive.
Many laptops are no longer being sold with DVD drives. The reason is that most content is headed toward online streaming nowadays. If you’d like to be able to watch or rip movies on your computer, then you’re going to need one that has a drive that is able to do these things for you.
Test your laptop out thoroughly during the first month you have it. Most computers come with a 30-day guarantee. Try every feature out to ensure you will be happy. This is your window to make sure everything works for you.
Computers often go on sale around the holidays. If you can wait, buy your laptop on Black Friday. Look at all the sales ads and check prices online. You may be able to get a better quality computer at a lower price. Remember, these are usually one-day deals that must be purchased at a specific time of day.
Macs may be all the rage, but don’t overlook PC laptops. If you are expecting to do a lot of office-type work on your laptop, a PC machine may be the better fit for you. You’ll also get more for your money with a PC laptop, meaning a machine that’ll last many more months.
Get a laptop that has good security features. Some laptops have software built into them for security. Nothing is perfect when it comes to security, but there are ways to make it much safer.
Before buying a laptop, compare the prices online. Once you know the specific model that you want, consult multiple websites for the deals available. Ensure that you are searching by model number for the best comparison.
Choose a laptop that has a video camera built-in. You might not think it’s necessary, but face-to-face interaction is becoming more important. FaceTime and Skype have made this very popular. Think about whether you have relatives living in another state or even country. That camera is going to be more useful than you guessed.
A standard sound card will likely cut it for your needs. Unless you work in the music industry, the quality of the sound which is produced by a standard card will be up to snuff. If you just want to watch movies, TV shows, or listen to music, don’t pay for anything extra.
Brand only matters in laptops with regard to its reputation. Do some research on Sony and Apple computers, but also look at lesser known brands like Asus, Toshiba and Acer. Most popular brands have similar ratings but it can be good to know which ones have persistent problems.
When buying a laptop, you should be aware that you have fewer upgrade options later. PCs are typically very customizable. You can add components later. It is often a matter of popping away a side of the case and installing a new component. For laptops, this process is usually much harder, if even possible. Graphic cards, for instance, are not usually upgradable in a laptop.
It is easy to see that there is a lot more to buying a laptop than just grabbing the first one off the shelf. Understanding what to look for when purchasing is more important than ever, as the needs of each consumer are different. Take what you have learned here, learn more and get a laptop that will make you happy.
