Your Personal Guide To Purchasing A Laptop
Laptops have changed a lot over the years. Are you aware of what you should look for in a laptop? If you haven’t bought a laptop before, or it has been a while since your last purchase, check into the latest specs. The following article will show you how to go about choosing a good laptop.
Before you start shopping for a new laptop, decide how much money you can spend on it and know what you will be using it for. If you simply need a laptop for business or school, you can get a great laptop for less than one thousand dollars. In this case, make sure Microsoft Office is already loaded onto your computer.
Compare the options available with different laptop computers. Find out which ones come with a USB port, HDMI port and an SD slot. A USB 3.0 port will make your computer function more quickly. The HDMI port allows you to connect your laptop to your television. An SD card gives you an easily removable storage card for digital photographs.
Make sure that any new laptop you buy comes with a way to return it if it doesn’t work right. Sometimes if you buy a new laptop they will give you a certain amount of time to return it if you have a receipt. Be very careful about this so that you don’t end up with an expensive broken computer.
Consider both Windows and Mac operating systems. Usually, it costs you less to get a laptop with Windows on it, but there are people that swear by Macs. You can try them out at your local electronics store. Then go online and read reviews of the ones that you are interested in.
People sometimes forget to look at the keyboard when they purchase a new laptop. Take the time to look closely at the way the keys are set up. They will be in different locations depending on the brand of laptop. Make sure that the keyboard has all the keys that you need and they are in easy-to-access locations.
Make sure your laptop includes WiFi. While most laptops today do, some older models are still around that do not include this important feature. Without WiFi, you will not be able to connect to a wireless router, and this means you cannot use your laptop in a coffee shop, many hotels or even the airport.
Laptop computers that you carry around are more likely to suffer from an accident than your desktop computer, so look at a warranty plan at the checkout counter. Protection plans can save a lot of cash if you drop or damage your laptop. Find out exactly what types of issues are covered by your warranty before purchasing it.
Be smart about your laptop purchase. Test drive several laptops before choosing. Give them a try and verify your own comfort level. If you find one you like, go online to see if you can find a good deal on it.
When you buy a new laptop, spring for a DVD drive on it. While going without one may seem feasible, especially considering the lower price, you could really be up the creek when it comes to installation or repair. When you need to put new software on, update it, or perhaps fix an existing problem, being able to use a disc is essential.
If you are looking for a laptop, consider the flash cache size for future performance. Flash cache is not quite as fast as an SSD, but you will experience faster boot times and you will be able to store a lot of data on a large hard drive. Currently you can find flash cache sizes ranging from 8-32GB.
Consider the software that is included in a laptop. There are some programs like word processors and spreadsheets that may be important for you to consider. Be careful as some of the included software is over-hyped. You need to know whether what is included are the full versions, demo versions, or shareware programs.
Consider safety as you purchase your laptop. There are many protective accessories that can keep your computer in tip top shapes, such as a keyboard cover, screen protector or laptop carrying bag. If you invest in these pieces, you invest in the life of your computer, and it’s worth it!
Think about the weight of the laptop. The weight corresponds to portability. If you plan on traveling, you should try looking at lighter models. Carrying around a heavy laptop will cause you to get tired and strained. However, weighty laptops tend to have more functionality, so this is something to consider depending on what you plan to use it for.
If you constantly carry your laptop with you, invest in a laptop bag. There are many styles and prices available. To get the most protection, opt for one that has a sleeve with built-in padding. If you want a less conspicuous bag, choose a stand-alone sleeve that covers your laptop and place it in your briefcase or backpack.
You should ask yourself if you are going to use your laptop as the primary computing device. Many people have replaced their PCs with smaller devices. If you want to do this, you’ll likely require a bigger screen, more RAM than a budget laptop typically comes installed with and a faster processor.
Check the battery life of any laptop you are considering buying. One of the main selling points of a laptop is that it is portable. In order for your laptop to be able to go with you, you want your battery to last more than an hour or two.
Don’t forget pawn shops when looking for a laptop. If you don’t need the latest and greatest technology, then you can get a solid system from a pawn shop in many cases. Check for stores that have a computer expert on the staff and make sure they’ve done some refurbishing and a fresh Windows installation.
Use this information to help you feel more knowledgeable about computers. It’s very important that you understand where to buy and what to buy. This article should make sure the machine you purchase will do what you want it to.
