It is not always clear what is required when purchasing a laptop. You might be unfamiliar with certain new technological features. If you don’t know what to look for, take heart because you aren’t alone. Fortunately, there is great information to be had, and you’ll some great advice below.
If you are thinking about both a laptop and also a tablet, or can’t decide between the two, look at convertible laptops. You can have the benefits of both a tablet and a laptop.
Think about the weight of the laptop. A laptop that weighs a lot can cause damage to your shoulders and back, so you should try and get a light one that is easy to carry. Lighter doesn’t always mean more expensive. However, battery life may be sacrificed.
Laptop Online
Consider purchasing a laptop online. Most of the time you can get a better deal online than a brick and mortar store will charge you. Also, some dealers offer coupon codes that can only be used with online purchases. Buying a laptop online can save you a lot of money.
Before buying a laptop, consider the type of work you’ll be doing. This will have an affect on the amount you spend. If you just get on the Web, you won’t need a computer that is used for graphical design. The more you do on a laptop, the more expensive it will be.
Carefully consider the size laptop you need. Generally, laptops range from 13 to 17 inches if you measure them diagonally. If you want a laptop to substitute for your desktop, a larger monitor would be best. If portability is the goal, a smaller version will be ideal.
Consider accessories you will use when purchasing a laptop. A wireless mouse, computer case and extra batteries can get expensive. Check online to get estimates for each one and create your budget using each of these prices.
Do not get confused regarding netbooks. They look like miniature laptops, but they’re not a laptop. If you only need to surf the Web or check email, netbooks work, but only laptops feature full portable personal computer capability. Most buyers should stay away from netbooks unless their needs are relatively simple.
Make an exacting list of the things you will use your laptop for. For example, will you be bringing it to the kitchen to show recipes when you cook? In that case, it needs a waterproof skin! Go through your list and highlight anything you are not willing to compromise on.
A laptop is more prone to damage from moving around than a stationary PC. For this reason, you may want to consider an extended protection plan. This can save you money if it gets damaged. You should know the coverage details before buying.
Laptop LCD displays can eat up quite a bit of battery time. To help out your battery life, take the brightness down a notch or two. When you dim your laptop display, you’ll get more hours out of the battery.
Be smart about your laptop purchase. Check out traditional stores and play with the laptops a bit. Tinker around with them until you discover the one you want. When you find the one for you, go home to look online for the best deals.
Think about what you are going to use your laptop for before you buy it. Will it be a business machine or used solely for entertainment purposes? Be sure the laptop you choose is especially suited to the type of activity you will be engaged in.
Think about getting your next laptop from a seller that has extended warranties included. This is smart because computer repairs and replacement can be very expensive. You can avoid this by spending a few dollars now to save yourself time, money and a headache later.
A lot of the newer laptop models do not include disk drives. The reason for this is that the content shifts toward Internet streaming media. If you plan on ripping discs or watching DVDs in your laptop, make sure it comes with a Blu-Ray/DVD drive.
Buying a laptop is a big price tag. Some features get lost over time since technology is always moving. One of the only ways to know for sure is to take the time to learn some good tips, like the information you read in this article. Apply the advice, and you stand a good chance of making a great laptop decision.
Onaolapo Adeyemi is a travel and technology writer. If he’s not on tour, you’ll find him in New York with his wife, and pet parrot hanging out at Starbucks.