A laptop is an essential technology tool for modern life. No matter what you intend to use the laptop for, it can make your life better in so many different ways. There has been a huge leap forward in technology so it becomes tricky just trying to figure out what laptop to get. The things you’re going to go over here will help you figure out laptops.
Think about the weight of the laptop. Carrying around a heavy laptop can wreck havoc on your back and shoulders; therefore, if you will be carrying your laptop around with you, opt for one of the lighter ones. Just because it is light, doesn’t mean it costs more. But smaller laptops often have less battery life.
Before you get out there and buy your laptop, you need to have a budget in mind. Think about the kind of laptop you seek when determining your budget. Are you more of a Mac fan instead of a PC? If you like a computer with excellent graphics capabilities, you will want a Mac.
If you are buying a laptop online, don’t pay extra for added productivity and word processing software. Most of the time it’s better to pay the full retail price for this kind of software. Instead, shop online for a discount vendor for your software. You can easily save 20 to 30 percent, and at times more than that.
If you will be using your computer to watch HD movies and play video games, you will be better off buying a laptop with a dedicated graphic chip. Integrated graphics might not be strong enough for running certain video game graphics. Decide whether you require a quad-core chip or a dual-core processor.
Before purchasing a laptop, consider how you will use it. This information will help you set a budget for your laptop. If all you do is surf the internet, you will not need as complex a machine as a professional graphic designer might. Knowing the features you need and those you don’t need will help you find a laptop that fits your budget.
If you don’t do much gaming, you don’t need an expensive laptop. A graphics card can use a lot of power, and if you don’t need it, you can save on battery life. You only need a “gaming” laptop if you care about things like frames per second and ultra high resolution in first person shooters. Save the money.
Before you spend any money on a laptop, you should test out whichever model you’re interested in getting. People often think more about battery life and memory functions than ergonomics when buying a laptop. However, you must be comfortable with your new laptop, and it should not affect your wellbeing.
If you buy form an online seller, don’t buy your word processing or spreadsheet software from them. Often you will be paying the full purchase price for these software titles. Instead, purchase the software from an online discount vendor. You may just find that you can save as much as thirty percent or more on your purchase.
There should be a few USB ports on your laptop. This is an important feature that is often overlooked. USB ports are necessary to connect any number of peripheral devices to your laptop. Four USB ports may be the minimum you want, but you always can try to get more.
When you purchase a laptop, buy a laptop cooling pad to go with it. You may not know how hot the bottom of your machine really gets. If you would like your legs to be comfortable, it would help to have something to cool things down.
Do not get confused regarding netbooks. A netbook isn’t just a small laptop. Netbooks are just simple tools so you can check email and use the Internet, but they have no power like a laptop has power. Stay away from netbooks when your real need is for a laptop.
Look at Windows and Mac when thinking about buying a new laptop. Apple Mac’s are often built better, but Windows tend to be less expensive. Try both of them out at the store. You should also make sure to do a little research through the Internet as well.
If the laptop of your dreams happens to be out of your practical price-range by a few hundred dollars, think about getting a refurbished model. The price is generally a lot lower, and most come with a warranty that will remove the risk of purchasing. Most refurbs have no problems and make newest laptop models open to everyone.
Do not only purchase based on the brand name. Most of the popular companies offer good laptops, but the price is often very high. Compare the system hardware between models to find lower price models with the same functionality as higher priced, brand name laptops. You may get a much better deal if you buy a laptop made by a lesser known company.
Is security important in your laptop? There are many laptops that have security options. If you have heightened security requirements, look for models that use fingerprint or facial recognition technology. Using one of these scan will keep you information safeguarded.
Look at refurbished laptops to find high end equipment at lower prices. The price can be really appealing, and provided it comes with a good warranty, your risk is minimal. Buying a refurbished laptop may get you the type of laptop you once thought was out of your price range.
The main use of your laptop will dictate which one you should purchase. For instance, there are business models, personal models, and gaming models. Whatever you have in mind for your own laptop, seek out a type that is engineered for your goals.
Graphics Chip
A graphics chip is something you need to think about when getting a laptop. Integrated graphic chips are sufficient for most functions on a laptop. If you want to use your computer for entertainment, you will want a graphics chip that’s dedicated. Generally, gaming workstations and laptops have the best graphics chips out there.
A graphics chip is something you need to think about when getting a laptop. If you want to use your laptop for basic things, you should be fine with a graphics chip that’s integrated. If you like gaming, video and films, a graphics chip can enhance your experience. In most cases, the best graphic chips are normally in workstations and gaming laptops.
Don’t buy a new laptop without checking to see what ports it has first. If you want to plug in a wireless mouse, your iPod, your cell phone for charging, an ethernet printer and more, you’ll need many USB plugs. Decide how many ports you need before you purchase your next laptop.
Most people don’t need lots of computing power. If you aren’t a video game player, then you need not worry about loading your laptop up with too much RAM and a quick motherboard. The more power you add to a computer, the more expensive it will be. If you are shopping by price, stick to only the power you actually need.
Are you only interested in getting a laptop in order to surf the net and check your email? Perhaps a Chromebook is for you. These laptops are made by Google and don’t really need a large operating system so they don’t have a lot of space on them. What they do give you is a great browsing experience and heightened speed and performance. They are relatively inexpensive too. Many times you can purchase these for a few hundred dollars.
Security Features
Make sure you’re not buying a specific computer just because of the brand name. Take a look at customers’ impressions of Apple, Asus, Sony, Acer and Toshiba. You should look at the specs more than the brand. Laptops are practically a commodity product these days.
If you use your laptop for work or online banking, have strong security features enabled. Some laptops come with security software built in, privacy coatings on the screen or security cable slots. Naturally, you must remain vigilant no matter what security features your laptop has.
If laptops worry you due to security concerns, get one with an additional layer of protection. Many laptops have fingerprint or facial recognition security.
If going to do gaming, watch movies, or listen to music on your laptop, listen to the speakers before buying it. Speakers are critical in terms of entertainment value, and it is annoying to have to utilize external ones.
Watch your laptop when you are going through airport security. Laptop bags typically look similar to each other, so it can be quite easy for your laptop to disappear during this process. Try to watch your laptop the entire time that it’s on the conveyor belt.
Try getting a laptop that has a type of built-in video camera. You might not think it’s necessary, but face-to-face interaction is becoming more important. Programs such as Skype allow you to video chat with others. They can be used to keep in touch with far off family members. You never know when that camera can be put to good use.
To get used to a new laptop before buying it, look at online videos to see how it operates. Learn some tricks before you get your laptop by looking at “how to” videos and tutorials.
When you want a computer that is not heavy and priced right, look for one that does not include a disk drive. You will have to install things via a USB port or from the Internet, but it may be worth it for the money you save. You can always purchase a portable DVD drive to connect by USB for around $70.
Be sure to plug your laptop in whenever possible. This will help preserve your battery. The more this is used when it’s plugged in, the better battery life you’ll get.
Always turn a laptop off that is not being used. It is not hard for a laptop to become dangerously overheated if you keep it on a plush surface, such as a couch or bed, and you should avoid this situation by storing it on a hard surface, and turning it off when not in use.
Look for a laptop with a fast processor. With large capacity processors becoming the norm, new programs and processors are making use of all the space and speed they can get. You don’t want your processor to become outdated within two years. Keep the future in mind and buy the highest speed processor you can afford.
Look for the right mix of pre-installed software. Word processing and spreadsheet software are usually necessary. Make sure that any programs provided aren’t just temporary trials or demos that wind up disappearing on you or costing money a month from now. You’ll have to pay for these programs if you want them.
Consider other electronics you use often. Do you own an Apple TV or an iPhone? If so, you’ll make life easier if you buy a Mac laptop. The same works with buying a PC if you own Microsoft or Android devices. There may be more features unlocked since they are in the same family, which may make the decision easier for you.
Use Youtube to find videos of the laptop you are considering in action. You could learn a few tricks before you get your laptop by finding expert how-tos.
When choosing whether to purchase a Mac or a PC, you should carefully consider several things. If it is for work, it should be the same operating system as other computers at your location. This is also true for a computer being purchased for home use.
As this article has shown, there are many things to look for when deciding on a laptop. With technology advancing so rapidly, it can be hard to know what sort of laptop would be the best purchase for you. Buy the best laptop for you with the information in the article.
Look into the problems and positives regarding Windows 8 before you buy a Windows laptop. There are updates available that will allow you to convert back to the old interface. There are also tips that other users are using to work around the OS, and many post this online.