Hardware Information

5 Tips For Buying The Right Laptop Computer


It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models on the market today. There are literally dozens and dozens in every price range.

The key to finding the right one for you is to step back and consider exactly how you plan to use your laptop. When you define what you need before you go shopping, buying the right machine becomes much easier.

Here are 5 basic factors to consider:

1. SIZE

In the world of mobile computing, size definitely matters. The size of a laptop affects two key areas: portability and display size.

If you're always on the go and will be using your computer only in short bursts, a so-called ultralight will save you some shoulder strain.

On the other hand, if you're going to spend hours in front of your laptop, a larger display may be in order.

Today, some laptop displays exceed 17 inches, rivaling the display size of many desktop systems. The down side is that these monsters can easily weigh three times as much as an ultralight.

2. HARD DRIVE

Speaking of size, what about the size of the hard drive? One way to approach this issue is to ask yourself the following question:

Will this be my primary computer, or will it supplement my desktop system?

If the former, you should look for a bigger hard drive - 60 GB or more.

If the latter, you may be able to make it with a 20-30 GB hard drive.

But even this isn't absolute.

If, for example, you plan to copy a huge MP3 library from your desktop system to your laptop to make your music library portable, you'd be well advised to err on the side of too big.

3. MEMORY

In determining the right amount of system memory, or RAM, take a look at the ways in which you intend to use your laptop:

If your needs are somewhat mundane - email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc. - 256 MB of RAM should be plenty. This is a common configuration for many laptops, so it means you probably won't need to spend extra for more RAM.

On the flip side, if you're an aspiring mobile digital photographer or videographer, you should stuff your laptop with as much RAM as it can hold.

In fact, exactly how much RAM your laptop can hold may in part drive your purchase decision. Applications for editing and manipulating multimedia content are notorious resource hogs.

4. NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Thanks in no small part to the Internet, computing in the 21st century relies heavily on being connected:

Connected to the Internet, connected to a corporate network, connected to a wireless network, connected to a home network, connected to an online service.

Your life will be easier if you buy a laptop that includes built-in means to connect to them all.

5. PRICE

If you're considering a laptop, you're probably wondering how much money you'll need to spend.

A few years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find one for under $2,000. Today, there are plenty of laptops to be had for under $1,000.

What's more, most of the major manufacturers offer a variety of financing options.

Laptop prices have come down, to be sure. However, a laptop still represents a fairly major purchase for most people.

If you take the time to search for a laptop that meets your specific needs, you should get many years of use and enjoyment from this important investment.

--

You may republish this article, but must keep the resource box and copyright at the end.

About The Author

The author, computer journalist John San Filippo, has created the definitive guide for buying a laptop computer. It's an easy read and explains everything you need to know. Check out ==> http://howtobuyalaptop.com/


MORE RESOURCES:

Transform With Microsoft's New SideWinder X6 Keyboard; Industry's ...
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
To round out the SideWinder line, the Hardware team is also announcing the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast, powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream ...


Signature Hardware Introduces New Italian-Made Showers
Emediawire (press release), WA - 2 hours ago
Erlanger, KY (PRWEB) August 20, 2008 -- Signature Hardware is proud to introduce a new Italian-made line of plumbing fixtures to its ever-expanding product ...


A not-so-magic lamp guides me back to my neighborhood hardware store
Bridge, MN - 19 hours ago
We would take the lamp to Welna II Hardware in the morning. For years I’ve heard homeowners proclaim the importance of having a trusted, preferably small, ...


Andrews Awarded Aerojet Contract to Build Hardware for Sundancer
MarketWatch - 16 hours ago
SEATTLE, Aug 19, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Andrews Space, Inc. (Andrews) announced today that it has signed a contract with Aerojet of Sacramento, ...


Canada.com

NASA Closes Florida Spaceport for Tropical Storm Fay
Space.com - 13 hours ago
By Clara Moskowitz NASA closed its Florida spaceport early Monday to protect its space shuttle fleet and other vital hardware from severe weather associated ...
Video: 'Boomerang' Fay Strengthens Over Florida AssociatedPress
Florida bracing for Hurricane Fay WKYC-TV
all 7,256 news articles


FalconStor Moves To Software-Only Model, Will Drop Hardware
CRN, NY - Aug 18, 2008
They don't want to deal with 10 different hardware vendors to support their environment." By letting customers use the software with their existing server ...
FalconStor(R) EZStart(TM) Program Provides Channel Partners a ... MarketWatch
all 10 news articles


Gorilla Nation Signs Tom's Hardware
socalTech.com, CA - 2 hours ago
Tom's Hardware is a major online news and product review site focused on hardware, computers, and electronics. TheTorqueReport, which is part of the Tom's ...


Nisbet Brower buys Smokey Inc. in Dayton area
Bizjournals.com, NC - 16 hours ago
Nisbet Brower was founded in Loveland in 1870 as Nisbet Lumber & Hardware, and was purchased by Rippe in 1976. Its recent acquisitions include Schmidt ...
Sharonville building products company buys Centerville business Bizjournals.com
all 15 news articles


Wear and tear lead to more hardware
Globe and Mail, Canada - Aug 19, 2008
Karen Cockburn had just won a medal in her third consecutive Olympics - one of a handful to do it - as one of the world's best and most endurable bouncers, ...


Ars Technica

Windows 7 details to be released
Tehran Times, Iran - 12 hours ago
Windows 7 developers will show off their work at both the Professional Developers Conference and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference. ...
Microsoft Sends Up Trial Balloons for Windows 7 PC World
Microsoft To Unveil Windows 7 Features Next Month Tom's Guide
Microsoft may have 2000 developers working on Windows 7 Computerworld
ZDNet - NewsChannel 9 WSYR
all 18 news articles

Hardware - Google News

home | site map
© 2006