Buying a Laptop

Buying the right laptop for your needs is not as easy as you might think. A lot of thought should be put into the decision. There are many options to choose from, and each will affect the price more so than when buying a desktop computer. Also, due to the nature of a laptop, you will likely be spending more time on it than you would with a desktop, so it's more important to get it right to begin with.

Top 4 Handy Hints for buying a laptop

1. First, think about how you will use it. Do you just need email? Will this be your only computer? Do you work with graphics? If you just want something to carry with you for email, then get the lightest laptop available. You won’t need much power or storage. You can also get a full size laptop that is lighter if you are willing to lose things like a DVD player and battery life.

2. Let's get to the guts of the system (the processor, memory, and storage). As with many things, more is better, but there are trade-offs. Increasing the processor speed will increase the price a little bit, but unless you are doing high level statistical work or using CAD software, extra processor speed may not help. Given a choice between more processor and more memory, more memory will usually make the most difference. The more memory you have, the less time the computer has to spend swapping back and forth between the hard drive and memory and the faster everything will run. You can’t have too much memory. Finally, there is hard drive space. If you are going to be storing a lot of photographs, music, or videos, you will need the largest hard drive they offer. If not, the standard one that comes with the unit will be plenty.

3. A comfortable keyboard and touch pad is essential. Make sure your laptop has a full sized keyboard, so you will be comfortable and efficient typing on it. The next thing is the screen, or monitor. This will affect the price, but bigger is better. Usually, this means a seventeen inch. If you do a lot of graphics, you may want a larger one.

4. The first step is the processor, memory, and storage. As with many things, more is better, but there are trade-offs. Increasing the processor speed will increase the price a little bit, but unless you are doing high level statistical work or using CAD software, extra processor speed may not help. Given a choice between more processor and more memory, more memory will usually make the most difference. The more memory you have, the less time the computer has to spend swapping back and forth between the hard drive and memory and the faster everything will run. You can’t have too much memory. Finally, there is hard drive space. If you are going to be storing a lot of photographs, music, or videos, you will need the largest hard drive they offer. If not, the standard one that comes with the unit will be plenty.

A laptop used under normal conditions will be with you for two to three years or more. Putting extra thought and consideration into the decision now will save you many more headaches later.

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