So you’ve been looking at possibly getting a laptop and have no idea where to begin. Don’t worry, that is where informative article on the latest laptop technology comes into play. The article below has many great tips that will help you to understand all about the world of laptops.
Before beginning laptop shopping, get an idea of the kind of work that you expect to get out of it. You may find that you really don’t need the super-expensive top of the line model for the work you really need to do. This can save you a lot of money.
If you plan to watch any HD movies or engage in lots of gaming, it is better to get a laptop that has dedicated graphics chips. There are many video games available; however, if your graphics card is just an integrated chip set, you may not be able to run them. Decide whether you require a quad-core chip or a dual-core processor.
Consider walking into a store and physically trying a laptop, even if you plan to buy it online. Buying a laptop online is a great idea for a number of reasons, but it can be hard to get a clear idea of what the machine looks like. If you can handle it in a store, you will be more comfortable buying it, whether you buy it right there or online.
The size of your laptop depends on how much you need to travel with it. If you travel frequently, your best option is a small, lightweight computer. The screen and keyboard are small on these computers, but it makes traveling much easier. If you are mostly planning to use your laptop at home, you can go larger.
When it comes to owning a laptop you will want to avoid drinking near it at all costs. Any spray from your drink or accidental spillage will more than likely result in a permanent sticky spot on your laptop, if not worse. Therefore, have a drink before or after use, not during.
Learn a little bit about specs before you purchase a laptop. Know the differences between various CPUs, hard drives, graphics chips, and RAMs. You do not need to know everything about each of these items, but understand what each is and what function they have in a laptop. You do not want to spend more for something that you do not need or not spend enough for something that you wanted after the fact.
Think about the size. Laptops now come in a range of sizes. There are big laptops that are best suited to desks, and tiny laptops that can fit in a little bag. Decide how you will be using the laptop. If you need portability as a main feature, go small.
To make the keys on your laptop keyboard easier to see, use one of those layover keyboards that come in bright colors with larger characters. The eye strain that comes with spending long hours at the computer can make smaller characters difficult to pick out, so make things easier on your eyes with one of these specialty keyboards.
If you are buying a laptop on a small budget, look for refurbished laptops. These are used laptops that have been cleaned up and tuned up. You can get a great deal on a perfectly functioning laptop. You still need to do some research to make sure the computer you pick fits your needs.
Consider buying a laptop with a touchscreen. While touchscreens are not for everyone, some people really enjoy them. Touchscreens give your laptop a tablet feel but in a larger form. The Windows 8 operating system is based off of a touchscreen format. If you use your laptop for lots of typing and office programs, then a touchscreen is probably not necessary.
Be mindful of how much memory is available on your laptop. This tells you that it is the right time to uninstall applications not in common use so that free space can open up. Your computer can run faster when you have more memory open.
To make application icons easier to find on a laptop that uses Windows 7, you need to uncombine the icons. Right click on an empty section of your taskbar, and choose Properties. Then choose “Never Combine” on the buttons menu for the Taskbar. You will never have to separate the icons for your favorite programs again.
Do you really need a DVD burner? With the advent of USB keys and external hard drives, most people don’t need to burn DVDs any longer. Think long and hard about whether your new laptop really requires this feature as not having it included will save you hundreds of dollars.
If you expect to have your laptop for more than a few years, consider how upgradable the laptop is. You may want some additional memory or better graphics down the line, so a few empty card slots will be a big deal when buying. A laptop that isn’t upgradable means less of a shelf life.
Consider HDD or SSD hard drives. HDD or a a traditional spinning platter hard drive that is found in many models. They are great for streaming data quickly from a hard drive when playing games or editing video. The SSD or solid state hard drive is flash memory that runs quiet and cool. It has a much smaller capacity and isn’t ideal for large amounts of media like videos. There are also hybrid drives where a HDD is paired with the smaller SSD.
Ask your salesperson any questions that you may have about the laptop you are potentially buying. These salespeople are typically gadget geeks and love talking about laptops and other computers. They also tend not to hard-sell devices. Tell him about your typical use cases, and the salesperson can lead you in the right direction.
Choosing a laptop can be an overwhelming experience due to the changing technologies, but it doesn’t have to be complicated if you have good tips to follow. Thankfully you just read a great article that gave you a basic understanding on what to look for in laptops. Use the tips here to make the process simple.
