When you are shopping for a new laptop, you need to know a thing or two about the devices. You don’t want to rely just on the opinion of the salesperson. Use the tips below to make the best decision when you buy a laptop. Buy the laptop that fits your needs, not the computer the salesperson makes the most commission on.
Before you make any concrete plans to buy both a tablet and a laptop computer, take a look at the different convertible laptops available today. The reason for this is that they offer the best of both worlds. A convertible laptop is a tablet and laptop in one. Why pay for both?
Know what kind of operating system you’re going to get before you get your laptop. This should be displayed where you get your computer, or you can ask someone working there. Some people like to get computers and change the operating system, or you can just get one that you already know that comes with your laptop.
If you expect to do a lot of video production on your laptop, make sure you buy one with enough processing power and storage to fit the need. Budget laptops typically don’t fit the bill here. You’ll need to pony up some additional money to get a laptop that can deliver.
If you’re a gamer, you’ll want to make sure that your laptop has a dedicated graphics processing unit. If it’s a standard (built-in) GPU, it may not perform well in the wild with the games you like to play. Look for an ATI or NVidia GPU. Both will deliver on graphics and speed.
When looking at laptops, really consider battery power. Since this is an on-the-go machine, the amount of battery you have is very important. A laptop that only gets two to three hours of battery life may be of no real use to you if you’re constantly on the road. Weigh power against battery life very carefully.
Consider a touchscreen laptop. More and more software for PCs is being created with touchscreen technology in mind, meaning this option will become increasingly essential as time goes on. By purchasing the technology now, you can take advantage of the touchscreen features and not feel a necessity to re-buy another computer for several years.
Compare the options available with different laptop computers. Find out which ones come with a USB port, HDMI port and an SD slot. A USB 3.0 port will make your computer function more quickly. The HDMI port allows you to connect your laptop to your television. An SD card gives you an easily removable storage card for digital photographs.
Think about the keyboard on the laptop you want to buy. Is it comfortable? Most laptops allow you to plug in another keyboard if you choose to, but try to get a laptop with a keyboard that will be comfortable you right away. Get a feel for how close together the keys are, for example.
Think about size when selecting a laptop. Laptops usually come in sizes ranging from 13″ to over 17″ measured diagonally. If you want to use the laptop for everything, replacing a PC, you may want a 17 inch screen. If you will lug the laptop around a lot, a lighter 13 inch screen may be best.
Ask relatives if they get any discounts on laptops through their work. Some companies have deals with certain manufacturers so they can get laptops at a reduced rate. If you’re lucky, they can get you a computer at a fraction of the cost you’d pay in a retail outlet, so ask around!
To avoid adding even more costs onto the price of your laptop, skip the fancy software. There are plenty of free alternatives available to you, such as Google Docs instead of Microsoft Word. Only purchase software if you must for work or school, and talk to your administrator about discounts available to you before you buy.
If you do not think you can afford your dream laptop, give refurbished models a look. If it has a good warranty and the price is good, you don’t have much to lose. The majority of laptop owners have no issues with what they own and use, so most everyone can afford a laptop these days.
Choose a reputable brand when buying your new laptop. Your computer is only as strong as the brand name behind it, and you might find this out if you have to contact customer service for any reason. You want a company that honors the warranty it offers and assists you with updates or other needs too.
To start out setting up your new laptop, the first thing you need to do is install and activate the antivirus software that you should have bought with your computer — or that came free with it. After all, you wouldn’t walk around downtown with your ATM PIN on your forehead, so keep your computer information secret from the beginning.
How strong are you? While most laptops are pretty light today, carrying them around all day can still wear you out. If you plan to do a lot of moving around, a lighter model will be a better choice. If you will instead travel by car mostly, you don’t have to worry so much about weight.
Screen size is important. Smaller laptops come with smaller screens. This can cause you to squint when you are trying to surf the web, or complete some work away from the office. Get the screen size that you will be most comfortable looking at often. With all the sizes available, there is no reason to strain.
When thinking of raw power in a computer, most typical laptop users do not need much of it. Provided your plans don’t include running the latest video games, you can get by with a middle-of-the-road processor and a modest amount of RAM. The price of the laptop will go down a lot as the amount of power and speed does.
There are many considerations for picking a new laptop. Avoid letting a salesperson talk you into buying a certain model. Follow these tips to be a well informed laptop consumer. This will allow you to have a great laptop and you’ll pay a good price for it.
