Learn How to Buy A Good Laptop Computer

Can’t decide which model of laptop to buy? How do you choose a

laptop that will meet your computing needs and yet does not
burst your budget? Choosing a good laptop computer can be very
difficult. You are faced with so many models and specs that you
don’t know where to begin!

When buying a laptop, you need to consider factors beyond
performance and weight. There are many additional things like
screen dimensions, battery life, and keyboard and connection
options which you have to think about.

Let’s look at some of the factors one should consider when
buying a laptop.

1. Processor

One of the first things you need to consider in a laptop is the
CPU. The latest laptop CPUs include Intel’s Core Duo and Core 2
Duo processors which outperform older single-core Intel
processors (e.g. Pentium M). Other laptops use the AMD Athlon
Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor – which is also a good
performer. In general, however, if you’re looking for a laptop,
I’d advise you to look for one with an Intel Core Duo processor.
You can also read this guide to find out more.

2. System memory

The amount of RAM in the laptop is very important. If you’re not
short of cash, my advice is to get at least 1GB of RAM – that is
the minimum you need to get newer PC applications to run fast.
Also remember that you can always add more memory to your
existing laptop. You may be interested in this short guide on
how to install new memory modules into a laptop.

3. Graphics memory

Laptop graphics are another feature you will want to consider.
Typically, I’d say you should go for 128MB of dedicated video
RAM. Also, ensure that the graphics memory is used solely for
graphics use and not shared with the main memory. If you intend
to play games on the laptop, then look for advanced 3D graphics
chips with about 256MB to 512MB of dedicated graphics memory. Be
prepared to fork out a lot more cash though.

4. Screen

You will also want to take a look at the laptop screen. Laptop
screens have recently become bigger. Most of them have gone
widescreen so you can watch movies or edit spreadsheets more
comfortably.

If you intend to use the laptop from home a lot, then I’d go for
a 17-inch wide screen. If you are more concerned about
portability or if you travel a lot, then laptops with screen
sizes of 12.1 or 13.3 inches might suit you better. There are
also 14.1- or 15-inch screens for laptops, but I believe
manufacturers are shifting away from these models.

5. Battery

Here’s another critical factor – laptop battery life. I
personally find it very frustrating to have my notebook power
run out after 15 minutes at Starbucks. What you need to do is to
buy a laptop that has about 3.5 hours of battery life, running
on a Core Duo or Core 2 Duo processor. Make sure you question
the retailer on how long the battery can last – a short battery
life is usually a deal breaker for me.

6. Keyboard and Pointing Device

Some people believe that the keyboard and pointing device on a
l is important. If you have big fingers, you might be more
comfortable typing on a larger notebook keyboard than a small
one. Make sure you try the laptop out – get the feel of typing
and navigation before you buy the laptop.

7. Optical drives

I’d usually recommend getting a laptop with a rewritable DVD
drive as a minimum. One thing you need to know is that some
laptops sacrifice a DVD drive in exchange for a lighter weight
and portability. If you don’t think you need a DVD drive all the
time, then you might want to get a model that doesn’t have one.

8. Hard drive

In the laptop hard drive department, what can I say? More is
better. These days, you can get a notebook hard drives coming in
sizes of 160GB or more. You can also get SATA hard drives if you
have more cash.

9. Weight

Another thing to note is the weight of the laptop. Now, when you
buy a laptop, always remember that the total weight includes the
notebook AND the AC adapter, any external modules, and their
cables. These can add up to quite a bit of weight.

10. Communications

These days, you will find that most laptops come with at least
two USB 2.0 ports – I’d recommend that as a minimum. If you do a
lot of video editing, then a FireWire (IEEE 1394) port also
becomes essential.

You should also check for good network capabilities. Make sure
your new laptop has built-in ethernet capability, a built-in
wireless connection and also built-in Bluetooth (if you need to
transfer data between your mobile phone and the laptop).

Some of the laptops also include card slots for removable media
such as CompactFlash, Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard. If you
take a lot of digital photos, then this feature might matter to
you.

11. Laptop Shopping Tips

Whew! That sure is a long list of features to consider when
buying a laptop. In addition to understanding the features,
there are three important laptop shopping tips you should bear
in mind.

Tip #1: How will you use the laptop? One of the problems when
you buy a laptop is that you pay for features you don’t really
need. One of the best ways to avoid paying too much is to
consider how you will use the laptop. If it is mostly for word
processing, then settle for a cheaper machine. If it is for
gaming, then you need a more powerful one.

Tip #2: Think of features you will not compromise You should
also be aware that there are some basic features in a laptop you
should NOT sacrifice. For example, for me, if I were buying a
laptop, I’d choose (as a minimum) – an Intel Core Duo or Core 2
Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, 160GB of hard drive, a very small
screen size and a super long lasting battery. Your list of
critical feature may vary.

Tip #3: Remember you can pick and choose Most vendors will let
you custom-build your own laptop. This is a good thing, because
you can just pick those features you need and not pay any extra.
You can easily purchase a faster notebook by accepting a smaller
hard drive or DVD drive, for example.

Conclusion

I hope this article has shown you that ins and outs of buying a
laptop. Remember, a laptop is an expensive device. It will also
be something you bring along anywhere you go. Hence, it is
critical that you do proper research and find the correct laptop
to suit your needs. Remember the above tips the next time you’re
in the market for a laptop, and happy shopping!

by: Gary Hendricks