Laptop buying tips
(1) . Purchasing a home or business laptop can be a much more confusing and sometimes frightening experience.
(2) . When purchasing a computer, it is likely that you are going to have a general idea of what you may like in the computer or how you would like to configure the computer.
(3) . recommendations and tips when considering any of the below components.
Battery usage
Determine how long the battery is expected to last under normal use
ensure that the manufacturer clarifies what the standard battery usage life is when using the portable computer in all power modes.
Display
When looking at the display, ensure it is large enough for your needs. A very easy method of reducing the cost of the laptop is to reduce the size of the screen, unless price is an important consideration we highly suggest that you purchase a laptop with at least a 12" or larger LCD and recommend an LCD size of 14". office.com/setup
Drives
Drives are sometimes overlooked when considering a portable computer but can be an important consideration.
1. where the CD-ROM and the floppy drive are interchangeable. For users who utilize the floppy drive often, this may be an issue; however, for other users who do not utilize the floppy, this may be a more appropriate solution as the computer will be lighter and thinner with one drive bay.
2. portable computers have a floppy solution as well as CD-ROM solutions. These computers will be a less expensive computer when compared to the other solutions; however, it is the always the heaviest of all the solutions.
3. portable computers allow for a laptop to be extremely light and utilize external drives instead of internal. Pay close attention to the price of these laptops; while it may appear to be a portable solution, many manufacturers will charge you an additional price for the external drives, which will eventually be needed.
Hard drive
Hard drives have and always will be an important consideration to think about when purchasing a new portable computer. Like a standard computer, the hard drive will be the destination of all your files and information, and if that drive is to become full, that drive must be replaced or another external drive needs to be added to the computer.
Memory
Memory is and has always been an important consideration when looking at purchasing a computer. Determine the amount of memory included in the computer as well as verify if that memory can be upgraded in the future.
Processor
The computer processor is and will always be an important consideration when purchasing a computer. Today, with multiple CPU/Processor manufacturers, it may be more confusing as well as more cost efficient to look at the different processors available.
Documentation
While most manufacturers today are reducing the documentation included with their computers
All computer manufacturers will include some paper documentation or paper inserts; however, does this information include documentation about upgrading the computer in the future? How to connect the cables to the computer
It is important to distinguish between paper documentation and on-line documentation. On-line documentation, which is being found more today, is information that is either locally on the computer or can be accessed via the Internet. If the information is available over the Internet, see how that information looks and if it suits your needs before purchasing the computer.
Service
- Is the service onsite, meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or fix a bad component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete time of the warranty?
- If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long?
- Can the computer be taken to a local service center? If yes, what is the closest authorized service center?
