Laptops are an essential tool for college students, business professionals, and more. As the power, size and price of laptops continue to improve, laptops continue to represent a growing dollar value. But there are some important things to be aware of when considering a laptop. This guide will focus on some key concerns.
The first decision to consider when buying a laptop is that you need a Windows, Apple or Linux machine. Most will stick to a Windows machine. Those who have used Apple in the past, and are not very familiar with Apple will have very limited options, but it is probably best to stick to Apple. Linux users will need to analyze interaction issues in Linux forums.
If you think you know what app you want, the next step is to set a budget and decide if you want a new or used machine. The laptops used to represent a good amount of equipment in the range of $600 - $700 and less.
If you do not think you need all the tools and equipment for a brand-new system, buying a used system on eBay or a laptop repair company can make a lot of sense. When checking out eBay, look for “Power Retailers” that sell multiple used computers, and make sure their customer satisfaction and return policies are strong. Do not be tempted to buy systems that do not have enough power just because they are cheap. In most cases, anything less than Pentium 3 is better avoided, as Pentium 3 equipment is already cheaper.
Once you have set your budget, get a minimum of memory configuration. I would highly recommend setting 512 Mb as your small memory configuration. Removing memory from a computer is a common way to sell them at low prices. But memory is often a weak link in personal computer programs, slowing down machine performance significantly. A lot of memory is a good measure for computers, and many people fail to realize that a portable computer with a lot of memory will often surpass the last one with no memory.
Once you have the memory requirements and set a budget, you can begin to compare models of weight, ergonomics, and most importantly, screen size. Finding the right size and weight for you is important, but finding the right screen size should be your main consideration.
Many people are excited about the big laptops tested, but they fail to fully appreciate the impact of the decisions. Most laptops come with a set of customizations, and switching to higher or lower resolution may distort the text. Some laptops with large screens are set to very high resolution, making them difficult to read without eye strain. Some expensive laptops with 15-inch screens can be much harder to learn and work on than laptops with smaller screens. 1024 × 768 should be an acceptable solution for most portable monitors. Avoiding larger screens with high resolution can save a lot of money, and it has brought a machine that is easy to operate and learn from.
Finally, there is the network consideration. Right now, it doesn't make much sense to buy any laptop without Wi-Fi wireless communication capabilities. Many new laptops will come with this standard, but with older and used laptops it is something you need to make sure of. With the continued growth of less access, a portable computer without this capability is virtually ineffective.
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