Don't Know What Makes A Good Laptop? These Tips Can Help!

Don't Know What Makes A Good Laptop? These Tips Can Help!



The choice of which laptop to buy can be a vexing one indeed, particularly for those lacking in-depth familiarity with computers. The truth is that it really does take a bit of research to know what you want and need. This article is intended to make things clearer for anyone looking for a flexible computing option.

Make sure you know how much space the laptop will have. This should be something you either read where you're buying it, or something you ask to the person selling it. This represents how much you can store on your computer. You want to be able to have something that you can work with when you need a lot of space for things like video files.

One of the first things to consider when buying a laptop is if you want a PC or an Apple product. PCs are often considered better gaming units, while Apple products are known for their photo editing abilities. Consider how you will use your laptop when making this important brand decision.

Ask friends and family for recommendations. They can be a good source of information, and you can also use their laptop before you shell out money for your own. Family and friends will be quick to share whether they like their laptop, and they will be very honest about it as well.

You may not actually need a disk drive. Consider a computer that simply comes with a CD/DVD combination drive. Flash drives, external hard drives and cloud storage available on the Internet make it easier for you to save vital files without cluttering your computer's hard drive. This can save you money and decrease the weight of your laptop.

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.

Consider the size of your display. When it comes to laptops, you can save a lot of money by going with a smaller display. While you could connect an external monitor when you travel with it, it's important to consider what you do and how big you need the display in order to do it properly. For instance, if you work with graphics using a tiny display may not be ideal. You need to make sure it's large enough for your needs.

Windows and Mac notebooks offer different advantages and disadvantages. Windows laptops, and computers in general, are usually less expensive than their Apple counterparts. Macs are considered easier to use, however, and built better. Software choices are more numerous in the Windows environment, but Apple usually makes software installation easier for the novice.

Find out what warranty is offered with your prospective laptop. See what warranty the manufacturer offers, how long it lasts, and if it covers software and hardware issues. It should at least have a one-year warranty. Many of the cheaper models have 90-day warranties, so consider whether or not a cheaper computer is worth paying for servicing and part replacements.

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.

Compare multiple brands of laptops. You may here that a certain brand is the best of the bunch, but until you test it yourself, you may not know if it's the best fit for you. Shopping for a laptop is like shopping for anything else. You need to test out multiple options.

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.

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.

Before purchasing a laptop, do some online comparison shopping to get an idea of acceptable prices. Once you know which laptop you're going to buy, go to various websites looking for the best offers or sales. Check to be sure that the models you are comparing are actually the same.

Take care of your laptop's computer by cleaning it regularly with compressed air or an anti-static wipe. This is important because it is very expensive and difficult to replace a keyboard on a laptop, so it is likely you will have the same keyboard for the life of your computer.

In laptops, brand is not particularly important, but reputation is. See what people say about Asus, Sony, Apple, and Toshiba. Many brands have a great reputation.

When buying a laptop, you should be aware that you have fewer upgrade options later. PCs are typically very customizable. You can add components later. It is often a matter of popping away a side of the case and installing a new component. For laptops, this process is usually much harder, if even possible. Graphic cards, for instance, are not usually upgradable in a laptop.

It cannot be denied that the process of selecting a new laptop computer can be daunting, even for those who have owned them in the past. Fortunately, the information presented above is terrific for making the process simpler. Keep these tips close at hand, and you will never doubt your ability to get what you truly desire.