When looking for a laptop, you should know some things about the devices. You don't want to be at the mercy of the salesperson who is helping you at the store. Keep these tips in mind to make the best possible decisions about your upcoming purchase. Make sure you go out of this with a laptop that serves you, not the one a salesman wanted to offload on you.

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.

If you don't understand something in the description of a laptop, give the company a call. This will get you the answer to your question, and you'll also be able to get in touch with customer service. The company's customer service may help you determine whether that is a company you want to do business with.

If you are in the market for a budget laptop, around $400-600, know what to expect for that amount of money. The laptop will usually made of cheaper plastic, not as durable as some other materials. Your choice of colors may limited. A budget laptop will have a relatively small hard drive and installed memory.

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.

To keep your laptop safe on the road, pack it in its own suitcase; if you do not have a separate laptop bag, then get a padded case for the laptop that you can place in another bag. Make sure that there is nothing else in that larger bag heavy enough to crack the screen through the case.

Be gentle with your laptop when you are traveling with it. Choose a bag that will not bang against you or swing as you walk. A loose laptop in the bag may damage internal parts.

Refurbished laptops can be a good idea if you know where to buy them from. For example, refurbished Apple electronics come with the same warranty as new products. Make sure your refurbished computer comes with an updated battery. Remember that you may not get the same options available on new computers.

Try not to allow your laptop's battery to die completely. Each time that this occurs you are causing the battery to lose its power holding capabilities. Instead, once you see that they power is getting low you should either turn the laptop off or plug it into a power source.

Understand what your hardware needs will be. If you are a gamer, sound and video cards will be important to you. This will also mean a faster processor and more RAM. If you are a more casual user, avoid the latest, greatest sound and video hardware. However, if you are watching movies regularly, they become a consideration again.

Make sure the laptop has a wireless Internet connection. This really comes in handy when you are traveling with your laptop. Many public and private places offer free-wifi so you can access the Internet. You will need a laptop that has a wireless Internet connection in order to do so.

How large of a screen do you need? If you want to work on your laptop, you may need a larger screen with greater resolution, especially if your work involves graphic design. If all you want to do is word processing, a smaller resolution will probably do just fine.

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.

Turn the laptop off you have when you're not using it. Laptops overheat easily. This is especially true if they are left sitting on a couch, bed or other soft surface. Remember to turn your laptop off when not in use.

Consider having a minimum amount of ports and extras on a laptop. You have at least have a couple USB ports. Many now have at least two USB 3.0 ports. These are faster than the older USB 2.0 versions, however, this is only when you use them with compatible USB 3.0 devices like external hard drives. On the newer laptops, you should have an HDMI video output and an SD slot. Many of the newer models also have Wi-Fi that should work with nearly any router or Wi-Fi signal.

If you must use your laptop on your lap, invest in a lap desk or a platform which is designed to keep your laptop cool. The bottom of your laptop can get excessively hot an can overheat if you put your laptop on your lap which can obstruct the airflow that your laptop needs to stay cool.

If you will be carrying your laptop with you frequently, consider the weight of a system when purchasing one. This means the laptop's weight plus all it accessories such as spare battery, power supply, zip drive, etc. Many lightweight laptops can end up being as heavy as a regular laptop when you add all of its accessories. Use a carry-on, if your laptop plus accessories, weigh more than ten pounds.

When buying a laptop, there are a number of things to consider. Don't allow the salesperson to pressure you. Use the tips located above to help ensure you purchase a great laptop. These tips will also help you get a great deal.