Gosh darn it, you want a new laptop and you want it now! The problem is that you have no idea where to look for it, what to look for and how to get a great deal. You don't have all day, so check out this article to get a quick lesson on smarter laptop shopping.
Look at reviews before buying a laptop. New laptops always look shiny and sound like a deal; it is not until later that your regrets appear. That's why you should look at what other owners have to say about it.
Consider the type of laptop that fits your lifestyle best. These days there are multiple types of laptops, from netbooks to desktop replacements and everything in between. Take note of how much you travel, how often you expect to carry your laptop with you, and how intensive the software that you expect to use really is. All these will affect the choice you make.
Check out the specifications of a laptop before you buy it. You might be excited that a laptop is affordable, but when you do a little investigation, you may find that it comes with fewer programs, less storage and less memory than you want. Before you buy a laptop, make sure that you look at and understand the specifications of the machines that you're interested in.
Before you make a final decision, check to see if your potential laptop comes with a hard drive and RAM which can be upgraded in the future. You may need extra storage space and added speed later on. It'll be much cheaper to upgrade your old machine than to buy a new one. Think about it before you make your decision.
To repair just one faulty key on your laptop, gently pull up on the edge until it comes off, and look at the hinge underneath. If the hinge is cracked or broken, you need to order just a new key kit instead of a whole new keyboard. Installation instructions come with the kits, and you end up saving money.
Size up your purchase. Small laptops usually have less features, but can fit in any size case. This makes them easy to carry. Large laptops are harder to stow, but have all the features. If the work you will be doing is processor intensive, you may want to go bigger.
When you buy a new laptop, spring for a DVD drive on it. While going without one may seem feasible, especially considering the lower price, you could really be up the creek when it comes to installation or repair. When you need to put new software on, update it, or perhaps fix an existing problem, being able to use a disc is essential.
Choose a reputable brand when buying your new laptop. Your computer is only as strong as the brand name behind it, and you might find this out if you have to contact customer service for any reason. You want a company that honors the warranty it offers and assists you with updates or other needs too.
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.
Screen size is important. Smaller laptops come with smaller screens. This can cause you to squint when you are trying to surf the web, or complete some work away from the office. Get the screen size that you will be most comfortable looking at often. With all the sizes available, there is no reason to strain.
Make sure you purchase a custom keyboard cover for your new laptop, to protect it from liquids. These plastic wraps allow you to type away to your heart's content, but prevent things like crumbs and coffee from falling in between the keys. This of course will help your machine last much longer and perform as it is intended to.
Consider the speed of your computer when buying a new laptop. A hard drive at 5400 revolutions per minute may save you money but your computer will be noticeably slower. A hard drive at 7200 revolutions per minute will be more expensive but your computer will run much more quickly.
Get a laptop that has an integrated video camera. In today's world, the camera is used more and more. You may think you'll never use it, but the small expense may be worth it. More and more people use services such as FaceTime and Skype every day. In addition, you can talk face-to-face with distant relatives now. That camera is going to be more useful than you guessed.
Find out the service options if your computer or one of its components is broken. How long will it take to complete the repair. Where is the nearest authorized repair center? Is service guaranteed for the entire life of the warranty? Know how and when you can get repair service performed.
Laptop brands are only useful in terms of reputation. Check out what people are saying about Sony versus what they say about Asus, Acer, Apple or Toshiba. Many brands have a great reputation.
If you do buy a laptop from an online source, always go to a brick and mortar store fist to be sure you like the actual size and configuration of the laptop. You may find that the actual product is small or more fragile than you anticipated. So being able to have a hands-on experience with it first is a great idea.
Now that you're done this article, you have filled your mind with many helpful tips. Laptop shopping will be a snap now that you know what you're doing. Get to the store or check out online retailers and find the perfect model, get the best price and then start enjoying portable computing!
