How to Buy the Best Laptop

With the ever changing face of modern technology, laptops have redefined the concept of mobile computing bringing into reality portability and ease of use.

What constitutes the best laptop is different for everybody so before making a purchase, you must remember that ‘The Best’ cannot be defined.

In short, with laptops being so versatile and varied, there’s a model for all types of consumers.

Your choice of the ‘best’ depends most often on your needs.

If you are planning to buy a laptop merely for entertainment purposes, one equipped with multimedia and gaming capabilities is the best choice for you.

Those of you who wish to own a laptop for photo and video editing activities; you should go for a wider display. A wider screen is sure to give you an enriched experience.

If you are buying a laptop purely for business use, it is advisable to focus on the security, productivity and performance features offered.

Shockproof, sturdy laptops with a longer battery-life are the best options for frequent travelers. Go for a thin and light laptop, if portability is your topmost priority.

Comparing laptop configurations and prices is sure to help you make the best deal. The internet can be a useful tool when doing this.

Also take time to visit different renowned laptop outlets and computer stores before you make a decision.

Also remember to check the authenticity of the dealer before you buy from a local store.

If you are on a tight budget, it is best to go for low-end laptops. Refurbished laptops are a viable option for those with a slightly lower budget.

With refurbished laptops, you will be able to possess a well configured laptop at a relatively lesser price. But make sure you obtain a warranty for a refurbished one, since there are chances of getting cheated while buying used laptops.

General Tips for Buying Laptops:

Check the battery life of the laptop before buying it. It is advisable to go for a Lithium battery with a high voltage and avoid NiMH batteries, as they need to be replaced frequently.

At least two or more USB ports is essential. The ports enable you to attach peripheral devices to your laptop. Also, check if the laptop you wish to buy is equipped with a CD or DVD drive and DVD writer, if you plan to use it for multimedia purposes.

A hard drive of 80GB is considered as being sufficient for an average user if you plan to use the laptop for multimedia or database applications, bigger hard drives are recommended.

The choice of the screen size depends on the kind of usage. If a small laptop size is your first preference, you should go for a 12-14 inch computer screen. On the other hand, if gaming and multimedia is you primary need, it is best to choose a 17-inch screen.

Memory of at least 1GB RAM is necessary but power users should go for more.

Before you make the final deal, make sure you obtain a warranty from your laptop seller.

You might like to check out some of the models below:

The Mobile User: If you’re always on the move or just don’t want a big laptop cluttering up your desk; you should be looking for a mobile laptop. A number of brands offer laptops that are geared for mobility, and these lightweight, easily portable notebooks are capable of much more than their size may let on.

Asus has been leading the charge with their Eee laptops, which is available in a number of models with screen sizes between 7 and 10 inches. They are ultraportable and especially useful for business travelers.

If that’s too small, then something like the 13-inch Apple MacBook or Acer palmtops might be more appropriate.

The Student: Right now, the premier laptop for students would have to be the Apple MacBook Pro, available in 15 and 17-inch display models.

Blending a stylish design with the easy-to-use Mac operating system, the Apple MacBook Pro has been a huge hit with a new generation of computer users. It can handle both productivity tasks like doing homework or surfing the web, and multimedia tasks like listening to music or watching video.

The ‘Just the Basics’ User: If you’re looking for a laptop that just works and doesn’t distract you with all sorts of irritating, useless gadgetry, you may be interested in a Dell Inspiron notebook.

These affordable laptops are perfect for simple computing, but they are also capable of doing more if you wish. They are good computers to grow into. Available with screen sizes between 15 and 17-inches, they are excellent mainstream computers with lots of potential.

The Multimedia User: Toshiba’s Qosmio line is tailor made for consumers who want something a little more from their computers, who want to be able to store lots of music and video, and bring their computing into the 21st century.

Qosmio computers can be connected to a television and used as a digital video recorder, they can be outfitted with Blu-Ray disc players for high-definition video playback, and they have top-of-the-line specifications that make gaming a high-intensity experience.

Thank you for taking time to read this. It’s now time to cut that check and let’s meet at the computer shop.

Lloyd, the Computer Scientist. (mugalloyd2@gmail.com)