Best Laptops to Buy
Are you looking for a laptop for gaming, storing photos, or other entertainment? Do you need a laptop to make your small business office mobile or need to bring presentations to your clients? When there is a need to compare best laptops to buy know what you want before going to the store or shopping on the Internet. Here are questions to answer to assist in knowing your needs and then compare best laptops to buy that fit those needs.
Instructions
1. Will the laptop be portable or leave it on the desk?
The lightweight laptops sacrifice items, such as drives, for the easy portability. To replace a desktop system means that the laptop is heavier but can provide equivalent power. To make this decision go to the store and pick up the laptop, including any accessories and the carry bag, to decide what weight and size is correct.
2. What laptop screen features will work with the tasks you will be performing?
The size of the screen is also an important consideration. As an approximation:
• Netbook has a 10 inch screen
• Ultraportable laptop has an 11 - 12 inch screen
• Thin and light laptop offers a 13 - 14 inch screen
• A popular size is between 15 and 16 inch screen
• For a desktop laptop look for a 17 inch or larger screen
The size and resolution of the laptop screen offer different viewing levels to provide comfort for the user. This is one other feature that should be considered to compare best laptops to buy. Resolution options include:
• Big text, icons, and is easy to read. There will be less information on the screen meaning there will be more scrolling to see the entire web page. WXGA - 1280x800
• The text and icons are smaller so more information will fit on the screen. WXGA+ - 1440x900.
• For those wanting more to fit on the screen or to have apps open simultaneously. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050.
• To be able to fit a lot of information on the screen this resolution creates very small text. This is the resolution to choose when working with apps, such as CAD, REVIT, or photo editing software. WUXGA - 1920x1200.
3. Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
On a glossy screen there is a reflective coating and colors are more vibrant for use with multimedia such as watching a DVD or working with photos. The glossy laptop screen does produce glare in well lighted areas. If you will be using the laptop where there is a lot of external natural light consider matt screen. When using the laptop with diffused artificial light or low light consider buying a laptop with a glossy screen type out before you buy. The screen is one of the more important parts on a notebook.
4. Would you purchase a laptop which is refurbished, redistrubited, or is considered scratch and dent?
These categories of laptops are priced significantly lower, have a 90 day to three year warranty, and work properly. This may be a category worth looking in to.
• Refurbished is defined as the laptop may or may not have been powered on, have the security seal intact, been used, or have cosmetic blemishes.
• Redistributed means that the laptop was ordered and never delivered, shipped or the order was cancelled. This category for the laptop means that it should be new and sealed in the original box meaning it has never been opened or turned on and is in mint condition.
• Scratch & Dent means that the laptop has been turned on, used before, the security seal is broken, there are cosmetic dents, or that the laptop was fully restored to manufacturing state.
5. How often, and where, will you need to be connected to the Internet?
Networking, or being able to wirelessly connect to the Internet, is an important component for a laptop. Know what Ethernet card is installed in the laptop. An 802.11b/g is the minimum amount of wireless connectivity. If using the laptop on the road a subscription wireless card may be needed.
6. How many hours of battery life do you need?
Look for the manufacturer's listed battery life for the battery in the laptop. The minimum battery life should be 2 hours. For portability, or extended time away from an outlet, compare laptops with USB ports that can be used as extra battery slots. Ask if an extended life battery is available to be installed or purchase a supplementary battery to be used with the laptop.
7. How much memory (RAM) will be needed?
When looking to compare the best laptop to buy check the amount of memory installed on the laptop and what the maximum memory is the system can handle. Ask if a memory upgrade can be done at a later date and what that process is. As the laptop is used the need for the maximum memory may be necessary. The minimum of memory is 2 gigabytes, anything less will create sluggish work speeds. Upgrade to a 4 gigabyte memory to improve the performance and keep the laptop from being sluggish.
8. What warranty will be needed?
Portable laptops do get abused which make them susceptible to breakdowns. A one year warranty, from the manufacturer, is the minimum necessary. For laptops that will be used a lot ensure that there is a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer. If considering an extended warranty plan only purchase if the service is by the manufacturer.
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