Do you, like most people, own a home computer? Have you ever wished to take it with you and have that kind of power when you are on the go? That is the beauty of laptop computers. They offer great power, ease of use and great mobility. Continue through this article to learn some excellent advice, that will help you make a smart purchase.
Consider battery life when making a laptop purchase. If you purchase a laptop that has a minimal battery life, it will be more difficult to use it on the go, especially when a power outlet is not available to you. Instead, opt for a laptop that offers several hours of battery life to increase the portability and convenience.
If you typically only search the web, check email and handle small word processing tasks with your computer, consider purchasing a Netbook. These units are inexpensive and light to carry, but they are also limited in how they function. For the moderate user though, they offer a budget friendly option that is easy to travel with and gets the job done.
Battery life is an important consideration when you are considering the purchase of a laptop computer. Check how long the manufacturer says the battery will last, but keep in mind that your actual usage may affect this number. If you intend to use your laptop for more than 3 or 4 hours, plan on an extra battery or someplace to plug it in and recharge.
Do not overspend on your laptop purchase. There was a time when you had to spend $1000 or more to get a good laptop, but those days are long gone. Today, you can find great options for $700 or less, and it is worth shopping around to get these type of prices.
Test the mouse and keyboards for comfort and functionality. You want to make sure your hands feel comfortable using these devices. Test the mouse touch pad to make sure it responds well to your touch. You can always add a mouse or keyboard if you plan on using the laptop at home. Put if you plan to use it on the go, you will have to rely on the attached devices.
If you are a student, you may be able to use financial aid to buy your computer. Talk to an administrator at your school or a counselor about whether or not they have any programs which help students get laptops. While you may end up with a used model, the price will be right!
The hard drive is an important part of any laptop. Usually the speed is more important than the size. Speed is measured in rpm and size is currently measured in GB. The higher the number for rpm, the faster the laptop will be. The higher the number of GB, the more files, movies, songs and programs you can store on your laptop.
To avoid sales people who desperately want to make a commission, do your purchasing online. This not only opens you up to a much larger selection, but the prices will often be lower as well. On top of that, shipping is often free, meaning you'll get your laptop quickly and easily.
Avoid wanting a laptop just because of its brand name. While it is true that good companies have good products, they may be charging you way too much. Learn about what actually goes into a great computer in order to determine if you can get the same quality from a less expensive maker. Great laptops can often be found through companies that are lesser known.
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.
Pixels are important when choosing a laptop. Basically, the more pixels you have, the more information you can fit on the screen. Many budget laptops come with fairly low pixel counts. Higher end laptops will be full HD screens with very high resolution. You should see the difference in person at the electronics store before making a decision.
To make your favorite applications easy to find and use on your laptop, pin the right shortcut to your taskbar. Go to the Start menu and find the shortcut to the program you want to pin. Right click on that short cut and choose "Pin to Taskbar." The icon will appear permanently just to the right of your Start button.
In order to keep track of all of your passwords, create a password manager to track your accounts, enter your passwords with just one keystroke, and even generate complicated passwords that hackers cannot guess. This place saves you from having to write all of those passwords down (and lose them), and it stores your information securely.
Make sure to always keep liquids away from your laptop. If any liquid gets on the keyboard of your laptop you could have more than just a mess on your hands. The liquid can fry your laptop's components. You can protect your laptop from any spills with a plastic, custom-built laptop cover.
Think about processor speed. Not all laptops are created equal. They all have processors, but the speed and number of them can vary quite a bit. You may not notice any difference between them initially. If you do intensive work or gaming however, you should look for faster processing speeds.
Before buying a laptop, do a shutdown and restart with the model you are considering. Many laptops can take what seems like eons to restart, especially the ones with weaker processors. If the start up time annoys you here, just imagine living with it at home. Use it as a gauge to help you choose.
No one likes to be tethered to a computer at home. Also, very few mobile devices offer the kind of computing power you may need when on the go. Laptops have come a long way and can now offer everything you want from a computer and more. Take the advice you have gained here, and purchase a laptop that suits your needs.
