Purchasing a home or business laptop can be a much more confusing and sometimes frightening experience as most users today have some experience with a desktop computer but not as many have experience with a laptop, what is properly known as a portable computer. Portable computers are an excellent solution for anyone who needs to be portable and have all of their information on a small computer. Below is a listing of help and tips when considering to purchase a laptop computer.
When purchasing a computer, it is likely that you will have a general idea of what you may like in the computer or how you would like to configure the computer. Below is a listing of the various components likely to be found in a computer, and recommendations and tips when considering any of the below components.
Device | Short recommendation |
Battery usage | A
very important consideration for any users that need to have a working
laptop on the road or in the air. Verify when purchasing a portable
computer how long the battery lasts. Be cautious, as many manufacturers
will indicate a battery usage time but this may be at the lowest
possible settings; ensure that the manufacturer clarifies what the
standard battery usage life is when using the portable computer in all
power modes. |
Display | All
portable computers come with a display. While it is almost always
possible to hook up an external monitor when traveling with the laptop,
the display is an important consideration. When looking at the display,
ensure it is large enough for your needs. A very easy method of reducing
the cost of the laptop is to reduce the size of the screen, unless
price is an very important consideration we highly suggest that you
purchase a laptop with at least a 12" or lager LCD and recommend an LCD
size of 14" Complete buying tip information on Flat Panel
or LCD solutions can be found on our flat panel buying tips page. |
Drives | Drives
are sometimes overlooked when considering a portable computer but can
be an important consideration. Portable computers can come with various
drive configurations, for example:
*If you are considering a DVD solution, verify if the DVD comes with hardware or software decoding. Hardware decoding for laptops is accomplished by using a PCMCIA card and will add onto the overall price of the laptop. |
Hard drive | Hard
drives have and always will be an important consideration to think
about when purchasing a new portable computer. Like a standard computer,
the hard drive will be the destination of all your files and
information, and if that drive is to become full, that drive will need
to be replaced or another drive will need to be added to the computer.
When looking at the space of the hard drive, always get the maximum size
hard drive, considering you will eventually always run out of space. Complete buying tip information on hard disk drives can be found on our hard disk drive buying tips page. |
Lock | Does the portable computer include any locking system? If yes, what locking system is included? This can be very important for users who are on the road. |
Memory | Memory
is and has always been an important consideration when looking at
purchasing a computer. Determine the amount of memory included in the
computer as well as verify if that memory can be upgraded in the future.
The more memory the computer has, the more efficient the computer will
run. Complete buying tip information on computer memory can be found on our memory buying tips page. |
Modem | If
a modem is required, ensure that a modem is included with the portable
computer. In addition, verify if the modem is an internal or PC-CARD
(PCMCIA) modem as you may require all the available PC-CARD slots in the
future. PC-CARD modems are Type II that for most computers will allow
for an additional Type II to be connected. Complete buying tips and information on modems can be found on our modem buying tips page. |
Network card | If
a network connection is required, ensure that a network card is
included with the portable computer. In addition, verify if the network
card is an internal or PC-CARD (PCMCIA) network card as you may require
all the available PC-CARD slots in the future. Network PC-CARDs are Type
II that for most computers will allow for an additional Type II to be
connected. Complete buying tips and information on network cards can be found on our network card buying tips page. |
Processor | The
computer processor is and will always be an important consideration
when purchasing a computer. Today, with multiple CPU/Processor
manufacturers, it may be more confusing as well as more cost efficient
to look at the different processors
available.Complete buying tips and information on computer processors can be found on our CPU buying tips page. |
Sound card | Sound
cards are important when looking at purchasing a computer; however, the
majority of all computer users will find that most standard sound cards
will suit their needs. However, some users may enjoy purchasing more
advanced sounds cards that will increase the amount of speakers that can
be used and in some games and programs and the sound quality and
capabilities. When looking at the sound aspect of a portable
computer, many laptops do not have sufficient sound and will require
external speakers or headphones. Ensure that the sound quality meets
your needs. |
Weight | Weight is a very important consideration when considering a portable as the computer will be carried; the lighter the portable computer, the more easy it will be to carry. |
Video card | Video
cards are becoming an extremely important factor when purchasing a
computer. While this may surprise some, a video card can make or break a
computer when it comes to playing games on the computer. Most games
today require additional video memory as well as special video modes
such as OpenGL. With a video card with little video memory or without
these modes, the computer will be unable to play these games. In
addition, the advances in video cards can dramatically increase the user
enjoyment of the game being played. Complete buying tips and information on video cards can be found on our video card buying tips page. |
Add-ons | Some
computer manufacturers may try to sell additional add-ons when
purchasing a portable computer. Unless you have done your research on
the additional add-on, do not consider the add-on. While in some cases
it may be beneficial to get a printer, scanner, camera or PC Cards with a
computer, you may be paying premium for the additional add-on, or in
the case of the printer, you may have to pay premium on the ink in the
future. Do you research, ensure that if you get an additional hardware
or add-ons that the hardware will suit your needs and that it does not
end up being something that is not going to be used. Free add-ons?
Some computer companies may entice you into purchasing a computer by
giving you free add-ons. These add-ons may be advertised as free,
however, ensure or ask if the add-on price is not just being added to
the overall computer price. |
Documentation | While
most manufacturers today are reducing the amount of documentation
included with their computers, an excellent question, especially if the
computer is being purchased by a new computer user, is "what
documentation is included with the computer?" All computer
manufacturers will include some paper documentation or paper inserts;
however, does this information include documentation about upgrading the
computer in the future? How to connect the cables to the computer?
Documentation on how to use the software such as the additional included
software? Note: It is important to distinguish between paper documentation and on-line documentation. On-line documentation, which is being found more today, is information that is either locally on the computer or can be accessed via the Internet. If the information is available over the Internet, see how that information looks and if it suits your needs before purchasing the computer. |
Location | We
use location to describe several different topics. First, what is the
location of where the computer is purchased: If the computer is
purchased at a local retail store, can the computer be returned to that
store if unsatisfactory? If the computer is purchased through mail order
or directly through the computer manufacturer or reseller, where can
the computer be returned if unsatisfactory? Second, can the store
location of where the computer was purchased service the computer? If
not where is the closest location to where the computer can be serviced? Third, if the computer is purchased directly from the computer manufacturer and is shipped through mail, how is it shipped? What is the time period for the computer to arrive to your destination? What happens if the computer is damaged during shipping? |
Refurbished | Refurbished
is a term used to describe a computer or a hardware device or component
in a computer that has been used; however, it has been looked at and
determined to be in working order. However, because the product has been
used or purchased, it cannot be sold as new. Refurbished computers
will have a lower price and are a good deal for users who may not have a
lot of money to spend on a new computer. It is important, however, to
compare the price of the refurbished computer to a new computer as well
as to review all of the tips on this page as all the same rules, tricks
and tips still apply. |
Service | Service
is an important consideration to look at when looking to purchase a
computer, new or used. The service is how many companies describe the
repair of a computer if it or a component within it is to become broken.
Below is a listing of what services
to look for.
|
Software | Software,
for many computer users especially new users, is thought to be an
important consideration when purchasing a new computer. Granted there is
software that we highly recommend looking for when purchasing a
computer, such as word processor or spread sheet program, some computer
companies may over hype the software package. Below is a listing of what
to look for when looking at the software included with a computer.
|
Support | While you can always contact Computer Hope
for support, manufacturer support for most users will be a very
important consideration, as if an issue arises with the computer,
you must be able to be able to contact a support representative.
Things to consider when looking at the support options of a computer
are shown below.
|
Upgrade ability | While
this option may not be considered at first when purchasing a computer,
it is an important consideration. Below is a listing of different
options to look for when looking to upgrade a portable computer.
|
Warranty | Finally, what warranty is offered by the computer manufacturer? How long is the warranty? Does the warranty cover both hardware and software issues? Warranty can cause frustrations for most users. We highly recommend that a computer only be considered if it has at least a one-year warranty. Many cheap computers will only come with a 90 day warranty; meaning if a part goes bad, you will have to pay for the part as well as the service. This may not be an issue for users who just need a cheap computer and are willing to replace parts and service the computer. |
- Get what you pay for - Ensure that the
product you are purchasing is what you are paying for. It has been known
that computer companies may list a processor being a specific speed but
may actually have a different speed into the computer. This,
unfortunately, can be very easy as any user can 'over clock' a
processor, making it appear as one speed but in reality being a
completely different speed. For example, you may buy a 733MHz processor
but instead get a 500MHz.
To determine the processor speed, open the computer and look at the processor itself. Do not look at the processor through a software program or through BIOS as these values can be changed or tricked. - Legal software - When purchasing a computer, ensure it comes with legal software. Many end-users or small computer companies who build or sell computers may not provide you with legal copies of the software, which is illegal. Verify that the software that came with your computer is on a standard CD and not a burnt CD. A burnt or home-made CD will be a different looking CD and have a gold or green bottom. Ensure that if the software requires a license or registration number that it was included with the computer. An example of software that includes these certificates is Microsoft Office and Windows.
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