Lots of folks want to know how to purchase a cheap, bare-bones laptop. The more you know about buying a laptop, the easier it will be for you to find one at a great price. Read on to learn all you can about the process.
If you are thinking about getting a tablet as well as a new laptop, you may think about a convertible laptop. These laptops give you a two-in-one tablet and laptop; you’ll pay less for a convertible laptop than if you buy the two separately.
Before you get out there and buy your laptop, you need to have a budget in mind. The laptop features you require will dictate your spending budget. Do you favor a PC or a MAC? If you’re interested in computer graphics, Macs offer the best graphics technology available.
Consider the laptop’s weight when making a decision. Lugging around a clunky laptop computer can put you in physical pain, so if you will likely be transporting it often, chose a very light model. You don’t have to spend more money to get a lighter laptop. But, you may enjoy less battery life.
Make sure to check the battery life when buying a laptop. While you might not anticipate traveling much with the laptop, you probably don’t want to always recharge the machine when you do. You should be getting at least four hours of life before you have to recharge.
Be certain that any laptop you get has multiple USB ports. Many people overlook this important feature. You can plug in a different mouse, save files to a memory card or even connect with another laptop. Your laptop should have a minimum of four USB ports.
Think about getting a protection plan if you’re going to be carrying your laptop everywhere you go. If you drop or damage your laptop, a protection plan mght be a smart idea. Before purchasing read the coverage details.
Avoid buying a laptop on brand recognition alone. Many times, you are paying for the brand name. Therefore, it is important to understand the computers specs and buy accordingly. Companies that aren’t as well known typically have products that are quite similar to other brands without a huge price tag.
When trying to choose a laptop, consider what you plan to use it for. Some laptops are best for business, some for games and so on. No matter what you plan to do, try to get one that has the most features while staying true to its intended purpose.
Think about purchasing from a company that offers extended warranties. Repairs are not cheap, and replacing the machine is even more expensive. You could save yourself money in the long run when you get an extended warranty.
You probably don’t need a laptop with the most computing power available for everyday use. You will not need a lot of RAM or a speedy motherboard unless you are an avid gamer. The more power you add to a computer, the more expensive it will be. If you are shopping by price, stick to only the power you actually need.
Pin your shortcuts to your Start menu. Once you’ve found the shortcut, you can right click and select “Pin to Start.” This allows you to place an program icon for quick access.
Look at the ports of a laptop before buying it. If you wish to plug in mouses, charge cell phones, plug in iPods, plug in printers, and more, several USB ports are needed. Decide how many ports you need before you purchase your next laptop.
Test drive your computer for 30 days. Most computers will have a 30 day window for returns. Even if you don’t plan on doing video editing with it in the next few weeks, give it a go to see how it’ll be when you really need it. This is your window to make sure everything works for you.
If you plan to use your laptop for a lot of gaming purposes, listening to music or watching movies, check out the internal speakers before making a purchase. Some laptops have really lousy speakers, and you may be terribly disappointed if you’re not aware of this.
Laptops that don’t have a drive bay are lighter and more affordable. Most software can now be installed by downloading it or using a USB key, and you’ll save quite a bit if you skip getting these drives. In fact, you can get a portable DVD drive that you can connect to your laptop by USB if need be.
You should shut your laptop down when you’re not using it. It is very easy for a laptop computer to become overheated, especially if it is kept on a soft surface like a bed or couch. You can protect your laptop and its life by remembering to keep it shut off when it is not being used.
Get a computer with an additional layer of security if you’re often somewhere where others can access your laptop. These days, there are laptops that can use fingerprint or facial recognition so this is not an issue.
When purchasing from a conventional retailer, be skeptical of buying expensive warranty protection. Although an extended warranty is a great deal for the vendor, it rarely pays off for the customer. If there are going to be problems with your laptop, they will probably surface right away before your warranty runs out. If you really need an extended warranty, shop online for the best deal.
Look at all brands that offer the features you want. You’re probably familiar with the brands that have the biggest names. Do some research on all the brands that interest you to determine the best systems for you. A brand doesn’t have to be popular to make good computers.
Whenever you’re thinking of buying an expensive item, you have to be sure you know what you’re doing. This article is great to begin with so that you can get yourself a laptop that you love and can afford. So keep these tips in mind as you get out there to purchase your new laptop.