Laptop Buying Tips
https://www.computersprofessor.com/2017/06/laptop-buying-tips.html?m=0
Laptop
Buying Tips:
Purchasing
a home or business laptop can be a much more confusing and sometimes
frightening experience. Below is a listing of help and tips when considering to
purchase a laptop computer.
When
purchasing a computer, it is likely that you are going to 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.
Battery usage
Determine
how long the battery is expected to last under normal use. 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 important consideration we
highly suggest that you purchase a laptop with at least a 12" or larger
LCD and recommend an LCD size of 14".
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:
- One drive bay where
the CD-ROM and the Floppy drive are interchangeable. For users who utilize
the floppy drive often, this may be an issue; however, for other users who
do not utilize the floppy, this may be a more appropriate solution as the
computer will be lighter and thinner with one drive bay.
- Two drive bay portable
computers have a floppy solution as well as CD-ROM solutions. These
computers will be a less expensive computer when compared to the other
solutions; however, it is the always the heaviest of all the solutions.
- No drive bay portable
computers allow for a laptop to be extremely light and utilize external
drives instead of internal. Pay close attention to the price of these
laptops; while it may appear to be a portable solution, many manufacturers
will charge you an additional price for the external drives, which will
eventually be needed.
Finally,
some users may also want to consider different media solutions. For example,
many laptops allow for a standard floppy drive or an LS120 drive. The LS120
drive can read floppy diskettes and at the same time be used as a backup
storage device as it can store up to 120MB on a LS120 diskette. Additionally,
consider the option of a DVD* or CD-RW drive as opposed to a CD-ROM drive.
*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 must be replaced or another external drive needs 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.
Lock
Does
the portable computer include any locking system? If yes, what locking system
is included? This can be 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 is capable or running.
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.
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
allows for an additional type II to be connected.
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.
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 another 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.
Brand
of computer
When
looking at purchasing any brand of portable computer you will hear good and bad
stories. Regardless if the story is good or bad, these stories are always based
on the experience of that user. While it may be true that the user had a bad or
terrible experience with that computer, all computer manufacturers have had
users who have had a bad experience and there is no such thing as a bad or
perfect computer manufacturer. Below is a listing of various things to consider
when purchasing a computer, and in some cases, how to tell the good from the
bad and help allow you to purchase the portable computer that will suit your
needs.
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 documentation included with their
computers, it is still a good idea to find out what documentation if any 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 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 have a lower price and are a good deal for users looking for a better
deal. However, 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 recommended services.
1.
Is the service onsite,
meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or fix a bad
component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete time
of the warranty?
2.
If onsite is not offered,
what is and for how long?
3.
Can the computer be taken
to a local service center? If yes, what is the closest authorized service
center?
4.
What is the time frame
the service takes to occur? For example, if the computer has a bad component,
what is the time it takes for a technician to come onsite and replace that
component, or what is the time it takes to have the computer sent in to be
fixed? Finally, if that time frame is not accomplished, what is the company
willing to do? Would they be willing to provide you with a loaned computer?
5.
Because the computer is a
portable computer, is International Service available? This allows users who
may be in a different country to have their computer fixed in that country.
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.
1.
Does the software include
Microsoft Office or Corel Suite? These packages allow you to have a word
processor and a spread sheet. For the majority of all users, this should be an
important consideration.
2.
Is the software full
versions of the software or is the software demo programs or shareware
programs?
Support
While
you can always contact Computer
Hope for support, manufacturer support for most users is another
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.
1.
Is support open 24 hours,
7 days a week? If not, what are the hours?
2.
Is support open on
holidays? If not, what days are it closed?
3.
What support options are
available? Phone? E-mail? Web? Chat?
Upgrade
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.
1.
What can be upgraded in the
computer? RAM? CPU? Hard Drive? If available to upgrade, what are the maximum
amounts or is it specified within documentation provided with the computer?
2.
Are the upgrades
something that the end-user can do or does it require a service center to
install?
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 only come with a 90
day warranty; meaning if a part goes bad, you 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.
Watch
out for the below scams and tricks when buying a laptop computer.
Get what you pay for
Make
sure you are paying for what you get. 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.