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When buying a laptop, consider your needs carefully to avoid overspending or potential problems. Assess your individual needs, such as mobility or heavy graphics, and determine the necessary features, such as ports or operating systems. Compare prices and models, and consider purchasing an extended warranty plan.
Buying a laptop may be a new endeavor for you, or you may be replacing an older model. Either way, there are a few things to consider about your new purchase. Buying a laptop can be a big investment. By assessing your needs, you can make a more calculated choice about what type of laptop to buy. This can save you money and potential problems.
The first question to ask yourself is whether you really need to buy a laptop. Laptops tend to lag behind desktops in terms of upgradeability and features. If you deal with heavy graphics, do a large amount of video editing, or are a gamer, a laptop might not be the best choice for you. Besides having to spend a lot of money to get the system you need, you also won’t be able to upgrade that system when the time comes. However, if you’re highly mobile, a laptop is a good choice.
The second step is to look at what you need from your laptop. Students, for example, probably need Internet access and word processing skills. A business laptop might require similar functionality, as well as the ability to run database software. Consider your individual needs carefully when buying a laptop. If you travel often or already carry a lot of heavy items, we recommend buying a very light laptop. If you travel less frequently or have fewer worries about heavy luggage, a larger laptop with more power and a large screen that’s easier to read is a good choice.
Laptops tend to be more expensive than their desktop equivalents. Don’t buy a laptop that exceeds your needs. Make sure your laptop’s features meet expectations, without the need for costly upgrades. Make an honest estimate of what you need and look for systems that match your needs. Companies often offer prepackaged deals, making it cheaper to buy a preconfigured laptop.
Determine the features you need when buying a laptop. A ready availability of ports is very useful. Many devices are designed to connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, so you may want more than one device to connect multiple peripherals. If you have devices that use FireWire or other connections, make sure your laptop supports them. A space for PC Cards is also a good idea, as is an internal modem, wireless card, or ethernet port. Make sure your laptop has a headphone jack so you can listen to music silently. Additionally, you may want to consider a CD or DVD ROM drive. The software comes on CD, you can back up your data to CD, and you can also listen to music or watch DVDs on your laptop.
When buying a laptop, it’s important to think about which operating system you prefer to use. Apples tend to be more expensive, overall, than PCs, but you may want to go this route if you frequently interact with an Apple network or use Apple programs. Especially if you are a student, look into what kind of software you need to be successful in school and what operating system it is designed for. Some schools even have promotional agreements with computer companies that can help you get a good deal. Also look at what kind of software comes preloaded on the system, to see if it will meet your needs or if there is an additional outlay of money to purchase the software.
There are a number of laptop buying guides available. When you’re getting ready to buy a laptop, get several so you can compare features and prices. Buying a laptop shouldn’t be a guessing game — don’t be afraid to call companies to talk to them about their equipment and to look up examples of laptops you’re considering to test. Narrow down your choices to a few models and then look for the best deals. When purchasing a laptop, an extended warranty plan is highly recommended. Accidents happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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