Laptop buying
tip
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".
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:
- 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.
Complete buying tip information on hard drives can be found on
our hard
drive buying tips page.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Complete buying tips and information on video cards can be found
on our video card buying tips page.
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.
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