Buying Your First Laptop

A laptop is not a businessman’s tool anymore. Due to its portability and affordability, most people are keen to buy one. Many people looking for laptops are confused with the choices available and the technicalities involved. The article addresses various aspects to consider before you buy your first laptop.

Processor: The processor is the beast that provides your laptop all the computing power. The faster and more powerful the processor, the better performance you get. For basic computing purposes like word processing and browsing an Intel Core 2 Duo processor would suffice, where as for more advanced work like graphic design, multimedia & heavy gaming, a more powerful processor like an Intel Core i5 is recommended. Processor speeds are provided in Giga Hertz (GHz). The more the GHz, the faster the processing will be.

Memory: Random Access Memory (RAM) is another crucial consideration for performance. The memory is the immediate storage area for the laptop to do its computing using the processor. Normally laptop RAM comes in multiples of 1 gigabyte (GB). A basic laptop with Windows XP and MS Office needs 2GB RAM to work comfortably. For higher end work like programming or gaming its better to go with 3 or 4GB RAM. If you plan to upgrade your RAM later, ensure that the laptop you are going to buy has free slots for the additional RAM.

Hard Disk: Hard Disk Capacity is the amount of storage that is needed for storing your operating system files, movies, photographs, MP3 files and other documents. You will need to consider your future storage requirements while deciding on the hard disk capacity. A basic laptop intended for word processing , browsing may require only 80GB, where as a 500GB is recommended for a user who wants to store lots of music files, photographs etc. You can also augment your future storage needs later by buying an external hard disk later.

Size: The beauty of a laptop is in it’s portability so the size needs to factor in to your decision. Small laptops for sale offer an edge over larger ones because they’re lighter to carry, but a larger one means you can perform more functions with it.

Screen: Laptop screens come in different sizes and aspect ratios. The screen size specified by the manufactures is the diagonal measurement from one corner of the screen to the other in inches. The larger the screen, the more area you will get and less strain on your eyes. The downside of having bigger screens is the portability aspect goes down. A larger screen is recommended if the laptop is used for continuous work, whereas a smaller screen is optimal for the extremely mobile users.

Battery: A very important aspect is the back up time provided by the laptop battery when it’s not connected to the power socket. If the laptop is to be used extensively for travel, recommend going for a laptop that gives more backup time of 4-5 hours where as for the home user a back up time of 2 hrs is sufficient.

Optical Drive: As DVDs are common nowadays, it is advisable to go with a combo drive(DVD/CD -RW) that can read as well as write DVD’s and CD’s.

Pointing Devices: Laptop manufactures provide a touchpad (a rectangular box at the keyboard) or a joystick at the middle of the keyboard. Which one to use is completely a personal choice and based on your comfort. It is recommended to play around with both these options and arrive at the one of your comfort.

USB Ports: With USB devices getting popular, it’s a good idea to have a laptop that has at least 3 USB ports and that too high speed USB 2.0. The more number of USB ports, the more devices you can connect to the laptop at the same time

Warranty: Since laptops are very delicate devices with lots of components that too packed in a very small space chances of some of them conking off are a possibility. A laptop screen replacement itself might cost you a quarter of the price of the laptop. Go for laptops that has 2 years of more warranty and if not, its wise to invest in an extended warranty that gives you complete peace of mind.

While you are looking for good laptops for sale, do check with multiple vendors or retailers and compare their offerings based on your needs. Do not let a small useless freebie help you decide on the dream laptop. Try to bargain for free upgrades or extended warranty cover. It is also better to go for a laptop manufacturer who has a service center near you; otherwise you might have to bear the shipping expenses to the service center.

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Top 5 Laptops For Individual Needs

There are so many different reasons why someone would purchase a laptop and there are just as many different individual requirements that consumers have. With this in mind, here are five laptops out, of the vast amount of laptops available, that seem to stand out in their respective categories.

1. Good gaming laptop

Some of the good gaming laptops that stand out are the Alienware M series laptops, specifically the Alienware M15x laptop. It stands out due to its allocation in the series; it offers the best of both the high end and the low end models. In tests this laptop proved very formidable and could handle all the gaming that was thrown at it and over time had consistency in terms of CPU speed and processing. This was due to the machine’s astounding i7 Intel quad core processor which (if you didn’t know) is one of the top processors in the industry, definitely a plus. In addition to this, this highly awarded laptop 6 gigabytes dual channel DDR3 memory and 512 megabytes of GDDR3 GeForce graphics along with your choice of hard drive space. With this much power and graphics this computer will please any gamer. It will cost you, around $1400, but its well worth the cost when you can play games on your laptop in HD. Check a variety of gaming laptop reviews before making your decision.

2. Cheap Laptop

Not everyone has the resources to dish out $1400 on a laptop. There are some who would prefer to have a laptop to check emails, the occasional Microsoft office document, and web surfing. For this demographic, I recommend the Compaq Presario CQ62z. First of all, it’s only $400! What a deal! It comes with windows 7 and has 2 gigabytes of memory and 350 gigabytes of hard drive space, all of which can be upgraded. It has a decent AMD notebook processor which can handle simple tasks and never slow down. This laptop is definitely a favorite for many people.

3. Portable laptop

With all the things going on nowadays, there are some who prefer laptops that are portable and easy to carry around. With such laptops people don’t have to worry about carrying bigger conventional laptops. For this segment, the HP Mini 110 series really stand out. This computer is really cheap and only has a 10 inch screen and is really easy to carry around. It can do anything a normal computer can and comes with windows 7 in addition to that. It has about 1 gigabyte of memory and around 160 gigabytes of hard drive space (again, this can all be upgraded). In such a small device this is very amazing! It can do everything like a cheap computer but is smaller and easier to carry around.

4. College student laptop

College students usually get cheap laptops, but usually end up regretting this choice. In many cases, when they go to college, laptops become their TV’s, video game systems, and their home computers. With so many tasks student laptops need to be quite powerful. College is an investment, why not also invest in what you take and use their. In this section, the Apple Macbook pro is a great fit. The 15 inch model is, in most cases, the best fit. However there are 13 and 17 inch models also available. It comes with 2.53 gigahertz of processing speed 4 to 8 gigabytes of DDR3 memory based on your choice, and 256 megabytes of DDR3 memory. The hard drive space is 500 gigabytes. With such great features what else would a student need? In addition to this apple runs a college student program were college students get a free iPod with the purchase of a Mac. It costs around $1800 bucks but is well worth the costs, definitely a durable and student centered laptop.

5. Business centered laptop

There are some who use laptops for business alone. For these people I recommend the Dell fastrack vostro 3300. This laptop offers unparallel power. It comes with windows 7 and other Microsoft productivity software, a fingerprint scanner for security, and damage protection. This laptop is in the $600 laptop range and comes with great power and processing speed that comes with windows 7. It runs with the intel core I processors, has lots of available memory, and offers lots of available hardrive space, all of which is customizable. It has a 13 inch screen and is perfect.

All of these laptops are great. Check your local store ads for these notebooks on sale to save some money. I wish you luck on this journey as you search for the best laptop that fits you needs.

READER QUESTION: What gaming laptops do you like? Any others besides Alienware? If you own Alienware, what do you think of it?

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Shopping For Cheap New Laptops

When shopping for a new laptop computer, the average consumer has two choices: spend a lot of money on a top-of-the-line laptop that performs outstandingly now but will be obsolete in three years, or spend significantly less on a computer that may not outperform its pricier competitors, but can easily be replaced when technology moves forward for a fraction of the cost. For most consumers, buying a less expensive computer is dollar-for-dollar a much better value, since even cheap new laptops have as much memory and processor speed as the best laptops of five years ago. New technologies have also increased the range of choices available to consumers, so there are now inexpensive and hardworking laptop computers to fit everybody’s needs.

The first question a laptop shopper should ask is, what will this computer be used for? A laptop that will be used mostly for word processing and business work should have different specifications than one that will be used to play computer games. For ultra-portable word processing, netbooks are a good choice. These small cheap laptops are smaller and cheaper than their bigger cousins, and usually fit into a standard bag for easy transport. They make great cheap laptops for students. Asus, Lenovo, and MSI are established netbook makers whose computers average in the low $200s. A laptop that will be used for graphics-intensive computer games or design, however, should have a larger screen and more memory. Toshiba, Compaq, and Acer all make good computers for less money: a basic Compaq Presario with 2GB memory costs around $299, and similar offerings from Toshiba and Acer are under $400.

The next question to ask is, what specific model should this laptop be? There are only so many ways to build a computer, and many companies offer copies of what is essentially the same computer. To decide between similarly-priced versions of the same thing, consider each company’s reputation for the durability of its products. How long does each company’s laptops typically last? What kind of guarantees do they offer on their products? Can a customer send in their broken laptop for repairs, or are there repair shops conveniently located? Since even expensive computers inevitably have hardware trouble, the laptop you buy may be less important than the service you buy with it.

The third thing to consider is, can a laptop be tested before it is purchased? Even if a laptop is bought online, often the same or similar model can be tested in stores to make sure it will meet the customer’s expectations. Before you order any laptop online, write down the maker and model and then check with local electronics stores to see whether they carry it in stock. Even if you plan to buy it elsewhere, it is worth the time to go and examine a computer in person to see whether you like the design and its performance.

Finally, the last thing to consider when buying a cheap new laptop is how to make it yours! Personalization is important and can make a computer something special, not just a tool. Cheap laptops are often more standardized than more expensive ones, with fewer custom options, so taking advantage of what customization is available can make a huge difference. Don’t like the boring back of your laptop? Consider buying a “skin” or wrap for your computer. Skins come in many colors and designs, from many different companies–some will even allow you to create your own design and have it custom-made. Accessories like skins or wireless mice can make your laptop experience more fun, more productive, and an even better value for your money.

Update: The following review was posted by reader Brandon A.

Recently, I purchased a HP G60-610CA Notebook for around $550 (although, it was on sale for a limited time), and thus far, I have been nothing but 100% pleased with it. It has a sleek and stylish design, great specs (250gb HD, 4gb RAM, 15.6? monitor, built-in webcam, microphone, and other features), and it runs better than I could have ever imagine. The 4 GB of RAM allows me to work on multiple tasks or run several programs all at once without sacrificing any speed or performance. The screen is just the right size (not too big and not too small), the mouse and keyboard both feel natural and are very easy to use, and it’s lightweight enough to have it with you on the go.

You really can’t go wrong with this model. No matter what you plan to do with your notebook, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no better choice than the HP G60-610CA Notebook. I needed a laptop that’s good for basic gaming, browsing the internet, communicating with friends, doing homework, and running high-intensity software, and to date, this one has delivered on all fronts with flying colors. There are other great laptops on the market, but I see no real reason to look any further than this one. Don’t miss out on this fantastic product!

Reader Question: What laptop would you recommend for someone who wanted to buy a cheap laptop?

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Cheap Laptops For Students

Are you getting ready to start going to college soon and are looking at your options when it comes to finding the best laptop? Cheap new laptops are essential for anyone who is currently attending college or who will be attending soon. Sometimes you will have instructors who talk faster than you can write and you will not be able to catch everything that they are saying to write it down fast enough. With a laptop you will be able to type your notes directly into a text document and have them on hand when you are ready to study for a big test. You will also need to do a fair amount of research for some of the papers that you will have to write so you will need to have a good laptop to do your research with. Here you will find some of the best cheap laptops for students.

One of the most popular laptops on sale for students is the Toshiba Satellite. You will find several great features such as the 15.6 inch screen that will help you to have everything that you need for typing notes and doing research. This laptop comes with the latest version of Windows which is Windows 7 and has all of the storage you need for saving your documents that will be important for your classes. You will have 500 Gigabytes of storage which means that you will be able to store four years worth of notes. You will also get a DVD drive, an Intel Core processor, and a great graphics package making this one of the best cheap laptops to study for finals on.

Another great laptop for sale that college students like is the Compaq Presario. You will get many similar features that you will get with the above Toshiba including Windows 7 and a 15.6 inch display, but this laptop has a few different features. One thing you may notice is that it has half of the storage capacity of the Toshiba with a 250 Gigabyte hard drive, but that is still more than enough space to store your notes for the four years you will be in college. Also, instead of just having a DVD player you will get a DVD +/- R burner. That means you can make backup copies of your favorite movies or make presentations for your classes on a DVD disc.

There are a lot of other very cheap laptops that are perfect for college students that you may want to check out, but these two will give you plenty to make it through all of your classes and perform all of the tasks and assignments that you will have. If you are going to be attending college you will need to have a good laptop with you at all times.

Update: One of our long time readers, ‘Rick TLA’ gave us his suggestions for five of the cheapest laptops currently on the market.

1. 7” laptop by Ubisurfer: This 7” screen laptop is a product from Ubisurfer, a UK based company. They are offering free internet with the laptop. School students normally needs laptops for writing, painting and for doing internet browsing. So they don’t need any high quality laptops. The ubisurfer laptop can be used for all the purposes. There is no in built CD/DVD optical drive with the laptop. The specifications are, it comes out with 128MB RAM and 1GB hard drive. The cost of the laptop is just $180.

2. Laptop from Champion brand: This is one of the most cheapest mini laptop. Its been on the store with a one year warranty. Laptop has got a wider screen about 10.2”. the specifications are, N270 Intel Atom processor with 1GB RAM and 250 GB hard disk.Its cost is $328

3. ASUS Eee Pc 1005HA: This laptop has got lot of advanced techniques than the above ones. It has got 6 cell battery, used for playing videos. This laptop also has got 1 year warranty. The specifications are , a N280 processor with 1 GB Ram and 160nGB hard disk space.Its cost is about $383

4. Aspire One Laptop-AOD250: this laptop has got an in built multiple card reader and a wide display 10.1”. The laptop also got a web camera. The specifications are, a N280 Atom processor with a speed of 1.66 GHz and 1 GB RAM and 160GB hard disk space. It costs $428

5. Lenovo Ideapad S10 Laptop: This laptop is available in two colors, black and grey. The major advantage is that it has got 6hrs of battery power. The screen size is 10.1”. The specifications are, a N280 Atom processor, 1Gb RAM and 160GB hard disk space. The operating system installed is windows Vista, which can change according to the user need. The cost of the product is $437.

Reader Question: What is the most inexpensive laptop (brand and model) that you’re bought and were you satisfied with it?  

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Purchasing Very Cheap, But Good Laptops

If you want to purchase a laptop and your pocket is not allowing you to go ahead with a choice that you would like to, since that one’s expensive, there is nothing to worry and fret about. All you need to do is look for very cheap laptops that still fulfill all your requirements. Either ways, you don’t lose much because laptops, whether expensive or inexpensive, are difficult to upgrade and they have a shorter life span than your desktop. So its better to go for something cheap that you can replace in just a few years from the time you purchase it. Let’s be clear on the factors that you need to decide your purchase on.

To buy an very cheap laptop, the first thing you need to figure out is how much can your budget be. Depending on your budget size, you can differentiate between what kind of specifications you would want and what you would get. You would really need to dig in to the kind of specifications you want and that solely depends on the budget you have. Cheap laptops for students are going to have different functions that cheap laptops used for gaming.

You can either go in go in for a brand new low price laptop, a second hand one or sometimes you can come across a free laptop. However, buying a brand new laptop from the stores is appealing because of the benefits like warranty, good condition and long lasting batteries, and being the first person to use it, you have the assurance that it definitely would work without any glitches. You would also want to get it from a known laptop manufacturer like Lenovo, HP etc.

It is possible to get discounts from sales especially from bulk deals that take place with companies and educational institutes. If you are working or studying or know anyone who is, you can try to arrange a laptop at discount from the bulk deals that are available there. Make sure you have your list of specifications ready when you enter a store or even if you want to get it second hand. Whether you want it for homework or for games or for business or Internet, make sure you have the right specifications for the same.

However, just because you want an inexpensive one should not mean you ought to compromise everything that you need as long as your budget can handle it. Having specifications ready means that no sales guy would be able to force something onto you and you just might be able to walk away with the best laptop for your budget. Buying cheap laptopsonline can help possibly get some of the best deals available especially in bid price web sites like E-bay.

Be sure that you get some security on such deals like warranty or being able to get a refund. Its always advisable to go in for a new and cheap laptop rather than going for a second hand one, because you will be relaxed knowing that you are using one, right off the shelf or out of the factory.

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