Buying A Laptop For Your Teenager

Typically for a teenager, an important and useful accessory to have is a laptop. Not an outdated one, or one that is too bulky, or one that doesn’t have enough power. Laptops for teenagers are sometimes difficult to decide on. Teenagers usually want the latest technology, the flashiest and most attractive laptop, and the one that has the most features and the most processor power.

However, there is a way to satisfy a teen looking for a laptop and one who doesn’t want to blow their budget. First off, small laptops are a great option for teenagers. Usually, teenagers have to carry around a lot of books and such for school, so a more compact laptop would be a great idea. Small laptops for sale can save a lot of money, and can easily be found online. Laptops that are small can also come in the form of netbooks, or tablets, such as the iPad. I actually have an iPad, and it is a perfect size for a teenager, for taking notes and web browsing, but doesn’t take up too much space and weigh too much. iPads only cost around $500 to $900, and are very trendy. They are also new and upcoming, so a teenager may like them a lot more than they would a regular laptop.

Laptops for sale online can also include the popular netbook, the Triple E PC, which is only a few hundred dollars, and has the capability for web browsing and small document like functions. It doesn’t have a large memory or processor, but for a first laptop it is suitable for a teenager. Compact laptops can be considered smaller than the average 15 inch laptop. So, with that being said, if a teenager doesn’t want his or her laptop too terribly small, an HP NC2400 notebook is great. It is only around $500, the same price as an iPad, and it also has a 12.1 inch screen. It has a decent hard drive capacity and a decent sized processor as well.

When looking for a laptop for a teenager, such as their first laptop, it is important to note that their primary use will be for school, and web browsing. Unless they have some dire need for a lot of power in a laptop, it is good to get the basics and not spend too much on something being flashy and high-tech. Laptops for sale online usually can get you the best deal as well. There are lots of big sales on laptops if you take time to fine them. Many sites offer free shipping, and that can save you gas on a trip to the store if you don’t mind looking online. Teenagers can be very hard to please, so if you’re shopping for your teenager, make sure to let them see what you’re looking at too. Let them know you have a budget, and to make sure that you both stick with it.

If a teenager tends to be rough with their belongings, such as dropping a cell phone or slamming books around, a Lenovo laptop would be best. Many people have said it is built like a rock, they are very sturdy and stable. Even if the style isn’t up to date, for the price, durability and features are a great value. However, smaller laptops tend to be best for teenagers as they will also be carrying around books and notebooks, and slamming their bag down on the ground and on their school desks. Also, with a smaller laptop, one can carry it around easier, and avoid keeping it in a bag where it can be easily damaged. Portability is a major issue when looking for a laptop for a teenager.

As mentioned before, teenagers like to have fresh, new technology, so a huge outdated laptop is not the best idea. In conclusion, when shopping for a laptop for a teenager, it is important to remember, compactness, price, features and power. Do a laptop comparison to find the best fit for your teen. pay attention to gaming laptop reviews as it’s safe to sa your teen will be using their laptop for some sort of gaming activities. But most of all to remember that too many features and accessories are not necessary because it will not really be used for intense purposes.

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Buying A Laptop For Your Teen

Well, it’s that time of year again. Ads and emails are whirling around, all promising the best laptops for sale online. Shiny new netbooks are lining the store shelves, and your teenage child is begging for a laptop of his or her own. So now the question is: which laptop to buy?

With some careful shopping you can find one that suits your child’s needs, fits within your budget, and has the power to run all the newest applications. The first place you want to go are the online consumer reports sites - they will provide general feedback from consumers like you on trustworthy brands and models. Unfortunately, for the most part, the models listed on those sites will be a generation older than the current models. This is due to the fact that those sites rely on consumer feedback, and there is very little consumer feedback for the cutting edge technology that is emerging. However, they are a good place to start to get a general understanding of brands to look for and brands to avoid.

The next thing you want to do is weigh the options for the best type of laptop. From the most portable to least portable they are – netbook (such as Acer Aspire One) compact laptop (Apple AirBook, or Sony Z series), balanced laptop (Apple MacBook or HP G62t) or the “desk-top replacement” model (Apple MacBook Pro or HP Pavilion DV6z).

If the primary purpose of the laptop will be internet use I would suggest a netbook, however they are very limited when it comes to upgradability, and you will need an external DVD player since because of the size of the device it is impossible to put on in the netbook. You can get a good deal if you find one of these small laptops for sale. If the primary purpose will be some internet, some word processing and maybe some light gaming then the compact or so called “balanced” laptops are the way to go. The compact and the balanced models are slightly less powerful than the “desktop replacement” but they provide enough power to get most things done, usually all ship with a DVD burner and have relatively good upgradability. If the laptop is going to be used for graphic manipulation, video editing, gaming or other data intense projects then go with the “Desk top replacement” these laptops tend to be larger, but pack a big punch when it comes to what they can do, most have cutting edge processors as well as powerful graphics chips and great upgradability. A look at some gaming laptop reviews can get you started.

Now that you have decided which kind to buy, go to your local electronics store and play with them. Ignore most things the clerks tell you, nine times out of ten the people working at the stores will have a mandate to sell a certain model and that may not be the model you want to buy. Ask questions, look for their big sales on laptops, don’t be afraid to really test one of the floor models, and let you child play with it too. A thourough laptop comparison will save you money and time. Remember this is going to be a computer that travels with your child, make sure it feels sturdy, and has a good warranty. Most of all, make sure you like it, there is no sense in spending money on a laptop that may do everything you want, but you dislike the screen or feel of the keyboard. Have fun!

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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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Five Tips For Buying Laptops On Sale

Are you shopping around for laptops on sale? here are five quick and easy steps to find the laptop you want while on a tight budget.

Step one. Decide exactly what are you looking for.

What kind of user are you ? Do you want a computer just for working with text (reading text messages, creating and editing documents, answering emails etc), or do you want to make software, design graphic and use your laptop for gaming. If you want a computer that is capable of running the newest games or if you are a professional graphic designer, then you’re probably should buy a more powerful, new computer instead trying to find a cheap one on sale. But even if that’s the case, you can always try your luck. There is a chance that you will find an almost brand new laptops for sale. Many people in the world are chasing „what’s fast and what’s new” that constantly buy new hardware and look to practically give away the old one.

Step two. Find a laptop sale on the Internet, alternatively in the ads.

The most popular and the most recommended units are usually displayed on the front pages of those directories. Often they are the best purchase, but sometimes you can find a pearl at the bottom of a mud puddle. A little digging pays off, especially when you are a little more advanced than a average user and you know exactly what you are looking for. If you’re ready to do some personal evaluation, you may even want to consider buying a used unit. The last step revealed in this article provides information on how to buy a used laptop. If you are not the „know-all-about-computers” type, and you’re still wondering what’s what in the computer business, contact the salesman or laptop producer for details on the model that you like. In step three I cover some general hardware tips on what to look for in a good laptop :

Step three. Decide which components suit your needs.

Look for a unit that exactly matches your dream laptop, or at least a unit that is the closest equivalent. The most important things you should consider, in order, are :

CPU and cooling: I recommend Core Duo. It would be perfect for most tasks. While a single processor may be enough for word-processing and internet browsing only, buying a laptop with Core Duo will give you the comfort of working with most up-to-date applications, including some games. Laptops of the Core Duo family have two processors mounted on the motherboard. Those processors split similar tasks and are perfect for multitask systems such as Ms Windows XP. Two or more processors gives you warranty that the operating system runs smooth and saves you loads of time.

Now cooling is extremely important. If you plan to buy a used one, be sure to ask the previous owner if the computer needs extra cooling (sometimes the little-built in fan is not enough). If the laptop suddenly goes off without a warning, it’s a good sign that it’s overheating. If you plan on traveling with your laptop often – buy a computer with a decent cooling. There are also external laptop cooling pads available, but the’re not too handy, so they’ll do well for home users only.

Memory and disk space: Memory is crucial to the multitask operating system such as MS Windows. Each application you run at a given time takes a bite out of memory. If you open many windows and applications at once and often, don’t even think going below 2GB on your laptop. As for disk space – make sure, you will have enough for your needs. 80 GB is a must, and if you like to gather files or download tons of pictures, look for double the space.

Graphic chipset/card: If you work with graphics or still want to play some games, you don’t want to buy a laptop that has an integrated graphics card. Trust me on this one. A integrated card uses up the system memory and is not as fast as stand-alone cards. If you want faster graphic cards invest in a laptop with Geforce or any other card that has those two: a accelerator on and it’s own memory chipsets on board.

Battery life: The longer the battery life, the better. With Core Duo average battery life lasts for about 3,5 hour. That is pretty decent. To prolong the life look for a laptop without the unnecessary components ( For instance – you save a lot of energy when you turn off wireless network adapter, so if you don’t need one, look for a pc without it on board. Alternatively you can buy a pc with a button that let’s you conveniently turn the WN feature off )

Look for these extra features that might be crucial to you; sound card, wireless network adapter, on-board internet camera, touch pad or stick and so on. Make sure the weight, shape and size of the unit suit both your room and your personality. 

Step four. Chose your laptop model and compare the prices.

There are services online which help you decide, which model to purchase considering the price. Portals like Bizzarre.com or Pricegrabber.com let you compare the price of a particular units in different stores and in places like Amazon. Additional research pays off.

Step five. You want to buy a used laptop ?

Make sure, that the offer is safe and the computer you want to buy is still in good shape. It would be great if you could personally visit the person selling the laptop to check, that everything is in order, that the computer is perfectly intact and there is no parts missing. Check the keyboard. Turn it on and make sure that every component is working, including the sound card and graphics card. Also, you might want to rent a laptop. For your current situation, it may be the best decision.

If you don’t have the leisure to visit the seller personally, ask, if you can take the computer for a try first. If want to take it, ask if you may return it later in case anything wrong pops up. Check, if the computer is still on warranty(when you buy an used unit, be prepared, that it may no longer be on warranty). Also make sure, that there is a good computer service in your area that can do some maintenance for your new laptop in the future (make sure, that the service will accept the computers brand you’re about to purchase)

That about covers the topic. Last piece of advice would be: if you want to buy anything, and you don’t know much about it, don’t hesitate and ask your more experienced friends for advice. They’ll be glad to help.

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Buying Very Cheap Laptops (and getting a good deal...

This is a guest post by Rob C, one of our new readers.

If you are like me, you probably don’t have a whole lot of money to spend on a new laptop. If you don’t get caught up in all the different features, there are some good quality, very cheap laptops on the market.

I highly recommend buying a laptop from a brand that you are familiar with. You can find brand name laptops that don’t cost much more than no-name brands, but you’ll have much better luck when you need to find a part for your laptop.

If your main purpose for the laptop is to check emails and use the internet, go for less memory. When the salesman says you must have 3 GB of memory, explain what you need the laptop for. Hard drive is another issue when looking for cheap laptops. A high capacity one is not needed if you’re browing some sites and answering a few emails each day.

To save money on a laptop, it’s very important to spend time thinking about what you will be using it for. If you will be using it on long trips, a laptop with a longer battery life will help a great deal. What size of screen do you want, the smaller they are , usually the cheaper they are. Do you want a bulky laptop or one that is slim and light in weight? Are you starting college and looking for deals on cheap laptops for students? Will it be used by your kids, your spouse or just yourself? These are all things to consider before shopping.

Pick and choose which features are most important to you because you will not get everything in a low priced laptop. Just remember the features that should be the most important are the ones that are almost impossible to change, or would be very expensive like the screen size, the design, the hard drive, the weight of the laptop, CPU etc. Cosmetics like memory, the battery, and DVD player can all be changed in the future and added for a low cost. If you are looking for the best cheap laptops, make a list of all the functions you will be performing before you shop. This should give you a good idea of what you need.

Another possibility is to consider a refurbished laptop. I don’t know much about them, but I know a few people who own one and they’re all very satisfied with their purchases.

Just do a little bit of research before shopping at a very cheap laptops sale, and always remember if you buy the older model there’s a good chance you will get it a whole lot cheaper than the newer one.

Update: One of our readers, Joe L. Allen, submitted his picks for five of the cheapest laptops on the market today:

1. The current leader in the low price laptop market is the Acer Aspire One at about $275. Originally a much smaller unit, the Aspire One now has a friendlier 10.1 inch display. Although this reviewer laments the passing of Windows XP Home (available on earlier models), Windows 7 Starter is an acceptable substitute on in-stock Acers currently sold.

2. Toshiba’s mini NB255-N240 Netbook PC shares much in common with the Aspire One. Both are netbooks; both also have the same display size, memory capacity, and hard drive capacity. The Toshiba has a slightly different Intel Atom N455 processor. How to choose? The tactile feel of the keyboard can make a huge difference. A buyer would be wise to try both keyboards if possible.

3. The ASUS 10.1″ Eee PC is a netbook very similar to the Aspire One. It has 1 Gigabyte of memory, a 10.1 inch display, a 160 Gigabyte hard drive, and Windows 7 Starter. The 6-cell lithium-ion battery in the ASUS is an excellent advantage that this model has over the Aspire One, the latter having a battery capacity of only half that of this ASUS.

4. The Silver Acer Netbook PC, is very similar to its earlier cousin, the Aspire One. The Silver One doubles the Aspire One’s battery capacity, however, opting for a 6-cell battery. This makes the Silver competitive with the ASUS. Another advantage of the Silver is a third USB port. For these two benefits, you will likely pay more for the Silver than the Aspire or the ASUS. Much of the issue comes down to price, especially if you don’t need the second port.

5. Be on the lookout for a newer Aspire One model. Slightly more expensive than the Intel Atom-equipped Aspire One netbook, the newer model (about $350) features an AMD processor with more cache and DDR 3 memory. If you are interested in a more robust Acer Netbook and are willing to pay $50 to $100 more for that power, the Aspire One with it’s AMD Athlon processor is the one to seek out.

Question for our readers:
What was the cheapest laptop you ever bought and were you satisfied with it?

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