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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Saving Money On A Laptop

Since their rise to popularity in the ’90s, laptops have rapidly come to be considered one of life’s essentials. It is now nearly impossible to navigate work and life without the use of a computer, and laptops can provide essential portability. One thing often stands in the way of consumers adopting laptops over cheaper desktop computers: the price tag.

Lightweight construction and sleek designs often come at a high price, and finding the cheapest laptops for sale can be daunting, as there are hundreds of different models and brands on the market. When you’re looking for laptops, the following tips can save you money and time as you navigate the complex world of laptop comparison.

First, consider buying a used laptop. The price of a laptop computer drops off significantly when you’re buying one that’s already been used for a year or two. It may not be as shiny as a new model, and it may have cosmetic problems, but if it works and fits your price range, it may very well be worth it. A new MacBook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB DDR3 memory, and a 250GB hard drive costs about $999, but an eBay search will uncover big sales on laptops that are the same or similar models selling for much lower. Wherever you buy your laptop, make sure that the seller has positive reviews and that other customers have been satisfied with their purchases. Don’t buy a computer that is marked “as is,” and be wary of counterfeits and deals that seem too good to be true. When shopping online, you can’t physically see the product you’re getting, so be careful what you buy.

Second, comparison shopping is always a good idea. You might be tempted to go with the first laptop you see on the first site that you see, particularly if it’s within your price range and has all of the features that you need, but looking at several sites will work in your favor. A Lenovo ThinkPad T510 with 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-520M processor, 2GB RAM, and a 250GB hard drive is listed on various sites at $995, $899, and $950, so you’re probably doing yourself a favor if you look around. Google Product Search and other comparison-shopping tools can be your friend. Also, if you see a model you like at the lowest price you can find, try searching for a different brand or model that has the same features.

Third, decide what the essential features you need in a laptop are. Things like hard drive space, speed, and weight should be high on your list. Features like fingerprint recognition and backlit keyboards can be useful or fun if you have the cash, but if you’re on a budget, these should be lower on your list. Some sites let you customize your laptop with only the features you need, so make sure that you uncheck anything you feel is unnecessary — otherwise, you could be paying extra for features that you don’t even want.

With a few hours’ research, you should be able to come up with a laptop that fits your needs and budget. Be sure to consult friends and family with technical expertise, as they can often be valuable sources of information. Don’t make any hasty decisions — remember, the laptop’s going to be there tomorrow.

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Tips For Buying Laptops On Sale

In this economy, everyone is constantly looking to save money. Fortunately for those of you looking for laptops, you have come to the right place in order to save money on your next laptop purchase. Read on to find out how to maximize your savings!

First off, and most importantly if you really want to save money, stay away from Macs. Don’t get me wrong, they are fantastic computers, but they are much more expensive then similar Windows counterparts. However, this does not mean you should run out and purchase the cheapest laptops for sale. Sure, you will save a lot of money, but you might also get a poor quality laptop.

When performing your laptop comparison there are a few essential points, other than price, that should be considered. One of these is the size of the hard drive. For most people, you don’t need one that is overly large, 500GB or more is probably not needed, 320GB is still probably more than you will need. A 200GB – 250GB hard drive is probably a safe amount for the majority of people, and if you want to save even more money, then a little smaller could probably work too.

The amount of memory, or RAM, is important too. I would suggest looking for a minimum of 2GB, but here more is always better, and 3GB or 4GB would be ideal. This will help your computer to run multiple tasks simultaneously without much problem.

The operating system is also important in your decision. The newest one Windows 7, is the best, but also costs more. Its predecessor, Windows Vista, is older and uses more resources than 7, but will be cheaper. Before Vista was Windows XP, which will be the cheapest and use the least amount of resources (at the expense of less features), and would run well on most computers. Which one you choose is ultimately up to you, but my personal preference is Windows 7. I think it looks the nicest, and it has some very handy features and does not use to many resources either, but do some research and decide which is the best for you, although I would try to avoid Vista.

The last thing you will see when shopping for a laptop is the processor. These come in many sizes and varieties, but you should not worry about this too much. If you are using your laptop for standard things such as the Internet, word processing, etc., then you do not need to worry much about this, as you will not notice a difference. A better processor would be much more noticeable to people using their computers to design using complex programs and software, so there’s no need to spend extra money on the latest and greatest processor.

So now you are armed with the information you need to save money on your next laptop purchase and make sure you are getting what you need. However, you still may be wondering, “What is a fair price for all of this?” Well the answer to this varies, but sometimes, if you search well and are good at finding a big sale on laptops, you can find a laptop with everything you need for about $300. You may not be able to find this, but I have seen it once or twice. Look to spend about $500 on a decent laptop that meets the suggestions here, and a little more if you decide to spring for some upgrades.

With all this in mind, you are now fully prepared to go out there and get the best deal on the purchase of your laptop. I wish you the best of luck on your endeavor, but don’t fret, as this really is not too difficult. With some patience, you can often find an amazing deal and save a great deal of money.

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How To Get The Best Deal On A Laptop

Purchasing a laptop is an important and rewarding process. If you do it right, you can find a product that fits your needs at a good price. If you do it wrong, you can wind up spending too much money on a piece of technology that does things you don’t want it to do, doesn’t do things you wish it did, or doesn’t work at all.

So, where to begin my search, what should I look for and how will I know what is the best laptop brand for my needs? I think you need to evaluate a series of questions about yourself and your computer usage to begin narrowing down the number of options. There are at least a few hundred choices, but you can quickly narrow it down once you know the following: *Apple/Mac or PC? *10-12 inch, 14-16 inch, or 17-19 inch? *Gaming or heavy video editing? *Speed and memory? *Price? *Brand? *Deals? Let’s walk through each one and by the end you should have a good sense of a few solid choices.

Apple computers are known for being slick, simple to use, beautifully designed, great for video editors, and generally expensive. PCs are known for being technically adaptable, fast, great for business, and generally affordable. Those are stereotypes that have begun changing over the years but still generally hold true.

The next major decision is size. Smaller 10-12 inch computers, also known as netbooks, make great portable devices. They work best as a secondary computer for use in web browsing, notetaking, and general work on the go. Medium sized 14-16 inch laptops are ideal for general use and can be either portable or used as a stationary computer. The screen is large enough to be comfortable but not so large as to be cumbersome. Larger 17-19 inch screens are beautiful and functional but not so portable. They’re best for graphic designers, gamers, and those who want a sleep alternative to a desktop computer that they can still unplug and pack into a suitcase.

Gaming and heavy video editing requires special features. For one, speed is a primary concern, so you’ll need a top of the line processor with lots of RAM (random access memory). You’ll also need a high end graphics card. Gaming usually happens on PCs, but video editing tends to happen on Apples.

As for speed, even those not doing heavy gaming or editing may want a zippy device which can handle multiple programs and windows running at the same time. If you tend to do 15 things at once, make sure that you opt for a faster chip with more RAM. If you are more of a simple web-browser and occasional document writer, you’ll be fine with less.

More costs more. Price is where all of these options come together. Apple is more expensive. Better chips, graphic cards, and more RAM are all more expensive. If you’re looking for the best laptop deal, a cheap 10 inch computer with full capabilities can be had for $300 dollars. An average, fully loaded 15 inch computer could be had for $700 if its a PC and $1200 if it’s an Apple. A high end, large screen gaming/graphics/business laptop could run into the $2500-4000 range. Brand choice is partly a matter of preference and partly a matter of reputation. Apples are known for being well made, so there is no concern there. PC brands with the best reputation are HP and Dell laptops, followed by Toshiba, Sony, and Acer. A newer company ASUS has been making neat devices that many people like.

Whatever brand you buy, try it out in person to see how it feels. Laptops are a very personal device and you need to like using it. Deals and checking out popular laptops for sale are the final concern. Like cars, laptops will come down in price before the next year’s new models come in. The worst time to buy a laptop is typically around the holidays or when students are going back to school. That’s when everyone buys one. A good idea is to select a few models that suit your needs and shop around for prices over a month or two. When a big sale on laptops pops up, take advantage of it. If you follow all of these tips, your laptop purchase should be a successful one.

Final thoughts: only buy the software you need. Great anti-virus software is available *free* online. Try AVG, Malware Bytes, and CC Cleaner. Microsoft Office-like applications can be had for *free* in the open source Open Office suite. Most insurance is not a great buy. The first year is always covered by warranty, and laptops rarely last more than 3 or 4. Just take good care of it and you should be ok. Good luck!

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Laptops Under $300

For those of us who are on a tight budget know how frustrating it can be to find a decent laptop. So, I went on a mission to find some of the best deals from some of the best laptop brands. Now, if you are going for laptops under $300. There are some considerable challenges. When it comes to computers, you basically get what you pay for. If you are simply looking for something to browse the internet on and send e-mail this would be a good price range for you. If you are looking for something fast enough to game on, then you would need something with a bigger hard-drive and processor speed. So here are the best deals that I have found for laptops.

The first is from Walmart where you can find quite a few popular laptops for sale. The brand is eMachines, it has a 10.1” screen, eM350-2074 Netbook PC with Intel Atom N450 Processor and Windows XP Home operating system. The price of this laptop is $258.00. With this laptop you have a 1GB system memory, which allows you to do all the basics such as surfing the internet, emailing and storing documents. You can store 106,000 photos, 45,000 songs or 84 hours of HD video. This model comes equipped with Wi-Fi, and an ethernet connection. This model also boasts a 1.3 megapixel webcam, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (60 day trial), a 60 day trial of Norton Security and a four hour battery life. It weighs about four and a half pounds and if you order Site to Store you get free shipping.

The next model I found was a Dell Latitude D610 laptop which has been refurbished. The price of this laptop is $260.00. This model also has a 14.1” screen, CD burning capabilities, 64MB dedicated RAM, ATI mobility Radeon X300, and brand new the system costs $1940.00. It is a nice, sleek model, and weighs about seven pounds. There are four USB ports, and overall this seems like a really good deal for a tight budget. This Dell laptops model is available on Amazon.com.

The last model that I came across $271.80. This is the Acer AO532H 2223 ATOM N450. This Acer has a 10.1” screen. It has 1GB memory, a 1.66 GHz processing speed, Windows 7 Home Premium which is brand new. It’s hard drive capacity is 160 GB. This laptop also comes with an Integrated Acer Crystal Eye WebCam, an eight hour battery life and it only weighs about three pounds which is great for portability. This system also has WiFi internet capabilities as well as an Ethernet port. In my opinion this would be the best deal simply for the wight and the system specs. This would be a great computer and has more good reviews than bad. This item is currently available on Ebay.com. It also is a newer model with a warranty. I had an Acer a few years ago and the customer service center fixed my computer for free and shipped it back for free as well.

Now that you know a few options that are available for your budget. Keep an eye out for a big sale on laptops at your local electronics store.  I hope you find what works for you and enjoy your new computer.

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