How to buy a Laptop

Its a common question for people to ask Techies 'I want to buy a laptop which one should I buy?'. For me most of the time I'am asked that question I pause before responding by asking more questions which at the end we both come to a an agreement on what kind of laptop they should buy.



Here are some pointers or guide on how to buy a new laptop;

1. What are you going to do with it?
Think about what you’ll be using it for. Since laptops have such a wide variety of uses, it will help to focus on what you plan to use the laptop for when you’re comparing models. If you plan on mainly browsing the web and writing emails. All-Purpose: If you want to do a little bit of everything or plan to share your laptop amongst family members, you can consider anything from an inexpensive 15-incher that mostly stays in your living room.

2. Set your budget.
It's important to know how much your budget is before you start looking or you might be swayed by long-term interest-free sweeteners to purchase something beyond your means. There is a large range of laptops available and setting a limit will ensure that you enjoy the laptop you can afford, without being prevented from upgrading later on because you're still paying off the old one! Decide what aspects are important to you and fit these within your budget.

3. Windows, Mac, or Linux?
Know what your options are. The two main options are Windows and Mac, along with Linux for the more tech-savvy. A lot of the choice will come down to personal preference and what you’re familiar with, but there are some important things to take into consideration.
Go with what you know. If you're used to one OS it'll be easier to continue with a familiar interface than give something new/fresh a chance. But don't let your first OS decide every subsequent OS and computer you buy.

Consider what programs you need. If you use a lot of Microsoft Office products, you’ll find the best compatibility with a Windows computer. This doesn’t mean you can’t use on the other operating systems, there’ll just be a few more hoops you’ll have to jump through. Conversely, if you’re doing music production or photo editing, you’ll find the most powerful programs on a Mac.
Windows supports the most video games by far, though support for both Mac and Linux is increasing.

If you are inexperienced with computers and will need help, buy the type of computer that helpful family members or friends know and will help you with. Otherwise you'll have to rely on call-center 'tech support' (Like me of course).

Think about Linux.
Some laptops can be purchased with Linux pre-installed. You can try Linux on your current machine by using a LiveCD. This allows you to run the Linux operating system without having to install it on your computer.
Most Linux operating systems are free of charge as are thousands of programs and apps. A program named WINE lets you run many Windows programs on Linux systems. You can install and run these applications just like you would in Windows. WINE is still under active development, so not every program works yet. However there are several million people using WINE to run their Windows software on Linux operating systems.
Linux has virtually no threats from viruses. Linux is the perfect choice for children because the operating system is free, the programs are free, and there is virtually no threat of viruses. If the kids mess the operating system up just reinstall the operating system and start over fresh. Linux Mint looks and works the most like Windows. Ubuntu Linux is the most popular.
Linux requires the most technical experience to get the most out of it. You will need to be familiar with command lines, but almost everything you need to know can be looked up online.

Not all hardware is compatible with Linux, and you may have difficulty finding drivers that work.

Know the advantages and disadvantages of a Mac. Mac computers are a fundamentally different experience than Windows computers, so if you’re making the transition it can be easy to get lost. Mac touts a very user-friendly interface, and is a powerful media production operating system.
Macs connect seamlessly with iPhones, iPods, iPads, and other Apple products. Apple Support is also very comprehensive for new Apple products.
Macs are less prone to viruses than a Windows PC, but you still need to be wary.
Windows can be emulated on a Mac computer using Boot Camp. You will need a valid copy of Windows to do this.
Macs are typically higher-priced than their Windows or Linux counterparts.

4. Think about the size of laptop that will suit you best.
There are three different size/weight ranges for a laptop: a netbook, a laptop, or desktop replacement. Although all of these fall into the broader concept of a "laptop", their end usability differs and can impact your choice.
There are several important things to consider when it comes to laptop size: Weight, screen size, keyboard layout, performance, and battery life. You will typically find netbooks to be the cheapest yet smallest of the choices, while regular laptops will need to strike a balance between all of the factors that suits your needs.
Portability is a major concern for laptops. Getting a larger screen will sacrifice weight and portability. Consider the size of your bag when looking at different laptops.

5. Consider your durability needs.
Decide on whether you'd prefer a metal or plastic exterior. Nowadays the choice of casing is mostly an issue of personal preference, as the weight of each outer-casing is fairly similar, with well-made metallic laptops being no heavier than plastic ones. In terms of durability, metallic casing is probably best for a laptop liable to get knocked around a bit but it's still best to ask your retailer for advice.
If you are doing fieldwork or a lot of "rough travel" with a laptop, you might need customized extras to protect it. Ask for a stronger screen, shock mounting of internal components, and protection against water and dirt.
If you are a professional in the field and you really need it to last then there is a class of laptops called Toughbooks, which tend to be quite expensive, but you can run them over with a truck or bake them in the oven without damaging them.
Most consumer model laptops in retail showrooms are not built for durability. Look for a corporate model laptop built from metal or composite materials if durability matters.

6. Checking the Specs
When you buy a laptop, you are typically stuck with the hardware that’s inside. This means that you want to be extra sure that the laptop has the specifications that you need. Check the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Higher end, faster processing laptops will have a multi-core CPU such as Intel, AMD, and now ARM. These won't usually be found in netbooks or lower-end laptops. The difference impacts the speed of your laptop's performance.
As technology moves forward, older processors quickly get left in the dust. If you’re buying Intel, avoid Celeron, Atom, and Pentium chips, as these are all older models. Instead, look for the Core i3 and i5 CPUs. If you are buying AMD, avoid the C- or E-series processors and instead look for the A6 or A8.

Consider how much RAM you actually will need in your new unit. The amount of RAM memory can be an important spec to consider. Often the amount of memory can limit the applications that you can run. Large applications will require more memory to run. In general, the more memory you have, the faster the laptop will run.
Most standard laptops typically come with 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. This is usually sufficient for most users. Netbooks may come with as little as 512 megabytes (MB), but this is becoming less common. You can find laptops with 16 GB or more, though this is only recommended if you are running multiple memory-intensive programs.
While it may be tempting to get a whole ton of RAM when you purchase the laptop, often retailers will put massive amounts of RAM in a unit to disguise the fact that the rest of the components are sub-par (slower processor, etc). Since it is quite easy to upgrade RAM, this should not be a huge consideration for a specific laptop.

Check the available ports. How many USB ports are in place for adding your peripherals? If you plan on using a separate keyboard and mouse, you’ll need at least two spare USB ports. You’ll also need ports for printers, external drives, thumb drives, and more.
If you want to connect your laptop to your TV, make sure that it has an HDMI port for the best possible connection. You can also use a VGA port or DVI port to connect to the TV.


Lastly, keep style in mind, laptops by their nature are very public devices. Much like watches, purses, sunglasses, or any other accessory, laptops have style. Make sure the laptop you want isn’t one that you would consider ugly, or you might be less likely to use it on the go.





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