Laptop buying tip
Purchasing a home or
business laptop can be a much more confusing and sometimes frightening
experience as most users today have some experience with a desktop
computer but not as many have experience with a laptop, what is properly
known as a portable computer. Portable computers are an excellent
solution for anyone who needs to be portable and have all of their
information on a small computer. Below is a listing of help and tips
when considering to purchase a laptop computer.
What to look for
When
purchasing a computer, it is likely that you will 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
A
very important consideration for any users that need to have a working
laptop on the road or in the air. Verify when purchasing a portable
computer how long the battery lasts. Be cautious, as 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 very
important consideration we highly suggest that you purchase a laptop
with at least a 12" or lager 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 will need to be replaced
or another drive will need 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 very 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 will run.
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 that for most computers will allow
for an additional type II to be connected.
Complete buying tips and information on modems can be found on our modem buying tips page.
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 will allow 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 a
very 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.
Brand of computer
When
looking at purchasing a portable computer, you will likely hear
different stories, some good and some bad. 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 amount of documentation
included with their computers, an excellent question, especially if the
computer is being purchased by a new computer user, is "what
documentation 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 several 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 will have a lower price and are a good deal for users who may
not have a lot of money to spend on a new computer. It is important,
however, to 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 what services to look for.
- 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?
- If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long?
- Can the computer be taken to a local service center? If yes, what is the closest authorized service center?
- What is the time frame the service takes to occur? For example, if the computer has a bad component, what is the time it will take for a technician to come onsite and replace that component, or what is the time it will take 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?
- Because the computer is a portable computer, is International Service available? This will allow 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.
- 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.
- 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 will be a very
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.
- Is support open 24 hours, 7 days a week? If not, what are the hours?
- Is support open on holidays? If not, what days are it closed?
- 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.
- 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?
- 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 will only come with a 90 day
warranty; meaning if a part goes bad, you will have to 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.
Scams
Unfortunately,
like anything, it is possible to be tricked or for computer companies
to scam you. Below is a listing of what to look for when purchasing a
computer.
Get what you pay for
Ensure
that the product you are purchasing is what you are paying for. 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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