| A new laptop computer is a major purchase. Do a | | | | card. This is one option you don't want to leave |
| little research before you get ready to buy. You | | | | off! |
| want to be sure you'll be pleased with your | | | | Built-in wireless is even beneficial at home. You |
| purchase - and that your computer is going to | | | | can set up a wireless network in your own home |
| perform to your expectations. | | | | and work on your laptop wherever you'd like - in |
| What Size Do You Need | | | | the office, on the couch, or even in your |
| The size and weight of your laptop are going to | | | | bedroom. |
| have an impact on how effectively you're able to | | | | You can buy wireless internet service from many |
| use your computer. Will you be carrying your | | | | of the major cell phone coverage providers. Look |
| laptop a lot? You may want a smaller, lighter | | | | for a laptop that comes pre-wired to access |
| model. | | | | these services. Then you just activate, |
| If you'll be using your notebook for word | | | | authenticate, and you're able to use your service |
| processing, web surfing, and email applications, | | | | wherever you're at. |
| you probably don't need a huge screen. But if | | | | What Will You Be Using with Your Laptop? |
| you'd like to watch movies, play games, or use | | | | Be sure that your laptop has ports for any extra |
| image editing applications, you'll want a bigger | | | | equipment you're considering. Many people will |
| screen size. | | | | want at least a printer hooked up. Be sure your |
| Keyboard size may also be important to you. If | | | | laptop has needed ports. You'll probably want |
| you're going to be doing a lot of typing, it's | | | | multiple USB ports because most peripheral |
| important to have a comfortable keyboard. If you | | | | computer equipment nowadays connects via USB. |
| find yourself frequently using the number pad, | | | | If you're going to be doing any video editing you |
| pick a laptop model that has a full keyboard. This | | | | may want a laptop with a Firewire port. |
| will increase the weight and size of your | | | | Budget for a Warranty |
| computer, so keep that in mind. | | | | An extended warranty is the very best purchase |
| Your Mouse | | | | you can make along with your new laptop. |
| There are a few different kinds of mouse | | | | Laptops are notoriously harder than desktops to |
| devices available on notebook computers. Some | | | | work on. Depending on your model it could be |
| people really don't like any of them, and some | | | | impossible for you to make any repairs yourself - |
| people prefer one over the other. Consider which | | | | if you'd even want to try. |
| is best for you, and which is most easy to work | | | | If you're going to be doing a lot of traveling with |
| with. | | | | your laptop it will be getting jolted and jostled |
| You can buy a small plug-and-play mouse to | | | | around. You may even drop it, spill water on it, or |
| travel with your computer. That could be the best | | | | abuse it in some other way! A good warranty will |
| option for you if you find it cumbersome to use | | | | cover these sorts of things. |
| the built-in mouse with your notebook computer. | | | | A warranty will save you money and effort in the |
| Wireless Computing | | | | long run, so make sure you budget for it. |
| Wireless devices are everywhere nowadays. With | | | | Do a little research and consider what you're going |
| even McDonald's offering free Wi-Fi, chances are | | | | to need from your new laptop computer. Then sit |
| you're going to end up using your laptop | | | | back and enjoy getting to know your new |
| computer on a wireless network at some point. | | | | purchase, confident it's going to be working for |
| Be sure that your laptop has a built-in wireless | | | | you for at least a couple of years! |