| So you are looking to buy a laptop? It's more | | | | parts when they go bad on a laptop. It requires a |
| then how much does it cost and how do I | | | | skilled technician to perform these tasks. If you |
| connect to the internet. When making the | | | | add in the parts, that cost more then they would |
| purchase of a laptop there are multiple | | | | on a desktop, it can cost a pretty penny. |
| considerations to choosing the right one for you. | | | | Seriously consider the 3-year warranty if you can |
| You have to make sure that the system has the | | | | afford it. |
| speed, power, memory and capabilities to meet | | | | There are many accessories available for |
| your needs. You have to make sure that it has all | | | | notebooks. Some may be considered essential |
| the ports and connections that you will use. Is it | | | | and others just make it a lot easier to work with |
| the right size and weight for you? Do you need | | | | your laptop. Starting with the AC adaptor. Like |
| accessories (computer lock, memory card | | | | the batteries, the AC plug is an essential element |
| readers, carrying case, etc.). Will you need room | | | | of your machine. It also is a major factor in a |
| to grow? Does it come with a warranty and tech | | | | number of breakdowns. One of the most fragile |
| support? As you can see there are a lot of | | | | elements of your laptop is the AC connector. The |
| questions involved in with making the right | | | | connector that plugs into laptop directly fails |
| purchase for you. | | | | frequently and often occurs in stages. Initially with |
| It is not best to buy the cheapest laptop on the | | | | poor contact, you will find yourself moving the |
| market. The laptop should meet the needs of the | | | | cable in all around to find the current. Then the |
| tasks it will be primarily used for. This should | | | | connector is torn off definitively, or the produced |
| include performance, connectivity, mobility, and | | | | sparks roast the motherboard. The latter being is |
| warranty requirements. When buying a notebook, | | | | most catastrophic, but either leaving you with an |
| careful consideration and research should be done | | | | unusable laptop. Equally essential are extended life |
| before making the purchase. You should think | | | | batteries, a must for computer users who are |
| about how it will meet your personal or business | | | | away from a power supply for extended periods |
| requirements for approximately 3 years in order | | | | of time. If you work frequently unplugged you will |
| to get a good return on your investment. Take | | | | find a need for a second battery. |
| into consideration that the laptop cannot be | | | | Some non-essential, but quite useful accessories |
| upgraded as easily or cheaply as a desktop and | | | | are backpacks and memory card readers. Laptop |
| that the price of a notebook costs more out the | | | | backpacks are very functional and practical laptop |
| door. Don't worry, you can still find cheap | | | | carriers for students or business people who |
| notebooks that can meet your needs and budget. | | | | travel. The backpack allows for much more |
| How hard will your Laptop work for you? | | | | storage room then a traditional laptop carrying |
| Notebooks are quite comparable with their | | | | case. They are also water resistant and come in |
| desktop counter parts in performance. They | | | | a wide variety of colors and designs. Memory |
| make a great mobile platform for a wide | | | | card readers can be great, too. As more and |
| spectrum of high intensity Central Processing Unit | | | | more today you see cell phones, PDA's and digital |
| (CPU), graphic and memory applications. This being | | | | cameras in peoples hands. A majority of these |
| said, you really need to look at your needs and | | | | devices use a memory card of some form or |
| meet or slightly exceed them in this aspect. | | | | another. Having a memory card reader can help |
| There is no need to spend a lot of money on | | | | transfer and store data without having to connect |
| extra features such as high end graphics cards | | | | the device. If your laptop does not have one built |
| and a ton of memory if it is not needed. A lot of | | | | in you might consider buying one. They are fairly |
| money can be saved or lost just due to a | | | | inexpensive and there are many options for |
| graphics card and some RAM. | | | | memory card readers that can plug right into you |
| Nowadays, most notebooks are built with the | | | | laptop. Some are small enough to fit on your key |
| state of the art connectivity options. You must | | | | chain. |
| really think about making sure you have yours | | | | Notebooks can be stolen very easily and security |
| configured with the current and future | | | | is another factor to think about. Contrary to |
| requirements in mind. Will you have a wireless | | | | popular belief, many laptops do not get stolen |
| network at home, work or where you travel with | | | | while you are in transit. In fact, usually it occurs |
| you notebook? Most new computers have wi-fi | | | | right in the office. Individuals are usually not |
| built in that enables it to connect to the internet | | | | worried as much about the laptops, but more the |
| quickly without using a modem, cables, or NIC | | | | thought of losing the crucial data that is stored on |
| cards. You must also consider Bluetooth and built | | | | them. This could give thieves access to accounts, |
| in 3G HSDPA. With Bluetooth technology you can | | | | passwords, information needed for identity theft, |
| transfer music, video, and various other files and | | | | along with photos, files and anything else that |
| documents between your notebook and other | | | | may be stored on your computer. Many |
| personal devices without the use of wires. It can | | | | companies are coming up with advanced security |
| also be used with wireless headsets for audio or | | | | features such as finger print detection and face |
| VOIP applications. Seriously consider Bluetooth, | | | | detection so that others cannot access to your |
| because it allows excellent synchronization with | | | | computer and personal information without |
| most cell phones. If you opt for one that does | | | | permission. This protects data from being stolen, |
| not have it built in you can still buy a key chain | | | | but not the laptop. This is the reason why many |
| sized USB Bluetooth adaptor fairly cheap. Also | | | | people prefer to go for computer cable locks. A |
| recently available is 3G HSDPA which provides | | | | computer cable lock comes in the form of a cable |
| data connectivity through the cellular network of | | | | that you lock to an unmovable object like you |
| a public carrier. With this type of mobile broadband | | | | would with a bicycle. A large number of laptops |
| your laptop will be able to access critical | | | | get stolen every year simply because of the fact |
| applications and data in many places that you | | | | that these laptops are not fitted with laptop locks. |
| cannot with any other connection. Your Cellular | | | | There also is Lojack for laptops which has some |
| Service Provider may also be able to provide an | | | | key features that most others security |
| Express card or USB modem if it is not built into | | | | adaptations do not include. This includes tracking |
| the computer. Remember though, there is a | | | | and recovery of the laptop and also remote |
| service fee for this feature. | | | | deletion of sensitive data. Another great feature |
| Since mobility is one of the main reasons for | | | | about lojack is that a portion of the agent is |
| purchasing a notebook think about your normal | | | | installed into the BIOS by the notebooks |
| daily use. How often will you be carrying the | | | | manufactures so it cannot be erased. This allows |
| computer? Do you need to take it to meetings, | | | | for the software to be reinstalled remotely after |
| travel, or the local coffee shop? Truth be told the | | | | it has been stolen, even if the hard drive is |
| lighter it is the more it will cost usually in this | | | | completely wiped clean or even replaced. This |
| category. The smaller technologies embedded to | | | | would be your best security solution, but you |
| keep the weight down usually is costlier. Buying a | | | | should make sure that the new laptop has this |
| larger notebook with a bigger LCD screen can | | | | pre-installed by the manufacturer. |
| have its drawbacks, too. Other then the added | | | | As you think about your new purchase you must |
| weight it will also drain the battery much faster. | | | | remember there is more to consider then just |
| 15.4" is currently the main stream standard and | | | | the notebook itself. Make sure that the laptop |
| provides good visibility. You may want to consider | | | | meets your needs and you still have enough |
| a 12" or 14" for better portability. | | | | money to afford the other key elements that |
| Do not overlook the value of a warranty. Unlike a | | | | meet your needs fully. |
| desktop it is not as easy to replace or repair | | | | |