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Homepage > How To Buy A Laptop - 5 Steps to the Right Laptop For You

How To Buy A Laptop - 5 Steps to the Right Laptop For You

12/04/2011 17:01

You've made a decision to buy a laptop, but don't really know how to go about it.

I get asked continuously how to buy a laptop. Sometimes it's for students, other times for an adult who just wants the freedom to roam in your home while computing.

So I have come up with a short procedure to follow that will act as information on get the right product for the best purpose.

Step 1: Determine who is going to use it. Besides the individual, but is person - old or young (need reading glasses yet)? Computer literate or illiterate (Mac or pc)? A person who takes care of his hardware or someone careless?

Once I had a client who was blind looking for a laptop. Back then, Toshiba had the most effective name in the business. We known as a techy type guy who worked for an association for the blind who was simply also sight impaired.

His comment to us was that blind people might be a bit harder on things, for self-evident reasons, and that Toshiba laptops don't endure quite as well to being banged around. He recommended various other brands instead.

Experience has shown me that scholars who don't have to buy their own personal laptop have a distinct tendency to generally be harder on things also. Be sure they have a well padded case and use it.

The answers derived in Action 1 will trickle because of the rest of the 5 steps, as you will see.

Step 2: The length of time does this person need it for? Is it students going to college and you, the parent, want it to last for the complete 4 year program (hopefully they'll finish in 4 years!)?. If so, you want enough performance and warranty to last that long.

On the other hand, maybe you are buying for someone with lots of money who likes the latest and greatest. (Is there a doctor inside your home?) In that case, put money into power and toys, not lengthy warranty.

If it's for an election worker, a laptop is probably not needed for at least a year or so, two at most. Configure it accordingly.

Step 3: Determine the ergonomics. That is about the only use I have for big box stores. Wander the aisles and try out the different pointing devices and keyboards. Assess if you want widescreen or standard aspect ratio (standard is getting harder to find).

Do you like the glossy screen or will glare often be a big problem where you are likely to use it most? You could possibly prefer matte finish. Glossy looks a bit sharper for movies and Windows Vista Aero interface, and see if someone is sneaking up behind you. However, if you have an office with lots of windows or flourescent lights, matte could be better for you.

If you will be utilizing the laptop outside a good deal, you may want to try out some laptops - from friends or coworkers - as environment. It's no fun if you cannot read the screen.

Size and Weight. Must it be compact or light? Some excellent units weigh in at under 4 pounds yet employ a large enough keyboard and screen to generally be quite usable.

A typical super charged laptop will play 6.5 pounds. But a laptop that has a behemoth 17" screen tips the scale at almost 10 pounds!

Step 4: What kind of support which allows for it? Are you the type that just isn't comfortable speaking to support staff in India, and want to walk up to a counter that has a live (even if disinterested) human being?

Or are you self sufficient enough to deal with simple things all by yourself, maybe even get out a screwdriver and initiate prying the keyboard off if directed to?

Buy a laptop from your vendor who will provide the kind of support that you want.

Step 5: Do you have budget constraints? If so, you may want to reference my article on "How to Buy a Laptop - 7 Areas to remove Costs". Otherwise, you can skip to my Laptop Buying Guide and pay attention to exactly what kind of system I suggest for the best price/performance purchase.

Do your homework when buying a laptop. You must do everything you can to help insure that you'll be happy with it.

But, in the event, check out the return policy in the event that you really didn't get everything you expected.

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