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Things To Consider When Buying a Laptop

Things To Consider When Buying a Laptop

Notebook systems have grown in popularity, especially for one-computer families. Their increasing performance and portability make them attractive options for people who travel, work at home, or would just like their kids to be able to watch movies on road trips. Many systems are even now being marketed as full replacements for desktop systems! Here is a list of some the key items you want to consider as you look for your next PC notebook.
How to Buy Laptops

8 Size and Weight
8 Processor Speed
8 Memory
8 Display Size and Resolution
8 Drives
8 Networking Ability
8 Battery Life
8 Warranty Plans

Size and Weight

Size and weight are important when choosing a notebook. “Ultra-portables” offer light weight and very slim sizes, but sometimes require external optical drives. “Desktop replacements” have equivalent power to desktop systems, but they are heavier and bulkier, making them difficult to travel with. Large screens can be easy to work with at home, but can be cumbersome while on an airplane. When shopping for a laptop, make sure to pick up the computer. Take a good look at the screen and decide if it will fit your work and lifestyle. Don't forget to also consider the weight and number of accessories such as adapters and drives. Also consider the size of case you want to use, and make sure that it can store the computer and all of its accessories.

Processors ( CPU )

Notebook processors are generally slower than a desktop CPU, but what they lack in speed they make up for in energy efficiency, saving your battery life. To determine the right CPU to buy, consider what you are using the computer for. If primarily used to browse the web, email, run a word processor, and play DVDs, any CPU above 1GHz will be sufficient.

Memory ( RAM )

Compared to desktop systems, laptop computers are generally more restricted in the amount of memory they can have. They are not as easy to add RAM to, so it is important to get a system that either has the amount of memory you require, or is upgradeable. If you are unsure, our knowledgeable staff can help you determine your RAM memory needs.

Displays

When purchasing a laptop, one of the most important considerations is the “native resolution” of the screen as its size. A large size screen is generally preferred, but with that comes a sacrifice of portability; laptops with 17" screens tend to be very large and more difficult to carry. High resolutions offer a superior picture, but they can make standard fonts hard to read. Newer models provide the options of “Wide Format” Screens, which offer superior portability, great picture, and a good format for reading text.

Drives

The choice of a hard drive in a laptops is a simple matter of the amount of storage you require, but the choice of optical drives is more complex. Laptop computers now have the capability to be used as portable DVD players. DVD-ROM, DVD-RW and CD-RW/DVD combo drives give you the option of watching your own movies on an airplane, keeping the kids quiet in the back of the car, or plugging your laptop into your home theatre system and using it as a DVD player there. Some ultra-portable systems save on space by supplying an external optical drive. So carefully consider how you are going to use the laptop before you purchase. If you are unsure of what would be the best fit, let our experts help you decide.

Networking

The ability to connect to a network is very important when purchasing a laptop. Look for systems with built in 56Kbps modem and Fast Ethernet. This will allow you to log on to the Internet while you are home or away. For ultimate portability, you may wish to look at getting a laptop computer with an integrated 802.11b/g wireless adapter, which will allow you to access the ever growing number of “wireless hot spots” in an increasingly digital world.

Battery Life

Perhaps the most important aspect of a laptop is the battery life. What good is a portable computer if you can only use it for 40 minutes at a time? Consult the manufacturer’s listed battery life for the standard battery, and look for a system with at least 2 hours of battery life under normal conditions. If you need extended time unplugged, look for laptops with extra battery slots, and consider buying extra batteries. Also consider adaptors for vehicles. Power converters will be needed in conjunction with plug-in adaptors when traveling to other countries.

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Are the ram dimms on those slim computers the same size as full desktop ram?

I mean the slim PC's that are about 30cm in height.

yes they are. if your looking to upgrade your ram, i would first search the internet for the spec sheet specific to your computer. you dont want to spend inordinate amounts of money on ram that is incompatible.

heres and example of a spec sheet for a computer:
http://h20386.www2.hp.com/CanadaStore/images/p6240f.pdf

notice that under 'SPECIFICATIONS' where it says memory it says: PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM memory. make sure any memory you buy will work.

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