How to buy a laptop (with pictures)

The laptop market has changed quite a bit in the last decade. Laptops have become common at school and at home and are no longer confined to the business world. You can replace your desktop computer with a laptop, use it to watch movies in bed, or mobilize it to do your chores at a friend's house. The sheer number of laptop options to buy can be a bit overwhelming, especially for new buyers. You can buy a laptop by having confidence and being armed with a little research and knowledge. Read this article to learn how to choose the best laptop for your needs.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Determine What You Need

Step 1. Consider the advantages of a laptop

It may be advisable to consider the possible benefits of owning a laptop if you haven't owned one before. Laptops have some advantages when compared to a desktop computer.

• You can take a laptop with you wherever you go, even abroad as long as you carry a power adapter with you.
• Many laptops can do what we expect most desktop computers to do. While it is true that you may not be able to run the latest games in their large configurations, most modern laptops are quite capable of different tasks.
• Laptops save space and are easy to move around. This makes them great for small apartments or for use on your bedroom desk.

Step 2. Consider the negatives

While it's true that laptops are great as laptops, they do have some significant drawbacks. While these shouldn't scare you if you really want one, it's good to keep them in mind while shopping.

• Laptops are easy to steal if you forget to take care of them when you travel.
• Its battery life is not very long and it can be frustrating if you want to work without electricity for a long time, such as on a plane or on a coast near your country house when you are on vacation. Battery life will be very important to you if you plan to travel a lot.
• Laptops can become obsolete faster as they cannot be upgraded as a desktop computer. This may mean that you will have to get a new laptop in a few years.

Step 3. Think about what you will use it for

It will help to focus on what you plan to use your laptop for when comparing some models as laptops have a wide variety of uses. You will have many different needs if you plan to only use the internet and write emails than if you want to play games on the go or produce your own music.

Step 4. Set your budget

It is important that you know how much your budget is before you start looking for a laptop. Otherwise, you may be persuaded to buy something beyond your means. There is a wide range of laptops available. Setting a limit will ensure that you enjoy the laptop you can afford without preventing you from improving it in the future because you keep paying for the old one! Decide which aspects are important to you and adjust them to your budget.

Part 2 of 5: Windows, Mac, or Linux?

Step 1. Know what your options are

The two main options are Windows and Mac, plus Linux if you are a tech savvy. Many of the options will come down to your personal preferences and what you are familiar with, but there are some important points to consider.

Choose what you know. It will be easier to stick with an operating system with a familiar interface than to give a new or recent one a try if you are already used to one. However, don't let the first operating system you use decide which operating systems and subsequent computers you decide to buy

Step 2. Consider what programs you need

You will find the best compatibility with a Windows computer if you use Microsoft Office products a lot. This does not mean that you cannot use other operating systems, there will only be some hoops so you will have to jump. On the contrary, you will find the most powerful programs on a Mac if you produce music or edit photos.

• Windows supports most video games, although support for Mac and Linux is increasing.
• Buy the type of computer that is useful for your family or friends to know and to help you if you are inexperienced with computers and if you need help. Otherwise, you will have to enlist the help of a call center technical support.

Step 3. Think Linux

Some laptops can be purchased with Linux pre-installed. You can test Linux on your current machine by using a live CD. This will allow you to run the Linux operating system without having to install it on your computer.

• Most Linux operating systems and thousands of programs and applications are taught for free. The WINE program allows you to run many Windows programs on Linux systems. You can install and run these applications just like you would on Windows. WINE is still under active development, so not all programs work. However, there are millions of people who use WINE to run their Windows programs on Linux operating systems.
• Linux has virtually no virus threats. Therefore, it is the perfect option for children, because the operating system is free, the programs are free, and there are practically no virus threats. Reinstall the operating system and start over if the kids screw it up. Linux Mint looks and works quite like Windows. Also, Ubuntu Linux is the most popular.
• Linux requires more technical expertise to take advantage of it. You will have to be familiar with the command lines, but almost everything you need to know can be searched online.
• Not all hardware is compatible with Linux; you may have a hard time finding device drivers that work with it.

Step 4. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of a Mac

Mac computers are fundamentally a different experience compared to Windows computers, so it can be easy to get lost if you transition between them. Mac sells a very user-friendly interface and has a powerful multimedia production operating system.

• Mac connects in one piece with iPhone, iPod, iPad and other Apple products. Apple support is very comprehensive for new Apple products.
• Macs are less prone to viruses than Windows computers, but you still have to be cautious.
• Windows can be emulated on a Mac computer by using boot camp. However, you will need a valid copy of Windows for this.
• Mac is usually expensive compared to Windows or Linux.

Step 5. Look at modern Windows laptops

Windows laptops and netbooks can be very affordable, and there are many options from various manufacturers to suit virtually any user need or desire. You will notice that things look quite different if you haven't used Windows in a while. Windows 8 has a start screen that not only contains your programs, but also contains live tiles that show the latest in news and sports, instead of an old start menu. Internet Explorer 10 includes a feature that can scan a file for possible viruses and malware before the user downloads it.

• Unlike the Mac, there are a wide variety of companies that make Windows machines. This means that the quality will vary from laptop to laptop. It is important to look at what each manufacturer offers in terms of price, features, and support, as well as read reviews and other sources of information about how reliable the manufacturer's products are.
• Windows laptops typically offer much more customizable options compared to Mac laptops.

Step 6. Check out the Chromebook

In addition to the three main operating system options, there are a few other options. One of the most popular and growing options is the Chromebook. These laptops run Google's ChromeOS operating system, which is completely different than any of the above-mentioned options. These laptops were designed to be constantly connected to the internet and come with Google Drive online storage subscriptions.

• There are only a few different Chromebook models available. HP, Samsung and Acer create a budget model, while Google creates the Chromebook Pixel, a more expensive model.
• The ChromeOS operating system was designed to run Google applications such as Chrome, Google Drive, Google Maps, and more. These laptops are suitable for users who use Google a lot.
• Chromebook will not be able to run any program designed for another operating system, including most games and productivity programs.

Step 7. Take a test

Try as many operating systems as you can in a store or at your friends' house. See which one feels the most innate and natural to your way of using a computer. The keyboard, trackpad, etc. they can feel very different with your personal touch, even within the same operating system.

Part 3 of 5: Finding the Right Way

Step 1. Think about the size of the laptop that will best suit you

There are three different sizes and weights for a laptop: a netbook, a laptop, or a desktop replacement. Although these fall into the broader concept of a "laptop", their end use differs and may impact your choice.

• There are many things to consider when it comes to the size of a laptop, which are: weight, screen size, keyboard layout, performance, and battery life. Typically, you will find that netbooks are cheaper and smaller, while regular laptops will need to balance all the factors to suit your needs.
• Portability is a big concern for laptops. Getting a bigger screen will sacrifice weight and portability. Consider the size of your bag when looking for a laptop.

Step 2. Decide if you want a netbook

Netbooks, also known as mini notebooks, ultrabooks or ultraportables, are small laptops with a small portable screen measuring 7 to 13 ´ inches or 17 to 33 centimeters. A netbook is compact in size, light in weight, and suitable for emailing and Internet searching or light use, as its memory is small. The ability of a netbook to run sophisticated applications is limited as it usually does not have as much RAM as a laptop.

• The keyboard of a netbook will be significantly different compared to the standard size of a laptop. Make sure to give it a try before you buy because typing will feel strange for a while.
• There are many hybrid tablets available. These come with a detachable or swivel keyboard and usually have a touch screen. Consider them if you need a tablet, but can't afford an iPad.

Step 3. Look at standard laptops

These have a screen size of 13 to 15 inches or 33 to 38 centimeters. They are medium weight, slim and light and can hold a lot of memory. The decision about the capacity of a laptop comes down to your own preference for screen size and the amount of RAM you think you will need (see next section).

Laptops come in all shapes and sizes. As technology improves, laptops get thinner and lighter. You'll notice that Mac laptops don't necessarily match these size descriptions. Consider your portability needs when looking for different models if you decide on a Mac laptop

Step 4. Consider a laptop that is a replacement for a desktop computer

This has a screen size of 17 to 20 inches or 43 to 50 centimeters. It's bigger and heavier, full-featured, and tends to go on the desk, rather than in a backpack. While it is true that it is not as portable as the previous two options, it can be mobilized when necessary. Its extra weight is not a big problem for many people when they carry it. Weigh your needs for portability and stability on a desk if you're unsure about its size.

• Some laptops that are a replacement for a desktop computer have the ability to improve their quality to some degree, allowing you to install a new video card.
• These laptops are suitable for fans of games.
• Larger laptops typically have a shorter battery life, especially when running intensive programs such as video games or graphics developers.

Step 5. Consider your durability needs

Decide if you prefer a metal or plastic exterior. These days, the choice of coating is basically a matter of personal preference, as the weight of each coating is very similar. Well-made, metallic laptops are no heavier than plastic ones. When it comes to durability, metallic ones are probably the best to hit a laptop a bit, but you can ask your retailer for advice on this.

• You may need some custom add-ons to protect your laptop if you do field work or have heavy trips. You ask for a stronger screen, an internal component assembly, and protection against water and dirt.
• There is a class of laptops, called toughbooks, if you are a professional in the field and if you really need your laptop to last. These tend to be very expensive, but you can haul them around or you can bake them safely.
• Most consumer laptop models in showrooms are not built for durability. Look for a corporate laptop model that is metal or has certain materials if durability matters to you.

Step 6. Consider the style

Laptops by nature are very public devices. They are like watches, purses, sunglasses, or any other accessory. This is why laptops have style. Make sure the laptop you want is not one that you consider ugly. Otherwise, you will be less likely to use it when you move.

Part 4 of 5: Review the Specifications

Step 1. Look closely at the technical specifications of each laptop

Usually, you get stuck with the hardware that is in the laptop when you buy one. This means that you have to make sure that the laptop has the specifications that you need.

Step 2. Check the central processing unit (CPU)

Higher and faster laptops will have a multi-core CPU, like Intel, AMD, and ARM. Typically these will not be found on netbooks or smaller laptops. The difference impacts the speed of the laptop's performance.

As technology advances, older processors are quickly left in the dust. Avoid Celeron, Atom, and Pentium chips if you are buying Intel, as these are older models. Instead, go for the Core i3 and i5. Avoid C or E series processors if you are buying AMD. Instead, look for the A6 or A8 series

Step 3. Look at the amount of memory (RAM)

Consider how much RAM you will actually need in your new drive. The amount of RAM can be an important specification to consider. Often times, the amount of memory can limit the applications you can run. Large applications will require more memory to run. In general, the more memory your laptop has, the faster it will run programs.

• Most standard laptops usually come with 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. This is usually sufficient for most users. Netbooks typically come in as low as 512 megabytes (MB), but this is becoming less and less common. You can find laptops with 16 GB or more, although this is only recommended if you will be running a lot of memory intensive programs.
• While it can be tempting to get a lot of RAM when you buy a laptop, retailers will put a massive amount of RAM in a unit to disguise the fact that the rest of the components are below average (slow processor, etc..). This should not be a big consideration for a laptop as it is very easy to upgrade the RAM.

Step 4. Check the graphics capabilities

Check your graphics memory if you will be playing games. You must have a graphics card with a discrete video card for 3D games, although this is not necessary for most casual games. Also, a discrete graphics card will consume more battery.

Step 5. Take a look at the available storage space

The displayed size of the hard drive will be a bit misleading as it does not take into account the operating system and pre-installed programs. Often times, you will have around 40GB less than the amount presented.

Similarly, the Solid State Drive (SSD) offers better performance, noiseless, and extended battery life, but it has far fewer capacities (from 30GB to 256GB when written) and costs more. An SSD is mandatory if you are looking to get the best possible performance, but you may need to purchase an external hard drive for your music, photos, and videos

Step 6. Check the available ports

How many USB ports are there to add your peripheral devices? You will need to have at least two USB ports if you plan to use a separate keyboard and mouse. You will also need some ports for a printer, external drives, and more.

Make sure your laptop has an HDMI port for the best possible connection if you want to connect it to a television. Similarly, you can use a VGA or DVI port to connect your laptop to the television

Step 7. Check the laptop's optical disc drives

You will need a DVD drive if you want to be able to burn CDs and install disc software. You can buy an external DVD drive to plug in when needed if your laptop doesn't have it. Blu-ray drives can be found in many laptops today. Make sure to choose a Blu-ray drive (sometimes called BD-ROM) if you want to be able to play Blu-ray movies, rather than a DVD drive.

Step 8. Find the correct screen resolution

The higher the resolution, the more content you can fit on the screen. Images will be sharper at high resolution. Most mid-range laptops come with a 1366-by-768 resolution. Find a laptop with a 1600-by-900 or 1920-by-1080 resolution for a sharper image. Often times this will only be available on larger laptops.

Ask how the laptop screen performs in sunlight; cheaper displays are often invisible to outside light, making their portability less useful

Step 9. Check the Wi-Fi capabilities

Your laptop must be able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. Almost all laptops have cordless cards built in, so this is no longer a concern.

Part 5 of 5: Go shopping in a store (or on a website)

Step 1. Do your research

You want to make sure that you know as much as possible about the laptops you are interested in or the specifications you need, whether you are buying from a store or online. This will help you to know what type of offers you are getting and will prevent an ill-informed salesperson from diverting you from what you want to achieve.

Have a printed paper of the laptop or laptops that interest you or have the information available on your cell phone if you are going to buy in a store. This will help you narrow down the field and stay focused on what you need

Step 2. Find a suitable retailer to buy a laptop

There are a variety of places you can buy a current laptop. There are a large number of dealers available that offer different prices and levels of service, whether it is a large store, a family store, or whether it is Craigslist or Amazon.

Large department stores or computer specialty stores are the best way to test multiple laptops before buying the one you want. Go to your local computer or electronics store, try out a few different models, and take a few notes to watch at home if you plan to buy your laptop online

Step 3. Review the warranty certificate

Almost all laptop manufacturers offer a warranty certificate for their products. This warranty certificate may vary and some stores will offer additional coverage for such a certificate for more money. Also, a laptop may no longer have that certificate if you buy a used one on Craigslist.

Step 4. Know the risks before buying a used, recertified or refurbished laptop

It is very important that the laptop comes with a good warranty certificate and from a reputable dealer. Durable and corporate grade laptops can be offered when renewed. The risk is that the laptop may have been abused and may be in poor condition. However, the risk may be negligible if the price is correct and especially if you have a one-year warranty certificate.

Don't buy a discounted laptop unless you have a good warranty certificate from a reputable dealer. The laptop may have been on all day, in addition to being exposed to store dust, people's dirty fingers, and endless pressure and pounding from bored children or confused customers

Step 5. Take good care of your new laptop

While it is true that this depends on the brand and type of laptop, the one that takes good care of it should last a few good years before you need to invest your money in another. Taking the time to clean and maintain your laptop will keep it running smoothly for years to come.

Advice

• Do a search to see the web pages where you can get reliable consumer reviews. Learn from mistakes and the lessons of people.
• Great deals are often found online, but they can also appear in stores that sell large numbers of laptops.
• Chromebooks are recommended only if you are always connected to the internet. A Chromebook may be your option if you will buy a laptop only to work and not to use the multimedia elements.
• Most of the well-known brands of laptops contain many pre-installed software applications, known as bloatware. These are usually general purpose software. Many of these are much less than high-tech. The laptop manufacturer markets them to make money. They license them from the owner of the intellectual property rights to add to their machines, which adds a level of competition. Many bloatwares can have a significant impact on system performance, so each installed program should be examined to see if it is essential. Otherwise, you must delete them at the first opportunity you get.
• Head over to Consumer Reports to find out how various laptops compare in different categories.

Warnings

• Read the entire ad if you are buying a laptop from an online auction on a website like eBay. See what's wrong with the laptop. Check the comments of the person who sells it. Buy it for a good price if it's not new and make sure you do a clean install. You do not know which laptop the owner may have and you take a risk by buying a used laptop. Make sure you can return it if something happens.
• Most of the time, the best deals are online.
• Make sure you are comfortable with a laptop before purchasing. In most stores, you won't get a refund or exchange if you buy a laptop and use it.
• You may have to pay a shipping charge if you choose to buy a laptop online.
• Factory refurbished laptops directed from manufacturers' websites are usually inexpensive and come with warranty certificates, but their mileage may vary.