Laptop Buying Guide
Looking for the perfect notebook PC to suit your needs? With LAPTOP's Laptop Buying Guide, we’ve made selecting the best machine for your needs easy. Here you’ll find tips, advice, and all the information you need to make the smartest buying decision.What Are Budget Notebooks?As the name implies, budget notebooks are models aimed at price-conscious buyers who need a basic computer at an affordable price. For our definition, we look for a price of $999 or less, but you can find very good deals in the $799 to $899 range.
What Are All-Purpose Notebooks?All-purpose notebooks represent the sweet spot for the industry. This category comprises thin-and-light models with 13.3-inch or 14-inch screens, as well as the typical mainstream portable with a screen up to 15.4 inches in size.
What Are Business Notebooks?Business notebooks are thin-and-light or mainstream models that include the security, connectivity, and durability features a professional user would need. Notebooks intended for corporate use have all that, plus manageability features and a stable platform so the OS image of units deployed now will match that of machines ordered six to nine months from now.
What Are Ultraportable Notebooks?
Thinner and lighter than even a thin-and-light notebook, an ultraportable notebook is a machine that weighs less than 4 pounds but still delivers the functionality of a full PC. Screens are smaller, keyboards are tighter, and processors are generally less powerful than with a full-size notebook.
Thinner and lighter than even a thin-and-light notebook, an ultraportable notebook is a machine that weighs less than 4 pounds but still delivers the functionality of a full PC. Screens are smaller, keyboards are tighter, and processors are generally less powerful than with a full-size notebook.
What Are Desktop Replacement Notebooks?
A desktop replacement is a notebook with a 17-inch screen or larger. While panels that size in a portable were unthinkable a few years ago, they are now commonplace-and some laptops have 19- and even 20-inch LCDs. With such a screen as the centerpiece, most desktop replacement machines focus on the video, multimedia, and gaming experience.
A desktop replacement is a notebook with a 17-inch screen or larger. While panels that size in a portable were unthinkable a few years ago, they are now commonplace-and some laptops have 19- and even 20-inch LCDs. With such a screen as the centerpiece, most desktop replacement machines focus on the video, multimedia, and gaming experience.
What Are Gaming Notebooks?
A gaming notebook puts 3D graphics performance above all else. That means a powerful GPU (or two) and top-of-the-line CPU, of course, but also fast memory and hard-drive subsystems. A large LCD with fast response times and good grayscale performance (to better render shadow detail) is also a must, and a good audio system doesn't hurt.
A gaming notebook puts 3D graphics performance above all else. That means a powerful GPU (or two) and top-of-the-line CPU, of course, but also fast memory and hard-drive subsystems. A large LCD with fast response times and good grayscale performance (to better render shadow detail) is also a must, and a good audio system doesn't hurt.
What Are Tablet PCs?Tablet PCs are arguably the most versatile machines in the laptop genus. Their screens react to input from a finger or stylus, letting you enter notes and drawings freehand. Light weight and long battery life make them suitable for life on the go.
What Are Rugged Notebooks?Rugged notebooks are machines that have extra protection against a range of environmental and situational hazards. They are designed to work in harsh conditions: dusty construction sites and factories; outdoors in the heat, cold, and wet; and in moving vehicles where they are subjected to shock and vibration.
Who Are Student Notebooks For?Student notebooks are designed with high-school and college attendees in mind. They can be used for both schoolwork and play (more of the latter, we suspect), so they need decent power and components good enough to let them act as music library, stereo system, DVD player, and YouTube-creation stations.
Thermal dissipation - Laptop coolingNever use your laptop directly on a surface that prevents proper air flow, such as inside the laptop case, on a blanket or pillow. Periodically check that vents are not obstructed. Use a mobile cooling pad if necessary.
Battery charge - Laptop autonomy
Discharge completely your battery at least once per month.
Discharge completely your battery at least once per month.
Security - Laptop tracking
Use the CyberAngel security solution to track your laptop in case it is stolen.
Use the CyberAngel security solution to track your laptop in case it is stolen.
Viruses
It is not enough to have an antivirus program installed. It needs to be kept up-to-date, and we recommend to update it at least once per week.
It is not enough to have an antivirus program installed. It needs to be kept up-to-date, and we recommend to update it at least once per week.
Windows Updates
Make sure that your computer downloads Window Updates periodically and frequently. This will enhance stability and security of your operating system.
Make sure that your computer downloads Window Updates periodically and frequently. This will enhance stability and security of your operating system.
Carrying
Always use an appropriate carrying bag when traveling, to enhance shock absorption. Whenever you need to ship your laptop through a carrier (SUPS, FedEx, UPS, etc...), always use packaging specifically designed for laptops transit.
Always use an appropriate carrying bag when traveling, to enhance shock absorption. Whenever you need to ship your laptop through a carrier (SUPS, FedEx, UPS, etc...), always use packaging specifically designed for laptops transit.
Shocks
Because of they are designed to maximize mobility, laptops are prone to shocks. Always turn your laptop OFF before you move your notebook from a place to another, unless it is well stabilized on a stand that is designed to absorb shocks.
Because of they are designed to maximize mobility, laptops are prone to shocks. Always turn your laptop OFF before you move your notebook from a place to another, unless it is well stabilized on a stand that is designed to absorb shocks.
HumidityLaptops are very sensitive to humidity. Avoid liquid exposure as much as you can (water, wine, etc...).
Dust
Laptops are very sensitive to dust. Make sure the laptop is never left on a floor, but that it is always high on a table, desk, stand, etc... Check vents frequently to see if they are not obstructed.
Laptops are very sensitive to dust. Make sure the laptop is never left on a floor, but that it is always high on a table, desk, stand, etc... Check vents frequently to see if they are not obstructed.
Laptop computers are easy targets for thieves. Laptop computers are small, valuable, can be removed quickly, and are easily hidden. Laptop computers can be worth up to $5000 or more. The laptop computer can be pawned at a pawnshop for half its value.
Here are a few tips to reduce the risk of having your laptop stolen.
- Don’t leave your laptop out in the open even for a second.
- Remember extreme temperatures can cause damage to your laptop.
- Transport your laptop in a nondescript case.
- Write down the serial number and keep it in a safe place.
- Always back up your information on disks and store them in a safe place.
Support techs report that the most troublesome laptop components are the hard drive, screen, and keyboard. While you probably won't want to replace an expensive laptop screen, anyone with the right tools and even a slight mechanical inclination can replace the hard drive, keyboard, and other components, with some patient tinkering.
Opening your laptop case may void the warranty, so if your system is still under warranty, let the manufacturer deal with repairs. Notebooks are delicate, so never force anything. Vince Dougherty, who has repaired countless laptops for Wine Country Computers in Healdsburg, California, says the most common mistake is using the wrong-size screwdriver. One slip and your motherboard is ruined.
Before doing anything else, remove the notebook's battery and disconnect its power cord. Remember to ground yourself before you open the case, either with a grounding strap (the safest way), or by touching a piece of grounded metal (a lamp or water pipe will do), while touching a metal part on the case's exterior.
Replace your hard drive:
Adding a new hard drive to a laptop is usually easier than doing the same thing on a desktop PC: You just remove a few screws from the bottom of the case, slide or lift the hard drive assembly out of the system, and swap a new drive into the assembly (always handle drives by the edges).
Most notebook PCs use a standard 2.5-inch hard drive, but ultralights and other diminutive systems may use a smaller 1.8-inch drive. Drives also come in different heights; the most common are 12.5 millimeters and 9.5 millimeters. Check your laptop's documentation, or visit the vendor's Web site to determine the drive size compatible with your machine.
A 2.5-inch, 100GB drive costs less than $200. Third-party vendors such as Drive Solutions and NewEgg.com often charge less than laptop manufacturers. Check with your notebook vendor to find out whether you need a SATA or parallel ATA model. Buy only from vendors that offer a money-back guarantee--any reliable seller will provide one lasting at least 30 days.
Boost your RAM:
Most laptops come with only one or two memory sockets, which may leave no open slots for upgrades. Adding memory may require that you discard at least one existing memory module. The RAM on most laptops resides behind a removable panel. The modules slip into a slot and are secured at the ends by clips or retainers. Crucial offers an excellent tutorial on installing laptop RAM.
Crucial and Kingston will tell you the type of RAM your laptop needs. The high-quality modules they sell are well worth the small, additional expense over no-name RAM.
Change your keyboard:
Installing a new keyboard usually requires disassembling the laptop's case, but in other respects it is straightforward: First snap the old keyboard out, and then snap the replacement keyboard in. You can expect to pay $50 to $100 for a new notebook keyboard. Appropriate replacement keyboards may be available only from the notebook's vendor.
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