With so many different laptops on the market today, selecting one can seem like a difficult task. The best place to begin is with an examination of how the laptop will be used. If it will be the sole computer for the consumer, additional memory will be necessary. If the laptop is merely a secondary travel computer, a smaller netbook might be a good choice. If the laptop will be used for gaming, a larger screen, lots of RAM and a superior dual core processor is needed.
There are many brands of laptops all offering various models all with their own requisite features. It’s important to remember, as any good laptop features and buying guide will tell you that when shopping for laptop computers you never want to over pay for features that you don’t need. That is the reason it is so important to consider what you will use the laptop for. There is a big price difference between super powered laptops used for gaming or entertainment and basic ones that are only used for Internet and checking email.
Features To Consider
Mobility
The weight and overall mobility varies from model to model. This is an important consideration depending on your personal portability needs. If you are someone who travels a lot for business and will be taking the laptop out a lot and having to carry it often by hand you might want to look into some of the lighter models, and avoid the Macbooks, they are some of the heaviest models in the industry.
Battery Life
Battery life should also be considered when selecting a laptop. Larger batteries with longer running times will also be heavier. RAM (random access memory) will need to be higher if the user will run many programs and store a lot of information. Multiple USB ports and a DVD drive may also be preferred.
Operating System
Another important consideration when selecting a laptop is whether to buy a Macintosh (Mac) operating system sold by Apple or a personal computer (PC) that uses a Windows operating system. Macs, which include the popular iPad, are more expensive. However, they may be easier to operate, and they hold their value better on the resale market. Graphic design capabilities are better on the Mac, but PCs work better for gaming. Macbooks also cost more than the average PC models.
Top Brands Of Laptops
There are several top manufacturers of PCs.
HP
Hewlett Packard is the market leader in laptop sales. Although problems have been reported with overheating and LCD screen failures, this brand remains a solid choice.
Sony
Sony ranks high in customer satisfaction and has good customizing options, but their laptops are expensive compared to other brands.
Lenovo
Lenovo makes laptops with excellent keyboards and has good customer service. Lenovo focuses more on the business user and so their laptops are made for that purpose.
Dell
Dell has had major problems with its customer service. Its laptops have been reported to have noisy fans and power connectivity problems.
Apple
The Macbook is still one of the most popular and widely bought notebooks. Offering sleek styles and designs, several models at different price ranges to choose from and top entertainment features, this brand is definitely worth a look.
Acer
Acer/Gateway laptops have received mixed reviews. Acer makes a wide variety of models suitable for many needs. They also excel in creating some great Netbooks, which are mini laptops that cost very little compared to the normal sized laptops.
Alienware
The Alienware brand focuses on making the very best gaming models. Lots of RAM, HD big screens, several high end processors built and other such high power features are what you will find in Alienware models. Since they are built with so many high end features they will also cost a lot, look online for Alienware deals when shopping for gaming laptops.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a laptop. Focusing on the consumer’s main uses for the laptop will help to narrow the search.