Many people today are looking to get a new laptop, but have no idea of all the technology that is included inside one. If you are daunted by the level of laptop technology, you ought to peruse the information that follows. The latest advice is located below to help you understand all the technical jargon associated with laptops.
One of the first things to consider when buying a laptop is if you want a PC or an Apple product. PCs are often considered better gaming units, while Apple products are known for their photo editing abilities. Consider how you will use your laptop when making this important brand decision.
Write down the features you need before going to a retail outlet to buy! When you shop online, you can have a list next to you, making the process simpler. If you go to the store and forget your list, you may end up with a laptop which doesn’t meet every need.
To avoid sales people who desperately want to make a commission, do your purchasing online. This not only opens you up to a much larger selection, but the prices will often be lower as well. On top of that, shipping is often free, meaning you’ll get your laptop quickly and easily.
A laptop can be an expensive investment, so protect it. If the store you are purchasing it from offers a warranty, purchase it. Components of laptops wear out faster and age faster than their desktop counterparts. Spending a few dollars up front will ensure the functionality of your laptop for a longer period of time.
Customize your laptop if you can. There are many computer builders and manufacturers that allow you to cherry pick the components for your laptop. Perhaps you need lots of storage or additional disk drives, which means you need to customize. This saves you a lot of time by not having to search for a pre-built laptop that might fill your particular needs.
If you can only afford one upgrade on your laptop, consider an extended life battery. An extended life battery can keep you from being tied to a power outlet for six hours or more, meaning your laptop is increasingly portable and can be used anywhere. You will thank yourself for spending the extra money the first time you travel with your computer.
You should think about purchasing a laptop that features an extended warranty. Computer repair is not something that usually comes cheap, and of course having to purchase another one is even more money. A minimal investment in extended warranty coverage can mean thousands in actual savings.
To start out setting up your new laptop, the first thing you need to do is install and activate the antivirus software that you should have bought with your computer — or that came free with it. After all, you wouldn’t walk around downtown with your ATM PIN on your forehead, so keep your computer information secret from the beginning.
A lot of new laptops are produced without DVD drives. This is happening because many people prefer to stream media from websites like Netflix. If you’d like to be able to watch or rip movies on your computer, then you’re going to need one that has a drive that is able to do these things for you.
If you constantly carry your laptop with you, invest in a laptop bag. There are many styles and prices available. To get the most protection, opt for one that has a sleeve with built-in padding. If you want a less conspicuous bag, choose a stand-alone sleeve which covers your laptop and place it in your briefcase or backpack.
To save money, consider buying a laptop with limited hard drive space and instead storing your data in the cloud. Whether using Apple’s iCloud or a service like Amazon’s EC2, this gives you easy access to your data from any computer around the world, meaning you don’t need a huge hard drive any longer.
Computers often go on sale around the holidays. If you can wait, buy your laptop on Black Friday. Look at all the sales ads and check prices online. You may be able to get a better quality computer at a lower price. Remember, these are usually one-day deals that must be purchased at a specific time of day.
A standard sound card will likely cut it for your needs. Unless you work in the music industry, the quality of the sound which is produced by a standard card will be up to snuff. If you just want to watch movies, TV shows, or listen to music, don’t pay for anything extra.
If you ever use a public hotspot or a restaurant’s Wi-Fi, ask an employee the name of the network. Sometimes, hackers and criminals set up their own wireless network in a public place, hoping to lure in unsuspecting victims that just assume it to be legit. Make sure you are always using the right Internet connection.
When shopping for a laptop, don’t rule out brick and mortar retailers. While it’s typically true that things (especially electronics) are cheaper online, it’s not always true with laptops. Check at least three local stores that sell computers to get an idea of their available models and prices that week.
Now you will be able to see that laptops can be simple to understand if you have the right information. The main thing is to buy a laptop that fits your needs as you are the one who will be working with it. Print this article and carry it with you while shopping for your laptop.