A laptop is a portable computer. They are perfect to bring to work, to school, to a meeting, or to just about anywhere that you have the need for technology. When you have the need for a laptop, you want it to do what it needs to do. Read on for some helpful laptop tips you can use.
If you don’t understand something in the description of a laptop, give the company a call. This will get you the answer to your question, and you’ll also be able to get in touch with customer service. The company’s customer service may help you determine whether that is a company you want to do business with.
Consider if your laptop will be your primary computer. If it will, you might want to spend more to get a bigger hard drive, more RAM and an increased number of features. If it will only be a secondary computer, used from time to time when you are on the road, you can get away with something less updated and less expensive.
Always check battery life expectations for a laptop. If you are often on the go, having the longest battery life possible will be imperative. The specs that you see for battery usage can often refer to a laptop running at minimal settings. Look at the specs and judge this based on your expected needs.
Think about size when you choose a new laptop. Laptops typically range from 13 inches to a bit over 17 inches when diagonally measured. If you want to use the laptop as a replacement for your desktop, a 17 inch monitor is likely the best for you. If you want portability, then choose a smaller 13″ laptop.
People sometimes forget to look at the keyboard when they purchase a new laptop. Take the time to look closely at the way the keys are set up. They will be in different locations depending on the brand of laptop. Make sure that the keyboard has all the keys that you need and they are in easy to access locations.
If you need to squeeze as much life as possible from your laptop and a recharge is far away, then set your screen to the dimmest setting possible. This will effectively double your battery life. It has been shown that the screen uses the majority of the laptop’s battery power.
Look for a laptop with a hard drive that will offer the kind of storage you need. Laptops are designed for portability, which means you do not want to drag an external hard drive as well. Understand that software, music and videos take a lot of space, and target a hard drive that will give you ample storage.
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.
Be careful when dealing with add-ons. Some laptop manufacturers may sell additional add-ons. Without proper research on them, you shouldn’t consider them. It may seem beneficial to get a scanner, printer, camera, etc. you could pay a premium for the add-ons, or something like ink for the printer. Do proper research to make sure anything extra suits your needs so that you don’t waste money. Be careful with free add-ons. You need to make sure they don’t have a price that’s just added to the total computer price.
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.
If you shop online, be sure to calculate shipping costs into your budget. Many stores will ship new computers for free, but used computers often come with a shipping and handling fee. This has to be included in the total price if you plan to compare used machines to new.
The graphics chip should be considered in whatever computer you buy. If you only need basic functionality from a laptop, then an integrated graphics card is enough. A high-performance chip is required for video gaming and watching movies. Generally speaking, gaming laptops and workstations will have the very best graphics chips on the market.
Check out the keyboard before purchasing a laptop. Play around with it and find out if it is comfortable for you. Is there enough space between the keys? Do you like the touchpad, which is used as the mouse? A great laptop could be useless if you do not like the keyboard.
Make sure to always keep liquids away from your laptop. If any liquid gets on the keyboard of your laptop you could have more than just a mess on your hands. The liquid can fry your laptop’s components. You can protect your laptop from any spills with a plastic, custom-built laptop cover.
The portable computer, also known as a laptop can come in quite handy for many different reasons. In order to make sure your computer is what you need it to be, you should take some things into consideration. The tips shared in this article can come in quite handy for you.
