Before buying your first laptop, learn about the latest laptop features including processor speed, rapid start, big screen and wireless functionality.

1. Laptop Buying Tips

2. What tolook for
Whenpurchasinga computer,it islikely thatyouare going to
havea generalidea ofwhatyou maylike in thecomputeror
howyouwouldlike toconfigure thecomputer.Belowis a
listing ofthe variouscomponentslikely tobe foundin a
computer,and recommendationsandtips whenconsidering
anyof thebelowcomponents.

3. Battery usage
Determine howlong thebatteryis expected tolastunder
normal use. Manymanufacturerswillindicateabattery
usage timebutthis maybe atthe lowestpossible settings;
ensure thatthemanufacturerclarifies whatthe standard
batteryusage life is when usingthe portablecomputerin all
powermodes.

4. Display
All portable computers come witha display. Whileit is almost
always possible to hook up an externalmonitor whentraveling
withthe laptop, the display is an important consideration. When
looking at thedisplay, ensure it is large enoughfor your needs. A
very easy methodof reducing thecost of thelaptop is to reduce
the size of the screen, unless price is an importantconsideration
we highly suggest thatyou purchase a laptop with at least a 12" or
larger LCD and recommend an LCDsize of 14".

5. Drives
Drives aresometimes overlookedwhenconsidering a
portablecomputerbutcan bean importantconsideration.
Portablecomputerscancome withvariousdrive
configurations,for example:

6. • One drive bay where theCD-ROMand the Floppy drive are
interchangeable.For users who utilizethe floppy drive often,
this may be an issue; however, for other users who do not
utilizethe floppy, this may be a more appropriate solution as
thecomputer will be lighterand thinnerwith onedrive bay.
• Two drive bay portable computers have a floppy solutionas
wellas CD-ROMsolutions. These computers willbe a less
expensive computer whencompared to theother solutions;
however, it is thealways the heaviest of all thesolutions.
• No drive bay portable computers allow for a laptop to be
extremelylight and utilizeexternaldrives insteadof internal.
Pay close attentionto theprice of theselaptops; whileit may
appear to be a portable solution, many manufacturerswill
charge you an additionalprice for theexternal drives, which
will eventuallybe needed.

7. Hard drive
Hard drives have and always will be an importantconsideration to
thinkaboutwhen purchasing a new portable computer. Like a
standard computer, thehard drive will bethedestinationof all
your files and information,and if thatdrive is to become full, that
drive must bereplaced or another externaldrive needs to be
added to the computer. Whenlooking at the space of thehard
drive, always get themaximumsize hard drive, considering you
will eventuallyalways run outof space.

8. Lock
Does the portablecomputerincludeanylocking system?If
yes, whatlocking system is included?This canbeimportant
for users whoareon theroad.

9. Memory
Memory is andhas alwaysbeen animportantconsideration
whenlooking atpurchasing acomputer.Determine the
amountof memory includedin thecomputeras well as
verify if thatmemory canbe upgradedinthe future.The
more memory thecomputerhas, the moreefficientthe
computeris capableor running.

10. Modem
If amodemis required,ensure thatamodemis includedwith
theportablecomputer.Inaddition,verify ifthe modemis an
internal orPC-CARD(PCMCIA)modemas youmayrequire
all the availablePC-CARDslots inthe future. PC-CARD
modems are typeII.

11. NetworkCard
If a networkconnectionis required, ensure thata networkcard is
includedwiththe portable computer. In addition, verify if the
network card is an internalor PC-CARD (PCMCIA) network card as
you may require all theavailable PC-CARDslots inthe future.
Network PC-CARDsare type II thatfor most computers allows for
an additional type II to be connected.

12. Processor
Thecomputerprocessoris andwill alwaysbe animportant
considerationwhenpurchasinga computer.Today,with
multiple CPU/Processormanufacturers,it maybe more
confusingas wellas more costefficient tolook atthe
different processors available.

13. Sound card
Sound cards are important when lookingat purchasing a
computer; however, the majority of all computer users will find
thatmost standard sound cards will suit theirneeds. However,
some users may enjoypurchasing more advanced sounds cards
thatwill increase the amountof speakers thatcan be used and in
some games and programs and the sound quality and capabilities.

14. Weight
Weight is anotherimportantconsiderationwhenconsidering
a portableas thecomputerwill becarried;thelighter the
portablecomputer,themore easy itwill be tocarry.

15. Video card
Videocards arebecomingan extremelyimportantfactorwhen
purchasing a computer.Whilethis maysurprise some,a video card can
makeor break acomputer whenit comestoplayinggameson the
computer.Mostgamestodayrequire additionalvideomemoryas well
as specialvideo modessuch as OpenGL. With avideocard withlittle
videomemoryor withoutthesemodes,the computerwillbeunableto
playthesegames.In addition,the advances in videocards can
dramaticallyincreasethe user enjoymentofthegamebeingplayed.