Purchasing a home or business laptop can be a much more
confusing and sometimes frightening experience as most users today have
some experience with a desktop computer but not as many have experience with a
laptop, what is properly known as a portable computer. Portable computers
are an excellent solution for anyone who needs to be portable and have all of
their information on a small computer. Below is a listing of help and tips
when considering to purchase a laptop computer.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
When purchasing a computer, it is likely that you will have a
general idea of what you may like in the computer or how you would like to
configure the computer. Below is a listing of the various components likely
to be found in a computer, and recommendations and tips when considering any
of the below components.
Device
Short recommendation
Battery Usage
A very important consideration for any
users that need to have a working laptop on the road or in the air.
Verify when purchasing a portable computer how long the battery
lasts. Be cautious, as many manufacturers will indicate a battery
usage time but this may be at the lowest possible settings;
ensure that the manufacturer clarifies what the standard battery
usage life is when using the portable computer in all power modes.
Display
All portable computers come with a type
of display. While it is almost always possible to hook up an
external monitor when traveling with the laptop, the display is an
important consideration. When looking at the display, ensure it is
large enough for your needs. A very easy method of reducing the cost
of the laptop is to reduce the size of the screen, unless price is
an very important consideration we highly suggest that you purchase
a laptop with at least a 12" or lager LCD and recommend an LCD
size of 14"
Complete buying tip information on Flat Panel / LCD solutions can be found
on our flat panel buying tips page.
Drives
Drives are sometimes overlooked when
considering a portable computer but can be an important
consideration. Portable computers can come with various drive
configurations, for example:
One drive bay where the CD-ROM and the Floppy drive are
interchangeable. For users who utilize the floppy drive often,
this may be an issue; however, for other users who do not utilize
the floppy, this may be a more appropriate solution as the
computer will generally be lighter and thinner with one drive
bay.
Two drive bay portable computers generally have a
floppy solution as well as CD-ROM solutions. These
computers will generally be a less expensive computer when compared
to the other solutions; however, it is the generally always the heaviest
of all the solutions.
No drive bay portable computers allow for a laptop to
be extremely light and utilize external drives instead of
internal. Pay close attention to the price of these laptops;
while it may appear to be a portable solution, many manufacturers
will charge you an additional price for the external drives,
which will eventually be needed.
Finally, some users may also want to consider different media
solutions. For example, many laptops allow for a standard floppy
drive or an LS120 drive. The LS120 drive can read floppy diskettes
and at the same time be used as a backup storage device as it
can store up to 120MB on a LS120 diskette. Additionally consider the
option of a DVD* or CD-RW drive as opposed to a CD-ROM drive.
*If you are considering a DVD solution, verify if the DVD comes
with hardware or software decoding. Hardware decoding for laptops is
accomplished by using a PCMCIA card and will add onto the overall
price of the laptop.
Hard Drive
Hard drives have and always will be an
important consideration to think about when purchasing a new
portable computer. Like a standard computer, the hard drive will be the destination of
all your files and information, and if that drive is to become full,
that drive will need to be replaced or another drive will need to be
added to the computer. When looking at the space of the hard drive,
always get the maximum size hard drive, considering you will
eventually always run out of space.
Does the portable computer include any
type of locking system? If yes, what type of locking system is
included? This can be very important for users who are on the road.
Memory
Memory is and has always been an
important consideration when looking at purchasing a computer.
Determine the amount of memory included in the computer as well as
verify if that memory can be upgraded in the future. The more memory
the computer has, the more efficient the computer will run.
Complete buying tip information on computer memory can be found
on our memory buying tips page.
Modem
If a modem is required, ensure that a
modem is included with the portable computer. In addition, verify if
the modem is an internal or PC-CARD (PCMCIA) modem as you may
require all the available PC-CARD slots in the future. PC-CARD
modems are Type II that for most computers will allow for an
additional Type II to be connected.
Complete buying tips and information on modems can be found on
our modem buying tips page.
Network Card
If a network connection is required,
ensure that a network card is included with the portable
computer. In addition, verify if the network card is an
internal or PC-CARD (PCMCIA) network card as you may require all the
available PC-CARD slots in the future. Network PC-CARDs are Type II
that for most computers will allow for an additional Type II to be
connected.
The computer processor is and will
always be an important consideration when purchasing a computer.
Today, with multiple CPU/Processor manufacturers, it may be more
confusing as well as more cost efficient to look at the different
processor manufacturers as well as the type of computer processors.
Complete buying tips and information on computer processors can be found
on our CPU buying tips page.
Sound Card
Sound cards are important when looking
at purchasing a computer; however, the majority of all computer users
will find that most standard sound cards will suit their needs.
However, some users may enjoy purchasing more advanced sounds cards
that will increase the amount of speakers that can be used and in
some games and programs and the sound quality and capabilities.
When looking at the sound aspect of a portable computer, many
laptops do not have sufficient sound and will require external
speakers or headphones. Ensure that the sound quality meets your
needs.
Weight
Weight is a very important consideration
when considering a portable as the computer will generally be
carried; the lighter the portable computer, the more easy it will be to
carry.
Video Card
Video cards are becoming an extremely
important factor when purchasing a computer. While this may surprise
some, a video card can make or break a computer when it comes to
playing games on the computer. Most games today require additional
video memory as well as special video modes such as OpenGL. With a
video card with little video memory or without these modes, the
computer will be unable to play these games. In addition, the
advances in video cards can dramatically increase the user enjoyment
of the game being played.
When looking at purchasing a portable computer, you
will likely hear different stories, some good and some bad. Regardless if
the story is good or bad, these stories are always based off of the
experience of that user. While it may be true that the user had a bad or
terrible experience with that computer, all computer manufacturers have had
users who have had a bad experience and there is no such thing as a bad or
perfect computer manufacturer. Below is a listing of various things to
consider when purchasing a computer, and in some cases, how to tell the good
from the bad and help allow you to purchase the portable computer that will
suit your needs.
Add-ons
Some computer manufacturers may try to
sell additional add-ons when purchasing a portable computer. Unless you have
done your research on the additional add-on, do not consider the
add-on. While in some cases it may be beneficial to get a printer, scanner,
camera or PC Cards with a computer, you may be paying
premium for the additional add-on, or in the case of the printer, you may
have to pay premium on the ink in the future. Do you research,
ensure that if you get an additional hardware / add-ons that the
hardware will suit your needs and that it does not end up being something
that is not going to be used.
Free add-ons? Some computer companies may entice you into
purchasing a computer by giving you free add-ons. These add-ons may
be advertised as free, however, ensure or ask if the add-on price is
not just being added to the overall computer price.
Documentation
While most manufacturers today are
reducing the amount of documentation included with their computers, an
excellent question, especially if the computer is being purchased by
a new computer user, is "what type of documentation is included
with the computer?"
All computer manufacturers will include some type of paper
documentation or paper inserts; however, does this information
include documentation about upgrading the computer in the future?
How to connect the cables to the computer? Documentation on how to
use the software such as the additional included software?
Note: It is important to distinguish between paper documentation
and on-line documentation. On-line documentation, which is being
found more today, is information that is either locally on the
computer or can be accessed via the Internet. If the information is
available over the Internet, see how that information looks and if it
suits your needs before purchasing the computer.
Location
We use location to
describe several different topics. First, what is the location of
where the computer is purchased: If the computer is purchased at a
local retail store, can the computer be returned to that store if unsatisfactory?
If the computer is purchased through mail order or
directly through the computer manufacturer or reseller, where can the
computer be returned if unsatisfactory?
Second, can the store location of where the computer was
purchased service the computer? If not where is the closest location
to where the computer can be serviced?
Third, if the computer is purchased directly from the computer
manufacturer and is shipped through mail, how is it shipped?
What is the time period for the computer to arrive to your
destination? What happens if the computer is damaged during
shipping?
Refurbished
Refurbished is a term used to describe a
computer or a hardware device or component in a computer that has
been used; however, it has been looked at and determined to be in working order.
However, because the product has been used or purchased, it cannot be
sold as new.
Refurbished computers will have a lower price and are generally a
good deal for users who may not have a lot of money to spend on a
new computer. It is important, however, to compare the price of the
refurbished computer to a new computer as well as to review all of
the tips on this page as all the same rules, tricks and tips still
apply.
Service
Service is an important consideration to
look at when looking to purchase a computer, new or used. The
service is how many companies describe the repair of a computer if
it or a component within it is to become broken. Below is a listing
of what types of service to look for:
What type of service is offered? Is the service onsite,
meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or
fix a bad component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete
time of the warranty?
If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long?
Can the computer be taken to a local service center? If yes,
what is the closest authorized service center?
What is the time frame the service takes to occur? For example,
if the computer has a bad component, what is the time it will
take for a technician to come onsite and replace that component,
or what is the time it will take to have the computer sent
in to be fixed? Finally, if that time frame is not accomplished,
what is the company willing to do? Would they be willing to provide you with
a loaned computer?
Because the computer is a portable computer, is International
Service available? This will allow users who may be in a
different country to have their computer fixed in that country.
Software
Software, for many computer users
especially new users, is thought to be an important consideration
when purchasing a new computer. Granted there is software
that we highly recommend looking for when purchasing a
computer, such as word processor or spread sheet program, some
computer companies may over hype the software package. Below is a
listing of what to look for when looking at the software included
with a computer.
Does the software include Microsoft Office or Corel Suite?
These packages allow you to have a word processor and/or a
spread sheet. For the majority of all users, this should be an
important consideration.
Is the software full versions of the software or is the
software demo programs or shareware programs?
Support
While you can always contact Computer
Hope for support, manufacturer support for most users will be a very
important consideration, as if an issue arises with the computer, you
must be able to be able to contact a support representative. Things
to consider when looking at the support options of a computer are:
Is support open 24 hours, 7 days a week? If not, what are the
hours?
Is support open on holidays? If not, what days are it closed?
What support options are available? Phone? E-mail? Web? Chat?
Upgrade ability
While this option may not be considered
at first when purchasing a computer, it is an important
consideration. Below is a listing of different options to look for
when looking to upgrade a portable computer.
What can be upgraded in the computer? RAM? CPU? Hard Drive? If available to upgrade,
what are the maximum amounts or is it specified within documentation provided with the
computer?
Are the upgrades something that the end-user can do or does it
require a service center to install?
Warranty
Finally, what warranty is offered by the
computer manufacturer? How long is the warranty? Does the warranty
cover both hardware and software issues?
Warranty can cause frustrations for most users. We highly
recommend that a computer only be considered if it has at least
a one-year warranty. Many cheap computers will only come with a 90
day warranty; meaning if a part goes bad, you will have to pay for
the part as well as the service. This may not be an issue for users
who just need a cheap computer and are willing to replace parts and
service the computer.
SCAMS
Unfortunately, like anything, it is possible to be tricked or
for computer companies to scam you. Below is a listing of what to look for
when purchasing a computer.
Get what you pay for - Ensure that the product
you are purchasing is what you are paying for. It has been known that
computer companies may list a processor being a specific speed but
may actually have a different speed into the computer. This,
unfortunately, can be very easy as any user can 'over clock' a
processor, making it appear as one speed but in reality being a
completely different speed. For example, you may buy a 733MHz processor
but instead get a 500MHz.
To determine the processor speed, open the computer and look at the
processor itself. Do not look at the processor through a software
program or through BIOS as these values can be changed or tricked.
Legal software - When purchasing a computer,
ensure it comes with legal software. Many end-users or small computer
companies who build or sell computers may not provide you with legal
copies of the software, which is illegal. Verify that the software that
came with your computer is on a standard CD and not a burnt CD. A
burnt or home-made CD will generally be a different looking CD and
have a gold or green bottom. Ensure that if the software requires a
license or registration number that it was included with the computer.
An example of software that includes these certificates is Microsoft
Office and Windows.
