Essential Laptop Buying Guide
by Nico S. on 2012-07-03
Hey there!
If you fancy yourself buying a new laptop, there are things you need to watch out for.
Right now, the world of technology is fluctuating due to many factors. Remember the popular netbooks? Where are they now? They’re virtually found nowhere. It’s as if the world has moved on, thanks to ultrabooks. That’s what’s hip right now - sleek, powerful devices that deliver plenty of performance.
Just like shopping for cars, guitars and other stuff, you need to take into account several factors before you head right into the market.
Here are some factors to guide you when buying your laptop.
Operating System
One of the first things to ask is, “am I a Windows or Mac kind of guy?”
Microsoft and Apple have been competing for a long time now, and both have their own advantages.
If you’re a Windows kind of guy ever since you grew up, then I suggest that you should just stick with it. That way, the learning curve won’t be too steep, especially once Windows 8 rolls out of the factory.
The same goes for Apple users. If you’re accustomed to how things work in the world of Apple, then just stick to it too. Everything will feel seamless, especially since they have a new OS coming out, Mountain Lion.
But if you’re going to make the jump to the other side, then go ahead and try. There’s no shame in trying out alternatives.
My suggestion is that you should borrow a laptop from a friend who has a Microsoft or Apple computer and see if you like it. That way, you can decide what to choose.
Size
Another thing to take into account is the size.
Do you like big laptops or small laptops? It all depends on you.
Some people like big laptops because they don’t move around that much anyway. For travelers, small laptops are preferable, but there is a compromise in performance.
Your best bet would be a 15 – inch laptop that has ample performance, but won’t look dumb trying to play any movies.
Features
To decide on the features, figure out what kind of laptop user you are first.
Are you a gamer? Or are you just a casual user?
The amount of power needed for the laptop you will choose is dictated by your using habits. Obviously, you don’t want to buy an underpowered laptop if you’re a hardcore gamer. You’re going to need a laptop that has everything you need, such as the latest processors and dual video cards.
For casual users, you can go light on the parts, but you still need to have some push if you want to do heavy multitasking. You never know when that extra RAM might come in handy.
Conclusion
If price isn’t an issue, then these 3 factors are the ones you should take into account.
The most important thing though, is to take your time in picking the laptop you want to buy. When you make the right pick, it’s a truly wonderful investment to have that’ll help you in the long run.
TThomas Sagan is a resident blogger of Cash for Laptops. His love of video games led to his passion for desktops, and eventually laptops. Occasionally, he tinkers with his computer too. During his college days, he was a writer for his college paper, focusing on music and film. These days, you’ll find him studying hard for his MA in Communications and passionately playing Team Fortress 2.
