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/ PC Hardware Tips
Buying
a Laptop Computer?
Features To Consider
Many
people decide to buy a laptop computer because it offers
flexibility and portability. Laptops are most suited for
those who do light computer work such as surfing the internet,
word processing, accounting, and to help manage bills and
home organization. There are many features available now
on laptops that used to be available on top-line PC computers.
When choosing a laptop that is right for the job, consider
these top things to look for in a laptop before purchasing.
Laptop
computers are often a perfect choice for those wishing to
work from anywhere whether it is in a plane, a car or in
meetings. This type of computer can also be suitable if you
are looking to replace an older desktop computer and require
more processing power and memory.
Price
is the first thing to consider when purchasing a new laptop. Basic
laptops with minimal memory can be purchased for much less
than a laptop with complex programs and very high speed
and memory. Consider what you will use the computer for.
Will it be a primary household computer or will it manage
your business? Will it be the computer the kids will use
when completing school assignments? If you are looking
for a computer to help do basic computer functions such
as word processing and Internet access, you may not need
to spend the extra money for added memory.
Also, consider
the physical size of the laptop. If you need to
travel with your laptop on a regular basis, look into the
more compact versions, also called ultra portable. These
ultra portable laptops often weigh in at less than 3-1/2
pounds. A heavier laptop might be too cumbersome when traveling
with other luggage. Some of the larger laptop versions
can weigh up to ten pounds or more.
Also,
if you travel frequently with your laptop, look into
laptops equipped for wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi. Most
laptops now come with Wi-Fi capabilities. This is usually
crucial for people who travel often and need access to the
Internet. One type of Wi-Fi is Intel’s Centrino. This is
a good choice for those needing a longer Internet access
time. These computers can stay on between four and six hours
on one charge.
The
next thing to look for in a laptop is the processing speed. More
expensive computers will have faster speed. There is a
wide range of different processor names. A Pentium 4 processor
is common on older versions of the laptop. While it is
powerful, the battery will only last about two hours before
requiring recharge. The Pentium 4-M is a little less powerful,
but they hold a charge longer and are lighter in weight
than some of their counterparts. An Intel Pentium M will
run slower than a Pentium 4, but cost less and often does
just as well. Both the Celeron and the Celeron M are made
by Intel and are cost effective. These however, will be
much slower than the Pentium chips. For top of the line
speed, check into the Athlon 64 made by AMD. These are
very fast and much more expensive than other chips.
Another
thing to look for when choosing a laptop is the port. The
Universal Serial Bus or USB for short are used for the
mouse, digital cameras, and the printer. The FireWire is
used for digital video and external high-speed hard drive.
It is recommended that a laptop should have both of these
built in. The USB 2.0 is faster than the older 1.1. It
is not recommended to get a parallel port for laptops,
as this can cost more and add unnecessary bulk to the computer.
Another added connector that you will want to add to a
laptop is an Ethernet and a video output connector used
for projectors and high speed connection.
When
looking at RAM, (random access memory), get at least 256
megabytes. If you spend a lot of time on the laptop,
choose 512 megabytes of RAM. If you plan to store a large
amount of video, music or photos, you should opt for a
larger amount of RAM. For gaming purposes, try a video
card with at least 32 MB of RAM. The general rule with
memory is that the more RAM the computer has, the better
off you are.
CD
and DVD drives are also an important part of choosing a
laptop. Most of the readers are built in. These
are used for installing software, playing music, and to
read multimedia projects. Laptops with DVD players can
play movies and create CDs. If this is something you need
for your computer, it is better to buy it already installed.
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