What to look for when buying a laptop   

Buying a laptop can be an intimidating task because there are a lot of models to choose from. You'll also be dealing with numbers, specifications and terms that you probably aren't familiar with. So let's look at the most important and relevant things you should be looking for when buying a laptop.

Weight and Dimension

Laptops are designed to be mobile and this is probably one of your reasons why you want to buy one in the first place. You should be able to bring a laptop anywhere you want without exerting too much effort carrying it around. Therefor a heavy laptop pretty much defeats the purpose of having one. Get a desktop if you need speed and power. Also, consider the dimensions of the laptop. Will it fit comfortably into your bag? Or is it too heavy to put into your backpack when you're riding to work? A nice, slim model will suit you best if you're looking to transport it around town.

Processor Speed

The processor is the command centre and the most important part of a computer. There was a time when processors in laptops were significantly slower than that of an average PC. This has changes and a high specification laptop can keep up witht with the latest desktops. The processor you need will depend on what type of work you will use the laptop for. If you intend to use it for word processing, spreadsheet calculations or for browsing the net, a single core processor will be sufficient. Otherwise, if you require multi-tasking and need to load multiple software applications at the same time, or need to process audio and video files, a multiple core processor (dual core and up) will be a good choice.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Most laptops being offered today have an average RAM of 2GB. This is sufficient for basic computing, internet browsing and even multi-tasking. But you can never have enough RAM because it allows the processor to work faster by not having to access the hard drive for memory. However, install more than 4GB of RAM and you will require a 64-bit capable processor and a 64-bit version of the operating system. Like the new version of Windows 7, for example. Check also if the laptop has memory expansion slots so you can upgrade in the future.

Wireless Networking

Most laptops today come with wireless networking capability. In fact, you would need a very ow specification laptop not to have this device already installed. A WiFi chip enables you to share files and other resources wirelessly. And of course, connect to the internet. You may also have 3G capability. This allows you to use the connect to the internet over the mobile phone network - although it isn't very quick and it's usually pretty expensice, it can help you out when there isn't a wireless connection available.

Hard Drive

Deciding on hard drive capacity is very simple. A large capacity hard drive should be your choice because it can store more programs, pictures, music, video and general files. There really isn't any downside to a larger hard drive.

The above items are just a few basic things to check out when buying a laptop. But there really isn't too much to it other than price and your budget!

Back to DIY articles