How to Buy Your Perfect Laptop!

How to Buy Your Perfect Laptop!
My friend came up to me a couple weeks ago and asked me to assist him in finding the perfect laptop on a very limited budget. Being the local tech guy in my community, I often get questions from people who are planning to either upgrade to a new laptop, or buy their first one. Anyone who has faced this situation knows that in most cases the person knows very little about what exactly they need or want, EXCEPT it can’t cost more than $—-.– .

The first concept that should be considered in any “Perfect Laptop for Me Plan” has got to be budget. This will set in motion the whole process of determining what features and extras you should be looking for in your laptop. If the budget is smaller, the ability to have the deluxe version with the build in coffeemaker may not be possible.
The second concept would be to determine what the primary use of the Laptop will be. If the laptop is destined to be a business laptop, travel would be a main concern. Mobility, smaller size and longer battery life will be key issues, while a person buying a laptop for gaming will be more concerned about bigger screen size, graphics power, and the size of the processor. The circumstances must be known to fully decide on every feature.
Look for the deals! If your budget is $700, look for a laptop that is on sale from $800.00. You still hold your budget, but you squeak in that extra feature, or hardware upgrade for no extra price.

A Quick Run Down On Planning:

1.    Budget: Everything is determined from this point.

2.    The Laptops Primary Planned Use
The Traveler: Think Mobility: Smaller Size, Longer Battery Life, Durability
The Gamer: Think Process Power: Better Graphic Card, Bigger Processor, Bigger Screen
(256+ MB separate video card memory)
The Student: Think Hybrid – Students need Mobility, but Students will play just hard as they work!

Thinks to keep in mind:
- Windows Vista should have at minimum of 2 gigs of Ram. It can run on less, but the performance will suffer. RAM: Minimum of 2 Gigs in my opinion.
-Even the most basic laptops now have at least 160 Gigs of Hard Drive Space.
-Processor speed isn’t the only component. Intel Core 2 Duo running at 2.0GHz is unimaginably superior to a Pentium D running at 2.0GHz.
-Something you consider as a small detail, such as a built in webcam, might be a critical aspect to the person you helping, so consult, consult, and consult.

3.    Once the fine details have been worked out of what the laptop needs to achieve and be able to handle, hit the Net running. Compare prices, features, hardware, and stores flyers in your area. Don’t stick to one brand, but try to look at every possibility to try to find the perfect blend that is just right for you. Look for DEALS! If you find a laptop that you think is right but you’re not 100%, give it time to sink in. Search a little more; it’s not going to hurt. Only once you’re crystal clear that you’ve found “THE ONE” go out and buy it, but right until that moment keep your options open and keep searching.

4.    Always remember the pesky costs that are always forgotten. Taxes play a big role in more expensive items, the extended warranty, recycling costs charge.

5.    Once you’ve, or they’ve decided that they have found the perfect laptop…Retrieve it and enjoy. There will always be a better laptop, so once you’ve went out and bought one don’t regret not getting that other one with the built in coffeemaker, just enjoy yours.

Have fun and enjoy your laptop.