February 18th, 2009 by admin

In the market for a laptop computer? Sometimes the answer to that question seems to be ‘Who isn’t?’
If you’ve only owned a desktop computer and you are interested in purchasing a discount laptop computer, there are a few things you should know. There are some significant differences between desktop computers and laptop computers. There are things to look for in a laptop that you didn’t need to look for in a desktop computer. If you do not want to regret your purchase you should read this!
Here’s a breakdown of some of the ’specs’ that you should give special heed to when shopping for laptops:
Size and Weight
If you plan to carry the laptop with you often, it is important to consider the size and weight of the machine. Usually a discount notebook computer will be a bit smaller, lighter and easier to carry than other available models. The smaller the laptop, the smaller (and less costly) the tote bag that you can purchase for it.
Screen Size
A 15.4 inch screen has been a typical laptop screen size for years now. However, many laptops are employing larger screens in order to enhance the enjoyment of mobile video applications and DVDs. Although larger screens are very nice, they extract a considerable toll on battery run-time, laptop size and weight.
Contemplate your computational requirements.
Even a hard drive that is slightly bigger and a bit more RAM in a laptop will add a noticeable cost to the unit, so it pays to purchase only as much as you need. RAM and hard drive size demands vary according to how one uses the machine. If you are going to use a laptop for only email and word processing, you may get by with one of the discount notebook computers which are little, have less RAM, hard drive space, and a nice but not too expensive CPU. Going on from there, we’ve got the business class units that are designed for PowerPoint presentations, video, business graphics, and more. If you want to use a laptop to engage friends in some sort of online gaming using recent games on the market, though, you will need more horsepower. In such cases, think about getting either a high-end system that is made for gaming from companies like Alienware, or else go with a ‘white box’ custom gaming laptop built specifically for your needs.
Lifespan of cells
If you plan to be on the road a lot without frequent access to an electrical outlet, be sure to purchase a laptop that has a battery life that meets your needs. Some newer units come with longer-lasting 12-cell batteries as opposed to the older 4 and 6-cell batteries. Of course, these are also more expensive.
Warranty Considerations
In addition to cost and size, you must also consider warranties and expected longevity of the laptop. Make sure that you know the full conditions of the warranty. Usually, the standard warranty is limited in regard to the screen should you drop the laptop and the screen cracks. Also, most standard warranties are only 1 year warranties with you covering the shipping cost to the repair facility. Optional extended warranties are usually sold that cover screen protection as well as overnight pickup/return service to and from the repair facility. Though these are not cheap options, you will need to carefully evaluate whether it makes sense to acquire the extended warranty in your situation.
Hopefully these tips will steer you toward the laptop that’s just right for you. Good luck and enjoy your new laptop!

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