7 Questions You Need To Ask Before Buying A Notebook Computer

By: Sabir Rizvi

If you are planning to purchase a notebook computer, then there are seven key questions that you will need to ask yourself. Doing this will enable you to arrive at the kind of quality notebook that best suits your purposes and current budget.

1 - How portable, how powerful?

The issue of size and weight will determine how easily you will be able to carry around your notebook computer. After all, one of the reasons why you may have decided to purchase a notebook computer in the first place, is most probably based on the issue of portability. You will need to strike a balance based on your needs and requirements between ultra-portables and desktop replacements. The former offer very small-sized and light weight computers but will often sacrifice a number of items in achieving this. For instance they will tend to get rid of optical drives, among other items that may be important to you. With desktop replacements they will usually tend to be heavy and bulky making them a little difficult to carry around.

2 - What should be the processor speed and type?

The processor speed will contribute heavily to how fast you will be able to accomplish tasks on your notebook computer. If your notebook is meant to be mainly a web browser, with word processing and maybe a DVD player, then any processor that has a speed of 1 GHz or more should work. However if you have in mind a desktop replacement then you will need a high-end processor of 1.6 GHz or higher.

Secondly the type of processor is an important consideration too. Processors based on Centrino technology consume less power and yield improved battery lifetime.

3 - What Screen size, what resolution?

It is important to check the resolution of the screen on the notebook you are purchasing. Everybody would like a larger screen but some large screens have such a high resolution that it is counterproductive and makes the reading of standard fonts difficult. You will also have to remember that the larger the screen the heavier and more difficult to carry your laptop computer will be.

4 - Should the notebook have a convincing optical drive?

In laptops nowadays, the choice of optical drives is important. Laptops have these days been turned into portable DVD players with the DVD-ROM or CD-RW/DVD combo drive. They can even be plugged into a home theater system. The problem is that many ultra-portable laptops quite often lack an internal optical drive to save on space.

5 - Do you require redundant ways to access the Internet?

Ability to connect to the Internet is a key feature. You should be careful to look for systems that include a built-in 56 Kbps modem and Fast Ethernet. If you wish, you can go further and look for a computer with an integrated 802.11 b/g wireless adapter because locations with hotspots for connectivity are rapidly and constantly growing.

6 - How long would you be away from the mains on average?

A portable computer with less than two hours of computing time on a single charge is a big waste. You should look to get a system with at least 3-4 hours of battery life.

7 - What Warranty options should you be looking at?

Because laptops are moved around a lot, they are much more likely to break down. Many people make this mistake with laptops because we hardly follow up on the warranty for PCs. Remember that laptops are different because they take much more abuse on the go. So you should ensure that you get at least a one year warranty from the manufacturer.

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Finding the Best Laptop Computer

If you are in the market, then youll want to find the best laptop computer for you. Note that last phrase "for you" because it is a critical part of the purchase process. Too often people interpret "best" in the wrong way - most expensive, slickest, fastest, or state-of-the-art bleeding edge technology. The best notebook computers are tools that meet your own needs without unneeded features or expenses. So begin at the beginning.

First, you need to consider your budget. The best laptop computer for a college student is unlikely to be in the same price range as a machine that a graphics designer needs. Most people probably overestimate their needs and end up either paying too much or paying for the wrong features. Before you start narrowing things down, settle on your budget. A college student probably doesnt need to spend a small fortune on top of their other expenses. You should also be sure you truly need a laptop and, if so, whether it will be your only machine. If most of your work will be done on a desk top machine and you only need a laptop when traveling, you should be able to keep your costs down. But, if its going to be the machine you do everything on, you will likely have to spend more.

The only real advantage to a notebook computer is that they are portable. They are more expensive than desktop systems to begin with and they are also harder (and more expensive) to repair or upgrade. For a college student they can be essential if you need to carry one to class and take it with you on vacations or trips home. If you work in multiple locations without desktop systems in each, you also need a laptop. If you travel and need a computer on your trips, you sure dont want to lug a desktop with you. Weight can be an issue to consider if you plan to do a lot of carrying. But there can be a trade-off - lightweight often means a smaller screen and keyboard and shorter battery life.

In terms of budget you do have some choices you may not have thought of that can reduce your cost or get you more machine than you expected. Discontinued models, older models, and factory reconditioned notebook computers are often available at substantial discounts. Last years best notebook computers are often this years best deal. If you do look at reconditioned machines make sure they were reconditioned by the manufacturer and come with the same warranty a new machine has. Ive used the same factory reconditioned notebook daily for close to 5 years - it was an incredibly good deal so keep the possibility in mind.

Now you need to analyze what you are going to use your laptop for: will you be doing a lot of intensive data applications or graphics applications; do you need it to play high end games; will you be using in places or in ways that may require a ruggedized system; will you just be primarily writing documents, using the internet and doing email; do you need wireless connectivity; what external devices might you connect and what kind of connectors do they need; do you need to be able to write DVDs/CDs or just read them. You may also want to consider whether how the laptop looks is important. That may seem superficial, but under certain circumstances such as high level business meetings, style could be an important feature of your best laptop computer.

The more complex and intense the applications are that you will be using, the faster a CPU and the more RAM and hard disk space you may need. Operating systems and programs are using more and more CPU, memory and disk space all the time so this is not a trivial issue. These days Id suggest that a minimum configuration should include at least a 1.5 GHz CPU, 1 Gigabyte of RAM and a 60 Gigabyte disk drive. A DVD/CD reader is a minimum and most people will probably want the ability to also write DVDs and CDs.

Before you actually start looking, use paper and a pen, go over your needs and requirements and write them down. Essentially you want to create a checklist to compare to the features of models that interest you. Once you get started, keep your budget firmly in mind. Often youll find the best price for your personal best laptop computer online. If you can, before you actually buy, find the same model in an offline store and check the screen size, the keyboard and how the weight feels to you. Weight may be less important but you may also be carrying other accessories. The screen and keyboard are critical components for comfortably using your computer. Dont settle for a screen thats too small or a keyboard that feels cheap or clumsy. Take the time and put in the effort to make sure you end up with the model that suits you best.

Richard is an addicted full time notebook user and the AltNotebooks.com site has more information and articles on notebook computers and on choosing the best laptop computer for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Keir

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Hijacked Computer Bad Hard Drive

Had a client yesterday that had laptop and desktop issues. Both computers were Dell machines. The laptop had been hijacked by an application that had installed itself and prevented the user from doing anything after booting into windows. This is the 3rd customer that Ive seen have this problem this week. The program stated that the computer was infected and that 30+ infections were found and if you did anything it shuts down the application you try to access. Its a front for getting your credit card number and doing even worse damage than was done to the laptop so be very careful if you have this. Each computer behaved a little differently and took different measures to remove the application.

The desktop was a no brainer. I used a USB stick that had an operating system(Ubuntu) loaded on it and was able to make sure all the hardware worked. When trying to install an operating system on the hard drive though, the hard drive just spun and made no progress. After further testing in my office it was verified the hard drive went bad.



BRM Laptop Repair
3171 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43202

www.BRMLaptopRepair.com
laptop.repair@gmx.com
614-313-9901

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