What To Look For When Getting Your Very First Laptop

When I go to meet a client, I need a laptop to show them my projects, but how do I select the right model? I'm in school, but I don't know which computer will work best for my situation, where can I get help? Whatever your needs are, the tips below will help you out.

Know what kind of operating system you're going to get before you get your laptop. This should be displayed where you get your computer, or you can ask someone working there. Some people like to get computers and change the operating system, or you can just get one that you already know that comes with your laptop.

Get the right sized screen when you buy a laptop. Look at the screen of your computer right now, and decide whether that is going to be a good screen size for your new laptop. In fact, take a look at bigger screens as well. Just keep in mind that the larger the screen is, the more the laptop will weigh.

Don't be so eager to buy a new laptop that you don't do the proper research. If you're finding a laptop that is far cheaper than the others you have looked at, it might not be a great deal. In fact, it might be a cause for alarm. Try to avoid scams and poorly made machines.

Find out what programs will come pre-installed on your laptop. This can be a great thing to do, particularly because sometimes the Microsoft suite of products are included, which can mean a substantial savings for you. Get a list of all the programs that will already be on your laptop before you buy it.

Before purchasing a laptop decide what you will be using it for. If it will be more business oriented you can probably go for a cheaper model that can do word, excel, and basic internet functions. If it will be your portable gaming device, you'll want to invest more to ensure performance.

Often times your laptop will have sensitive personal and/or business related material on it. You will want to get in the habit of backing up all data as soon as you get home from the office. In this way if your laptop is ever misplaced or stolen the personal contained therein will not fall into the wrong hands.

After you choose a model to buy, check out reviews online. This can be an easy way to avoid buying a computer which is reported to blow a power supply or have the screen conk out after a year or two. Check multiple sources to ensure you see a broad spectrum of opinions.

To avoid sales people who desperately want to make a commission, do your purchasing online. This not only opens you up to a much larger selection, but the prices will often be lower as well. On top of that, shipping is often free, meaning you'll get your laptop quickly and easily.

To avoid adding even more costs onto the price of your laptop, skip the fancy software. There are plenty of free alternatives available to you, such as Google Docs instead of Microsoft Word. Only purchase software if you must for work or school, and talk to your administrator about discounts available to you before you buy.

While buying a used laptop from the classifieds or online can be affordable, you are better off purchasing one from an authorized reseller. They will only sell you a factory refurbished model which has been tested time and time again. They will likely also offer you a guarantee for a year or so.

Back to school time, in September, is a great time to buy a new laptop computer. Almost all manufacturers offer special deals and discounts at this time. They may also offer discounts on bundles that may include software and add ons, such as printers. Even if you are not going back to school, you can save money.

To prepare your laptop for your favorite applications, create some hot keys to make them easier to run. To make a hot key for an application, right click on a shortcut and then select Properties. Enter a key combination into the Shortcut Key dialog and hit Enter. Use a combination that you do not commonly use in any other programs.

To save money, consider buying a laptop with limited hard drive space and instead storing your data in the cloud. Whether using Apple's iCloud or a service like Amazon's EC2, this gives you easy access to your data from any computer around the world, meaning you don't need a huge hard drive any longer.

Before making a laptop purchases, make sure that you look at the various ports that will be available to you. You will need several ports in order to use a printer, a mouse and a external hard drive. Determine which ports are essential, and make sure you have them.

If you expect to have your laptop for more than a few years, consider how upgradable the laptop is. You may want some additional memory or better graphics down the line, so a few empty card slots will be a big deal when buying. A laptop that isn't upgradable means less of a shelf life.

When bringing your laptop out of a colder or hotter environment, be sure you wait until it gets to room temperature in order to boot it up. Temperature changes build condensation in the machine. This condensation can damage your computer.

You may like the convenience of buying a laptop in a retail store, where you can see and feel what you are getting. Ordering online, though, offers some real advantages. You can custom order each laptop component to better suit your needs and usually the overall price is lower as well.

It doesn't matter if you need a laptop for work, school or entertainment - these tips will help you get it with less hassle than those not in the know. You'll avoid many hurdles now that you have read the tips above. Use them today to have a great laptop for tomorrow.