Help

How to buy a new laptop?

 

Help laptop buying guide

When you are about to buy a new laptop, it often becomes a difficult process, especially if it’s been a while since you purchased your last computer. Technology changes so quickly that a machine that seemed powerful one year might be surpassed by the next, making it difficult to keep up. When faced with such a daunting array of choices, it can be tempting to throw in the towel and pick whatever happens to be on sale.

Yet for many of us, a laptop is one of our most-used possessions. It accompanies us to the office, to campus, and to the neighborhood café. It tags along on long train rides and weekend getaways. We unwind with it on the couch and snuggle up with it in bed. Is it any wonder, then, that buying a new laptop can seem like such a momentous decision?

In this guide, we demystify the many options that the average laptop buyer faces. We can’t make your decision for you, but we can hopefully make it a bit easier. First, we’ll cover some major choices you’ll need to make; then, we’ll discuss the different categories of laptops available on the market. Read more…

Specifications Explained

Specification explainedBefore buying a laptop, you should always review the specification sheet. Specification sheets are the best way to gain an overview of the components that make up the laptop computer.

Processors and Memory: Specification sheets provide the manufacturer’s name, as well as the processor’s speed. Memory is usually listed with its amount and configuration. Storage and Drive Types: Specification sheets indicate the type of fixed drive in a laptop, along with its capacity. As of 2010, fixed drives on laptops can be either hard drives or solid-state drives. Specification sheets will also mention if a laptop includes an optical drive, such as a DVD drive. Display: Laptop display dimensions are always given diagonally. Read more…