How To Buy A Laptop That's Right For You

MOTHERBOARD - If the name doesn't ring you the bell then find out that this is the most crucial piece for your system, it holds all your laptop component parts together.

PROCESSOR - The chip that handles all your PC's decisions. Everything your computer does is controlled by the processor, and the slower this is, the slower your PC will be.

RAM - Abbreviation for Random Access Memory - this is the short-term memory your laptop or desktop computer uses to quickly access information and programs. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer will run.

HDD - The hard disk drive is the physical component that stores long-term information, such as documents, movies, games, media files and many more...

RESOLUTION - The sharpness of your screen is determined by its resolution, which is a measurement of the amount of horizontal and vertical pixels displayed.

OPTICAL DRIVE - Usually a DVD writer drive on your laptop or desktop computer used to access information via optics. Newer models include now Blu-Ray writer.

GRAPHICS CARD - Or Video Card - the part of your PC which deals with all the graphics and outputs them to your monitor.

SANDY BRIDGE - Sandy Bridge is the codename for the next generation of computer processor chips manufactured by Intel. They are: i3, i5 and i7.

HDMI - High Definition Multimedia Interface - this is the digital connection that attaches your laptop to an HDTV or external monitor and lets you watch HD content on a second screen.

When buying a laptop you'll doubtlessly be presented with cryptic specs sheets if you're not an experienced user. Lets explain a little bit the technology you need inside a laptop.

Processor
This is your laptop's brain which processes the data you input into it. The better the processor, the faster your PC will run and the more tasks you will be able to perform simultaneously. The latest second-generation Intel Core processors known as i3, i5 and i7, and AMD Series come with graphics included as part of processor, meaning you can watch movies and play games on a modest budget.

Intel Core i7-2600 Processor 3.4GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA1155
Amazon Price: Too low to display
Read other buyers reviews

Memory
As your PC runs, it stores information in super-fast memory, so it can recall it as you switch programs and use Windows. This super-fast memory is called RAM and the more of it you have, the more your PC can keep in reserve. This makes your PC feel responsive and is essential for demanding programs.

Corsair 8GB 1333mhz PC3-10666 204-pin DDR3 SODIMM Laptop Memory Kit
Amazon Price: Too low to display
Read other buyers reviews

Graphics card
Graphics cards deliver images to the laptop's screen. There are two types: integrated and dedicated. Getting the right one when you buy your laptop is vital, as you can't easily upgrade later. Integrated chips such as Intel GMA are cheapest and intended for running basic functions, while dedicated chips from nVidia provide more power for gaming.

Genuine Dell Inspiron 1520, 1521 NVIDIA GeForce UW390 8600M Video Graphics Card, Also For Vostro 1500, 1510, 1520 Laptops Notebooks
Amazon Price: Too low to display
Read other buyers reviews

Hard drive
This is a high capacity storage disk that holds all your files and folders. The larger the capacity, the more data you can store. Hard drive capacities in laptops at the time I am writing this start at 160GB and can go up to more than 1TB. A hard drive of 250GB is more than enough for most people, enabling you to store a large music collection, thousands of photos or a few dozens of movies.

Western Digital 320GB Scorpio Blue SATAII 5400RPM 2.5IN 8MB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive WD3200BEVT
Amazon Price: Too low to display
Read other buyers reviews

Optical drive
The optical drive lets you save files to external disc formats, such as CD, DVD and Blu-ray, while also letting you listen to music and watch movies. Some laptops support a tri-format DVD DL drive - also known as a DVD SuperMulti drive. This supports all DVD and CD formats, and also lets you save data to CDs and dual-layer DVDs. Blu-ray drives are only available on more expensive laptops.

Panasonic UJ240 6x Blu-ray Burner BD-RE/8x DVD±RW DL SATA Drive (Black)
Amazon Price: Too low to display
Read other buyers reviews

One of the most important considerations when you're looking to buy a new laptop is what exactly you're going to be doing with it.

If you're going to be traveling a lot with it, then there's no point getting a large laptop, and vice versa.

If you are going to be using a laptop more often away from your home than in it, then an ultraportable laptop makes a lot of sense, but they come at a huge price. You can find in this article the best ultraportable laptop deals in 2012.

For those planning to play games or watch movies, a desktop-replacement laptop with a 17-inch screen is a good option, and make sure there's a decent dedicated graphics adaptor, such as a GeForce or AMD Radeon HD.

Price and familiarity are important and you should probably stick with laptops which have Windows 7 or a newer version. Windows 7 is fast, reliable and easy to use. You can also use any sort of software with it.

As an alternative you can opt for the Apple OS. It's slick and easy to use, although it might take a while to get used to if you're unfamiliar with it.

The storage space you need for music, movies, games, personal documents and programs is increasing every day, but technology has advanced.

Buying a laptop with only a 250 GB hard drive might feel a little on the small side. But do you really need a big 750GB or 1TB hard drive in your laptop?

External hard drives are cheaper than laptop internal hard drives. External hard drives are so cheap to buy that you can happily keep all the movies, pictures, games and documents off your laptop's hard drive.

If you really need mobility then go for laptops which are lightweight and have long battery lives, otherwise don't fork out on that ultrabooks. Some laptops boost the battery life in the region of eight hours or more thanks to larger six or nine-cells power packs, but these come at a cost.

Any laptop under 4.5 pounds (~2kg) is light to carry around and can be described as "ultraportable" notebook.

However, the pay off is that these laptops often have low-power components, which deliver less performance, or simply cost in excess of 1000$. If your laptop rarely leaves the house, save your money.

An entry level laptop in the region of 500$ will probably be powerful enough for you if you just want to surf the internet, work on documents and watch the occasional movie.

A laptop with an Intel Core i3 processor or an AMD Phenom II-Triple Core processor and at least 4GB of RAM can be perfect for you.

For a lot more performance there are several options such as Intel Core i5, i7 or AMD FX 8 Core processor. Also you can go for 8, 16 or 32GB RAM.

An onboard graphics card will be absolutely fine for watching 1080p HD movies. If you're going to be playing games, then find a laptop that has dedicated graphics card built in.

All laptops come with USB ports, which allow you to connect USB devices such as memory cards or mice. However, USB 3.0 let you transfer files from an external storage device such as a hard drive faster than you can with the old USB 2.0 standard.

One of the most beneficial upgrades is a Solid State Drive (SSD) which is faster, lighter and less demanding on battery reserves than a normal spinning hard drive. If you can afford it, buying a laptop with an SSD is a great way to keep your laptop singing.

What it's best for: web browsing, emailing

Buy it if you want to send emails and amend documents on the move

Don't buy it if this is your main PC as it's designed to be a portable partner

Netbooks are small in size, low in cost and power, and designed for people who want to get email and access the web on the move. A netbook might look like an attractive option, but netbooks are typically 10 inches in size, though some more expensive models might push 12 inches.

Most come with an Intel Atom processor which isn't capable of multi-tasking programs. Most have a 160GB hard drive, which doesn't offer much in the way of storage, and come with a stripped-down version of Windows 7.

See all the netbooks available!

What it's best for: web browsing, emailing and basic photo and video editing

Buy it if you're looking for a low-cost family PC

Don't buy it if you want HD content and to get creative

The budget PC - you don't need to spend thousand of dollars on a laptop to get something that fulfills your needs. If you're looking for a basic system for emailing, web browsing and enjoying your photos and movies, then a budget laptop is all you need.

The budget PC will have a basic processor capable of running a couple of programs simultaneously. However, spend an extra buck and you can get a laptop that will play movies and music seamlessly and have enough enough room for huge photo collections.

Most budget laptops are 15 inches in size and weigh around 5 pounds (~2.5kg) making them easy to carry with you.

See all the budget laptops available!

What it's best for: watching HD movies, photo and video editing

Buy it if you're looking for a great all-rounder with plenty of power

Don't buy it if your needs are basic, as you can easily save money

The media laptop is the best notebook capable for playing the latest high-definition movies, and to get creative using photo and video editors.

Laptops above a certain price tend to have processors capable of multimedia performance, such as the excellent Intel Core i5. Multimedia laptops often come with Blu-ray drives for playing the latest HD movies and, increasingly, 3D-capable screens.

See all the media laptops available!

What it's best for: watching movies and working in comfort

Buy it if you want comfort over portability

Don't buy it if you work on the move; it will be uncomfortable to carry

The desktop replacement laptop - if portability isn't an issue, but you don't want the cumbersome set-up of a desktop PC, then a desktop replacement is the perfect choice.

These laptops feature large 17-inch screens and huge keyboards, which are perfect for working on for long periods and kicking back and watching movies and TV.

The downside is that desktop replacements often weigh more than 6,5 pounds (~3kg) and have short battery lives, meaning that you won't want to take them away from the mains.

See all the desktop replacement laptops available!

What it's best for: the latest games on the highest settings

Buy it if you're a hardcore gamer

Don't buy it if you play casual games, as most multimedia laptops will provide adequate power

The gaming laptop - unlike a few years ago, laptops can now play all the latest games and, with the demands of the newest titles decreasing, there's never been a better time to buy.

Gaming laptops mostly cost in excess of 1500$, but for that you get top-of-the-range kit. Intel Core i7 processors with big graphics cards are the order of the day, and that does make them some of the most expensive laptops on the market. Most also weigh over 8 pounds (~4kg), so you won't want to take them out with you.

See all the gaming laptops available!

What it's best for: power-hungry tasks on the move

Buy it if you need portable power

Don't buy it if you're on a tight budget - perhaps a netbook is a better buy

The ultraportable laptop - if you want power, performance and a laptop that's so light you won't notice it in your bag, then you need an ultraportable.

Most ultrabooks cost in excess of 1000$, as making powerful components that don't add weight is much more costly. The payoff is supreme power in a laptop that weighs around 3,5 pounds (~1,5kg), making machines like the MacBook Air some of the most coveted devices on the planet.

See all the ultraportable laptops available!

How To Buy A Laptop That's Right For You
Don't be scared, buying the perfect laptop isn't a difficult process. Of course things start to get tricky in general after you've bought a laptop. Few peop...Best All In One PC Deals in 2012
What is an All In One PC? Traditional PC systems consist of three key components: monitor, central unit and input devices (mouse, keyboard). With decreasing...Best Laptop Cooling Pads in 2012
If you have a notebook you probably noticed that when you keep your laptop in bed or on your knees it gets pretty hot. And not necessarily when you are in m...The Best Ultraportable Laptop Deals in 2012
Ultrabooks, either that it's from Acer, Asus, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Sony, HP, Toshiba or other manufacturer, promise to deliver enough power to satisfy your n...Best laptop bags, backpacks and cases in 2012
You have just bought a laptop and do not know how to protect it better? This is the exact thought that notebook bags manufacturers had when they designed som...Best Portable Numeric Keypads For Laptops in 2012
If you're reading this it means that you're looking for the best portable numeric keypads for your PC. I don't think I need to describe what a numeric keypa...Tablet vs Laptop
Many of those who intend to buy a portable, wonder now if a tablet is better for their needs than a laptop, but the answer is not as simple as it first seems...