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Purchasing a new laptop, more fine points...

So many people are interested in purchasing laptops these days, and with good reason. With a laptop, you gain portability, flexibility in a relaxing environment, and even the allure and prestige of purchasing something cool like the MacBook Air, or the Dell XPS series. If you have any questions on this article, please call me, and we'll answer your questions on the air. Just give a call, 24/7 to our toll-free number anywhere in the United States of (888)Nerd888 - (888)637-3888.

Question 1 - Windows, Mac, or Linux
Windows - I'll say it time and time again, if you already familiar with Windows, learning a new operating system is not always easy or intuitive... My personal preference is to see you stick with Windows until Mac or Linux garner 20% of the entire market or more.
Mac - If you're new at this computer thing, OK, think about Mac, but really compare your deal with what you'll get with a Windows laptop. If you are price conscious, you'll be shocked at the difference in price for the exact same horsepower, and sizes that are very similar. The MacBook Air does give you a size advantage, but is that size and weight worth HUNDREDS of dollars?
Linux - If you aren't already VERY familiar with Linux... and using it regularly, you don't want to play with it on a laptop. Further, the laptop won't likely come with Linux, unless you're getting it special order from somewhere. If all of these are true, and you're a glutton for punishment, I'm not going to argue with you.

Question 2 - Brand
Choosing a brand of laptop is definitely something that is more of your preference than a "must-do". Still, some brands prove out to be better than others. In the Windows world, Dell, Fujitsu (although sometimes hard to find), and HP / Compaq, round out my top three choices. Sony does make a wonderful laptop, very durable and lightweight, however they typically price these a bit higher than comparable units from the other manufacturers. Gateway and Toshiba make good machines, however I have less than satisfactory experiences with customer service from both manufacturers in the past year. Your mileage may vary... If you're going to run Linux, you'll choose from these same brands. Of course, if you want the Mac OS, you're stuck with Apple, but you'll have the bragging rights that come with a status symbol.

Question 3 - Screen
If you want a small screen, you'll get a small and light laptop, without the drives. The most common size is 15.4", but sizes range from 5 (and a keyboard to match), to 19" or more. The smallest will cost more, have less features, and less battery life. As you add extras that you need, like a DVD drive, floppy drive, larger battery power, etc, you'll get a larger screen. You'll need to select from your desired category in order to select the best fit for you.

A minor decision these days is the widescreen versus standard aspect ratio. Simply put, in standard aspect, the screen is 4 inches across for every 3 inches in height, much like the television screens that we have been watching for most of our lives. Widescreen is much like the widescreen televisions, a wider screen with less height, that matches to the shape of the movie screens in the theater. This decision is being removed from the populace at large, and in a year or two, you'll be choosing widescreen. Just go for widescreen now!

Question 4 - Weight
The weight of your laptop is usually the most crucial aspect. I know I asked screen size first, but I do that as people usually are concerned about what they see before deciding over the usage. I personally can deal with a slightly heavier laptop if I get a bigger screen.

Ultra-Portable - The small laptop with a small screen, small weight, and a pricetag that reflects the costs of miniaturization. While comfortable to carry if you're a frequent traveler, you'll have problems if you're a heavy typist, and if you're into games, you're going to be out of luck.

Standard or Semi-Portable - The mid-size 14.1" or 15.4" screens, and most everyone makes this size range, as it sells the best. You're given the most amount of features and power, and choices, with the least amount of money.

Desktop Replacement - If you're a hardcore gamer, looking for something to mostly sit on the desk, go for it. College (or even high-school students) like these for the maximum power in the least amount of space. It's luggable, but mostly intended to stay in the bedroom or the dorm room.

Question 5 - Networking
Wireless, wireless, wireless... 802.11g is a must, and it probably already has it. 802.11n is far better option for both speed and range, but it's not finalized yet, so if that's a key issue, look for one that can be reprogrammed as needed for the final specifications of 802.11n. Look for a built-in wireless card, as well as a built-in wired card. If you don't have wireless, move on. If you don't have the wired version, well, you can do without, but it's really preferred for those times when you're on an old network, or too far away from the antenna.

Question 6 - CPU (the main chip)
Just as with my previous commentary on purchasing, the power of your CPU is distinctly subject to the whim of your budget. Intel Core 2 Duo is the standard by which all others are comparing themselves, and is a wise choice. If you go with the AMD Phenom or Athlon 64 chips, you're going to do fine, especially on a budget. Avoid the Celeron or Sempron based computers, unless your budget just can't handle it. Don't buy the latest and greatest super-chip either.

Caveats:
Unless you're running something highly demanding, you don't need the chip that was announced last week.

Question 7 - RAM (Memory)
Easiest answer... Right now, choose 2GB of RAM, on either XP or Vista. If you're running some higher end stuff on Vista, you might choose 4GB, but it's not a requirement. If you're running less memory, this is one of the first places to improve.

BONUS TIME TO SAVE MONEY - Go to a website like Crucial.com and check out the prices on the memory for the laptop that you are considering. The memory will be cheaper than the store that you're purchasing your laptop from, and sometimes when it comes down to the final specifications, that amount of memory that you'd like to upgrade to, will be FAR CHEAPER to purchase from www.Crucial.com, www.Kingston.com, or www.MicroCenter.com.

Question 8 - Hard Drive (Storage Space)
Even the low end computers are coming with more than enough hard drive space... with sizes ranging from 120GB to 250GB hard drives. Unless you are doing video editing, you won't likely need more drive space before your computer needs replacing. Even if you're dealing with a lot of MP3's... you can fit 10,000 songs into about 40GB. If you've got more than this much music, you already know you're obsessing, and can think about a larger hard drive.

Question 9 - CD, DVD, high-definition (HD-DVD or Blu-Ray)
A dual-layer DVD writer is standard on most machines now, and will be about all you need. Unless you are insanely rich, and willing to make a mistake, don't go with the high-definition. Blu-Ray has won the race, but it's not worth the added $$$$ to get it.

Question 10 - Video graphics card
On your budget machines, you can go with integrated or "shared" graphics, but they chew into your RAM. Only on the higher end laptops are you going to consider changing out the video card, but even then, that's something that I'd let the manufacturer do.

Question 11 - Cache, Front Side Bus, Memory Speed
Don't worry about these specs. As your computer price goes up, these specs will follow. They are good for comparing oranges-to-oranges, but these are usually not options, so much as features.

AGAIN - If you have any questions regarding this guide, give us a call at
888-637-3888 and Benjamin will make sure that you are completely taken care of!