Buying a laptop can strike fear in the hearts of computing novices, to be sure. However, by taking sufficient time to study the topic thoroughly, it really is possible to get the right machine with the office.com/setup at a great price. The following article will help teach you everything you need to know about laptops.
Ask friends and family for recommendations. They can be a good source of information, and you can also use their laptop before you shell out money for your own. Family and friends will be quick to share whether they like their laptop, and they will be very honest about it as well.
Always get a case to put your laptop in if you’re going to be taking it out of the home. Whether you’re going to school with it or taking it on a vacation, you’re going to want that protection. Just tossing your laptop into your backpack is a great way to have it get damaged pretty easily.
Think about buying your laptop online. Online deals tend to be better than physical stores. There may even be coupon codes available that’ll lower the price even more. Look online to see if making your purchase over the Internet can save you money.
Prior to buying that desktop replacement laptop, think about how much traveling you’ll be doing. Desktop replacement laptops are top of the line in terms of power, but they are sometimes twice as heavy as other laptop options. They can be a real hassle to carry around with you if you do lots of traveling. Keep that in mind when purchasing.
Many times you need to spend more on a laptop than you originally planned. Technology changes a lot, and a basic laptop will be outclassed rather quickly. Minor differences in technology can make a huge difference in the longevity of your laptop.
If you are shopping for a laptop, consider both Mac and Windows laptops. Windows laptops tend to be more affordable, however many people prefer Macs. Go to an electronics store and give them both a try. You should also make sure to do a little research through the Internet as well.
When it comes to owning a laptop you will want to avoid drinking near it at all costs. Any spray from your drink or accidental spillage will more than likely result in a permanent sticky spot on your laptop, if not worse. Therefore, have a drink before or after use, not during.
To make the keys on your laptop keyboard easier to see, use one of those layover keyboards that come in bright colors with larger characters. The eye strain that comes with spending long hours at the computer can make smaller characters difficult to pick out, so make things easier on your eyes with one of these specialty keyboards.
If you are looking to reduce the weight of your laptop, consider skipping the optical drive. You don’t need a DVD or Blu-Ray drive because most content can be downloaded from the Internet, including movies, games and software. You can save about a half pound of weight by losing the optical drive.
Factory-refurbished laptops are almost always more reliable than third-party refurbished products. Although these computers are tested carefully, you should get the best warranty available and ask about the retailers return policy. Make sure you get all the cables, manuals, software, computer charger and drivers are included with your refurbished product.
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.
Before buying your laptop online, check the prices at your local brick and mortar store. Sometimes they are the same or even less, especially if you can find an open box or recently returned item. Another advantage is that returns are often easier at a local store since you can avoid the hassle or shipping an item back if you are not satisfied.
To keep your battery life longer, consider how bright you need your screen to be during all hours of operation. If you can live with it being a little dimmer, choose the option that dims the display slightly after a set amount of time. That way your battery lasts longer, and your eyes have less light bombarding them.
The laptop your purchase is only as good as the brand behind it. If you buy an off brand laptop to save some money, you will more than likely end up buying an new laptop sooner than you want. The major brands have long histories of excellent customer support and service. Research the brand before you purchase.
To make sure you end up with the right laptop, consider whether you want a Mac or a PC before you hit the store. Both operating systems have many advantages. If you choose a Mac, you generally have more virus protection, but many Windows programs do not work on a Mac.
If you ever use a public hotspot or a restaurant’s Wi-Fi, ask an employee the name of the network. Sometimes, hackers and criminals set up their own wireless network in a public place, hoping to lure in unsuspecting victims that just assume it to be legit. Make sure you are always using the right Internet connection.
To keep your files safe when you are traveling with your laptop, give them password protection. Each version of Microsoft Office, as well as other word processing applications, has its own protocol for applying password protection to files. Make sure to keep those passwords somewhere else than your laptop bag!
With so many choices available, it can be difficult to find the right machine for you. The article above has lots of information to help you out. You now have the knowledge necessary to begin shopping.
