Laptops have become a universal
accessory for modern life and the decision to buy one is very simple. It is the
process of choosing the right brand and model, however, that can take some
serious time and research. You need to make sure that you invest in a laptop
that will best fulfill your computing needs, whether it be to run your
business, organize your family’s digital photos, or browsing the Internet and
social media. The brands and models are endless this shopping season, from Mac
Pro to Toshiba laptops, and the choices can be overwhelming.
This holiday season, make sure you do
your research before throwing down hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on
your or your loved one’s digital future. Check out this laptop holiday gift
guide of features in order to become a properly-informed laptop shopper.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of a laptop is
obviously important, but beware of laptops that offer light weight and size
that skimp you on performance. While shopping, make sure to pick a laptop up
and see if it is something you are willing to carry around. There are now
laptops available that are ultralight, ultra-thin, and still perform up to
anyone’s savvy standards.
Processors (CPU)
These days, dual-core processors are
standard and help any busy user with everyday multi-tasking duties. Processors
will, however, vary depending upon the size and purpose of the laptop, and will
directly impact the performance and battery life of the computer.
Memory (RAM)
When shopping for the right Mac Pro,
Dell, or Toshiba laptop, make sure you check out the maximum memory its system
can handle, as well as the amount that is already installed. Another useful
tidbit to find out is whether a memory upgrade can be done by yourself or it it
has to be done by a technician. The minimum amount of memory should be 2GB,
with the ability to upgrade to 4GB for improved performance.
Display
A laptop’s video capabilities are determined by its display and
video processor. Display is defined by screen size and resolution, which
usually correlate: the larger the display, the higher the resolution. The video
processor determines the performance of the computer with complex graphics and
hi-def video. Wide screens are now a standard, but impact the portability of
the laptop. You may have to trade off between display and video quality with
portability, but there are still great Mac Pro laptops available that can give
you the best of both worlds.
Drives
Hard drives determine the amount of
storage space you need. When shopping for a laptop, you will find that drive
size is fairly straight forward and will impact performance. Optical drives
will play an important role if you are shopping for a PC, such as a Dell
Inspiron, Acer Aspire, or Toshiba laptop.
Battery
Life
What good is a laptop if it is
constantly charging? Find the manufacturer’s listed battery life for their
standard battery. You should look for a laptop with at least two hours of life
under normal conditions. There are several Toshiba laptops available that are
eco-consciously engineered with power-saving options and equip with ultra-low
voltage processing, and qualified as Energy Star 5.0. And they charge will they
sleep.
Warranty
Laptops live a portable life, and thus
take tons of abuse. Make sure you get a minimum one year warranty from the
manufacturer. If you have the option of a three-year warranty, it will cost
more, but is a solid investment.
Don’t make an expensive laptop purchase without
knowing what you need first. Use this buyer’s guide to laptop features to
inform yourself before you invest this holiday season.