Geeks On Site: How to Choose Your Laptop

June 17, 2011 - PRLog -- There are many types and models of laptops in the market. Depending on what you are going to use your laptop for, you can choose from small netbooks to professional laptops designed for those who need to carry their offices with them. It is up to you to decide what to go for, but Geeks On Site has gathered a small guideline of what to take into account in case you are not sure where to start.

1.   Battery life. Whether you travel a lot, or are purchasing a laptop to take with you to college, the fundamental requirement of your laptop is its portability. Considering that battery life shortens rapidly, and is seldom what promised in the store, you should search for a laptop that promises at least 6 hours of battery (that way you will realistically be looking at about 4-5 hours).

2.   Processor. Known as the “brain of the computer,” the processor, or CPU, carries out the functions of the computer, so make sure you are getting a processor that will perform well enough to fit your needs. If you for example plan on playing games or streaming videos online, choose a higher speed processor. Processor speeds are set in gigahertz (GHz): the higher the gigahertz number, the faster the processor. Among the most popular processors on laptops you will find Intel’s core i3, i5 and i7. Core i3 processor is suitable for everyday tasks and a fine choice if you are on a budget. The i5 processor is built to consume little battery, but performs higher when plugged in. It is therefore a great option for those on the go, and willing to spend more for better performance. The i7 processor performs on a professional level, but its downside is its costliness.

3.   Hard drive space and RAM (Random Access Memory). The more space and RAM you have in your laptop, the better its applications will run simultaneously without experiencing major slowdown in the long run. Again, the amount of space and memory recommended depends on what you will use your computer for. As a rule of thumb, if you want your computer to perform everything from film streaming to video games, and function as your primary computer (at the same time not making a huge void in your wallet), look for at least 4GB of RAM and 500GB of hard drive space. You can always upgrade later if needed.

4.   Features and ports. Most new laptops come with built-in webcams, microphones etc., but you might want to make sure that the laptop you are about to purchase has all the features you expect. This includes ports and memory card slots, and other such things that are easy to forget – until you need them.

5.   Size of the screen and weight. If you do a lot of traveling, you will want to evaluate where you want your laptop to fit in, and how long you will realistically be able to carry it without wearing yourself out. But again, you should also consider the full range of activities you will be running on your laptop. For example, if you plan on watching movies on your laptop, a small netbook screen will surely take some of the experience away.  

6.   Reviews. Last, but not least, it is always good to do some research on the laptop you are planning to purchase. If there are many negative reviews regarding a certain element that does not work well on the computer, or a fault that repeatedly appears on the reviews, you might just want to avoid the risk and look for another option. In the end, you want your laptop to last a while.  

Geeks On Site now provides laptop sales for those of you who want professional advice, and prefer shopping from the comfort of your homes. Check out the price range of our computers on our blog www.geeksonsiteusa.com/blog, or give us a call at 888-360-GEEK (4335).

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We provide computer repair and support for customers all over the U.S. Our computer support services are delivered either via internet or by dispatching one of our computer repair experts to your home or office.