Buying a laptop for Christmas
Purchasing a laptop can be difficult at the best of times. But throw in the fact that you have a deadline of making your purchase before the 24th December – then the pressure can really be on to make sure you buy the best PC.
Look in any electrical superstore, check online or pick up the latest gadget magazine and you will be faced with a multitude of different factors that can make the shopping process a complicated and strenuous one. Fortunately, with the right knowledge, you can avoid the stress many people associate with buying a new computer.
The first thing to consider is who are you buying for?
If you are treating yourself to a new laptop that will be predominantly used for work then that is one thing. But if you are buying for a son or daughter that is into their music and likes to chat online then you might have a different set of requirements.
Whoever you are buying for think carefully about their needs and make a short list of “must-haves” that need to included with your purchase. For instance a student user is likely to want plenty of hard disk space to store their iTunes, songs and videos whilst anyone that is one the move will certainly need some form of wireless connection in order for them to be truly mobile and connected to the Web.
Processing Power:
Check the processor speed as this will dictate how fast a laptop will run and how quickly applications like Word, Exel and Photoshop can be used. If you are buying for a “gamer” it is worth spending a little extra on processing power in order to ensure they will be able to enjoy their games to the full.
Hard-Disk Space
Be sure to choose a laptop with a reasonable amount of hard-disk space to accommodate all of your day-to-day requirements. If in doubt “go large”. Most people overlook this and are then forced to resort to other, less organised, data storage options such as writeable CDs and separate storage devices..
Movies and Media :
Most laptops these days should have at least a CD burner (re-writer) or better still a DVD burner. Great for downloading photos, music etc. onto CD or DVD. If you are into your movies, some of the top-end laptops are also being shipped with Blu-Ray players and HDMI cables – giving you the ultimate picture quality.
Picture Quality & Screen Size:
And talking of picture quality – if you can, try out a number of laptops back to back as you might be surprised at how picture quality varies from one manufacturer to another and also what a difference a larger / smaller screen size makes when using your laptop.
Battery Life:
Most people will want to use their laptop around the house and whilst on the move – so check out the battery life and make sure the estimated life fits with your demands. Having a laptop that runs out of power at the drop of a hat can be particularly frustrating, so it is worth buying smart.
Weight & Durability:
If you have a particular model in mind check how light it is and you could be doing a lot of carrying around on short or long trips. Most laptops sold in stores and online have weight specifications so you should get a good idea as to how heavy a specific laptop is from these specifications. No matter how careful you are there will be a time when your new laptop is bound to get knocked or dropped. Look for a laptop with solid casing and see how store demo models have stood up to the abuse of being man-handled whilst on the shop floor.
Security & Insurance
A lot of the laptop manufacturers are now adding different types of security measures as standard – including fingerprint recognition. For full peace of mind consider buying some form of laptop insurance – which covers you against accidental damage, water damage and theft. And at just £3.99 a month this is a very cheap solution to protect your new Christmas gift.
Choosing a laptop at Christmas doesn’t have to be as hard as some make it out to be. With the right mindset and effort, anyone can find a laptop that’s fully suitable for their needs.
Good Luck!
Posted by admin on Monday, December 8th, 2008
