A. Decide if a laptop is right for you.
1.Advantages
Portability
1) The number one reason is because people can bring it anywhere
2) If you are always go many place, a laptop is good.
Size and weight
1) Save a lot of space if you have a small room.
2) Does not like PC really heavy and has many part.
3) Laptop lighter than PC or Mac, easy to carry.
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1) You cannot help but be a little jealous of the woman pulling out a sleek black laptop on the train. She’s cool.
2.Disadvantages
Technology
1) Because a laptop is pretty compact, the most recent technology that’s been developed for desktop has ye to be made into tinier forms and successfully crammed into laptops.
2) Laptop software is not as fancy, and everything takes longer to load.
3) Even saving a simple Word document is less than instantaneous.
Comfort perks
1) The whole idea is to carry around as little as possible
Upgrading
1) If you're planning on adding stuff onto your computer, get yourself a desktop and not a laptop.
' 2) Even if you do decide to upgrade, you’re still limited in the selection of extra equipment; most laptops require that you install parts manufactured by the same company.
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1) When woman checking e-mail on the train. She’s almost as annoying as that guy in the restaurant squawking into his cell phone.
B. learn about basic computer features
1. Weight and Size
1) Most laptops weigh between 3 - 8 pounds, with the majority coming in at just over 5 pounds.
2) The most common screen sizes on laptops are 12.1, 13.3, and 14.4 inches
2. Input devices
1) A touchpad is a square-shaped surface located below the space bar of a laptop keyboard. It is touch-sensitive and you navigate the screen by moving your finger around the box, as if you were drawing.
2) Sounds easy, but most people find pointing sticks very frustrating to use - the slightest touch causes the arrow to go flying across the screen. We suggest you go with the touchpad instead.
3. Batteries
1)Most people get Lithium-ion (Li+) batteries. These batteries range in quality;
2) If you're cheap, a nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) battery will do.
3) This probably won't be an option, but if a dealer does try to sell you a nickel cadmium (NiCad) battery, run out the door screaming.
4. Display
1) Go for an active-matrix display if you've got some dough to spare.
2) If you need a laptop purely for word processing, it won't prove disastrous.
5. Other things to look out for
1) It's a guarantee that all laptops feature cramped keyboards, but at least try to find a laptop with a keyboard with which you can comfortably type.
2) If you plan on taking your laptop just about everywhere, you might want to consider a model with shock-resistant hard drive mounts.
3) If possible, test-drive a laptop before purchasing it.So make sure that you're compatible with your laptop by playing around with it. If you're buying your laptop online, try to find the same model in a store and test it out there first.
C. learn about basic computer features
1. Hard drive
1) Is your computer’s main permanent storage unit.
2) More space your hard drive has, the more stuff you can
3) At least 4.3 gigabytes(GB) for hard drive space
2.Random Access Memory (RAM)
1) Is your computer’s “short-term memory
2) RAM stores information on your computer, but when you shut down the computer, everything that’s stored on RAM is lost.
1) The more applications you run at once, the more RAM you use.
2) Recommended 32-64MB of RAM
3.Central Processing Unit (CPU or Processor)
1) Is brain of your computer; it does all the necessary thinking and runs the programs.
2)For example: Intel Celeron, Pentium II, Pentium III, and AMD K6
4.CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives
1) Stick your CDs or DVDs.
2) At least a CD-ROM, because most software comes in CD form nowadays.
3) Also if you have DVD-ROM that can read CD-ROM.
5.Modem
1) Modem’s main job is to turn the digital information from your computer into analog signals that your phone line can understand.
2) You can use Internet and check e-mail.
3) Internal modem is easier to hook up and gaining popularity, but some times you get stuck with a slow internal modem
4) PC card-based modem is sticks out of your computer, you can do whatever you want.
D. Decide how much you want to spend
1.Make a budget
1) You can save a lot on your laptop purchase by writing out a budget of exactly what you need and want and sticking to it.
2) Get a used laptop
Your research and check out stores for refurbished laptops, then you just might luck out with a really wonderful model for under a thousand dollars.
3) Bargain
If you make the trip down to your local computer store, you might find the opportunity to haggle.
4) Make sure you check out the store with the better business bureau before making the trek, just in case.
E. Find a vendor and buy your laptop
1.Vendors
1) You can visit online computer stores like CDW, Office Depot, Deeks.com, and CompUSA, or you can go straight to some top computer manfactures
2) For example: Acer America ,Apple Computer , Dell, IBM, Micro Express , MPC, Sony , and Toshiba
2. Warranties
1) Remember to ask for a detailed written explanation of the company's warranty
2) The warranty should cover details like who installs replacement parts, who pays for return shipping for major repairs, and for how long your computer is covered.
3. Payment
1) When buying something as expensive as a laptop, it’s always a good idea to pay by credit card.
2) If there’s a problem with your purchase or delivery, the Fari Credit Billing Act states that buyers have 60 days from the occurrence of the problem.
3) It’s easiest to enforce your rights as a consumer if you pay by credit card.
