Laptop Buying Tips

Laptop Buying Tips

What to look for When purchasing a computer it is likely that you will have a general idea of what you May like in the computer or how you would like to configure the computer. Below is a listing of the various components likely to be found in a computer and recommendations and tips when considering any of the below components.

Processor

Recommended:
· Desktop Replacement Intel Core 2 Duo T9500/T9300
· Medium Laptops Intel Core 2 Duo T8300/8100
· Light Laptops Intel Core 2 Duo L7400/7500
· Ultra-Light Laptops Intel Core 2 Duo U7600
Minimum:
· Desktop Replacement Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
· Medium Laptops Intel Core 2 Duo T7500/7300
· Light Laptops Intel Core 2 Duo L7400/7500
· Ultra-Light Laptops Intel Core 2 Duo U760

Battery

Recommended:
· Lithium Ion battery with max. cells and additional component battery
Minimum:
· Single Lithium Ion battery with max. cells in base model

Memory

Recommended:
· 2 GB DDR2 667MHz
Minimum:
· 1 GB DDR 533MHz

Hard Drive

Recommended:
· 1 TB hard drive
Minimum:
· 500 GB hard drive

Optical

Recommended:
· DVD+/-RW drive internally
Minimum:
· DVD/CD-RW drive

Video

Recommended:
· NVIDIA GeForce 8000 series
· ATI Mobility Radeon 1250
Minimum:
· NVIDIA or ATI graphics

Screen

Recommended:
· Desktop Replacement / Medium/Light 17″ LCD screen
· Medium/Light 14″ LCD screen
· Ultralight 12.1″ LCD screen
Minimum:
· Desktop Replacement / Medium/Light 15″ LCD screen
· Medium/Light 14″ LCD screen
· Ultralight 12.1″ LCD screen

Sound

Recommended:
· Built-in sound with microphone, line inputs, and outputs
Minimum:
· Built-in sound with microphone

Speakers

Recommended:
· Built-in stereo speakers
Minimum:
· Built-in stereo speakers

Networking

Recommended:
· Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Minimum:
· Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet

Wireless

Recommended:
· Built-in 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth
Minimum:
· Built-in 802.11 a/g

Keyboard

Recommended:
· Full size
Minimum:
· Full size

Operating System

Recommended:
· Windows 7 or Windows 8
Minimum:
· Windows XP Pro or Vista Ultimate

Productivity Software

Recommended:
· Full office suite
Minimum:
· Partial office suite

Expansion Ports

Recommended:
· 3x USB 2.0 slots (at least one powered), USB 3.0, FireWire (1394a), Thunderbolt (if applicable), HDMI, Display Port, Ethernet, Card reader with SD slot, E-SATA, two headphone jacks, microphone jack, cable lock slot
Minimum:
· 2 USB 2.0 slots, microphone jack, headphone jack, some form of video output (mini Display Port, Display Port, HDMI, VGA, etc.)

Warranty

Recommended:
· 1-year
Minimum:
· 1-year