When choosing a new laptop to buy, you should be careful because there is a lot of cheap junk out there on the market. Follow these tips for buying a new laptop computer that should last at least two years or more.
- Make sure the laptop is an Intel dual core at the minimum.
- 2GB of ram (memory) minimum.
- A minimum of 500 GB hard drive. (And an external hard drive for backup).
- Inbuilt wireless adapter, and a Ethernet port.
- Make sure it has enough USB ports. Everything plugs in through USB now days.
- Inbuilt DVD burner.
- Firewire port to connect a video camera if necessary.
- A laptop carry bag for protection and to hold all the accessories.
- A wireless mini mouse.
- A year or more warranty.
- MAKE SURE the laptop is not display stock as they leave the power adapters plugged in and running 24-7.
- A very important consideration for any users that need to have a working laptop on the road or in the air. Verify when purchasing a portable computer how long the battery lasts. Be cautious, as many manufacturers will indicate a battery usage time but this may be at the lowest possible settings; ensure that the manufacturer clarifies what the standard battery usage life is when using the portable computer in all power modes.
- Is the service onsite, meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or fix a bad component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete time of the warranty?
- If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long?
- Can the computer be taken to a local service center? If yes, what is the closest authorized service center?
- What is the time frame the service takes to occur? For example, if the computer has a bad component, what is the time it will take for a technician to come onsite and replace that component, or what is the time it will take to have the computer sent in to be fixed? Finally, if that time frame is not accomplished, what is the company willing to do? Would they be willing to provide you with a loaned computer?
- Because the computer is a portable computer, is International Service available? This will allow users who may be in a different country to have their computer fixed in that country.
