How to Buy a Laptop

Bob, might want to consider the Toshiba netbook for your travels -- it has a full-size keyboard and 9 hr. battery life.

I have bought two large HDTV plasma TVs online recently, a rather expensive camera and three less expensive ones, a refurbished strong desktop online, and many other items too numerous to mention, some at 20% or so of local prices before sales tax, and two earlier desktops locally.

But, when I bought a $1000 laptop several years ago, I bought it from a local big box store. It is a comfort to know that if something really goes wrong, I can carry it back to Circuit City and get help with...

Wait; never mind...

One important aspct you forgot is the battery life. Manufacturers keep prices low by offering smaller capacity 6 cell batteries. However for larger laptops particularly if you are going to watch movies on battery power definitely need 9 cell larger capacity battery.

I say try to get larger capacity battery, more memory and larger disk drive right in the beginning. Upgrading them later is costly affair.

In your article about buying a laptop at an online
or at a brick-and-mortar retailer, I have a difference of opinion. If you choose a dependable online seller that does have tech support and steeply discounted prices you can get some very good deals. It may be true that sales taxes support road maintenance, police services, and social services, but if you live in a rural area like I do you get none of these services from state and local governments anyway. So why not buy where you can really save some money. I saved over 1/3 of the price by buying a laptop from a trusted online seller.

Well, I guess your article covers all of it. But one thing I would go against this is the size of the screen. I would prefer going for an under 15" screen as mentioned. Somewhere around 12" to 14" to be precise. A bigger screen adds to the area of the laptop. There are plenty of them with smaller screens within the same price range that have enough power to make the big ones shy away.

Secondly Glossier Screens are a big No-No for me. I prefer those ones with Matt finish which won't reflect your image as you do in a mirrror.

Thirdly the power cord should not be sticking out behind the screen. It adds to the length of the workspace, you have. What if you have a very small cosy work area in your bedroom where there is enough place only to place a large sized book. A power cord sticking behind the screen would matter a lot in that case. Plus the Cord is bound to get cut off while operating it in flight or if you handle it clumsily.

Ravi.

I definiely recommend not only brick and mortar stores, but one whereyou might even see the owner working there. You might pay a little more but 1. you are supporting a local business and keeping people out of homeless shelters and in the long run helping yourself. 2. If you have a question, there is a friendly person to answer it or do a minor repair without having to wait 3 to 10 days to get your machine back. 3. Shopping that way, for me at least, is more fun. Maybe I'm a hypocrite, but I do by my software online (I live in Germany and I find it cheaper to order from the US)

I just purchased a HP notebook from a local vendor here in Canada. I did not buy online because I am a computer dummy and I'm not fussy about big box stores. This way I get quick answers and help, support my local community and I got a resonable deal because I do almost all high ticket shopping for computer needs there.

I always wonder why you neglect the Apple line (Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, etc.)

I saw a good buy advertised at a local chain store. My HP Notebook is the dv6-2043us and paid $570.00 and send in for a $50 rebate.

Interesting that the email for this popped into my inbox today, since a coworker is asking for advice about buying a laptop.

Asking questions at the store? I have yet to meet a salesman, or even a "tech support" person at Circuit City, Staples or Office Max, that knew as much as I do (and I am not a guru, but I can tell BS when it flows). As for sales taxes, in most states sales tax is a state tax which is mostly used for education (or state police). Road repairs on the state level come from road use fees and gasoline taxes, and local road repairs don't come from the state sales tax.

That said, I support my local store if the price difference is not too great, AND if they have what I want. When you figure in shipping costs and waiting, sometimes it IS better to buy locally. I especially try to support my local camera store because it is a locally owned business and not some mass marketer like BB or Walmart.

I didn't see anyone mention dockability.
I want a small laptop with strong docking, i.e. a dock that can run multiple displays and assorted connectivities (ether, fire, USB 2,3, optical). If the dock connection is fast enough, the dock could contain "internal" memory, too. Then, carry the laptop around, but when you need muscle, go home and plug in. Instead of a clunky 900-pin connector, a dock that uses two or three optical lines would be best.

I also would like to add that some vendors offer software bundle along with the purchased laptop. Although a lot less, your total bottom line should also include the software you will be needing. People most often forget about this when creating a budget.

The main criteria is technical specifications. We cant do compromise with these. Nice post. Thanks
computron

I want to buy a laptop with i3/i5 processor,4GB Ram and 500 GB harddisk, which one is best and cheap in this range. I m interested in Lenovo what I heard that there is heating problem in Lenovo is it true. Please sugest me my budget is 35000 to 42000 Indian rupyess