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Choosing a Laptop Computer

A laptop computer can be a highly-productive, entertaining and useful piece of technology to own.  Buyers beware though, as these tech toys can cost thousands of dollars, depending on which model you go for.  Generally, Macintosh or Apple laptop computers are pricier with less room to go on sale.  Other brands of PC will tend to have more margin for sale pricing, and you can scoop up a great deal by shopping online, checking weekly sale inserts in the newspaper, or stopping by your local electronics store.  Before you go about choosing a laptop computer, you should know the basics though.

The basic specifications you’ll want to pay most attention to for your laptop computer are the processor speed (CPU), memory (RAM) and hard drive storage space.  The computer processing unit (CPU) is what determines how fast your computer runs and processes tasks.

Usually this is measured in total gigahertz.  You can usually go with a Core 2 Duo processor, or one with 2 gigahertz of CPU at least, to be able to have the latest , up-to-date technology.  Intel makes top of the line CPU’s while AMD and Celeron processors are also well known. 

The memory in your laptop computer, often known as “RAM”, will play a part in how many tasks or programs you can run at once.  The higher the amount of memory, the more your computer will be able to handle doing.  These days it’s smart to get a laptop with at least 2 gigabytes of memory, or as much as 4 gigabytes.  These computers will adequately handle all your tasks at once.  When it comes to storage of all your files, photos, music, videos and other data, the hard drive is what will hold all of that as well as your laptop’s programs.  The higher in gigabytes (or even terrabytes) that the hard drive is, the more data it will be able to hold.  A hard drive with at least 250 gigabytes will provide plenty of storage for the average laptop user.  If you feel you’ll be downloading a lot of music or storing lots of pictures and videos, consider getting more.  You can always add an internal or external hard drive later for more data storage, so keep that in mind should you want to expand.

Shopping for a laptop computer shouldn’t have to be a daunting task.  While most people view technology with trepidation, you can head to the store with the basic knowledge you need to make your buying decision.  Other considerations will include the extras such as webcam, internet, input/output ports and what sort of CD or DVD drive the laptop has.  These will come down to personal preferences, so make sure to draw up your list of what you’ll need before you shop, so you can be more than ready to make an informed purchase.


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