Before you hit the stores or retail sites, read through our shopping tips. It'll save you money!

1. 16/08/2011 06:00
bestlaptopbattery.co.uk
Laptop Buying Guide Tips To Save You
Money !
ler has any sales coming up, or at least call around to
different stores to see which one has the best price.
Laptop Buying Guide Tips To Save You Money ! Or use your smartphone to check the latest prices
online, and see how competitive the in-store price
Before you hit the stores or retail sites, read through is. The store you prefer might even match the price
our shopping tips. It’ll save you money! of a local competitor.
Try Before You Buy
Many people choose to buy a laptop online, where
shoppers can find a wider selection and typically
lower prices. That’s fine, but you really shouldn’t
buy a new computer sight unseen if you can avoid
it. Write down the names of some of the models
you’re interested in, along with a few notes about
why they caught your eye, and head to your local
big-box electronics store or specialty computer shop.
See if the store has display units of any of the systems
you’re considering, or at least very similar models
by the same manufacturer. Try the keyboard--can
you type easily on it? Is the touchpad a pain to use? Need More RAM? Do It Yourself
Does the screen look good? If the laptop you want to
buy has a glossy screen, look at other models with Let’s say that the laptop you want to buy comes with
glossy screens and determine whether you might 2GB of RAM but is expandable to 4GB or more. You
prefer that look over a matte, antiglare finish. might be able to save some money if you upgrade
the laptop’s RAM yourself instead of buying the 4GB
Pick up the laptop you want to buy, and evaluate its option from the manufacturer. See how much more
heft. Close the lid and see if the size is something you it costs to buy the machine with 4GB, and compare
can fit into your chosen bag (don’t actually put it in that with buying the RAM separately and installing
a bag, of course, unless you want security all over it (the task typically requires removing only a couple
you). Bear in mind that many display notebooks of screws and about 5 minutes of your time--it’s easy
in stores have the battery removed, which makes to do on most laptops today).
them seem considerably lighter.
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Naturally, you’ll have to do a little homework first.
Once you have a feel for your desired laptop (or a Make sure that the laptophas an empty RAM soc-
very similar one), you can go back home and buy ket (ask a sales rep if you’re not sure), and find out
online with confidence. If you’re buying in a brick- what type and speed of RAM you’ll need. If all of this
Printed with
and-mortar store, you might want to ask if the retai- seems intimidating, it’s okay--just buy the system
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bestlaptopbattery.co.uk
Laptop Buying Guide Tips To Save You Money !
with the RAM upgrade. Your time and frustration
are worth only so much.
Know Which Accessories to Get
If you’ll need a spare battery, select one that is spe-
cifically made to work with your particular model
of laptop. It’s not a bad idea to buy the battery right
when you purchase the PC--especially if you’re
buying online, where an extra battery may be of-
fered as an option. Use caution if you buy an after-
market battery from a manufacturer other than the
one that made the laptop: Some of these batteries
are priced really well but store less energy. Read
user reviews and comments about third-party bat-
teries carefully to make sure you’re not sacrificing
battery life to save a few bucks. You can probably avoid spending cash on a specia-
lized laptop bag or carrying case, which retail stores
often mark up quite a lot. Unless you encounter
Among other laptop accessories, consider buying a a great bargain, or you find a special case made
small, wireless travel mouse. Even the best touchpad just for the unusually large or small laptop you’re
can be a nuisance at times, and you can find tons of buying, bide your time. Buying a really great bag is
compact, battery-operated wireless mice that are a whole other process in itself--don’t get something
specifically designed to travel with a laptop. If you you’ll end up hating just because it’s expedient and
want to use a laptop mouse on an airplane, however, convenient.
be aware that wireless versions are forbidden by
the FAA--you’ll need a wired model for use in-flight. If the salesperson tries to push other folderol on you,
As for external optical drives, don’t feel obligated like screen wipes, blank discs, and extra cables, just
to buy one from the manufacturer of the laptop. say «no thanks.» These items almost always carry
External optical drives that connect via USB are a high markup in stores, and you’re usually better
generally universal, so look around for a good price. off buying them online if you don’t think you need
them right away.
When In Doubt, Go Faster
If, after going hands-on with a few laptops, you’re
just not sure whether you need a faster processor,
dedicated graphics, or more RAM, take the leap.
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Nobody ever complained that their laptop was too
fast, but spending the next couple of years working
on an annoyingly sluggish laptop will get old in a
hurry. Expect software to become ever more re-
Printed with
source-hungry over time, too; the applications that
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bestlaptopbattery.co.uk
Laptop Buying Guide Tips To Save You Money !
you will use next year will likely be a little more
demanding than what you use today. And if you
have an HDTV or are considering buying one in the CloudTag: Laptop , Buying , Guide Tips , Save , Money
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Consider Whether an Extended Warranty Is Ne-
cessary
Most consumer-advocacy groups will tell you not to
get an extended warranty; such an arrangement is
usually a great profit-maker for the manufacturers
and retailers that offer it, and most buyers don’t end
up using it. Because they’re such good profit gene-
rators, salespeople will often give you the hard sell
about how you need some sort of laptop protection
program or extended warranty.
Be wary. Before you even think about signing up,
ask a lot of questions. Ask to see the specifics about
what is covered and what isn’t in writing--don’t sim-
ply depend on the word of the sales person. Read
the fine print.
Laptops are a little different than most consumer
electronics and desktopcomputers in that they’re,
well, highly portable. People tend to throw them into
bags, toss them around, accidentally knock them
off tables, leave them to be poked and prodded by
kids, and put them on the kitchen table, begging to
be victimized by a horrific spill. You know yourself
and the environment where you’ll use your laptop. If
you think you have a high probability of destroying
your laptop within a couple of years, you might
want to consider the extended warranty. (When
we last surveyed readers on their satisfaction with
extended warranties, we found that consumers who
purchased them were very satisfied.) Also, laptop
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theft protection plans may be a good idea for college
students, who have their laptops lost or stolen with
alarming regularity.
Printed with
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