Choosing your laptop computer

It used to be that affording a laptop computer was the only thing you needed to consider.  Now there's a vast range of laptops, many at affordable prices in comparison to a desktop.  There are some ultra portable laptops weighing in at less than 2kgs.

Shall I buy my laptop computer online?

If you're buying online, you may want to pay a visit to local stores first just to actually see and get a feel for what you're going to buy.  Stores can sometimes offer better value as they tend to offer package deals where you get a printer, scanner or camera thrown in for "free".

I want to buy a Dell

Dell is a good make, but not always the cheapest.  The Dell online site offers the opportunity to create your own "custom" computer by adding or taking away from the specification.

Buy custom laptop computer

Unless you require it for a specific purpose, you'll probably be able to find something to suit your needs.  The Dell online store offers the ability to create your own customization for particular requirements.

Best laptop computer to buy

For an investment of this sort, it's worth popping down to your local library and browsing through the latest copies of "Which" magazine.  Things to take into consideration are:-

• what will you be using it for - do you need to play games or are you just going to be surfing the internet
• will you want to store picture from a digital camera - you'll need a good size memory for this
• is cost important or will you require the support of staff in a local store to get you up and running
• do you want to buy an extra warranty to ensure replacement or support
• are you running a home business - would next day pickup or replacement be a useful option to have
• do you need it to be portable - check the battery life when not plugged in to the mains
• will you be carrying it around, in which case weight and size are likely to be important
• most laptops come with wireless capability and can write to a DVD or CD - check that yours has this facility

How to compare between laptops

For comparison, consider the following:-

• processor
• hard drive
• RAM
• screen size
• graphics card
• CD-RW or DVD-ROM / RW
• number of USB ports
• battery type (length of life)
• length and type of warranty
• wireless capability

Best of luck & happy shopping!