How to Buy a New Computer/Laptop Tips

Once you have decided to buy a new computer, you should still address some more questions before knowing your new machine. Use our computer buying guide to develop a solid plan to get the type of system you need.

·         Have you thought about whether or not you need the computer to travel with you?

·         Will you use the computer for video games or just to check the Internet?

            ·         Do you want to watch movies on your computer/laptop?

We'll walk you through the most important aspects of this computer guide.

How to Buy a New Computer/Laptop Tips

The Main Types of Computers

• When you buy a Computer, you should think about one of the 2 basic machine types:
• Laptop
• Desktop

                

Laptops contain a large variety of devices small enough to take on the road, while desktops are larger, stationary machines.

If you want to bring your computer, choose a laptop, Ultrabook, netbook, tablet or a desktop computer.

Here's a quick guide to laptops.

·         Laptops: These computers have all the basic elements in a single unit.Laptops cost from $ 400 to more than $ 1,500, depending on the amount of energy you need. If you watch DVD or Blu-ray movies or need the ability to burn DVDs, a laptop or ultrabook is probably the best option; tablets and netbooks no

·         Ultrabooks: Ultrabooks are thinner and lighter than standard laptops, which provide incredible portability. The cost of an ultrabook ranges between $ 600 and $ 1,800.Ultrabooks tend to be a bit more expensive than laptops with comparable specifications because ultrabooks must be manufactured with the most demanding details to achieve their remarkably slim profile.

 Netbooks: Netbooks avoid optical drives and high-end components in favor of doing things through an Internet browser. They tend to be very small, with screens of around 10 inches. While its popularity has faded due to the growth of tablets, netbooks remain the least expensive and most portable mobile computer available with a built-in physical keyboard. Usually, you will spend between $ 200 and $ 400 on a netbook. Although they are not officially classified as netbooks, Samsung and Acer Chromebooks have a similar purpose and have become popular alternatives to more traditional laptops.

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·         Tablets: Tablets are essentially ultra-portable and compact touch screen devices that depend on a specialized operating system. Mini programs are known as applications to create all the work and, therefore, the game you would expect from a portable potential, however, instead of using a keyboard and mouse, you simply touch the screen. The tablets cost between $ 300 and $ 900, depending on how much storage and which brand you choose.

·         Tower-style desktop computers: This type of system separates the processing tower, the monitor and other components into separate units, allowing you to more easily select specific components to meet your needs. Upgrading your computer later is much easier with a desktop tower.In general, expect to spend between $ 500 and $ 1,200 for both the computer and the monitor.

·         All-in-one desktop computers: these computers combine the processor, internal components and monitor in a convenient and elegant package. An all-in-one facilitates the decision to purchase your computer by including almost everything you will need in a purchase.All-in-one computers tend to come in affordable packages that range from $ 600 to $ 1,000, but can reach up to $ 2,000 and more.

What’s the Best A computer for You?

If you are an occasional user of a home computer and just want to check your email occasionally, surf the Internet and keep up with your home finances, you will probably be satisfied with a desktop computer or an all-in-one system. An economical desktop computer offers a large screen that is pleasing to the eye, although if you prefer to sit on the couch instead of a desk, a tablet or netbook might offer you the features and comfort you are looking for.

In general, high-end power and capabilities are more affordable on a desktop system, which is also easier to update over time. You can maintain a contemporary desktop computer by replacing components year after year, a process that is more difficult or impossible on most laptops and all in one. If you need a computer to travel, do business or attend school, you will want a laptop or an Ultrabook. Tablets and netbooks keep you connected to the Internet and allow you to do light work, but none offers the full power of a laptop or desktop. Still, for a computer that is so highly portable, tablets and netbooks are as convenient as possible.

The next step in our the computer buying guide is to determine the components that will enter your new computer.

Get Enough Hard Drive Space

Most of your files and information will be saved to your computer's disk drive. While text documents, images and music files generally do not require much space on their own, it is easy to quickly examine the available storage as your collection grows. In general, you will get more hard disk space for your computer by buying dollars by opting for a desktop computer instead of a laptop or tablet.

Try to get enough gigabytes (GB) of storage, or maybe even terabytes (TB) for a desktop computer, to keep all the files you'll need today, as well as what you might need in the coming years. However, you do not need to go crazy: 500 GB will be enough for many users, and you can also buy additional external storage or upgrade your internal disk if you need it later.

You can also choose a solid-state drive. SSDs are quickly becoming more common, especially on ultrabooks and tablets. SSDs are faster than traditional hard drives and consume less power, but you pay for that speed and economy. If you need help deciding which type of drive is right for you, see our computer buying guide for solid-state drives versus hard drives.

 Memory (RAM)

While your computer's hard drive determines how many files, movies, and songs it can store on your computer, its random access memory (RAM) determines the performance of several programs that run at the same time. Large programs, such as video editors and games, generally require more RAM. The simplest activities, such as watching a Blu-ray or checking your email, do not necessarily require a lot of RAM, but the extra power makes everything go faster.

Most computer buyers will be satisfied with 4 GB of RAM, while budget-conscious buyers could settle for 2 GB. A video player or a large computer user will want 8 GB or more of RAM, which represents the upper end of the spectrum for most computers. It is important to keep in mind that RAM is not really a factor in choosing a tablet. While tablets use RAM, RAM options are not obtained once a pill is selected.

Speed and power of the processor.

When it comes to your computer's processor, the general rule is that faster is healthier. In general, you can assume that the more cores you have and the higher the speed (measured in gigahertz or GHz), the better it will be. The more cores the processor has, the more calculations it can do at the same time. Speed ​​describes how fast these cores can work.

Unless you are trying to save every penny possible, do not buy a single-core computer because dual-core processors are widely and economically available. These dual cores provide all the power that most computer users need. Video editors, players, and other advanced users will need a quad-core or even a six-core processor.

Get the ports you need

Become familiar with the types of ports you will need on your computer and what each type does. Here is a quick guide to buying the most common computer ports and plugs:

·         SD: cameras, electronic readers and even tablets store files and data on SD cards, so having a built-in SD card reader offers great convenience.

·         HDMI: HDMI presents a convenient way to play audio and video between your computer and a TV or monitor.

·         USB: Common peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are connected via USB cables. The standard USB port these days is USB 3.0, although many devices support older USB ports.

·         Thunderbolt: Thunderbolt is a newer type of port that is predominantly found in contemporary Apple computers. It can transfer data and even support monitor connections too.

Check the package and verify your budget

Once you have made decisions about all the factors in this computer buying guide, review your final choices. Compare your options with your budget by browsing our Computer section. When everything lines up, congratulations on your new computer!