Questions to ask when buying a laptop

Choosing a new laptop can seem like a bit of a minefield if you’ve never done it before. There are so many models to choose from and options to consider.Here are 20 things for you to think about before you buy.  First, think about how you’re going to use your laptop. If you’re just going to use it for sending email and surfing the net, any laptop will do. However, if you need it for work or more complicated tasks such as video editing, you should pay more attention to the specification. 

 1. What size screen?

 Laptop screens range from 8-inch on ultra-portable netbooks up to the very large 19-inch, with around 15.6 inches being standard (the screens are always measured diagonally in inches). If you’re going to be using a laptop instead of a desktop computer, the bigger the screen is, the better, but if you’re going to be carrying it around, a screen about 15 inches across is probably best because of the weight implications. 

2. How heavy will it be? 

What you choose is going to depend on whether you’re going to be carrying it around a lot. A laptop with a 15.6-inch screen will weigh between 2 and 3kg (4.4–6.6lb). Unfortunately, the very lightest laptops come at a substantial cost. 

3. Which operating system should I choose?

 The operating system you can use will depend on the type of laptop you have. For PC laptops, the most popular operating system for home use is currently Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. Netbooks often use Windows 7 Starter, which is a cutdown version with less functionality. Other operating systems are Apple OS X (which can be used only on Apple Macs) and Linux (which is found mainly on PCs). Some people prefer these for specific purposes, but because fewer people use them, it might be more difficult to find compatible software and, more importantly, to find someone to help you if something goes wrong.  

4. Will it be wireless?

 If you don’t want to be tied to using the laptop close to a telephone socket, you’ll need to connect it to the internet wirelessly. All modern laptops are capable of doing this, but you’ll need a wireless router, which some internet service providers now provide as standard.   

 5. How long will the battery last? 

The life of some laptop batteries is only about two hours before they have to be recharged. If you’re going to be mainly using your laptop while on the move, look for one with a battery that has more longevity than this – some last up to six hours. Bear in mind that battery life does tend to deteriorate with age. 

6.What size hard drive do I need? 

The hard drive is the area of the laptop where all your files, folders, pictures and videos will be stored. Its size is measured in gigabytes (Gb). A standard laptop will probably have a capacity of between 160 and 500Gb. However, 160Gb will probably be perfectly adequate except if you’re intending to save a lot of large files such as videos.  

 7. What sort of guarantee will my laptop have?

 Laptops usually come with a one-year ‘back-to-base’ warranty, which means that the machine will have to go to a workshop to be fixed and won’t be repaired in your home. However, like other electrical products, there will also be the option to pay for an extended and/or enhanced guarantee. Check whether the shop or manufacturer offers a freephone helpline in case you require any help setting up the laptop. 

 8. How much memory should it have?

 RAM – random access memory – is also measured in gigabytes. At least 2Gb is recommended for the latest operating systems, which, to work efficiently, need more memory than previous versions. The speed of the laptop will depend a lot on the amount of RAM it has.   

9. Which processor should I buy?

 This is the most important component of the laptop and will determine how well it performs. Processors are usually made by either Intel or AMD. For basic use, a dual core processor will be adequate, but for more complicated tasks such as video editing, it’s worth paying for a quad core one.   12. Do I need a webcam? If you want to be able to make free video calls using Skype, a built-in webcam and microphone will save you having to buy and connect separate ones.   

 10. Will I need to buy an anti-virus program?

Your new laptop will probably come pre-loaded with a trial version of an anti-virus program such as Norton or McAffee. After a month or two, your right to use this will expire and you’ll be asked to pay a subscription. The alternative is to uninstall this and download one of the popular free anti-virus programs from the internet. You should never have more than one antivirus program on your computer as they can conflict with each other.