It seems that buying a new laptop computer gets more complicated every year. Portable PCs have come a long, long way, there’s no doubt about that. An average laptop today is hundreds of times more powerful than even the most high-end of desktop PCs a scant 10 years ago.
To make things even more complicated, in the old days the only real choice was to buy a Windows laptop. Mac laptops were considered the domain of tech geeks and graphic designers; but with Apple gaining market share rapidly, and the introduction of the Intel Mac, buying an Apple laptop is now a real possibility for many average consumers.
Additionally Apple’s technical support is considered superior, and their computers are known to be far less susceptible to computer viruses and other malware, making them an attractive buy to even first-time laptop owners.
Among Windows laptops, both Dell and Gateway have decent customer service and offer custom configurations of both laptops and desktops. In fact, the ability to customize a Windows PC is the one selling point Apple can never compete with. Many Windows laptop owners report choosing a Windows machine because of the wide range of software available, and the ability to customize their laptop to their exact specifications.
But whether you buy a custom laptop or an off-the-shelf model, the chances are your laptop will have speed to spare to run most any program or even 3-D games. Processor speeds have increased to the point where even modest laptops offer more than enough speed to handle multiple programs with ease. In fact, processors speed is less important today than ever before in the history of laptop computers.
So rather than focusing on the fastest processor, many consumers are opting for greater memory configurations. A typical modern laptop will perform much better with doubled memory capacity, but see only slight performance improvements from increasing the processor speed. So if you should choose to have a laptop custom-made, you’re better off putting your money into more memory, rather than the latest, greatest processor.
The ergonomics of the machine make a great deal of difference as well. Opting for a slightly tilted keyboard, with solid keys and touch pad buttons will minimize the effects of “laptop burnout.” And if you’ll be using your laptop for extended periods of time, a wide glossy screen with an antireflective coating can reduce eyestrain, while maintaining a bright, clear display.
Now that laptop processor speeds have finally caught up with desktop models, and even the most average of new machines has memory and power to spare, the real concerns in buying a new laptop are user comfort and ergonomics.
Related Internet Directory Categories:
