What types of factors should I be considering when choosing a new laptop computer?

When choosing a laptop, there are many factors to consider in order to make the best choice. The most overriding factor in the beginning is probably your price range of how much you are willing to pay for your laptop. You must also consider what purpose you are using the laptop computer for, which will help determine the size and specifications of the laptop computer. An easy way to go about this is to discuss the most common usage purposes for laptop computers and discuss the different specifications that usually serve those uses. Along with those purpose, the need for portability and usage flexibility of the laptop is also determined.

When we are talking about specifications, that refers to the CPU processing power, amount of memory RAM, type of video card, sound card, speakers, networking options, ports for printers and scanners, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD/DVD writers, and other specifications.

When someone who is self-identified as a home user for a laptop, they are probably most likely looking for a desktop replace computer which they will not move very much (probably only room to room in limited cases). Since you don’t have to focus on a small sized and portable machine, you can focus on getting quality and good value components for your laptop. You also don’t have to focus on battery life since you can just leave the laptop computer plugged into the outlet. For the home user, you should choose laptop computers that are identified as desktop replacements which will be jam packed with features and components or those are medium in their specifications and price for the more budget friendly laptop.

When a student is choosing a laptop computer, they are probably looking the most for portability as well as budget friendly for those leaner student budgets. Students should focus on laptops that are smaller in size and lighter in weight and stay away from expensive and powerful components so that you can get a portable and useful laptop computer within your budget. When using a laptop in many locations and times, it also runs the risk for being dropped or spilled upon, so you may opt for a more rugged and shock and spill proof machine if your budget allows.

Business users need a good blend of portability and powerful components in their laptop computer. They will probably be traveling a lot, requiring a medium size for the computer as well as good battery life. Business users also will need to sometimes run fairly component intensive applications or make presentations. With frequent travel, connectivity will be a must, so buyers should look at wifi, blue tooth, docking options, and other ways to connect to get and share information. For those long and boring waiting times in airports or on planes, business users might want to opt for good DVD, video, and audio options on their laptop computer.

If you are a serious gamer or multimedia afacionado, you will want the best and latest in laptop technologies with respect to video card, sound card, processing power CPU, DVD drive, hard disk, and even HD Blu-ray drive. These users should probably opt for desktop replacement laptops that have the largest screen and best components. Of course you are going to be paying a premium for all those upgrade components and also sacrifice on laptop portability.

I’m trying to choose a CPU for my laptop computer. What are my options?

Current, the best CPU for performance and computing power for laptop computers is from Intel called the Intel Core 2 Extreme. With this CPU you get the most performance and computing power on your laptop but you must pay a premium price for it as well as know that you will not be able to maximize battery life with it. This CPU is probably only best suited for desktop replacements, home use laptops, or multimedia and serious gaming laptops where you will not be moving it very much. When wanting to choose portability in your laptop, you should probably choose another CPU which gives you better battery life.

Some CPUs which will also offer good and respectable computer power as well as good battery life for your laptop computer and are worth checking out are the Core 2 Duo from Intel or the Turion 64 x2 from AMD. The more middle of the road CPUs for laptop computers in their computer power, price, battery life, and value are the Core Duo, Core Solo, and Pentium M from Intel; and the Turion 64 from AMD. The most budget choices for a laptop CPU are the Intel Celeron M and the Mobile AMD Sempron.

What are the top brands of laptop computers that I should consider?

The top selling brands and usually the most reputable for reliability, good value, and quality parts are manufactured by Apple, Asus, Dell, Acer, Gateway, IBM, HP, Fujitsu, Motion Computer, Toshiba, Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic.