The Most Important Question You Must Ask Before Buying A Laptop!

Part 1 of The Laptop Buyer’s Guide.

If you’re a complete beginner to buying a laptop computer, this is without a doubt the simplest, yet most important piece of advice that you’ll ever read. I know that this is a very powerful claim but failing to heed this tip can cause you unnecessary frustration and a serious waste of your time and money.
With that said, the first and most important step you must take before you even start any sort of shopping around, price comparing or product review reading is (drums please!)…

“Why?”

Yup! Ask yourself “why”. That is more than enough. Asking yourself why you want to buy a notebook will determine wether you get the best possible machine for the best possible price or if you’ll just make a decision that will cost you in weeks and months to come.
Let me explain… for some reasons still unknown to me, when people decide to buy a thing, they usually turn to individuals whose advice is actually better to avoid. By the way: Just for your information “laptop” and “notebook” are the two common words used to describe these type of portable computers. Quite frankly, I have no idea which of the two terms is the proper one but I know that technology savvy people and manufacturers tend to use the latter and consumers settle for the former.

If you venture into the laptop department at your local computer store and ask one of those friendly salespeople, pardon me, ‘customer assistants’ for advice you will invariably be asked one question: “How much money do you have to spend?”. This, my friend, is your cue to secure your wallet and run.
The salesperson wants to determine your budget and then ‘advise’ you on how to spend every penny of it, thereby maximizing his or her commission or meeting a quota. A few months down the line you may realize that you don’t even use many of the bells and whistles for which you paid dearly.

On the other hand, if you ever ask a technophile — someone who’s in love with technology and who lives for the latest, fastest or most powerful gismos — for some laptop buying help, he’ll recommend to you the latest, fastest and most powerful notebook computer.

This causes a problem for two main reasons: 1) any thing that is “latest” is most of the times also “more expensive” besides being unnecessary. 2) you can never win at the “latest craze” game as faster and more powerful portable computers enter the market on a weekly basis. You will never have the most powerful laptop on the block, period.

There’s also a third group of people who will try to give you advice regarding a notebook purchase: Those whose money is at stake…. Some of such people are called bosses, financial managers, parents :), husbands or wives, banks, basically anyone whose money you might use to finance your laptop computer (except for loan sharks of course…).

I know of an accounting firm that provides its auditors with laptops to use on the move. I kid you not, these notebooks spend more than two thirds of their life cycle being serviced because they are such cheap and useless piece of… garbage — I almost swore! :)

And there are more people who will try to give you advice. They do it because they want to help out or show off but ultimately, only YOU know what is the best laptop computer for you. There isn’t any shortage of advice in this world but most of the times, it will throw you off track by confusing you.

Again, ask yourself:

Why do I *really* need a laptop?

Then write down your *exact* motives.

Enough preaching, here’s a quick practical example before I finish off…

Suppose that you’re a working mother with two wonderful children with so many different hobbies and after school activities that you spend half your days driving them back and forth. You feel that you need to purchase a laptop because you could be writing more of your book that’s in the pipeline but also polish all the columns you write as a freelance writer for extreme combats related publications, while you sit and wait for your daughter to finish her kick boxing classes and your son to finish the wrestling practice (pretty rough family, you mob are :)

That is a pretty good reason why and a smart one if you may allow me to give you a compliment. With that in mind, when you decide to buy the notebook, you’ll know that the latest Pentium IV 2.8 GHz with 40 Gb is a very nice laptop but not for you thanks…

Ask yourself “Exactly why do I need a laptop computer?” and your answer will be your ultimate guide in your shopping journey.

Now that you know exactly why you want that laptop, let’s get to tracking down the one with your name on it.

Next: Let’s Determine What Laptop Is Best For You

What Laptop Is Best For You?

How is a laptop different from a desktop?

Part 2 of The Laptop Buyer’s Guide.

Possibly, the greatest mistake that unhappy notebook owners made was to buy their mobile computer without determining its use. In other words, they knew that they wanted a laptop but never got around to asking themselves what they wanted their portable computer to do. I certainly hope that this article will help you avoid unnecessary frustrations

This time, ask yourself…

What will I be using notebook computer for?

(Btw: you’ll notice that I emphasize on asking yourself questions. I have found that being curious before I spend my precious money usually saves me from making decisions that might be fatal to my bank account. Besides when someone asks himself or herself “why?”, it forces them to come up with logical reasoning instead of acting on emotional impulses)

Why do I say “for the next three years?”

Because this is the usual maximum lengthy of a laptop warranty. Believe me, owning a computer that is not covered by some sort of warranty is almost the same as living without medical aid. You simply have to be extra careful or lucky and able to afford to have your laptop repaired when something goes nasty. For instance, did you know that the cost to buy a new laptop screen is so high that it’s much better to consider purchasing a new unit?

Where were we?

Ah yes, “What will I be using notebook computer for?”

Nowadays, it is hard to determine where life will take you in three years time (for me at least) so jotting down the exact purpose of your laptop can be quite a task. This is why I suggest determining your overall notebook use.

Now, things are going to get a little bit technical but please fear not, it’s not that hard.

When I was new to the world of notebooks or laptops, everyone I approached for advice (mistake number one: asking too many people for advice which is usually a mere opinion) usually asked me: “What are the specs you need?”. On my silence, they usually proceeded in bombarding me with terms such as processor, resolution, speed, swappable drive that almost made me believe that I was a freaking idiot!

It wasn’t until a colleague in the IT department at the company I work for asked me what exactly I wanted to do with a laptop. As I spoke, he wrote down all my answers and at the end of the conversation, he told me that a Pentium III with at least a 1GHz processor, 256 Kb of RAM, 30 Gb of hard drive space and with a CD writer would be the best choice for me.

To help you come up with the purpose of your laptop computer, I have put together a hotlist of features that are found on notebooks. All the features will be listed with their meaning and it’s up to you to determine if you need them.

So, get a piece of paper and a pen and do this easy exercise. Write down what you plan to use your notebook computer for. Don’t be shy, jot down as much detail as you can, yes even the most mundane tasks like receiving email. Spend a full day at it if you must.

What are we going to do with the end results?

Good question. We’ll use them to track down the best machine for you… How? Click below to find out!

Next: Tips On Choosing The Right Laptop Specifications

Tips on choosing the right laptop specifications

The Laptop Buyer’s Guide.

Now that you know why exactly you need a laptop and have determined what you are going to use it for, now is the time to identify the features that your notebook computer must have.

I am not a computer hardware guru and even though I know what the essential components of a laptop are I can’t really explain them. I guess it’s one of those things… (”Hey! I don’t know everything you know” :).

But fear not, I have identified three articles to learn all about notebook specs. (These links will open new browser windows. Read all the articles and then come back here…)

• CNet: What To Look For In Notebooks
• ZDNet: The Key Decisions You Need To Make Before Choosing Which Notebook To Buy.
• PCWorld: Buyers’ Guide to Notebook PCs

By the time, you finish reading the above articles, you’ll be equipped with the right information to make the best purchase but not before we tackle this one question.

What is the best notebook computer brand?

This is one of those questions that will never have a right or wrong answer. Let me explain… Everyone will answer this question based on his/ her experience or those to the people this person knows.

When I asked an IT manager, he said “HP” (Hewlett-Packard). “Why?”, said I. “I have bought five for the company and they have never let us down. On the other hand, a friend of mine got a Dell the other day and two weeks later the darn thing overheated and ceased to function!”, he replied.

When asked the same question, one of my friends who owns a multimedia design business assured me that Dell was the best bet because, their post-purchase service is excellent and Dell computers are good and reasonably priced.

From the above anecdotes, you’ll notice that each of the respondents base their answers from what they have experienced or heard.

What notebook brand should you purchase?

My answer is deceptively simple. Go for the well known global brands whose other products you already own. Let’s say that you already own a Sony digital camera and a Sony MP3 player. One of your family members also happens to own a Vaio (Sony’s notebooks).

What’s your obvious choice? Sony of course :)

An obvious tip: if you’re a Mac user, you’re obviously going to go for a Mac laptop right? Right of course! It’s in your best interests!

Another example. Let’s say that you travel a lot.

It would be in your best interests to opt for a brand that is present in all the countries that you plan to visit. Why? Because, you want that peace of mind when you know that should something go wrong with your laptop PC, you can get local help instead of nightmare international calls.

Another reason why you should go for well known brands…

The laptop industry is *very* competitive. What would happen if you ever bought a machine from a little company that later goes bankrupt because of the tough competition? Stick with the biggies and stay on the safe side.

Here’s an interesting point. I have never come across any claim that stated that a certain laptop brand was far better than an other (among the “big guys”). What I know is that certain manufactures might make a good component but another one would fail to be top-notch.

Don’t be fooled by pricing either. It costs more or less the same amount of resources to manufacture a laptop wether your are company A or B. The end price is a marketing tool that is used to either attract those who are budget conscious or those who believe that high pricing equals to better quality.

This is where I am going to leave you on your own and let you choose your specific notebook brand. If I gave you my advice, it would be based on my own experiences and would be completely subjective.

As you finish reading this article, you now know the exact features that your ideal laptop should have and you also settled on a specific brand.

What you need to do now is determine where to buy your notebook at the best possible price without shooting yourself in the foot either, buying from a merchant with poor support for example.

We’re going to find out where to buy your laptop computer.

Cheap laptop computer buying guide

One killer case scenario!

I know that most of shoppers are after a good cheap laptop computer deal. The cheaper, the better, as matter of fact. After all, isn’t it a smart idea to try our best to purchase a quality product and pay a minimum amount?

In their quest of perfect cheap laptop computer deals, many buyers opt for little known notebook brands made local manufacturers or marketed by a popular retailer with little experiencea and dedication to the computer hardware market. How do you recognize them? Such seemingly cheap laptops have low prices and usually have rather cheesy names. I will not dare mention some because I don’t want any trouble with their legal team nor do I want to hurt the feelings of those who own such laptops.

Here’s why I never recommend anyone to purchase non major brand cheap laptop computers.

1) There’s usually little information about them

Every now and then, I will receive an email featuring a cheap laptop computer related email from a website visitor asking about a given little-known notebook brand.

Believe it or not but I do not know all manufacturers of laptops in the world. So I usually try to get information about such brands at Google and get little information that never really help me in formulating a rich answers.

Why bother with a company and product nobody seems to know anything about? I don’t know about you but I am not willing to take such a risk even if the cheap laptop computer deals offered are out of this world.

2) What happens when you travel?

These cheap laptop computers are usually marketed by a retailer that does business in one country. Part of the reason you want to purchase a laptop is to be able to take wherever you go, right? So here you go travelling overseas with your new cheap laptop computer. At your hotel, somebody bumpsa your notebook bag and later on when you try to switch on your computer, you find that there’s a problem.

If you had a “major brand” laptop, you could just use the yellow pages to find a local authorized shop that would service the computer for you. You do understand that you would be in a situation if the only place your cheap laptop computer could be fixed was back home?

3) Compatibility

Software and accessories manufacturers tend to make their products compatible with major computer brands first, if not exclusively. So, here you are trying to get a certain hardware to connect with your cheap laptop computer and because it contains a different combination of gizmos, you will have a hard time making them work together if you ever manage.

This has happened to many friends of mine who wanted to purchase a music software and their cheap laptop computers were not able to handle it. They learned their lesson, forked out the money and went “mainstream”.

Those 3 rants about cheap laptop computer deals is not meant to discourage you from buying a little known notebook brands but merely to let you know what to expect.

Ultimately the choice is yours but personally, I would stick with the Apple iBook and PowerBook G4, Compaq Presario, HP Pavilion, Dell Inspiron, Toshiba, Gateway, Fujitsu, Sony Vaio and whatever major manufacturer is out there.

Here’s how
to shop for and buy cheap laptops made by global companies.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Update: If you really insist on cheap laptop computer deals….

Why not get a “major brand” cheap laptop computer from reputable online retailers’ outlets that feature used, refurbished or even heavily discounted laptops? This is actually the method I recommend to my visitors and friends.

• Overstock.com
• Amazon.com
• Apple
• TigerDirect.com

Laptop deals: 3 must-know secrets

I was always under the impression that laptop deals spotting was one aspect I had dealt with in depth. But from the feedback I am getting, it seems that either I am not making myself understood or people are simply not reading the content found here and just want me to point them to the right direction.

To hammer in a point, I will (once again) reveal everything I know about snapping the best laptop deals on the Internet.

Look for the Outlet and Refurbished Sections

1) Probably the easiest way to get the best laptop deals is to head over to the various Outlet sections of reputable dealers of laptops. You will usually find the links towards the deals section hidden somewhere because they would rather you purchase the most expensive computers.

To get started, check out my personal sources of kick-butt laptop deals and when you see a notebook that meets your needs get it right away because I can guarantee you that such offers don’t last long because they get snatched quickly!

Snap Up Models That are Being Replaced

2) If you follow technology news, you can predict when computer prices are going to drop or increase. Since you are after laptop deals, you will have to pay attention when a new model or laptop technology change is introduced on the market. You can be sure that within days, current inventory will have to be sold to make room for better laptops. And this is when resellers usually drop their prices to encourage customers to buy them and this is your cue to get in on the action.

Use Shopping Comparison Sites

3) One sure way to spot all the laptop deals is to browse from online store to online store. If you are patient, this will work wonders for you. If you are like me and do not have the time for that exercise, you can simply use those shopping sites that allow you to compare prices of different dealers from one central place thus saving you energy. The only problem about finding a deal on laptops on a shopping site is that a) profiled merchants are paying for inclusion b) these merchants adjust their prices accordingly, so the price differences are usually minimal.

I don’t want to turn this into an essay and beside, I have to go meet some friends who do not tolerate people who are late. With the above three techniques you should be fine.

If you need in depth guides on how to spot the best laptop deals, select any below (update coming shortly)… Happy shopping and good luck :o)

Are refurbished laptops still the best shopping bargain?

When I first wrote the first article on refurbished laptops, I was basically admonishing smart shoppers to consider them as the ultimate way to purchase an excellent notebook at a very decent price. Three or four years later, I still have not changed my opinion.

I won’t go into the details of buying refurbished laptops as I have written about it in many articles. What I will go into is why I still believe that it’s still the smartest choice for experienced or new shoppers of notebook computers.

Computer retailers don’t like to waste money. They also hate it when a buyer returns a laptop for various reasons such as buyer’s remorse or simply because it’s not what they wanted/needed. These retailers obviously invite their customers to return the products that they purchased from them if they are not satisfied because it’s a good business move.

On the inside, retailers cringe when items such as notebooks are returned and customers want their money back. It does not matter if the computer was not even switched on but once the box is opened, that computer has lost a substantial share of its value. Yes, just like in the car industry.

Of course, non-scrupulous retailers could just close the box and put it on the shelf again but heaven forbid should they be busted which is likely to happen due to the simple fact that it only takes an unhappy employee to blow the whistle for hell to break lose.

I don’t know if it’s the law but computers that have been returned by consumers have to be inspected first, then repackaged and sold as refurbished laptops with a guarantee that they will work and at lower price than an “never before opened” similar item.

Refurbished laptops are a smart shopper’s blessing:

1) They come with rigorous inspection as opposed to other laptops. Indeed due to cost reasons, each manufactured laptop cannot be inspected so they choose a random unit from a sample. I won’t get into details as it involves statistics and mathematics, two subjects that owned me in my school and university years.

2) They are sold for far less. And I have noticed in some computer shops that if you pay cash, they’ll even omit the tax! Now, it’s up to you and your moral values to act accordingly but the discount can be quite huge.

One activity I like to do to kill time is to browse Apple computer’s online store list of specials especially when it includes refurbished laptops. Within hours, that page is usually taken down due to the fact that they sell out so fast.

If I had the time, I would hunt down refurbished laptop computers from all over the net and resell them for eBay as I know that I would be getting more money than someone selling a used laptop.

So, yes, after three years, I am still endorsing considering refurbished laptops as the first destination for notebook shopping.

To legally protect myself though, I will add that you do so at your own risk and that I am not liable for whatever wrong might happen. In today’s world, you just have to be extra careful…