There are hundreds of different models to choose from, when looking around the market searching for a laptop to buy, picking just one is not easy. Some people are not really sure what they are about either, if you were to ask them, they would most probably go ‘I want to purchase a notebook’. Very well then sir, have you thought about the budget? Do you have any special needs it absolutely has to have or know? Are you comfortable having one that had gone through some hands before? What screen size do you prefer? Should it be of any particular color? Pink perhaps? Are you a student and in need of a good all arounder?
Our imaginary customer usually loses the thread right about here and succumbs to the powers of the mighty salesman to lead their way and sell them whatever they want. This is what I would like to avoid so I thought I’d put some thoughts on ‘paper’ in the matter.
First question they should think about is the purpose of buying the new laptop. Is it for work, multimedia or just to have something to pass time with. Is it to replace a desktop computer to save space on the desk perhaps? Once it is decided focus should move to the second most important factor choosing the mobile companion. Price.
What amount of money does Joe Everyman would like to pay and more importantly how much is he capable of paying? There are notebooks or netbooks even for $350 new ready for grabs with free shipping at any major webshops.
These computers come with a rather unconventionally small 10” screen and a processor designed with mobility in mind running at 1.3-1.6ghz usually a gigabyte of memory and 160-250 gigabytes of hard disk. Pro can be the small size, long battery and friendly price life while cons usually mentioned are lack of power and optical drive. I agree with both; these are for watching movies, listening to music and office use but great at that.
Value notebooks sporting a spacious 15.6” screen come for as low 
as $500. These usually have internal DVD rewriter and dual core processor more often than not. Basic models go on for 2-3 hours on a single charge while more expensive pieces – ones with 9 cell battery installed – work for 4-5 hours. The cheaper side of the spectrum is Fujitsu-Siemens and Asus while Sony and Lenovo definitely is the other end. Our imaginary customer is now more confused than ever, so checks out the manufacturers’ website to see what laptops they have for sale. These are the models I usually recommend for college students who want to buy a laptop, as they tend to be exceptional all arounder. Best of the average, if that makes any sense.
Subnotebooks are bordering sizes of a netbook but they have normal parts of a normal laptop. Translated to non-geek it means that in spite of the size they’re very well capable of doing everything their big brother can except one thing. They can’t cost less than $1000. Subnotebooks are usually 12-13” in size and less than 2 kilograms in weight. Most prominent maker is Sony with the ever so luxurious Vaio series. One should seriously have to have a deep pocket to get one of these.
I think tablet pcs are to be mentioned here, not for the common use with subnotebooks but the price. You won’t see them under $1500-$2000.
Cheap laptops are not always the least expensive. It goes without saying but perhaps it’s better to state the obvious than having somebody learn it for the price of a laptop. Used notebooks are to be handled with due care. Before purchasing one customers should ask everything they can think of. Verify the laptop physically first, any cracks on hinges, hinge or the body should be enough to put anyone off the purchase, unless the price is exceptionally reasonable. Should there be a chance, check hard disk of these laptops prior to purchase because even a single bad block goes a long way rampaging on your files.
Refurbished notebooks are not as bad as second hand ones as there usually is a healthy warranty left and the manufacturer tests the units as well as erases everything on the hard disk drive. These are the units usually someone didn’t care for and returned to shop with all the accessories. The retailer must be able to clarify the reason why the unit is refurbished as well, don’t be afraid to ask.
I am intending to do some more detailed comparison in every field, because there are still many questions that could be asked, but there should be something left for tomorrow as well, right?
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