Shopping for a laptop can be a daunting task, or an enjoyable shopping experience. It will be what you make of it! Knowledge of the features you need and want will go a long ways towards making it at least a bit of fun. Ask yourself what you will be using your laptop for and where you will be using it, and what you expect the laptop to be capable of doing. Once you have an idea of the answers to these basic questions you will be better able to choose from the myriad options available.
Wireless card: For those who dream of accessing their personal network from any nook or cranny in their own home, without worrying about plug-ins and wires, make sure your notebook comes equipped with a Network Interface Card (NIC). Just add a Wireless router to your home to complete the setup. The Network Interface Card ( NIC) is also a necessity for those who want to be able to grab their laptop and head to a local hotspot to work or play and still be able to log on to the internet.
DVD Burner: Once considered a feature available only on high-end desktops, a DVD burner is a must-have if you plan to use your laptop to share and swap not only pictures but also all your home videos or work, with ease.
Instant DVD: One new feature that is just hitting the notebook market is the availability to watch a DVD without having to boot up the computer. A fantastic feature if you often use your laptop to watch movies on the go. In addition, just like it sounds, the DVD drive on the laptop functions as a DVD player, complete with remote control, without ever having to boot up the computer's operating system.
Audio jack combined with ultra useful headphones: Often overlooked, it will allow you to crank up the volume on your favorite song or game without offending the person next to you on that crowded flight. Some headphones even come fully equipped with a surround-sound like feature.
Screen size: Laptops now come with relatively large screens, and resolution clear enough, to rival any desktop. Shop where you can compare screens side by side, as this will help you immediately see the differences from screen to screen.
FireWire port: Once again, a feature that was once only an optional upgrade on high-end machines, a FireWire port is necessary have if you plan to use your laptop in conjunction with you digital video camera. A FireWire port allows the transfer of your video directly to your laptop for editing on the go.
Software: Purchased separately, software can be a major added expense to any computer purchase. In addition, laptops often come with the most meager assortment of titles available. However, as with all things electronic, the more the better, and once you know what hard features you need and want look for deals that will allow you to add selected software for a discount, or a bundle of software for an even deeper discount.
Cutting edge features change constantly in the market of anything electronic. So be aware of the newest of the new, and decide which and what options you will actually use. In addition, keep in mind that now more than any other time in the computer marketplace, that if you see a feature on a desktop that you just have to have, you can most likely find that same feature on a laptop.
