Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Laptops grow gadget cover insurance in popularity on an annual basis. If you've only used a desktop computer up until this point, it may very well be that you've not realized yet how much more convenient a laptop can be. The following laptop tips can maximize your experience.

Take a look at home shopping channels for terrific laptop deals. Such sites let you make monthly payments and do not require credit checks. For possibly as little as one hundred dollars per month, you can get a great laptop.

When you purchase a laptop online, do not pay extra for productivity software or word processing. You will typically pay full retail on this software. Rather, purchase yours from an online discounter. You can easily save 20 to 30 percent, and at times more than that.

Don't let the netbook concept confuse you. There are those who believe that netbooks are simply little laptops, but this is incorrect. Netbooks are just simple tools so you can check email and use the Internet, but they have no power like a laptop has power. If what you need is a laptop, do not get a netbook.

Create a list of all the things you hope to do with your laptop. For instance, will it accompany you into the kitchen so you can view recipes? If you are, you need to get a waterproof skin! Use this list to figure out the features you need.

If you have to carry your laptop around from place to place, be careful of how you carry it. You should invest in a sturdy, padded case that doesn't swing around as you carry it. This consistent banging could damage its components.

Think about a protection plan as you purchase a laptop if you intend to move it around a lot, since laptops like this run a higher risk of damage or accident. This can save you money if it gets damaged. Always read the fine print and make sure you understand the terms of the coverage.

Think about purchasing a laptop from a shop offering extended warranty. Fixing a computer is expensive, and replacing your entire machine can cost even more. Just invest a few dollars annually into a good warranty, and you might save a bundle.

One key part of any laptop is a good graphics card. For basic functions of the laptop, an integrated graphics chip will be sufficient. You will get better performance for games and videos by using a dedicated chip for graphics. In general, work stations and gaming laptops have the best quality graphics chips available.

Most people do not need much power in their laptop. Unless you will playing video games, it is not necessary to get a fast motherboard and lots of RAM. The computer will be cheaper if it has less, so don't add things you don't need.

Think about customizing your laptop. Of course, it is quicker to purchase an already completed laptop. The issue lies with the fact that your needs should be beyond met, and the price should be fair. Customized laptops can easily cost less than a pre-set system, as you can avoid paying for high level hardware you may not need.

Check out the ports which come on your laptop before you buy! You need to make sure there are enough ports available to plug in all your peripheral devices. Find out what ports you are going to need, and make sure the ones you need are included.

If you use your laptop for work or online banking, have strong security features enabled. Some laptops come pre-installed with security software. They may also have privacy screens and security slots. No feature is foolproof, though, so take the steps you need to keep your information safe, as well.

The laptop speakers are important if you will be watching movies, playing games or listening to music on your laptop. Speakers are central to any entertainment experience, and using external speakers is burdensome to do repeatedly with a laptop.

Since you have had an opportunity to take in some good advice about laptops, you will see how simple it can be to buy and use one. Use the above tips to help make the process of buying, and owning, a new laptop a simple reality. You will quickly learn that life is just not the same without a laptop.