Features to Pay Attention to When Laptop Hunting

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When you are shopping for a new laptop, what do you look for? Writer Sam Grobart for the New York Times recently wrote an article with some approaches for you. One of the primary things that Grobart suggests is to pay attention to the graphics card instead of the processor speed. The average laptop user is going to be someone who uses it to watch movies, surf the web, email people, and use general office programs. These people should focus on the more mundane attributes of laptops such as, screen size, memory, and weight.

Weight matters

Let’s focus on weight. The advantage of a laptop is that it is portable. Laptops, though, won’t feel so portable if they weigh more than six pounds. Laptops that break that six-pound line can stress your shoulder when you’re toting it in your backpack or duffel. It should not be too hard for smart shoppers to find laptops that weigh less than six pounds. Some weigh just two-and-a-half pounds.

Screen size

If you enjoy watching movies or videos on your laptop, try for a screen that measures 13 inches diagonally. This is the perfect size: big enough for movie-watching but not too big for a carrying bag.

Memory

RAM, or random access memory, matters in relation to laptops. Grobart suggests that consumers purchase laptops that come with at least 4 gigabytes of RAM. Laptops that have lower than that simply move too slowly. You will experience those aggravating delays between hitting a key and something happening on your screen. Don’t worry about going above 4 gigabytes, though. Typical laptop users won’t ever need more than those 4 gigabytes. There are certain factors that shouldn’t concern laptop users. One is the processor. Grobart writes that all processors used today are fine for laptops. He also advises that buyers not worry about battery life, either. That’s because a laptop’s battery life will vary depending on how you’re using your machine. Always bring a power cable with you and plug in. That makes battery life a particularly unimportant factor.

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