| When planning to buy a cheap laptop computer, you | | | | battery is a good option.o Hard drive: The larger the |
| need to consider factors that go well beyond | | | | hard drive, the more data you can keep on your |
| performance and memory. You need to consider | | | | laptop. For a cheap laptop, it is better to choose hard |
| many factors like size, weight, screen dimensions, | | | | drives with 20GB or 40GB capacity depending on the |
| battery life, keyboard quality, built-in memory, and | | | | usage.o Keyboard: Laptop keyboards are quite |
| also certain other options like wireless connectivity. | | | | different from the keyboards we use with the |
| Let us now consider some key features you need to | | | | desktop computers. The keys are quite small and |
| consider when buying your laptop.o Processor: | | | | closely packed. Get hands-on with the laptop |
| Choosing the right processor is a very important task | | | | keyboard before you actually buy it.o Pointing device: |
| because the processor determines how quickly a | | | | Opt for a touchpad or pointing stick built into the |
| laptop can run applications and perform on-screen | | | | laptop. This is much more useful than connecting a |
| tasks. Don't settle for anything less than 1.4 GHz. This | | | | mouse via a USB port.o Optical drives: Many |
| is enough for everyday work-word processing, | | | | manufacturers offer laptops with re-writable DVD |
| spreadsheets, e-mail etc. Pentium M processors are | | | | drives. However for a budget laptop, a single CD-RW |
| good for this purpose. These processors are fast and | | | | drive is more than sufficient.o USB ports: Two USB |
| allow for long battery life.o System memory: The | | | | ports are enough for a budget laptop. If you need |
| more memory your laptop has, the more applications | | | | much more ports, you can always use an external |
| you can run at once and the better your laptop will | | | | USB hub. A hub usually consists of four or more USB |
| perform. Do not settle for anything less than 128 MB. | | | | ports and connects to one of your laptop's USB |
| However note that upgrading memory in laptops is | | | | ports.o Weight: Your laptop should weigh anywhere |
| not as easy as in the case of desktop computers.o | | | | between 4 and 10 pounds. If you still want to reduce |
| Screen size: The size of a laptop's LCD screen is | | | | weight, use can use external floppy and CD drives.o |
| quoted as a diagonal measurement. The larger the | | | | Communications: Do not opt for serial ports, PS/2 |
| screen, the higher the maximum resolution and the | | | | ports and infrared ports as they are becoming rare. |
| more information you can view at once. For cheap | | | | Opt for a built-in Ethernet instead. |
| laptops, choosing a 12.1 inches screen is a good | | | | You'll probably spend a lot of time with your new |
| option.o Battery: Thanks to the Pentium M | | | | laptop. Therefore research a lot before buying any |
| processors. Laptops now have very good battery life | | | | particular brand. Check for user's stories, consumer |
| when compared to the old ones. Battery life in the | | | | opinions, reviews and more. This will help you to get |
| units equipped with these chips range roughly from 3 | | | | your dream laptop at a low cost. |
| to 7 hours. Choosing a lithium ion rechargeable | | | | |