| While notebook computer prices have come down | | | | life? How about the size of the screen? What will you |
| quite a lot, laptops still range from inexpensive | | | | be comfortable with?Let me share something you |
| notebook models to high end luxury jobs. Naturally, the | | | | here. I use a refurbished Compaq for nearly everything |
| notebook you eventually choose to buy will depend on | | | | these days. It's been incredibly reliable for well over 2 |
| your resources and requirements, but if you are on a | | | | and a half years. I rarely take it anywhere. I have an |
| budget like so many of us are, you should give some | | | | external keyboard plugged into it and I use an external |
| thought to picking up a discount notebook | | | | monitor too. But I use the LCD at the same time. The |
| computer.There are a variety of reasons that a | | | | graphics allow me to spread my desktop over the |
| particular model may be discounted and it's smart to | | | | external monitor and the LCD screen. My visible |
| try to find out why. A legitimate retailer should be able | | | | desktop is over 25 inches. Depending on your graphics, |
| to offer a reasonable explanation. Any discount | | | | you can do the same thing with a desktop computer, |
| notebook computer should be new and carry a full | | | | but it takes up a lot more room. Now I feel horribly |
| manufacturer's warranty. Some specific notebooks | | | | limited when I have a little 17, 19 or 21 inch desktop. This |
| may be discounted because they've been factory | | | | is, hands down, the absolute best deal I've ever made |
| refurbished.Generally this means they were bought | | | | in a computer buy - including all the computers I've built |
| and returned for some reason. Then the factory rebuilt | | | | myself from scratch.That was a little off subject, but |
| them to original specifications, replacing any damaged | | | | I've found that very few people realize just how useful |
| or defective parts. Refurbished laptops may be | | | | spreading your desktop over more than one monitor |
| available for even less than discount notebooks. Not | | | | can be in terms of both comfort and productivity. OK, |
| everyone is willing to take a chance on a rebuilt | | | | back to the pre-shopping analysis. This kind of analysis |
| notebook, but you might want to consider the fact that | | | | sounds tedious because it is. It's much more fun to just |
| these machines have been burned in and the weak | | | | go out and buy on impulse. Unfortunately that's not a |
| parts failed and have been replaced. And they still | | | | smart thing to do. It sets you up to be seduced by a |
| come with a full warranty.Manufacturers will often | | | | hot sales pitch for a really neat bleeding edge high end |
| discount models based on closeout of a particular | | | | notebook. There are very very few people who |
| notebook computer. It may not have the latest | | | | actually need that kind of technology.The reality is that |
| technology and is being replaced by an upgraded | | | | 97 to 99% of the notebook computer buyers could do |
| model. Some discounts may be for loss leaders. Often | | | | at least 95% of their typical tasks with the cheapest, |
| a person will upgrade later to a more expensive model | | | | slowest notebook on the market. You need to be |
| based on brand loyalty or just the comfortable | | | | certain about how much you're willing to pay to do that |
| knowledge that the first notebook from XYZ Corp | | | | remaining 5% a little faster. And if your needs aren't |
| worked well so why not stick with them. A lifetime | | | | typical, you probably already have a good idea of just |
| customer is worth a small loss. Retailers will often | | | | what's required. The advantage of a discount |
| discount in order to get rid of excess inventory or | | | | computer is that you can put some of the money |
| prepare for new models.You do want to make sure | | | | you've just saved into more memory, an external hard |
| you aren't being given a used notebook disguised as a | | | | drive for backup, an additional (big) external monitor, an |
| discounted model. Check the warranty. A used | | | | extra battery, a new printer or whatever additional |
| notebook will normally not carry a manufacturer's | | | | accessory will make your work easier. And you'll |
| warranty and any warranty period may be shorter | | | | probably still come out ahead.We all have a tendency |
| then the standard new model warranty. Never, ever | | | | to overestimate our needs - and to want the biggest, |
| be afraid to ask hard questions. It's your money and it's | | | | fastest, best, coolest whatever. Salesmen know this. |
| going to be your data going into the notebook you buy. | | | | After all a discount notebook computer just isn't as |
| If you get weak or unsatisfactory answers, evasions | | | | sexy somehow, is it? But let's be real here, a notebook |
| or hostility, walk. There's lots of places to buy | | | | is to work. It will not get you that really hot lady or that |
| notebook computers.One thing you must do is to | | | | primo guy. In any case, the truly cool people have |
| analyze your own computer needs before you go | | | | minions to carry around their stuff and wouldn't be |
| looking for a notebook. Exactly what will you be using | | | | caught dead lugging around a computer or using one in |
| the machine for most of the time. How important is it | | | | public.A little thought, a little rationality, and you can end |
| to have a really fast machine? Do you need high end | | | | up with a high quality discount notebook that's more |
| graphics? How much disk space do you require? Do | | | | than sufficient for your needs without even spending |
| you need to read both CDs and DVDs? Do you want | | | | your whole budget. Now that is cool.Copyright 2006 |
| to be able to write CDs, DVDs? What kind of sound | | | | Richard KeirRichard, a computer professional and |
| do you need? How much memory? What other | | | | writer, has a strong interest in software and computer |
| specific features do you want - wireless, networking, | | | | hardware. Visit Completely Notebooks at for more on |
| floppy disk? Do you plan to carry it around a lot? Then | | | | notebook computers and accessories. |
| weight may be important. Do you need a long battery | | | | |