Laptops, also known as notebooks, are versatile, portable, come in a range of sizes and boast different levels of features. So, how do you find the laptop that's right for your needs? Just follow this buying guide on notebook computers.

Consider The Size Of Your Laptop

How often are you likely to be carrying your laptop? Are you after a notebook to play games and run graphics-intensive programs like photo editing software? Generally speaking, laptops with more features are less portable.

Lightweight and ultra-portable notebooks are a great option for people like students who need to carry them everywhere, as they range from under 2kg up to 4kg

Midsize and desktop-replacement laptops offer more features and are better suited to gaming and graphics-intensive programs like video and photo editing. They range from around 3kg to 5kg

Brain Speed – The Faster, The Better

Processors are often referred to as the "brains" of a laptop because they determine how fast your computer functions. The speed of the processor is measured in GHz (gigahertz). It's always safest to go with the fastest you can afford.

The Grunt

RAM (Random Access Memory) helps your processor perform tasks by acting as a temporary storage point.

In short, the more RAM you have, the more programs you can keep open at once, and the faster your computer will go

Laptops range between 2GB and 16GB of RAM

A graphics (or video) card acts as a separate processor for rendering the images on the screen

Graphics cards draw on their own RAM, so the computer's performance is not impeded

This is important for graphics-intensive programs, such as games and movies.

Store It In The Hard Drive
The hard drive is where your computer stores your files. Storage capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB)

The more GB, the more files you can fit. If you want to store large files like high-quality photos, movies or music you should aim for a range between 500GB and 3TB

A laptop used solely for Internet, email and minimal image storage should get away with 250GB or less

How Long Does The Battery Last?

Typical laptop battery life is between three to five hours. If you're travelling and away from a power source for extended periods of time, then consider laptop computers with a battery life of over five hours.

Connecting Your Laptop To Other Devices
Consider the devices that you want to connect your laptop to. Multiple USB ports are necessities for iPods, digital cameras and external hard drives; also look for FireWire ports.

For connecting to monitors and projectors, look for a VGA connection at minimum. Aim for a DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort as well

Integrated wireless networking (Wi-Fi) will allow you to connect to a range of different networks without needing any wires or cords

Consider These "Usability" Factors

Laptops usually come with a pointing stick or a touch pad instead of a mouse. Make sure that you're comfortable using them

Also check that the layout and size of the keyboard is easy to use, and that the screen size suits your needs

If you're planning on working outside, check that there is a matte screen option to reduce glare

If you are switching from PC to Apple, or vice versa, it's important to note that Apple products have different shortcuts and a different look and feel to using them. However, making the switch either way is quite easy.

Match Your Lifestyle

Home and Business: Surf the net, work on multiple documents, watch movies, and manage your family photos and music.

Size: Look for a portable laptop under 4kg
Memory: Aim for the most memory you can, upwards of 250GB
Connectivity: Multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi, Firewire and a DVI or HDMI

Students and Travellers: Store your photos, music and videos, surf the Net and work on graphics-intensive programs, like photo editing.

Size: Choose an ultra-portable notebook under 2kg
Grunt: Look for a processor of at least 2GHz and 2GB RAM
Screen: Look for a matte screen to reduce glare when outdoors

Gamers: You'll need a fast, powerful machine to play your favourite games wherever you are in the world.

Size: Choose a larger screen, like a 15.6-inch one
Graphics: Add a separate graphics card with at least 1GB RAM
Connectivity: HDMI, multiple USB, eSATA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Simple Laptop Choices

Size: Smaller laptops are easier to carry around. Do you need a big screen?
Battery life: How long will you and your notebook be away from a power source?
Storage: Notebooks with bigger hard drives can store more files, including photos and video.



Extras:
Connect it: What devices (cameras etc) do you want to connect? How many ports will you need to connect them all at once?
Graphics cards: A must-do upgrade for gamers and those editing photos.

space for sell .

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franzis:
Laptops, also known as notebooks, are versatile, portable, come in a range of sizes and boast different levels of features. So, how do you find the laptop that's right for your needs? Just follow this buying guide on notebook computers.

Consider The Size Of Your Laptop

How often are you likely to be carrying your laptop? Are you after a notebook to play games and run graphics-intensive programs like photo editing software? Generally speaking, laptops with more features are less portable.

Lightweight and ultra-portable notebooks are a great option for people like students who need to carry them everywhere, as they range from under 2kg up to 4kg

Midsize and desktop-replacement laptops offer more features and are better suited to gaming and graphics-intensive programs like video and photo editing. They range from around 3kg to 5kg

Brain Speed – The Faster, The Better

Processors are often referred to as the "brains" of a laptop because they determine how fast your computer functions. The speed of the processor is measured in GHz (gigahertz). It's always safest to go with the fastest you can afford.

The Grunt

RAM (Random Access Memory) helps your processor perform tasks by acting as a temporary storage point.

In short, the more RAM you have, the more programs you can keep open at once, and the faster your computer will go

Laptops range between 2GB and 16GB of RAM

A graphics (or video) card acts as a separate processor for rendering the images on the screen

Graphics cards draw on their own RAM, so the computer's performance is not impeded

This is important for graphics-intensive programs, such as games and movies.

Store It In The Hard Drive
The hard drive is where your computer stores your files. Storage capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB)

The more GB, the more files you can fit. If you want to store large files like high-quality photos, movies or music you should aim for a range between 500GB and 3TB

A laptop used solely for Internet, email and minimal image storage should get away with 250GB or less

How Long Does The Battery Last?

Typical laptop battery life is between three to five hours. If you're travelling and away from a power source for extended periods of time, then consider laptop computers with a battery life of over five hours.

Connecting Your Laptop To Other Devices
Consider the devices that you want to connect your laptop to. Multiple USB ports are necessities for iPods, digital cameras and external hard drives; also look for FireWire ports.

For connecting to monitors and projectors, look for a VGA connection at minimum. Aim for a DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort as well

Integrated wireless networking (Wi-Fi) will allow you to connect to a range of different networks without needing any wires or cords

Consider These "Usability" Factors

Laptops usually come with a pointing stick or a touch pad instead of a mouse. Make sure that you're comfortable using them

Also check that the layout and size of the keyboard is easy to use, and that the screen size suits your needs

If you're planning on working outside, check that there is a matte screen option to reduce glare

If you are switching from PC to Apple, or vice versa, it's important to note that Apple products have different shortcuts and a different look and feel to using them. However, making the switch either way is quite easy.

Match Your Lifestyle

Home and Business: Surf the net, work on multiple documents, watch movies, and manage your family photos and music.

Size: Look for a portable laptop under 4kg
Memory: Aim for the most memory you can, upwards of 250GB
Connectivity: Multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi, Firewire and a DVI or HDMI

Students and Travellers: Store your photos, music and videos, surf the Net and work on graphics-intensive programs, like photo editing.

Size: Choose an ultra-portable notebook under 2kg
Grunt: Look for a processor of at least 2GHz and 2GB RAM
Screen: Look for a matte screen to reduce glare when outdoors

Gamers: You'll need a fast, powerful machine to play your favourite games wherever you are in the world.

Size: Choose a larger screen, like a 15.6-inch one
Graphics: Add a separate graphics card with at least 1GB RAM
Connectivity: HDMI, multiple USB, eSATA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Simple Laptop Choices

Size: Smaller laptops are easier to carry around. Do you need a big screen?
Battery life: How long will you and your notebook be away from a power source?
Storage: Notebooks with bigger hard drives can store more files, including photos and video.



Extras:
Connect it: What devices (cameras etc) do you want to connect? How many ports will you need to connect them all at once?
Graphics cards: A must-do upgrade for gamers and those editing photos.

That's a nice one bro. Thank you for the guide. I would rather you cited example with some related laptops. That way it'll be better.

Pls eg of good portable laptops,specs,functions with pix and thanks for the info.

great post! Nigerian girls don't have time for these ones sha. seen a girl use alienware just for movies. I nearly died

moderator plz help,,am tired of winning eleven on my lappy, wanna play pes or fifa on it,buh d pes 2014 software I av is very slow nd doesn't support pad as well,my system is hp 250 2gig ram 500hd,any suggestion plz?

hisholar2:
moderator plz help,,am tired of winning eleven on my lappy, wanna play pes or fifa on it,buh d pes 2014 software I av is very slow nd doesn't support pad as well,my system is hp 250 2gig ram 500hd,any suggestion plz?

the specification of your lappy can not handle the operational demands of PES 2014 . your system memory (RAM), processor & Video card are too low to handle the graphic demands of the game.

nymphomaniac:
great post! Nigerian girls don't have time for these ones sha. seen a girl use alienware just for movies. I nearly died

what the F***K? , are you kidding me? Alien ware, how did she get her hands on Alienware , wow!..that system is for hard core gamers like myself . i couldn't even get myself one even , they are so expensive even the low end ones are more expensive than ordinary high end laptops....she is wasting the power of that system o

nymphomaniac:
great post! Nigerian girls don't have time for these ones sha. seen a girl use alienware just for movies. I nearly died

Jesu mi ooooooooooooooooo. Chai... Alienware just for movies... That thing would die of underutilization

dabosuker:

the specification of your lappy can not handle the operational demands of PES 2014 . your system memory (RAM), processor & Video card are too low to handle the graphic demands of the game.

tnx bozz,wat about fifa

hisholar2:
tnx bozz,wat about fifa

Funny question, but I'd assume you don't know, so I'd answer you.

FIFA is going to be lot worse than PES.

FIFA has always had graphics than PES since time memorial.

So if a system can not play PES of a particular year, it dare not play FIFA of that particular year

I am planning on buying this notebook for general use(school work, games, movies, graphic designing) http://www.pcworld.com/product/1307396/hp-elitebook-8440p-wh255ut-rugged-notebook.html

Would this be perfect??

Cc barackodam dabosuker franzis nymphomaniac

Adedayo516:
I am planning on buying this notebook for general use(school work, games, movies, graphic designing) http://www.pcworld.com/product/1307396/hp-elitebook-8440p-wh255ut-rugged-notebook.html

Would this be perfect??

Cc barackodam dabosuker franzis nymphomaniac

its not bad but d video card memory wasn't mentioned. d HDD is small sha but u can always get an external HDD

nymphomaniac:
its not bad but d video card memory wasn't mentioned. d HDD is small sha but u can always get an external HDD

Quadro NVS 3100 video card 512mb

Adedayo516:
Quadro NVS 3100 video card 512mb

scratch out the graphics designing den...at least 1gb video card is needed

nymphomaniac:
scratch out the graphics designing den...at least 1gb video card is needed

Can the video card be replaced??

Adedayo516:
Can the video card be replaced??

not advisable

nymphomaniac:
not advisable

Thank you for the information and time.