Things I Consider Before Purchasing a Laptop

Things I Consider Before Purchasing a Laptop

I get this question every so often so I decided to make a post about it...

1. Repair and Upgrade Options

Is it easy to swap parts?

Are parts available and also modern and/or common enough that they will be available in the future?

The maximum amount of memory it can use (keeping up with future operating systems)?

The interface and maximum size of hard drive it can handle?

Can the battery be swapped or replaced or is it glued in?

Is the memory soldered in?

Check out http://www.ifixit.orgfor some of this info.



2. Screen size and capabilities

The screen is indeed the main thing you will be looking at until the unit is replaced.

Viewing angle (one person view or three person wide view)

Size. A smaller screen will usually provide a longer battery life while a larger screen is better for watching movies with one or more people.

Daylight viewable? (If you cant see it in the sun, your mobility will be limited to the shade)



3.  Keyboard

Flimsy in the center?  Rigidity will last longer and will not require deeper type strokes on center keys of the keyboard.



4.  Portability

How portable do I need it to be?  A laptop for the car can be a little bigger than one to walk around with.



5.  Interoperability with Legacy Parts

For those who don't know I am a ham radio operator and some of my older radios prefer a 9 pin serial jack to program or control.  Sometimes the USB serial adapters do NOT cooperate.



Just thought I'd post some of the things to I think about to get folks thinking about what they need in a laptop...