Many times you do not know what you need when shopping for a new laptop. There are so many advances in technology today. There’s no reason to worry too much because most other people don’t know what to buy eiter. Fortunately for you, there’s a lot of good knowledge available within the following paragraphs.

You will find that your laptop lasts longer if you purchase a good laptop cooling pad. One very common issue with laptops failing is them becoming way too hot. You can buy a cooling pad for your laptop for under 20 dollars, an inexpensive investment that can keep your laptop functioning longer.

Be gentle with your laptop when you are traveling with it. Get a sturdy, firm bag that does not bang or bump into you when you walk. Banging your laptop around can cause damage.

Think about purchasing a laptop from a shop offering extended warranty. Having a laptop repaired can be costly, and replacing an entire one is even more expensive. You can avoid this by spending a few dollars now to save yourself time, money and a headache later.

The amount of RAM and the type of operating system you need depends on what you will be using your laptop for. You don’t need a lot of computing power unless you are planning on gaming on your laptop. The less there is, the less your computer costs, so don’t ask for any add-ons that you do not need.

After you get your laptop, test it completely within the first month. Most computers have a 30-day return policy. Even if you don’t plan on doing video editing with it in the next few weeks, give it a go to see how it’ll be when you really need it. This is the window you have to ensure everything works well for you.

If you want a light, affordable computer, go for a “no drive bay” option. You will save a great deal of money; however, you must be prepared to install software via USB key or by downloading it because there will be no drives. If you need a DVD drive, get a portable one that attaches via USB.

Shut your laptop down when you are not using it. Shut off your laptop when you aren’t using it.

When you’re thinking of getting a laptop, the brand name only has to do with a reputation. Consider what current users have to say about Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Dell, Lenovo and Apple laptops. You may be surprised to see that they all seem to be quite similar, so brand may not be particularly important.

If you’re a gamer or a person who uses a lot of memory intensive programs, you may not need a dedicated graphics chip. Most dedicated graphic cards will shorten the battery life. Often a person may choose a laptop thinking a dedicated GPU is needed. Interestingly, these same people may never make full use of an integrated GPU.

Be sure you are familiar with the software that comes pre-programmed in the computer. You will probably want word processing software and perhaps spreadsheet capabilities. Find out if it is a trail or full version. If these have not already been provided, then it will cost you a little bit to purchase them.

Get a laptop with an additional layer of security if you’re concerned about theft or uninvited access. Some laptops have fingerprint and facial recognition security.

When purchasing from a conventional retailer, be skeptical of buying expensive warranty protection. The store makes money from these, but they aren’t worth the cost. If there are any serious problems with your laptop, you will probably find out within the time allotted for a normal warranty. If you would feel more comfortable with a warranty that covers a long time period, you’re better off buying from a merchant who already offers longer warranties with the item’s purchase price.

Portability is essential to some when buying a laptop. More portability does mean less of something else. Many of the smaller laptops lack extra ports, internal optical drives, and fast and large hard drives. Make sure you get all the features you need when buying a smaller laptop.

Look at all the different brand names. You may know a few bigger name companies. Do your brand research first, before you start any shopping, to see who offers the best laptops. Just because you have not recognized a brand does not mean that the brand puts bad machines together.

Before you buy a laptop, go to your local electronics store and try it out. In fact, you might even learn a trick or two before your laptop arrives by checking out how-tos which offer you a little expert insight.

Always plug your laptop in when you have the option. While the main point of a laptop is to use it anywhere, don’t use the battery life if there’s no need. The more often you use it while plugged in, the longer your battery will last.

Think about whether or not your laptop will be compatible with the other electronic devices you own. Do you have Apple TV and an iPhone? You can get a lot more out of them if you own a Macbook that integrates with them. The same applies if you purchase a PC to go along with your Android phone, or other Microsoft devices. Your opinion may change after you find out about additional functions and abilities.

A laptop is often a big purchase. Technology tends to move fast and several features may not last in the future. The best way to figure it all out is by having good tips such as these. Using the tips above will help ensure you get a laptop you will love.