Everyone loves getting a new laptop. It’s fun to have a bright, shiny new piece of technology, even if you don’t consider yourself a “nerd”. Whether you are in the store trying to pick one out yourself or trying to find the best fit for your business’s needs, there is a lot to consider.  With all of the options out there, it’s hard not to get lost in shopping shuffle.

To ensure you select a laptop or netbook that’s a perfect fit for your needs, there are two important questions to ask: “What am I going to use it for?” and “What do I need it to do for me?”

1. What am I going to use it for?  What will the primary use of this laptop be? Is it for work or for play? Will you be editing lots of Word documents on it or mostly surfing the web? Is it generally going to stay stationed on your desk or will you be carrying it around all the time? Do you need a big screen, or do you want it to be ultra portable?

If you’re looking for a mobile laptop to carry around with you, it’s best to stay 13 inches and under. A 15 inch device is definitely do-able, but just make sure you look into the model that you want and actually pick it up so that there are no surprises after the purchase when you’re lugging it around with you. Most people feel that 13 inch laptops are the happy medium – good for travel and yet big enough to use all day at work on your desk.2.  What do I need it to do for me?  Do you need a lot of hard drive space and memory? Is the speediest internet possible a must? Is gaming important to you?

As for specific specs, here are some general rules of thumb to go by for pretty much any laptop or netbook purchase:

– A Dual-core CPU
-2 Gigs of ram if running Windows 07, 1 GB on netbook
-A minimum of 160 GB hard drive
-Wireless 802.11 Wi-Fi

If you’re considering making a purchase soon, your wallet is in luck. The ever-competitive laptop market has allowed prices to come down – or at least plateau pretty nicely. Many manufactures are now upgrading the features in their hottest models without budging the price at all. A prime example of this is the Apple MacBook, which has had tons of enhancements made over the years but still costs $999.  Without any problem you can shop around and find a decent netbook for $299 – $399.

The latest editions of laptops come with great battery life, LED screens and more and can be bought for $700-$900. Any laptop costing $999 or above is considered super-premium and will be sure to make you smile with all of its bells and whistles. If you don’t have that kind of money, don’t fret, the laptops in the normal price range still have plenty of tricks up their sleeves for you!

One last question… Should I buy the warranty? 
I always say yes to this one. But, when it comes to warranties (whether it be Mac or PC) your best bet is usually to purchase the one that comes directly from the company who makes the computer, not the store.

Making an investment in technology hardware can be a daunting, stressful task. That’s why our clients rely on their designated Client Solutions Manager to help them make the best decisions on technology investments for their businesses. Through our B2Bweb™ online computer store, every customer has easy access to any needed technology product from hundreds of major manufacturers at some of the most competitive pricing online.  Small business customers can make purchases at the same pricing levels typically enjoyed by large companies. Find out more about The Launch Pad’s B2Bweb Online Computer Store.

For more information, please contact Megan Meisner at mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813 920 0788 x210.