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In the market for a laptop computer? Sometimes the answer to that question seems to be 'Who isn't?'

But before you go buying that discount laptop computer you've picked out, there's a few things you need to pay special attention to if you've previously only owned desktop computers. There's quote a few important details that are significant in regards to laptops that weren't so important when shopping for your desktop PC, so if you want to avoid buyer's remorse then listen up!

Here's a breakdown of some of the 'specs' that you should give special heed to when shopping for laptops:

Size and Weight

If you plan to carry the laptop with you often, it is important to consider the size and weight of the machine. Usually a discount notebook computer will be a bit smaller, lighter and easier to carry than other available models. The smaller the laptop, the smaller (and less costly) the tote bag that you can purchase for it.

Screen parameter

A 15.4 inch screen has been a typical laptop screen size for years now. However, many laptops are employing larger screens in order to enhance the enjoyment of mobile video applications and DVDs. Although larger screens are very nice, they extract a considerable toll on battery run-time, laptop size and weight.

Contemplate your computational requirements.

Even a slightly larger hard drive and a little more RAM in a laptop can add a significant cost to the unit so it pays to buy only what you need. RAM and hard drive size requirements will vary depending on use of the machine. If you'll be using your laptop for just email and word processing, you can get away with one of the discount notebook computers that are small, have less RAM, hard drive space, and a decent but not high-end CPU. Going up from there, we have the business class units designed for PowerPoint presentations, business graphics, video, etc. If you're wanting to use your laptop to engage your friends in any kind of online gaming using the recent games on the market however, you're going to need more horsepower! In these cases, consider either a high-end system designed for gaming from companies such as Alienware, or go with a 'white box' custom gaming laptop that is built specific to your needs.

Lifespan of cells

If you plan to be on the road a lot without frequent access to an electrical outlet, be sure to purchase a laptop that has a battery life that meets your needs. Some newer units come with longer-lasting 12-cell batteries as opposed to the older 4 and 6-cell batteries. Of course, these are also more expensive.

Warranty Considerations

In addition to cost and size, you must also consider warranties and expected longevity of the laptop. Make sure that you know the full conditions of the warranty. Usually, the standard warranty is limited in regard to the screen should you drop the laptop and the screen cracks. Also, most standard warranties are only 1 year warranties with you covering the shipping cost to the repair facility. Optional extended warranties are usually sold that cover screen protection as well as overnight pickup/return service to and from the repair facility. Though these are not cheap options, you will need to carefully evaluate whether it makes sense to acquire the extended warranty in your situation.

We hope that the provided guidelines will help you choose a laptop computer that suits your needs and budget. Enjoy computing with your novel laptop computer.