When you are purchasing a new laptop, it is important to know what you are doing. You should know what features you need, your budget and many other facts about the best laptop for you. Make use of the tips below to find a great laptop that meets all of your needs.

Before you part with your hard earned cash, have a look to see what the reviews are like about the laptop you are considering. New laptops always look great, but you may discover unpleasant truths down the road. That is why you need to see what real buyers are saying.

If you are looking for a very light weight laptop, consider a Netbook. Netbooks are light weight, very portable and usually less expensive than traditional laptops. The downside of Netbooks is that they are not as high functioning as traditional laptops. Still, if you are looking for a simplistic laptop with a budget friendly price, this is the way to go.

If you're going to buy a used laptop, make sure that you use it for a while first. You want to make sure that it boots up quickly. It should also not be making too much noise. Check to see how hot it gets as well. You may want to consider buying it from a retail place with a guarantee of some kind.

Just because a laptop costs more, doesn't mean it is better. It is not always the case that a more expensive machine means a better machine. Sometimes, you're only paying extra for the name. Buy a laptop based on the specs.

When purchasing a new laptop, ask if you have the option of trading in your old computer. Many manufacturers will allow this, and it can save you several hundred dollars on your new laptop purchase. The old laptop is often refurbished and resold, meaning less waste going into landfills as well.

Check battery life when looking for your new laptop. Even if you will be mainly using it at home, constant recharging is annoying. You should be able to use your battery power for at least four hours.

Always check battery life expectations for a laptop. If you are often on the go, having the longest battery life possible will be imperative. The specs that you see for battery usage can often refer to a laptop running at minimal settings. Look at the specs and judge this based on your expected needs.

Battery life is an important consideration when you are considering the purchase of a laptop computer. Check how long the manufacturer says the battery will last, but keep in mind that your actual usage may affect this number. If you intend to use your laptop for more than 3 or 4 hours, plan on an extra battery or someplace to plug it in and recharge.

To keep your laptop from getting damaged, set drinks on a coaster instead of just on your desk. Glasses and cans can condense, and the water that runs down the side of the container can get on your working surface and then run under the laptop, damaging components. Water and your laptop are not compatible.

To keep your laptop safe on the road, pack it in its own suitcase; if you do not have a separate laptop bag, then get a padded case for the laptop that you can place in another bag. Make sure that there is nothing else in that larger bag heavy enough to crack the screen through the case.

Are you afraid of your laptop being stolen? Invest in a tracking software such as CyberAngel Security, Absolute Software's Lojack for laptops or TheLaptopLock (which is free). These increase the chances of recovering your laptop by pinpointing the location of the registered notebook once it connects onto the Web.

To get the best deal on a laptop, start looking at the release cycles ahead of time. You can save a lot of money by purchasing last years model. Even a computer that is only a few months old can help you save. You may not get all the newest hardware but an older laptop may suit your needs.

After you choose a model to buy, check out reviews online. This can be an easy way to avoid buying a computer which is reported to blow a power supply or have the screen conk out after a year or two. Check multiple sources to ensure you see a broad spectrum of opinions.

Pay attention to the processor of the laptop. The process is just like your computer's brain as it executes the commands. A computer with at least two processors is ideal if you will be using the laptop a lot. This will give you the best performance in your portable computer.

Look for a laptop with a matte screen for a glare-free experience in all lights. Shiny screens reflect light from the sun and other sources. This is terrible for your eyesight. It might also be the cause of frequent headaches. To avoid this, look for the laptop model you want with a matte screen.

Check out the keyboard before purchasing a laptop. Play around with it and find out if it is comfortable for you. Is there enough space between the keys? Do you like the touchpad, which is used as the mouse? A great laptop could be useless if you do not like the keyboard.

To keep your battery life longer, consider how bright you need your screen to be during all hours of operation. If you can live with it being a little dimmer, choose the option that dims the display slightly after a set amount of time. That way your battery lasts longer, and your eyes have less light bombarding them.

You should always consider your needs before you enter the electronics store. A little research goes a long way when looking for the best laptop for your personal needs. Remember these tips when you enter the laptop store. Stay in charge of your decision to ensure you bring home a great laptop.