More and more people are buying laptop computers today than desk side computers. Its easy to see why these small computers are advantageous over the desk side models. For one thing, laptops offer flexibility. You can take them anywhere. Over the years, these computers have continued to get small and lighter. Now there is a sub-category of laptop computers referred to as small or mini laptop computers. If you are in the market for a mini laptop computer, you have an ever-growing number of choices. So how do you choose which of these mini computers is right for you?
This genre of laptop computer offers many options and making a selection can be daunting. Many people like to see what other people are buying. There is a reasonable belief that if many people are selecting a certain item, odds are that a fair number of them have done their research and made a selection based upon this research. Here are five very popular models of small laptop computers.
The first of these small laptop computers that we will consider is the Acer Aspire. This mini laptop offers a wide 9-inch screen. This reasonably sized screen is large for a mini laptop and is excellent for those people who use their computers frequently. The large sized screen offers bright, clear, sharp, high-quality imagery. This computer is a tad larger than other mini computers, but it is full featured.
Now we will consider the Asus Eee PC 1000. This version of the Asus is a bit larger than its predecessor. However, the Eee PC 1000 is still, relatively speaking, miniature as compare to larger, standard sized laptop computers. The Eee PC 1000 offers excellent battery life. As with the previous Asus computers, this one still uses the Intel Atom processor.
The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is an excellent option. As with other Dell computers, the Mini 9 is fully configurable. Dells willingness to customize every computer makes it easy to obtain exactly what you are looking for in a computer. One shortcoming of the Dell is its less-than-average battery life.
Next is the HP mini computer. HP computers, on average, tend to be somewhat more expensive than other computers. This is true in the small laptop category as well. However, increased price, in this case means more product. The HP offers more than most other computers, so even though it may cost more, you are getting more for you money and probably getting more options that you may want or need.
Finally, we have the popular Sony VAIO. With its 8.9-inch screen, this computer measures in with a larger-than-average display. The computer also comes with an 80GB hard drive. Another nice aspect of the Sony VAIO is that it weighs just more than three pounds.
As you can see, there are many options to choose from. These five are just the top of the iceberg when it comes to the burgeoning smallish mini laptop computer genre. However these five options tend be among the best selling choices. If you were to select any of these five, you are likely to be buying a quality laptop that you will ultimately be satisfied with.
About the Author:
Stephen Almanson, who has been writing about computers for over three decades, has a guide explaining how to purchase a
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by Chris Channing
The average price of a laptop is becoming affordable even to those without much money, as compared to the last decade or so. This is great for families who need a common computer, or even for university students who need a dependable laptop to get their school work done to graduate. The buying process will still take some research, however.
First, the hard drive can be a big selling point that marketing departments plaster all over laptop advertisements. Although a large hard drive is nice, a bigger one doesn't necessarily mean the laptop is better- or even that you'll ever use that much space. Look at your current space usage to determine what laptop hard drive size you will need, and not what marketing companies try to sell you.
The average consumer tends to be a little confused when it comes to processors. Measuring the ability of a processor can be a little more tough than just measuring its frequency rating. If you are a bit confused, try looking at your recommended requirements for software you may use and see what you may need.
Also keep in mind the screen size of the laptop- this is one of the deciding factors in how much you will pay for a laptop. The standard that most are comfortable with is 15-inch, while manufacturers go as high as 20-inch models or more just to see if consumers will buy them. A larger screen is a plus, but certainly not a necessity.
One thing consumers forget to buy is the warranty. Sure, there is a warranty that comes with every laptop for free- but it often doesn't last long. At most, the average warranty will last around a year or less unless you extend it. Buying the extension is highly recommended, as it will ensure that your investment is protected for 3-5 years in length. You'll thank yourself if you have laptop problems down the road.
As a last note of advice, you should seek out your alternatives both online and through local retailers. Find a laptop that is exactly what you need- don't settle for something that is close to it. Most of the times this means going online to build a personal computer, which companies are more than happy to do for clients who know what they want.
Closing Comments
High end laptops can go as high as $3,000 or more, but the average consumer laptop doesn't even have to surpass $700. Even at $700, a laptop that can play games and run all types of software at a quick pace can be obtained, thanks to advances in technology.
by Amy Nutt
A laptop is a great machine to have because it can go where you go. With the increase in the number of Wi-Fi hot spots around the world, a person can sit in an airport, a hotel room, a restaurant, and even on the side of the street and access the Internet. This has revolutionized the way people do business and the way they communicate. People have become more efficient because of the laptop and the fact that people can access the Internet from virtually anywhere.
But not everyone needs a laptop all of the time. This may be because they dont travel often. When they use computers, they use desktop computers in their home or office. But when they travel, they may find that they need one. If you need once just a few times per year, it may not be a good idea to spend the money to purchase one. It may be better to just rent one.
Per use rentals
If you find that you are going out of time a few times per year, then you may find that you just need to rent a laptop a few times per year. You can do this. There are stores out there that will allow you to rent a laptop for your trip. They may have a minimum renting time of 2 to 4 weeks, but it is worth it when you have business you have to take care of and the amount of money that you could lose would be greater than the amount you spend on the rental.
All you have to do to get your per use rental is visit the computer rental store and tell them that you want to do a short term rental. It is also important to keep in mind that they may require a deposit for the short term rental. It is a good idea to compare rental stores to see what deal is the best deal for you. You can review their terms on short term rentals and make sure it is worth the money you will be paying. Sometimes it is hard to put a price on being able to keep business going when you are on the go.
Long term rentals
Long term rentals are another option that you have when renting a laptop. If you have difficulty acquiring the credit needed to finance a laptop or you dont have the cash to buy one straight out, a rental may be your answer. You can then rent it until you own it. This is referred to as rent to own.
When you rent to own, you have several options to acquire ownership. You may given around 90 days to be able to make the purchase at retail price. After the 90 days, a rent to own fee is added to the amount. This fee is going to vary from company to company. It is important that you review the terms of ownership.
Although you may have to pay a rent to own fee, it is important that you realize that you are not responsible for repairs or even replacement of the item. If something goes wrong and you didnt cause the issue, they will make sure it is repaired. If it has to be sent off for repair, the store will provide you with a replacement until your machine comes back. If it cannot be repaired, then you are given replacement options.
This means a laptop rental may be exactly what you need. There are many reasons why a person may need to rent a laptop. For those that never thought it to be possible, you now know.
by Charlie Reese
I work with computers a lot, and as such, have two different laptops that I use on a daily basis in conjunction with my regular desktop PC. I use the laptops when I'm making presentations at client sites, when I'm traveling across the country, or when I simply want to get some work done while sitting in the local coffee shop for an hour. Because I carry this equipment around so much, it's very important that I have a way to protect them from damage. I personally prefer using messenger laptop bags, and currently own several of them.
Shopping for messenger laptop bags is pretty straightforward, and depends more on personal taste than anything else. These products are usually made of nylon or other durable material designed to withstand years of regular wear and tear. In addition, there's usually padding around the inside edges of the bag to protect your precious notebook from accidental drops, dings, and scratches. Those are the basics, but beyond that, messenger laptop bags tend to vary widely in terms of overall design and features.
One of the first things I look for beyond protective capabilities is storage space. When I'm out and about, I have to carry a lot of devices with me, so I need my messenger laptop bags to have plenty of pockets or pouches to accommodate my cell phone, PDA, MP3 player, mouse, pens, pencils, keys, and whatever else I feel like bringing along. If a bag doesn't have enough extra pockets or storage space for my tastes, then all bets are off as far as I'm concerned!
However, other people feel that design is the most important component of messenger laptop bags, which is why I said it all comes down to personal preference. In the past when people wanted to lug around their laptops, they had to settle for ugly, bulky cases that pretty much came in one color (black). Thankfully, choices have expanded greatly over the years, so now you can find these products in just about any shape or color you desire.
The bottom line here is that there's no reason to skimp on protection for laptops. Fashionable and functional messenger laptop bags are available for any budget, so go out and get one today!