What can you do to make buying a laptop an easier process? How can you reduce your stress as you try to find the perfect model? What can be done to make the price something you can actually afford? If you take the time to read this article, you can have all of this and more.

Don't assume that paying more for a laptop will mean that you are getting a better laptop. It is rarely the case that more money spent means superior computing. Sometimes, you are only buying the brand name. Be certain to use specifications as you guiding rulebook.

Compare the options available with different laptop computers. Find out which ones come with a USB port, HDMI port and an SD slot. A USB 3.0 port will make your computer function more quickly. The HDMI port allows you to connect your laptop to your television. An SD card gives you an easily removable storage card for digital photographs.

Always research battery life when selecting a laptop. Even if you are not planning on traveling with it, you don't want to worry about recharging it all the time. Between four and five hours is good for battery life, especially if you're going to take it on the road.

Do the proper amount of research before you buy a laptop. Don't see a deal and jump at it. It may not have the right specs for you, and it might not be at all what you wanted. Even if you get excited for a price, don't buy until you have checked it out.

The first step in buying a laptop is always to set up a budget. You need to know exactly how much money you can spend without causing yourself to be unable to pay bills next month. If you set an exact limit, you'll be sure not to have financial issues down the road.

Often times your laptop will have sensitive personal and/or business related material on it. You will want to get in the habit of backing up all data as soon as you get home from the office. In this way if your laptop is ever misplaced or stolen the personal contained therein will not fall into the wrong hands.

Because laptops are designed with mobility in mind, consider a laptop with a locking mechanism. Unfortunately, we live in a world where others may not value your privacy or personal property. A laptop that locks down can deter thieves and prevent others from trying to access the personal information you keep private.

Check out the fan's load on any computer you are purchasing. If it is running full tilt all the time, the fact is that it will need to be cleaned, and this isn't a job for the faint of heart. If you have never popped open a laptop before, now isn't a good time to learn how.

To troubleshoot problems that your laptop has with a wireless Internet connection, if things aren't working at first, see which connection the computer has chosen. Sometimes your laptop will choose a connection that is secured or that is no longer the active one in the home, cafe or office where you are working. Make sure your connection is the right one.

Do not just buy a laptop based on a brand. Popular brands often produce great machines, but the price will also be high. Take a look at the laptop's specs to see if you can find the same hardware in a less expensive laptop that is high quality. These products are often every bit as good as those being offered by the big brands.

Think about getting your laptop from a vendor that includes an extended warranty in the deal. Computer repair is a costly proposition and replacement is even costlier. If you can pay a few bucks for extra years of coverage, you may save yourself thousands of dollars down the road.

Battery life matters when buying a laptop. Although you may think that you will stay plugged-in most of the time, you do not want to be chained to the outlet. A minimum battery life should be 4 hours at peak performance. If you plan on being mobile often, look for a laptop that can last 6 hours plus.

Think about some of the different types of laptops when you are looking to buy one. There are ultrabooks, tablets, notebooks, gaming laptops, and UMPCs. Each has different uses and their own lists of pros and cons. Consider all of the specs, what you need the laptop for, and what your budget is when looking at each type.

Think about processor speed. Not all laptops are created equal. They all have processors, but the speed and number of them can vary quite a bit. You may not notice any difference between them initially. If you do intensive work or gaming however, you should look for faster processing speeds.

Consider the speed of your computer when buying a new laptop. A hard drive at 5400 revolutions per minute may save you money but your computer will be noticeably slower. A hard drive at 7200 revolutions per minute will be more expensive but your computer will run much more quickly.

Consider how large of a screen you need before you buy. If your plan is only to watch movies, you still want to think about what size will best suit your needs. Having to stare at an 11-inch screen for 2 hours might cause undue eye strain and headaches.

How large of a screen do you need? If you want to work on your laptop, you may need a larger screen with greater resolution, especially if your work involves graphic design. If all you want to do is word processing, a smaller resolution will probably do just fine.

Now you know how to streamline the laptop purchasing process. You can locate a great deal at a price that will easily fit into your budget. You know what you need to know about buying a laptop, and that means you'll have your new computer in no time if you use these tips.