Buying the right laptop used to be simple, but there were less factors to take into consideration. But, you can do yourself a favor by acquiring additional knowledge. The purpose of this piece is to help you zone in on the key considerations of laptop buying.

Determine the computer's battery life based on how you will be using it. If you will be using the laptop away from home on a regular basis, you really need a longer battery life. Try to find a slim laptop that appeals to you that comes with a removable battery. Buy a spare battery and keep it charged.

Carefully consider the battery life of the laptop before buying. Laptops that will be used primarily on the go need a batter with a long life. Likewise, if you will be using your laptop in your home or office, you can opt for one that is lighter with less batter time.

If you're a gamer, you'll want to make sure that your laptop has a dedicated graphics processing unit. If it's a standard (built-in) GPU, it may not perform well in the wild with the games you like to play. Look for an ATI or NVidia GPU. Both will deliver on graphics and speed.

You may not actually need a disk drive. Consider a computer that simply comes with a CD/DVD combination drive. Flash drives, external hard drives and cloud storage available on the Internet make it easier for you to save vital files without cluttering your computer's hard drive. This can save you money and decrease the weight of your laptop.

A laptop cooler is a necessary laptop accessory. Your laptop can become very warm while it is in use. Your lap will get hot if you don't have a laptop cooler.

Make sure your laptop has a quality sound system. Certain laptops skimp in this area, since you are not buying a complete computer system. The sound may be terrible when you are trying to watch a video. The audio capability is one thing you need to check before purchasing a laptop.

Know what operating system you would like on your new laptop. In order to cut costs, some of the bargain brands do not put Windows on their new laptops. Know what operating system will be installed on your laptop, and know whether that is acceptable for what you plan to use the laptop for.

Think about the keyboard on the laptop you want to buy. Is it comfortable? Most laptops allow you to plug in another keyboard if you choose to, but try to get a laptop with a keyboard that will be comfortable you right away. Get a feel for how close together the keys are, for example.

Think about size when selecting a laptop. They usually come between 13" to 17" when they are diagonally measured. If you intend to use a laptop as your new desktop, then you need a 17" one. If you need a portable laptop, then the smaller 13 inch one should help you out.

Remember that a laptop is not a long-term investment. You'll likely only use it a maximum of six years or so before you either are forced to get a replacement or decide it is just too outdated. That means you should factor in replacement costs when determining your budget.

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.

If quality is a concern for your laptop, never purchase the cheapest solutions on the market. These budget computers may be enticing, but they are typically made of cheaper materials and entry level electronics. They'll become outdated rather quickly, and they are more prone to breaking down over the course of the first year or two.

Factory-refurbished laptops are almost always more reliable than third-party refurbished products. Although these computers are tested carefully, you should get the best warranty available and ask about the retailers return policy. Make sure you get all the cables, manuals, software, computer charger and drivers are included with your refurbished product.

If you want to be able to connect your computer to your television screen, you need a VGA port. You also need a newer model television that can accommodate your laptop. This option give you a much bigger screen to work with. You can also use it to watch videos from your computer on your television.

When you buy a new laptop, invest in tracking software for it if at all possible. These handy programs can locate your laptop if it's lost or stolen whenever the thief logs onto the Internet. This software has been very successful in helping owners, as well as authorities, track down stolen laptops.

Before buying your laptop online, check the prices at your local brick and mortar store. Sometimes they are the same or even less, especially if you can find an open box or recently returned item. Another advantage is that returns are often easier at a local store since you can avoid the hassle or shipping an item back if you are not satisfied.

To make your favorite applications easy to find and use on your laptop, pin the right shortcut to your taskbar. Go to the Start menu and find the shortcut to the program you want to pin. Right click on that short cut and choose "Pin to Taskbar." The icon will appear permanently just to the right of your Start button.

Buying a factory refurbished computer can save you some money when you are shopping for a laptop computer. A company or store will take a used laptop and restore it to factory settings and update the electronics with the latest drives and components. Make sure to check out what kind of warranty is offered.

The tips shared here should help you get the best bang for your buck. Keep in mind what a useful laptop would be to you, and do comparison shopping. Regardless of your position in life, a good laptop is essential.