Key Features

When it comes to buying any computer, it pays to
do a little research beforehand. There are a number
of factors you should consider, which we'll discuss here.

Suit your needs

A common mistake is to throw your money at the most expensive machine, thinking this will answer all those questions you don’t want to ask, as well as give you plenty of future-proofing.

The truth is, in six months time a new technology will come along that will overshadow your choice. It doesn’t mean your new laptop is redundant, simply that technology has moved on.
There is a notion that a computer should last at least three years. This still holds true, so you should consider what you’re likely to need the laptop for in the next three years and choose accordingly.

A laptop may be a computer, but it’s portable, so the fi rst thing you need to consider is how portable you want it to be. After all, you don’t want to buy a hulking desktop replacement if you have to carry it around everyday. Nor do you need to spend more than you have to on a slim and light laptop when it will never leave your desk. It’s a good rule of thumb that the larger the machine, the more powerful it is likely to be. This isn’t strictly true, as you can get powerful ultraportables, but you’ll pay a premium for them.

If you’re simply going to carry it about the house, maybe sit on the sofa and surf the internet, you can opt for a machine that weighs around 3kg. If you’re to carry it around all day, consider opting for a laptop weighing 2.5kg or less.

Know your budget
It’s worth having a maximum price in mind. After all, it’s easy to get carried away and opt for a faster processor when the salesman suggests it, but what will this do to the fi al cost? Once again, think what you’ll use the laptop for and choose a specification accordingly.

Use plastic
Always buy from a brand you know and trust, or use recommendations from friends or colleagues. Advertisers in this magazine are vetted before they can advertise. Always pay for your purchase using a credit card. This will even help cover the cost of accidental damage before you get it home.

WARRANTY ISSUES
The warranty on your laptop may not be an initial concern, but it’s worth knowing your rights. All electrical goods, laptops included, are covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended by the Sale & Supply of Goods Act 1994 and the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002). Any item bought should be of satisfactory quality and be fit for the purpose it was intended. This means the goods must meet the standards any reasonable person would expect, taking into account the description, the price and all other relevant information. Satisfactory quality includes the appearance and finish of the goods, their safety and durability and whether they are free from defects. To this end, you should check your new purchase as soon as you’ve received it and if there are any immediate defects, you can refuse delivery. There are a number of instances when a warranty is not covered, and these include:

If you were told of any faults before you bought the goods.

If the fault was obvious and it would have been reasonable to have noticed it on examination before buying.

If you caused any damage yourself.

If you made a mistake, eg you don't like the colour, it is the wrong size, etc.

If you have changed your mind about the goods, or seen them cheaper elsewhere.

The situation may be different and you may have additional rights where contracts involve credit or distance selling (ie not involving face-to-face contact, for example internet sales, catalogue, telephone sales or an unsolicited phone call). For more info go to www.tradingstandards.gov.uk.

Warranty update
As with anything in life, the more you pay, the more you’ll get and this is true of laptop warranties. There is as wide a range of warranties are there are laptops, so it’s worth spending some time researching which one is best for you. Legally, the standard warranty lasts for one year but, increasingly, vendors are starting to offer two and even three-year warranties as standard, extending the protection of your machine.

Before you buy your laptop it’s worth considering the issue of warranty, as it can save money in the long run. If the basic warranty is only for a year, it’s common to extend this, but it’s worth looking at the overall cost. If you’re buying a budget machine for a few hundred pounds, is it worth your while spending more to cover the cost when it would be just as economical to buy a new machine?

If your laptop is vital for your work, then the answer is yes and we’d suggest looking into Onsite warranties, as this means an engineer will come to you, rather than you sending your laptop away to be repaired. Such warranties aren’t cheap and will vary depending on your needs. We’d suggest opting for a policy that offers a free replacement laptop while yours is being taken care of. If something does go wrong, you’ll usually need to send the machine back.

Before you do, ask the average turnaround time for repairs. This is the amount of time it takes to send the machine, have it repaired and then sent back. Typically, this should be three to fi ve days, but check with the terms of your warranty. It’s worth keeping hold of the packaging too, so you can return it in one piece. If you buy a machine direct from a manufacturer, you will return the machine to them. If you have bought the laptop from a reseller, the warranty will be handled through the reseller, so it pays to buy from a respected line.

Jargon explained

Collect and return (C&R)
The supplier, not the customer, pays for collection, repair labour and parts and return back to customer. Batteries have a limited warranty, as it depends on how they have been maintained.

Return to base (RTB)
The customer pays for the transportation, but the supplier pays for repair. Batteries have a limited warranty, as it depends on how they have been maintained.

Onsite warranty
This is the most expensive form of warranty cover. The supplier physically comes on-site to repair the laptop and bears the cost of repair and travel.

Global warranty
Should there be a fault, you can get your laptop repaired when abroad. Depending on the terms of your warranty, this can either be onsite or by a repair centre. Check your warranty and upgrade your account accordingly.

(These are only guidelines and you should check with your warranty’s Terms and Conditions as they may differ in some areas)