EmailBefore you buy a cheap laptop
Manufacturers often offer a choice of various versions of Windows Vista with a new notebook computer. Although it's rare to find a laptop with the discontinued Windows XP operating system in retail stores, if you custom configure a laptop, it is possible to get a machine that's been factory downgraded to Windows XP from many major vendors.
Experts concur that Vista Home Basic requires 1 GB of RAM, and all other versions of Vista need at least 2 GB of RAM. You will sacrifice performance running Vista Home Premium or Vista Business with only 1 GB of RAM. Fortunately, most cheap laptops -- including all of the ones described in this report -- come with the recommended 2 GB and often more, but you can still find true bargain-basement laptops with 1 GB of RAM.
Cheap computers generally have integrated video, though some that include a dedicated video card are also available. The disadvantage of integrated video is that it forces the computer to dedicate some of its RAM to the display. That RAM is not available for Windows or other applications, so at least 2 GB of RAM is really essential for any cheap laptop. RAM is cheap, and if you can only afford one upgrade, it should be RAM.
Processor (CPU) choices make the biggest difference in the price of a laptop. Laptop processors are very different from desktop processors because they are designed for lower power consumption to keep temperatures lower. There are two major CPU producers, Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (also known as AMD). Both are comparable when it comes to desktops, but for laptops, consumers should opt for an Intel processor, which has overall higher performance and stability compared with AMD.
The most common option among better -- and slightly higher-priced -- cheap laptops is the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. This is the same processor found in more expensive laptops, but speeds will be slower. The cheapest laptops have lower-end AMD CPUs or Intel Pentium or Celeron processors. Although performance will suffer with non-Core 2 Duo processors, they are still an acceptable choice if all you plan to do is surf the Web, read and write email, watch DVDs, view presentations and do some word processing -- though doing several of those things at the same time might not be the most pleasant experience.
Almost all sub-$800 laptops have one-year limited warranties. Often, those warranties can be extended, but the cost is usually steep compared to the purchase price. If you buy a $550 laptop, it might make more sense to forego an extended warranty and accept the risk that you'll need to replace rather than repair it if it needs an expensive repair after the warranty has expired.
Purchasing a cheap laptop doesn't mean foregoing performance and features. Experts say:
- Core 2 Duo processors are the best option for most users. Experts say an Intel Core 2 Duo processor is very desirable, and many cheap laptops include them. Less capable processors -- Celeron, Pentium and CPUs from AMD -- won't perform as well, but can be acceptable if you plan to use a laptop for the most basic tasks: Web browsing, reading and writing email and word processing.
- Get at least 2 GB of RAM. Get as much RAM as you can afford; 2 GB is essential for running Windows Vista, according to experts. More RAM will allow you to work in more open applications at once without system drag. All but the cheapest cheap laptops now come with 2 GB of memory.
- A bigger hard drive is better but not essential. Even the cheapest laptops have 160 GB hard drives, which will hold thousands of MP3s and photographs. However, if your laptop is going to be your primary computer, or if you anticipate storing large files such as videos, consider a choice with more capacity. Upgrading later is a possibility, but doing that on a laptop can get expensive. Some budget laptops include ExpressCard or eSATA ports that let you use an external hard drive.
- Consider service/support and warranty. The worst change in the computer industry is that manufacturers are no longer offering three-year limited warranties for any cheap laptops. All cheap laptops have a one-year limited warranty. Upgraded warranties are expensive. Prices vary by brand and model. Retailers also offer varying upgraded service options, again at high prices.
- Cheap laptops don't offer the best graphics performance. Though there are some exceptions, cheap laptops usually only include integrated graphics processors. Unless an amount of graphics RAM is specified, the computer comes with a graphics chip on the motherboard instead of a graphics card. A large chunk of system RAM is then devoted to the display. A graphics card frees that RAM and improves the smoothness of moving images on your screen. However, the graphics cards needed for great gaming are not an option in the cheap laptop price range.
- Get the connectivity options you need. Even cheap laptops come with built-in wireless networking, which lets you connect to a Wi-Fi network without any additional hardware. If you plan to connect to the Internet with a dial-up modem, be aware that many laptops do not include a modem. Ethernet connectors for broadband are standard, but you should verify that a laptop under consideration has one. A few cheap laptops include a Bluetooth radio. Some also include a Firewire port (for connecting a digital camcorder or other device), an ExpressCard port for system expansion and an HDMI output for sending video to an HDTV.