What do you know about laptops? If the last time you bought one was a few years ago, then a lot has changed since then. Whether you're looking in a store or browsing online, you might be surprised at all of the advancements that have been made. So, read through this helpful advice to learn a little about laptops.

Before beginning laptop shopping, get an idea of the kind of work that you expect to get out of it. You may find that you really don't need the super-expensive top of the line model for the work you really need to do. This can save you a lot of money.

Avoid using your laptop computer on a soft surface, such as a pillow or bed. Setting your laptop on a soft surface blocks air flow that is supposed to flow through the ventilation holes on the bottom. This can cause your laptop to overheat. When using your laptop in bed, rest it on a book or other hard surface to allow for ventilation.

Consider how much security you need for your laptop computer. How much personal and business information is available on your device? Fingerprint scanners are used to prohibit access to the operating system. Only the person whose fingerprints scan as the owner will be allowed to use the system. However, no security measures are full proof.

You may want a cheaper laptop, but buy as much battery life as you can afford. Prematurely running out of juice is the most common complaint about cheaper laptops. Shop for at least four hours of battery life, but try to snag a model that lasts six hours or more if possible. Look for power saving features.

Get a case when you get your laptop. This will prevent wear and tear on your investment, and will also allow you to keep papers and a few other miscellaneous items on hand for when you use your laptop. The case is also an easier way to carry your laptop when you're not home.

If you only want to use your laptop for web surfing, simple word processing and watching movies, consider an ultrabook, notebook or tablet instead. These smaller, cheaper options provide you with a great deal of features, but they're lighter, fit your budget more easily and can still provide you with what you require.

Large screens aren't the best if you want a laptop that is portable. A screen that is 17 inches or larger will have a heavy weight, and may soon prove to be a chore to transport. Additionally, larger screens use more power.

To avoid sales people who desperately want to make a commission, do your purchasing online. This not only opens you up to a much larger selection, but the prices will often be lower as well. On top of that, shipping is often free, meaning you'll get your laptop quickly and easily.

Take the keyboard for a test drive. The laptop you like may look very good. Sleek lines and compact keys. The downside of this is that it may lack comfort. Try out the keyboard on the machine you want before you make the purchase. Do an amount of typing that will be typical for you to see how it feels.

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.

Think about purchasing a laptop from someone that give an extended warranty with it. Computer repair is a costly proposition and replacement is even costlier. You could save yourself money in the long run when you get an extended warranty.

Don't buy laptops as an impulse buy. These are highly involved purchases that you really need to think about. Know what you want to use it for. Know how long you want it to last. Even know how often you expect to travel with it. All of these things should be considered in the buy.

Do you really need a DVD burner? With the advent of USB keys and external hard drives, most people don't need to burn DVDs any longer. Think long and hard about whether your new laptop really requires this feature as not having it included will save you hundreds of dollars.

Understand what your hardware needs will be. If you are a gamer, sound and video cards will be important to you. This will also mean a faster processor and more RAM. If you are a more casual user, avoid the latest, greatest sound and video hardware. However, if you are watching movies regularly, they become a consideration again.

You should ask yourself if you are gong to use your laptop as the primary computing device. Many people have replaced their PCs with smaller devices. If you want to do this, you'll likely require a bigger screen, more RAM than a budget laptop typically comes installed with and a faster processor.

There are some ports you might not even realize you need, but think about them now. For example, do you want to connect your laptop to the TV to show videos or photos? You'll need an HDMI port. Do you want an SD card slot to put photos from your camera on the computer? Do you need an Ethernet port for your internet connection?

The laptop your purchase is only as good as the brand behind it. If you buy an off brand laptop to save some money, you will more than likely end up buying an new laptop sooner than you want. The major brands have long histories of excellent customer support and service. Research the brand before you purchase.

No matter what you use your laptop for, you're going to need to know what makes for a good one. Take the time to consider what has been told to you so that you make a good decision. This is an important choice to make, and now you have the right knowledge to do so.