How to Buy a New Laptop

A laptop is a notebook-sized computer that generally incorporates all of the other features you've come to depend on every day. Smaller than a desktop computer, a laptop usually includes a monitor, a keyboard, a system unit and a mouse or touch pad.

There are plenty of advantages to owning a laptop. The No. 1 reason people get laptops is because they can bring them anywhere--the beach, to church or even to the bathroom--so if you're constantly on the go, a laptop will come in very handy. Laptops are also lighter and much more compact than a desktop computer, so they'll help you save tons of space. And when you're not using it, you can fold it up in a briefcase and store it.

However, laptops have their disadvantages, too. Because laptops are so compact, they are always a step behind desktops when it comes to capability and efficiency. You're going to have to sacrifice decent sound devices, keyboard comfort and your mouse for the sake of portability. Also, if you're planning on adding stuff onto your computer, get yourself a desktop and not a laptop. While upgrading a laptop is not entirely impossible, it's often impossible to add elements like RAM and hard drives without shipping the entire computer back to the manufacturer. And even if you do decide to upgrade, you're still limited in the selection of extra equipment: Most laptops require that you install parts manufactured by the same company.