M'sia: 6-Piece Drinking Glasses or 7-Piece Jug and Glass Set I need to buy a new laptop soon and want to make sure I don't pay more for it than I have to. Laptop prices are all over the map, though, and seem to change every day. How can I make sure I get the best deal on my next laptop? A laptop is a big purchase, so it definitely pays to shop smart. No one wants to plunk down hundreds of dollars on a laptop only to find a better deal on it right after you paid—or an even better laptop on sale just a month or so later. To (at least potentially) avoid that common buyer's remorse, let's walk through how to figure out which laptop to buy, where to buy it from, and when. You're itching for a new machine, so let's explore: To find the best deals, you need to comparison shop. But to do that, you first need to find out exactly what you want to buy. At the very least, you should figure out which features you need or want in your next laptop so you can narrow down your choices and spot the best laptop values.

Photo by Dongyi LiuAre you planning on carrying around your laptop in your backpack or for travel? A small screen size, light weight, and long battery life should be at the top of your checklist (consider the new ultrathin and lightweight laptop category of Windows laptops, Ultrabooks, or other laptops in the ultraportable or thin-and-light categories). Going to use your laptop for gaming or other processor-intensive tasks like video editing? Look for high-end laptops with discrete video cards (the most powerful laptops typically are gaming laptops or desktop replacements, with 17" screen sizes or sometimes 15.6" displays). Want a laptop with the best standard warranty and support, more build-to-order configuration options, and better durability? Consider business laptops (even if you're buying just for personal use); these often have better build quality though they tend to cost more than consumer-oriented laptops. There are lots of considerations, but our guide to picking the perfect laptop can help you sort it all out.

When you go laptop window shopping, don't count out previous generation laptops—especially if you're aiming for a bargain. The newest laptops with the latest processors and other new hardware may be shiny and awfully tempting, but slightly older laptops (e.g., last year's model or even one that's just a few months old) could very well suit your needs perfectly. Intel recently released its third-generation Ivy Bridge processors, which promise improved performance and better battery life, but for most people's needs, the processor upgrade won't make a noticeable difference. The new processors still work in your favor, though: Retailers discount older models to make way for the laptops sporting the new chips. For example, you can find the Asus G74SK-AH71 gaming laptop, which came out last summer, for as little as $1,049.99. The newly released Asus G75VW-AS71, similarly spec'ed and designed but with the new Ivy Bridge processor, is $1,499.99 on Amazon. That $450 in savings might outweigh the meager CPU performance gains of the newer model (however, the G75 also upgrades the graphics card and Ivy Bridge does offer significantly better graphics performance, so you'd need to weigh savings versus advantages).

Buying refurbished models—e.g., laptops sold in the outlet or clearance section—can also save you a bundle, so long as you know where to shop for refurbished electronics and what to look for. Buying refurbished Apple products almost always makes sense, because you get the same warranty, updated battery, and new chassis. In one example, a refurbished 15-inch MacBook Pro can save you $540. Once you know what kind of laptop you're looking for, you'll want to time your purchase to get the absolute lowest price for your laptop.T-Shirt Speedy Gonzales Laptops tend to get significant discounts during the holidays (especially around Black Friday), in the summer for "back to school specials," and, as our best time to buy anything guide declares, April (this may be because many manufacturers release new laptop models at the beginning of the year, so the older models need to be cleared out). Outdoor Br30 Light Bulb

Image by NPD via Laptop If you're buying a MacBook, timing is pretty predictable, as Apple tends to update its laptops in the spring and fall. Consult MacRumors Buyer's Guide for recommendations on whether now is a good time to buy or not based on release history and the latest rumors, and know how long to wait for the biggest discounts on a Mac. For Windows laptops, refreshes happen often. If a laptop you're considering has been out for several months (e.g., six months or more), you might want to hold off on buying because an upgrade is likely—and when that happens, you can snag the now-older model at a discount. Sable German Shepherd Puppies For Sale In Nc, with its price forecasting and information on imminent upgrades, is another tool that can help you figure out whether to buy a particular laptop now or wait.Finally, use smart shopping tools that will help you comparison shop, deliver coupon codes automatically, monitor prices, and even give you price protection should prices drop.

At the very least, you should always look for a coupon (e.g., at RetailMeNot), because more often than not they're available and can save you a great amount of money. For special/insider discounts, you can also follow the laptop maker's Twitter account or subscribe to their newsletter.You may not be able to time your purchase for exactly the lowest price that laptop will ever be, but if you wait too long you might also never end up with a new laptop. If you wait to buy until you really need a new laptop and consider all of the above tactics, you'll avoid buyer's remorse, knowing you made the best purchase decision you could at the time, with the best price available then. What other strategies do you use for the most laptop savings?Have a question or suggestion for Ask Lifehacker? A laptop or notebook, is a computer designed for users who prefers to keep it light and portable. Throughout the years, this device has proven to be the choice of professionals on the go who want to stay productive anytime, anywhere.

Laptops are intended to be lightweight alternatives to desktops but, as a compromise to its portability, devices such as these often provide less performance capability. However recent technological advances have allowed manufacturers to create laptops that are at par, if not better, than their desktop counterpart. We now have models capable of handling even the most hardware intensive application. Even with the rise of new products in mobile computing, such as smartphones and tablets, laptops have proven time and again that it has an irreplaceable role in mobile productivity and entertainment. With the wide range of choices available for laptops right now, it is best to determine the differences of one over another, ideally by usage scenario. Here are some guidelines to help you decide which laptop would suit your needs and preferences. Laptops geared for productivity basically possess two essential factors: good performance and a simple design. A laptop intended for office use, with tasks not limited to word processing, keynote presentations, database applications or video and graphics rendering, should be powerful enough to handle these processes without slowing down or freezing up.

Ideally, for usage scenarios involving purely office work, a model with a high performance processor combined with ample amounts of RAM is best. This is to allow seamless multitasking between different tasks with minimum lag. For artists working on multimedia projects however, it would be crucial to purchase a laptop with a powerful graphics card. The availability of various ports for input and output would also be essential. Of course, the overall look and design is just as important as the internal parts. There are various models with the “business or professional look” in its design. Apple’s line of Macbooks has been regarded as the standard in notebook excellence throughout the years. It’s reliability has been proven to both corporate users and artists, and is one of the best in premium laptop offerings. In the past, gaming has only been a dream for laptop users. Playing on a laptop was never a good idea because the hardware often barely met the minimum game requirements resulting in poor gameplay experience.

Now, those days are over as we have laptops specifically designed for gaming. These are made with high performance parts, ensuring that every game runs fluidly, even at the highest possible settings. A gaming laptop must also possess the best in terms of display and sound quality, for a truly immersive gaming experience. Having powerful specs may cause issues with cooling and heat dissipation. An ordinary laptop’s cooling system is not efficient enough to handle games, and may lead to overheating. However, a gaming laptop’s cooling system is an entirely different story, as it is designed with better cooling components in order to increase cooling efficiency, allowing the hardware to run games without suffering from excessive heat. Additionally, in terms of design philosophy, gaming laptops are often made to look powerful, exhibiting industrial looks with accentuated features. Asus’ Republic of Gamers (ROG) line of gaming laptops offers the best in mobile computer gaming, and has even won multiple awards for its unique hardware innovations.

Laptops for the Average User There are those who don’t really require the best in terms of computing power, but just something perfect for light use such as web browsing, chatting, social networking and basic document editing. These devices cater to those who want a device that “just works”, without any added technical difficulty. Versatility, ease of use, and convenience is the focus, and these laptops are also ideal for those who are just starting out in using a computer, or for students who need a laptop for their schoolwork. Due to its average performance and specs, the price of these devices are often kept low and affordable. Find Your Ideal Notebook here at PricePanda Whether you have a tight budget or are looking for the most powerful laptop money can buy, PricePanda is here to make it easy for you. Feel free to browse our many brands and offers, and to choose the best model for you from our trusted vendors. At PricePanda, you can experience hassle free shopping with just a few clicks.