When you are purchasing a new laptop, it is important to know what you are doing. You should know what features you need, your budget and many other facts about the best laptop for you. Make use of the tips below to find a great laptop that meets all of your needs.

If you want a good deal on a laptop, join an electronics forum online. The people in there are always sharing deals on various electronics, including laptops. That way, you can also get opinions on the laptop you might be interested in buying. A forum full of electronics aficionados will help you to know what will work for you.

If you are only a light game player, then don't spend the money on a laptop that is a top-of-the-line gaming laptop. Many of the games operate just fine on a regular laptop. Extra expense for features such as the highest quality graphics is a loss unless you actually use them. Instead, save money and don't opt for a high-end laptop.

Consider getting online to purchase your laptop. In most cases, you can get a better deal online than you can in a store. Some companies also offer coupons that are only good for online purchases. You can save a lot of money if you do a bit of research rather than just buying from the first place that you look.

Before buying that netbook, really consider whether you've got the processing power that you need in the machine. Netbooks are amazing on battery but typically poor performers in terms of power. If you are using the machine for emails and light word processing, you'll be ok. But if you are looking for more, then another option may be better.

Always check battery life expectations for a laptop. If you are often on the go, having the longest battery life possible will be imperative. The specs that you see for battery usage can often refer to a laptop running at minimal settings. Look at the specs and judge this based on your expected needs.

If you're buying a laptop online, know how to ask questions about it. Find out what the brand name is, and tell the person to give you the specs. If they can't tell you then it's probably a good idea to avoid buying from them. Unless you can look over it in person, it's not worth the risk since you don't know what you'll be getting.

To gain the functionality of a Javascript image viewer without the required screen size (and the need for external libraries), consider Shutter Reloaded. It resizes large images to smaller windows, customizes a wide variety of colors, and is easily compatible with the major web browsers. Consider downloading it on your laptop.

To start out setting up your new laptop, the first thing you need to do is install and activate the antivirus software that you should have bought with your computer -- or that came free with it. After all, you wouldn't walk around downtown with your ATM PIN on your forehead, so keep your computer information secret from the beginning.

How strong are you? While most laptops are pretty light today, carrying them around all day can still wear you out. If you plan to do a lot of moving around, a lighter model will be a better choice. If you will instead travel by car mostly, you don't have to worry so much about weight.

To save money, consider buying a laptop with limited hard drive space and instead storing your data in the cloud. Whether using Apple's iCloud or a service like Amazon's EC2, this gives you easy access to your data from any computer around the world, meaning you don't need a huge hard drive any longer.

Make sure to always keep liquids away from your laptop. If any liquid gets on the keyboard of your laptop you could have more than just a mess on your hands. The liquid can fry your laptop's components. You can protect your laptop from any spills with a plastic, custom-built laptop cover.

To keep your laptop from overheating, take a look at the cooling options inside the Control Panel. Once you are on the panel, look at Power Options. One of the choices should involve cooling. If your laptop gets too hot, make sure this settin s Active, so that the fan is in use.

If you're going to get a laptop for gaming, watching movies or listening to music, the internal speakers should be looked at prior to spending your money. Having to attach external speakers can be quite bothersome.

Think about when upcoming models are due to arrive before purchasing anything. There are two great reasons for making a purchase when this happens. The first is of course the older models are going to now be cheaper. Second, you can get better features on a much newer model.

Look at the software that comes with the computer. You're going to need a word processing program and maybe spreadsheet software. Make sure the software is more than just a trial version. You save money when you buy a laptop with the full version included.

Something that many people do not consider when buying a laptop is the noise. Some laptops have fairly noisy fans that can be a distraction. When buying your laptop, try your best to get it in a completely silent location so you can hear how loud the fan it. This is not something that you want to discover when you get home and start working.

Always plug your laptop in when you have the option. This will help preserve your battery. The more you're able to plug it in while using it, the longer the battery will last.

You should always consider your needs before you enter the electronics store. A little research goes a long way when looking for the best laptop for your personal needs. Remember these tips when you enter the laptop store. Stay in charge of your decision to ensure you bring home a great laptop.