Tips for Buying a Laptop as Gift

Buying a laptop as a gift is not an easy job because you need to know for which appliances the computer will be used. The price of laptops decreased very much the last years but it is still too expensive if it doesn't fit the requirements of the one you want to surprise with such a wonderful gift.

Almost everyone use a computer nowadays and a laptop is an excellent idea if you know exactly which kind of laptop is useful for your loved one. Probably you don't buy such a gift for a friend because the budget will be too high and it has no sense to make use of some cheap offers if it doesn't fit the necessary requirements your friend need. In this case you can better consider a gift voucher which can be used in a computer shop.

A laptop as a gift is mostly useful for your spouse or your children. Probably you have the necessary information about the needs for the laptop and it is easier to make the right choice. Almost every month there are new laptops on the market with new features but these are rarely a good choice because these are too expensive and within a few months you can buy the same computer on a reasonable prize. It is necessary to consider witch features are really necessary and if there are upgrade possibilities for the future. Keep in mind: the newest model of today is next month an old model.

Which are now the most important considerations you have to make before you buy a laptop for your loved one?

- Which operating system will be used: Windows or Mac? Most people use windows but if the computer will be used specific for graphic work a Mac might probably be a better system. Although the differences nowadays are not so great anymore Apple recommends this kind of operating system because of the speed and safety. Personally I prefer in most cases a windows system because there is more software available for windows appliances and most people use their computer for as well graphic appliances and other kind of software.

- RAM (Random access Memory) is important. The standard RAM of 512 megabytes can be enough for students or people who work with not too powerful software but if you have the intention to store a lot of pictures on your laptop or that you want to run many appliances on the same time it is necessary that you need at least 1 gigabyte or even more in case of graphic work or games. Pay the necessary attention on upgrade possibilities of the RAM of the computer and probably you agree the quote "you can never have too many RAM" on your laptop.

- The graphic card: The graphic card is integrated in the motherboard of the laptop. Upgrading is almost impossible. When you buy a laptop consider if the laptop will be used for games and specific graphic work. If you work with professional picture software or you want to watch movies in high definition quality on your laptop you need a greater and faster graphic card than the normal user.

- The processor: there are several processors for laptops available. The Intel Core Duo 2 is the best suitable if you need a laptop where you want to use powerful software. You can call the processor as the heart of your computer. If you want a high speed of your computer you need a powerful processor. It depends for a great part of the software which will be used on the computer but upgrades of software makes it often necessary that you need a fast processor to work on an efficient way. If you have a fast Internet connection but a slow processor you don't have benefit on this fast Internet connection because your computer works too slow; a fast processor is never waste of time as long it fits your budget. A processor of 2 GHz is recommended for the standard user of a laptop; only if you use powerful software like some graphic software you can consider to buy one with 3 GHz.

- Some other considerations you need to make before buying a laptop as gift is: the weight, life of battery and the hard disk. The life of battery is only important if you want to use your laptop on places where no electricity is available. These times the cheapest laptops have a hard disk of at least 40 gigabyte which is enough for most users.

- Wireless networking is almost "a must" for a laptop. Probably you use your laptop in different places and the only thing you need for connection is a wireless adapter and you are free of all these terrible cables which makes your office to a mess. Check also the available USB ports; many laptops have only one but some more can be useful for connecting a digital camera, an MP3 player or if you want to use another mouse or keyboard.

- The screen: A few years ago 12 inch was standard for a laptop screen. The last years the size is becoming larger and 15 inch widescreen is almost used for the most laptops. Also screens of 17 inch are already available and probably within a few years the new standard of laptop screens.

- The brand : Personally I prefer Hp for a laptop but brands like Sony, Dell, Siemens, Acer and Apple (for a Mac) have a good reputation in the market of laptops and offer you a good service and warranty for 2 or three years.

Consider all these important differences and if it fits your budget before you buy a laptop as gift for the one you want to surprise with this wonderful gift!