Thinking of buying a new laptop? Make sure you know what you’re doing: read “Buying Laptop Computers: Your 2012 Guide to Finding Laptop Deals”. By author Matt Smith of SmidgenPC.com, this manual explains everything you need to know to find the laptop of your dreams.
Laptops are a complete product. Unlike a desktop, which allows you to pick-and-choose the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse and the sound system, a laptop comes with all of these components included. Most components are not user-serviceable. What you see is what you’ll be using until the laptop kicks the bucket or you sell it on Craigslist and buy a new one.
It’s easy to focus on one or two features of a laptop, such as the processor or the display, and make a decision based on it alone. This can lead to dissatisfaction as sub-par components become apparent during extended use. Understanding all the components of a laptop will help you avoid this, but can take some work.
In this guide we’ll be taking a comprehensive look at not only the hardware but also the keyboard, the touchpad, the display and more. We hope that you’ll feel more informed by the time you’re done.
Our 2012 update is debuting half-way through the year, but there’s reason for that. We’ve timed this release to coordinate with Intel’s Ivy Bridge release. Though it is not a complete re-design, it will change what you can expect from a new laptop.
This guide will show you:
- What’s going on in the current laptop market, from Ultrabooks to battery life
- What to look for in laptop hardware, from the CPU to GPU from RAM to hard drives.
- Which brands are considered trustworthy, and which aren’t
- A look into manufacturer and retail warranties – are they worth it?
Guide Published: May 2012
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Unable to download “Your 2012 Guide to Finding Laptop Deals” PDF version. On selection Internet explorer stops working.
Is the problem your end or mine?. Will try downloading again later.
Just tested, seem to be working. Let me know if you have problems again and I’ll email it to you directly.
try 2 download abode pdf latest version first..may be it works..:)
u should probable change to a better browser like firefox
Awesome! another Guide great work makeuseof
cheers!!
thanks …great work
Where is the AMD APU trinity?
Great! You’re confirming all my own observations. (You must be a genius.)
Real link is here: http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/buying-laptop-computers-your-2012-guide-to-finding-laptop-deals Sorry the problems.
The PDF download link still not working. I got this “Server not found” page error. HOW TO DOWNLOAD THIS ???
All should be working now, but let me know if you’re still having problems and I’ll email it to you directly.
While there was some useful information and suggestions, the title is misleading. It was a guide to selecting and purchasing a laptop. It had absolutely nothing to do with “finding deals”.
Why can’t I print the pdf?
I love this guide, but that said, having this download available in Kindle version “For .99¢” when anyone can download Calibre “for free” and convert a PDF (and most reader file types) to Kindle “for free”, charging .99¢ is .99¢ too much. Especially when it takes no more time to convert the file and add it to your Kindle as it does to purchase it online via Amazon and sync with your device.
Maybe you should reconsider your pricing option, because this make no sense at all.
You’re not wrong, but Amazon doesn’t let us (or anyone) charge less than 99 cents. People who want to convert can; people who want syncing from Amazon can pay Amazon. We only get 30% from each sale, and only offer the books as a service. The conversion process costs us more than we’ll ever make from them, and that’s fine: we just wanted to offer the books in another format.
Justin, (or whoever is reading this)
Since incoming comments are ready to verify their content before allowing them to be posted, perhaps you should remove your reply, since it’s doesn’t address either of the first two previous comments.
BTW, thanks for the feedback, it’s appreciated
Great guide. I always find something of interest when I visit your site,which is normally a few times a day. I’d say keep up the good work but you always do.
i need the help in all this madness
I
think i 5′s are quad cores
will amazon kindle format will support on my mobile kindle or it just for kindle ebook reader??
thanks
It will work on the Kindle app for any platform as well as Kindle e-readers.
I would just like to say thanks to MakeUseOf.com for supplying me with the majority of the educational materials for my current level of learning about and how to use computers.
I have been downloading knowledge from Make use of it and increasing my treassure of mind.
Loved the guide… but it says finding laptop deals ? and i didnt find any section of the guide that catered to finding a lucrative deal… did i miss something ?
would love to know how to find a bargain from all the options available !
Cannot download “Buying Laptop computers – Your 2012 Guide to Finding Laptop Deals” the PDF version
Ben,
What browser are you using and how do you try to download? The PDF URL works fine for me in Chrome.
working fine in my coolnovo as well..
MakeUseOf is more than excellent! Thanks for this informative service.
why do you people advertise these downloads then make the download site impossible to find …make-use of sux…wasting my time
Kevin,
What do you mean the download is impossible to find? The direct URL to the PDF, as well as an ePub and Amazon link are inside the above article. Here is the PDF URL: http://manuals.makeuseof.com.s3.amazonaws.com/for-mobile/Laptop%E2%80%93Buying%E2%80%932012-_MakeUseOf.com.pdf
Kevin,
MUO not sucks .. and your browser sucks .. try downloading in any other browsers ..
Downloaded it
much useful
Hi, thanks for the privilege given to get access to many freebies.Gr8t team work pls keep it up.
Thanks so much.
nice timing
(i’m planning to buy a new laptop)
Newsletter says no password required.
You need to log into MakeUseOf, then no password is required. Also, if you share this article, you need no password.
I feel like the best thing to do is get a workhorse powerhouse desktop and then get a netbook to tag team with that.. (with exceptions of course) but i rarely take my laptop out of my house.
Love reading your buying guides.
I’ve read about half this guide, and have learned more in this 1/2 hour, than in some classes I’ve taken. The language certainly proves anyone can learn with the right teacher. This is a great guide.
Thanks
Thanks for the compliment!
great guide..
hope this will help en choosing the right laptop for the job
Although I already pretty much knew what Laptop I wanted, this guide helped me validate my choice! Thank you guys for a very good place to start when shopping for a Laptop!
First to Victor Redsull, try using a real browser like Chrome! Second, even though I pretty much knew the Laptop I wanted, this guide gave me a refresher on the most important features to look for! Great guide guys!
Downloading Finished ..!
Great Guide!!
Another guide for my steadily collection of useful information. Knowledge is a wonderful thing especially when it comes to trying to decipher the differences between all the laptops available.