Shopping Tips

Notebooks Shopping Tips :

The best value for notebooks is about two-thirds of the way up the price scale. Buying the fastest (and possibly second-fastest) models costs a lot more. Conversely, the very cheapest machines use older, slower technologies that may make your computing experience painful.
If you're buying a notebook just for word processing, personal finance, and surfing the Web, virtually any system will be good enough, as long as it has enough hard drive space.
Extended warranties can be a win/win situation. They give you peace of mind—and tend to be very profitable for the seller.
If you travel, consider two options: a second battery and a second transformer. The first will save you if you run out of juice on a long trip, and the second will let you leave one transformer at home and the other at the office.
There are a few other accessories you should consider: a security lock (approximately $25); a mouse, which many people prefer to a built-in pointing device ($10 to $50); a car/plane adapter, so you can run your notebook from a car or airplane outlet (approximately $100); an inverter that converts car power into AC power (approximately $75); and a universal transformer that powers multiple brands of laptops as well as cell phones (approximately $125).
"Buyers' remorse" notebooks-systems purchased by someone else and then returned after just a week or two—make the very best deal. They should be perfect mechanically, include all the necessary documentation, and come with a full warranty. Often these systems are discounted as much as 20 percent.
If you also need a printer, check to see whether one comes as an option. The notebook/printer combination can be cheaper than purchasing the two devices separately.
If the notebook comes with a rebate offer, by all means send in the coupon once you're sure you're keeping the machine.
Don't be fooled by the big print in your newspaper citing a low, low price if you sign up for several years of online service. Odds are that you don't need a new service policy.
When financiers take advantages of quirks in the market-say, dollars trading for less in Frankfurt than New York-that's called arbitrage. You can do the same thing when nailing down the price you pay: If you shop online, telephone to see whether a sales rep has a different, cheaper pricing sheet. If you shop by phone, go online. If you shop in person, ask whether any specials might be available, such as a longer warranty at the same price (two years instead of one). Sometimes the rep can throw in a high-margin accessory, such as a bag or security cable, as a clincher.