Laptops are becoming increasingly popular as a mobile alternative to the more traditional desktop PC and whether you are buying one for work or pleasure, it is vital that you buy the laptop that ticks all the boxes as far as you are concerned. The power of laptops continues to increase at an astonishing rate as technological advancements make more powerful laptops cheaper than they have ever been. A similar level of performance and features previously only found in desktops is now found within many laptops as well making them the ideal solution for many customers. But when buying a new laptop there are many points to consider, from the battery life to the size and resolution of the screen and of course the cost.
The first choice you have to make is what operating system you want to be installed on the machine and whether you want go for the more widely used Microsoft Windows or Apple’s Mac OS, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. The battery life of the laptop is also an important factor to consider, as if you plan to use your new laptop on the move for a considerable amount of time then a battery life of over five hours is worth investing in. If you are looking for an ultra portable machine then a netbook may better suit your needs than a laptop, as netbooks are smaller and lighter and ideal for people who are constantly on the move, as well as being a cheaper alternative.
John Lewis has a wide range of laptops on their site that cover a wide price range. A decent entry level laptop will set you back around £400, but if you have a bit more money to spend then a high performing machine can cost upwards of £1,000. Each manufacturer from Sony to Acer manufactures laptops that cover the broad spectrum of different performance levels, and each make of laptop is distinct in its design. There are some minimum requirements when it comes to buying a laptop that will provide most customers with a decent starting point. For your laptop to run smoothly when completing everyday tasks it is advised that you buy a machine with at least 2GB of RAM and if you want plenty of space to store your music, photos and videos then 320GB of hard drive space is a good benchmark.
How you plan to use your laptop should also influence the decision on how big a screen you want your laptop to have. If you think you will be watching a lot of movies on your machine then a 17 inch screen will give a large display, whereas if you want your laptop to be more portable then a 12 inch screen may suit your needs much better. The ports on your laptop are another important feature, with most laptops having a number of USB ports that are needed for connecting external devices, and if you want to connect your laptop to your HDTV then make sure your machine of choice has an HDMI out port. So how you plan to use your laptop and whether you are buying it for business or personal use will greatly affect the machine that you choose to purchase, and John Lewis has an extensive range of laptops and netbooks to suit every budget.

