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Compare Laptop Computer Prices - A Buying Guide

Find the best computer laptop at the lowest price
With dozens of laptop computer brands on the market and many more models to choose from, shopping for a low price laptop computer that meets your needs can be a frustrating experience. Just figuring out which model is appropriate, and then comparing laptop computer prices to find the best deal can be trying, especially when there are so many choices. Where do you even start?

This guide is designed to help you eliminate much of the frustration by understanding what types of laptop computers are available, and the features that are important given your needs. You will also learn how to make laptop computer price comparisons between the hundreds of online stores that carry them.

Step 1, Understand the types of laptop computers available

Home User & General Purpose
Home and general purpose laptops appeal to those who require a portable computing device similar to their home or office desktop computer but don't need the bells and whistles of a more advanced device. If you don't want to edit video, record TV, or play advanced games that require high-end processors, choose a baseline home user laptop computer. Home user and general purpose laptops are the most popular category, and the most affordable when it comes to price. Below we explain what is important when looking for a low price laptop computer in this category.

Price
The lowest price computer laptops in this category are around $1,100, while the more expensive models can cost upwards of $2,000.

Weight
The best price laptop computers in this category weigh around 4 pounds, while larger models can weigh as much as 7 pounds.

Processor & Processor Speed
Try to find a laptop computer with a Pentium M processor or AMD Athlon Turion processor. Make sure the process speed is 2 GHz and up.

Memory
The lowest price computer laptops in this category should have at least 300 MB of RAM. If your budget allows, try to find a model with at least 500 MB of RAM.

Hard Drive
If you plan to use your laptop to store images and play videos, you should make sure the model has at least a 60 BG hard drive. If storing images and playing videos is not important, you'll only need a 20 GB hard drive.

Screen Size
The best price laptop computers in this category usually have 12" screens, while the higher end models can have up to 16" screens.

Ports
Most of today's lowest price computer laptops have at least three USB ports to connect devices like scanners and printers to your machine. If you are looking for a laptop that can accept digital camera, camcorder, or MP3 player inputs, consider a laptop with a media card reader.

Gaming

Although relatively new to the laptop computer lineup, they are much needed for those who require laptops with faster processor speeds and ample memory to power the high-end graphics that today's video games are capable of. Below we explain what is important when looking for the best price laptop computer in this category.

Price
The lowest price computer laptops in this category are around $2,500, while the more expensive models can cost upwards of $3,500.

Weight
The best price laptop computers in this category weigh around 7 pounds, which is heavier than other types of laptop computers due to their larger screen size.

Processor & Processor Speed
Try to find a laptop computer with a Pentium 4 or Mobile Athlon 64 processor. Make sure the process speed is 2.5 GHz to 3 GHz and up.

Memory
The lowest price computer laptops in this category should have at least 500 MB of RAM. If your budget allows, try to find a model that has 1 GB of RAM.

Hard Drive
If you plan to use your laptop to store images and play videos, you should make sure the model has an 80 BG hard drive.

Screen Size
The best price laptop computers in this category usually have 14" screens. We recommend a 15" screen, and if your budget allows, go for a 17" for better viewing potential.

Ports
Most of today's lowest price computer laptops have at least four USB ports to connect devices like joysticks, headphones, and speakers.

Business & Work

If you are a mobile business professional, a business laptop will allow you to perform all necessary tasks from the road, including connecting to the Internet through a wireless connection or working on important projects with programs like Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Business laptops are also powerful enough to download and play your favorite music and DVDs. Best of all, business laptops tend to be more compact than other models, making them easy to store and carry on trips. Below we explain what is important when looking for a low price laptop computer in this category.

Price
The best price laptop computers in this category are around $1,400, while the more expensive models can cost upwards of $2,500.

Weight
The lowest price computer laptops in this category weigh around 5 pounds, while larger models can weigh as much as 7 pounds.

Processor & Processor Speed
Try to find a laptop computer with a Pentium M processor or AMD Sempron processor. Make sure the process speed is 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz for normal use. If you plan to have many programs running simultaneously, make sure the process speed is 2.5 GHz or higher.

Memory
The best price laptop computers in this category should have at least 300 MB of RAM. If your budget allows, try to find a model with at least 500 MB of RAM.

Hard Drive
If you plan to use your laptop to store images and play videos, you should make sure the model has at least a 60 BG hard drive. If storing images and playing videos is not important, you'll want to choose a model with at least a 40 GB hard drive.

Screen Size
The lowest price computer laptops in this category will be around 14", although you can purchase models with larger screens. Keep in mind, however, that increasing the screen size also increases the weight of your device.

Ports
Most of today's best price laptop computers will have at least two USB ports to connect devices like scanners and printers to your machine. They should also include a VGA port for projectors. If you are looking for a laptop that can accept digital camera, camcorder, or MP3 player inputs, consider a laptop that also has a media card reader.

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