Stream shows, catch the latest movie trailers, or explore an online video game’s vivid fantasyland in crisp, clear detail. Saturated with more than 1 million pixels, the display produces image quality similar to what you’d see on an HDTV. Such sharpness and clarity also make the text on your favorite news and social-media sites clear and easy to read.

Do More with High-Speed Thunderbolt

Whether you’re uploading 4K video or backing up your entire photo library, Thunderbolt connectivity helps you move files to and from your computer smoothly. When connected to compatible devices, a Thunderbolt port supports data transfer speeds of up to 10GB/s—double the speed of USB 3.0—in both directions. With that kind of bandwidth, you can move large files and connect an external monitor, all from a single port.

This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com

If you’re planning on purchasing a laptop in the near future, it’s important that you take some time to organize the tasks for which you need your laptop in order to narrow down your search. While there are many choices of laptop, significant variations in what laptops can do and how well they do it remain. Use the considerations below to begin prioritizing your wish list before you purchase your next laptop.

If you have your heart set on a more expensive laptop, consider a refurbished unit. Many manufacturers offer these, and they often come with a fair warranty too, protecting you in many ways. This will save you hundreds of dollars over a new laptop, while still offering you all the conveniences of the model you truly want.

One of the first things to consider when buying a laptop is if you want a PC or an Apple product. PCs are often considered better gaming units, while Apple products are known for their photo editing abilities. Consider how you will use your laptop when making this important brand decision.

Consider what you will be using your laptop for before you start shopping. This will influence the amount you spend on it. If you just surf the net, you don’t need a machine as complex as one a graphic designer might need. Knowing the features you need and those you don’t need will help you find a laptop that fits your budget.

If you typically only search the web, check email and handle small word processing tasks with your computer, consider purchasing a Netbook. These units are inexpensive and light to carry, but they are also limited in how they function. For the moderate user though, they offer a budget friendly option that is easy to travel with and gets the job done.

Make sure that any new laptop you buy comes with a way to return it if it doesn’t work right. Sometimes if you buy a new laptop they will give you a certain amount of time to return it if you have a receipt. Be very careful about this so that you don’t end up with an expensive broken computer.

Memory is an important consideration when buying a laptop. Having a lack of memory will slow or halt your work processes. Try to figure out the amount of memory in your prospective model, and try to verify if you can upgrade it later on. The more memory it has, the more efficient it will run.

Think about the size. Laptops now come in a range of sizes. There are big laptops that are best suited to desks, and tiny laptops that can fit in a little bag. Decide how you will be using the laptop. If you need portability as a main feature, go small.

Be sure to ask what comes with your laptop, new or used. For example, a new laptop may come with a charging cord, but it may be slow, intended for European outlets, or too short. If you know what you’re getting, you won’t be surprised when you pull it out of the box.

Think about purchasing a laptop from someone who offers an extended warranty. This is smart because computer repairs and replacement can be very expensive. If you can get an extended warranty for a small price, you could save yourself a lot of money as time goes on.

To start out setting up your new laptop, the first thing you need to do is install and activate the antivirus software that you should have bought with your computer — or that came free with it. After all, you wouldn’t walk around downtown with your ATM PIN on your forehead, so keep your computer information secret from the beginning.

Before buying your laptop online, check the prices at your local brick and mortar store. Sometimes they are the same or even less, especially if you can find an open box or recently returned item. Another advantage is that returns are often easier at a local store since you can avoid the hassle or shipping an item back if you are not satisfied.

In order to keep track of all of your passwords, create a password manager to track your accounts, enter your passwords with just one keystroke, and even generate complicated passwords that hackers cannot guess. This place saves you from having to write all of those passwords down (and lose them), and it stores your information securely.

Look at the ports that come with your laptop prior to purchasing one. If you wish to plug in an MP3 player, a cell phone, a printer, and everything like that, then you’ll need a lot of USB ports. Make sure that you’re getting the ports that you’ll need.

Use your laptop on the lowest power using setting that you can. Doing this can save you a great deal of money on your energy bill each month. Additionally, it is less likely that your laptop will overheat. As long as you are not trying to stream online or play a game your laptop will work fine.

Consider HDD or SSD hard drives. HDD or a a traditional spinning platter hard drive that is found in many models. They are great for streaming data quickly from a hard drive when playing games or editing video. The SSD or solid state hard drive is flash memory that runs quiet and cool. It has a much smaller capacity and isn’t ideal for large amounts of media like videos. There are also hybrid drives where a HDD is paired with the smaller SSD.

Are you only buying a laptop for web surfing and emails? If so, you may want to consider purchasing a Chromebook. Such Google laptops lack a major operating system and offer little storage. You get quick speeds when surfing online with a great browser. They are relatively inexpensive too. You can even find them priced under $300, and that is for a complete laptop.

Your laptop should last you for several years and therefore, you’ll want to make a good choice before purchasing your new laptop. When it comes to decision making for technology, be sure to establish your priorities before going out and buying your new laptop. Use the tips above to make sure that you purchase the right laptop for your needs.