The word ‘affordable’ to different people means different specifications of laptops depending on your budget.
‘Affordable’ can mean a cheap factory refurbished IBM T21 laptop with a pentium 3 processor, 256 mb RAM and 20gb of hard disk. This comes with Windows XP. Or if you are on a slightly higher income ‘affordable’ means an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2000mb RAM and 160gb hard disk in the form of a Sony VAIO vgn-bz1.
Both these options to the individual are good ones.
If on a tight budget and you can only afford the IBM what you get is a sound laptop with a good proven history and Windows XP, which is still an excellent operating system with a huge selection of compatible software.
The history of the laptop is important due to the fact it is now no longer made. Smaller computer shops with servicing facilities will be very familiar with good, well made laptops that they can maintain for their customers. These places should be able to advise you on the cheaper models they recommend. Even though now Windows has moved onto the ‘next level’ in the shape of Vista, using a laptop with XP isn’t a bad thing. It will still be the most commonly used windows operating system for many more years until Vista takes over so microsoft will still be providing security updates for it. Also, major software providers will still consider the XP market to be a large one indeed, so you will not be without a driver for your digital camera, games for the kids or add ons to your office suite.
Should your ‘affordable’ laptop be the Sony then you have the luxury of buying something brand new with a good warranty, all the latest gadgets and modifications and with Windows Vista.
A good thing about this affordable option is that it is a brand new laptop with a decent warranty. If you are buying a laptop and everything you have financially is being put into it then you will want piece of mind knowing that if it breaks in any way you have a safety net. Being the cheapest of a new range of laptops can often make the computer seem ‘empty’ when compare to the more expensive options, however, today on the internet solutions to software issues and networking are never far away and for very little extra cost. So, there is no reason why your cheaper laptop shouldn’t be up to the same tasks as the top of the range ones.
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