It is not just business owners or technology lovers that need a laptop in their lives, you’ll find that more and more families are seeing this piece of kit as a necessity too. If you are planning on purchasing a laptop for the whole family to enjoy, then you may be wondering where to start on choosing the one that’s right for you all. We’ve put together an in-depth buyers guide, specially for families picking their first laptop.
What is the laptop for?
Firstly, you need to decide what you want your laptop to be used for and who will be using it. Is it going to be specifically for the children to play games on? Will the teenagers need to do their homework on it? Will you be using it to do your grocery shopping? Perhaps the whole family want to use it to watch films? Knowing exactly what the purpose of your new laptop is will make it easier to work out exactly what you need from it. Write a list of all the key things you are looking for in a laptop, based on what the family will be using it for. Keep this list handy at all times, when you go out laptop shopping.
Gaming Laptops
If you’re buying a laptop specifically for gaming, then there are certain things to look out for. One of the best ways to work out how good a particular laptop is for gaming, is to check out the minimum requirements for a popular computer game. As an example, The Sims 3 has the following minimum requirements:
- 1.5GB of RAM
- At least 7.1GB of hard drive space
- 2.4 Ghz Processor
- 128mb Graphics card with Pixel Shader
Although this game is now several years old, you’ll find that some of the basic laptops don’t meet these requirements. Make sure that your families favourite games can be played on your new laptop, to avoid tantrums.
Internet Browsing and Homework Laptops
If you are just looking for a laptop that is going to be used for basic functions, such as browsing the internet, homework, grocery shopping and checking emails then you won’t need something as advanced as a gaming laptop. You’ll find a whole range of Insight laptops available, suitable for all budgets, that will be more than enough for your basic needs. Windows 8 is the latest operating system, that is jam packed with handy apps and tools for the kids to complete their homework, as well as fast internet browsing and the ability to check your emails from the desktop. If you’re planning on streaming videos or movies, then make sure that there is a good sized screen and a decent graphics card included.
Remember, there are some dangers surrounding children and the internet, so ensure that your new laptop is fully secured and that you have put various safeguards in place. There are a range of tools available that will help you block unsuitable websites and even restrict the time your child can spend on the computer, giving you and your family peace of mind.
