| Knowing what to look for when choosing | | | | This refers to how your laptop connects to |
| refurbished laptops is important. Here is a | | | | the internet. A 56K modem is for dial-up and |
| list of certain features that you should | | | | DSL internet. There is also wireless |
| compare when shopping for one.Let's begin | | | | internet called Wi Fi. If you choose a |
| with laptop basics-Processor Speed- This is | | | | laptop with a 56k modem it is still possible |
| the speed at which the laptop can retrieve | | | | to buy hardware for Wi Fi.Network- You'll see |
| data and information. You'll often see | | | | something like 10/100, or 10/1000 and this |
| speeds like 900MHz or 1.2GHz. The larger the | | | | refers to how fast a laptop computer can |
| number the faster it is. 1.2GHz is 1200MHz. | | | | transfer data to other computers on the |
| Gigahertz is more than megahertz. When | | | | network. Although most don't use a computer |
| choosing a refurbished laptop this is | | | | on a network it is important if you're in a |
| sometimes important. If you are only going | | | | business setting, or something similar. For |
| to use it to surf the internet (surfing the | | | | most people this isn't a determining factor |
| web only depends on your internet speed and | | | | in choosing a computer.Operating System (OS)- |
| not the computers speed), or operate a few | | | | The operating system is referring to what |
| application software programs, or use if for | | | | system the laptop is using. The most common |
| document creating a lower speed is all you | | | | are Windows, Linux and Unix and Macintosh. |
| need. The lower the processor speed the | | | | By far the most popular is the Microsoft |
| cheaper it usually is. If you plan to use it | | | | Windows programs like Windows 98, 2000, |
| in a business setting, gaming, or need it for | | | | Millenium, and the most current XP home, or |
| several operating procedures then you'll need | | | | professional. This is a big factor in |
| a faster processor speed.System Memory- Here | | | | choosing a refurbished laptop. You need a |
| is where you'll see the 128mb, 256mb, or | | | | compatible OS to function with what you need |
| 512mb system memory. The system memory is | | | | it for. For a few highly inclined |
| the place where the computer holds current | | | | individuals the Linux and Unix systems are |
| programs and data that are in use, or holds | | | | great. For the vast majority of people a |
| the instructions that the processor executes | | | | Windows based OS is the best. It is the most |
| and the data that those instructions work | | | | user friendly and most compatible with more |
| with. Picture it as the central nervous | | | | software and hardware programs. If you are |
| system of your laptop. It allows everything | | | | not sure what's the best operating system for |
| to work and also is needed for faster | | | | you choose the Windows program.Expansion |
| processing speeds. The system memory is | | | | Slots- Most laptops will have open slots like |
| essential for operating multiple functions at | | | | USB, serial, or ethernet slots which allows |
| once. The 128mb and 256mb are ample amounts | | | | for multiple items to be added like a mouse, |
| of memory. If you plan to do a lot of things | | | | printer, external hard drive, modem and |
| at once the higher number is better.Hard | | | | things like that.Upgrades- Most refurbished |
| Drive- The hard drive is what holds all your | | | | laptops can be upgraded. You can add things |
| memory on the computer. The higher the | | | | like external hard drives(for more memory), |
| number the more storage you have. An example | | | | external optical drives, add the wireless |
| is a 20GB hard drive. That holds all your | | | | internet capabilities, flash drives, and |
| programs, downloads, pictures, music and | | | | more. The advantage is you can choose a |
| more. Many users don't need much more than | | | | refurbished laptop with a fair amount of |
| 10GB of storage, but if you plan to keep a | | | | hardware and just add to it what you need. |
| laptop for an extended period of time you may | | | | It's nice feature that will come in handy |
| want to consider a larger hard drive.Optical | | | | when you rely on your laptop computer to do |
| Drive- The optical drive is either CD-ROM, | | | | more. It's just like upgrading a desktop, |
| CD-RW, or DVD-ROM/RW, or a combo of both. | | | | most external hardware uses a USB connection |
| ROM stands for "read only memory" and RW | | | | and there is also hardware to add more USB |
| stands for "re-write", for copying disks. | | | | connections. It's great!We hope to have |
| The CD drive is for software and can play | | | | answered some of your questions about which |
| music CD's. The DVD drive can do everything | | | | refurbished laptop is right for you. |
| a CD-ROM can do and more. It can play music, | | | | Technology is wonderful these days and |
| software, and DVD movies. It's like an | | | | refurbished laptops are a great investment |
| upgrade to the CD drive. Some laptops do | | | | for school, business and general use.Online |
| have a floppy drive which operates floppy | | | | Crazy Deals informs you on what is important |
| discs. Most programs are on CD though.Modem- | | | | in mobile computing. |