Gosh darn it, you want a new laptop and you want it now! The problem is that you have no idea where to look for it, what to look for and how to get a great deal. You don't have all day, so check out this article to get a quick lesson on smarter laptop shopping cheap laptops with webcam.

When buying a laptop, you will need to decide between a Mac and a PC. They are both good at different things. If you would like to run massive simulations, edit video, or work several hundred layers in Photoshop, you may want to get a Mac. If you're interested in doing lots of gaming where you can tinker with the components, or use a computer with lots of affordable specs, you may want a PC.

Don't buy a laptop solely on price alone. Yes, cheap laptops can keep a lot of your hard earned cash in your wallet, but they also might be susceptible to breaking down. It may end up costing you more in the long run if you decide to go cheap early on.

Consider walking into a store and physically trying a laptop, even if you plan to buy it online. Buying a laptop online is a great idea for a number of reasons, but it can be hard to get a clear idea of what the machine looks like. If you can handle it in a store, you will be more comfortable buying it, whether you buy it right there or online.

When you need to buy a laptop, do so with your credit card if at all possible. Since there are many laws in place to protect consumers when they purchase big ticket items with a card, your investment will be safer. Should something be wrong with your new machine and the vendor isn't cooperative, contact the card issuer immediately.

Be certain your laptop has plenty of USB ports. This is one important feature which is frequently overlooked. You can plug in a different mouse, save files to a memory card or even connect with another laptop. Opt for at least four USB ports, but get more if you can.

To keep your laptop safe on the road, pack it in its own suitcase; if you do not have a separate laptop bag, then get a padded case for the laptop that you can place in another bag. Make sure that there is nothing else in that larger bag heavy enough to crack the screen through the case.

Test the mouse and keyboards for comfort and functionality. You want to make sure your hands feel comfortable using these devices. Test the mouse touch pad to make sure it responds well to your touch. You can always add a mouse or keyboard if you plan on using the laptop at home. Put if you plan to use it on the go, you will have to rely on the attached devices.

Now that you're done this article, you have filled your mind with many helpful tips. Laptop shopping will be a snap now that you know what you're doing. Get to the store or check out online retailers and find the perfect model, get the best price and then start enjoying portable computing!