Budget shopping tips: Laptops

Owning a portable powerhouse of a lap-dwelling machine may be a bit economically out of reach for some, but there's never been a better time to get a laptop with decent performance for great value. Just follow these tips.

Try a Netbook
If your computing needs are low, or even basic (Web browsing, Office document work, and not too much need for heavy-duty graphics or HD video), Netbooks offer a great package for very little money. Mainly equipped with Intel Atom processors and running Windows XP, they're not so great at multitasking, but they'll do the work that most computers handled five years ago with ease. Low-end Netbooks are where the best value's at, with some coming in at under S$600 (US$441.75), like Acer Aspire One models. Some are on sale online for even less, or are subsidized by cell carriers. You will, however, need to sign up for a wireless 3G data plan for a subsidized Netbook, which may cost more in the long run than simply looking for free Wi-Fi hotspots.

Thin-and-light laptops are getting cheaper
It was just a year-and-a-half ago when the MacBook Air cost an arm and a leg for superlight computing power. While the Air is more affordable now, there are a variety of similarly powered machines running lower-cost CULV processors just hitting the market that cost even less. MSI's X340 is practically a Windows version of the MacBook Air, with an equally good form factor (made of plastic instead of aluminum), but costs S$1,699 (US$1,250.89).

Leave off the extras
Go for the bare-bones configuration unless you really need more RAM or a larger hard drive--those can sometimes be added later, usually for less money. Go through the online configurator when buying a system, and consider leaving off extras such as a Webcam or fingerprint reader. Buying the low-end model of a laptop line may be a little less sexy, but it can also save you hundreds of dollars. And you don't need Blu-ray--a DVD drive is just fine, and you can always download HD video online.

Investing in a good processor can pay off
One thing you can't replace is the main CPU, and spending a little more for the configuration you feel will run your software best is a good bet because it means a laptop that will last a few more years before an upgrade. A standard Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which should be your default choice, can be found in most laptops starting at around S$1,000 (US$736.25).

The new 13-inch MacBook Pros, while not super cheap, have decent processors and above-average integrated graphics (in the form the Nvidia's GeForce 9400M) that will last you through several rounds of OS changes and updates. Or, you could even go with the white MacBook which costs S$400 (US$294.50) less and offers similar specs but has a shorter battery life.

Buy clearance or refurbished
If you really want a deal, you can always check for discontinued models at manufacturer Web sites like Dell or Apple online stores, but sometimes an old model can have slightly out-of-date software included on it which will cost you extra to upgrade later, though for general purposes they should be fine.

Original article at CNET Crave