Money Spending Expert's Advice on Laptops

Buying a new laptop

A laptop is one of the most lovely accessories - they're so useful to have and are quite a status symbol still especially with so many different ones out there and they're always getting thinner and better.

One shop online I can definately recommend for computer stuff is Micro Direct - they're based in Manchester and I've shopped with them for years.

They sell laptops from top brand companies like Acer, Asus, Dialogue, Fujitsu, Siemens and Sony.

The range is excellent and their customer service is great. They give you loads of information about the laptops, giving you basic information for a quick overview of what they've got and then in depth detail for the real hard core geek.

Laptops seem to be going in two directions at the moment - there is a new breed of really small but very powerful laptops as well as normal sized ones which also pack a punch. For purely style the smaller ones are uttelry lovely - they are so cute you know everyone will love your shiny new tiny laptop, but for actually wanting to use one a lot on the move you're better with something a little more meaty.

Laptops are luxury items - there's no doubt about this - prices range up to nearly two thousand pounds. They have over 70 models to pick from which means they beat almost every high street store for choice. Bigger choice means better options - with more models and screen sizes you'll enjoy looking through them all looking for which you're going to have.

I think Sony Vaio is a really lovely looking machines - they do a couple of really girly looking models which means they're pretty, slim and easy to pick up! Always look at the weight of a laptop if you're planning on carrying one around every day as they can weigh quite a lot - usually the more powerful bigger machines will weigh over 2.5Kg.
Watch out for features such as wireless, bluetooth, card readers to include: SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo. Look out for great graphics and High Definition Audio for a great quality laptop you'll be able to play films on too.

Reasons to have a laptop

• They look fantastically flash
• They're handy
• They will impress your mates
• They'll make you look clever
• You'll be able to play films and games on the move
• You'll be able to work from where ever you are
• Yours will be newer and faster than your friends.

Generally with laptops and notebooks you'll get what you pay for - well worth spending the extra money on an ultrathin widescreen version that will be the ultimate accessory.