Sacramento Laptop Selection Service
The art and science of laptop selection
Let’s not sugarcoat this. Laptop selection can be complicated, detailed, and downright intimidating — especially if you haven’t done it before. Nerds On Call is here to help you make smart choices about laptop selection.
Oh and get this: If you’re in or around Sacramento we can even have a fully trained and tech-savvy nerd accompany you to your local computer store! They’ll guide you through the pros and cons of each model and make the laptop selection process as easy and fun as possible. And this same nerd can then get you all set up for trouble-free computing with our full laptop installation service.
For laptop selection help, give us a call at 1-800-919-6373 or fill out our contact form. Or if you want to tackle the art and science of laptop selection yourself, read on to get a good grounding in the kinds of features you’ll want to look for.
Your first laptop selection choice: Operating system
Now there’s a good chance you’re reading this already knowing what kind of OS you want to use. You may have a family member or friend all but demanding you make a laptop selection favoring their preferred OS!
If this is you, our advice is to make your own decision. Because honestly, each operating system has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
- A Microsoft Windows-based machine is a good laptop selection if you like a bit more flexibility in how you configure your environment.
- A Mac OS machine is a solid laptop selection if you’re looking for an intuitive interface, hassle-free laptop installation, and minimal maintenance.
- Chrome OS is great if you’re on a tight budget and only need to perform basic tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing.
Most computer stores in Sacramento will have at least a few machines on display that use these operating systems. If we’re helping you with laptop selection, we’ll show you each of these operating environments in action. If you’re making a selection on your own, go in with an open mind and request a demo of each OS.
Processor choice
The next step in laptop selection is to think hard about performance. Your laptop’s processor (or CPU) acts as your laptop’s “brain.” CPUs are constantly improving, so instead of focusing on a specification, we advise getting a firm idea of how much you’ll pay for an entry-level, mid-level, and high-level CPU. A good rule of thumb we use for laptop selection is if in doubt, aim for mid-level. But you can always give us a call at 1-800-919-6373. We’ll be happy to have a chat about your laptop selection parameters and give you some nerdy pointers. (Nerdy Pointers sounds like the bespectacled cousin of Peaky Blinders – but we digress.) And remember, if you’re in Sacramento we can always accompany you to the store.
What else?
Your next laptop selection decisions really boil down to what you want to do, how much help you need with laptop installation, and — of course — your budget.
Here’s a quick overview:
- RAM: Want more speed? Double down on your RAM (or Random Access Memory). But here’s a laptop selection tip: Always try to keep some balance between how much you spend on your RAM and your CPU. And you can usually upgrade your RAM later, as part of a future laptop installation.
- Display: There’s always a trade-off between ease of use and portability here. A laptop selection with a larger screen will make computing easier. But choosing a laptop with a smaller screen is a great choice for portability. Unlike other hardware (which can be upgraded in a later laptop installation) you’re pretty much stuck with your monitor screen, so spend some time to be sure it’s something you’ll be comfortable with.
- Hard drive: Hard drive choice is substantially easier these days because you can always have a tech help you with a hard drive laptop installation if you run out of space down the line. If you’re in Sacramento, we can complete an upgrade or repair for you in the comfort of your own home! Unless you have lots of files you need to store, we recommend choosing something middle of the road — somewhere between 1 and 2 terabytes is ample.
Nerds on Call can help with laptop selection and laptop installation
If you need help with laptop selection or laptop installation and upgrades, Nerds On Call can help you save time, money, and frustration. We can even meet you at your local Sacramento computer store to help you decide. Call us at 1-800-919-6373 for help.
