out your laptop experience on the best foot possible, I have three recommendations:
First, determine where your laptop will be repaired. Odds are good that it won’t be in the back room at the local Mega Mart where you purchased the thing. The laptop will probably take a trip through the mail. If that’s not what you want, ensure that you buy an onsite support option when you buy the laptop. (Yes, some manufacturers offer this service.)
Second, research technical support for your laptop. Most manufacturers offer phone support. Is it good? Terrible? In your native tongue? Maybe a superior support option is available for an extra price. If you need it, buy it.
Finally, definitely buy a long-term warranty with your laptop. Most manufacturers offer a standard 90-day or even 1-year warranty. I recommend at least a 3-year warranty. This long-term warranty is recommended because if the laptop breaks, the entire unit must be replaced. Doing so isn’t cheap.
Some manufacturers offer you a replacement laptop by way of mail-in service while yours is being fixed. Consider this offer a bonus.
A lack of service and support is one reason that some dealers (and large department stores and discount houses) offer laptops at ridiculously cheap prices. Don't ever expect the employees in such a place to be able to help you, and the guy who cuts meat in the back can’t fix your laptop, either.
Don’t buy a service contract! It’s not the same thing as a warranty. A service contract is basically a way for the big box store to make even more money from suckers. The extended warranty that I recommend is offered by the manufacturer, not the store. This warranty covers your laptop just fine and dandy. The service contract does nothing.
The Final Step: Buying Your Laptop
When you're ready to buy your laptop, buy it!
Don't sit and wait for a better deal or a lower price. You can always find a better deal and a lower price. Hardware gets faster and better. The price always comes down. Therefore, when you're ready to buy, take the plunge and buy! Waiting gets you nowhere.
If possible, use a credit card to pay for your laptop. The law offers far more protection to credit card users than to people who pay by check or — don't even think about it — cash.
See Chapter 4 for information on migrating information from your old laptop to a new one.
Part 2
Say Hello to Your Laptop
IN THIS PART …
Set up your new laptop, find a place for it, and transfer over your files and programs.
Review the basics of turning on a laptop and running Windows for the first time.
Mull over the various ways to dismiss, sleep, log off, or turn off a laptop.
Discover laptop features and see how they work.
Get familiar with a tablet PC.
Work with Windows on a laptop and find useful laptop controls and settings.
Chapter 3
From Laptop Box to Lap
IN THIS CHAPTER
After being awarded a huge government grant, scientists have proven that any computer works best when you first remove it from its shipping box. Yes, I was surprised. Even more so, I was surprised that removing a laptop from its box and getting it onto your lap involves more steps than you might expect.
Laptop Box 101
I write this section with the full knowledge that it’s probably too late: The box that your laptop came in is open. The foam packing material has been removed. Plastic has been peeled off. The laptop most likely sits in front of you. Great! Now you can get to the real point of this section: things to observe and pay attention to regarding that box and all the goodies inside.
When you’re lucky enough to find instructions on how to unpack the box, heed them! I refer specifically to labels such as Open Other Side and Remove First.
Ensure that you open and free the packing slip if it’s attached to the outside of the box. The slip contains the shipping invoice, which you should examine to confirm that what was shipped is exactly what you ordered. If the packing slip isn’t on the outside of the box, look for it on the inside.
Always open computer equipment boxes with your hands. Never use a box cutter, because you can slice into something important.
Beware of those big, ugly staples often used to close cardboard boxes. They can go a-flyin' when you rip things open, poking out eyeballs or just lying in wait on the floor for a bare foot.
Always look for boxes within boxes. Also be on the lookout for items stuck in the sides or ends of the packing material.
Do not eat the foam packing material. When people say that rice cakes taste like foam packing material, they’re being facetious.
Fill out warranty and registration information only after you're certain that the laptop works.
Removing the laptop from the box
Laptops, like all computers, come with lots of bits and pieces. Some of that stuff isn't junk, and you want to keep it for as long as you own the laptop. Other stuff is junk, and you can throw it away. The problem: It's difficult to determine what's worth keeping and what to toss. My advice is to keep everything for now.
Here's a handy way to approach this unpacking and pre-setup stage of your laptop's introduction to your lap:
1 Unpack the laptop.Remove the laptop from any plastic bag or shrink-wrap. Don't worry about opening the laptop's
