Laptops have come a long way from their beginnings when they were heavy, had tiny screens, and very little power. Now you can get a laptop that rivals all but the highest end desktops with bright displays, full size keyboards, and all the functionality you need. On the other hand, if weight and portability is the concern, you can get a laptop not much larger or thicker than a file folder to handle basic computing and email while on the road.

Think about it. How often have you had to stay late to finish something or tried to wrap something up before you left on a trip? What if instead, you stop at a convenient point, save your work, and take it with you? Then you simply start it up when you get where you are going and continue your work. Or if you commute to work by rail or bus, you can use that wasted time to get a start on the day, or finish up tasks without staying late or taking work home with you.

Many people today only have a laptop. They buy a powerful laptop with a full size keyboard and a large monitor and take it wherever they go. The advantages are many. Never worry about leaving an important file back at the office. Your email is always with you, including historic email that you may need to reference. Downtime becomes non-existent. Where ever you are, crank up the laptop and use that time that would otherwise be wasted. And with wireless internet available virtually everywhere, you never need to worry about being tethered to a network.

If this sounds like you, there are a few things you should consider when buying a laptop. Remember, you are going to be spending a lot of time on this computer, so make sure you buy what you need. Get a full size keyboard so that typing is comfort able and speedy. Think about the pointing device and how easy it is to use. Some people prefer buying an external mouse and some of these are very small especially designed for laptop use. If you are a serious road warrior, consider buying a second battery for those long flights. It is also a good idea to buy an extra power cord so that you can leave one at the office and one at home.

Laptops are a great way to improve productivity, utilize down time, and take some of the stress and worry from your work. The next time you or your organization needs to replace a computer, give some thought to replacing it with a laptop. Take some time to choose the right laptop and you'll never look back, or buy another desktop computer again.

Learn more about this author, Darryl Brooks.
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