Hopefully you have read part one of my guide, if not, you may want to read it first. Going forward with your laptop purchase...I have explained briefly the differences in the mouse, screen and mobility concerns of a laptop, so maybe we have a good idea what will work best for you..going forward..selecting a brand/model. I need to mention that I personally love laptop computers!! It amazes me what they are capable of and what differences (both good and bad) there are between models and makes. Let's start with what the auction should include..unless you are a laptop builder, buy one that is 100% working and COMPLETE.. there are so many auctions that will list a laptop as perfect/mint/complete.."except..well, it only has a small thin line on the screen"..to me that is a PARTS laptop.. it will need a screen because the screen has failed. Or some auctions won't include the hinge covers, the memory cover or the hard drive..and then the seller tells you (the buyer) how cheap and easy one can be found..if it was that easy..here is an idea, why don't they buy it, include it and have a nice laptop instead of one that is incomplete? Also, the battery.. the battery on a laptop is a very "gray" area.. it doesn't matter what laptop you decide on, the battery life won't be what you might expect..even if the auction includes a brand new battery..almost all the time you will be using the laptop on AC power, or even DC if you want to use it in your car or boat. A new battery will last about 1 1/2 to 2 hours on LIMITED power if you are lucky..that means the display brightness will be less, the processor power will be less and you are not watching an entire DVD movie..BUT, make sure that the battery is there and has some kind of life.. for resale (should decide to resell it in the future) if nothing else. If you find a laptop and the battery isn't there, or is bad, do a search on a new battery for the laptop and combine that cost with the cost of the laptop and see if it meets your price range. Missing hard drives..this is another sensitive subject as most laptops will require a caddy to make a hard drive install into the laptop. Make sure it comes with the caddy and the cover (plus any required screws) and that you are comfortable and capable of installing the hard drive yourself.. if not, avoid!! Another very important concern is whether or not the laptop comes with a LICENCED operating system. If it has the operating system that you want already installed, does it come with the cd's/dvd's/drivers to restore the laptop should you need to? Also, make sure the COA is on or with the laptop for that system. If not, add the price of a new operating system to what you will have invested, and whether or not you are capable of installing it yourself. If the laptop does not have a CD/DVD/CDRW drive to install an operating system, then that is also something to consider. Basically whatever is missing, see if you can find it, determine if you can do the installation and how much you will have invested. You may wind up with an expensive outdated laptop that you will soon outgrow or dislike. If there is something broken or missing, chances are there is a reason why that wasn't taken care of before the laptop was placed on auction. If the laptop won't turn on and the seller states this is an "easy fix"..you may want to avoid the laptop. Again, if it was easy, why didn't they fix it?

There are several things that you can add to your laptop yourself to make it meet your needs..for example wireless internet can easily be achieved by simply buying a PCMCIA card (most laptops are equipped with at least one slot) or USB adapter. Any external drive (CD/DVD/DVD/RW/FLOPPY/LS120/ZIP/EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE) can be added in the same way..remember though, this makes your laptop portability diminish. The laptop physical condition is another buying concern..do all the keyboard keys function? Do all of the ports work? Does the mouse work? What is the condition of the case? If it is cracked/broken or severly scratched and maybe the letters worn off the keyboard, you may want to avoid it..as it has had an un-loving, overworked, hard life. Chances are you wouldn't buy an old worn out couch or car..use common sense..lastly.. if you have decided on a specific laptop.. do some research.. check and see how many "part" auctions there are for that model..here are three GOOD examples..Compaq 1800 (and 1800T), Alienware 766, Dell LS400/L400..the Compaq 1800/1800T.. if you have one that works..don't even touch it.. these are prone to the motherboard failing..avoid! The Alienware 766.. the video card is junk.. they are another mistake..avoid!! The Dell LS400/L400.. the video connector to the display is a ribbon that winds and unwinds as the display opens and closes and they break..good luck finding one that works..if it does, not for long..also the hinge covers are almost always gone. Ok, here is one last example.. the Sony GR series..this includes several models.. the memory sockets are POORLY designed and fail.. guess what..motherboard replacement (with the same prone problem)or some very critical, professional, tedious soldering (been there and done that!). If you find a model that you like, reseasrch other autions of the same model. Sometimes the ones a couple/three years or older may be a better unit..laptops have came a long way, both good and bad. With the price wars, and processors that run TOO HOT in a lot of new models (most laptops only have one small cooling fan and a heatsink.. look inside your desktop tower..hmmm) some of the older models are a neat choice!! The IBM A Series is a nice unit..as is the smaller Sony R505, Toshiba Protege, The older IBM 570's (with the dock!!), the IBM X20's (12.1" display though) with the media dock. The Dell 610's are plentiful, but find one working/complete and with at least a DVD.. on all, don't forget about the software!! Buy a nice padded case (if it doesn't come with one) to protect your investment. Best of luck!! Have fun..ignore the scammers that try to ruin ebay for everyone..seems like there are herds of them here anymore..

Thanks for reading my guide!! Please vote on how this helped you..I know this may be basic information for most of you reading this. I would like to write more guides about laptops so I can share the 10 years of buying/selling and repairing them. I REALLY need your feedback to know if these are topics of interest for you. Please vote below..THANKS!!

All the best,

Bruce