There are a lot of laptops out on the market today. For many people, businesses, and offices, the laptops that will work the best are just any that have the right features. There are lines of work where it is important to get more durable computers for use in a variety of settings. Many industries and companies are turning to more durable laptops and more durable notebook computers. If you fall into that category, you may benefit from looking at Panasonic Toughbooks. They all can handle drops and spills. They have some of the most rugged designs around.
The problem many purchasing managers or individuals have is finding the right Toughbook for their needs. Here are some things to consider what kind is best for you and your business:
- Think about the kind of software you and your workers need to use. Different software systems need different kinds of hardware. To make sure you get the computer equipment that you will need, you need to have a full understanding of what hardware requirements your software packages need. The specific things you need to know are how much RAM space (also called memory), what processor speed you will need, and how much storage space will allow everything to run properly. You also need to know what operating system works with the software you use.
- Give some thought to the “extras” you will need. A lot of people depend on more than just their Toughbook. If you get your computer and do not think about all of the peripherals you will need and what software you will need to run these, you may have big problems getting everything to play well together. Some examples of these peripherals include laser light show or projection equipment, license plates recognition devices, or surveillance systems. Before you select the right computer, take some time to learn what your peripheral devices and software will need.
- Think about what you use your computers for. This is one of the most important steps in finding the right computer or Toughbook. It can also tell you if you need a Toughbook at all. If you are a writer who sits in the local cafe and writes all day, you may not need that. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Will the laptop be used in a vehicle?
- Will it be used to take signatures?
- Will payments be processed with the computer?
- Are you a law enforcement agency that will need lights and sirens to be run with the computer?
- How much typing or data entry will be done with the laptop? You may want to look into more ergonomic keyboards.
- Talk to other people who work in your industry. To get a good sense of what the best Toughbook is for you, talk to people you know who do the same kind of work as you. This can give you an idea of what your actual options are.
- How long will you need this equipment? This is a big factor in what kind of Toughbook you should get. If you are working in a rough terrain area but know that you will have to make your equipment last longer, you will need computers that can stand up to the elements more. If that is the case and you are looking at refurbished Toughbooks, you should focus on the newer models. This will allow you to use them longer than the older computers.
- You need to know how much you can spend. Before any person, company, or government agency goes out to make major purchases, they need to decide how much they can spend. Look at your options and do not forget to think about what repairs you may need to have done and how much they will cost.
- Look at the warranty options. Many businesses and government offices tend to look at refurbished laptops as being lower quality machines but that is not always the case. You can get great Toughbooks for your workers or yourself that cost less but when they come with a great warranty, you know you are not really taking any risk.
Getting the right Toughbook for your situation can take some effort and time but this is all well worth it.