Consumer Reports says January is a good time to shop for Windows computers. And with Windows 7 now standard operating procedure, it may be a perfect time to buy.
Consumer Reports' tests find that Windows 7 starts up and shuts down faster than Vista, but the improvement is minor. And general performance is also faster with Windows 7, but only slightly.
Consumer Reports recently tested 20 laptops, rating features like ergonomics, battery life, and performance.
There are plenty of inexpensive laptops out there, but testers caution: beware of rock-bottom prices. According to Consumer Reports, some computer makers use single-core processors instead of dual-core to save money. But if you buy one of those so-called bargains, you might end up with a slower computer.
For example, a 15-inch Acer Aspire, model AS 5532, seems like a steal at $330. Consumer Reports says that it's fine for very basic needs like e-mail and word processing, but not for creating videos or playing demanding games.
Consumer Reports found several laptops with dual-core processors that offered solid performance for $600, or even less.
One of the least expensive is the Toshiba Satellite L505. It's a Consumer Reports Best Buy at $530. It rated very good in tests and has facial recognition software, which signs you on by scanning your face. Not a must, but a fun plus on a solid-performing laptop.
If you're happy with your current computer and operating system, Consumer Reports says there's no need to upgrade. But if you're a frustrated Vista user, testers recommend upgrading to Windows 7. Most computer manufacturers are offering free upgrades to people who have bought Vista-based computers from late June 2009-January 2010.
