Problem: Article: The main purpose of your laptop will be the biggest influence on the type of laptop you get. People use computers for countless reasons, but general use falls into one of the following categories. Keep these in mind when you are looking at laptops: Office/Schoolwork - Mostly use the computer for word processing, research, spreadsheets, and other professional and academic tasks. Games - Playing the latest and greatest games, but still using the computer for other tasks as well. Web use - Primarily using the computer to access websites, email, streaming video, and social media. Media production - Use the computer as a workstation to record music, edit video, or manipulate images. There are a lot of reasons you might want to pick a laptop over a desktop computer. As laptops become more powerful, the reasons for owning a desktop will continue to shrink. A laptop is portable. This is the primary reason for purchasing a laptop. Laptops can go almost anywhere you can, and they're only getting lighter and thinner. Laptops can perform more and more tasks that desktops can. There are very few programs these days that a desktop can run that a laptop cannot. While you're generally sacrificing some performance for portability, you still have the ability to perform most computing tasks. Laptops can save a lot of space. A desktop computer, with a tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, can take up a lot of space in your home office or bedroom. A laptop just needs a little desk space. While laptops are becoming more powerful and lighter, there are still some drawbacks that you should consider if deciding between a laptop and a desktop. A laptop is limited by the battery. You can only roam so much with a laptop. Eventually, it will need to be plugged in. Can be lost or stolen much easier. Because of their portable nature, laptops can be stolen or lost much easier than a desktop. If you're setting up an office, you'll probably want to stock it with desktops instead of laptops. Laptops cannot be upgraded like a desktop can. This means that they become obsolete quicker than a desktop computer. While you can usually upgrade the storage or the memory, you cannot upgrade the processor or video card, which will eventually leave your laptop lagging behind. Laptops get heated very quickly if you are using it heavily. Laptops are hard to build yourself. One of the benefits of a desktop PC is that you can build it yourself, potentially saving money. While you may be able to find a few kits, nearly all laptops are sold complete by the manufacturer, which means the costs may be a little higher than a comparable desktop. It will be helpful to have a budget in mind as you start looking at laptop models. The different types of laptops will be explained in-depth later, but generally you're looking at around $300-$400 for a netbook or Chromebook, $500-$1200 for a standard laptop, and $900-$2500 for a desktop replacement. If you are considering a Mac, be aware that Macs are generally priced higher than a comparable Windows or Linux laptop.
Summary: Think about your main uses for a laptop. Understand the pros of a laptop. Understand the cons of a laptop. Set a budget.

Problem: Article: If you try to absorb everything there is to know about a topic all at once, you'll soon find yourself overwhelmed. Whether you're reading a chapter in a history textbook or trying to learn how to play the piano, focus on one piece of information at a time before moving on to the next. Once you've mastered each piece, you can work on putting them together into a coherent whole. For example, if you're reading a chapter in a textbook, you might start by doing a quick skim of the whole chapter or even just scanning the chapter headings to get a sense of the content. Then, do a close reading of each paragraph and try to identify the key concepts. while you learn. Taking notes can help you engage more fully with the material you are learning, making it easier for your brain to understand and absorb it. If you are listening to a lecture or an explanation of a topic, jot down the key points as you listen. If you're reading, write down key words, summarize important concepts, and make note of any questions you have about the material. Studies show that taking handwritten notes is more effective for most people than typing your notes on a computer. When you write your notes by hand, you're more likely to focus on the important points rather than trying to write down everything you hear or see. Summarizing is a good way to test your knowledge and help clarify your understanding of a subject. After learning something new, whether you heard it in a lecture or read about it in a book, take a moment to write a brief paragraph or a few bullet points summing up the key points. You can also try summarizing the information verbally. If you're working with a teacher, they can give you direct feedback based on your summary to help you determine whether you understand the concept correctly. For example, you could say, "So, to find the area of a rectangle, I multiply the length by the width. Is that correct?" Instead of spending hours of your time studying a single subject each day, spread it out into multiple sessions of 30-60 minutes each day over the course of a few days or weeks. This can help prevent you from getting burnt out, and will also ultimately help you retain the information better. Spacing out your study sessions can also help you overcome procrastination. If you devote a little time to a particular task or subject each day, it will feel less overwhelming in the long run, so you'll be less tempted to put it off. Most people learn best if they combine different techniques, or modes of learning. If you can, combine different learning approaches that tap into all your senses. For example: If you're taking a lecture course, try taking notes by hand and also recording the lecture so you can play it back while you study. Reinforce your knowledge by doing the appropriate readings and using any available visual aids (such as graphs or illustrations). If possible, try to actively apply the knowledge you've learned, as well. For example, if you're learning to read ancient Greek, try translating a short passage on your own. Talking about what you're learning can help you gain new perspectives or make connections that might not be obvious just from reading or studying on your own. In addition to asking your teacher or fellow students questions, share your own perspective and understanding of what you've learned. Teaching other people is a great way to solidify your understanding of a subject. It can also help you identify areas where you can improve your knowledge. Try explaining something you've learned to a friend, relative, or classmate.
Summary:
Break down what you're learning into manageable chunks. Take notes Summarize information you have just learned. Keep your learning sessions brief and frequent. Use multiple learning modes. Discuss what you are learning with other people.