Use Windows PC Scout to Find the Right PC for You

Choosing the right lineup of computers for you and your users can be a challenge. Whether you’re searching for laptops, desktops or both, you face an array of dozens of different Windows-based PCs. If you’re trying to pick the best computers for your business, one tool that can help you narrow the search is Microsoft’s (News - Alert) Windows PC Scout.

The Windows PC Scout lets you search for or browse across a wide range of different laptops and desktops, allowing you to zero in on the models and features you need. If you’re totally in the dark or a novice at picking PCs, you can click on the “Let’s Get Started” link, which presents you with an interactive audio guide that talks you through the process. But your average IT pro will want to bypass that and go directly to the selection screens.

The site is geared toward shopping for a laptop, so let’s check that option first. To see a range of all laptops available, click on the “Browse all laptops” link. Here you can narrow down the selection by picking a specific price range, screen size, processor, RAM, hard disk space, weight, and video memory. You can further narrow your choices by selecting only specific vendors (Dell (News - Alert), HP, Lenovo, etc.), processor type (Intel or AMD), and such options as a 64-bit version of Windows and a touchscreen.

As you narrow your choices, the page continually refreshes itself with a list of models that match your criteria. If you see a PC that interests you, just click on its name or photo and you’ll see a details page with the exact specifications on that unit. Clicking on a specific feature, such as screen size or memory, provides an explanation of that feature with advice on what to consider when buying the PC. Microsoft also conveniently displays a price and a link to online retailers that carry the unit you’ve selected.

Beyond browsing all laptops, you can narrow down the selection by category, choosing Entertainment, Professional, Gaming, or Everyday PC. And if more than one laptop strikes your fancy, you can add up to four different models to a comparison page to check out their features side by side. The site offers some nice visuals, as well. A wide range of photos lets you see each laptop and zoom in to get a closer look at its hardware.

The PC Scout lets you check out various desktop models, but its selection is extremely limited, offering you only a small number of all-in-one PCs or gaming desktops. So if you’re in the market for a desktop, you won’t find much help here. But those of you in search of a new laptop, either for yourself or your company, should definitely check out the site as part of your next shopping expedition.