Setup your computer easily
Get the most out of your new computer by following a few simple setup steps
Network setup.
Three components are the heart of your home network:
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection
- Modem
- Router
If any one of these isn't performing as well as it needs to, your entire connected experience could suffer.
Checklist for optimizing your network:
- Check your ISP connection. Make note of this number as you may be paying for faster speeds than your networking devices can currently support.
- Check your modem. It may have a sticker on it with information like this: 8 x 4, 16 x 4, 24 x 8, or 32 x 8. The more channels your cable modem has, the more reliable your internet connection from your ISP will be. Also, more channels will give you faster download and upload speeds.
- Check your router. Download the Best Buy Home App on your iOS or Android smartphone. Click "Networking" on the bottom right. Select "Test Wi-Fi Download Speed." Write down the results for each room you test.
Learn more about optimizing your network in the Network Setup video.
Modem and router setup.
Remember to check the speed of your modem, which is listed as: 8 x 4, 16 x 4, 24 x 8, or 32 x 8. The bigger the numbers, the faster the modem. We recommend 32 x 8 for the modern smart home.
You may be paying for faster speeds than your router can support. You may have more wireless devices connected than your router can handle. Wi-Fi range can be greatly impacted by interference from neighbors' Wi-Fi frequencies, what your home is made of, appliances, or the location of your router. If your router has antennas, move them to a different angle and retest your connection. Avoid facing the antennas directly at one another. Place your router as close to the center of your home as possible and move your router away from obstructions (e.g., walls, appliances, under desks).
Learn more about setting up your modem and router in the Network Setup video.
Windows computer setup.
Learn how to setup an account, connect to Wi-Fi, connect devices via Bluetooth and find out why updates are important.
Account creation.
When you start your new computer, Windows will prompt you to create an account. Many applications, such as Office and the Windows Store, require a Microsoft Account to function properly.
During this step, you can also create a Microsoft email address with the domain name @outlook.com, or use an existing email address. If your current email address is through an internet service provider, such as Comcast or Charter, it may be beneficial to create a Microsoft email address so that you don't lose access to your account if you switch internet service providers. Find out how to create an account in the Windows Computer Setup video
Connecting to Wi-Fi.
When you start your new computer, you will want to connect to your home Wi-Fi so you don't miss critical updates. See how to ensure the most seamless experience in the Windows Computer Setup video.
Windows updates.
Your new computer will likely need to complete some software updates to make sure your security software is current, and to provide you with the most recent Windows and driver updates. Updates usually happen in the background, but could happen over several hours and could make your computer a little slower while it works to complete the updates. Once the updates are complete, you'll get the safest and fastest performance from your new computer. Find out how to update your computer in the Windows Computer Setup video.
Connecting Bluetooth-compatible devices.
Ensure you properly connect your Bluetooth-compatible devices, such as headphones and speakers, by following the steps outlined in the Windows Computer Setup video.
Chromebook computer setup.
Learn how to get the most out of your Chromebook by ensuring you're connected to Wi-Fi to utilize the apps and store files on the cloud.
Connecting to Wi-Fi.
Your Chromebook relies on Wi-Fi for the core functionality. Watch the Chromebook Computer Setup video to learn how to connect to Wi-Fi.
Setting up a Google Drive account.
Your Chromebook comes with a cloud storage account, called Google Drive, to back up your data. Google offers this service for secure backup and easy access to your files from any computer. If you prefer to store your files on the Chromebook, you can do that too, and easily add additional storage with a flash drive. You will learn how to create a Google Drive account in the Chromebook Computer Setup video.
Downloading Chromebook apps.
With the Chrome operating system, you download apps instead of buying software, similar to a smartphone or tablet. With your Chromebook, you have access to many apps, including Google office productivity applications like Docs, Sheets, and Slides which are compatible with most other office productivity software. Learn more about apps in the Chromebook Computer Setup video.
PC gaming setup.
Addressing five key features will help you maximize the performance of your gaming laptop.
Speed.
Computers with a mechanical hard drive will load programs slower than computers with a solid state drive. The speed of your computer is also impacted by the type of built-in graphics card. Integrated graphics cards are less powerful than dedicated graphics cards but conserve energy as they only use a portion of a computer system’s memory (RAM).
Look at the specifications of the games you’re interested in, most should have a minimum and recommended level of hardware to play the game. Adjust settings as necessary to improve speed of play.
Overheating.
Highly intense graphics can push your gaming laptop to overheat. To help properly circulate and vent out heat, manufacturers often use internal fans. There are a few reasons your fans might fire up. If the environment is hot, your laptop will need to work harder to dissipate heat, which means more fan noise. If you’re covering the vents at all, which can often happen when using a laptop on soft furnishings (like a bed), the laptop will get hot.
To ensure vents are not blocked, place your laptop on a flat surface and/or use a cooling stand or pad.
Keyboard.
Most standard laptop keyboards aren’t designed to take as much of a beating as desktop keyboards. Consider purchasing an external gaming keyboard that’s better equipped to handle a gaming workload while also adding a unique flair with backlit keys. Backlit keys will take a toll on your laptop battery, so ensure you’re plugged in to a power source for uninterrupted gaming.
Battery life.
Some tips to help you improve your battery life include: minimizing overheating, lowering brightness settings and turning off features like Bluetooth. Keeping your laptop plugged in to a power source will allow you to get the most out of your gaming
Screen.
To further conserve battery life, certain hardware will set the screen brightness very low and/or dim the screen when running on the battery. Using an external gaming monitor will offer you a more immersive gaming experience.
