If you could have a computer that met all of your needs wouldn't you prefer a handy portable rather than a bulky, desk-bound system that dictated when and where you did your computing? While the choice between purchasing a notebook or desktop computer isn't quite that simple, today's notebooks have the power and features that make the decision a lot more difficult than it was a few years ago.
The first step in buying a notebook computer is evaluating your needs. In the desktop market even low priced models perform well enough to satisfy most users. Notebooks, primarily due to more specialized components, are more expensive than comparable desktops and not as easy to upgrade. Notebook buyers need to be more careful about selecting the functionality they really need.
Things to consider:
What applications will you be using most?
Is screen quality and size important?
Will you be doing presentations to groups?
Do you require long battery life?
Are you willing to sacrifice some features for lightweight & size?
Do you need to be compatible with a desktop computer at home or work?
Do you want the option of upgrading in the future?
This guide will focus on describing the standard features of notebook computers and helping you select the right one. If you need more background information on computer components and performance.
Components
ScreensLCD screens are lightweight, flat and standard in most notebooks. Unlike desktop computers where monitors can range in size from 14" to 21", notebook displays are available in a narrower range of 11" to 15". Since LCD's are considerably more expensive than standard CRT monitors, you can expect to pay a lot more for your notebook by moving up just an inch in screen size.
While screen size is important, screen resolution is what determines how much information you can display. The minimum acceptable screen resolution is 800x600, although 1024x768 is preferable. Look at different screens before you buy to determine the most suitable size and quality.
Graphic ControllersDue to concerns about power consumption and the limited space available, graphic controllers for notebooks have traditionally been under powered compared to the ones available for desktops. In the last few years, however, the leading manufacturers have created new lines of controllers that have enough power to satisfy almost everyone.
If most of your computing activities involve Office applications and surfing the Internet, you should get acceptable performance from the video cards at the lower end of the ATI and NVIDIA lines. Some of these models feature 4MB of RAM which is acceptable but if you want to do even basic multimedia (edit photos, view video) you should have at least 8 MB. More demanding graphics applications require more RAM.
KeyboardsDue to their limited size, notebook keyboards are seldom as comfortable as those for desktops and every manufacturer takes a different approach to squeezing the keys (at least 84 on a QWERTY keyboard) into the available space. The only foolproof way to finding a keyboard you're comfortable with is to try before you buy. Many notebooks support external keyboards.
Touch Pads, Pointers and MiceWhile the notebook's great strength is its ability to be used in places a desktop can't go, this flexibility means the mouse, a vital component of modern computing, is unusable in a lot of instances. While you can still buy a mouse for your laptop, the two most popular devices that fulfill its role are touch pads and pointing sticks.
A pointing stick looks like a small eraser jutting up from the center of the keyboard. You tilt it in different directions with your index finger to control cursor movement. A touchpad is a small tablet located in the system's palm-rest. You glide your finger across it to move the cursor. Some notebooks include both.
BatteriesSince it doesn't take long for a little portable CD player to run down its batteries, you can imagine how much power it takes to run a PC. While notebooks are designed to be less power hungry than desktops, they still have steep demands. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (Li-ion) are the two main types of batteries used in notebooks. Li-ion batteries typically hold more of a charge and are lighter than NiMH's. This performance comes at a higher price so they are not always offered.
Also keep in mind that the faster the processor, the more components, the better the screen, the greater the drain on the batteries. As well, peripherals like DVD drives are voracious power users and will lower your charge time. If long battery life is a primary concern, eliminate components you don't need.
Expansion PortsA good notebook should have the same type of ports (USB, serial, mouse, etc.) as a desktop as well as a connector for an external monitor. Other ports to consider are Ethernet, audio, video in/out and infrared. An expansion slot that is common to most notebooks is the PC Card. You can get PC card versions of network adapters, hard drives, modems and much more. To ensure your machine has a decent level of flexibility, get one with two PC Card slots.
SecurityAs you can imagine, a five-pound device worth $3000 dollars is attractive to thieves. But it's not only the hardware loss that can hurt; the information in your notebook can be even more valuable. Besides the necessity of being vigilant and knowing where your notebook is at all times, there are devices that are designed to provide you with a little more peace of mind.
Locking cables are similar to the ones designed for bicycles and will deter casual thieves. Another option is a motion sensor alarm. These devices can be triggered to sound an alarm (around 100-db) at the slightest movement of your notebook. A determined thief is harder to thwart but adopting some basic security practices will swing the odds in your favor:
Backup files and programs on a scheduled basis.
Use password locking, encryption and anti-viral software.
Get a protective carrying case that is not obviously for a computer.
Never leave your notebook unattended or out of sight while travelling.
As the computer goes through x-ray, keep your eyes on it.
If a notebook must be left in a car, keep it out of sight.
Engrave your name or ID on the computer.
Processors
Both Intel and AMD produce processors for notebook computers with model lines ranging in speed and performance. These processors are designed to consume less power, take up less space and run cooler than their desktop cousins. The more demanding your applications and components, the more powerful your processor will need to be.
Fuel EconomyIn an effort to extend the life of notebook batteries, AMD and Intel have introduced technologies that are designed to reduce their processor's power use while not significantly reducing performance. AMD's version is called PowerNow! and Intel's is known as SpeedStep.
If you are reading a webpage or working on a Word document you could get acceptable performance with the processor running much slower and consuming less power than normal. AMD's PowerNow is able to detect what applications you are currently using and provide the appropriate amount of power, lowering the clock speed and core voltage when not needed.
Until they introduced their Pentium III-M line of processors in August 2001, Intel's SpeedStep technology lagged behind PowerNow! The previous models method of conserving power was to simply lower the speed of the chip based on whether it was plugged in or running on a battery. The new SpeedStep found in the Pentium III-M performs similar to PowerNow!, with the ability to judge power needs based on the application being used.Makes Available For Laptop
Toshiba
IBM
Compaq
Dell
Sony
Acer
Samsung
BenQ
LG
Processor Available For Laptops
Pentium III
Pentium M
Pentium 4-M
Pentium III-M
Celeron
Dual Core
Core 2 dual
The first step in buying a notebook computer is evaluating your needs. In the desktop market even low priced models perform well enough to satisfy most users. Notebooks, primarily due to more specialized components, are more expensive than comparable desktops and not as easy to upgrade. Notebook buyers need to be more careful about selecting the functionality they really need.
Things to consider:
What applications will you be using most?
Is screen quality and size important?
Will you be doing presentations to groups?
Do you require long battery life?
Are you willing to sacrifice some features for lightweight & size?
Do you need to be compatible with a desktop computer at home or work?
Do you want the option of upgrading in the future?
This guide will focus on describing the standard features of notebook computers and helping you select the right one. If you need more background information on computer components and performance.
Components
ScreensLCD screens are lightweight, flat and standard in most notebooks. Unlike desktop computers where monitors can range in size from 14" to 21", notebook displays are available in a narrower range of 11" to 15". Since LCD's are considerably more expensive than standard CRT monitors, you can expect to pay a lot more for your notebook by moving up just an inch in screen size.
While screen size is important, screen resolution is what determines how much information you can display. The minimum acceptable screen resolution is 800x600, although 1024x768 is preferable. Look at different screens before you buy to determine the most suitable size and quality.
Graphic ControllersDue to concerns about power consumption and the limited space available, graphic controllers for notebooks have traditionally been under powered compared to the ones available for desktops. In the last few years, however, the leading manufacturers have created new lines of controllers that have enough power to satisfy almost everyone.
If most of your computing activities involve Office applications and surfing the Internet, you should get acceptable performance from the video cards at the lower end of the ATI and NVIDIA lines. Some of these models feature 4MB of RAM which is acceptable but if you want to do even basic multimedia (edit photos, view video) you should have at least 8 MB. More demanding graphics applications require more RAM.
KeyboardsDue to their limited size, notebook keyboards are seldom as comfortable as those for desktops and every manufacturer takes a different approach to squeezing the keys (at least 84 on a QWERTY keyboard) into the available space. The only foolproof way to finding a keyboard you're comfortable with is to try before you buy. Many notebooks support external keyboards.
Touch Pads, Pointers and MiceWhile the notebook's great strength is its ability to be used in places a desktop can't go, this flexibility means the mouse, a vital component of modern computing, is unusable in a lot of instances. While you can still buy a mouse for your laptop, the two most popular devices that fulfill its role are touch pads and pointing sticks.
A pointing stick looks like a small eraser jutting up from the center of the keyboard. You tilt it in different directions with your index finger to control cursor movement. A touchpad is a small tablet located in the system's palm-rest. You glide your finger across it to move the cursor. Some notebooks include both.
BatteriesSince it doesn't take long for a little portable CD player to run down its batteries, you can imagine how much power it takes to run a PC. While notebooks are designed to be less power hungry than desktops, they still have steep demands. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (Li-ion) are the two main types of batteries used in notebooks. Li-ion batteries typically hold more of a charge and are lighter than NiMH's. This performance comes at a higher price so they are not always offered.
Also keep in mind that the faster the processor, the more components, the better the screen, the greater the drain on the batteries. As well, peripherals like DVD drives are voracious power users and will lower your charge time. If long battery life is a primary concern, eliminate components you don't need.
Expansion PortsA good notebook should have the same type of ports (USB, serial, mouse, etc.) as a desktop as well as a connector for an external monitor. Other ports to consider are Ethernet, audio, video in/out and infrared. An expansion slot that is common to most notebooks is the PC Card. You can get PC card versions of network adapters, hard drives, modems and much more. To ensure your machine has a decent level of flexibility, get one with two PC Card slots.
SecurityAs you can imagine, a five-pound device worth $3000 dollars is attractive to thieves. But it's not only the hardware loss that can hurt; the information in your notebook can be even more valuable. Besides the necessity of being vigilant and knowing where your notebook is at all times, there are devices that are designed to provide you with a little more peace of mind.
Locking cables are similar to the ones designed for bicycles and will deter casual thieves. Another option is a motion sensor alarm. These devices can be triggered to sound an alarm (around 100-db) at the slightest movement of your notebook. A determined thief is harder to thwart but adopting some basic security practices will swing the odds in your favor:
Backup files and programs on a scheduled basis.
Use password locking, encryption and anti-viral software.
Get a protective carrying case that is not obviously for a computer.
Never leave your notebook unattended or out of sight while travelling.
As the computer goes through x-ray, keep your eyes on it.
If a notebook must be left in a car, keep it out of sight.
Engrave your name or ID on the computer.
Processors
Both Intel and AMD produce processors for notebook computers with model lines ranging in speed and performance. These processors are designed to consume less power, take up less space and run cooler than their desktop cousins. The more demanding your applications and components, the more powerful your processor will need to be.
Fuel EconomyIn an effort to extend the life of notebook batteries, AMD and Intel have introduced technologies that are designed to reduce their processor's power use while not significantly reducing performance. AMD's version is called PowerNow! and Intel's is known as SpeedStep.
If you are reading a webpage or working on a Word document you could get acceptable performance with the processor running much slower and consuming less power than normal. AMD's PowerNow is able to detect what applications you are currently using and provide the appropriate amount of power, lowering the clock speed and core voltage when not needed.
Until they introduced their Pentium III-M line of processors in August 2001, Intel's SpeedStep technology lagged behind PowerNow! The previous models method of conserving power was to simply lower the speed of the chip based on whether it was plugged in or running on a battery. The new SpeedStep found in the Pentium III-M performs similar to PowerNow!, with the ability to judge power needs based on the application being used.Makes Available For Laptop
Toshiba
IBM
Compaq
Dell
Sony
Acer
Samsung
BenQ
LG
Processor Available For Laptops
Pentium III
Pentium M
Pentium 4-M
Pentium III-M
Celeron
Dual Core
Core 2 dual
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