The Basics
While most users think of laptop computers as desktop computers you can carry around, that's not always the case. True, some laptops are designed as desktop replacements, offering similar power and performance on the go. But many laptops have other tricks up their sleeves, serving as tablet PCs or multimedia players in a fashion that their desk-chained brethren could never match.
But first, we'll talk about the similarities between laptop and desktop computers and what you should look for when you're shopping for a portable PC. Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system came out this year, and it is available across the industry in new laptop computers. There are several variations of Vista, ranging from a Basic to an Ultimate Edition, but most laptop computers ship with either Vista Home Premium or Vista Business. These mid-range operating systems offer lots of multimedia tools and corporate features respectively, packaged in the sleek Aero interface with its translucent windows and Mac-like animations.
Any OS upgrade requires a little extra fire in the belly, and Vista is no exception. Luckily, laptop computing power continues to grow at a rate as fast--in some cases even faster--as their desktop counterparts. Most new laptop computers ship with dual-core processors, which are CPUs that pair two processing cores on a single chip. These processors speed up performance nicely, especially with more intensive applications and multitasking. Most of these processors are also 64-bit, which means that they can handle Vista to its fullest potential (the OS is available in both 32- and 64-bit versions) and are ready for upcoming applications. Dual-core, 64-bit processors are available from both AMD and Intel, so which version you want comes down to personal preference.
We'll talk about the rest of the components you might find in a laptop computer in our How to Shop section, but first, here are five questions you should consider before buying a laptop.
1) Should I go thin-and-light or desktop replacement for my laptop computer? This comes down to how you'll be using it. If portability is your main concern, and you'll only be using the laptop computer for lighter tasks such as Web browsing and word processing, a thin-and-light portable is the way to go. On the other hand, if you don't mind carrying around a few extra pounds and you want the power (and the extra screen size) for your computing, we suggest going with a more mainstream laptop computer.
2) How much do laptop computers cost? In general, laptop computers are more expensive than desktop computers. A similarly configured laptop can easily be twice as much as a desktop. That said, you can still find some nice bargains if price is your main concern. Laptop computers start out at around $500 or $600 for basic models that probably won't have dual-core CPUs or DVD writers. They also stretch out beyond two grand if you're looking at cutting-edge laptops for computer-aided design (CAD) or gaming. But most mainstream laptop computers currently sell for $800 to $1,000.
3) I'll be using my laptop computer for business. What should I look for? First off, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition offers extra security and networking tools not found in the home edition of the operating system. You might also want a laptop with a gigabit Ethernet interface for hooking up to a high-speed corporate network and Bluetooth for synching to your PDA. Finally, consider extras such as a Kensington lock slot or a fingerprint scanner for additional protection of your laptop and your data.
4) What other options should I consider in a laptop computer? Laptop computers can be just as versatile as desktop computers. You can find ones that offer TV tuners so you can watch and record your favorite TV shows. Make sure that the connectivity ports such as USB and Firewire (as well as media card readers) match your peripherals and other electronic devices. And gamers will want dedicated video memory in the graphics for gaming on the go.
5) Do I need a spare battery? Most laptop computers can last for three hours or more before their internal lithium ion battery needs recharged. Some users, such as those who spend a lot of time on long airplane rides, may find a second battery useful. You might consider a larger battery at the time of purchase, but you can always pick up a second battery later if you decide that you need one.
How to Shop
After you've decided on a processor, the next component to consider is memory--specifically, how much memory to get. Windows Vista will run on 512MB of RAM, but you'll be much better served by making sure that you've got at least 1GB. Memory comes in different speeds as well. Look closely at the fine print: 533MHz or 667MHz DDR2 memory is some of the fastest available and will offer a nice performance boost. Also check and see how many memory slots are open, so you can upgrade RAM down the road without having to replace the current memory.
Hard drive space is another vital consideration for most users. You want to make sure you've got plenty of room for all your files, but unless your laptop computer will be your only system, you don't need as much storage space as you have on your desktop. Most new laptop computers ship with at least 80 or 100GB hard drives. If you'll be gaming or using a lot of multimedia files on your system, you may want to opt for a larger drive. As with desktop computers, pay attention to the RPMs or rotations per minute on the hard drive as it will give you an indication of how fast the drive can read and write your data. Most users will want a 5,400rpm or faster hard drive in their portable computer.
Even though they are slimmer, optical drives run the same gamut on laptop computers as they do on desktop systems--you can get everything from a basic CD-ROM drive that won't do anything but read CDs to Double Layer DVD+/-RW drives that will burn normal DVDs as well as high-capacity 8.5GB DL media. Some laptop computers also ship with combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM drives. These play DVD movies as well as burn audio and data CDs in the same slim drive. Laptop computers from HP may also offer LightScribe technology printsd monochromatic labels on the surface of compatible media, another option to keep in mind.
Most laptop computers have gone to widescreen format, which works great for watching letterbox DVD movies and having multiple applications open side by side. Mainstream laptops usually have 15.4-inch or larger screens, while the thin-and-lights top out at around 12.1-inches. But don't just rely on the numbers you see online--go to your local computer store and look at screen sizes on portable computers. Twelve inches can be pretty small if you're gaming or editing a word document, but may be plenty big for browsing the Web. And many vendors offer enhanced displays on their portable computers, giving you a sharper and brighter image that may be worth the extra cost for some users.
Almost all new laptops feature several USB 2.0 ports, letting you plug in everything from mice to videoconferencing cameras, and some offer a Firewire port, another high-speed connection for your digital devices. Many new notebook computers feature media card readers, with slots for CompactFlash, Secure Digital, and other flash memory cards so you can transfer files and photos from your PDA, digital camera, or MP3 player easily. PC card slots are being supplanted by the new ExpressCard format. Available in /34 and /54 formats (depending on the size of the slot), this new card slot allows for faster peripherals to be utilized, such as wireless area network cards from cellular providers that give you an essentially always-on Internet connection (in addition to the modem, network interface, and 802.11 wireless that almost all laptops have built in).
Since everything is built into a laptop computer, it's a good idea to try out the keyboard and input device before you buy it. While it's pretty easy to hook up a mouse (and there are plenty of mice designed specifically for portable computers), you're stuck with the keyboard that your laptop comes with. Make sure it's comfortable for long-term typing if that's what you'll be using your laptop computer for. Most laptop computers use a touch pad for mouse cursor control, but some still use the eraser-head nub in the middle of the keyboard. Be sure to note that what you’re getting is what you want.
Laptop computers are similar yet can be quite different from their desktop cousins. Be sure and know what you want before you begin shopping and you'll be able to find a laptop computer that nicely matches your need for a balance between power and portability.
