Practical Laptop Chooser:
Welcome to the practical laptop chooser... We have tried to address your mobile
computing needs to match your specific requirements!
A laptop is a dream machine for anyone...
One whose cost factor determines that you must buy it carefully.
If you are thinking of going in for a laptop (or a notebook, as it is called among the
tech circles), here are a few tips that will come in handy.
Opt for the latest processors; an Intel Centrino, Intel Celeron M or a Pentium 4 processor. The processor forms the
computing core of your laptop and is one area where you must not compromise.
Invest wisely here. The processor is the first component likely to get outdated and it
is not possible to upgrade it. You will have to replace it to upgrade.
Opt for a minimum 256 MB DDR SDRAM. A RAM of lower memory capacity will make it difficult to
run certain applications and software. These days, as our computing needs
increase, a 512MB RAM is being preferred by most active laptop users.
Choose an Active-matrix (TFT) display, preferably an LCD. The display is an active matrix
if you can see the arrow while it traverses the screen. Most displays nowadays are TFTs as the
Passive-matrix (dual scan) is now outdated.
TFTs are highly preferred because of their sharper images, better resolution and smoother images
of motion on the screen.
Side screen laptops are a visual treat and recommended for those interested in the movie experience.
But they cost 8% to 10% more than the conventional laptops, are obviously bulkier to carry and
slightly low on battery life.
If you travel extensively, take care that your laptop weighs under 5 pounds. If your laptop
will be confined to your room, you could go in for a slightly heavier one. It will be cheaper.
It will also have a few more features. Also, traveling professionals should
look for longer battery life upto 6 hours.
Check the battery life on the laptop. Insist that it is a Lithium-ion (Li+) battery (nearly
all laptops will have this one). Choose batteries with a high voltage and a high mAh. Do not go
for NiMH batteries, as you will have to keep charging them frequently.
If you have no intention of using a CD frequently, an external DVD and CDRW drives may be
preferred to inbuilt ones. The main convenience being that they reduce the weight of the base piece
and provide lesser complications later on.
If they are an integral part of your work, you might as well opt for an inbuilt version.
Incidentally, the prices of DVD drives are expected to fall considerably over the next one year.
Don't stress on your laptop having a floppy drive. Floppies are getting obsolete by the minute and
will soon be terminated.
If you are on the move, buy a laptop with a spill-resistant keyboard and shock-resistant hard drives.
This will ensure your hard disk does not crash and you don't lose data in the event of a minor crash or fall.
Ensure the laptop has two or more USB ports. As you will need them to attach your peripheral
devices like printers and scanners.
You could even consider buying a pen drive to act as a reliable data transfer mode.
Choose a laptop with wireless connectivity in the form of Bluetooth and Infrared. These make data
transfer very convenient and reliable and you can send data to multiple recipients at one go.
These facilities on your laptop would cost you around Rs 1,000 more and are independent of any service
providers. Another cheaper option would be to go in for separate Bluetooth
dongles which are cheaply available in the market in the Rs. 300/- to 1000/-
range.
Windows XP Professional is an ideal system for a laptop meant for office use. In laptops, it
is very inconvenient to upgrade your operating system, so choose the latest one.
Windows is the most popular operating system, with XP Professional supports
all the software available today. With the mega launch of Windows Vista by
Microsoft, go in for a laptop compatible for Vista upgradation.
Some people prefer a touchpad mouse as the navigating option while others prefer the rubberised
button situated between the keys G, H and B. Try working with both and pick the one you are most
comfortable with.
Some laptops come equipped with both. You could also consider a cordless mouse, which is half the
size of the regular one.
Insist on an inbuilt LAN card and modem.
There are basically two types of modems on offer -- internal modems and PC card-based modems. Make
sure the internal modem is fast enough for your needs. Else, opt for the PC card-based one that sticks out
of your computer, but is slightly better performance wise.
While budgeting for your laptop, bear in mind that a cheaper machine might prove expensive if you plan
to upgrade it.
