| With the many different brands and models on | | | | also because widescreen proportions make it is |
| the market, buying a laptop or notebook | | | | more durable. On-screen graphics are affected by |
| computer may at first seem confusing. But simply | | | | both the size and type of screen as well as the |
| breaking down the process into a few key areas | | | | graphics card. It is reasonably safe to assume |
| and using au to search for the most suitable | | | | that larger displays offer higher on-screen |
| features and pricing makes it much easier to | | | | resolution. Screen brightness (measured in nits) is |
| access exactly the machine you're looking for. | | | | another specification that can vary between |
| How important to you is mobility? Mobility in laptop | | | | makes and models. Brighter screens impact less |
| computers is a combination of size, weight and | | | | on eyes and can be more easily read in bright |
| battery life: how often you carry it around, and if | | | | conditions. Some manufacturers have a glossy, |
| you will be relying mainly on the notebook's | | | | reflective coating over the display improving |
| battery, or whether you will access an external | | | | contrast and colours. But, because it increases the |
| power source. Laptops can weigh from a little | | | | reflectivity of the screen, it can show you |
| over 1 kg up to 6kg, depending on the model and | | | | reflected in the screen. Surface scratches may |
| features included. The screen, storage space and | | | | also show up more readily. Not all LCD screens |
| disc drive all affect the weight. Battery life is | | | | have the same viewable angle, with some |
| shortened by bigger screens and multiple disc | | | | screens not easily viewed from a side angle. |
| drives. Manufacturers advertise the weight of the | | | | Graphics performance in laptops is still inferior to |
| laptop in their specifications, but it is important to | | | | that of desktop machines. All graphic controllers |
| consider whether that specification includes | | | | easily render 2-D images and if you don't need |
| batteries and other peripherals such as external | | | | more from your graphics, then an integrated |
| drives that you may be lugging around. The most | | | | graphics controller is ample. However, if you want |
| common battery type is Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), | | | | to play the latest 3-D games at a decent |
| which can operate for one to three hours under | | | | resolution and frame rate or you're a CAD |
| normal working conditions. But many power | | | | designer, then you'll need a discreet graphics |
| saving options available and higher celled batteries | | | | controller with a dedicated DDR video memory. |
| can extend the discharge time considerably. | | | | Memory and StorageIn all computers RAM chips |
| Battery life deteriorates over time however, and | | | | keep the CPU efficiently fed with data or |
| as your laptop ages; the discharge rate of the | | | | instructions from programs on the hard drive. |
| battery will diminish. Sometimes it is worthwhile | | | | Notebook computers now commonly use DDR |
| carrying an additional battery. Application and cost | | | | SDRAM (Double Date Rate SDRAM), the default |
| If mobility is of a lesser concern, then battery life | | | | standard, and DDR2 SDRAM which is a |
| and weight will be less important. You may be | | | | next-generation memory type offering |
| more inclined to have a bigger processor, screen | | | | considerable performance and power benefits |
| size and memory capacity. The type of work you | | | | over SDRAM. Either way, when it comes to RAM, |
| do can affect the screen size and type that is | | | | more memory is better and you should consider |
| most suitable for you. For a lighter load, and less | | | | 256MB as the absolute minimum. Upgrading |
| graphics intensive applications a 12-14in screen | | | | memory can achieve better performance, and |
| instead of 15 or 17in widescreen will be more | | | | quite a number of vendors offer higher RAM |
| suitable. If, on the other hand, the graphics | | | | configurations as a 'deal sweetener' at the time of |
| capabilities and size of the screen are important | | | | purchase. Search through au for bundled extras |
| then the best screen you can afford will be more | | | | such as more RAM.The hard drive provides the |
| of a priority. It may work out cheaper to buy a | | | | long-term storage and is the centre of program |
| basic unit and add such things as an external TV | | | | control. There are two critical specifications of |
| card and DVD burner when the need arises. How | | | | hard disks. One is disk speed, measured in |
| much you need to spend is closely related to how | | | | revolutions per minute (rpm). Faster disks speeds |
| you use your laptop. If you only want to access | | | | provide quicker access for loading and saving and |
| your e-mail, browse the Web and do word | | | | 'file swapping'. The other is storage capacity, and |
| processing, then you can consider lower budget | | | | drives are now available for notebook computers |
| machines with smaller processors, screens and | | | | with 120GB capacity. If you work with large file |
| facilities. A medium-level user, perhaps playing | | | | sizes, then you will probably want at least 40GB |
| games or working in multimedia applications, will | | | | of hard drive space. You may also want to |
| need a powerful processor, graphics controller, | | | | consider the type of removable storage such as |
| storage space, and a bigger screen. The more | | | | a DVD writer, removable hard disks and media or |
| features your laptop has, the more expensive it | | | | 'flash' card systems that will suit your use |
| will be. Including a DVD-burner instead of | | | | best.Networking and connectivityLaptop |
| DVD-ROM, hard drive capacity of more than | | | | computers now include 56Kbps modem (RJ-11) |
| 40GB, a 17in widescreen screen and wireless | | | | and 10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45) connections as |
| capabilities results in a more expensive machine. If | | | | standard features. Some feature an Infrared port |
| you are not looking for high power and graphics | | | | and you can use it to connect your mobile phone. |
| capabilities, then you may find a suitable laptop for | | | | Other wireless technology for connecting mobile |
| around $1500. The latest processor, full blown | | | | phones, printers and PDA devices includes |
| graphics capability, DVD burner, widescreen and | | | | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing connection at certified |
| wireless connectivity may cost over $4000. Use | | | | public access points and home wireless |
| au to search with different price ranges. Other | | | | networking. Most laptops use USB 2.0 or FireWire |
| key components Having determined by what you | | | | connection for connecting keyboard, mouse, |
| will do with it, and how mobile you need to be | | | | printers, cameras and other peripherals. Nearly |
| that you are definitely buying a laptop, you now | | | | every new notebook will have around three USB |
| need to get down to the nitty gritty and find the | | | | 2.0 ports, and one FireWire port and a VGA-out |
| specifications that will meet your needs. So, what | | | | port to connect an external monitor to.Notebook |
| to look for? Essentially, you are considering | | | | computers have traditionally been able to expand |
| differences between the following components: | | | | their capability through simple plug-in PC Cards. |
| display, graphics controller, memory (RAM), hard | | | | Recently a new standard has emerged called |
| disk, removable storage, networking options, | | | | ExpressCard, a smaller, faster and more portable |
| peripheral connectivity, sound and battery. Display | | | | plug-in card to provide such things as expanded |
| and GraphicsNotebooks now all feature LCD | | | | video and sound capacity. Choosing a laptop |
| screens (Liquid Crystal Displays) presenting crisp | | | | becomes much easier once you've decided on |
| text and reduced eyestrain. These screens display | | | | these basic requirements. You can search au to |
| sharper text than standard CRT monitors, but | | | | compare makes, models, prices, accessories and |
| are less capable of displaying well-rendered | | | | all the important specifications. You can also |
| graphics. If you will be using your notebook for | | | | compare vendors and their prices and |
| graphics work, it may be worthwhile having a | | | | service.Andrew Gates for comparison online |
| CRT monitor to connect to. Screen sizes for | | | | shopping service au. |
| notebooks range from 12.1in to 17in (widescreen). | | | | au helps you compare the different laptops from |
| A 15in display or 15.4in widescreen alternative is | | | | different brands in terms of specifications and |
| the most common in notebooks today. | | | | accessories. You can also compare prices from |
| Widescreen is quickly becoming more common, | | | | hundreds of different brands and vendors. |
| partly to accommodate playback of DVDs and | | | | |