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