| Shopping for a laptop is overwhelming because | | | | go for more video memory. In the past laptops |
| of the numerous choices. No one can tell you | | | | were not geared toward graphic intense |
| what you need or don't need, except maybe | | | | applications. Then the DVD came along and |
| your spouse, parent, kid, local geek, or | | | | changed that.A screen is not as replaceable |
| know-it-all who knows you. But it's still | | | | to interchangeable like a harddrive, a |
| good to know a few things about buying a | | | | wireless card, or a DVD drive. I invest more |
| laptop. An educated customer is a happy | | | | in the screen so it lasts longer since |
| customer, right?Most important question when | | | | everything else can be upgraded or |
| starting this research: do you need a laptop? | | | | replaced.How often do you plan to lug it |
| If you need a combo desktop / laptop, you can | | | | around? Believe me. No matter how light the |
| get a laptop with a docking station.A common | | | | laptop feels, it's a bag of bricks when |
| question is whether or not to get one with | | | | you've walked with it all day at a |
| wireless. The question to you -- are you | | | | conference. That's why I have a backpack case |
| going to use it? Will you have places to | | | | for my laptop. Much easier for long treks |
| wirelessly connect with? Remember, when you | | | | with the laptop. So weight didn't get a |
| have a wireless laptop, it has to connect to | | | | priority with me.A laptop is useless without |
| a hub or Wi-Fi (like Starbucks or a cell | | | | an operating system and software. Before we |
| phone). Some hotels are starting to set up | | | | get into details. There is a snag. If you are |
| wireless and others requiring plugging in. If | | | | buying from a major reseller (IBM, Dell, HP, |
| you buy a laptop without wireless and change | | | | Compaq, etc.) It is going to come with an |
| your mind, you can add it later with a card. | | | | operating system, whether you like it or not. |
| Only difference is it won't be built-in. Not | | | | This is due to their licencing agreements |
| a big deal. Mine is not built-in.FYI: Most | | | | with Microsoft. If this is not an issue, here |
| laptops come with a 10/100 Ethernet NIC | | | | are the considerations.Do you want it to come |
| built-in.For me, I have a cheap dial-up | | | | with it or do you have licensed software you |
| account with a national service. Good thing | | | | can load on it? When buying a computer with |
| because I used it in the hospital. Not every | | | | the operating system and bonus software, |
| place has wireless or free wireless | | | | remember you don't get books or separate CDs |
| (Starbucks isn't free, or at least, not all | | | | loaded with the applications. Some companies |
| locations from what I understand). So before | | | | provide CDs for using when you have to |
| I travel, I look up the service's local | | | | reformat a computer and these programs will |
| numbers of where I am going so I'll have | | | | load back up. Some people don't like this and |
| them.As for what model -- you'll get | | | | prefer to buy the applications |
| different answers from everyone. People love | | | | separately.This is a suggested process for |
| and hate Dells. Love and hate IBMs. What | | | | shopping for a laptop: |
| makes Dell different is that you can pick and | | | | |
| choose what items you want on your laptop. | | | | Decide what you must have and write those |
| IBM has a good reputation. Of course, Macs | | | | down.Search for products that have these |
| are nice, if you want to go the Apple way. | | | | things.Search for and read reviews on the |
| Buying a refurbished laptop is cool. We have | | | | finalists.Narrow down the list as much as |
| two of them in our house and we're happy with | | | | possible (one to three items) to the ones you |
| 'em. Saved a bit of money, too.Screen. | | | | will be happy with buying.Comparison shop for |
| Picking the right screen is based on | | | | the best offer. |
| graphical need. I got a nice wide one, but my | | | | |
| laptop be heavy, dude. I don't travel much, | | | | Meryl K. Evans is the Content Maven behind |
| so weight isn't an issue. When I do travel, | | | | meryl's notes, eNewsletter Journal, and The |
| the weight of the laptop isn't a big deal | | | | Remediator Security Digest. She is also a PC |
| because I benefit from the video memory more | | | | Today columnist and a tour guide at InformIT. |
| than the weight.The video card is built into | | | | She is geared to tackle your editing, |
| the motherboard, just like a lot of desktops. | | | | writing, content, and process needs. The |
| What you have to watch with a laptop is make | | | | native Texan resides in Plano, Texas, a |
| sure you get the video you want. If you are | | | | heartbeat north of Dallas, and doesn't wear a |
| going to use graphic intensive programs, then | | | | 10-gallon hat or cowboy boots. |