LAPTOP SHOPPING TIPS

by Kelle Campbell, National Federation of Independent Business

Laptops (also called notebooks) now offer almost everything that a personal desktop computer can, plus the convenience of portability. You have a huge range of choices, but certain characteristics can help you find the most suitable laptop.

First, note that Tablet PCs, which allow users to scribble notes and diagrams, are not technically laptops. However, many laptops are now marketed as a “notebook and tablet in one,” so you may want to include those in your search.

Weight

Laptops range from extremely light ultraportables to weighty desktop replacements. Below are the weight classes according to CNET.com:

• Ultraportables: 4 pounds or less
  
• Thin-and-light: 4 to 6 pounds
  
• Midsize/mainstream: 6 to 8 pounds
  
• Desktop replacement: 7 1/2 pounds or more

Heavier laptops contain larger hard drives, several ports for peripheral devices, bigger screens and keyboards, etc., all of which adds to their weight. A few ultraportables do not even have an internal CD or DVD drive. Thin-and-light laptops provide a bit more functionality, while staying on the low side of the weight spectrum.

Obviously, businesspeople on the go are better off with ultraportables or thin-and-lights. Non-travelers can consider midsize laptops and desktop replacements for better quality performance.

Processing/clock speed

The speed at which a laptop performs tasks is measured in megahertz (MHz) or the more common and faster gigahertz (GHz) per second. Don't compare the speeds of different brands of microprocessors (a microprocessor from Intel and one from AMD, for example). One brand's 1.73 GHz processor may outperform another brand's 2.0 GHz processor. Your best option is to test demonstration models, taking note of which laptops perform to your satisfaction, and what microprocessors they use.

Buy a laptop with the fastest processing speed you can afford, and if you'll be working on heavy duty tasks such as multimedia projects, definitely look for 2.0 GHz and above.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). The more RAM your laptop has, the more smoothly it operates, and the more software applications you can run at once. Aim for a laptop with more memory than any of your applications will need. For example, the Microsoft Web site recommends 128 MB or higher for Windows XP Professional, but many experts recommend 256 MB as the minimum for XP.

Many laptops allow you to buy and install extra RAM, but that will involve determining how much your laptop will accommodate and what type: Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM) or Double-Data-Rate (DDR), etc. It’s easier to buy a laptop with as much RAM as you can afford.

Battery life

Look for laptops that use lithium-ion batteries for a longer charge. Your next best option is nickel-metal hydride batteries. If you regularly use your laptop battery, you should know that high processing speeds and large amounts of RAM will quickly drain the battery. You may have to compromise between performance and longevity.

If you travel overseas, buy a power supply adapter kit to ensure that you can use your laptop wherever you go. It’s also a good idea to buy a backup battery and check how long it takes to recharge the batteries.

Screen size and resolution

Screen sizes are measured diagonally and range from 12 to17 inches. The screen resolution determines how clear images are and ranges from 800 x 600 pixels to a crisp 1600 x 1200. While larger screens with high resolutions allow for easy viewing, smaller screens use less battery power.

Hard drive capacity

Like RAM, hard drive capacity is measured in megabytes or gigabytes. Ensure that your laptop will have enough hard drive storage for all your software as well as the files you'll create and store. Calculate the storage requirements of the software that you plan to install and then look for at least twice that capacity. If you are going to create multimedia files, then add an extra 10 to 40 GB.

If you can't afford as much storage as you'd like, you can purchase an external hard drive, zip drive or some other storage device to expand capacity.

Price

As of this writing, prices start as low as $400 and can hit $3,000. You can make your dollar go further by looking at sales, rebates or refurbished units that have a warranty.

In all cases, read the warranty beforehand (you may have to visit the manufacturer’s Web site for this). See what voids coverage, if it’s worth getting an extended warranty, whether you'll be charged for returning a damaged unit, and anything else that adds to your total cost of ownership.

You will probably be interested in other features such as security, wireless connectivity or sudden motion sensors that protect data in case of falls. However, the attributes listed above will help you pick a tool that best accommodates the way you work.

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