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Laptop PC Buying Guide

Laptop PC Buying Guide
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Laptop computers were once reserved for businesspeople and students, but the days of expensive, underpowered laptops are over. The advent of wireless Internet and a desire to save desk space has lured many consumers to abandon desktop PCs in favor of the slim, go-anywhere power that a laptop provides. While some tasks, such as graphics and video editing, are still best left to powerful desktop machines, you might find that a laptop is the best choice for a new computer (see also Desktop PC Buying Guide).  More »

the five

What are the five key points I need to look at?



Mac or PC
At similar price points, Windows laptops typically offer more features and memory than Apple models. Want the best of both worlds? Apple now incorporates Intel processors that let Mac users run Windows with the purchase of Apple’s BootCamp software, but you’ll need a powerful machine to run both systems. If budget is your concern, choose a Windows laptop.
Start with memory and speed
Look for a laptop with a dual-processor AMD or dual-core Intel chip, 1GB of RAM and 120GB of hard drive. Think about how you’ll use the laptop in the future, and try to get more storage and memory than you currently need.
Screen size affects all
You’ll be sitting less than two feet from a laptop’s screen, so it doesn’t need to be huge. The size of the screen will affect the laptop’s price, size, weight, and battery life.
Use battery life as a guide
Battery life ratings are not guaranteed. Watching movies and playing games on a laptop will consume more power than writing or browsing the Web. Try to run batteries down before recharging them to increase their usable life span.
Consider connections and comfort
A laptop with a DVD burner and multiple connection ports, including HDMI and DVI, will give you more flexibility for connecting to peripherals and home theater. Make sure the laptop’s keyboard is big enough for your hands.
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pronto pick What product do we recommend?
Toshiba Satellite A135 (A135-S4487) PC Notebook
Toshiba Satellite A135 (A135-S4487) PC Notebook
The first thing that you’ll notice about the Toshiba Satellite™ PC Notebook is its compact size and very light weight. Toshiba hasn’t sacrificed durability or features, packing an Intel Core 2 DuoProcessor, 220GB of Hard Drive Space, 2GB of RAM, and a dual-layer DVD burner into its small frame. They keyboard on this model may be too small for some users, but most consumers will be ready for portable computing with this mini multimedia powerhouse.
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experts say

CNET—"Apple's Core 2 Duo 17-inch MacBook Pro is especially thin and light for a desktop replacement, making it an attractive choice for multimedia users on the go." Source: CNET
Digital Tech News—"At a starting weight of at 4.6-pounds, Toshiba Satellite U305 Laptop Series laptops are aimed at satisfying the mobile computing needs of students and business travelers." Source: Digital Tech News
Laptop Magazine—"The Toughbook line continues to impress with the Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 Notebook, a machine that begs to be used and abused in a rough-and-tumble environment… It's a fully ruggedized computer that's designed to perform in the field." Source: Laptop Magazine
PC World—“Equipped with 2GB of RAM and a new 2.2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, the Gateway E-475M Laptop is the fastest Vista notebook we've tested to date.” Source: PC World
PC Magazine—“The Dell XPS M1330Laptop ($2,200 direct) is both refreshing and really quite amazing once you factor in both design and performance. Dell slips all the latest technology trends into a very sleek crimson unit while keeping its performance ahead of the competition.” Source: PC Magazine
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hot buzz What's the latest in the world of laptop computers?
Serial entrepreneur Nicholas Negropante and former Director of MIT’s Media Lab has a laptop vision for the world’s children. His organization “One Laptop per Child”, seeks to increase the educational opportunities for children in developing nations. By making it possible to manufacture a $100 laptop, price barriers will come down, paving the way for mass donations and orders from developing nation’s governments. Negropante is close to his goal—the XO Laptop is priced at $188. By January, 2008 they expect to be producing 1 million XOs for children across the globe. To find out more, or participate, go here: www.laptopfoundation.org
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Wallet Impact

What can I expect in my price range?

Price Description Good Pick  (see all Laptop Computers)
 
$ Laptop prices begin at around $450, with Windows-based laptops dominating until the $1,000-$1,500 range. These laptops have smaller screens but pack impressive features, including DVD burners and dual-core processors. Beware of screens with low refresh rates if you’ll be watching movies, and make sure that you’ve got enough RAM and hard drive space to do the things you need.
Apple Computer Macbook 13.3" 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo White MB062LL/B
Buy now at
Gainsaver.com
$599.00
 
$$ From $1,500 to $3,000, you’ll find laptops that can easily replace a much larger desktop system. Screen sizes up to 19 inches can be found, although 17-inch screens are the most common. Any laptop in this range should include 2GB of RAM, a hard drive 200GB or larger, and a DVD-R optical drive. As you scale through this price range, spending more will get you more hard drive space and processing power, making it important to balance your needs against your budget.
Hewlett Packard Pavilion dv9260us PC Notebook
 
$$$ At prices over $3,000, you’re looking at laptops designed for specialized purposes. Dual-core processors, 2GB of RAM, and DVD burners are the same as mid-range models, although some of these laptops may offer very powerful processors and spacious hard drives for multimedia and digital editing. Touch-screen LCD monitors can be found, and some models are built for exceptional durability.
Panasonic Toughbook 19 Notebook
Compare prices at 10 stores
$3,025 – $4,317
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shop talk

What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?

Dual-core
A processor that uses two integrated chips on a single board to increase the speed and power of software applications. AMD’s Dual Core and Intel’s Core Duo chipsets are dual-core processors.

DVI
Digital Video Interface is a connection port that allows a laptop to be connected to a television or home theater component. This connection is being phased out in favor of HDMI.

Hard Drive
The amount of storage space built in to a laptop, measured in gigabytes (GB). Larger numbers equal more space.

HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Input is the new standard for connecting home theater components. Its single, bundled cord can transmit more data than other connection methods.

LCD
Liquid Crystal Display, a pixel-based screen system found on all laptops. The performance of an LCD screen is measured in its contrast ratio (the difference between the darkest and brightest pixels) and refresh rate (the speed at which a pixel can change colors). Higher contrast ratios and lower refresh rates mean better performance.

Optical Drive
A media reader that uses a laser to decode digital information stored on a CD or DVD. Most laptops now include optical drives that can write to DVDs as well as read from them.

Processor
The “brains” of a laptop where computing functions are performed. Processors come in single-chip and dual-core versions, and dual-core processors are preferred. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), with higher numbers equaling faster processing speed.

RAM
Random Access Memory is the space that a processor has to perform functions. RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB), with higher numbers allowing for more software to be run simultaneously.

USB
Universal Serial Bus is a standard connection for laptops and peripherals, including printers, mice, and external storage devices. USB connections pass power and data to attached devices, but this format is not as fast as Ethernet or HDMI connections.

VGA
Video Graphics Adaptor is a port that allows a laptop to be connected to a standalone monitor or compatible television.
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