Laptop Computers News & Info

When buying a laptop computer, there are several things you should keep in mind to avoid buying one that won't meet all your needs. Here are some of the most important things to think about:

Make sure the microprocessor meets your needs.
If you will be doing lots of graphics or programming, you will probably need the speed of a Pentium IIII or G4 microprocessor. If you will use your laptop for basic word-processing, Web browsing or office management, then the AMD or Celeron microprocessors will be fine.

The latest operating system may not be the best for your laptop.
Operating systems vary in their use of power management, security encryptions (in case your laptop is stolen) and cost. The best operating system for a desktop may not be the best operating system for a laptop.

Make sure you have at least 128MB of RAM.

Look for easily upgradeable memory.
Does your laptop have an easy access panel to get at the memory chips? Do you have to open the case to get under the keyboard to add memory? Do you have to send it to a repair technician?

Know your battery life!
Your battery is essential to the portability of your laptop. Batteries will die. You will need a minimum of two hours of battery life; of course, four hours is even better. The battery life varies depending on what type of rechargeable battery you use (lithium batteries tend to hold their charge longer and have no memory effect) and how you use your computer (frequent use of disk drives consume lots of battery power). Also, look at the battery gauge in your software frequently so that you are not in the middle of some important project when your battery dies.

Count the input/output ports.
Computers send and receive information through various input/output ports, which can include serial ports, parallel ports and Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. At minimum, you should have a printer port, which is usually a parallel port, and one or two USB ports.

One or two PC slots will help extend the life of your laptop by allowing you to upgrade rather than replace your laptop in the future.

Look for an internal fax/modem!
If you have to communicate with your company or customers while on the road, access e-mail, fax documents or access the Internet, then you will need a modem. Look for a laptop with an internal fax/modem (minimum 56 kps), because lugging a modem around with you is far from ideal.

Test out the input device.
Laptops use either a trackball, trackpoint or touch-pad to move the cursor across the screen. All of these devices have buttons that act like the right and left buttons on a mouse. The type of device you choose is totally a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the feel of a trackball to a touch pad. If you can, try out the various input devices to see what feels right for you. Remember, most laptops have a port that allows you to hook up a mouse to your laptop, if you wish, but that will be another device to carry around if you want to use it on the go.

Check the feel of the keyboard.
Laptop keyboards tend to be smaller than desktop keyboards. If you can, try out several laptops and see if the keyboards feel comfortable to you; this is especially important for touch typists.

Look at the software.
Keep in mind what you intend to use your laptop for when you buy it. Many laptops have software packages pre-installed or included in the box. Most tend to be word processing software (Microsoft Word) or integrated software (such as Microsoft Works or ClarisWorks). Check to see if the included software matches your needs; otherwise, you may have to spend several hundred dollars extra to get the appropriate software. Also, does the computer have sufficient memory and microprocessor speed to run the software you intend to use?

Check the warranty
Read the fine print. A good warranty will cover parts and labor for three years. Also, toll-free, around-the-clock technical support is great. Some warranties may have a 24-hour replacement/repair policy (good when you are away from home). If these features are not in your warranty, consider a supplemental extended service contract