Considering a Laptop computer with a power of a desktop?
Nov 21 '01 (Updated Jan 12 '02)
The Bottom Line If you want a computer that has a power of a desktop, yet you can take it with you. You may want to consider a laptop.
With the prices of notebook computers starting to match desktops with almost the same capabilities was only a prophecy 4 to 5 years ago. Today the prophecy has come true. Especially with the already plummeting global economy today, this is a good time to have a laptop that similarly has almost the same capabilities as your desktop at home or at work.
What to look for in a desktop replacement notebook computer?
When considering a notebook computer for a desktop replacement, it should be very versatile. What I mean by that is that it should have the connectors like you would have in your desktop.
Screen
In a desktop replacement notebook computer, it should at least have a 13” screen with TFT (Thin Film Transistor) and XGA capabilities. XGA meaning Extended Graphics Array should have a resolution capability of 1024x768. In some of the more professional notebooks, expect a 14” or 15” screen with SXGA resolution (1400x1050). The SXGA (Super Extended Graphics Array) resolution is ideal for games, professional applications (But no video creation is suggested for a notebook computer). Even a handful of the most powerful notebook computers have UXGA (1600x1200) screen, but I wouldn’t recommend going for those notebook computers, since the text maybe too small for the somewhat visually challenged. The screen itself is only the beginning for a desktop replacement notebook computer.
Storage
There’s more to it though. Expect a floppy disk drive and at least a CD ROM as your main sources of storage. For the hard drive do expect at least a 15GB hard drive to store your files and operating system. With the hard drive prices plummeting; people can’t go wrong with buying a 20GB hard drive for their notebook computer. But for the professionals using their notebook computers they could opt for a hard drive up to a 60GB hard drive. For the CD ROM in the notebook computer, many can at least afford a DVD ROM in their notebook computer, since prices of notebook computers with DVD ROM have been slashed considerably. The DVD ROM in a laptop is essential if you want to watch a DVD movie, whether you’re at home, traveling in a Greyhound Bus between Los Angeles and New York City or even if you’re in an airliner flying above the North Pole or Siberia, you can watch a movie without getting bored with your computer. But for some of the more expensive notebook computers, you can even expect a DVD/CD Rewriter Combo drive for even more versatility. This is a great feature, because with the combo drive, you can backup your files, create audio CDs and even save a presentation in-flight. This is ideal for business travelers that have several deadlines to meet when they arrive at their destination. Also, even business travelers can watch movies while they’re still in the middle of their flight.
Power, Memory and Price
Budget Buyers
For many new budget notebook buyers, they can expect at least an 800MHz processor either the Intel Celeron or AMD Duron. For the memory in a new budget notebook, they should expect 128MB of memory to keep the applications running, especially for those notebook computers that have DVD ROM, in which many of the budget notebooks are stating to offer. Do expect up to a 14.1” screen with XGA capabilities. Expect the price of up to $1400 for a decently equipped notebook computer within this league. This is ideal for students and those who are in a tighter budget.
Mainstream Buyers
For the middling buyers, they can expect a processor of at least 900MHz either an AMD Duron or Athlon 4. But if you opt for Intel, a Pentium 3 or Celeron would do. Buyers again can expect a DVD ROM, at least 128MB of memory. Some can even expect a DVD/CD Rewriter combo drive for even greater versatility. Do look for at least a 14” screen with XGA as a minimum resolution. But for the more expensive units built for mainstream users, they can find some with an SXGA resolution and the hard drive should be at least 20GB for the middling users of notebook computers. Do expect the prices to hover at least $1400 and up to $1900. This is also ideal for students that have some money to spare and for the average users.
Power Buyers
For those who are even more power hungry or expect to run professional software that requires more power, they can find a notebook computer at least equipped with a 1.1GHz processor from Intel Pentium 3 or AMD Athlon 4. People who are looking for power notebook computers should look for 256MB of memory, a DVD/CD Rewriter combo drive and at least a 15” screen with SXGA resolution capabilities. For the internal storage, the recommended minimum for power users should be 30GB. For the price expect it to offered at $1900 or above for a reliable unit. This league is intended to be marketed to the more professional users such as photo labs.
Connectors
What should a notebook computer user expect for the connectors? Well they should expect at least 2 USB ports, one monitor/projector port, a 56K modem, 10/100 Ethernet card and at least one PS/2 port for either a mouse or keyboard. For expansion, users should expect a capacity of 2 Type I/II PC cards with card bus support and a capacity of one Type III PC card. Most modern notebook computers now have a wireless port, which can be used to transmit files to a wireless enabled unit, such as a printer. With some of the professional notebooks, they can expect an integrated IEEE 1394 port to plug their digital camcorder or digital camera in to upload their images to the notebook computer. With the recently produced Toshiba notebook computers, they even offered a Smart Media slot for flash memory cards for use in digital cameras, MP3 players and many more.
For those who want security in their notebook computers, they should consider a Kensington Lock, which can be purchased separately at your local computer store such as CDW, Best Buy and Circuit City. This is essential, because with many incidents of lost notebook computers due to theft it’s important to protect the information inside your notebook computer along with the hardware, especially if they have confidential files in the notebook computer.
For the video connector, people can expect a video connector that can support 8MB of video memory, very versatile for the regular presentations. The resolution for support varies by manufacturer, so check the pages of the manufacturer before you even buy a notebook computer. For the more professional units, expect at least a 16MB video memory for even greater support in resolution without the sacrifice of colors.
For the connection to the Internet, many can still expect the 56K modem around ideal for downloading at high speed. For many of the more modern consumer notebooks (it used to be reserved for the corporate notebooks) is the 10/100 Ethernet card, for those who want to use their notebook computer for high speed Internet without buying a PC card for that.
Extra
For something extra, you may want to consider a notebook computer that has special keys for the CD player or fast keys for the Internet. These keys are very versatile so that they don’t have to use the cursor to load the particular application such as play a track on the CD and e-mail.
Many notebook computers can handle 2 batteries, for lasting use while you’re not near an electrical outlet. For the battery, do expect a Lithium Ion battery and it should last for about 2 hours from full to empty with normal use. This is ideal, because in case of thunder and lighting, you have still have time to work on your computer, unlike the desktop units which don’t have UPS they will lose their data or possibly even damage their computer.
Weight and Size
For a desktop replacement notebook computer, they can expect a 2 spindle (hard drive and [CD ROM or Floppy Drive]) or a 3 spindle (hard drive, CD ROM and Floppy Drive). For the 3-spindle design, expect the unit to be at least 7 lbs. and 1.6” thin. For those who are more concerned about the weight and size, you can expect a 2-spindle design, which is usually about 1.5” thin and around 6 lbs. Keep in mind though, with the 2 spindle design notebook computers, you will have to carry a floppy drive along with your notebook computer. If you happen to require to swap drives, this can be frustrating, where they have to use the latch underneath the notebook computer to release the drive and place the drive that you’ll be using next. With a 3 spindle design, you don’t have to do that.
Operating System
In a notebook computer, expect at least Windows XP or Windows 2000 as stable operating systems. But, don’t really expect greater stability with earlier operating systems, because they can collapse at anytime.
In conclusion, choosing a notebook computer is not as hard as many people think.
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