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What to look for when buying a laptop
LAPTOP computers are enticing fruits of the information age. Perhaps the most alluring aspect of a laptop is its portability and flexibility as it allows you to take your entire computer from one place to another. Laptops (aka notebooks) evolved out of a deskbound executive’s desire to have a mobile office, and to able to compute while on the move.
However in an age when our lives are increasingly intertwined with computers and IT, laptop or portable computer usage has not been limited to the jet setting business executive anymore. Secondly given the glut of used laptops available in the market, (with prices starting from Rs. 25000), as well as lucrative schemes to purchase a brand new machine via monthly installments, more and more people are considering the wireless computing arena.
Although a laptop computer allows you to work without being tethered to a bulky desktop, this freedom does come at a price. Laptop computers can cost almost twice as much as comparably equipped desktops, so before you invest you hard earned cash, in a notebook, do consider your motives and options for going wireless.
The specific needs of a laptop user may vary from person to person. You could be a frequent traveler or may need to carry work home from the office or maybe you just like the idea of a sleek lightweight portable computer that you can use wherever you are and whenever you feel like it. Any of these reasons are worth considering investing in a notebook computer.
However replacing your desktop with a notebook computer is not a very good idea. Although laptops today are powerful enough to handle any mainstream application, they are not only much more expensive to upgrade than desktops, but are somewhat inferior to desktop computers in all features except portability. Laptops are 20-30% slower than a desktop with the same features (CPU, hard drive capacity, etc.). Desktops are still a better choice for some specialized uses, such as heavy graphics or 3-D gaming or high-end audio-video use. So if you are a hard core gamer, buying a laptop computer as your main gaming machine is not a very good idea.
Given the limitations and the cost of upgrading of laptop parts and accessories, prospective laptop buyers are generally advised to go for the latest, fastest and most powerful notebook computer out there. However there is a one small problem with following this advice blindly - anything that is “latest” is most of the time also “more expensive” (and often unnecessary).
However, if the intended use of your portable computer is not going to be more than a glorified typewriter, with an Internet connection, there is little point in investing in a brand new top of the line notebook. In such a case, users may be tempted to go for a cheaper, older model or a second-hand laptop with a decent processor speed, RAM, storage capacity and a modem. While these may save money, they do have their disadvantages and if you aren’t careful, your dream of blissful mobile computing can quickly turn into a nightmare. Do consider the following risks when buying an older model or a used laptop.
— Given the changing pace of technology, last year’s laptop model may be on the way out to becoming obsolete, which can make it difficult to get after sales service. In this case the Internet can help you to track and stay clear of obsolete or near obsolete models.
— You never know when your mobile computing needs might change and that case older models may not be up to the mark or simply put may be incompatible with the latest software or additional devices.
— When purchasing a used or a second-hand laptop from a used computers dealer, it usually difficult to obtain any information about the prior owner. For all you know the machine may be dumped with the dealer after being stolen or used in a terrorist or illegal activity and law enforcement agencies may be tracking it (and you certainly don’t want to be caught in as the tainted laptop’s owner!). When considering buying a second-hand computer, ask for purchase receipts from the prior owner, to verify that it is not stolen.
Notebooks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and weights, and narrowing your choice to the right machine can be a daunting task. It is a good idea to determine beforehand how much you intend to spend on your laptop, by figuring out the intended purpose of your notebook and listing the required features. This will help you in getting the best possible machine for the best possible price. As a rule of thumb, the more features you need, the more cash you’ll have to set aside for your laptop computer. Following is a list of components found in portable computers that will help you decide which features to opt for in a laptop.
Microprocessor: Like the desktop, the microprocessor is the brain of a laptop computer. If you do lots of graphics (computer-aided drafting, engineering design) or programming, then you will probably need the speed of a Pentium IV or G4 microprocessor. On the other hand, if you will use your laptop for basic word-processing, Web browsing or office management, then the smaller AMD or Celeron microprocessors will be more than adequate.
This is a very important consideration for any portable computer user; especially those who need to have a working laptop on the road or in the air. When purchasing a portable computer verify how long the battery will last and it is important to clarify what the standard battery usage life is when using the portable computer in all power modes. It is advisable to look for a laptop with a lithium battery, as these tend to hold their charge longer than nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries, and have no memory effect.
Whatever battery you choose, you will need a minimum of two hours of battery life; but of course, four hours is even better. The battery life varies depending on what type of rechargeable battery you have and how you use your computer.
Like desktops, laptops have various disk drive storage devices. All laptops have an internal hard disk drive, usually 6 to 40 gigabytes (The latest models offer up 60 GBs). The hard disk drive works the same in a laptop as it in a standard computer, i.e. storing operating systems, application programs and data files. It is advisable to get minimum 20 GB disk space. (Of course, larger is better.)
In addition to hard drives, most laptops have some type of removable disk storage system, such as floppy disks, Zip disks, compact discs (CD) and DVDs in the form of “swappable” or interchangeable drives. These have the advantage of making a laptop smaller and lighter. With a swappable drive, there is only space in the case for one drive i.e. a floppy, Zip or CD / DVD drive. If you want to change from one type of disk drive to another, you simply pull one out (of the bay) and insert the other.
Active Matrix (also known as TFT) is the best type of display available. It is easier to view at side angles and minimizes the so-called ghosting effect when the cursor moves across the screen. Large LCD screen sizes, active matrix displays and backlighting will make your laptop’s screen easier to see, but these technologies will also increase the price of the computer. A 13- to 14-inch, active matrix, color screen is worth the investment, especially if you plan to search the Internet often or make multimedia presentations.
Like a standard computer, memory has always been an important consideration while purchasing a laptop. The more memory a computer has the more efficiently it will run. It is very important to determine the amount of memory included in your computer at the time of purchase and verify whether it is upgradeable. Many notebooks have only one or two memory expansion slots and you will wind up throwing away the old memory when you upgrade.
Most lower-priced notebooks are sold with 128 MB of system memory (RAM). That’s not enough for running applications efficiently under Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Me. If you use your notebook for occasional typing and web browsing you could get by with 128 MB of RAM but you would probably be much happier with 256 MBs. Power users should try to get a notebook with at least 512 MB or more.
If a modem is required ensure that a modem is included with the portable computer. In addition verify if the modem is an internal or PC-CARD (PCMCIA) modem as you may require all the available PC-CARD slots in the future. Incase a network connection is required; the same consideration goes for a network card as well.
Like desktops, most laptops are equipped with sound cards and speakers so they can play music from CDs. However, the quality of the speakers built into most laptops doesn’t match those of speakers for desktops, as space is at a premium in a laptop case.
Weight: Weight is a very important consideration when considering a laptop, as the computer will generally be carried around. The lighter the portable computer the easier it will be to carry.
Upgradeability: Laptop computers are mostly non-upgradeable. The laptop will have to retain its original CPU, video card (built into the motherboard), sound card (also built-in), and screen. While it is possible to upgrade main memory, and removable drives in the latest models, these upgrades can cost twice as much as a desktop’s.
Finally when purchasing a laptop computer, make sure you understand the laptop’s warranty and how it will be repaired if it breaks. It is advisable to buy from a trustworthy dealer as small and new companies’ warranties can turn out to be worthless as they may not be in business tomorrow.
The writer is a freelance journalist
Some precautions
WHILE mobility of the notebook is its most appealing aspect, it is also one of its more hazardous characteristics. It is very easy to drop a notebook, get it wet, expose it to too much heat, or to otherwise put it in harm’s way.
• Always keep Laptops off floor as they can easily stepped on and small children will play with them.
• When powered with an AC adapter, always use a electricity stabilizer. A power surge can happen at anytime, anywhere and ultimately destroy your laptop.
• Don’t leave any paper or any other objects lying in between screen and keypad as it can easily scratch the screen leaving a costly bill to have it replaced.
• Never leave your laptop in a cold environment.
• When you bring your laptop into a warm place condensation will occur and may cause electrical shocks throughout your laptop. Also if you turn it on while it’s still cold this can lead to overloading.
• When travelling, it is generally not a good idea to let you laptop stow away with your luggage. Luggage usually tends to a get thrown around and can easily damage it
• Don’t drop it while your carrying it.
A good leather case with separate compartments is the safest way to carry your laptop. Make sure the case has separate compartments for add-ons this will avoid scratches over your laptop.
• Never drink coffee or any liquids around your laptop as you can easily spill some on it.
• Lastly, never try to fix your laptop yourself. Laptops have many small parts that can easily be damaged, and lost. — RS
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