| Notebook Computers Are Sexy!Granted, the | | | | performance level of your notebook.* Hard Drive: |
| notebook computer may just be the | | | | Check if it has a fixed drive; some units |
| sexiest accessory this side of a Baywatch Extra! | | | | have drives you can swap. As for size; around 20GB |
| But are they worth the extra money? Should your | | | | for most |
| next PC be a notebook or laptop computer?What | | | | notebook drives. You'll need only a 20GB or 30GB |
| are the pros and cons of owning a notebook | | | | for most |
| computer? More importantly, which notebook is | | | | tasks on your notebook. If you handle large graphics |
| best for you?There's no denying it -- notebook | | | | or |
| computers are sexy! | | | | large amount of files (dvd, M3Ps,etc.) you need |
| Slim, svelte and lightweight; they always come | | | | more -- |
| across as | | | | 50 to 60GB or higher.Also, keep in mind, that you |
| looking sexy, the ultimate in high fashion | | | | also have the external |
| accessories.Maybe sexy isn't the most appropriate | | | | drive(s) option for storing and media-burning.* |
| word -- we | | | | Memory: How much do you need?RAM |
| are talking about chips, hard drives and bits of metal. | | | | (random-access memory). This is what the computer |
| But you have to admit; they do look good on just | | | | |
| about | | | | uses to run applications and data on your operating |
| anybody!However; don't let the good looks fool you! | | | | system. It's generally agreed that you need at least |
| And don't | | | | 256MB for Windows XP and Mac OS X. You will only |
| get blinded by all that sleek metal and flashy | | | | need |
| designs.The notebook is one little workhorse whose | | | | 128MB for other operating systems in Windows or |
| time | | | | Mac.* CD-RW Drive: You will need a CD-ROM for |
| may just have come. Growing in popularity as prices | | | | installing. |
| decline, it's definitely worth considering | | | | And a CD-RW drive for burning your own CDs if |
| when you make your next PC purchase.All kidding | | | | that's |
| aside, finding the right notebook that has | | | | one of the tasks you want your notebook to |
| your name on it can be a daunting task!Basically, you | | | | do.Keep in mind another option -- many notebooks |
| have to narrow it down to a few simple | | | | can access |
| steps. Then consider all your options before you | | | | or use external drives for data storage, cd burning, |
| make | | | | etc.* LCD Displays: Most have LCD screens; this is |
| your decision.First, ask yourself -- what types of | | | | different |
| tasks, jobs, do | | | | from your desktop CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor |
| you want the computer to perform? Do you want it | | | | but most |
| | | | people are famaliar with this type of displays -- it's |
| for traveling, business, or for use in the home?Do | | | | commonly found in digital camera and video |
| you want it for simple tasks like email, web | | | | recorders.* Screen Size: You have to consider what |
| browsing or to use as a word processor? Do you | | | | size LCD display |
| want it | | | | you want. If you're going to be viewing a lot of |
| for gaming, web authoring, heavy graphic work, dvd | | | | pictures |
| | | | or movies on your notebook -- a large 15 or 17 inch |
| or MP3 downloading?Next, consider all these options | | | | would |
| and find the notebook | | | | be better suited for your needs.Usually, LCD screens |
| that best suits your needs. Remember, it's your | | | | range in size from 12 inches to 17 |
| needs | | | | inches (diagonal). Viewing is usually set at 1,024x768 |
| that have to be fulfilled. Don't let a pushy | | | | resolution. Quality is almost standard in all these |
| salesperson | | | | notebooks. But check them out at your dealers if |
| talk you into buying something you will never need | | | | picture |
| or use.At the same time, make sure you buy a | | | | quality is your main reason for buying a |
| notebook that | | | | notebook.Note-- Fujitsu LifeBook P ultraportable |
| has all the features that will complete all the tasks | | | | series has the |
| you throw at it. In other words, make sure it | | | | smallest displays 10.6 inches. The Apple PowerBook |
| can do the job!Keep that question in the back of | | | | has |
| your head as you | | | | one of the largest at 17-inches.* Modems: Most if |
| read the rest of this article. Especially, keep it | | | | not all notebooks have 56Kbps-modems |
| in mind, as you browse thru all these sleek models | | | | and Ethernet connections. As well as connections |
| and | | | | (ports) |
| makes of notebooks. Don't be dazzled by all that | | | | for printers, VGA for external monitor and there |
| sexiness!Keep your eyes on the cursor!Keep asking | | | | should |
| yourself -- what does my new notebook | | | | be one or more USB ports for keyboards, drives, |
| computer need in order for it to get the job | | | | MP3's |
| done?Lets take a closer look at all the options.First, | | | | and digital cameras.* Antennas: Most notebooks |
| like anything sexy; notebooks come in all | | | | have built-in antennas for |
| shapes and sizes.SMALL: How small can they | | | | wireless networking and portability. But check before |
| be?They can be as tiny as well -- the small traditional | | | | |
| paper notebooks -- with 10-inch displays. There is | | | | you buy!* Portability: Might sound like a strange |
| even a sub category known as Tablet PCs; these | | | | question |
| are | | | | to ask about notebooks. Not really, most notebooks |
| very small tablets where you enter the data using | | | | are |
| a stylus. Common in certain fields, like health | | | | very portable, easy to carry -- what they were |
| care or real estate.Up a step from there -- are the | | | | designed for. |
| 'Ultraportables'. | | | | However; larger notebooks like the 'desktop |
| You can easily take these anywhere as they fit | | | | replacemets' |
| nicely in | | | | with 17 inch screens and weighing over 7 pounds |
| a handbag or carry on bag. These are used by fliers | | | | might |
| and travelers, they are light and small with 12 inch | | | | not be the best choice for the heavy traveler. For |
| screens without internal CD or DVD drives. They | | | | example |
| don't match the performance of other larger | | | | the new HP Pavilion zd8000 weights a whopping 12 |
| notebooks.LARGE: How large can they be?They can | | | | lbs!* Accessories: Lastly, you should look at some |
| be as big as 6 or 7 pounds or more. Over an | | | | accessories that you might need with your |
| inch thick and come with 15 or 17-inch displays | | | | notebook |
| these are often referred to as 'Desktop | | | | computer. Many come with a Docking station or port |
| Replacements'And just as their name states -- these | | | | |
| can replace | | | | replicator -- somewhere to store and access your |
| your old desktop computer. For most purposes, | | | | computer. Check on the functions of each before |
| these | | | | you buy.You might consider buying an extra battery; |
| notebooks can perform all the tasks of a regular pc, | | | | especially |
| | | | if you're buying your laptop mainly for traveling and |
| have large screens, big keyboards, combo drives | | | | in the field work.Laptop bag is another accessory |
| and very | | | | you should definitely |
| large hard drives. But you have the handy option of | | | | consider buying. Again, notebooks might seem |
| moving these from room to room for wireless | | | | lightweight |
| networking, | | | | and small but if you have lug it around all day and |
| or even for traveling.MID-SIZEIn between these two | | | | you're |
| groups; we have the business | | | | going to wish you had bought that carrying bag.Now |
| class notebooks. These are often referred to as | | | | Assess Your Computer Needs?Finally, we come to |
| 'Thin-and-lights' -- they offer the best all around | | | | the main question that determines which |
| convenience of performance, portability and the | | | | notebook is right for you. (If money is no |
| different features.Mostly preferred by the business | | | | barrier!)WHAT DO YOU NEED THE COMPUTER FOR? |
| travelers. They | | | | WHAT JOB OR TASKS DO |
| have 14-inch screens, CD-RW/DVD drives, wireless | | | | YOU WANT THE COMPUTER TO PERFORM?If you |
| networking, because they are so versatile, these | | | | want something small to carry on a plane, or if you |
| 'do-it-all' notebooks or laptops are becoming | | | | travel a lot, then go with an utralight -- often called |
| really popular.Basic RundownThat's a basic overview | | | | ultraportables -- these are the lightest and smallest |
| or rundown on the different | | | | notebooks, about the size of spiral-bound notebook |
| types of notebooks. But you have to compare and | | | | and |
| contrast the different features in a little more | | | | weighing less than four pounds.If you're a student |
| detail if you want to figure out the best notebook | | | | and need something light weight but |
| that's suited for your needs.Since there are so many | | | | also a little sturdy with a large hard drive (hold MP3s) |
| types and varieties of notebooks; | | | | |
| not to mention so many technical requirements... | | | | you might want to check out the 'thin and light' |
| buying | | | | notebooks.If you want to replace your main desktop |
| a notebook can sometimes be confusing. And for | | | | with something |
| some | | | | more portable -- go with a 'mainstream' or |
| people downright worrisome!Will the notebook you | | | | 'desktop replacements'.If you want something you |
| choose get the job done? Will it | | | | can use at home, work and |
| be able to do the applications, or tasks you want | | | | traveling around then you need 'thin and light.' If you |
| it to perform?Ease your Burden -- Make a | | | | |
| Checklist!If you don't want to be disappointed, here's | | | | want an 'all-around' 'all-in-one' 'do-it-all' notebook ... |
| a quick | | | | then buy a notebook of this type.Because it's so |
| 'CheckList' of the features you want to check | | | | flexible, and covers most of your computing |
| before | | | | needs; this is the one that's becoming the most |
| you buy your notebook computer.* Processor: The | | | | popular.That's it - JUDGMENT TIME!You have |
| heart of your notebook or computer. It | | | | considered most of the facts about buying a |
| does the processing and applications. Most people | | | | notebook computer. Now weight your options. Think |
| prefer | | | | about |
| Intel Pentium Processors; the higher the number the | | | | the tasks you will be doing with your notebook. |
| faster | | | | Look at |
| it will process! Go with Pentium 4 if you can. Intel | | | | the checklist and check out the specs. Is everything |
| Celeron is another choice.* Speed: This is how fast | | | | covered. |
| your computer can process data and | | | | Will the one you choose -- have the features to do |
| perform your tasks. The faster the better! Latest | | | | the job?Keep that question in your mind. It's the |
| models get | | | | most important.If you're considered all these points; |
| up to a blazing 3.6 GHz.Tip: You might also want to | | | | buying the notebook |
| check the rotational speed | | | | with your name on it will be just a little bit easier.In |
| of your notebook's hard disk as it can affect | | | | no time at all, you may be walking around with |
| performance | | | | one of those sleek, svelte -- dare we say sexy -- |
| a 5,400rpm notebook disk is much faster than a | | | | accessories tucked under your arm.Titus |
| 4,200rpm | | | | Hoskins----For An Illustrated Version of This Article |
| model. How fast the disk spins, will also determine | | | | Click Here: Buying Notebooks Online Guide. |
| the | | | | |