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