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When you purchase a laptop computer, there are lots of options, as I am sure you are well aware, if you have been looking at machines lately. I realize this is long article, but this is exactly what I go through whenever I spec out a machine for someone.
The first question I would ask is this: "What do you want to do with it?", then, in order to be able to make a more accurate solution, I would need to have some parameters, such as dollar amount, screen size, etc.
In order to help you maybe make your own decision, I would suggest the following, assuming you don't want to go to a Macintosh:
Screen size:
If you are going to have this laptop as a "desktop replacement"
and not really carry the machine around all day long, a 17" screen would be great. A 15" screen is a good all around machine, and carrying it isn't too onerous. The 12" screen is awesome for carrying around but you would probably go nuts if it were your only machine and you didn't have an external monitor to hook up to it.
Memory:
Minimum, 2GB RAM, 3GB or even 4GB strongly recommended. Remember, upgrading a laptop is typically more expensive because you usually have to throw out both memory sticks, so get as much as you can afford for the machine. Even go down a notch on the processor speed and increase the memory, if you have to.
Going from a 2.5Ghz processor to a 2.0Ghz isn't a huge difference but going from 2GB to 3GB makes a big difference since software and operating systems are very memory intensive.
Processor:
Dual core processors (also known as Core Duo) are better (and Quad Core are better yet), since the computer thinks it has 2 processors rather than one (and 4, for the Quad Core). The speed of the single core processors will be higher but that's okay...I would suggest a dual (quad?) core at least 1.5GHZ but I would go as high as you can afford, of course...as long as it doesn't take away from the memory you purchase.
What about 64-bit processors? If you want to support 4GB of memory or more, you would need to have 64 bit processor, however, the drivers aren't all available for 64 bit and the software that you would load may not have a 64 bit counterpart. In essence, 64 bit is great and blazingly fast but it may be a bit "cutting edge", depending on what you plan on doing with the machine.
Hard Drive:
If this is going to be your main or only machine, I would suggest a larger hard drive. Drives are getting larger but not so much in the laptops.
The 60-80GB drives are still around. If you can afford it, get a 120GB or larger. Another option would be to go with a 60-80GB drive and purchase an external USB 120+GB drive for backup and extra files. I would recommend an external drive in any event because hard drives sometimes fail and if there's a backup of the documents, it would be very helpful. This having been said, however, it's critical that you actually back up the critical documents, such as papers.
Removable drive:
DVD-RW, no question. Once again, I would recommend an external USB drive, 120GB or larger, for backup and to store large files.
Operating System:
I would suggest Windows 7, Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate (as opposed to Windows XP or Vista Home Basic). Vista Home Premium and Ultimate includes Aero, which is the "Vista interface experience", which Basic doesn't support. XP may not even be available anymore but eventually, support for it will stop. Regarding the 64 bit versions of the software, you can get it (if you have a 64 bit processor) and it's faster but there may be problems with specialty drivers for a while yet. [Editor's Note: If a 64-bit laptop comes pre-installed with a 64-bit OS, the installed drivers are not likely to cause problems for the built-in hardware.]
Alternate Operating System:
Linux, such as Ubuntu 9.04. It's free but Linux is not for the faint of heart, since you will need to do a lot of troubleshooting if things don't go quite right...as well as the fact that the software purchased at the store is mostly written for Windows. There are often free alternatives for Linux but you may have to do some digging to find them.
Network connector built in:
RJ45 100 megabit connector minimum, 1 gb connector becoming more common.
Wireless:
802.11g minimum. 802.11n is the newest standard but still quite costly.
Productivity Pack:
Microsoft Office 2007, student edition if it's available, otherwise whatever includes Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Alternate Productivity Pack:
OpenOffice from OpenOffice.org, it's free and can be configured to read and write Microsoft Office files.
Other:
These items aren't critical and can be purchased afterward but if the user will be doing a lot of papers, they might want to consider this:
OTHER HINTS:
Look at www.dealsofamerica.com for some wonderful deals including for Dell.
Keep in mind my suggestions above when determining which machine to go with.
If you decide to go with a Macintosh computer, I would suggest talking with someone from the Apple Store and remember many of my suggestions will still apply.
To carry around the laptop, most companies offer suitcase looking cases with a shoulder strap. I have found (through LOTS of experimentation) that I prefer a laptop backpack for comfort (and I also use it for all my paperwork and books, too). Make sure you get one designed for a laptop because it usually has a "shock resistant" pocket for the laptop or at least a foam container to hold onto it.
The first question I would ask is this: "What do you want to do with it?", then, in order to be able to make a more accurate solution, I would need to have some parameters, such as dollar amount, screen size, etc.
In order to help you maybe make your own decision, I would suggest the following, assuming you don't want to go to a Macintosh:
Screen size:
If you are going to have this laptop as a "desktop replacement"
and not really carry the machine around all day long, a 17" screen would be great. A 15" screen is a good all around machine, and carrying it isn't too onerous. The 12" screen is awesome for carrying around but you would probably go nuts if it were your only machine and you didn't have an external monitor to hook up to it.
Memory:
Minimum, 2GB RAM, 3GB or even 4GB strongly recommended. Remember, upgrading a laptop is typically more expensive because you usually have to throw out both memory sticks, so get as much as you can afford for the machine. Even go down a notch on the processor speed and increase the memory, if you have to.
Going from a 2.5Ghz processor to a 2.0Ghz isn't a huge difference but going from 2GB to 3GB makes a big difference since software and operating systems are very memory intensive.
Processor:
Dual core processors (also known as Core Duo) are better (and Quad Core are better yet), since the computer thinks it has 2 processors rather than one (and 4, for the Quad Core). The speed of the single core processors will be higher but that's okay...I would suggest a dual (quad?) core at least 1.5GHZ but I would go as high as you can afford, of course...as long as it doesn't take away from the memory you purchase.
What about 64-bit processors? If you want to support 4GB of memory or more, you would need to have 64 bit processor, however, the drivers aren't all available for 64 bit and the software that you would load may not have a 64 bit counterpart. In essence, 64 bit is great and blazingly fast but it may be a bit "cutting edge", depending on what you plan on doing with the machine.
Hard Drive:
If this is going to be your main or only machine, I would suggest a larger hard drive. Drives are getting larger but not so much in the laptops.
The 60-80GB drives are still around. If you can afford it, get a 120GB or larger. Another option would be to go with a 60-80GB drive and purchase an external USB 120+GB drive for backup and extra files. I would recommend an external drive in any event because hard drives sometimes fail and if there's a backup of the documents, it would be very helpful. This having been said, however, it's critical that you actually back up the critical documents, such as papers.
Removable drive:
DVD-RW, no question. Once again, I would recommend an external USB drive, 120GB or larger, for backup and to store large files.
Operating System:
I would suggest Windows 7, Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate (as opposed to Windows XP or Vista Home Basic). Vista Home Premium and Ultimate includes Aero, which is the "Vista interface experience", which Basic doesn't support. XP may not even be available anymore but eventually, support for it will stop. Regarding the 64 bit versions of the software, you can get it (if you have a 64 bit processor) and it's faster but there may be problems with specialty drivers for a while yet. [Editor's Note: If a 64-bit laptop comes pre-installed with a 64-bit OS, the installed drivers are not likely to cause problems for the built-in hardware.]
Alternate Operating System:
Linux, such as Ubuntu 9.04. It's free but Linux is not for the faint of heart, since you will need to do a lot of troubleshooting if things don't go quite right...as well as the fact that the software purchased at the store is mostly written for Windows. There are often free alternatives for Linux but you may have to do some digging to find them.
Network connector built in:
RJ45 100 megabit connector minimum, 1 gb connector becoming more common.
Wireless:
802.11g minimum. 802.11n is the newest standard but still quite costly.
Productivity Pack:
Microsoft Office 2007, student edition if it's available, otherwise whatever includes Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Alternate Productivity Pack:
OpenOffice from OpenOffice.org, it's free and can be configured to read and write Microsoft Office files.
Other:
These items aren't critical and can be purchased afterward but if the user will be doing a lot of papers, they might want to consider this:
- External 17" (or larger) monitor - If you go with the 12" screen for portability and there's not a desktop machine, consider having an external monitor.
- External USB keyboard - Same reason...it would help with typing.
- Upgrade: wireless keyboard.
External USB mouse - Same reason...it would help with manipulation.
- Upgrade: Wireless mouse.
USB Hub - Usually, laptops only have one or two USB ports and it's common to need three or more with all the devices out there.
- USB Headset - For running the sound up but not disturbing the neighbors.
Also includes a microphone for being able to talk such as through Skype or playing games. Possible upgrade: Wireless headset.
OTHER HINTS:
Look at www.dealsofamerica.com for some wonderful deals including for Dell.
Keep in mind my suggestions above when determining which machine to go with.
If you decide to go with a Macintosh computer, I would suggest talking with someone from the Apple Store and remember many of my suggestions will still apply.
To carry around the laptop, most companies offer suitcase looking cases with a shoulder strap. I have found (through LOTS of experimentation) that I prefer a laptop backpack for comfort (and I also use it for all my paperwork and books, too). Make sure you get one designed for a laptop because it usually has a "shock resistant" pocket for the laptop or at least a foam container to hold onto it.
by: jennhp on 2010-02-10 at 10:27:04ID: 9476
This is a great article that I will be passing along to everyone I know who's interested in purchasing a laptop. You do a great job of breaking down each of the things that a person might need to consider when looking to purchase a laptop.
Thank you so much for writing it! I hope to see more of your work on the site.