In this second article on how to choose a laptop to suit your needs we shall ask some very pertinent questions that can help us buy the right equipment and maybe save money.
These days we can safely assume that the basic specifications for a "normal" laptop are:
• 14 inch (or more) TFT display
• 1 Gigabyte RAM (naturally, the more the merrier)
• 160 GB hard disk (or higher capacity)
• DVD-RW
• More than one USB 2.0 port
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• 56k Modem (which is hardly used anymore because we connect to broadband).
Anything else like a Blu-Ray DVD or integrated 3G mobile access is a bonus that naturally, you will have to pay for!
Now depending on whether we want to compute spreadsheets or run around after bad guys in a game, we have to check that the video card will be up to scratch.
You will notice that on most of these laptops, manufacturers have stopped bundling floppy drives. This is because these days Wi-Fi and USB pen drives have replaced them. So it's a good thing to check how many USB ports are available, again, the more the merrier, though you can buy a low-cost USB hub, but that means another thing to carry along.
It is good to also look at the weight of a laptop, remember, you are going to carry this beast around with you in a bag so you want it as light as possible.
Now let's talk a bit about pros and cons and start with the positive list: mobility, takes up less space, and there are less wire tangles.
I am afraid the next list of cons is a bit longer:
• Euro for euro, you get more for your desktop than for your laptop;
• Desktop computers also are less expensive to upgrade, if the upgrade on the laptop is at all possible;
• Speed, euro for euro, on desktops is faster. You can get a fast laptop, but it will cost you much more than a desktop PC having the same specs;
• Desktop PCs are cheaper and easier to repair. If you spill coffee on your desktop keyboard, it will cost you around €15 on a new keyboard. If you spill coffee on your laptop keyboard, well, you'll be lucky if you still have a working laptop;
• Security: there is less chance of a desktop getting stolen along with all your valuable and personal data;
• Less ergonomically correct: Generally speaking, desktops are easier on your eyes, hands, and backs than laptops. Students spend a good deal of time on their computers, so this is an important consideration.
• Nothing to lug around: Speaking of ergonomics, lugging a heavy laptop computer around isn't good for your back either. Yes, you can get lightweight laptops, but they'll cost you in terms of price or performance.
• Easier to damage. Sure, if you drop your desktop computer, you're going to damage it. But how likely is that compared to the likelihood of dropping your laptop?
The same process as when you are buying a desktop PC should apply to when you are thinking of going smaller. Some questions you might want to ask yourself are:
• Do I really need to carry my computer with me?
• Did I consider carefully the pros and cons mentioned above?
• Does this laptop meet my computing needs?
• Am I willing to sacrifice features for portability over a budget laptop?
Giving the right, honest answers will only help you make the right decision.
Mr Marshall, a certified computer programmer and technician, is giving regular tips in i-Tech on how to make the best and safest use of computers. He can be contacted at noelmarshall.itech@gmail.com.
These days we can safely assume that the basic specifications for a "normal" laptop are:
• 14 inch (or more) TFT display
• 1 Gigabyte RAM (naturally, the more the merrier)
• 160 GB hard disk (or higher capacity)
• DVD-RW
• More than one USB 2.0 port
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• 56k Modem (which is hardly used anymore because we connect to broadband).
Anything else like a Blu-Ray DVD or integrated 3G mobile access is a bonus that naturally, you will have to pay for!
Now depending on whether we want to compute spreadsheets or run around after bad guys in a game, we have to check that the video card will be up to scratch.
You will notice that on most of these laptops, manufacturers have stopped bundling floppy drives. This is because these days Wi-Fi and USB pen drives have replaced them. So it's a good thing to check how many USB ports are available, again, the more the merrier, though you can buy a low-cost USB hub, but that means another thing to carry along.
It is good to also look at the weight of a laptop, remember, you are going to carry this beast around with you in a bag so you want it as light as possible.
Now let's talk a bit about pros and cons and start with the positive list: mobility, takes up less space, and there are less wire tangles.
I am afraid the next list of cons is a bit longer:
• Euro for euro, you get more for your desktop than for your laptop;
• Desktop computers also are less expensive to upgrade, if the upgrade on the laptop is at all possible;
• Speed, euro for euro, on desktops is faster. You can get a fast laptop, but it will cost you much more than a desktop PC having the same specs;
• Desktop PCs are cheaper and easier to repair. If you spill coffee on your desktop keyboard, it will cost you around €15 on a new keyboard. If you spill coffee on your laptop keyboard, well, you'll be lucky if you still have a working laptop;
• Security: there is less chance of a desktop getting stolen along with all your valuable and personal data;
• Less ergonomically correct: Generally speaking, desktops are easier on your eyes, hands, and backs than laptops. Students spend a good deal of time on their computers, so this is an important consideration.
• Nothing to lug around: Speaking of ergonomics, lugging a heavy laptop computer around isn't good for your back either. Yes, you can get lightweight laptops, but they'll cost you in terms of price or performance.
• Easier to damage. Sure, if you drop your desktop computer, you're going to damage it. But how likely is that compared to the likelihood of dropping your laptop?
The same process as when you are buying a desktop PC should apply to when you are thinking of going smaller. Some questions you might want to ask yourself are:
• Do I really need to carry my computer with me?
• Did I consider carefully the pros and cons mentioned above?
• Does this laptop meet my computing needs?
• Am I willing to sacrifice features for portability over a budget laptop?
Giving the right, honest answers will only help you make the right decision.
Mr Marshall, a certified computer programmer and technician, is giving regular tips in i-Tech on how to make the best and safest use of computers. He can be contacted at noelmarshall.itech@gmail.com.