| Any computer's most important component is its | | | | everywhere you go, which would make it less mobile, |
| processor or CPU; when it comes to buying notebook, | | | | so look for long battery life. |
| or laptop, computers, there are really only two options | | | | Having enough hard drive space to store all your files |
| you should consider. These are the Intel Core 2 Duo | | | | and programs is also necessary; without enough |
| and the Intel Core Duo. While both of these | | | | space, you'll be constantly backing up and cleaning out |
| processors are top of the line, you can still find | | | | files just to keep your computer running. If you don't |
| notebook computers for well under $1,000. | | | | plan on storing a large number of movies and/or music |
| It would be a mistake to buy a cheap notebook on | | | | on your laptop, which are typically very large files, you |
| price alone, however; buy one for $400 that uses older | | | | should do just fine with a 60-80 GB hard drive. |
| processors than the Intel CPUs mentioned, and you'll | | | | You should also consider any peripherals you'll need, |
| almost certainly be looking at buying another one in just | | | | such as wireless internet access. You can buy |
| a year or two. But spend just a little bit more and you'll | | | | wireless cards if your inexpensive notebook doesn't |
| have an inexpensive laptop that will save you a few | | | | have one built in. Depending on how frequently you |
| hundred dollars in the long run by lasting 3-4 years. | | | | have to transfer information, a multimedia reader can |
| The next consideration is the memory or RAM in your | | | | also be quite useful. Lastly, you might want to have a |
| computer; today's operating systems require a | | | | good optical disc drive to play and record CDs and |
| minimum of 512MB of RAM. But RAM is so | | | | DVDs. |
| inexpensive these days that getting a notebook with at | | | | So with all these considerations in mind, how much will |
| least 1 GB of RAM is highly recommended. | | | | a cheap notebook computer cost you? For a new |
| Battery life is another important consideration; you don't | | | | model with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, you can |
| want to have to plug in your notebook computer | | | | expect to spend $800 and up. |