| When considering buying a new computer more and | | | | cost involved and consequently this helps reduce the |
| more people are looking at laptop computers as a | | | | final price. The disadvantage is that the interface will |
| realistic alternative to a traditional desktop. Not only are | | | | seem alien to many average users and may take a |
| laptops lightweight and portable but their performance | | | | while to get used to. This shouldn't put you off though |
| and memory capacity has increased significantly over | | | | as, once mastered, Linux is simple to use and some |
| the last few years. | | | | manufacturers have done much to improve the |
| You can expect to pay anything between 250 pounds | | | | interface you are presented with. |
| and 2000 pounds for a decent laptop although most | | | | Processors |
| people tend to opt for models around the 400 - 500 | | | | The processor (or CPU) is the heart of your laptop |
| pounds mark. | | | | and will dictates how fast and efficiently your |
| Obviously the computer's price will be governed by | | | | computer performs. The two main manufacturers of |
| many factors with the main ones being the brand, | | | | processor are AMD and Intel and the cost of the |
| screen size, the operating system, type of processor | | | | computer will be dictated by the particular specification |
| used, the computer's memory capacity as well as | | | | of each. Ideally you should opt for the best processor |
| added features such as optical drives, wireless | | | | you can afford as no other factor will impact the |
| networking and so on. | | | | machine's performance to such a great extent as the |
| Brands | | | | capacity and speed of processor employed. |
| There are many manufacturers of laptop computers | | | | Memory |
| and several famous brands. While some people prefer | | | | There are two kinds of memory to consider - RAM |
| the assurance of quality that a branded product offers, | | | | (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only |
| others will be less concerned and more interested in a | | | | Memory). |
| lower cost. | | | | RAM is the actual working memory of the computer |
| It's worth remembering however, with most laptops, | | | | and will dictate how fast your machine will work. |
| and indeed desktop computers, that many of the basic | | | | Typically a RAM of 1GB or more will be more than |
| components are commonly sourced and not | | | | sufficient for most computing tasks. |
| necessarily manufactured by the company whose | | | | ROM is the storage capacity of the hard disc and will |
| brand is used. So opting for a famous brand may | | | | dictate how many files and applications your machine |
| offer some assurance of quality it doesn't | | | | will hold. There have been great advances in memory |
| automatically imply that cheaper alternatives are any | | | | storage and capacities of 160GB or more are typical. |
| less as good. | | | | This compares well with many average desktop |
| Screen Size | | | | computers and should be sufficient for most people's |
| The average screen size for a traditional laptop | | | | needs. |
| computer is between 14" and 15". This is probably the | | | | Features and Devices |
| optimum size range which will offer the best | | | | Most standard laptops will have a built-in CD/DVD |
| compromise between portability and view ability. There | | | | optical drive and many have wireless networking |
| are larger format screens available which will appeal to | | | | devices included too. As a minimum you'll need a |
| those who watch a lot of movies and there are | | | | couple of USB connections in order to connect |
| smaller formats from 9" to 13" which are best for | | | | external devices, a card reader for transferring photos |
| those whose priority is for portability. The new | | | | from digital cameras and possibly a standard |
| generation of netbook computers are optimised to be | | | | headphone socket for listening to music files, etc. |
| light and portable with typical screen sizes between 9" | | | | Special Offers |
| and 10". | | | | Although there are frequent special offers and |
| Operating Systems | | | | discounts available it's usually a good idea to select the |
| Generally, there are two main kinds of operating | | | | machine which is best for you and then looking for the |
| system. Firstly there is Windows which tends to be the | | | | best deal. Try not to be persuaded by special offers |
| system of choice for many and is the same as the | | | | where the price or added give-aways are too good to |
| system you'll use at work or on your home PC. The | | | | resist. Many offers such as free software or |
| advantage here is simple familiarity and ease of use - | | | | accessories tend not to be so great and will often |
| particularly when transferring files and documents | | | | include things you'd be unlikely to use anyway. |
| between your desktop and laptop. The real | | | | Overall then, there are many great deals available and |
| disadvantage is the cost - manufacturers have to pay | | | | an endless choice of laptops, notebooks and netbooks. |
| a licence fee when installing the Windows system and | | | | Take you time to consider which machine offers the |
| naturally this adds to the final price of the machine. | | | | best all round performance and value for money. A |
| The other operating system, increasingly being offered | | | | good quality laptop will give you many years of reliable |
| on netbooks and notebooks, is Linux. Because Linux is | | | | service and is not something you should just buy on a |
| an 'open source' operating system there is no licensing | | | | whim. |