| The most important component to your notebook | | | | gets the most performance and has the best battery |
| computer is the processor or CPU. There really are | | | | life. Chalk up another plus for the Core 2 Duo. The Intel |
| only two processors you should consider if you are | | | | Core Duo also facilitates great battery life. AMD's |
| purchasing a new notebook computer. The first is the | | | | Turion line ranks well but the performance isn't as |
| Intel Core 2 Duo and the second is the Intel Core Duo. | | | | great as the Core Duo line of chips. |
| These chips are top of the line. But don't worry, there | | | | Hard drive space is important as well. If you don't have |
| are plenty of rigs utilizing these chips that still come in | | | | enough space you will constantly be backing up items |
| at well under $1000. | | | | so you can clean out some space on your hard drive |
| Don't make the mistake of looking at short-term price | | | | to keep your computer running. Keep in mind that |
| alone. If you want to get a cheap notebook computer | | | | media files take up the most space. So if you aren't |
| for $400 but you get one that is already utilizing old | | | | storing large amounts of movies and music on your |
| technology you will be buying another cheap notebook | | | | computer you will probably be just fine with a 60-80 |
| computer in a year or two. Whereas if you spend a | | | | GB hard drive. |
| little bit more and get a cheap notebook computer that | | | | Other factors to consider are your peripherals. For |
| will last you 3-4 years, you will end up saving several | | | | example, you need wireless internet access. If your |
| hundred dollars in the long run. What I'm saying is shop | | | | cheap notebook computer doesn't come with one |
| around to get a good deal on a quality computer. Don't | | | | you'll have to purchase a wireless card. Does the |
| just buy the cheapest thing out there. | | | | computer have a multimedia reader? Depending on |
| The second thing to look for is the memory or RAM. | | | | how often you need to transfer information these can |
| You need at least 512MB of ram to run today's | | | | be quite useful. Your optical drive can be important as |
| operating systems. That being said having 1GB of | | | | well. Does the cheap notebook computer you are |
| RAM is preferable. It won't cost you that much so | | | | looking at have a CD/DVD burner? Having a drive that |
| buck up a few extra dollars and get the additional | | | | is interchangeable might be a nice feature to look for |
| RAM when you purchase your notebook computer. | | | | as well. |
| You will be happy you did. | | | | So, now that we know what we are looking for how |
| Battery life is also extremely important. The purpose | | | | much will all of this cost? For new notebook |
| of getting a notebook computer is because they are | | | | computers you can get a Core 2 Duo machine starting |
| mobile. If you constantly have to plug in your notebook | | | | around $800. If you look around and don't mind buying |
| computer it kind of defeats the purpose. The better | | | | used you can find a pretty decent cheap notebook |
| notebooks can get 3-6 hours of use from a fully | | | | computer for $400-$500. However, buying used you |
| charged battery. Other factors affect battery life but | | | | generally forego the warranty. |
| the CPU plays an important role. The Intel Core 2 Duo | | | | |