Want To Buy A Laptop? Here Are The Tech Features That Really Count

Things You Should Know Before Parting With Money For A Laptop

If you are considering acquiring a laptop, it's a wise idea to choose properly, since, for most people, it is a significant investment. More importantly, you really would want a pleasant experience using your new tool, besides getting good value for your money. Given the array of choices out there, are you to be guided by brand name, price or size? These are important, but there's a lot more to it. If you've ever been at the rowdy Computer Village at Ikeja or any tech-shop, you will realise how easy it is to be confused and railroaded by the vendors and hawkers out there. When you consider that it's more tricky to reconfigure your laptop (it's a lot easier changing/upgrading your desktop components), you will appreciate the need to get it right from the onset. How you'll use your notebook, your budget and personal style will obviously decide your choice eventually, but you need the facts for an informed selection. Your best bet is therefore to know what counts, before you confront the market. If you're not familiar with the technical basics and would like to know, that's exactly what this guide is designed to do for you.

The Factors that Count
Before paying for a laptop, check out the following key components which will determine the processing power, load capacity, functionality and convenience you enjoy from your equipment:

The Processor
This is the central processing unit (CPU) of your laptop and what may count as its heart. It's a major determinant of the performance quotient of your system. A faster processor means more power and processing speed, though you don't necessarily need the fastest. More power translates to more Naira outlay, meaning that you'd rather go for the fastest you can afford. Intel is the leading name, with AMD also in contention. Intel's Mobile Pentium 4 and Pentium-M are the top dogs, if you want and can afford real fire power. If you expect a lot of mobile computing, the M-version is it: it's designed for that purpose and will consume your battery more gently. At 1.6 - 1.7 GHz of Pentium M, you'll have a very powerful machine, while speeds of up to 2.8 - 3.4 GHz are awful. If you do not intend any sophisticated use for your laptop (multimedia, heavy graphics), there is probably no justification for the extra cost that a high-end processor will introduce. A lower Pentium or the Celeron series may serve your purpose.

The System Memory (RAM)
Is another key component, especially when you're looking at performance. The installed memory is critical to running various applications in your notebook, meaning that if you do not have enough Random Access Memory (RAM), the capacity of your notebook to perform will be limited. What is just adequate will depend on your use, but considering that most users continue to load up more applications into their systems, you will be wise to provide more than you immediately require. Today, 256MB would seem like the average requirement, but if you can invest in 512MB or indeed 1GB of RAM, you'd be sure to have the capacity for high-end computing.

Hard Drive
This is important too, though less critical than the first two. You need storage devices - the drives - to hold files. The hard drive is the main drive, the permanent storage device within your system. The drive size you'll require will depend on how much work you intend to store on your hard drive. Graphics will take more space, so if they are a major part of your data, you need to provide for that. Generally, 20GB of hard drive capacity would do for most users. If you can up it to 40GB or 60GB, you should be quite comfortable. Top-end of, say, 120GB may be superfluous, unless you can justify real need for it. For instance, a large MP3 music library or plenty of digital video on your laptop, will make a huge demand on your drive, possibly justifying huge storage capacity.

The Screen Size
There is an important choice to be made here, given the inherent conflict: larger screen means more comfort for your eyes but, on the down side, more bulk, which could be a pain for a mobile user. Your dominant manner of usage will therefore count significantly. Screen size (diagonal width) of as low as 10.4' or as high as 17.1' is possible. Ultra light, ultra portable machines for highly mobile users come with the smaller screens (10.1', 12.1'). If your laptop is more of a desktop system, a large screen-size (15' - 17.1') will not hurt. 14.1' is a mid-range and will serve well even if you're often on the move.

The Key Board
Your work-rate can be affected by the layout of the key board: if it's too crammed, which you'll get with an ultra compact, you could have difficulty picking out the keys. Cumulatively, this could be a substantial cost in productive time. Most notebook keyboards are compact anyway, so one factor to consider is the placement of important keys. Check that it fits into what's configured in your brain already or at least is not confusing or be prepared for a lot of practice to get used to your keyboard.

Battery Type
Especially when you're largely mobile, battery life will count for much. The Pentium processor, it's been stated, achieves longer battery life: in most cases, over 3 hours and some, up to 6 hours or more. Go for a lithium ion rechargeable battery when you buy one.

Operating System
The MS Windows and Apple's Mac are the real options, but you probably know that Windows is dominant in our environment. You have more options of Windows-running systems in the market. If you're for Windows, you need to choose whether you want the Professional (with advanced features for business use, like networking features) or the Home version.

Pointing Device
Built-in replacements for the mouse, with two main options as the touchpad and pointing stick. The touchpad is rectangular and provides a surface (usually below the keys) that you can run your finger on to move the pointer. The pointing stick, usually in the middle of the type-keys will also move the curser through finger nudging. Both require a little practice and may be available in the same notebook, meaning that you don't have to choose at purchase. If you're more comfortable with a mouse, then pick a USB mouse as an accessory though it's not in every mobile-use position that a mouse can fit in.

Optical Drive
User requirements may range from just playing CDs to as far as burning DVDs. What are your needs? Choices include low-end CD and CD-RW drives, mid-range combo DVD and CD-RW drive, and high-end rewritable DVD+RW, DVD-RW and DVD±RW drives. Related is the audio capability. Your system should be multimedia for good sound quality.

Connection
You will need to plug things at some point and you need the ports. If you have gadgets that require special connections (digital video camcorder with FireWire connection) you need a notebook that provides that. Beyond special needs, you at least need enough (four?) USB ports on your equipment. A PC Card slot will also be found handy. The mobile broad band services offered by Starcomms and Netcom require card slots.

It's Your Choice
In the end, the choice is up to you, depending on your needs. Pay attention, however, to the basic performance components, to be sure your system delivers on your work requirement. Most of the factors listed here are integral to your equipment's capacity to deliver satisfied user experience.

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