How to Choose a Laptop - Part 2

First, put time into thinking about what you want in a laptop. Put in a LOT of time... Look online at various forums and see what laptops are the most reliable. Go to the manufacturer's website and become familiar with the features a laptop may have. Ask friends what they have, and what they like and dislike about it. Then... make a list. List everything you can that you want or don't want.

Some considerations:

1. Are you using it as a desktop replacement, or will you be mainly hauling it around such as class to class? The first will mean you will want one of the large laptops such as 17" or larger, with lots of ports to hook peripherals up. The latter means that you will want light weight, long battery life, wifi and network access and physical durability (you try being bounced around inside a backpack sometime!).

2. What do you anticipate doing the most with your computer? If mainly surfing the web, downloading music or emailing, then just about any low-powered computer will do. If you are planning to do a lot of photo or even video editing, look for something with lots of RAM, Hard drive space and good graphics (a separate video graphics card would be highly desirable.

 I recommend doing the list on a spreadsheet. The column headings would be:

 Feature (description) Priority (1-3) Options

Later, you will be able to sort according to Priority; 1 being the most important, 2 somewhat important, 3 nice-to-have.

Here's a SAMPLE LISTof features that you can use (it is not exhaustive :) )

PRICE
OPERATING SYSTEM (i.e. Windows, Mac, etc.)
MEMORY (RAM)
HARD DISK
   Capacity in Gigabytes
   RPM (speed)
   Average Throughput
RELIABILITY-DURABILITY (does it need to be rugged?)
SIZE and WEIGHT
   Weight
   Thickness
   Length xWidth
BATTERY
   Type
   Number of cells
   Time before recharge with average use
   Average life span
SCREEN
   Size
   Highest Resolution
   Type (TFT, LED backlit, Reflective, Widescreen)
   Separate Video card (for higher resolution, screen quality, improved CPU speed)
KEYBOARD
   Keys (do they allow easy typing.. for you?)
   Separate Numeric Keypad
   Windows Key (if your OS is going to be Windows)
   Delete, Ctrl, Shift & Enter keys (are they where you expect them?)
CONNECTIONS/PORTS
   Number of USB Ports
   Spacing of Ports (are the ports so close togehter you can't stick 2 thumbdrives next to each other?)
   Audio (Out)
   Microphone
  Video (VGA, SVideo out, DVI, Video in)
  Firewire
  Ethernet (network)
  Modem
SOFTWARE
  Bundled Software w/ Computer
  Purchased Software (will it really run that Adobe Photoshop you've been drooling over?)
  Software Bundle Discounts
OTHER
  Video Camera
  Built-in Speakers
  Built-in Microphone
  Universal Power Supply (so you can use it in another country)
  Warranty (length and type of coverage? Average turn around for a repair?)
  Carrying Case

Second, the best way to choose a laptop will be to actually try out the laptop before you buy it! Many people just buy one online or through ebay, only to find out it lacks something. We will discuss actually purchasing that laptop in Part 3.

How to Choose a Laptop - Part 1

Laptops are quickly replacing the venerable desktop.  It's easy to see why, you have everything you need in one compact portable unit that doesn't take up much space and can quickly be put out of sight to keep a room nice and tidy.  Yea, sure like that's the main reason a teen wants a laptop!

Why choose a laptop over a desktop?
1. cost - about the same, even less nowadays (although that may change soon)
2. compact and portable
3. uses less power
4. includes wifi
5. about the same speed, RAM memory and hard disk space
6. can even have the separate numeric keypad on the larger models
7. easy to hook up to another monitor or video projector
8. most have a built-in video camera and microphone for easy video chatting

Why  NOT choose a laptop?
1. compact and portable - easy to misplace, steal or drop!
2. batteries - short life generally, may need to be replace in 2-3 years, can be expensive
3. more sensitive to heat - although called laptops, that's not the place to put one for very long due to restricted airflow, thus overheating.  That's why after market cooler fans are so popular!
4. the ribbon from the screen to the motherboard is vulnerable and can easily be broken
5. can't add some peripherals easily like a vga card or sound card
6. the keys can be cramped for those of us with big fingers
7. the touch pad can be difficult for some to manage - although you can always hook up a usb or wireless mouse

You'll have to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, but if they do, then keep reading for Part 2 of this series.