I am getting a new laptop for Christmas. My current laptop is now four years old and is plagued with old age problems and I have neither the time, money or patience to keep fixing it and replacing parts.
My new laptop will have all the things I need to use it for college and light personal use. The main factors I will soon have to consider when buying a new laptop are:
#1: Operating system
Windows is the most common operating system so stick with that. Vista Basic or Home Premium will do fine and don't fall into the trap of thinking the OS will actually make much of a difference in your life. For word processing and surfing the web anything will realistically do but stick to Windows.
#2: CPU
Laptops with an insufficient CPU could leave you with a PC that takes seven to eight minutes to fully boot into Windows, provides minimal battery life, and can’t reasonably power the applications you use, ie multiple word processing programs and multiple browsers.
From what I have looked at Intel’s new Core 2 Duo CPU should do the trick. In addition to packing considerable processing power, these chips use less energy (resulting in improved battery life) and generate less heat than previous Pentium CPUs.
#3: RAM
Vista needs 2 GB of RAM to function without slowing down. 1 GB is just not enough. Running multiple Office programs, surfing the web and checking e-mails all take their toll. Picture or sound editing would also require 2GB of RAM so that you don't grow old waiting for your laptop to unfreeze.
#4: Ports
People assume that any modern laptop computer has numerous USB ports, as well as VGA, DVI, serial, and parallel ports, although many don't have a clue what they are. Those same users may learn a painful lesson; increasingly, in another effort at managing costs, laptop manufacturers are reducing the number of ports found on their PCs.
Budget notebook computers often ship with only a pair of USB ports, with no serial, parallel, or DVI ports and only a single VGA port (if a video port is even included). When purchasing a laptop, review the model’s technical specifications and make sure that the chassis includes the ports you require. The proper ports could mean the difference between a frustrating useless laptop and your best friend in the world.
#5: Screen size
Models with 12-inch displays are much easier to carry from home to college and from lecture to lecture. They’re also much lighter. The bigger they are the more power they use which drains more battery. If a small screen is too small I could always hook it up to a big monitor when at home (assuming I have the right ports therefore see previous point :) )
Screen size also determines the size of the keyboard. If a small keyboard gives you typers cramp then get wired or wireless keyboard to use when typing up those burdensome essays
#6: Integrated wireless
An integrated wireless adaptor is vital and should be standard. Unfortunately I saw one the one day in PC World that didn't have one; but then it was a brand I never heard of so maybe that's why. In general your unlikely to find a laptop without one but just make sure
#7: Integrated Bluetooth
This may seem like a luxury but soon it will a must have feature. More and more things are using Bluetooth to connect to your laptop: speakers, mouses, keyboards, phones cameras. Soon wires are going to go the way of the dodo completely and many devices will use Bluetooth to Wring the Dodos neck (continuing that metaphor a little too far? lol)
#8: Battery life
Battery life will be so important to me. A long battery life will remove the necessity of getting a laptop seat in the library. It will also be vital when using the laptop in lectures. Don't take the word of the manufacturers when it say x number of hours. Check with the people in the shop (usually the technical people behind the desk and not the sales assistants) if it is a good battery or not. A laptop battery has a number of "cells" in it. most laptops come with 6 or 9 cells but some have 12. The ones with 12 will last so much longer.
#9: Brand
This may be the most important factor to consider. It is almost always better to get a well trusted big brand when dealing with electronics. The after care service will be much better and the warranties are longer and more inclusive. The better brands cost more but will last longer.
Summary: All these factors are important but cost will ultimately determine which is bought. The amount of money you have to spend will determine how many of these other factors you can fulfil and to what extent. Balancing the best specifications with the money available is the true challenge.
