Are you looking to buy a new laptop computer? With so many laptop models available in the market today, with each sporting many different features, choosing what kind of laptop to buy can be confusing. You need to consider carefully just what kind of laptop you should get before you take out your credit card. In this way, you know you will end up with a machine that is just perfect for your needs.
Your needs are what you must take into consideration when you go out to buy a laptop. Many people have different uses for their laptops. Some get laptops that they can work with while traveling. Some just want a machine that will replace their desktops and give them the mobility that their desktops cannot possibly give. Some look at their laptops as extensions of their home entertainment systems or use them for intensive gaming. Before you buy a laptop, you need to determine first the purpose for which you will use it.
People who need to be on the road or in the air a lot business executives, journalists and freelance consultants, to name just a few need a laptop that is easy to carry, does not use up power so much and is small enough to be used conveniently in cramped seats on the train or in an airplane. If you are going to do a lot of traveling, these factors should count a lot when you choose your new laptop. You will be lugging this machine a lot, so it would be great for your body if your laptop is small and ultra-light. And because you would be moving a lot, you should choose a laptop that has a long battery life or is low on power consumption. It would be horrible to find your computer shutting down on you while you are in the middle of something, and you either do not have extra battery packs or far away from a place wherein you can plug in your computer.
The typical laptop computer used by travelers is a machine that weighs no less than four pounds and has a 12-inch screen measured diagonally. The size of the hard disk may be too small and limited for you, so it is important that the laptop you will use for traveling has a built-in DVDCD-RW combination drive. This will adequately address your storage needs. The capacity for wireless networking is also necessary in ultra-light laptops, in case you want to access the Internet while you are on the go.
If size and weight are important factors that travelers should look at when buying a laptop, power and performance come first for the gamer. Laptop computers that are meant to be used by gamers are packed with a large-size hard drive, memory that is 512MB or more, a powerful video card and sound card, a built-in DVDCD-RW, networking capabilities and a widescreen display. Most of the popular computer games today are power-gobblers that can stretch the performance of a computer to its limit; a gaming laptop should be able to meet the resource demands of these power-hungry computer games. Also, laptop computers that can be used for gaming are also great extensions of a persons home theater and entertainment system.
When you choose a laptop for your gaming needs, it does not really matter if the machine is light enough or has a long battery life. You would not be carrying it around a lot and it is highly likely that it will be plugged to a main power source all the time.
A laptop that shall be used at home or in the office is often a toss-up between size and power. Just like a gaming laptop, a laptop that shall be used primarily for business or home computing must have a wide screen around 15 to 17 inches. A wide screen is easy on the eyes, and if this is the kind of computer that you need, you would be looking at it a lot. It does not have to be as powerful as a gaming laptop, but it nonetheless needs to be powerful enough so that digital manipulation and PowerPoint presentations would not be difficult for you to do. Having the basic multimedia capabilities would be welcome as well.
It is likely that the laptop you will be buying for your office or home computing needs is something that will replace your desktop computer. Desktop computers often have features and capabilities that laptops can only have as external peripherals connected through USB. Here is a handy tip you can use when looking for a laptop that is supposed to replace your desktop computer: If the laptop weighs more than three kilograms with all its peripherals plugged in, then you should not be looking for a laptop. What you need is a new desktop.
Choose your laptop wisely according to your own computing needs.
Gaming Laptops - The Five Essential Features To Consider When Buying A Gaming Laptop
Gone are the days when you would have been laughed at if you walked into an all-night LAN party carrying your trusty laptop and expecting to hang with the giant computer towers standing at everyones feet. The gaming laptop computers of today sport huge, crisp LCD screens, cutting-edge video cards and full-size keyboards. Not only can these gaming laptop computers hang with the standard clunky computer tower, but they can also be ordered fully custom to meet the exact specifications of any gamer.
Since there are so many customizable components in these laptops, a standard practice has been to create what some call a system builder. This is the page where you get to add and subtract components through drop-down menus in order to create the best gaming laptop computer for your needs and your budget. This type of page can be overwhelming to someone just starting the gaming laptop shopping process, but it is very manageable if you take it just one component at a time.
The Gaming Laptop GPU
This is the heart of a gaming laptop computer. The GPU graphics processing unit is a component that will make or break your gaming experience. If your GPU isnt up to snuff, your games wont play.
Without getting into specific models since they change all the time, the key is that the graphics card not share resources with the computer. A gaming laptop video card must have its own memory on board. Generally speaking, standard off-the-shelf laptops will not have this feature. The two current makers of laptop video cards are nVIDIA and ATI.
Without the Screen, You Dont Have Much
What good is a gaming laptop without a screen that can actually render your games? Now certainly, you can connect an external monitor, but if you cant actually play on your gaming laptop without that external monitor, then your laptop isnt all that mobile.
While the technology and terminology for LCDs (liquid crystal displays) could take up an entire article in itself, there are a few key points to keep in mind when choosing from available LCD options for your new gaming laptop computer: native resolution, aspect ratio, rise and fall time, contrast, viewing angle, and size.
Native Resolution. The native resolution is simply the setting at which your screen will render the clearest images. Since games are constantly in motion, slightly soft edges may not bother most gamers, but keep in mind that while this is your gaming laptop, you will likely also use it for other things like surfing the Internet. If the resolution isnt comfortable, you arent going to enjoy using it.
Aspect Ratio. As you probably know, a movie theater screen and a TV screen have different proportions. Likewise, there are widescreen format gaming laptops and there are laptops that have a standard aspect ratio like that of a TV. A widescreen format gaming laptop has advantages and disadvantages. Many games today do not have a widescreen mode. This means that the game may stretch across the screen and become distorted or you may run it with black bars that fill in the sides. There are ways to get around this, but if you want an out of the box perfect experience, the widescreen format may not be for you.
That said, a widescreen LCD does offer plenty of screen real estate for web surfing and other type of computer activities, and a game played in a wide format setting offers an expansive field of view. For this reason, there are some very loyal widescreen-loving gamers out there.
Do your best to find a balance between current and future technology and what your computer habits are beyond gaming. Even with its limitations, the widescreen format is found on most of the best gaming laptop computers.
Rise and Fall. The phrase rise and fall time is used to describe how fast the LCD can respond to changes. In the past, LCDs have been plagued with the inability to render images as fast as computer games can spit them out. This presents a major problem for laptop gamers because if they cant see the images properly, they cant play the game properly. This lag can mean the difference between playing to win and barely playing.
Fortunately, gaming laptop LCDs have come a long way and they are only getting better. While once it was impossible to game on a laptop screen, the gaming laptop LCDs of today offer 25 milliseconds or less rise and fall time while generally off-the-shelf laptops have 40 milliseconds or less rise and fall time.
Contrast. If a gaming laptop LCD has poor contrast, that means that the black areas arent quite as black as they should be and the white areas arent quite as white. This is important to a laptop gamer because you have to see the game properly as it was intended to be seen in order to compete effectively. Look for a contrast ratio of 400:1 or higher in a custom gaming laptop computer.
Viewing Angle. This is an often-overlooked LCD feature, but it must be considered if you are building a gaming laptop computer. Many high quality LCDs on the market are difficult to see clearly at any angle other than straight on and at the right height. This can be a big drawback to gaming on a LCD screen because a screen with poor viewing angles wont allow others to watch the screen as you play and also hurts your view when doing something as simple as adjusting your seating, which can require you to then adjust to position of your laptop screen to see it properly again.
But gaming on a laptop does not mean that you are doomed to have poor viewing angles. There are LCDs on the market that have amazing viewing angles up to 120 degrees. These screens not only allow gaming onlookers, but they also allow you to use that giant, crisp screen to do things like play movies and even make presentations.
Size. In a gaming laptop computer, size is everything. Most gaming laptops are large, robust pieces of electronics. Having a machine of this stature means you also get to have a large screen. The best gaming laptop computer LCD screens out there are at least 15 inches. A crowd favorite is a 17 inch widescreen (even with the challenges that widescreens present). Largr 19 inch laptop screens are just starting to be talked about with consumers expecting to see 19 inch or even large models on the market in the near future.
The best way to really get a feel for what laptop LCDs are all about is to take a trip to a local box store and play with the LCDs on the display laptops while keeping in mind what you have read here. While these laptops are not custom gaming laptops, you can see what the sizes really look like, what different resolutions look like, and what the viewing angles truly are so you can start to develop your own preferences.
The RAM What Type and How Much?
The RAM (random access memory) found in laptops is called SODIMM (small outline dual inline memory module). The RAM is responsible for your processing power. If you are shopping for a custom gaming laptop, you will generally be offered DDR2 RAM with the choice of how much you want in your computer. Most high-end games being released today need 1GB of RAM for optimum, lag-free game play. Some people are going with 2GB to ensure that they can run multiple applications along with the game and not experience any slow down in response time. This is a large investment and you want to be able to use this gaming laptop for some time in the future. Most custom laptops are user upgradeable, but this should be left up to professionals.
The CPU Not Just Mobile Technology
The CPUs (central processing units) found in many custom gaming laptops are identical to those found in desktops. These chips require a great deal of cooling power, which in turn can make your laptop louder than light weight, lower power ultra portables when the fans kick on and it can become somewhat warm to the touch. Dont be alarmed by this it is normal. And with these desktop processors comes screaming power! Dont waste your money on the latest CPU release that likely has an inflated price tag (and that price will likely come down before long). Stick with a current CPU speed that is offered by a reputable custom gaming laptop reseller, and you really cant go wrong.
The Gaming Laptop Hard Drive
This is the final component to consider when building a gaming laptop. Laptop hard drives come in a variety of speeds and capacities ranging from 4200 to 7200 RPMs and 40 to over 100 GBs. For the most part, this is user preference. Whenever possible, go for a 7200 RPM hard drive, but if you need a capacity not offered in this speed, its okay to go for the 5400 RPM drive. Take a look at your current computer, and buy your capacity based on this. Also keep in mind that with many custom gaming laptop manufacturers, you have the ability to upgrade or add another hard drive at a later date.
At the end of the day, gaming laptop computers are all about power. Dont expect a twelve-pound notebook with a desktop processor, numerous fans, a giant heatsink, and independent video card to last on battery power all that long. But do make sure to enjoy the jawdrops that youll get as you walk into your regular LAN party location with your new, screaming-fast gaming laptop computer. Crack that puppy open, fire it up, and stand clear of the drool as you take on your favorite game with fellow gamers gathered around to take in the action. Gaming is not just for desktops anymore!
Buying a laptop is a commitment! Once you buy it, you cant decide to change or upgrade any part of the system, as doing so is impractical in terms of cost and time. So plan before buying a laptop, and make sure its a fully loaded model that is up to date.
One of the important features of a laptop is its memory. While most laptops come with a 128 MB memory, its wise to invest in more memory such as a system memory (RAM) of 256 MB or even better, 512 MB, for the easier running of programs under Windows ME, Windows XP, and others. After all, the more memory the merrier!
Another main feature of a laptop is its port. A port is a slot through which external material such as microphones and cameras are connected. Laptops come with a serial port, infrared, parallel, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. Most external equipment correspond with different ports, which is why there are several types of ports in a laptop. However, it is best to opt for at least two USBs, as this is fast becoming the most popular of ports.
CD-ROM drives are not a standard feature of laptops, but it is best to have one installed, as most software comes in CDs these days. Even better would be to install a DVD-ROM drive, which can be used to read CD-ROMs too. A DVD-RW drive is capable of writing and rewriting CDs and DVDs. Also, when on a lengthy trip, having a DVD drive means you can check out your favourite DVD!
Laptops come with internal modems or external PC card-based modems for ready Internet access. The majority of new laptops even come with modules for wireless networking, like Apples laptops which are Wi-Fi compatible.
Input devices in a laptop range from the Touchpad to the Pointing Stick. A Touchpad is located beneath the spacebar on the laptop keyboard. It is touch sensitive; use your fingers on the Touchpad to move the cursor across the screen. The Pointing Stick is a rubber nub set in the laptop keyboard, and can be used to navigate the cursor by applying pressure with your index finger, similar to using a joystick. You can also plug in a standard mouse should you feel the need to do so.
There are a staggering number of laptop brands in the market today, so choosing that perfect laptop suited to your needs is no problem at all!
The Toshiba Portege R100 is a laptop specially designed for the mobile professional. With a striking appearance, bright screen, and integrated webcam, the Sony TR3A Vaio Ultraportable Laptop is the perfect travel partner. The Sony Vaio X505 is super thin, and uses carbon-fiber for its chassis, making it shock-free and robust. The Panasonic Toughbook Y2 Ultraportable incorporates a number of computer features in a portable and durable design, and pays special attention to battery life. For an excellent Multimedia feature set and attractive design, the Dell Inspiron 700M Notebook fits the bill.
Take your pick!
Laptop bags come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but nothing says style and sophistication like leather. The luxurious smell and rich feel of leather simply can't be beaten, and the impression it leaves with other people is subtly unrivaled.
More importantly, a leather bag can provide the best protection for a laptop. After all, that wireless Bluetooth connectivity, 80 GB of hard drive space, powerful processor, and 15 inch display cost a bundle, it only makes sense to shell out a few additional pounds to safeguard that technology. The cheap bags that are often included free with the purchase of a laptop purchase are a perfect example of getting what is paid for. Even heavy-duty nylon construction provides limited protection compared to the natural cushioning a high-quality leather bag possesses.
Premier leather laptop bags are going to be well stitched and constructed with the finest materials. There's no reason to worry about the bottom seam spontaneously failing, allowing the computer to slip out. Furthermore, the leather itself acts as an additional layer of padding to protect the notebook from impact, not counting any actual protective padding sewn into the bag. This padding is particularly reinforced at the bottom of the bag, which cushions the laptop against potential harm with each and every time it is placed down on a surface.
Leather is, of course, not without it's drawbacks. The one burden of leather is that some care is required for it to maintain its supple texture and luster. There are a number of ways to take care of leather, including spraying it with water repellent when it is first bought. The leather should also be cleaned regularly, conditioned, and protected with lubricants and oils to prevent it from hardening, drying out, or otherwise becoming damaged by age. This extra chore is inconsequential compared to the joy of owning a premier bag to carry and protect a computer.
Because of the popularity and commonality of laptops in modern society, the price and selection have switched places. While selection has exploded, prices have steadily dropped, suddenly putting laptop ownership into the budgets of unprecedented numbers of people. This trend means that it is now possible walk into nearly any specialty leather store, department store, or even an office superstore and find good quality leather laptop bags that will fit any taste and budget.