What features should I look for when buying a new laptop?

Question

What features should I look for when buying a new laptop?

Answer 1

For Vista, look at the MS requirements…and double it at least and make sure it's certified. Triple if you can afford…then Vista should rock your socks. If you learn how to use it, Vista features and technology blows XP away…when it works. ;) You want it to last so get 64-bit Vista Home Premium or Ultimate.



But if you have old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version). Vista compatibility list wiki here:

http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List

You have to know a bit about computers to get them to work (for those old programs that have problems and IF there is a solution. Internet has a lot of solutions that smart people share).



Ultimate is the best but if you don’t think you need anything that fancy, Home Premium is good too. Get a good video card if you want Aero graphics (at least 256MB 128-bit in the newer cards). Better if you can afford.



Recent release of Service Pack 1 made things better and more compatible with hardware. Unfortunately, Microsoft marketing made people think it will work with old computers but it’s very risky so that’s why there are so many problems. It’s too far ahead in technology and requires new hardware and too many manufacturers sell cheap computers that don’t run Vista good.



Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in a new activity known as “disk caching”. The computer determines which files will be accessed most and copies it to RAM (where it is much faster than accessing your hard disk). This includes components of the programs you use on a regular basis. When you need more RAM for programs you launch, etc. the computer purges the “least likely used” files from RAM to make room. That’s why if you look at the performance monitor, Vista always has near zero “free” RAM. So in theory, the more RAM (for disk cache) you have, the faster your computer will operate.



Vista Home Premium and Ultimate has Media Center, where with a TV card/USB adapter (if not integrated) of the type that fits your TV, acts similar to an advanced TiVo. You can play your videos, schedule recordings, etc. As an added bonus, you can get a wireless keyboard / mouse or gyro-mouse and it will be sort of like remote control.



Deals of America and Tech Bargains catch good deals on HP and Dell’s and sometimes you can get like $500 off! XPBargains has deals on Tablet PC’s!

http://www.dealsofamerica.com/

http://www.techbargains.com/

http://www.xpbargains.com/best_deal.php/tablet_pc_deals.htm

 

Unless you are an artist, most Universities (and programs) as well as the rest of the world use Windows. WinMacs are popular (of the 7% of Mac users…5 of 7 are WinMac’ers).

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11

But for the price, Macs don’t run Windows as well as other brands.



Macs are durable because many have an accelerometer in there that can "increase the chance" of saving your hard drive when you drop it. Like those used in airbags. The power cord is also magnetically attached so it reduces the chance that you yank it off the table.



OSXMacs can exclusively install Final Cut Pro (which is good for media work). Adobe CS is also good and available for Windows but works better on a OSX. The Windows version actually looks like an OSX port.



Most Mac users eventually use Windows on it however. (of the 7% of Mac users…5 out of 7 are WinMac’ers)

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11

I would suspect that many OSX keepers are artists as usual. Emotion workers are generally not as good with computers as logic workers so OSX's are good for them.



Windows runs better on windows machines of course, but sometimes it doesn't really matter that much to most users.



Mac Pros:

OSX stability

OSX is easy to use

Dual-bootable to Windows

More durable than many brands

Trendy



Mac Cons:

Not as much peripheral support

Not as much software support

Windows doesn’t run as good

Expensive

Minority: currently Only 7% use Macs [2% OSX, 5% WinMac] (91% use Windows)



PC Pros:

More customizable

More choices

More styles

Cheap hardware

Vista has best gaming capability (DX10)



PC Cons:

Less stable (unless you are an IT pro)

Many are relatively not as fashionable

Not as user-friendly

Some extra features in Windows requires advanced knowledge to use

The extra features require better hardware despite your use of them or not



Details of features can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X



Some brand statistics: In terms of recent sales, top 3 manufacturers are HP, Dell, and Acer (Gateway). Apple is #4 in USA.

http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2008/04/24/mac-q1-2008-market-share-3-26-percent-worldwide-6-26-percent-in-the-us.aspx

Answer 2

If you want an all around then you should get a gaming laptop which is fast.



Get core 2 duo

2 gigs of ram for games

Good video card with 250 mb is possible

500 GB for Games (SATA)

Sound card

Good Speakers (of course it is already in the laptop)

Sturdy

And BATTERY LIFE - VERY important and if you can get a second battery

Answer 3

A Core 2 Duo processor (not Dual Core)

At least 2GB of RAM

At least 160GB of HDD space

An NVIDIA graphics chipset if you really want to play games

Answer 4

Bonjour, To choose the right notebook--one with the right set of features at the right price--you'll need to figure out how you'll want to use your machine. Match your needs to one of these user profiles to get started. User types: Home user | Student | Frequent flier | Business power user | Multimedia author or gamer Home user Home users are increasingly turning to notebooks as their primary PCs; they like that laptops can offer similar performance and features to those of a desktop PC and can be easily moved from room to room. Though of course almost any notebook will do for typical home use, there are two types of notebooks most suitable for home users: midsize notebooks, which tend to be budget-friendly, and desktop replacements, which are usually packed with features. Key Features AMD Turion 64, AMD Turion 64 X2, Intel Core Duo, or Intel Core 2 Duo At least 1GB of memory Large hard drive for storing digital photos and video 14.1-inch display or larger Fixed or swappable DVD burner Wired and wireless networking Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Apple Mac OS X » Back to top Student Students and others on a tight budget should look for a laptop that delivers the most bang for the buck. In particular, students need a notebook that is small and light enough to lug back and forth across campus but rugged enough to withstand bouncing around in a backpack. Key Features AMD Turion 64, AMD Turion 64 X2, Intel Core Duo, or Intel Core 2 Duo At least 1GB of memory Big hard drive to hold all those MP3s DVD burner for backups and class projects Wired and wireless networking for network-equipped classrooms and dorm rooms Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Apple Mac OS X » Back to top Frequent flier If you spend a lot of time on the road, size and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook--even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features. The smallest and lightest notebooks, ultraportables, weigh less than four pounds and are no thicker than a spiral-bound notebook. Key Features AMD Turion 64, AMD Turion 64 X2, Intel Core Solo, or Intel Core Duo At least 1GB of memory A 13.3-inch display or smaller Wired and wireless networking Extended battery for those cross-country flights Media slice or external CD-RW/DVD drive Port replicator for the desk Microsoft Windows Vista Business » Back to top Business power user If you rely on the same notebook at work, at home, and on the road, you need a well-balanced system. And it has to deliver the performance to keep up with a wide range of applications. A thin-and-light is just the ticket. Key Features AMD Turion 64 X2 or Intel Core 2 Duo At least 1GB of memory, preferably 2GB for Windows Vista Midsize hard drive A 14-inch or 15.4-inch display Dual-layer DVD burner Wired and wireless networking Extra battery Microsoft Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate » Back to top Multimedia author or gamer If you demand more from a notebook, you'll need a true desktop replacement. Whether you're designing a Web site, editing home movies, or mowing down aliens, your notebook will demand a powerful processor, plenty of memory, great graphics, and a healthy hard drive. Key Features AMD Turion 64 X2, Intel Core 2 Duo, or Intel Core 2 Extreme 2GB or more of memory A 15.4-inch display or larger Advanced graphics card with 256MB or 512MB of its own memory or dual SLI graphics The largest and fastest hard drive available Dual-layer DVD burner, possibly HD-DVD or Blu-Ray compatible Multimedia connectors, such as S-Video, HDMI, FireWire, S/PDIF External keyboard and mouse Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, or Apple Mac OS I hope this helps you plus if you need any more info than please go to the below mentioned link

Answer 5

If you want something to play the latest games on, your going to be spending $1000+. I'm a gamer, and the one I have I bought 2.5yrs ago for $2999.00 still will play most if not all game out today. If you are not going to play FPS or Simulator games then you should be able to find one for $1000 to $2000. Mine is a DELL, they are great laptops, and if you buy a Apple/MAC and are going to play games on it then you will pay more for the games, if you can find the ones you want for sale in a MAC version. They don't make a MAC ver of all PC games. If you are not going to play these type of computer games then the processor, video card, and memory do not matter that much.If it's mainly for school work, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Hope this helps

Answer 6

Widescreen monitor with glossy finish



Dual core processor



Minimum 2GB RAM



Separate graphics card



Minimum 80GB hard drive



Wireless card and DVD burner (standard on most)



My favourite brands are Asus and Sony.



Buy a USB laptop mouse to save wear and tear on tack pad.

Answer 7

You want at least



dual core processor (amd/intel dont matter)

2 GB ram

100 gig harddisk

graphic cared depends on wether you are a gamer or just want to watch dvd's on it.



Aprox 700 $ for above config.

Answer 8

Make sure it isn't a Dell. Try a Mac they are really dependable!

Answer 9

one that works

Answer 10

Core Duo with max cache memory.

Min 2 Gb ram

and nvidia, graphic card having its own memory.

High defination lcd, bright or not its ur choice.

Dvd R/RW dual layer.

Wifi

Bluetooth.

Built in web cam

and good battery.

Any model u see just check the review on http://www.notebookreview.com/



Hp DV series is quite good.

well i am having a HP nc8430.

Answer 11

Good quality