Laptops, also known as notebooks, are versatile, portable,
come in a range of sizes and boast different levels of
features. So, how do you find the laptop that's right for
your needs? Just follow our buying guide on notebook
computers.
CONSIDER THE SIZE OF YOUR LAPTOP
How often are you likely to be carrying your laptop? Are
you after a notebook to play games and run graphics-
intensive programs like photo editing software? Generally
speaking, laptops with more features are less portable.
Lightweight and ultra-portable notebooks are a great
option for people like students who need to carry
them everywhere, as they range from under 2kg up to
4kg
Midsize and desktop-replacement laptops offer more
features and are better suited to gaming and graphics-
intensive programs like video and photo editing. They
range from around 3kg to 5kg
BRAIN SPEED – THE FASTER, THE BETTER
Processors are often referred to as the "brains" of a
laptop because they determine how fast your computer
functions. The speed of the processor is measured in GHz
(gigahertz). It's always safest to go with the fastest you
can afford.
THE GRUNT
RAM (Random Access Memory) helps your processor
perform tasks by acting as a temporary storage point.
In short, the more RAM you have, the more programs
you can keep open at once, and the faster your
computer will go
Our laptops range between 2GB and 16GB of RAM
A graphics (or video) card acts as a separate
processor for rendering the images on the screen
Graphics cards draw on their own RAM, so the
computer's performance is not impeded
This is important for graphics-intensive programs,
such as games and movies.
STORE IT IN THE HARD DRIVE
The hard drive is where your computer stores your files.
Storage capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB)
The more GB, the more files you can fit. If you want to
store large files like high-quality photos, movies or
music you should aim for a range between 500GB and
3TB
A laptop used solely for Internet, email and minimal
image storage should get away with 250GB or less.
HOW LONG DOES THE BATTERY LAST?
Typical laptop battery life is between three to five hours.
If you're travelling and away from a power source for
extended periods of time, then consider laptop computers
with a battery life of over five hours.
CONNECTING YOUR LAPTOP TO OTHER DEVICES
Consider the devices that you want to connect your laptop
to. Multiple USB ports are necessities for iPods, digital
cameras and external hard drives; also look for FireWire
ports.
For connecting to monitors and projectors, look for a
VGA connection at minimum. Aim for a DVI, HDMI or
DisplayPort as well
Integrated wireless networking (Wi-Fi) will allow you
to connect to a range of different networks without
needing any wires or cords.
CONSIDER THESE "USABILITY" FACTORS
Laptops usually come with a pointing stick or a touch
pad instead of a mouse. Make sure that you're
comfortable using them
Also check that the layout and size of the keyboard is
easy to use, and that the screen size suits your needs
If you're planning on working outside, check that there
is a matte screen option to reduce glare
If you are switching from PC to Apple, or vice versa, it's
important to note that Apple products have different
shortcuts and a different look and feel to using them.
However, making the switch either way is quite easy.
MATCH YOUR LIFESTYLE
Home and Business : Surf the net, work on multiple
documents, watch movies, and manage your family
photos and music.
Size: Look for a portable laptop under 4kg
Memory: Aim for the most memory you can, upwards
of 250GB
Connectivity: Multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi, Firewire and a
DVI or HDMI
Students and Travellers: Store your photos, music and
videos, surf the Net and work on graphics-intensive
programs, like photo editing.
Size: Choose an ultra-portable notebook under 2kg
Grunt: Look for a processor of at least 2GHz and 2GB
RAM
Screen: Look for a matte screen to reduce glare when
outdoors
Gamers: You'll need a fast, powerful machine to play your
favourite games wherever you are in the world.
Size: Choose a larger screen, like a 15.6-inch one
Graphics: Add a separate graphics card with at least
1GB RAM
Connectivity: HDMI, multiple USB, eSATA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
SIMPLE LAPTOP CHOICES
Size: Smaller laptops are easier to carry around. Do you
need a big screen?
Battery life : How long will you and your notebook be away
from a power source?
Storage: Notebooks with bigger hard drives can store
more files, including photos and video.
OTHERS:
Connect it: What devices (cameras etc) do you want to
connect? How many ports will you need to connect them
all at once?
Graphics cards: A must-do upgrade for gamers and those
editing photos.
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