Before You Buy A Notebook Computer

Do you need a notebook computer or do you just want one? Notebook computers can be the ideal office solution for mobile business people, as you no longer need to sacrifice functionality for portability. Today's notebooks are powerful enough and feature packed enough to completely replace your desktop computer. But before you buy a notebook, consider these key buying factors.

Notebook Price

Notebook computers are still expensive compared to desktop computers. You pay a premium for being able to pack your office around with you. And unlike PC desktop computers, notebooks are not easily upgradeable with interchangeable components. If you buy a notebook computer, you need to choose one that has exactly all the features that you want.

Notebook Battery Life

While notebook computers promise mobility, it's not unrestricted mobility. If you plan to use your notebook computer "unplugged" frequently, pay close attention to the notebook's battery average run time. Some notebooks only have a battery average run time of 2 hours, which means you could be spending a lot of time waiting for your notebook to recharge. Look for notebook computers that offer dual battery options.

Notebook Display Type

Notebook computer screens use LCD, so you want to be sure you choose a notebook computer that has an active matrix display (also known as TFT), which gives a brighter display which can be viewed from an angle. The alternative, passive matrix display, gives a dimmer view and has to be viewed head on to be seen.

Notebook Display Size

Many notebook computers, especially ultraportables, have fairly small display screens. Only you can determine how small a notebook computer display screen you like, but for most people, an LCD display needs to be 14" or larger to be viewed comfortably at XGA (1024 x 768) resolution (which is the preferred resolution for Windows).

Notebook Connectivity

You'll be hard pressed to find a notebook computer that doesn't let you surf the 'Net or read your email, but what about connecting to your company's network or to a television to display images during a presentation? Be sure the notebook computer you choose has an integrated network interface card, docking port, and/or S-video out port if you need these kinds of connectivity.

Notebook Power

A notebook's speed and power, li

ke any desktop computer's, is determined by its processor and memory. You'll need a notebook computer with a Pentium 3 processor or equivalent running 750 MHz or faster to run standard business applications. And the notebook will have to have at least 256 MB to run Windows XP or Mac OS X. Otherwise, it's a question of how much speed and power you want to pay for.