While I regard these gadgets as toys, probably some good advice for those looking for one.
One thing: I'll go for Intel every time.http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iArticleId=5317318Some things to consider when choosing the perfect portable
Andrew Parker 19 January 2010 at 06h00
Although the variety of computers available locally is somewhat less than one might find abroad, if you are prepared to hunt around a bit, it is still possible to find a model with impressive features at a competitive price.
Whatever you do, don't visit only one store: most are appointed agents for just a handful of brands, and typically denigrate the competition - ignore this. Do your own research, ask friends and colleagues about their experiences and search for reviews online using Google, simply inputting the brand and model number of the laptop you're considering.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE KEY ITEMS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A LAPTOP
"Ultra-portables" sacrifice features such as DVD drives, and therefore usually weigh less than 2kg. "Desktop replacements" are a heavier type of laptop using similar components to ordinary desktop computers, thus they are bulky, at 3-5kg, and have a much shorter battery life. Weary travellers will not appreciate lugging one of these about. Be sure to lift each computer you are considering and verify that it is not too heavy for you.
Make sure the battery is fitted when you do this - removing heavy batteries is an old trick employed by laptop sales staff. Remember to consider the weight of any required extra accessories in your bag, such as the power supply unit.
PROCESSOR (CPU)
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is essentially a computer's "brain" and is the most important component in any computer. The market is dominated by two CPU manufacturers, Intel and AMD. Intel is more established, but while the competition between these two is fierce, the real-world differences are often slim.
CPUs made for laptops often lag behind the larger desktop CPUs in the performance stakes, but they make up for that with energy efficiency. To choose the right CPU, consider the purpose of the system. For web browsing, e-mail, word processing and watching DVDs, any modern CPU will suffice.
For basic home-computing use, an Intel Celeron-branded CPU is adequate, but an Intel Core 2 class or AMD Athlon would be a better choice if you intend to use all the features of the latest software such as Windows 7. Frustratingly, Intel re-badges and change the names of its processor ranges on a whim. Wading through its marketing hype is not easy, so note down the specification of whatever you are considering before Googling.
I sometimes refer to a guide at
www.geek.com/laptop-processors, which keeps an updated list of what to expect in a current laptop. I'm also happy to answer questions via
online@intech.co.za - but I can take a while, depending on how many of you ask. Don't disregard some of the older laptop models still on the market: they might be marked down but adequate for your needs.
However, when choosing between older stock running Windows Vista and newer models with Windows 7, choose Windows 7 if you can afford to - it's a much better operating system.
MEMORY (RAM)
Simple rule: get as much RAM as you can afford, as it is expensive to upgrade later. At least 3 gigabytes is recommended; anything less than that and performance may suffer.
SCREEN
When purchasing a laptop, ask the salesman to set the screen to its "native resolution". Text should appear very crisp with no visible fuzziness. Test the screen yourself! Standard font sizes on high-resolution screens are often too small for some people to read comfortably.
