Notebook computers

A notebook (or laptop) computer gives you the opportunity to take your computer with you. And running off a battery means you can use it without a mains power supply. They can be great for those with limited space, because when not in use they can be put away. The downside is that they are prone to mistreatment, are more expensive than similarly equipped desktops, and are not as upgradable or expandable.

If you’re looking for a notebook computer these are the main things to consider:

Weight

Modern notebook computers weigh from around 2.5 kg, even fully equipped.

Screen

There are two choices: TFT (thin film transistor), commonly known as active matrix, or the less expensive passive matrix displays. Newer technologies including double-layer super-twist nematic (DSTN), colour super-twist nematic (CTSN) and high performance addressing (HPA) screens mean passive matrix has got a lot better, but an active-matrix display is still the only one which allows you to see what’s on the screen from a wide angle.

Battery

Expect to get two to four hours use from a fully charged battery. Lithium-Ion batteries offer longer life than NiMH or NiCad batteries, and have become the standard.

Pointing device

Notebooks generally include a trackpoint or trackpad. Trackpoints are buttons between the G and H keys of the keyboard. You push the button in the direction you want the cursor to move. Trackpads sit in front of the keyboard and you move your finger across the surface to move the pointer.

Connections

Look for a laptop which includes one or more USB ports. Notebooks usually have ‘PC Card’ slots which can be used to connect a modem or to a network. Some have built-in modems.

Processor

This is an area where notebook users have to make sacrifices. Because of the need for low power use, notebooks don’t offer the same processor speeds as desktop computers. You should look around the 300 MHz mark with a Pentium II, Celeron or AMD K6-2. Intel have just released notebook version 400 MHz Pentium II and Celeron chips for those who need top speed.

Memory

As with a desktop computer you should aim for 64 Mb. It’s worth checking what a memory upgrade would cost, some can be very expensive if they require special parts.

Disk drives

Most notebooks have at least 4 Gb, this should really be considered a minimum.
You’ll need a CD-ROM drive for loading software, and a floppy disk drive is useful for backing-up. With some notebooks you’ll need to swap between the floppy disk drive and the CD-ROM drive, because they share the same ‘bay’ in the computer. This isn’t as convenient as having both available at the same time.

Audio

Most notebooks include sound capabilities and small speakers for multimedia applications.

Software

Most PCs come with Windows 98 and a range of useful programs – which is handy because they can be expensive to buy separately.