Buying Laptop, what you need to know to buy the right one for you.

Index

• Understanding laptop specification
• Laptop Classification
• Processor (CPU)
• RAM
• Hard disk
• Graphic Processing Unit (Graphic card)
• Optical Drive/DVD writer
• Screen
• WLAN (wi-fi)/Bluetooth
• Operating system
• Additional feature
• Business laptop feature
• Speaker/Build quality
• After sales service/support
• netbook
• Task Hardware Requirement/How Much Hardware Performance You need?

Understanding Laptop specification

Every laptop catalog have specification for it’s laptop. Understanding laptop specification can help you to get the right laptop. The specification below is a typical laptop specification :-

Processor

Processor are the like the engine for a laptop, a high speed processor allow you to finish CPU intensive task faster such as video/image/audio editing, Convert video/audio to one another format, and virus scanning. Real time application such as viewing high definition flash video, CAD, PDF viewing and playing 3D game (require fast GPU as well) will perform better than smooth (without lagging).

Most of the laptop comes with Intel or AMD processor.  The current model of CPU in 2011 are as follow : -

The latest model – Second Generation Intel Core Processor, with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 (on i5 and i7 series), boosting extra performance when you need it.

Core i3/i5/i7 Intel laptop processor series, with dual core and quad core configuration plus HYPER THREADING technology which enables each core of your processor to work on two tasks at the same time. The I series processor also integrate chipset inside the CPU, gaining battery life and higher memory bandwidth. Cutting edge 32nm technology make the processor use less power and cooler. Some i5/i7 with Turbo Boost feature speed up the processor when your PC need extra performance.

Core 2 Duo are mainstream processor. The debut of Core I series processor cut the price of the laptop integrated with this processor. although not the latest model. It’s impressive CPU performance should fast enough for most people.

Core 2 Duo processor with model number start with SU are used in ultra portable. It’s has lower clock speed (less Ghz) but use less power therefore battery life are longer.
Core 2 Solo are used in ultra portable laptop. Ultra portable laptop are small and light, long battery life but mediocre performance. It has better performance than netbook with Intel Atom processor.

Fast processor is beneficial for :

• Advance Gaming
• Converting video/audio file format, render video to DVD
• Video editing
• High definition video
• File compression/decompression
• 3D animation/ video content creation

More information on Processor :-
Intel Processor Rating
How to choose the right processor – Intel

RAM

Every program running on a computer need a fast memory to hold it. Not enough RAM capacity can cause the computer to swap current program data to hard disk. Hard disk are slow memory therefore as more data swap into the hard disk the program become slow to respond. The recommended RAM capacity is 2GB or 3 to 4GB if you run many application at the same time.

DDR2/DDR3?
DDR2 and DDR3 have not much difference in terms of speed visible to user. DDR3 are newer technology and consume slightly lower power (DDR2 1.8v vs DDR3 1.5v)

64bit Windows and RAM
64 bit operating system (64bit compatible hardware required) allow beyond the boundary of 4GB ram limit, allow more than 4GB ram to be used.

Hard Disk

The hard disk store all the data. The higher capacity of a hard disk is, the more data/file you can save into the hard disk.

Hard Disk Impact Sensor/Active Protection System/Free Fall System
Business laptop like Lenovo Thinkpad, Toshiba Tecra and Dell Latitude comes with hard disk protection features. The accelerometer sensor detect any strong movement and protect the hard disk by slow down/stop the hard disk. Preventing the hard disk getting damage.

7200RPM
Recently more laptop comes with 7200rpm (rotation per minute) hard disk, these hard disk faster than 5400rpm hard disk, fast hard disk means faster boot up time, application load up time and file operation.

SSD Hard disk
SSD (Solid State Disk) is new storage technology that use FLASH MEMORY to store data. Flash memory don’t have moving parts, therefore SSD are more robust than traditional hard disk and alot more faster.  Laptop using SSD hard disk should see 15~250% performance gain on boot time, respond time and file operation.  Since SSD is still new technology, they are very expensive.

Graphic Processing Unit / Graphic card

Realistic modern game require fast GPU to get smooth playing experience

Graphic processing unit / graphic card process graphic data and display to the screen. Modern 3D game/High definition video require fast GPU, if the GPU is not fast enough you get low frame rate, which means the video/game will look lag. Imagine the video/game only have 5 frame per second, it will be very slow.

To check the laptop graphic card performance on games, check out at notebookreview.com

Optical drive/DVD-RW

Optical drive allow you to insert DVD/CD and read/write it. some ultra portable laptop doesn’t comes with DVD-RW drive.

Screen

There are various size of screen, such as 13.3, 14,15.4 and 17 inches. New LCD screen now come with LED back light, LED back light use less power and brighter than fluorescent back light. LCD screen with LED backlight also produce vibrant color and better contrast.

Glossy or Non-glossy (Matte)

Glossy screen are brighter, sharper and more vibrant color than non-glossy, but it’s reflective surface is annoying in bright places. Matte screen display are consistent in any places.  More Information Here

Wireless Connection/Wi fi/Bluetooth

All current laptop comes with wireless network adapter (wi fi/802.11 adapter) Wi Fi does have several standard. The current standard are 802.11G which allow u to transfer data up to 54mbps. The latest standard are 802.11n, the transfer speed is up to 300mbps, 802.11n is faster, longer range and more reliable than 802.11G. (802.11n adapter need to connect to a wireless N network to achieve high speed transfer)

Bluetooth
Bluetooth is mini wireless connection that let you connect device like mobile phone, printer, mouse, keyboard and camera without wire. The range is less than 10m

Operating System (Windows)

Most laptop come with pre-installed genuine operating system. The latest operating system from Microsoft is Windows 7. There are 32bit and 64bit of Windows 7. Which one is better and right for you? The 64bit version of Windows 7 can make full use of laptop RAM. Having more ram means your computer can run more program at the same time without slowing down. But 64bits of windows require 64bits drivers and anti virus. 32bit of Windows 7 have the highest compatibility but have limitation of maximum usable ram up to 3GB. More information here. Windows 7 Edition comparison

Additional feature

HDMI
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) are a port allow you to connect a HDMI cable to high definition TV or monitor and use it as display unit. HDMI can transfer image and audio in the same cable.

Switchable graphic / Nvidia Optimus
Switchable graphic / Nvidia optimus allow the laptop to choose which graphic processor to use. When doing task that need fast GPU it can switch to faster GPU for best performance, while doing normal task that doesn’t need fast GPU it can switch to lower power GPU to save power/gain battery life.

Business Laptop Feature

Fingerprint reader
Fingerprint reader are biometric security feature. Instead type in password, you swipe your finger to log in your computer, you can also save the password for web services then log in the web site with fingerprint reader. This is safer because keylogger can’t capture your password.

Intel vPro
Intel vPro technology is a suite of features allow IT administrator manage and secure laptop through wired or wireless connection. IT administrator can control/repair the laptop remotely through network connection. In case the laptop is missing/stolen, administrator can disable the laptop to prevent data fall to wrong hand. Build in AES instruction provide hardware accelerated encrypt/decrypt, secure the data and cut performance overhead for encrypt/decrypt.

Speaker, Laptop Build Quality.

Aside from the technical specification, there are other things not listed on the specification. Laptop speaker vary between models and maker. Usually multimedia laptop have better speaker. Laptop build quality also can vary between models and maker, good build quality means solid casing, quality build material, no squeaking sound when press against it and no losse part. Usually business model like Thinkpad, Latitude, Tecra and Travelmate have higher build quality than consumer model.

After Sales Service, Warranty and support

Most laptop comes with standard 1 year warranty. If your laptop got problem due to manufacture fault (damage by user not covered) in warranty period, you get repair for free. Some laptop comes with Free 3 years warranty, these laptop are highly recommended as it assure the laptop can be used for at least 3 years.

International warranty
International warranty allow you to claim warranty anywhere with the laptop maker service center in the world. If you plan to work/study oversea it’s recommended to look for international warranty.

Dell Complete Cover
Dell complete cover give comprehensive cover for your laptop including damage cause by user, If your laptop got problem or got damaged, Dell complete cover plan repair and replace the fault part for free. Dell Complete Cover

Are Netbook the one for you?

Is netbook suitable for you? Look in this article

Task hardware requirement

How much hardware performance you need? Depending what do you do with your laptop, you need hardware performance that have enough power to do the task smooth and fast. This table show you hardware requirement for certain tasks

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*4 = Playable at low/medium setting, 5= Playable at high
setting.

Recommendation

• Toshiba and Asus laptop – Reliable, most Toshiba & Asus laptop comes with 2 years warranty
• Laptop with at least 2 years warranty, best is 3 years
• Mid range laptop with Nvidia/Ati graphic processor