This basic guide will help steer you through the most important decisions to make while selecting your new notebook.
What sort of applications will you be using If you will be playing 3D games or using any 3D applications like CAD, you want a system with a dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU) as opposed to an integrated graphics processor (IGP). If you will not be running 3D applications or games, then a notebook with integrated graphics will save you money and have better battery life.
Will it be moved around a lot If so, size and weight should be the deciding factor of your buying decision. The size difference between 15.4", 14.1", and 13.3" systems may not seem like much on paper, but size can have a large impact on your ownership experience. 14.1" system or smaller is recomended, since the smaller footprint is better suited for a lot of travel. The drawback is that smaller systems, particularly sub-13.3", carry a price premium.
If you are not planning on moving the notebook around much, a larger system may be more to your liking with a bigger screen and more features/options available due to the added space. 17" and larger systems are capable of being equipped with very powerful GPUs and high-resolution screens.
Specific requirements Check that the notebook has the appropriate input/output port before you buy it. Know the requirements of any such programs and adjust your hardware configuration requirements accordingly.
What screen type, size and resolution Widescreen LCDs (16:9 and 16:10) dominate the market, but there are those who prefer standard aspect LCDs (4:3). Standard screens are increasingly difficult to find today and are almost exclusively available on business-class notebooks.
The glossy finish is also becoming the standard. Matte screens are difficult to find these days, generally only available on business-class notebooks. Glossy screens benefit from a brighter, sharper look and have excellent contrast. Matte screens on the other hand, do not have the reflection and glare problems of the glossy screens, and can reduce eye-strain over extended use.
A smaller, portable screen size is best-suited for a lot of on-the-go computing. A larger screen is ideal for high-power users who will keep the notebook somewhat stationary. A good way to get a feel for the different sizes is to go down to your local computer shop and see them first-hand.
Screen resolution determines how much desktop real estate you have. Higher resolution screens offer more desktop real estate, at the cost of icons and text becoming smaller onscreen. Note that you can always adjust desktop resolution or text size, but you can never add more pixels to your screen.
Hardware Configuration
Processor - Intel vs. AMD Both companies make excellent processors, and take turns leap-frogging each other with new developments. Currently, Intel’s mobile processors have a slight edge in processing power and battery consumption, but most users would be fine with either brand’s CPU in their system. There is not a large difference in performance, and AMD processors are generally less expensive than their Intel counterparts.
Intel’s current line of Mobile Processors:
Pentium M (Dothan) – Usually found in older notebooks, the improved Pentium M was specifically designed for mobile use in 2004. It runs cooler and consumes less power than its predecessor, the Pentium 4.
Celeron M (Dothan and Yonah) – Budget single-core processor that is suitable for most applications, the Celeron M performance tails off in intensive applications.
Core Solo (Yonah) – A low-cost processor that is based on the Core Duo structure, but only has one active CPU. The Core Solo replaced the Pentium M in 2006.
Core Duo (Yonah) – Intel’s first dual-core processor, the Core Duo (32-bit) offers two CPUs on one die without increasing power consumption.
Core 2 Duo (Merom) – The 64-bit version of the Core Duo, it features slightly better performance than the Core Duo and is capable of running Windows Vista and other 64-bit applications.
AMD’s current line of Mobile Processors:
Sempron – A low-cost, single-core processor found in older notebooks and desktops. The successor to the Athlon line, newer versions of Semprons support 64-bit applications.
Turion 64 – A single-core, mobile 64-bit processor with lower power consumption than the Sempron.
Turion 64 x2 – The Dual-core, 64-bit version of the Turion.
GPU - Nvidia vs. ATI vs. Intel There are a wide variety of GPUs available on the market today, so it is important to understand how demanding your games or programs are. If you want to play the newest games at high resolutions with high texture and detail settings, you will need a performance or high-end GPU. Nvidia GPUs offer better OpenGL performance and Linux support. Meanwhile, ATI GPUs perform better in Source engine games and handle anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering well. If you only intend to play simple 2D games, a basic GPU or integrated graphics processor like the Intel GMA 900/950 will suffice.
RAM Of all the components in your notebook, the amount of RAM installed will have the most noticeable impact on performance. The more you have, the faster everything will run. 512MB is the bare minimum today but 1 GB is recommended especially if you intend to run Windows Vista. If you do a lot of multi-tasking or gaming, 2 GB of RAM is a nice upgrade to consider.
There is not a significant difference in performance between 533 MHz and 667 MHz DDRII RAM, so go for the speed that best fits your budget.
Hard Drive If you tend to run out of space quickly, then you definitely want a larger hard disk drive. But if you are under a tight budget, an external hard drive costs less per GB and is always an option.
High-speed hard drives (currently 7200 RPM) open programs and files faster, and reduce boot times. Although it is a nice upgrade to have, it is not essential if your budget will not allow it.
Optical Drive Today the standard choice is CD/DVD burner.
Wireless If you intend to connect to either your network or the internet wirelessly, make sure that you configure your notebook with a wireless card. As long as you have an 802.11 a/b/g wireless card you will be fine.
Battery If you intend to spend a lot of time on your notebook while unplugged, an extra-capacity battery may be worth consideration. Some systems have better power management than others, so make sure to choose a notebook with sufficient battery life to suit your needs.
