Laptop : Top 5 Buying Tips
How to buy notebooks
Before you buy, look for:
http://www.latest-technology-tools.blogspot.com
There are several glaring errors on that page, such as:
- "processors offer excellent wireless features"
No wireless features are needed from the processor, that is
a separate component.
- "but if your mobility requirements are high, one can
always go for a 9-cell option"
Most laptop packs are full, you can't just cram 3 more cells
into one. Instead higher capacity cells are used.
- "widescreen that has many advantages like better viewing
angle and optimal visual experience."
Nonsense. The viewing angle is worse because of the greater
deviation from 90' viewing at the left and right edges, and
optimal visual experience depends upon what the notebook is
being used for. Widescreen is better for vertically tiled
window placement and watching widescreen aspect ratio
movies, but worse for many other tasks. Pretending it is
just better is subjective and a disservice to those trying
to choose for their own needs.
- "best notebooks are equipped with enhanced features such
as TPM (trusted platform module)"
TPM is not currently being used to effectively prevent virus
or malware infection but may end up being used to interfere
with fair use of the system.
- "if you are looking at a truly portable notebook, a sub
1.5kg machine is the right choice"
Quite subjective. A small or ill person may need something
light or small, and will have to accept the limitations.
Similarly someone carrying a lot of items may want each
lighter in weight. Otherwise they're all portable, and
"truely" means nothing, as many people will find a kg of
weight not as significant as the other tradeoffs for "truely
portable" use, unless they're carrying it great distances.
The best advice is to find the models under consideration
(or one VERY similar) and try them. Use the keyboard, run
an application, check the screen (contrast and blurring from
the anti-scratch layer), check the manufacturer's claim for
battery runtime, note the RPM speed of the hard drive
(which is often the most significant bottleneck in comon
uses of a laptop, not the CPU), and look in laptop forums
for problem reports and to see how well the manufacturer
handles problems because a laptop is a rather expensive
paper-weight if broken.
