Computing your next computer (Laptop Edition)
You’ve decided that your 15 pound laptop from 1999 is finally ready for the rubbish heap, but what kind of machine do you need? What is your ideal computer? Obviously, I can’t tell you that… It’s not that I don’t want to, but your laptop choice is a very personal decision. You are going to be spending a great deal of time together and frankly, the relationship can’t be one way: you are going to have to want to invest time in your laptop for your laptop to perform for you. That said, the decision process doesn’t have to be difficult. It can even be fun!
The first thing I’d recommend is making a short list of everything you hope to do when you’ve been blessed with your perfect machine. Are you going to do graphic design? Maybe you’re planning to build new and improved architectural drawings of Notre Dame de Paris. Perhaps you only need to do email and the ability to fly comfortably with your machine in your lap is crucial. Each function requires certain system features. Although there are far too many to list, here are some pointers:
- Graphics beyond email, the web and family photos requires a good graphics card, good RAM (for processing the images) and a comfortable screen.
- Number crunching with truly enormous applications (not just excel) requires a better processer and considerable RAM.
- Screen and keyboard size are important: a small keyboard and screen may seem like a good idea, until you find yourself spending 10 hours per day with a painful neck, sore eyes and carpal tunnel…
Once you’ve made a list of criteria, you can move to the research phase. Here are some links to get you started. For the most part, these helpers are simple and straightforward, but some are certainly better than others…
The Laptop Magic Finder – I like this interface on this one. My only complaint is that zero help accompanies the advanced options, but the basic options are too simple. I do like how it let’s you choose from the brands by selecting little pictures.
The CNET Laptop Finder – This one is pretty good from CNET.com. I like the format and the first question gets straight to the nitty-gritty. That said, for newbies, it may still be too complicated. Certainly, the help provided is useful, but there’s still a bit that has to be known beforehand (e.g. WHAT IS RAM?)
If all of that is far too complicated, read this link from LaptopAdvisor.com. It’s straightforward advice on exactly which models appeal to certain demographics. It should simplify things…
Hopefully that helps. What do you look for in a laptop? Feel free to shout it out in the comments.
~ab
[...] for? Any that I should avoid? What do you suggest? I’ve written before about what you should look for, but never really about how to choose between [...]