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Laptops have come a long way. They
represent a great value compared to a desktop PC and monitor. And they
can be huge energy savers. While a desktop PC might use 200 watts or
more, a laptop usually uses less than 50 watts. The most efficient
ones use about 12 watts. Lots of people leave their computers on all
the time, so the energy can really add up. A laptop is an important
step toward a low energy use home.
Value - Dell's new Vostro line has laptops starting at around $400.
These are very good machines, but you might want to opt for a 6 cell
battery and a little extra memory. You'll still come in at under $500.
Acer also has excellent value machines at around $450-500. If you're
not familiar with Acer, they are a huge company from Taiwan. They are
so big, they recently bought Gateway.
Energy efficiency - If you want the most efficient laptop, look at the
Everex line. Their laptops with the Via microprocessor use between 1
and 12 watts, depending on what the computer is doing. they run about
$500. Very few other manufacturers provide energy consumption
information in any way that's easy to find. Dell is a notable
exception. They list energy consumption of their PCs on their website.
Screen size is a big factor. A 15 inch screen will use significantly
less power than a laptop with a 17 inch screen. Computers with Windows
Vista have excellent power settings, so you can minimize a laptops
energy use (and maximize it's battery life) if you're doing simple
chores like e-mail.
Wifi - laptops have a big advantage over desktops in that they are
easy to connect to wireless networks. More and more places (like
libraries, malls, etc.) are offering free wifi access. So you could
conceivable be able to cancel a broadband provider at home and save up
to $50 a month. An inexpensive dial up provider like PeoplePC or
NetZero would be good for occasional use, at about $10-12 per month.
Productivity - Laptops are very full featured these days. Even entry
level models can burn CDs and play DVDs. Making DVDs is sometimes an
inexpensive option. Also Bluetooth capabilities are a cheap option.
Here's what some of the companies are up to.
Dell is one of the biggies. They allow you to customize a PC when you
order better than just about anyone. They are now starting to be
available in some stores, and have set up kiosks in some malls to let
you try them out.
HP now is merged with Compaq. They offer laptops with good multimedia
capabilities. If you're into digital photography, they are a good line
to consider.
Sony is always a little different. They are also good for multimedia
use, but Sony tends to use their own standards. For instance, they use
their own memory cards on their cameras. So Sony may make sense if you
are interested in Sony digital still cameras, videocams, etc. Sony
also makes some very small, very light laptops with caron fiber cases.
They might withstand being dropped without damage.
Panasonic is known for their Toughbook line. These are very rugged
machines that can withstand a lot of abuse and extreme weather.
Lenovo used to be owned by IBM. These are popular with corporations
that provide laptops to employees. They have a little more focus on
security, in case the laptop is lost or stolen. Some models use
fingerprint readers to prevent unauthorized use.
Apple uses their own operating system, not Microsoft Windows. Some
people feel they are less vulnerable to viruses than Windows based
PCs. But their laptops usually start at around $1000. Many people find
they don't fit their needs. You either tend to love them or not really
like them.
Toshiba and Gateway don't seem exceptionally strong in the laptop
market at the moment.
Options to consider - Extra batteries are handy. You can plug in a
regular keyboard and/or mouse if you're going to use your laptop at
home a lot. If the model you get only has one USB port, you may want
to get a keyboard or mouse with the old style PS2 connector.
Good internet security software is essential on a laptop, if you going
to use it over a wireless connection.
Windows XP may be a good "option" for some people. Many IT
professionals prefer XP to Vista. It's a little hard to find a laptop
with XP in early 2008, but if you look around, there are a few
companies offering it.
Built in card readers can be handy if you take a lot of photos. But
you can always use an inexpensive card reader that plugs into the USB
port.
Linux may be a good choice for secure use on the internet. Dell and a
few specialty companies offer this option.
Upgradeability is something to consider. Being able to add memory to
at least 2 gigabytes might come in handy if you ever upgrade to one a
premium version of Windows. Microsoft offers 4 versions of Vista, and
more memory can sometimes help the PC run better with a more loaded
version of Windows.
Chances are you'll be really impressed with how far laptops have come,
and find a lot of use for one. Happy shopping!
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