It wasn’t long back that when someone said the word Computer, One would think of huge room sized, power eating, machines. A damn lot has changes since and the present day computers are small, elegant, powerful and can even sit on your laps.Read on if you are interested in laptops.
The most important thing you should know
Well no one can categorize anything as most or least important but this an important criteria for choosing the right laptop. The processor can be De'Facto for determining the efficiency you get out of a laptop.
Pentium IV series:-
These are cheap and powerful. Often you can get one with Pentium IV 3.06 GHz in 50, 000 Indian Rupees. But these eat power like monsters. Imagine, no just think, how cumbersome it would be to charge you laptop every 15 to 30 minutes. You are stuck in a traffic jam, you decide to work on the report and utilize time but hey why's the screen black? Then you'll go after hunting for a power plug
Laptops with simple processors like Pentium III and IV series are recommended who want to buy laptop as an desktop replacement, are looking for power at a cheap price. But these laptops are not very portable(though better then carrying your PC). Also these tend to get Hot, so you can't put the little baby on your laps for long.
The Pentium M series:-
Pentium M series is available for the Pentium IV line up i.e.: Pentium IV-M. These are powerful as the Pentium IV but one the same hand are optimized for laptops. They are more power efficient – They run longer, also generate less heat, overall more portable. A descent laptop can be bought within 70, 000 Indian rupees.
The Pentium M series:-
This is latest and the best in offering, superb power utilization, absolutely efficient. Some laptops have been said to run even for five long hours. But these are slightly less powerful in terms of processing capacity. The best money can buy is 1.6Ghz compare that with 3.06 GHz. Pentium IV(M) * As a matter of fact this is reason that Intel has abolished using GHz anymore to specify processor. Instead they will have names just like mobile phones
The AMD:-
Though processors are available for laptop, AMD isn’t much talked about. An sincere advise would be to keep your hands off any AMD laptop [ I am no AMD anti, I am only trying to present the facts]. More ever only a few companies offer laptops with AMD processors and the flavors available are also less.
What’s all the fuss Centrion about:-
When the laptop says Centrion understand two things(i) It has an Pentium M processor(ii) It’s Wi-Fi enabled – Wireless network [sorry can’t go into details here].
Display
Most laptops come with a 14’’ screen some even come with a 15’’ one [u can even get bigger]. The important thing is better look for a laptop that says TFT screen. TFT are better than simple screens, they have better image and color contrast, and you can even see the screen in strong light [even sunlight].
Memory:-
This is another important criterion that people often overlook. A minimum of 128 MB but I would personally recommend 256 MB at least; 512 MB would be just perfect.
Hard Drive:-
This is what you can be care free of. 30 GB to 40 GB drives are fine; frankly speaking there is not point in opting for an 80 GB drive unless you are really sure you’ll need it.
Secondary Storage:-
Cdrom drives are common but I would suggest for a DVD ROM drive but the price will be definitely higher. Better buy one with DVD ROM drive if you plan to use your laptop for a long time to come.
Display Adaptor:-
On board graphics card can cost less but are definitely not meant for even a moderate gamer. A card with 32 MB would be minimum recommendation for anyone interested in gaming.
Sound:-
Sound is usually integrated. You can buy external sound card like the external Audigy 2 from Creative.
Communications:-
Minimum and usually present features are:-
Internal Modem(buy only a 56k one)
Ethernet card
USB ports(2 minimum)
Some other –
Bluetooth – to communicate wireless with your mobile, PDA or any other Bluetooth enables device.
Infrared – to communication with mobile etc.
IEEE port – to transfer video from your digital camera wirelessly
Bluetooth and Infrared should be present on an ideal laptop. Given the choice of choosing anyone opt for Bluetooth. If your work involved video editing or stuff related to it then look for a laptop with IEEE port.
How to deal when buying a laptop
Firstly don’t think buying laptop is something big. The reason I am saying this is people usually take prices as they come. Most banded products have fixed prices but as the prices of computers are ever fluctuating they can be negotiated.(Please know that the knowledge below is by reading, talking and exploring that I’ve gathered)
(i) Well you might not believe it but you can actually get a cheaper buy by ordering via phone than first hand. –
If you walk into a shop and convenience the shop keeper to give you a discount or upgrade then there is a potential risk(for shopkeeper) that other customers might ask for the same. On the phone you are the sole customers at the moment.
You can negotiate the prices then place the order and purchase your desired product from a nearby outlet of the brand, after checking the product and paying the same price you talked over then phone.
(ii) You should ask for discount in price first then offer to take an upgrade instead.
That is better for you and the seller too.
(iii) Buying at the end of the financial quarter can be cheap. Every company fixes a target. A target of the number of the product it’s going to sell. So at the end of the quarter if the targeted numbers of the product are not soled then they start to get rest less and offer discounts etc. You can exploit this.
(iv) Make sure that you know everything about the product you are going to buy and better take a guru along if you lack knowledge.
I Hope that you found this article helpful and informative. Please let me know your comments and constructive advises.
With Warm Regards
