CHOOSING AN ALL PURPOSE NOTEBOOK

An average laptop user doesn’t need to buy the fastest machine around. In fact what he needs is a machine that offers good value for money. So what are the basic features an all purpose laptop should have?

Well, it has to be portable. This is a crucial requirement if you are a frequent traveler. The additional factors you need to take into account are explained below.

Processor
Most modern laptops offer good performance. You can choose a model that uses an AMD or Intel Processor. AMD processors are slightly cheaper than Intel processors, but they do offer good performance.

System Memory
The best way to speed up your laptop is to stock up on the RAM. The more RAM you have the faster the machine. Choose a machine that offers at least 2GB of RAM. Most machines now offer more than that.

Graphics Board (aka GPU)
Even if you are not an avid gamer, buying a laptop with a discrete graphics board option is a good investment.

Screen Size and Native Resolution
The screen size on most machines for general-purpose use ranges from 13 to 16 inches. If you choose a laptop with a bigger display you will have to contend with low native resolution which means that the text on the screen will be hard to read. A 14 inch display is usually good.

Battery Life
Most average all-purpose notebooks will last 3 to 4 hours on a single charge. So if you are an infrequent traveler, you don’t need to buy a laptop with a big battery.

Connectivity
The connectivity options you will require are USB ports, SD card reader, VGA ports and Ethernet. Most modern laptops usually offer them.

CHOOSING A MULTI-MEDIA LAPTOP

Multi-media laptops are for those users who would like to work with graphics, watch movies or listen to music. Most multi-media laptops belong to the desktop replacement laptop category. They are more powerful than the conventional desktop computers and can work with media of all sorts.

Multi-media laptops aren’t necessarily portable. They are heavy and don’t come with good battery life. Travelers who will want to make media-rich presentations will, nevertheless, find them helpful. You may also want to use a multi-media laptop if you are a graphic artist who does some traveling. Opt for a model with a large display. If you do have to travel with a multi-media laptop, don’t forget to have a spare battery. You may also require access to power outlets as using media rich programs will easily drain the battery.

Multi-Media Laptop Features
Most multi-media laptops will weigh 7.5 pounds or more. They are closer to 2 inches in thickness and come with 15.4 to 20 inches widescreens. Multi-media laptops will usually have fast processors. They also come with multiple USB ports, FireWire and Memory Card Readers. Hard drive capacity can range from 60GB to 120GB. Networking and internet connectivity options are LAN, modem, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.