It happens at least once in the life of every notebook computer-it slows down in performance, and just doesn’t have the get up and go that it used to. Like most people, you run your favorite antivirus program(s) to make sure that “bugs” haven’t infected your system, and you even run spyware programs to make sure that spyware isn’t overloading your system resources. To take things a step further you clear out unnecessary items from your start menu, make bios adjustments and get rid of old programs you haven’t used in a while.

After all that, your laptop computer still runs slow and you realize - it’s time for an upgrade.

Once upon a time, laptop and notebook upgrades were considered “technician only” activities because of the fact most notebook manufacturers have proprietary technologies in their systems. That is still true to some extent, but the main hardware components affecting system performance in most laptops are those that have become pretty much industry standard. These are:

1.) Hard Drive

2.) Memory

3.)Processor

These components can be easily replaced in most notebooks. The first thing to do however is to determine if the upgrade is worth the cost. Check prices online to see how much it will cost. If I pay $120 for a hard drive, $50 for memory and $150 for a new processor, it may not make sense to do all three upgrades, I may only want to choose 1 at first and then check system performance.

If my laptop wasn’t very expensive to begin with, I may want to consider just purchasing another one. If I can get a Refurbished Windows Vista HP laptop for $499.00, that may make more sense than upgrading components on an older system.

CNET.com offers an online course on how to upgrade a used notebook computer step by step. Check it out and determine which option is right for you.

Computer is a important part of our life now. many years ago. we are often use desk computer for our life and work for  promotion. and the latest few years, computer has developed from desk computer to laptop. and get more and more portable. but do you know what is the Difference between Laptop and Desktop computer?

It’s easier for a desktop computer to have a bigger memory and to hold more RAM than a laptop computer simply because there is more space available for the storage.

The space in a desktop computer will often allow the user to choose almost unlimited accessories and options that a laptop computer just may not have the space to hold. Things like a top speed processor, the latest state of the art sound and graphics cards, extra ports for external linking and more than enough storage space for all of the programs, music and video clips that you’ll ever need.

The extra space also comes with one more big benefit that you don’t often find with a laptop - the ability to easily upgrade. This means that you can keep your machine from becoming obsolete for much longer by continually adding the latest programs, components and accessories.

The one glaring advantage a laptop computer holds over its desktop counter part is portability. If you have a job that requires you to travel, or if you’re a student living in a closet sized dormitory with three others students, a laptop computer is practically a necessity. No matter how powerful or fast your desktop computer is, you can’t unplug it, take it to the subway and finish writing your report while you travel.

Despite the common misconception that all desktop computers are more powerful than all laptops, the laptop computers of today have much better technology in them than the laptops of yesterday. You will pay more for a supper powerful laptop than you will for the same caliber desktop, but then again, the lower price of the desktop won’t help you on the go.

I think the above illustrations tell you that both types of computer can be the best, depending on situation. The key isn’t between choosing one over the other, it’s in choosing the best computer of the type that you choose.

You need to get online and do some research on the different brands of computers to find what the best and most reliable machines are. There are a slew of different manufacturers producing computers today, you need to find which manufacturer is producing the best reviewed computers of the type that you have determined that you need and base your decision on those facts.

Buying a computer from a reputable and reliable manufacturer will ensure that you get a high quality machine. This is a piece of equipment that will be a big part of your life, hopefully, for years to come; you shouldn’t look to get the cheapest price if it will mean that you are sacrificing quality. Never spend your hard earned money on a machine that has gotten a host of unfavorable reviews, or on a machine that you’ve never heard of.

The Frightening Truth:

Laptops have become one of those devices that is quickly going, and in some cases, already quickly gone from something that only techies or high level business people owned to something that even a poor college student finds a way to afford. This is simply that our lives become wrapped around these objects. Think of the cell phone. Ten to 15 years ago it was again only the techies or important business people that owned a cell phone. Now even elementary school kids have them so parents can be in constant contact when necessary.

We all have had the moment when we though we had misplaced our cell phone. Imagine losing your laptop. Not only is it a fairly significant expense, but think of the data you have on there. You probably keep a file with account numbers, you have your family pictures stored there, maybe music, movies. The list is a long one and an important one.

Therefore, make sure you follow the recommendations in this article on how to protect your laptop.

The convenience of the laptop is obvious. The computing power and versatility are equivalent to most desktop computers. With the advent of wi-fi we can be on the internet almost anywhere and be emailing, chatting, writing, surfing the net or shopping, all anywhere in the world.

Here are some daunting statistics for laptop loss from 2008:

Relevant Data Loss and Data Breach Statistics

- 1 in 10 …laptop computers will be stolen within the first 12 months of purchase.

- 97% …of lost and stolen notebooks are never recovered.

- 50% …of organizations reported laptop theft.

- every 43 seconds …a computer is reported stolen.

- every 3 days … an information security breach is reported in the U.S.

- 82% …of all PC’s will be mobile devices by 2008, increasing 4 times as fast as PCs.

- 4,425 …laptops reported left behind in Chicago taxis during a six month period.

- 56 million …individuals affected by significant U.S. data security breaches, 2005.

- 1 billion …PC users expected by 2010, up from 660-670 million today.

- 57% …of corporate crimes are linked to stolen laptops. The latest crimes of espionage and sabotage are theft of executive personnel devices to access vital financial or personnel data.

( data source: http://datarevoke.com)

How Much Does Laptop Loss Cost?:

That completely depends on how you look at it and who is doing the looking….

Personal Laptop:

The actual cost here is the cost of the laptop and if stolen while in the laptop bag (most often this is the case) then you’ve lost all your accessories as well. Not to mention possibly your wallet, MP3 player, passport (eek!). Obviously the actual cost of items and the intangible loss of items such as wallets, all your stored music, your passport, etc. are vastly different.

Business or Corporate Laptop:

Here the intangible costs can be astronomical. We have heard it on the news more than once and most of us have had it hit us directly with someone in the corporate world losing one or more laptops with critical customer data on it. The cost the hardware is only about $4000, the information carried upon it was could be worth millions..

Of course, to get to valuable proprietary information is not the reason for all laptop thefts some laptop thieves head try to quickly sell the laptop as-is. However, some data indicate that about 10 percent to 15 percent of those laptops are stolen by criminals intent on selling the data.

How to Protect Your Laptop:

With this in mind, what can we do as individuals to prevent our own personal loss?

Laptop Security Cables:

This is one of the lowest cost and one of the most effective deterrents to theft. As with most theft attempts, even a small amount of effort can make a huge difference. For this to work you need to make sure that your laptop is equipped with the appropriate feature to attach a cable. This is called a Universal Security Slot.

It is important to pay attention to what you are attaching the laptop and cable to. You sometimes have to think like a thief. If you really wanted to get that laptop could you? If you answer is yes, then you need to add more security. Consider looping the cable through a hole drilled in the lag of the desk. If you just loop it around the leg than all it takes is some one strong enough to lift the desk enough to slip the cable under the leg and whoosh! your laptop is gone…

Keep Your Laptop Out of Sight:

If you are not with your laptop then it should be secured in a locked drawer or in the possession of someone you trust (for the short trip to the restroom for example). Especially if you are in a public place like an airport, bookstore, or your favorite coffee shop. Never leave your bag alone.

Some laptop cases scream “I have a laptop in here!”

Try to use a carrying case for your laptop that may be a bit beat up or at least not look like it obviously contains a laptop. This may be difficult to do but can be a real effective way to have a thief move on to the next victim without bothering your precious laptop inside your ugly bag.

How to Protect Your Data:

I’m sure you’ve had moments when you couldn’t locate a file that you knew you had stored on your laptop. The feeling of panic can be terrible until you find it. Imagine your hard drive failing (it happens!). You would lose all your important files - pictures, videos, everything.

Therefore, first and most important is external storage. External storage can be something as simple as a USB Flash Drive also known as a thumb drive (about the size of your thumb….) or a large external drive (about the size of an average hardcover book)

The type of external storage you select will depend on your needs. If you just keep basic files (i.e. “Word” documents or spreadsheets, etc) then a thumb drive could be enough (and they are very inexpensive) and can store up to 32 Gigabytes of data or if you are willing to pay a bit more they are larger storage capabilities available. If you plan on storing large files such as lots of photos and videos then you may need to step up in capacity with an external hard drive. They store up to 2 “Terabytes” (2000 Megabytes) of data.

If you are a fan of Apple, the high-end Apple MacBook Pro is sure to please. Though this Mac laptop looks virtually the same externally as the 15 inch PowerBook, you should not judge the book by its cover. Looks can be deceiving.

The Apple MacBook Pro, priced at $2,000 and up, is a high-end laptop that is packed with features. Some of these features include WiFi, Bluetooth wireless, DVD burning, a keyboard that lights up in the dark, stereo speakers and batteries with illuminated fuel gauges.

The speed of the Mac laptop has not increased much in recent years, therefore, Apple made the decision to replace its current processor chips with chips from Intel. This meant that the entire operating system and all software programs had to be rewritten. Yet Apple deemed the decision worthwhile.

The Apple MacBook Pro is one inch thick, only slightly slimmer than the PowerBook. However, the sleek finish and top notch quality of this mac laptop sets it apart from its predecessors.

The battery life of the Apple Mac book Pro remains pretty much the same at 3 to 3.5 and half hours, but there have been many more improvements. One of these improvements includes improved WiFi reception, courtesy of the wireless antenna having been moved. The circuitry and graphics card have been upgraded and operate at greatly improved speeds.

This Mac laptop also includes a screen that is much brighter. As a matter of fact, at only half brightness, it matches or exceeds the brightest setting of other laptop computers. The 1440-by-900-pixel screen can illuminate a completely darkened room at full brightness.

It also includes a small video camera above the screen that is great for capturing impromptu video. The laptop also includes software programs for creating blogs, websites, videos, and podcasts. Some potential uses of the video camera include video blogs and videoconferencing.

Another upgrade on this Mac laptop includes a remote control that you can use to operate the computer from across the room. It also includes a new power cord that detaches and drops if someone happens to trip over it.

There are too many changes and upgrades to possibly list here, but one of the most notable changes is the increase in speed. The computer starts up quickly and operates just as quickly. This new Mac laptop will definitely make you aware of just how much you have been missing.

When it comes to laptop computers, the choice of display size is one of the most important considerations you have to make. It is just as important as ram size, hard drive size, and processor speed. The display size will also heavily factor into the overall weight of the notebook computer. A larger display size means a larger physical footprint, which is more or less desireable depending on whether you need an ultraportable, mainstream, or gaming style computer. The most important factor, however, is your comfort level. A smaller screen (ultraportable size) may mean great mobility, but none of that is helpful if text or pictures appear uncomfortably small.

Types Of Displays

Due to increasing demand, more and more manufacturers are making widescreen displays available as well as standard displays. Standard TV’s and computer displays utilize a 4:3 (or 1.33:1) aspect ratio, including notebook computers.

Standard 4:3 Aspect Ratio

The standard 4:3 aspect ratio has been in use by notebook computer displays for a long time and is offered in several screen resolutions:

- 800 x 600 (SVGA) - 1024 x 768(XGA) - 1400 x 1050 (SXGA+) - 1600 x 1200 (UXGA)

Resolutions higher than 1024 x 768 can only be found in displays sized 14 inches and above. Ultraportable notebooks with displays sizes under 14 inches are unable to have high-resolution displays.

Widescreen Display

Using a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio, widescreen displays can generally display about 25% more content than a standard display. Computer manufacturers offer several size displays from 8.9″, 10.6″, 11.1″, 12.1″, 13.3″, 14″, 15.4″, to 17″. These sizes are popular now with even larger sizes in the pipeline.

When used for entertainment, DVD movies in particular, a widescreen display is in its element as it shows widescreen movies in their intended 16:9 aspect ratio. This means a bigger picture, more comfort and thinner or no black bands on either side of the picture.

The widescreen display also makes it easier to edit and view panoramic images and may eliminate horizontal scrolling on your computer altogether. When editing images of normal 4:3 aspect ratio, you can simply place your GUI tools/utilities in the unused spaces on either side of an image. In any case, a widescreen display can help you increase work and play efficiency.

Another benefit of the widescreen display is evident when it comes to serious work - the ability to display two windows side by side and to drag and drop (or copy n’ paste) data without having to switch windows is invaluable.

Common Widescreen Display Resolutions

Here are the common resolutions found in :

1280 x 768 And 1280 x 800

1280 x 768 (16:9.5) and 1280 x 800 (16:10) are the two most common resolutions used in 10.6, 12.1, 13.3, 14, and 15.4-inch entry-level widescreen notebook computers. They provide about a 25% more onscreen content than standard screens with 1024 x 768 resolution.

1366 x 768

This resolution provides a 16:9 aspect ratio and a great widescreen DVD movie experience without any black bands above and below the picture.

1440 x 900

This resolution 16:10 is found only in 17″ notebooks and is positioned as entry level in 17″ widescreen notebooks.

1680 x 1050

This is currently the mainstream resolution, also 16:10, for 17″ widescreen notebook computer displays. There is a 35% increase in onscreen content compared to normal 17″ screens using a standard display resolution of 1280 x 1024.

1920 x 1200

At this time this is the highest for 17″ widescreen notebook displays, and provides a 75% increase in onscreen content when compared to a standard 17″ screen of 1280 x 1024 resolution. A great display for movies and gaming, however this relatively heavy laptop computer has tradeoffs in mobility.

Computers are playing great role in improving the traditional mode of working style. Since many decades these computers are being enhanced in terms of their performance. They are now much more faster than previously introduced computers and still they are on the verge of improvement. There are various categories of computers such as laptop and desktop computers. Laptop computers have gained much more popularity due to their portability. The advancement of technology has turned bulky computers into light weighted PCs and they can now be carried easily in the form of laptops.

This form of PC has solved many problems which hurdled due to its bulky nature. They are much light weighted and are small enough to place on one’s lap. Thus it is named as laptop or more commonly known as notebook. They are composed of all basic component of a desktop computer that includes a keyboard, a display, a pointing device and a battery. All these components are integrated into a single portable unit. Their batteries are rechargeable and the device is fitted with AC/DC adapter. Once charged, the battery has enough capacity to power the laptop for several hours thus serving the user for a longer time. They are made quite compact, generally their measurement ranges from 10 x 8 inches (27 x 22cm, 13 inches display) to 15 x 11 inches (39×28cm, 17 inches display) and above. And their thickness may vary from 0.7–1.5 inches as modern notebooks may weigh 1.4 to 5.4 kg. Initially when these mobile computers were launched they were pretty heavy but now manufacturers are concentrating in reducing the weight along with improving their technical features. All of the modern notebooks are designed in the flip form factor so as to protect the screen and the keyboard when closed.

There are several categories of laptops that includes Subnotebook, Netbook, and Rugged laptops. Subnotebook is also called as ultra portable notebook due its small size, low weight and long battery life. It is designed with an emphasis on portability, they are much more lighter and smaller than standard laptops, weighing between 0.8 and 2 kg. Including its portability, its performance is equally capable to impress users with high resolution smaller screens and longer battery life that may exceed 10 hours when a large battery or an additional battery pack is installed. Moreover, it employs expensive components that use minimal space and provides best power efficiency.

Netbooks are light weighted laptops that are economical, energy-efficient and especially suited for wireless communication and Internet access. If we consider rugged laptops, they are specially designed to reliably operate in harsh usage conditions such as strong vibrations, extreme temperatures and wet or dusty environments. These notebooks are quite bulkier, heavier and much more expensive than regular laptops. They are composed of material that can keep them safe from any of the undesired conditions.There are many laptop manufacturers which are ace of their field such as Dell, HCL, Compaq, Sony and many more. These companies are famous for their commendable performance. In the present day computer markets there are dynamic array of laptops that are power packed with high speed processors and faster accessibility to provide superb performance. These portable computers have made many users’ life much more simpler than before. Also, these are easily available on Internet and moreover, one can find variety of latest laptops at cheap price and Free Laptops With Mobile Phones.

If you are looking for one good multimedia Toshiba laptop notebook, then you are the right place. The Toshiba Satellite A105-S4014 is a perfect multimedia machine. There might actually be some so many features, but i just love it for its multimedia variety. Although, the laptop notebook doesn’t fall under the ultraportable laptop computers, but for its weight, i personally will consider it portable. It weighs about 6 pounds, and that is practically enough for me to carry around easily.

It is packed with the latest Intel Core Duo M 1.83 GHz T2400 processor which gives you a good ride through your work, without getting stuck somewhere. It is also an effective machine for multi-tasking. Its 15.4-inch display screen uses a TriBrite coating, and that makes its colors, and brightness more distinct. I also believe that its brightness is also contributed to buy its high resolution. This laptop computer has also taken my appreciation as regards its ability to navigate multimedia controls, which are located on the keyboard, and they are very useful in the playing of DVDs, navigating into wireless internet, and also to launch Windows Media Player.

Quite a lot of people do not anticipate for better laptop notebook, they are rather content with watching DVD, browsing the internet, working on Microsoft office tools, sending e-mails, and other little jobs. But there are constant upgrade of laptop pcs, so that a better one will emerge, and thereby result in the optimization of another desire for a particular feature. The Toshiba Satellite A105-S4014 has features like FireWire, enough USB ports, and S-Video. All these ports are essential, and can be very important in the connections of peripherals to further boosts you laptop computer use.

In addition to the ones mentioned, it also a 5-in-1 memory card reader, and a PC card 16 CardBus. Nevertheless, its battery life which lasts for about 3 hours with a Wi-Fi turn off is good but not the best. I practically would have wanted a better battery life, but unfortunately, that’s all i’ve got. There is no doubt that this laptop pc has reached a remarkable stage with its multimedia features among Toshiba laptops.

Small Notebook Computers are Becoming Increasingly Common

Small notebook computers are the must-have accessory for many college students and business people today. They look cool and are very useful at the same time. Nowadays, many houses are not replete without a mobile wireless notebook computer or two that can be taken all over the house for gaming, homework, email, and even TV and DVD watching. The new influx of smaller notebook computers makes all this easier in that everyone has less weight to tote around. We have learned with cell phones that smaller is not always better, so it is important to know whether or not the small notebook computer you are buying will be able to function in the capacities you require.

In addition, small notebook computers are ideal for those who travel and need to bring their computers with them. A small notebook computer’s edge in both small size and low weight makes it the perfect fit for supreme ease of portability.

Small Notebook Computers Are Smaller and Lighter

To make their overall size smaller, it stands to reason that the components of small notebook computers are much smaller than their desktop or even regular laptop counterparts. Many small notebook computers come with LCD screens that range from ten to eleven inches, although some have screens even smaller than this. Thickness is another factor in a small notebook computer’s overall small-ness. Thicknesses of less than one inch are common in today’s small notebook computer market, which is seeing greater demand than ever.

Many value or desire small notebook computers not only because of their diminutive size, but also because of their significantly lighter weight as compared to regular laptop computers. Small notebook computers tend to range between five and seven pounds, although the lightest model weighs in at a mere three pounds.

Things to Keep in Mind when Considering a Small Notebook Computer

If you are wavering between a small laptop computer and handheld devices such as phones or MP3 players that offer some of their capabilities, keep in mind that screen resolution is far better on computers. This makes browsing the internet, keeping up with email and the like much easier, and in the long run will save you both time and energy.

However, remember that although they are smaller and lighter weight than other laptops, carrying around a small notebook computer still adds weight to your load, especially if you also carry an adapter or an extra battery along with it. In addition, because everything about them is small and light, small notebooks tend to be more fragile than other laptop computers. Also keep in mind that working on a small notebook computer, though vastly easier than trying to perform similar tasks on handheld devices is not quite as convenient as doing them on their larger laptop cousins.

It’s good to know, though, that what small notebook computers may have to sacrifice in durability and ease of use, they make up for in keeping pace with other computers’ hard drive capacities: small notebook computers come with hard drives of 160GB or more. In addition, making sure your small notebook computer is equipped with Bluetooth technology will assure that you’re ready for up-and-coming technology.

The term Notebook computers and laptop computer is often used interchangeably. However notebook computers are smaller, lighter and costlier than laptop computers. You can carry this computer with you when you are away on a business trip, can watch movies and access internet also.

The first notebook computer which was launched in the market in 1981 was expensive and was not as versatile like present day computers .Portable versions of laptops were launched in the market by IBM and Epsom in 1983.

With introduction of Windows 95, the world of notebook computers took a giant leap forward and was now able to compete with other personal computers because of the operating system and the advancement of technology. Prices of these computers started falling, attracting more consumers. Life of battery improved and acids were no longer required. The notebook computers now consumed less power and could hold more data.

Notebook computers come in various sizes. For a quick reference, have a look at the following figures (without power adaptors and accessories): Tablet PC - it weighs less that 3 lbs; Ultra Portable - it weighs less than 4 lbs and less than 1.3 inches thick with size between 10 and 11 inches; Thin and Light - it is between 1 and 1.4 inches thick and weighs between 5 to 7 lbs with size from 11 to 14 inches; Desktop replacements (Largest) - it is 1.5 inches thick and heavier than 7 lbs. Size between 11 and 13 inches.

Some important points are listed here which may help you to have an informed purchasing decision:

Size and Weight: The point to remember that while choosing a very lightweight and small size, you may have to sacrifice some items such as drives. So you have to decide what you want.

Processor: Note book processors perform like desktop processors. Dual core processors carry multitasking and are common. Notebook processors directly impact the battery life and performance of the computers. For Intel premier processor, higher the number, the faster it will process. The rotational speed of the disk also affects the performance of these computers.

Memory (RAM): For Windows XP and Mac OS X, at least 256 MB is required. However the capacity of RAM is increasing with new varieties of notebook computer and in some machines it is 2 GB even!

Displays and Video: In a notebook computer video consists of video processor and display. Again the display consists of native resolution and screen size. But portability will be reduced with larger display. These days the popularity for the wide screen displays is increasing. Performance of PC gaming and 3D graphics will be determined by graphic processor.

Drives: Optical drives play an important role in notebook computers. These may be simple CD ROM drives to the high definition DVD burners. Most notebook computers these days are equipped with a dual layer DVD burner.

Connections: Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g, Fujitsu lifebook N6010 having trimode of 802.11a/b/g, etc are different wireless system available with notebook computers. Transferring rate of data depend on the type of wireless connection chosen.

Battery Life: Notebook computers come with four cell, 6 cell, and 8 cell batteries. Normal battery life is 2 to 3 hours. However 5 or 6 hours battery life is also available these days. Generally, the bigger the notebook computer, the lower is the battery life.

Warranty Plans: Make sure that you get at least one year warranty from the manufacturer while choosing your notebook computer. A system having a three year warranty will be a better choice if you are going to use your computer extensively.

It is suggested that you should update your knowledge periodically by logging onto the net keeping in mind the factors which need to be checked as stated above.

A laptop is the ideal replacement for your desktop computer. The greatest advantage of a laptop is its portability. Unlike desktop computers, you can easily move a laptop around your home, carry it to work or class and take it with you when you travel. Laptops are a big investment, so before buying one, you should consider many factors like the manufacturer, performance and features.

What kind of laptop user are you?

A home user wants all the features of a desktop PC in the form of a notebook. If you are a home user, then choose a notebook which is easy to carry and comes with the most basic computer applications. Students should opt for an affordable laptop which is light and durable. Frequent fliers need slim notebook models with long-lasting batteries. A business user should purchase a laptop with plenty of hard disk space and advanced security features while a gamer needs a fast processor and the latest graphics card.

What are the different kinds of laptop computers available?

Laptops for Entertainment:

Multimedia laptops are always more expensive and heavier than your standard model. These laptops come with a powerful processor, abundant memory and a large hard drive. You can use these laptops as a mobile DVD player, MP3 jukebox and a digital photo album. If you buy a TV tuner card, you can even use your multimedia notebook as a television set. These notebooks are ideal for PC gaming.

Laptops for Business:

Laptops especially designed for business use are ultra portable. These laptops are durable and more secure than the basic laptop. They are best suited for consumers who are always on the move. A good business laptop should offer a fingerprint reader or SmartCard support to prevent data theft. These notebooks usually have advanced computer applications and wireless capabilities, so you can work even when you are away from your desk.

Laptops for Home:

The home user typically uses a laptop for checking mail and browsing the web. These laptops perform general tasks. A high speed processor is an unnecessary luxury and tends to be wasted on most home users. Opt for a notebook with at least a 14-inch screen and a comfortable keyboard. These laptops are generally heavy, weighing more than 4 kg at times. Their average battery life is less than three hours.

What constitutes a good laptop?

Ergonomics:

If you are going to use your laptop extensively, then you need to be comfortable with the keys. Try a laptop with slightly larger keys to avoid straining your fingers from typing. Most laptops come with a touch pad or a tracking pointer instead of a mouse. If you are a PC gamer, buy a separate mouse which can keep up with the fast-paced action on screen.

Operating Systems:

The Windows XP Media Center Edition is a good operating system for entertainment laptops. It makes optimal use of multimedia features like TV tuners, radio tuners and media players. If you are a professional who prefers Apple notebooks but are concerned about compatibility, check out the dual boot models by Apple that allow you to install and run Windows as well as Mac OS X. If you prefer PCs, Microsoft Vista is an ideal alternative to Windows XP. Vista comes in several editions, including Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium for the home user, Vista Business for the professional and Vista Ultimate for the best of both worlds.

Memory and Storage:

All data and applications are stored in the RAM (random access memory). Many laptops commonly use 256 MB of RAM. Most business laptops and entertainment laptops come with 512 MB or more of RAM. The more RAM you buy, the more data you can store.

The hard drive stores all programs and files. For the average home user, a 20 GB hard drive will more than suffice. If you buy a laptop for entertainment or business purposes, a 60 GB hard drive will better serve your needs. Some entertainment laptops even have multiple hard drives for better performance. Hard drives come with different speeds. Most laptop hard drives have a speed of 5,400 rpm. However, faster hard drives go up to 7,200 rpm.

Display:

The size of a laptop is based on the size of the screen. Screen size starts as small as 10.6 inches and goes up to 20 inches diagonally. Most laptops have an LCD monitor. However, if you are using your laptop for CAD, a CRT monitor will serve you just as well, if not better. The screen resolution determines the crispness of your image. A 12.1 inch display uses WXGA resolutions (1,280 by 800). A 14 or 15 inch display typically uses WSXGA+ (1680 by 1,050), although a small number of notebook computers use WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200) instead.

Processor:

It is more difficult to upgrade a notebooks processor than it is to upgrade a desktop computer. For this reason, you should buy a processor with a speed that will best suit your use. Also, it is wise to choose a processor with less battery consumption. Processors with 1.4 to 1.6 Ghz are preferred by most users.

Battery:

Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in laptops. The average battery life is about 3 hours. It takes around 75 minutes to fully recharge a lithium ion battery.

Graphics Card:

A graphics card, sometimes referred to as a video adapter, is responsible for generating the images you see on a laptops display. For businessmen who need to do lot of presentations, a graphics card containing 32 or 64 MB of dedicated memory is the right choice. There are also specially designed cards for gaming. These cards are expensive and should be avoided unless you require excellent graphics.

USB Ports:

Laptop computers come with at least one USB port so that you can connect peripherals to the notebook. Recent models have a FireWire connection that lets you transfer digital information from camcorders or MP3 players.

Optical Drives:

Most laptops come with either a CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory), a CD-RW (compact disc, re-writeable) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only-memory). The DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW is a combination drive which will read a CD or a DVD and write data to a DVD as well.

Modem:

Laptops are available with integrated modems for dial-up connections, Ethernet ports for cable internet and DSL and wireless modems for Wi-Fi connections. Many business laptops also have a cellular wireless modem so you can browse at broadband speeds with just a mobile phone signal.