Labtops/Notebooks...which is best?

[StarGazer]

Well, I'm in search of a good notebook, but not too pricey (student friendly).

 

Not interested in Macs or dells! Any suggestions?

[Caano Geel]

it doesnt matter too much about specs' just go for weight and battery life and remember to always cut 1hr from what ever value they give you for the battery life. good luck

[Dhimbil]

Khadija.....how you been sister adiga iyo black mecca yaa raayay. Anyhow, I used dell in college and it worked fine. I still have it now and it works ok. So don't count it out.

[Janna]

I too am search of a laptop. However am stuck on a certain factor. What is the difference between a laptop and a notebook? Is it the same?

[Conspiracy]

Today's laptops are much more powerful than even the hottest desktop computers of yesterday. They're also lighter and much more stylish. Many people are opting out of desktop computers altogether and use a laptop for all their computer needs. If you're thinking of going this route, check out these shopping tips.

 

Steps:

1. Read through How to Choose a Desktop Computer. The "Before you shop" points and most of "The basics" also apply when shopping for a laptop.

 

2.Pick up the laptops at the store. (Ask to have them unlocked if necessary.) Choose one that feels sturdy, solid and not too heavy.

 

3.Try the keyboard. Since you can't replace it (except with the exact same item), make sure you're comfortable with its touch and responsiveness. Test it on a desk and on your lap.

 

4.Test the pointing device, track pad or track ball, the laptop alternatives to a mouse. Some of these can be hard to master. You'll be able to connect an external mouse, but the built-in device is more handy when you're mobile.

 

5.Check if the computer's bottom gets uncomfortably hot when it's running--a problem if you actually use the laptop on your lap.

 

6.Pay attention to screen size and resolution. Current liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens on laptops measure from 12 to 17 inches (30 to 43 cm) diagonally. Screen resolution may be as low as 800 x 600 pixels or as high as 1600 x 1200. The more pixels, the crisper the screen image. View the screen in a variety of settings: A screen that looks great in normal room lighting can look terrible in bright or dim light.

 

7.Choose a laptop with at least two USB connections. A FireWire (IEEE 1394) connection is also handy for high-speed peripherals such as CD burners.

 

8.Consider buying an internal wireless card and a Bluetooth adapter if you really plan to be mobile. A wireless network card (also called Wi-Fi or 802.11) will free you from having to be wired to your Internet connection (see How to Network Your Computers). Bluetooth capability will let you share information wirelessly with other Bluetooth-equipped devices, such as your cell phone or personal digital assistant.

 

9.Get an internal DVD player so you can watch movies on the road.

 

10.Get an antitheft device. Hundreds of thousands of laptops are stolen every year. Look for cables that secure the laptop to a desk. Install software that disables a stolen laptop, or better yet, reports the laptop's location when it connects to the Internet.

 

Overall Tips:

Be skeptical of claims about battery life. In the real world, battery life is almost always less than what the manufacturer advertises.

 

What's the difference between a laptop and a notebook? Nothing. Use the two terms interchangeably.

 

What to look for:

Overall sturdiness and solidness

Weight

Keyboard

Pointing device

Temperature while in use

Screen size and resolution

USB, FireWire connections

Wireless networking

DVD player

Antitheft device

 

I picked this up from Ehow , hope this answers your questions..