There are plenty of guides available on the web, however my friends always want some recommendation from me. I just tried to create a simple guide here and the specifications may be valid for a maximum of 3 months.

Introduction

As the choices are plenty, selecting a Laptop or a Desktop PC has become more complicated nowadays. We can make decisions based on our requirement, passion and budget. Here is a brief description and choices of major factors in selecting a Laptop.

Laptop Choices

Application

The Laptop end use is broadly classified as follows. But we can always mix the features.

1. Student
2. Business / Corporate user
3. Multimedia & Entertainment
4. General Home use (basic programs + internet)
5. For frequent traveler (presentations etc.,)
   

Make

Some people always have some inclination towards certain make. The best choice varies from country to country depending on price and service support. Also different brands do better in different applications. For example Sony is better for multimedia entertainment where as Lenovo is better for high end business applications. The choices for Laptop makes are:

1. HP
2. Dell
3. Lenovo
4. Acer
5. Toshiba
6. Sony
   

Price

We can buy between US$ 700 to US$ 2500. I suggest in the range of US$ 900 ~ 1200

Type

There are three types of Laptops available.

1. Notebook (Conventional type of using Keyboard, tracking using fingers or attaching a mouse)
2. Tablet PC (Uses touch screen, good to take notes, but somehow not so popular contrary to Bill Gate’s expectations)
3. Netbook (previously UMPC - Ultra Mobile PC; they are selling like hot cakes here because of cheap price, long battery life and low weight. Meant for Internet and office applications)
   

Platform

The significance of this technology is energy efficiency, performance and connectivity.

1. Intel Centrino technology
2. Intel Centrino 2 technology (This is the latest one used along with processors greater than 2.2 GHz speed)
   

Processor

The widely used processor is Intel Core 2 Duo. The speed (GHz) game is already over. Now the factors to be considered are No. of cores, heat, power consumption etc., Processors in the range of 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz is OK. Though AMD processors are also equally good and cheap, they are not very popular.

1. Intel Atom (for Netbook)
2. Intel core 2 duo
1. T series (example T5800) are commonly used now, power=35 W
2. P series (example P8400) are the new processors, bit expensive, power=25W consumes less power
3. Intel Quad core (expensive)
   

Operating system

Windows XP professional is enough for most of our requirements. But Vista is having better security and networking capabilities. Vista is resource hungry. Its popular Aero interface runs smoothly only if we have 2GB RAM. Vista is very colorful and has pleasing interface. It has several versions, most popular are Home Basic or Home Premium. Other versions are expensive and meant for business applications.

1. Windows XP professional
2. Windows Vista: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Vista Ultimate
3. Non OS or Free DOS (we can buy and install OS of our choice but we have to download all drivers from internet and install ourselves)
   

Hard disk

Recommended capacity is 160 ~ 250GB. Serial ATA is the new technology. But IDE is also OK.

1. 60 GB to 360 GB
2. Serial ATA or IDE
3. Speed = 5400 rpm (recently some drives with 7200 rpm are also available)
   

LCD screen size

Standard size recommended is 14” ~ 15”. But having bigger size will be useful to work on large Excel sheets, watching DVDs etc., But they are expensive. Wide screen format is popular nowadays. Higher size will add to overall weight. A 14” laptop weighs 2 Kg, 17” laptop weighs 3.5 Kg. The new breed of Netbooks measure 9 to 10” and weighs around 1 Kg.

1. Size: 9" to 17"
2. Standard or Wide screen aspect ratio
   

Graphics

There are two types of graphics option available.

1. Separate graphics adapter card
1. NVidia Geforce
2. ATI/Radeon
2. On board graphics adapter
1. Intel X3100
2. Intel X4500 HD
   

Separate card will definitely boost performance because of high end engine (chip) and independent video memory. But the laptop cost will be high. Opt this only if the laptop is used for high end video applications & games.

On board adapter is an integral part of motherboard, it usually shares memory from laptop’s system memory (usually 256 MB to 380 MB). This adapter reduces overall laptop cost and satisfies most of the computer applications.

Memory RAM

Having more RAM will definitely boost the performance but it is expensive. For Windows XP 1GB is OK. For Windows Vista 2GB is recommended. Having more RAM unnecessarily will only consume more power and reduce the battery life.

1. 1 GB to 4GB
   

Other features / specs to look for

1. Card reader (for SD, MMC etc.,)
2. WiFi - Wireless access (to access internet in hotspot areas, to make home network)
3. DVD R/W drive or Blue-Ray drive (At present only Blue-ray ROM is available, R/W is yet to come or very expensive)
4. FireWire port (required for miniDV tape handycam connection)
5. Network port (Gigabit)
6. Webcam
7. Built-in mic
8. Bluetooth
9. Audio ports (Mic-IN, speaker OUT, Line-IN)
10. HDMI port
11. Video out ports (D-Sub RGB VGA, S-Video)
12. Expansion slot (PCIMCA, Express card)
13. Fingerprint recognition
14. Modem (analog 56K)
15. Battery life (min 2 hours)
16. Weight (Optimum 2 Kg)
17. Supplied accessories like bag etc.,
18. Included software