subject: Laptops - To Own Or Not To Own? [print this page] Laptops - To Own Or Not To Own? Laptops - To Own Or Not To Own?
I have owned a laptop off and on for several years. Due to battery life and accessibility, they have, in the past just not been a cost-effective solution for work or pleasure. That is until recently.
Last fall, I purchased a Dell Inspiron laptop, primarily for work. It has been the greatest computer investment I have ever made . and I have five computers in my home (Note: I am writing this sitting in the passenger seat of our family SUV after visiting Grandma.).
This is not a commercial for Dell. This is about laptops in general and the minimum specifications you should look for if considering a purchase. Bear in mind, advances are regularly occurring and the technology here will be old-fashioned soon. Use this guide as a minimum starting point.
To me, the greatest concern or issue with a laptop has been its ability to move . yjis meaning the battery is needed. You absolutely have to have a computer with CentrinoT Mobile Technology. The CentrinoT technology allows my battery to power my notebook for up to four hours! Four hours!
With four hours of computer time, you must be able to access the Internet (Thank you Al Gore). This is where WiFi comes in. Of course you may want your laptop to have the modem and cable adaptors, for online hookup, but it would be a sure crime if you didn't get WiFi capability. WiFi is nothing more than having a wireless Internet connection, thus no cables or plugs for the laptop. Most laptops these days will include Wi-Fi as standard.
Third, you want to get as light weight of a laptop as you can without giving up keyboard size. This makes it that much easier to carry around and you will find yourself carrying it around more frequently.
Fourth, you want a CD/DVD recorder on board and at least two USB ports. The CD/DVD player lets you watch movies or backup important information. The USB ports allow you to connect peripherals such as cameras, printers, etc.
Last, but not least, are the "other things" you need to make your laptop take care of business as good as it's big brother, the Desktop PC. You want a bare minimum of 1 GB RAM (I recommend 2-4GB), a 250 GB hard drive (I recommend 500 GB) and a screen and keyboard size that fits you.
