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Purchasing a Laptop

by Cindy Beattie

November 12, 2007

 

My daughter called me Friday night in a bit of a panic.  The laptop that we had purchased for her almost 5 years ago has a screen that is turning pink.  It happens.  The LCD screen on a laptop is probably the part that will cause you the most problems, and it usually isn’t covered under the warranty.  The last screen I had to replace cost over $400 and that laptop was under warranty. As I was walking through Wal-mart this weekend I saw a laptop, far superior to the one we bought for her all those years ago, for less than $400.  We truly live in a disposable society!

 

Several people have recently asked me for help in purchasing a laptop and I find this very difficult to do.  It all depends on what you are going to use it for, how much you want to pay, and how are you going to use it.

While I cannot endorse any particular brand or model, I can offer some advice in what to look for when shopping. Take it for what it’s worth – remember my daughter’s laptop screen in now pink!

  1. Please keep in mind that while Microsoft has released their newest operating system, Vista, with MS Office 2007, here at Riverside we are still using Windows XP Professional and Office 2003. There may be compatibility issues between the 2 operating systems, and any documents created in Office 2007 would have to be ‘saved as’ an earlier version. Office 2003 cannot open documents saved as Office 2007.  Of course most laptops available now have some form of Vista on it already. Just keep this in mind if your child is going to use the laptop to do their homework.
  2. Keeping the above in mind, the first step is to figure out your budget. Look for the highest processor speed, most RAM and largest hard drive within your budget. (See recommendations later in the article)
  3. Software costs should also factor into your budget. MS Word sometimes comes with the laptop.  Please note: Microsoft Works is NOT compatible with the school’s PCs and documents created with MS Works cannot be opened on them. Right now you can purchase Office suites directly from Microsoft at 75% off retail price if your child is a student.  To check out this offer and to order go to the following link:  http://www.iec-ia.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2007/05/07/463f77c0011db  For a student, your proof could be a student photo ID or a copy of a report card. The difference between the Office suites is the software included.  To learn about the differences you can go to the following link:  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101635841033.aspx  Be sure to also purchase anti-virus software such as McAfee or Norton’s.  Make sure you update and run this software often. Also, if your child is in high school or getting ready for college, you might want to consider purchasing OneNote.  This is an excellent note-taking program.
  4. It is strongly recommended that you purchase at least a 3 year warranty from the Manufacturer. In the event of computer failure, the manufacturer’s technical staff is your primary resource in solving the problem. Of course if you buy at Best Buy or Nebraska Furniture Mart they offer their own extended warranties. 
  5. When purchasing a laptop, please be sure to check the screen for readability, comfort with the pointing device (if you don’t like a touchpad, you might want to purchase a USB mouse), ease of keyboard use and make sure that you are comfortable carrying the weight of the laptop.

 

For specific things to look for in a laptop, I found the following articles to be very useful.  The first is from the University of Pennsylvania.  This is their laptop recommendations for their students.  I like this article because it breaks down the kind of laptops into four groups.

Laptop Computer Purchasing Guide (University of Pennsylvania):
Recommendations for Second Quarter 2007-2008

Specifications effective October 1, 2007

Recognizing that there are a variety of laptops which meet different needs, this Information Systems & Computing (ISC) purchasing guide for 2007-2008 presents four alternative configurations.

Mid-Weight Laptop

These laptops are generally used as a primary desktop workstation or ‘desktop-equivalent’, with a need to have most drives on board. They tend to weigh between four and one half and six pounds and have medium-sized (14.1-inch to 15.4-inch) screens.

Recommended Configurations for Mid-Weight Laptop Workstations
Specifications effective October 1, 2007
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1)

 

Windows

Mac OS

Hardware

Processor

Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2 GHz)

Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2 GHz)

Memory (RAM)

2.0 GB

2.0 GB

Hard Disk

120 GB/7200 RPM
or 160 GB/5400 RPM

120 GB/5400 RPM

Display & VRAM

14.1-inch SXGA+ or WXGA
128 MB discrete video card

15.4-inch widescreen
128 MB discrete video card

Miscellaneous

DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth

DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth

Network Connectivity

High-bandwidth

internal 10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

internal 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

Low-bandwidth

internal V.92 modem

optional V.92 modem

Operating System

Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista

Mac OS 10.4.x

Estimated Price

$1,700 - $2,250

$2,050

Full-Size Laptop

These laptops are generally used as a primary desktop workstation or ‘desktop-equivalent’. These laptops tend to weigh between six and eight pounds and have larger (15.0-inch to 15.4-inch) screens.

Recommended Configurations for Full-Size Laptop Workstations
Specifications effective October 1, 2007
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1)

 

Windows

Mac OS

Hardware

Processor

Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2 GHz)

Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4 GHz)

Memory (RAM)

2.0 GB

2.0 GB

Hard Disk

100 GB/7200 RPM
or 120 GB/5400 RPM

160 GB/5400 RPM

Display & VRAM

15.0-inch to 15.4-inch SXGA+ or WSXGA+
256 MB discrete video card

15.4-inch widescreen
256 MB discrete video card

Miscellaneous

DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth

DVD±R/CD-RW 'SuperDrive'
internal Bluetooth

Network Connectivity

High-bandwidth

internal 10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

internal 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

Low-bandwidth

internal V.92 modem

optional V.92 modem

Operating System

Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista

Mac OS 10.4.x

Estimated Price

$1,700 - $2,500

$2,550

 

Lightweight Laptop

These laptops, sometimes called sub-notebooks, tend to weigh between two and five pounds and have small (11.1-inch to 13.3-inch) screens. In performance, they tend to be relatively close the other laptops, but contain fewer features.

Recommended Configurations for Lightweight Laptop Workstations
Specifications effective November 1, 2007
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1)

 

Windows

Mac OS

Hardware

Processor

Core 2 Duo ULV U7600 (1.2 GHz)
or Core 2 Duo LV L2500 (1.6 GHz)
or Core 2 Duo T7100 (1.8 GHz)

Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.13 GHz)

Memory (RAM)

1.5 GB

1.5 GB

Hard Disk

80 GB

120 GB

Display & VRAM

12.1-inch to 13.3-inch XGA or WXGA
integrated video

13.3-inch widescreen
integrated video

Miscellaneous

CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
optional Bluetooth

DVD±R/CD-RW 'SuperDrive'
internal Bluetooth

Network Connectivity

High-bandwidth

internal 10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

internal 10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

Low-bandwidth

internal V.92 modem

optional V.92 modem

Operating System

Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista

Mac OS 10.5.x

Estimated Price

$1,400 - $1,650

$1,500 - $1,700

Value Laptop

These laptops tend to weigh between five and eight pounds and have small to medium sized (12-inch to 14.1-inch) screens. In performance, they tend to lag other laptops and contain fewer features.

Recommended Configurations for Value Laptop Workstations
Specifications effective November 1, 2007
Specifications will be reviewed and updated quarterly as appropriate (10/1, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1)

 

Windows

Mac OS

Hardware

Processor

Core 2 Duo T7100 (1.8 GHz)

Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.0 GHz)

Memory (RAM)

1.5 GB

1.5 GB

Hard Disk

80 GB

80 GB

Display & VRAM

12-inch to 14-inch XGA or WXGA
integrated video

13.3-inch widescreen
integrated video

Miscellaneous

CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive

CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
internal Bluetooth

Network Connectivity

High-bandwidth

internal 10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

internal 10/100BaseT Ethernet
internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi)

Low-bandwidth

internal V.92 modem

optional V.92 modem

Operating System

Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista

Mac OS 10.5.x

Estimated Price

$1,100 - $1,200

$1,300

General Laptop Notes

Estimated prices for these laptops include three-year service plans from the manufacturers. Note that the three year warranty is an extra cost for some laptops (including Macintoshes) and that this cost is reflected in the estimated price. Also, this time of year many stores are running some very good deals.  Look for them - it will save you money.

 

The other article is from Geek.com.  It includes both desktop and laptop recommendations.  And if you click on View Details you can get information about that particular component of the desktop/laptop.

Laptop Buyer’s Guide

Thinking of buying a laptop? Make sure you know what you’re getting. Below, you’ll find our recommendations to keep in mind when buying a PC laptop and detailed information on each component found both inside and outside of your laptop.

If you want to dive right in and configure your own laptop, check out our Laptop Buying Engine where you can choose by manufacturer, processor type, screen size, and more.

Also, read through our PC Laptop Buyer FAQ and if you have comments on our recommendations, bring them to our Forums.

Last Updated: September 2007

Click on any of the components under main components for more detailed information

 

Recommended

Minimum

Pricing

Main Components

Processor
click to view details

                                 Desktop Replacement
Intel Core 2 Duo T7400/T7500

                                 Medium Laptops
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200/7300

                                 Light Laptops
Intel Core 2 Duo L7400/7500

                                 Ultra-Light Laptops
Intel Core 2 Duo U7600

                                 Desktop Replacement
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200/T7300

                                 Medium Laptops
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200/7300

                                 Light Laptops
Intel Core 2 Duo L7400/7500

                                 Ultra-Light Laptops
Intel Core 2 Duo U7600

                                 AMD laptops

                                 Celeron laptops

                                 Core 2 Duo laptops

                                 Core Duo laptops

                                 MacBooks

                                 PowerBooks

                                 All laptops

CPU prices

 

Battery
click to view details

                                 Lithium Ion battery with max. cells and additional component battery

                                 Single Lithium Ion battery with max. cells in base model

Laptop Batteries

 

Memory
click to view details

                                 2 GB DDR2 667MHz

                                 1 GB DDR 533MHz

                                 1 GB DDR2 SO-DIMMs

2 GB DDR2 SO-DIMMs

 

Storage Devices

Hard Drive
viewbutton.jpg

                                 160 GB 7200RPM hard drive

                                 120 GB 5400RPM hard drive

2.5″ Hard Drives

 

Optical
viewbutton.jpg

                                 DVD+/-RW drive internally

                                 DVD/CD-RW drive

                                 USB CD/DVD drives

FireWire CD/DVD drives

 

USB Flash
viewbutton.jpg

                                 2 GB USB flash drive

                                 2 GB USB flash drive

USB Floppy drives

 

Floppy
viewbutton.jpg

                                 Modular floppy drive

                                 No floppy

USB Floppy drives

Graphics & Imaging

Video
viewbutton.jpg

                                 NVIDIA GeForce 8000 series

                                 ATI Mobility Radeon 1250

                                 NVIDIA or ATI graphics

Video Cards

 

Screen
viewbutton.jpg

                                 Desktop Replacement / Medium/Light
17″ LCD screen

                                 Medium/Light
14″ LCD screen

                                 Ultralight
12.1″ LCD screen

                                 Desktop Replacement / Medium/Light
15″ LCD screen

                                 Medium/Light
14″ LCD screen

                                 Ultralight
12.1″ LCD screen

LCD monitors

 

Printer
viewbutton.jpg

                                 Color inkjet photo printer

                                 not required

Printers

Sound

Sound
viewbutton.jpg

                                 Built-in sound with microphone, line inputs, and outputs

                                 Built-in sound with microphone

Sound cards

 

Speakers
viewbutton.jpg

                                 Built-in stereo speakers

                                 Built-in stereo speakers

Computer Speakers

Peripherals

Networking
click to view details

                                 Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet

                                 Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet

                                 PC Card NICs

PC Card Wireless

 

Wireless
click to view details

                                 Built-in 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth

                                 Built-in 802.11 a/g

                                 PC Card NICs

PC Card Wireless

 

Modem
click to view details

                                 No modem

                                 Built in 56 Kbps V.92 modem

                                 External modems

PC Card modems

 

Pointing Device
click to view details

                                 Important - get what you like

                                 Important - get what you like

                                 Mice

Trackballs

 

Keyboard
click to view details

                                 Full size

                                 Full size

Keyboards

 

Docking Station / Port Replicator
click to view details

                                 Get one if you need one

                                 Not necessary

                                 Docking Stations

Port Replicators

Other

Carrying Case
click to view details

                                 Leather case

                                 Nylon case

Carrying Cases

 

Security
click to view details

                                 Security software with two-year subscription and security cable

                                 not required

Security Locks

 

Operating System
click to view details

                                 Windows XP Pro or Vista Ultimate

                                 Windows XP Home Edition or any Vista

Operating Systems

 

Productivity Software
click to view details

                                 Full office suite

                                 Partial office suite

Office software

 

Expansion Ports
click to view details

                                 Express Card slot, 6 USB 2.0 ports, 1 FireWire port, DVI, VGA, S-Video ports, RJ-45, RJ-11, Cable Lock Slot, Docking station slot, media bay

                                 3 USB 2.0 ports, DVI, RJ-45, RJ-11, Cable Lock Slot

Cables and adapters

 

Warranty
click to view details

                                 3-year on-site

                                 3-year, first year on-site

                                 N/A

 

From http://www.geek.com/laptop-buyers-guide/

 

So, if you’re planning on purchasing a laptop, good luck!  I recommend that you go to several places and ask lots of questions no matter how silly you think they are.  The more questions you ask (especially between all the stores), the more you will learn about the laptop. Don’t buy the first thing you see, look at all the possibilities, stay in your budget, and don’t be pressured by the salesperson.  You may feel overwhelmed by the process, we all do.  After all you are spending a lot of money on something that will honestly be out-of-date the moment you leave the store.  I will be doing the same this Christmas – after all, I need to find a replacement for a laptop with a pink screen!  Happy Hunting!

 

Cindy Beattie

Technology Coordinator

Riverside Community Schools

Email: cbeattie@riverside.k12.ia.us

 

 

 

 

 

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