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The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide
April 6, 2010 | Posted By: David Varble
A beginners guide to netbooks & laptops and what to look for when buying one.
Do your homework - Before buying a laptop online, I suggest going to a store and checking out the display models. A few things to consider are the keyboard size and feel, screen size and resolution, glossy vs matte, speaker sound, durability, weight and so on. After you figure out which is best for you, then look around for the best deal. One place to check is my weekly best laptop deals page, which features the current hottest and most popular deals. This is a great way to read first hand reviews and relevant information on specific models.
Resist up-sells and accessories - Often websites and retail stores try and sell you extras to go with your new laptop: wireless mice, laptop case, external optical drive, RAM upgrade, etc... but resist. You can save money by purchasing these separately when they are on sale. It may be a lot cheaper to buy and replace the RAM yourself, a process that takes a screwdriver and about 5 minutes of your time. Here is a brief video demonstrating the few simple steps to upgrade a typical laptops memory. I suggest consulting your owners manual, however, to determine the maximum speed/size your laptop can handle, as well as any instructions specific to that model.
CPU - Central Processing Unit - Possibly the single most important component, the processor or "brain" of the computer is also one of the biggest determining factors on battery life. The faster the processor the more power it uses, and therefore shortens the battery life. The majority of new laptops come with a dual core CPU, with the exception of some netbooks (usually a single-core Intel Atom) and higher end gaming/desktop replacement laptops (usually a Intel quad-core i7). Here is an example of the typical way CPU specs are listed: Intel Core 2 Duo T7000 Series Processor (2.4GHz, 800MHz, 4MB L2 Cache)
RAM (Random Access Memory) - It can be extremely frustrating using a computer with insufficient RAM. When this happens your laptop resorts to using the hard drive to store and retrieve memory data (swap files), which not only takes longer than RAM but also requires more power. When deciding on RAM there are a few things to consider. First you need to find the maximum amount and speed of RAM that your motherboard will take. You can refer to your owners manual, manufacture page, or websites like crucial.com to determine your models maximum RAM capacity and speed. DDR3 is faster then DDR2, but the two are not compatible. However, DDR3 with a clock speed of 1333 for example, is backwards compatible with DDR3 800. Secondly, you must consider which operating system you will be running. Windows 32 Bit versions have a maximum of 4GB (3.4GB of which is usable), while most new laptops come with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit, which has a limit of 16GB. In other words, there is no point in having 8GB of RAM in your laptop if you plan on running a 32-Bit operating system. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 1GB of RAM for Windows 7, which performs much better with less RAM then the notoriously RAM hungry Vista, but I would suggest twice that (2GB). Finally be careful when choosing factory RAM upgrades. Often you can easily upgrade the RAM yourself in a matter of minutes for much less, with the bonus of having the extra sticks as backup.
Optical Drive - Aside from netbooks and ultraportables, laptops come standard with an optical drive that can read and burn DVDs. Higher end laptops with large screens may come with a Blu-ray drive instead. Without full 1080p (1920 x 1080) screen resolution you wont be able to take full advantage of this unless you hook your laptop up to a TV or monitor.
HDMI - HDMI is able to send audio and video in full 1080p over a single cable. If you plan on ever hooking your laptop into a high definition monitor or HDTV, then I would suggest a laptop with HDMI out.
Hard Drive - Most new laptops come with at a 160GB hard drive, if not 250GB or larger. They generally range in speed from 5,400 to 7,200 RPMs with the fastest reaching 10,000 RPMs. While it can take more power to spin a drive's platter faster, I suggest a 7,200 RPM drive for the performance improvement. Costing substantially more money are solid state drives. With no moving parts, lighter weight, improved performance over standard drives, and reduced energy use, SSD seem ideal for laptop use, but it's at the cost of capacity and price.
Screen - Screen resolution is the number of columns and rows of pixels displayed on a screen. Determining the correct screen size and resolution for you is a large factor in which laptop to buy. A laptop with a 13.3 inch screen for example, may come in different resolutions: (1200 x 800) or (1366 x 768). With more pixels being crammed into the same size screen, you are able to see more of a webpage. However, this also makes text and desktop icons smaller. Another factor to consider is LED backlights vs conventional compact fluorescent tubes found in budget and older laptops. LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlights tend to provide more contrast while using less power, providing longer battery life.
Here is a list of typical screen resolutions and possible sizes (diagonal):
Netbooks work great as a secondary PC or for younger children, and for travel or on-the-go use. Generally netbooks have 12" or smaller screens, weigh (2-3 pounds), and cost less the $500. They are not designed to replace the functions of your desktop or laptop, as they generally lack the power for anything other than Web surfing, e-mailing, etc. A typical netbook has an ultra low voltage CPU, such as a (1.6GHz) Intel Atom, 1GB of RAM, 160GB 5,400RPM SATA hard drive, no optical drive, and often run Windows XP, Win 7, or Linux.
Price: $500 or less.
Pros: Low price and portability
Cons: Small screen, limited processing power
Ideal Netbook:
Intel Atom N280 Processor (1.66GHz, 667MHz, 512KB L2 Cache)
2 GB RAM
12" 720p (1366 x 768) Display
32GB or larger Solid State Drive
Windows 7 OS
Wireless 802.11n & Bluetooth
9 Cell Battery
Multi-touchpad
Even thinner and lighter than a Netbook, weighing less than 4 pounds, while offering more power. Generally costs from $500 to $1,000+. A typical ultraportable notebook has a low voltage Core 2 Duo processor, 11-13" screen with 720p or higher (1440 x 900) display resolution, integrated graphics (to save room and heat), and often no optical drive. The main difference between a Netbook and a Ultraportable, besides the price, is processing power and screen size, allowing them greater functionality for general computer use.
Price: $500 - $1,000 Plus
Pros: Portability & added power
Cons: No optical drive, integrated graphics, and cost
Ideal Ultraportable:
Dual Core Ultra Low Voltage Processor
13.3" (1440 x 900) Display
128GB Solid State Drive
Windows 7 OS
9 Cell Battery
Multi-touchpad
Midsize laptops are still small enough to haul around, but large enough to work efficiently. 14-16 inch screens, dual-core CPUs, 3-4 GB RAM, 250GB or larger hard drive, and DVD burner are typical. Cheaper midsize laptops have lower screen resolutions (1280 x 800) or (1366 x 768), while the more expensive ones offer higher resolutions, up to (1600 x 900). Often times, Blu-ray drives are not included due to the limited screen size. Even with a 15.6" screen and (1440 x 900) resolution, you cannot take full advantage of HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) content.
Price: $600 - $1000
Pros: Large enough to work comfortably w/ more functionality then a netbook, often budget priced
Cons: Depending on price/model, limited processing power and battery life
Ideal Midsize:Intel Core 2 Duo T7000 Series Processor- like the T7700 (2.4GHz, 800MHz, 4MB L2 Cache)
4GB of DDR3 RAM
15.6" (1440 x 900) LCD Display w/ LED backlight
250GB 7,200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Wireless N & Bluetooth
9 Cell Battery
Discrete Graphics Card
Desktop replacement laptops will cost you $800 or more; not ideal for portability but still better than lugging around a desktop, keyboard, and monitor. These larger laptops are often used when space is limited. Battery life is often less than three hours on desktop replacements due to the large screen size, faster processor, and discrete graphics card; therefore they are generally tethered to a wall socket. These laptops typically have a screen of 16-18", minimum of a Core 2 Duo processor, if not a quad core.
Price: $1,000 - $1,500 +
Pros: Large high definition screen (usually capable of displaying Blu-ray resolutions), powerful processor, and full size keyboards
Cons: Big and heavy and often with short battery life, not made for portability
Ideal Desktop Replacement:
Intel Core i7 620M (2.66 - 3.33GHz, 2.5 GT/s, 4MB L3 Cache)
18.4" 1080p (1920 x 1080) Display
Blu-ray Drive
8GB DDR3 RAM
500GB 7,200RPM Hard Drive for storage & Solid State Drive for operating system
Discrete Graphics such as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 w/ 1GB of Video Memory
Fast CPU, Powerful Dedicated 3D Graphics Card, and large display.
The biggest difference between a typical desktop replacement laptop and gaming laptop is the graphics card. Gaming laptops try to pack the power of a desktop into a portable size. Gaming laptops and notebooks typically contain high speed Core 2 duo, Core 2 quad, or Core i7 processors, a dedicated graphics card with at least 512MB of video memory (preferably 1GB), 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 15-18 inch screen with minimum of (1440 x 900) resolution, and 7,200RPM hard drive.
Price: $1,300 - $3,000 +
Pros: Gaming power of a desktop while still being somewhat portable, top of the line graphics and processors
Cons: Most expensive with the shortest battery life
Ideal Gaming Laptop:
Intel Core i7-920XM (2.0-3.2GHz, 8MB L3 Cache)
8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
18" 1080p (1920 x 1080) LED Display
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800M w/ 1GB G-DDR3 graphics memory
1TB 7,200RPM SATA Hard Drive for storage, and Solid State Drive for OS
Windows 7 64-Bit
Blu-ray Drive
Tips for buying a laptop
Introduction to the Components
CPU - Central Processing Unit - Possibly the single most important component, the processor or "brain" of the computer is also one of the biggest determining factors on battery life. The faster the processor the more power it uses, and therefore shortens the battery life. The majority of new laptops come with a dual core CPU, with the exception of some netbooks (usually a single-core Intel Atom) and higher end gaming/desktop replacement laptops (usually a Intel quad-core i7). Here is an example of the typical way CPU specs are listed: Intel Core 2 Duo T7000 Series Processor (2.4GHz, 800MHz, 4MB L2 Cache)
CPU specs usually contain these three specs(GPU) Graphics Processing Unit Integrated graphics are built into the motherboard (or CPU) and utilize a portion of the computers system RAM, while dedicated (or discrete) graphics are separate chips that have their own video memory, resulting in better performance. With dedicated graphics cards improved performance, comes more heat, larger size (space for cooling), and shorter battery life. Dedicated graphics cards are a must for gaming laptops. Here is a helpful Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart at TomsHardware.com (mobile graphics included).Speed of the CPU - measured in gigahertz (GHz)
Front-side Bus or FSB - connects the CPU to other system components (like the RAM and graphics card), usually measured in megahertz (MHz)
Cache - extremely fast memory built into (or next to) the CPU that stores recently-used data for faster accessibility, usually measured in megabytes (MB). Multi-core CPUs often have L2 (level 2) or even L3 cache.
AMD CPU modelsTurion X2 -dual core with low power consumption
Athlon Neo - often used in netbooks, comparable to Intel's Atom Processor
Athlon Neo X2 - dual core version of the Neo
Athlon X2 Dual Core - AMD's most commonly used dual core processor, comparable to Intel's core 2 duo
Intel CPU modelsCeleron - Intel's least expensive CPU found in lower end laptops
Atom - entry level single-core processor, low power consumption
Core 2 Solo - ULV CPUs somewhere between Atom and dual core ULV
Pentium Dual Core - multicore CPUs that don't qualify for the Core 2 Duo tag
Core 2 Duo - Intel's most commonly used dual core CPU, comparable to the Athlon X2 and about 5-20% faster then a Core 2 solo
Core 2 Quad - Core i7- Intel's top of the line quad core CPU with slower clock rate (when turbo is not activated)
RAM (Random Access Memory) - It can be extremely frustrating using a computer with insufficient RAM. When this happens your laptop resorts to using the hard drive to store and retrieve memory data (swap files), which not only takes longer than RAM but also requires more power. When deciding on RAM there are a few things to consider. First you need to find the maximum amount and speed of RAM that your motherboard will take. You can refer to your owners manual, manufacture page, or websites like crucial.com to determine your models maximum RAM capacity and speed. DDR3 is faster then DDR2, but the two are not compatible. However, DDR3 with a clock speed of 1333 for example, is backwards compatible with DDR3 800. Secondly, you must consider which operating system you will be running. Windows 32 Bit versions have a maximum of 4GB (3.4GB of which is usable), while most new laptops come with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit, which has a limit of 16GB. In other words, there is no point in having 8GB of RAM in your laptop if you plan on running a 32-Bit operating system. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 1GB of RAM for Windows 7, which performs much better with less RAM then the notoriously RAM hungry Vista, but I would suggest twice that (2GB). Finally be careful when choosing factory RAM upgrades. Often you can easily upgrade the RAM yourself in a matter of minutes for much less, with the bonus of having the extra sticks as backup.
Optical Drive - Aside from netbooks and ultraportables, laptops come standard with an optical drive that can read and burn DVDs. Higher end laptops with large screens may come with a Blu-ray drive instead. Without full 1080p (1920 x 1080) screen resolution you wont be able to take full advantage of this unless you hook your laptop up to a TV or monitor.
HDMI - HDMI is able to send audio and video in full 1080p over a single cable. If you plan on ever hooking your laptop into a high definition monitor or HDTV, then I would suggest a laptop with HDMI out.
Hard Drive - Most new laptops come with at a 160GB hard drive, if not 250GB or larger. They generally range in speed from 5,400 to 7,200 RPMs with the fastest reaching 10,000 RPMs. While it can take more power to spin a drive's platter faster, I suggest a 7,200 RPM drive for the performance improvement. Costing substantially more money are solid state drives. With no moving parts, lighter weight, improved performance over standard drives, and reduced energy use, SSD seem ideal for laptop use, but it's at the cost of capacity and price.
Screen - Screen resolution is the number of columns and rows of pixels displayed on a screen. Determining the correct screen size and resolution for you is a large factor in which laptop to buy. A laptop with a 13.3 inch screen for example, may come in different resolutions: (1200 x 800) or (1366 x 768). With more pixels being crammed into the same size screen, you are able to see more of a webpage. However, this also makes text and desktop icons smaller. Another factor to consider is LED backlights vs conventional compact fluorescent tubes found in budget and older laptops. LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlights tend to provide more contrast while using less power, providing longer battery life.
Here is a list of typical screen resolutions and possible sizes (diagonal):
| Screen Resolutions | Typical Screen Sizes |
|---|---|
| SVGA (800 x 600) | 12" |
| XGA (1034 x 768) | 12", 13.3", 14", 15" |
| WXGA (1280 x 800) | 15.4″, 14.1″, 13.3, 12.1″ |
| WXGA+ (1440 x 900) | 14″ |
| SXGA (1280 x 1024) | 14″, 15″, 15.7″ |
| XSGA+ (1400 x 1050) | 12.1″, 14″, 15″ |
| WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) | 15.4″ |
| UXGA (1600 x 1200) | 14″, 15″, 16″ |
| WUXGA (1920 x 1200) | 17″, 15.4″ |
Determining Your Computing Needs
Netbooks
Netbooks work great as a secondary PC or for younger children, and for travel or on-the-go use. Generally netbooks have 12" or smaller screens, weigh (2-3 pounds), and cost less the $500. They are not designed to replace the functions of your desktop or laptop, as they generally lack the power for anything other than Web surfing, e-mailing, etc. A typical netbook has an ultra low voltage CPU, such as a (1.6GHz) Intel Atom, 1GB of RAM, 160GB 5,400RPM SATA hard drive, no optical drive, and often run Windows XP, Win 7, or Linux.Price: $500 or less.
Pros: Low price and portability
Cons: Small screen, limited processing power
Ideal Netbook:
Intel Atom N280 Processor (1.66GHz, 667MHz, 512KB L2 Cache)
2 GB RAM
12" 720p (1366 x 768) Display
32GB or larger Solid State Drive
Windows 7 OS
Wireless 802.11n & Bluetooth
9 Cell Battery
Multi-touchpad
Ultraportable
Even thinner and lighter than a Netbook, weighing less than 4 pounds, while offering more power. Generally costs from $500 to $1,000+. A typical ultraportable notebook has a low voltage Core 2 Duo processor, 11-13" screen with 720p or higher (1440 x 900) display resolution, integrated graphics (to save room and heat), and often no optical drive. The main difference between a Netbook and a Ultraportable, besides the price, is processing power and screen size, allowing them greater functionality for general computer use.Price: $500 - $1,000 Plus
Pros: Portability & added power
Cons: No optical drive, integrated graphics, and cost
Ideal Ultraportable:
Dual Core Ultra Low Voltage Processor
13.3" (1440 x 900) Display
128GB Solid State Drive
Windows 7 OS
9 Cell Battery
Multi-touchpad
Midsize (All Purpose)
Midsize laptops are still small enough to haul around, but large enough to work efficiently. 14-16 inch screens, dual-core CPUs, 3-4 GB RAM, 250GB or larger hard drive, and DVD burner are typical. Cheaper midsize laptops have lower screen resolutions (1280 x 800) or (1366 x 768), while the more expensive ones offer higher resolutions, up to (1600 x 900). Often times, Blu-ray drives are not included due to the limited screen size. Even with a 15.6" screen and (1440 x 900) resolution, you cannot take full advantage of HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) content.Price: $600 - $1000
Pros: Large enough to work comfortably w/ more functionality then a netbook, often budget priced
Cons: Depending on price/model, limited processing power and battery life
Ideal Midsize:Intel Core 2 Duo T7000 Series Processor- like the T7700 (2.4GHz, 800MHz, 4MB L2 Cache)
4GB of DDR3 RAM
15.6" (1440 x 900) LCD Display w/ LED backlight
250GB 7,200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Wireless N & Bluetooth
9 Cell Battery
Discrete Graphics Card
Desktop Replacement
Desktop replacement laptops will cost you $800 or more; not ideal for portability but still better than lugging around a desktop, keyboard, and monitor. These larger laptops are often used when space is limited. Battery life is often less than three hours on desktop replacements due to the large screen size, faster processor, and discrete graphics card; therefore they are generally tethered to a wall socket. These laptops typically have a screen of 16-18", minimum of a Core 2 Duo processor, if not a quad core. Price: $1,000 - $1,500 +
Pros: Large high definition screen (usually capable of displaying Blu-ray resolutions), powerful processor, and full size keyboards
Cons: Big and heavy and often with short battery life, not made for portability
Ideal Desktop Replacement:
Intel Core i7 620M (2.66 - 3.33GHz, 2.5 GT/s, 4MB L3 Cache)
18.4" 1080p (1920 x 1080) Display
Blu-ray Drive
8GB DDR3 RAM
500GB 7,200RPM Hard Drive for storage & Solid State Drive for operating system
Discrete Graphics such as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 w/ 1GB of Video Memory
Fast CPU, Powerful Dedicated 3D Graphics Card, and large display.
Gaming Laptop
The biggest difference between a typical desktop replacement laptop and gaming laptop is the graphics card. Gaming laptops try to pack the power of a desktop into a portable size. Gaming laptops and notebooks typically contain high speed Core 2 duo, Core 2 quad, or Core i7 processors, a dedicated graphics card with at least 512MB of video memory (preferably 1GB), 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 15-18 inch screen with minimum of (1440 x 900) resolution, and 7,200RPM hard drive.Price: $1,300 - $3,000 +
Pros: Gaming power of a desktop while still being somewhat portable, top of the line graphics and processors
Cons: Most expensive with the shortest battery life
Ideal Gaming Laptop:
Intel Core i7-920XM (2.0-3.2GHz, 8MB L3 Cache)
8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
18" 1080p (1920 x 1080) LED Display
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800M w/ 1GB G-DDR3 graphics memory
1TB 7,200RPM SATA Hard Drive for storage, and Solid State Drive for OS
Windows 7 64-Bit
Blu-ray Drive
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j/k - Great article!
1) RAM size and use of RAM
2) Intel i3, i5 processors and turbo boost
3) Miscellaneous features like bluetooth, USB ports, memory stick slots, S-Video output, Webcam, Integrated Mic etc
4) Difference in Mac and Windows
5) If Athlon has processor in similar to i3 and i5
But anyway very nice article. Thanks!