JDPFu.com 2025

Screen Size / Resolution

Screen size will determine which model of laptop you can have. Screen size is less important than screen resolution to me. I prefer a higher resolution screen and non-wide screen 15inch models. Sadly, only wide screen laptops are produced anymore. As to resolution, just be certain the vertical is larger than 1024. Specifically, a 1280×800 resolution is too limiting for my tastes.

OS

Buying a laptop that doesn’t have the operating system you want isn’t a good idea unless you want Linux. Now there are 32-bit and 64-bit versions of most operating systems. If you will ever need for more than 4GB of RAM, you’ll want a 64-bit OS. However, there are driver availability issues and a few application compatibility issues with very specialized applications on 64-bit Windows Vista. Drivers for cameras, webcams, printers, scanners and similar devices are less likely to support 64-bit Windows. If the webcam is integrated with the laptop and it comes with 64-bit Windows, then you are probably fine. An after market webcam will need to be validated for compatibility. At this point, any new laptop purchase should be delayed until Windows 7 is available. Avoid any version of Vista.

CPU

Almost any CPU provided today will be very fast, but there are still subtle differences that will matter to some people. Do not purchase a laptop with a Core Duo CPU. This is 3 generations old technology. Get at least a Core 2 Duo or newer and verify VT-M support if you plan to run virtual machines. Also, if you need to run WindowsXP programs under Windows7, you’ll need VT support. Here’s a search that found mobile processors that support VT=

RAM

Today 2GB of RAM is the minimal, but I’d buy at least 4GB myself and be certain that the laptop can be upgraded to at least 8GB in the future.

External ports (USB/Firewire/eSATA)

If you need firewire or eSATA, you already know it. Two USB should be fine, but more are handy. You also want some kind of video output for connecting to TVs and projectors. HDMI and VGA are nice, but so is svideo for older TV connections.

I routinely use my laptop as a desktop replacement by connecting the VGA-out to a big monitor and plugging in both keyboard and mouse ports via USB. Highly recommended.

WiFi / Wireless

WiFi, 802.11g is a minimal, but 802.11N or cellular network wireless adapters may also be nice.

Disk Size

Current laptops seem to include at least 160GB of disk storage. This should be sufficient for almost anyone except video people. My last laptop came with a 320GB internal disk. We all should get in the habit of not storing data on our laptop disks, but rather on a server someplace else. Laptop disk drives are prone to crashing due to the extra strain that movement and heat cause them. Be prepared for your laptop disk to fail, when you need it most. Backup, backup, backup.

Memory Card Reader

More and more of us are using other devices that hold CF, SD, SDHC and other flash memory sticks. It is handy to have a memory reader built into your new laptop that reads the type of flash memory your camera or PDA uses. Having this reader built-in, means you don’t need to hunt for the special cable that came with the other device to get stuff off it or put stuff onto it. Sadly, if you are like me, you learn about this after you’ve already bought a SONY camera, which uses proprietary SONY Memory Stick and MS-Pro flash. Of course, if you are into SONY cameras, then a SONY laptop could make sense, however, for $10, you can purchase an 8-in-1 memory card reader that connects via USB that will read all the popular flash memory, including SONY Memory Stick-whatever.

While you’re considering flash memory formats, consider that you probably want t purchase the smallest form factor that works across your devices. SD and SDHC come in micro, mini and standard physical sized. My Nokia uses standard sized, but is limited to 8GB per card. My laptop reads standard SDHC too, so I currently do not have a requirement for smaller physical SDHC memory. I suspect my next cell phone will need micro-SDHC, so whenever I purchase more, I’ll try to get the fastest RAM specification, in the micro physical format and use a micro-2-standard converter. I little planning will save issues later.

Optical Media Support

A DVD/BD drive really is required. Built-in floppy drives are not available in most laptops anymore. A slot-load optical drive only supports 5inch disks, not the mini-disks that many vendors use to distribute drivers, software or documentation.

Install CD / Recovery / Backup

Laptops usually do not come with a save me disk. Rather, they create a service partition that will reinstall the OS and all default applications. Be certain to back this partition up very soon after you get your new laptop.

Warranty / Type of Support

Laptops get dropped and break all the time. Get the warranty and service at purchase time for the next 3-4 years. Obviously, 24 hour in-home support costs more than mail-in support. Think about whether you are willing to ship your non-working laptop out of town for this support.

Applications Pre-installed

For some people, installing MS-Office isn’t worth the time or trouble, so getting it pre-installed with a new system is worth the $300 cost. Even if they already have a valid license for the software, the extra hassle may override the significant cost.

An example laptop configuration and price from 8/2008:

Dell Studio 1535 – $785 (inc tax) from Best Buy

 – T8100 Core 2 Duo (VT support)

 – 4GB RAM

 – 320GB Disk

 – WiFi-G

 – HDMI + VGA Out

 – 10/100/1000 ethernet port

 – 4 USB 2.0 ports

 – 1 mini-firewire port

 – 1 SDHC memory reader (4 in 1)

 – Slot load DVD +/- RW

 – 15inch 1280×800 screen

 – Windows Vista 64-bit Home Premium

 – 5.2 lbs – weight matters

This Dell also has a handle physical switch to disable the WiFi radio and another button to check for wifi without powering the PC up.

I wrote this article after seeing another I’m a PC commercial. Seems these folks are spending under $1500 and feel good about it. 95% of you shouldn’t spend more than $600 on a laptop. The next 4% should be under $1000 and the last 1% – well, you’re gonna spend whatever it costs because you WANT IT.

Here’s a blog from a Microsoft Evangelist on his new laptop