Notebook computer Common Sense

Whether you're looking for an amazing media experience or looking for a mobile office, or just a reliable daily home computer operation, an ideal laptop can always fulfill those aspirations. The trouble, though, is choosing laptops because there are so many products to choose from.

This purchase guide helps you to make an orderly selection among the many choices. Here, we will introduce some basic common sense, such as the reason for the fast running of the notebook computer and the difference between USB, DVI and VGA. We also summarize a short list of laptop specifications-you can print them out for reference when you purchase a notebook computer in an entity store or online.

If you want to buy a netbook, check out for a netbook that suits you.

Speed

The computer processor (CPU) and system memory (RAM) determine the speed at which the computer runs and the number of programs that can run simultaneously. The larger the RAM (GB) means the faster and more responsive the computer is. A more powerful CPU typically has multiple cores (dual or quad, not single core) and faster speeds (in GHz). Today, a standard laptop computer may have 2 GB of RAM and a dual-core processor at 1 GHz. Powerful computers may have 4 GB of RAM and four cores from 2.8 GHz.

Many laptops are also equipped with a specially designed mobile processor that is more power-saving than a desktop processor, which has a significant impact on the battery duration of the laptop.

The other thing to consider is whether you want a 32-bit or 64-bit cpu:32 bit system for most people, but 64-bit systems can use more memory (4 GB and higher)-This is good for big game and professional video editing. Windows 7 provides both 64-bit and 32-bit versions, but if you want to run a 64-bit version, you need to use a 64-bit computer. For more information? See uncover the Mystery of 64-bit Windows.

The following table describes the possible RAM and CPU specifications for different types of notebooks:

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computer type	ram	span class= "Para" >cpu
netbook Subminiature, only basic features	1+ GB	1+ GHz single-core
All-in-one laptop E-mail, Internet, photo	2+ GB	1+ GHz dual-core
carry convenient and powerful	2+ GB	1+ GHz dual-core
Mobile studio Professional-level video editing	3+ GB	2+ GHz dual-core
movie take a look at HD visual effects and Cinema sound effects	2+ GB	2+ GHz dual-core
game enthusiast Excellent speed and graphics	4+ GB	2.8+ GHz dual Core, may be 64-bit

Store

The hard drive is where you store all of the data, such as programs, photos, and so on. Today, most laptops have plenty of storage capacity, at least 60-100 GB of space, but some netbooks have less storage space. This is enough for storing photos, music, documents, and a small number of movies.

The following table describes the storage space that is needed for different uses:

computer type	normal storage capacity
netbook Subminiature, basic features only	32-100+ GB
All-in-one laptop E-mail, Internet, photo /td>	60+ GB
carry convenient and powerful	150+ GB
Mobile Studio Professional-level video editing	350+ GB
movie Walkman HD visual effects and Cinema sound effects	250+ gb
Game enthusiasts Excellent speed and Graphics	350+ GB (7200 RPM)

Solid-State drive (SSD) is a new type of hard drive that replaces all moving parts with flash memory. This type of drive is faster, lighter, consumes less, and is more seismic, but also more expensive than a traditional rotary hard drive. Almost all SSD is always smaller than the common laptop hard drive, except for the most expensive SSD, but this may change in the future.

Finally, don't forget to create a backup. With the backup and restore features of Windows 7, you need to set up a little, and then you can sit back and relax because Windows automatically backs up any folders, libraries, and drives that you choose. You can copy valuable data to CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, external hard drives, or upload them to an online service, such as Windows Live Skydrive. The key is to remember to back up your data to a secure location.

Screen

Large screens are ideal for watching movies or working with many windows at the same time. Also, a larger screen (14 inches and more than 14 inches) usually means a higher resolution (that is, how many pixels are displayed, which determines how clear the image is). But if you're walking around with your laptop, a smaller screen might be better: screen size is a major factor in determining the weight and battery life of laptops.

Widescreen computers are becoming more popular now, as more and more people begin to watch movies and play games with laptops. Widescreen computers can also be used to compare two of documents by side. However, some people prefer this standard screen because the higher standard screen provides a larger actual usable area relative to the size of the notebook computer itself.

The final is a much-watched matte screen with a mirror screen-some people prefer a mirror-like screen with bright mirrors, while others prefer the matte-light texture.

Weight

How much should a laptop weigh? The answer to this question depends on what you are going to do with your laptop, what you are going to pay for it, and whether you intend to carry it with you regularly.

High-performance gaming computers weigh up to 15 pounds and are less suited to taking airplanes. The lightest netbook weighs 3 pounds, or less than 3 pounds, but has low battery capacity and poor performance. So many people find the right choice between the two: the standard all-in-one laptop usually weighs 5-7 pounds.

Some laptops reduce weight with smaller screens and keyboards, while some high-end "lightweight" laptops are full-sized (if you're looking for a lightweight netbook, check out for a netbook). Those slim, stylish laptops are probably more expensive, while laptops with a normal appearance, smaller screens and keyboards are the cheapest.

Keyboard and pointing devices

Laptops typically have a trackpad or a pointing stick (a small bump in the middle of some keyboards, sometimes called a rubber head), and a small number of laptops have both. What you choose depends entirely on your personal preference, but you can add a mouse (wired or wireless) to facilitate pointing operations.

The size of the keyboard varies depending on the size of the notebook computer (and sometimes the keyboard layout). Some people will find it difficult to use a smaller keyboard, so it's a good idea to try it before buying. It also helps to understand whether or not you like the touch of the keyboard, such as the spacing between keys and how it feels to be securely or roaster.

Battery

You don't have to worry about this if you never take your laptop outdoors. However, if you plan to travel with your laptop, check the battery specification before buying (make sure the battery life indicated is the manufacturer's standard battery, not the extended age version). Larger screens and faster processors run out of battery power more quickly, as are some specific uses such as playing games, watching movies, and accessing wireless networks.

During the purchase process, you can often upgrade your laptop with a larger battery size. If you really need a long trip and can't plug in the power, you can get extra batteries. Keep in mind, however, that using larger batteries and backup batteries will increase the weight. For more information on this, see Saving battery power.

Graphics

A video card (also called a video card) is used to produce visual effects on a computer. Unlike most desktops, there is no room for a video card to be installed inside a notebook computer. They rely on the computer's built-in graphics processor (GPU). The built-in GPU is divided into two categories: an integrated video card or a dedicated (stand-alone) video card.

Integrated graphics is cheap, but usually not as powerful as a dedicated video card, and a dedicated video card is an advanced option configured on many laptops. Integrated graphics are ideal for most purposes, but a dedicated video card is best for playing games, editing high-resolution video, and performing other tasks with a large number of graphics (and may be necessary for some Windows features-for more information, see Windows 7 System requirements).

Operating system

Windows 7 has more than one version. The Windows 7 Home Advanced Edition delivers an excellent computer entertainment experience, and the Windows 7 Professional and flagship editions add many more powerful and diverse advanced features. Unable to determine which version is right for you? You can compare Windows 7 versions, view system requirements, or compare Windows one by one to compare it with the version of Windows that you are currently using.

Ports, cards, and wireless features

Make sure there are enough ports to connect all the devices and attachments, such as the USB port used to connect to the keyboard, or the HDMI port that fully renders the HDTV screen high-definition. Also consider the memory card slots and wireless interfaces such as WI‑FI, Bluetooth, and even the TV tuner to plug the cable or TV antenna into the computer as a digital VCR. For a way to record TV shows to your computer, check your TV recording in Windows Media Center.

Although Blu-ray drives are gaining popularity, most laptops have an rewritable DVD drive. Most netbooks do not contain optical drives at all, and if you are looking for an ultra portable computer, keep this in mind.

Some common connections and their respective uses are listed below:

Port or Connection	Use
Usb	Keyboard, phone, music player, external hard drive
Ethernet	Broadband Modem, Network
Vga	External monitor (analog)
Dvi	External monitor (digital)
Hdmi	Send the hdtv/Blu-ray video to a high-definition display. Transmission Video and audio signals.
Firewire	Fast transfer from a video camera or Information for external hard drive.
Memory card Slots	A card that stores photos, videos, and music, such as SD and CompactFlash.
PC Cards and ExpressCard	The USB port has almost replaced the PC card port. ExpressCard is a multitasking port that can accept multiple connections, faster than a USB port.
Wi‑fi	Wireless network access: "B" the Slowest, "G" Faster, "N" is the fastest.
Bluetooth	A wireless connection for connecting Bluetooth enabled devices such as headphones, mice, smartphones, printers, and so on.
WWAN	You can connect your phone to the Internet (Monthly payment).