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Laptops Guide: Choosing a Laptop
that is Right for You
By: Jonathan Chase
Most of us tend to think of laptops in the same way: a
fairly small portable computer that can open and close
like a suitcase, with all of the capabilities of a
desktop. In fact, the term “laptop” is really very
generic. There are currently four main styles of these
portable PCs, each offering something a bit different,
depending upon your specific needs.
Ultralights – Also known as sub-notebooks or
ultraportables, this style of laptop weighs up to – but
no more than – four pounds, making them ideal for
travelers. The upside of an ultralight is that it
doesn’t burden those who have to spend a lot of time
carrying them with aching muscles, as its larger cousins
often do. The downside, however, is that – in order to
cut down on the size and weight – this type of laptop is
so small that there’s no room for a network card or
internal CD drive. In order to reap the benefits of
these types of “attachments,” you’d have to bring an
external CD drive and port replicator. Another negative
in the scenario is that ultralights tend to be on the
expensive end of the laptop spectrum.
Notebooks – This is basically just a regular laptop, but
is slightly less heavy, weighing in at four to six
pounds. While it’s heavier than the smaller ultralight,
it also offers more options with less fuss. Offering the
flexibility of a combo bay, notebooks are designed with
a large opening on the side which allows the user to
plug a CD drive, floppy disk or extra battery – allowing
you to access the features that you need without the
burden of making room for those that aren’t needed.
Standards – Commonly referred to as “regular laptops,”
these weigh between six and eight pounds and offer a
full range of benefits. This technological pack-mule is
the best buy – dollar for dollar – when you consider the
cost/performance ratio. Due to their popularity,
combined with their design and usability, it’s not
uncommon to find discounts on these from major
manufacturers. Other types of laptops, which fall into
more specialized categories, tend to be in the higher
price ranges. The bottom line is, of the four main types
of laptops, the standard is the most economical for the
most reasonable amount of money.
Extra Large – Although this type of laptop doesn’t yet
have a technical name, it’s best to simply refer to it
as “extra large,” since they weigh between eight and ten
pounds and have a screen that measures at least 17
inches. In addition, the keyboard is much larger than a
standard laptop, making it a more comfortable fit for
those who find the keyboard of the standard laptop
rather inhibitive. There are a couple of downfalls to
owning this type of unit, not the least of which
includes its weight. There can be a four pound
difference between the weight of a standard and an extra
large laptop – and that’s quite a bit, when you think
about lugging it around all day. The other negative
factor is the cost of this type of laptop. It offers a
price tag that’s every bit as hefty as its weight and
size.
The purchase of a laptop comes down to personal
preference, and there are enough styles in the laptop
community to please just about everyone. For those who
can’t decide and just want “a laptop,” then it’s
probably better to stick to the standard model |
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