Buying a Laptop Instead of a Desktop (Part II)

This is the continuation of a previous post. Here it is if you haven't read it.

So let's say you've decided on buying your own laptop. Now what? 

You should follow the guidelines I've listed below. Choose which features are a must for your laptop, and which are desirable. Once you've listed this down, go to the shops themselves and try out the laptops; get a feel for them. Take note of prices. Explore brands (specifically for Windows-capable laptops, and if you're planning on using Linux). Then find the one which best matches your needs and desires within your stated budget.

1) LCD Screen - This is very subjective. First thing you'd like to look at is the aspect ratio. There's the 4:3 ratio found in most laptops of today and all of yesteryears; there the same as the old televisions. Then there's the 16:9 ratio also found in cinemas, HDTV's and many modern displays. These displays are great for watching movies, etc. Then there's size; this is measured in the diagonal direction. Most "small" consumer laptops can go as small as 13". More professional laptops may go down as far as 11.1", but are more expensive. The general rule is that the larger the size, the more difficult it is to carry. See the brightness levels of the screens. Brighter screens are required for use in presence of sunlight, etc. Then there's the 2 major screen finish types; matte/glossy. Glossy screens improve contrast and are very beautiful to look at, but are generally more prone to glare. Matte screens aren't, and are better used for color accuracy. See the resolution of the laptop; a higher resolution means that you can see more on the screen, but things will be smaller if the size of the screen is the same.

2) Keyboard & Pointing Input - The closer to normal the keyboard size, the better. The smaller the keyboard, the more difficult it is to type. Also check the tactile response. Not too hard, not too yielding. The best are those of IBM Thinkpads and Apple MacBook Pros. Make sure that the trackpad is of a comfortable sensitivity, and that the click buttons are responsive enough for you.

3) Battery Life - Make sure that the battery life is enough for your use. When newly bought, a laptop should at least provide 4 hrs of use at the dimmest display settings. If battery life is not important for you, you should reconsider buying a laptop; it's a waste of your (or someone else's) money.

To be continued...