As if buying a notebook computer wasn't enough of a challenge, now you have to decide whether to wait for
Windows 7, the next version of the Windows operating system due out in October.
Let's assume, however, that you can't wait. School is starting, so you have to act now. You might not even care about Windows 7! You might have your heart set on a Mac.
The good news is Apple has cut prices, reducing the premium, or "Apple tax," some say characterizes the Cupertino, Ca.-based company's pricing. The 13-inch
MacBook is now only $999 ($949, at participating
Apple Educational Retailers), and the 13-inch
MacBook Pro is $1,199 ($1,099, at participating
Apple Educational Retailers). Both are priced right for cash-strapped students.
If, however, you're like one of the "laptop hunters" seen in Microsoft's TV commercials and feel that a PC better serves your needs, what are your options? Well, for starters, Windows-based notebooks generally fall into the seven categories:
- General Purpose
- Business
- Ultra Portable
- Desktop Replacement
- Gaming
- Tablet PC Convertible
- Netbook
The distinguishing factors are weight, screen size, battery life, processor choices, graphics capability, physical memory, storage and optical drive options, 32-bit versus 64-bit operating system and, oh yes, price!
General purpose notebooks include everything from low-cost, entry-level models to well-equipped, mid-level performers. Business models are similar, in terms of screen size and weight, but usually have faster components, better construction, longer-lasting batteries, and more comprehensive warranties.
Ultra Portables are for travelers. The emphasis is on light weight, long battery life, and "thin-ness." Performance comes second. Desktop replacements are just that. Most are heavy, have panoramic screens, and drain their batteries quickly. They can be easily moved from one room to another, but you wouldn't want to make a habit of stuffing one into your carry-on bag.
Notebook buying guides abound on the Web. A
simple web search of "laptop buying guide" produces over 350 hits. I really don't have anything to add, so I'll refer you to them. I suspect you've heard most of it already. Nevertheless, if you're currently shopping for a laptop and find yourself torn between models, feel free to
send me an email. I'll be happy to add my two cents.
As a general rule, however, don't be too hasty about buying a
netbook as your primary computer. Netbooks are selling like hotcakes right now, but regardless of how little you plan to do with your mini-notebook, be aware that most have serious hardware limitations, most notably screen resolution.
The other day, I tried to install an application on a friend's
Dell Mini 9, only to discover that the unit's limited vertical resolution wouldn't support the program. I firmly believe you're better off buying an inexpensive, general purpose laptop, especially when prices for models with the new Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processors come down.
ULV chips make it possible for manufacturers to build lighter, thinner notebooks with plenty of horsepower but longer battery life.
Acer and
MSI were the first to introduce ULV-powered models, but now
ASUS has joined the fray with its
UX50V, which was one of the notebooks shown today on the
Fox 8 Morning News.
The black, piano-finished UX50 has a glass-covered, 15.6-inch LED-backlit screen (16:9 aspect ratio) and a full-size keyboard with backlit, "
Chiclet" style keys. Also included are an 8-in-1 card reader, 1.3 megapixel web cam, optical mouse, and a 4-cell polymer battery. The unit even adjusts the brightness of the display and keyboard automatically to compensate for ambient lighting conditions. Not bad for a unit that retails for under $1,200.
The UX50V also includes
ASUS 360 Notebook Service, which consists of a two-year global warranty, zero bright dot LCD policy, two-way overnight shipping, 24x7 telephone phone support, and one-year FREE accidental damage coverage. The latter protects your netbook from fire, power surges, plus accidental drops or spills.
This week,
SIGGRAPH 2009 is being held in New Orleans and is expected to draw over 25,000 science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, and education professionals from five continents. SIGGRAPH is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious forums for computer graphics research. The conference also provides a glimpse of the latest in digital art and emerging technologies.
If you're into gaming or computer animation, SIGGRAPH is the place to be. Both endeavors are very demanding when it comes to computer hardware. For years, gamers and multimedia authors snubbed notebooks, believing only a desktop PC could meet their needs, but not any more.
Gaming laptops are the PC world's version of a nitrous-burning street rod. Today, you can opt for a quad core processor, dual internal SATA drives configured as a RAID array, and all-the-stops-pulled-out graphics, including models with two video cards, where each paints half the screen! Gamers knows no bounds. If there's an edge to be had, they will pay for it.
Take, for example, the
ASUS G51, shown today on the
Fox 8 Morning News. This powerhouse is one of the newest additions to the ASUS "
Republic of Gamers" and sports a futuristic, robot-inspired "mecha" design. Gaming notebooks usually have 17-inch (or larger) screens, but the G51's LED-backlit 15.6-inch display makes it more affordable. The unit sells at
Best Buy for
$1,049 and will handle just about any video game.
The G51 employs the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX260M with 1GB GDDR3 VRAM for graphics processing. Its full-size keyboard is backlit, and EAX Advanced HD 4.0 audio technology enhances game play by providing additional, ultra-realistic sound effects in more than 300 supported games. The system is coupled with CMSS surround sound, piped through high-fidelity Altec Lansing speakers. It's a rig you would be proud to take to any LAN party or "frag fest."
Furthermore, if you act now, rather than wait for Windows 7, ASUS will throw in a
Windows 7 upgrade for a nominal shipping charge and any applicable local taxes. This applies to the UX50V, as well. The offer is valid anytime between now and January 31, 2010.
Viewer Feedback |
| "Jerry, your report doesn't mention that this weekend is a Louisiana Sales Tax Holiday, which provides an exemption from state sales tax on the first $2,500 of the purchase price of most individual items of tangible personal property for non-business use. State sales tax is payable only on the portion of the purchase price in excess of $2,500. Anyone shopping for a new notebook might want to wait until August 7 – 8. For more information, see the Louisiana Department of Revenue website." | Sarah M., New Orleans, La. |
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