Jamaica Gleaner - So you want to buy a laptop? - Sunday

So you want to buy a laptop?
published: Sunday | June 6, 2004

Computer technology changes rapidly so computers age very quickly. It makes sense to buy something that you know uses the latest technology and won't become a dinosaur too soon.

Ayanna Kirton, Freelance Writer

LAPTOP COMPUTERS or notebooks are quickly becoming a must- have item for the average businessperson or student on the move.

A laptop's portability allows users to take their computers just about anywhere and use them to multi-task in practically any location.

"I don't think I could survive without my laptop," says Nadia, a 26-year-old MBA student. "With a PC sometimes you can feel chained to your desk and with my numerous group projects, a laptop makes meetings and assignments much easier instead of queuing up to use the desktop. The work gets done faster because there is more than one computer and we can collaborate and make changes simultaneously so it is definitely helpful."

To David, an IT specialist whose job involves travelling locally and overseas, his laptop is his ultimate business solution. "I can fine-tune presentations en route to my destinations and on more than one occasion I have had clients who have experienced power outages during meetings with no back up and my computer has been very helpful," he says. "We would have had to wait for over four hours for the power to be restored to make a 10-minute presentation if I did not have a (battery-powered) laptop!"

If these positive reviews have convinced you to go portable, Jonathan Kelly, director of TechVision, gives the following suggestions on some of the basic features to look for when you invest in a laptop:

. Hard drive size minimum of 40 GB2.

Memory minimum 256 MB3.

Screen size min. 14.1" viewable, i.e. the dimensions of the monitor should not be 14.1" while the actual screen size measures less.4.

Must be network compatible

Speed - 1.5 GHZ6.

Floppy and CD drives. In most cases a CD/RW drive is becoming a standard feature.

DVD drive optional but standard in some models

USB port

Standard operating system: Windows XP Home Edition. Microsoft Works must be included while some models need to be upgraded to Microsoft Office.

Check minimum battery life and standby time to ensure that it meets your specifications

Warranty should be a minimum of one year and it is also prudent to invest in an additional two-year warranty to avoid paying for repairs once your yearlong warranty expires.

Try to purchase a brand which has an authorised dealer located in Ja . This can be an excellent cost-saving mechanism and is likely to eliminate shipping expenses.

Sales and marketing manager for Innovative Systems, Sandi Taylor, encourages potential buyers to follow technology trends when purchasing their laptops.

"Computer technology changes rapidly so computers age very quickly," she says. "It makes sense to buy something that you know uses the latest technology and won't become a dinosaur too soon."

Ms. Taylor suggested that buyers should not be ruled by prices as persons are often misguided in their computer purchases because they tend to opt for the cheapest notebook.

"It is best to compare 'specs' with 'specs' and not only prices," she said.

DURABILITY

The sales and marketing manager also recommends shopping for brands that offer durability. One such brand is IBM whose notebooks start at approximately US$1,100 and are promoted as highly durable and able to withstand the day-in day-out rigours of business or home use.

PCWorld.com, a Web site that provides tips and advice for computer users encourages potential buyers to buy a system, not a processor: "We won't and can't recommend a PC-based solely on its CPU," say the technology experts. "While machines using AMD Athlon XP processors typically score higher than systems with Pentium 4 processors, few vendors allow you to choose one CPU make or the other, and most name-brand vendors (notably, Dell, Gateway, and IBM) don't sell Athlon systems at all."

PCWorld suggests that you shop for a computer as you would shop for a car: Base your decision not only on top speed, but also on price, the overall mix of components, service options, and the manufacturer's reliability record.

INVESTMENT

Once you have invested thousands in your laptop, chances are you will want to keep it for some time. The following are a few suggestions provided by MSN.com to help you minimise the risk of theft of your prized possession:

You love your gorgeous leather briefcase but leave it at home when you travel to out-of-town meetings. Or, if you must make an impression, pack it in your luggage. Packing a laptop in an expensive case is like hanging a sign around the computer that says: Steal this computer.

Power users, i.e., IT professionals who invest thousands and thousands of dollars into their equipment and who order their computers straight from Japan carry their valuable equipment in deliberately beat-up bags. One guy carries his ultra-lightweight laptop in a smallish student-type nylon shoulder bag. If looking stylish matters, find something in plain, serviceable material that doesn't scream for attention a black nylon case, for example, or a shoulder bag. And yet, none of this good advice will help if you forget your computer at the security check.

Seattle-Tacoma Inter-national Airport in the U.S. reports finding 257 laptops lost or abandoned at the airport between March 2003 and March 2004.