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Things to ponder

You know you need a laptop, but how do go about choosing one? Unlike desktops which one can customise by piecing togather diferent components, but in laptop, one has to accept whatever is integrated. This section is meant for people who is considering a laptop or wishes to find out more about laptops. Remember, purchasing a laptop is an investment, so choose wisely.

My 4 main pointers for you when choosing a laptop.

1. Portability- The main reason to have a laptop is portability - the need to take your entire computer from one place to another. If you don't need portability, then you should probably buy a desktop.

2. Expense - Laptops cost almost twice as much as a comparably equipped desktop. Shocking isn't it? You can actually buy two comparably equipped desktops for the price of one laptop. So if you have to have a computer in two separate places, you would be better off with two desktops (if they were reasonably close together you could hook them together in a LAN).

3. Speed - Laptops are 20-40% slower than a desktop with the same features (CPU, hard drive capacity, etc.). Slower motherboards, hard drives, and video systems all contribute to the speed loss.

4. Upgradeability - Laptops are mostly non-upgradeable. Whatever CPU, video card (built into the motherboard), sound card (also built-in), and screen, that come with the computer are the same parts the laptop will end with. While it is possible to upgrade main memory and removable hard disks, the upgrades cost twice as much as a desktop's. Upgrades using PC cards or docking stations are also very expensive.

:Recommended Laptop Features

Memory, Memory, and more Memory - Most lower-priced laptops are sold with 16-32 MB of RAM. That's not enough for running applications efficiently under Windows 95 or Windows 98. If you use your laptop for occasional typing and web browsing you would be much happier with 64 MB of RAM. Power users should try to get a laptop with at least 128 MB or more. It is very important that the memory is purchased when you buy the computer as many laptops have only one or two memory expansion slots and you will wind up throwing away the old memory when you upgrade.

Batteries - Lithium batteries are superior to other kinds.

Hard Drives - 4.3 GB minimum. Of course, more is better.

Hardware DVD/MPEG-2 - All DVD drives rely on MPEG graphics compression to display video. The latest standard is known as MPEG-2. MPEG-2 compression can be provided by software (slow) or by hardware (fast). Needless to say, hardware MPEG-2 is more desirable, and will provide smoother playback.

Video Screens - There are basically two kinds: active matrix (TFT) and dual scan (STN)/ passive matrix screens. Another type of passive matrix screen is called HPA (High Performance Addressing). HPA screens are generally brighter than plain dual scan screens.
Active matrix screens are faster, brighter, and cost about $200-$300 more than a dual scan/HPA screen. Again, it's best to view the screen before purchase to see if you like it.

Video Memory and Screen Resolution - The screen resolution of any laptop or desktop computer is a function of the graphics adapter, amount of Video RAM available, the size (pixel density) of the screen shown (e.g. 640x480), and the number of colors used. These screen features are loosely defined by the type of output the screen can produce e.g. VGA, SVGA, XGA, and SXGA as shown in the table below.

Type of Output	Maximum Screen Size	Number of Colors	Video RAM Required
VGA	640x480	16	1 MB
SVGA	800x600	256	1 - 2 MB
XGA	1024x768	64K-16M	4 MB
SXGA	1280x1024	16M	8 MB

Recommended Minimum Video Memory* - Try to get 2MB or more. Less than 2MB and you may have difficulty running programs in Super VGA resolutions. To get true color (XGA - 16 million colors) on an external monitor, requires 4MB of video memory (the graphics adapter must also be capable of producing the colors, make sure before you buy).

* Certain AMD based laptops with no dedicated video memory. If your laptop lists the term "shared memory" in its specifications, it is likely that it contains no dedicated video memory. The video controller shares system RAM with the CPU, eliminating the requirement for dedicated Video RAM. For laptops that use shared RAM, the video controller's capabilities is the limiting factor for screen resolution.
There are two drawbacks to shared RAM: the video controller accesses shared RAM slower than dedicated Video RAM, and the memory used by the video card reduces total system RAM available to software programs. For example, if your laptop with 32 MB of shared RAM is running in XGA mode, you have only 28 MB of RAM available for programs. So if your software program requires 32 MB of system RAM, you are out of luck.
So what is good about shared RAM? Shared RAM allows manufacturers to cut cost, size, and heat generation by eliminating Video RAM. As a result, you will usually see shared RAM in lower cost laptops and notebooks.

Laptop and Mobile CPU Rundown

Intel Pentium MMX CPUs - Only consider CPUs with speeds of 166 MHz - 300 MHz. You should not buy this CPU in new notebooks as it one of the slowest Mobile processors available.

Pentium II CPUs - The previous laptop speed king, they have speeds of 233MHz-300MHz. There is also a "Mobile" variety that consumes less power (which means your battery will last longer).

Mobile Celerons . On 25 January, Intel released the 266 MHz and 300 MHz Mobile Celeron CPUs. They contain 128K of L2 cache that runs at half the processor speed, similar to a desktop Celeron. So how fast is a mobile Celeron? Per Intel, "A mobile Celeron processor running at a clock speed of 300 MHz offers between 17 - 50% performance improvement over a mobile Pentium® processor with MMX technology running at 266 MHz". On April 5, Intel released the 333 MHz Mobile Celeron and on 26 April, Intel released a 266 MHz low-voltage mini-notebook CPU. Then on May 16, Intel released the 366 MHz Mobile Celeron. It was different from its predecessors because it was manufactured in the new standardized Micro PGA format and it had the new Quickstart power management features. Quickstart lets the system power down faster when the computer is idle, resulting in longer battery life. The 400 MHz Mobile Celeron was released on June 14, and the 433 and 466 MHz Mobile Celerons began shipping on 15 September. This was followed by the 500 MHz Celeron on January 11th and the 550 MHz Celeron was released on the 24 April, 2000

Mobile Pentium II with full speed cache. On 25 January, Intel released the first Mobile PIIs with full speed L2 cache at speeds of 333 MHz and 366 MHz. This was significant, as only the Intel Xeon had a similar high speed cache. A regular PII 's cache runs at half the speed of the processor. As a result of the high speed cache, Intel estimates that the 366 MHz Mobile CPU is 27% faster than its old 300 MHz Mobile CPU. On 14 June, Intel released the 400 MHz Mobile Pentium II. The 400 MHz Mobile Pentium II is the first CPU that Intel has made with its 0.18 micron process (current CPUs are made with a 0.25 micron process) which allows the processor to become smaller and faster. Intel will also make this CPU using the old 0.25 technology (the 0.18 micron CPU uses about 20% less power than the 0.25 micron CPU). The new CPU will come in four different form factors: mini-cartridge, Ball Grid Array (the BGA package is less than a 10th of an inch high and weighs less than a nickel), micro PGA, and the Intel Mobile Module.

Mobile Pentium III Processors - Mobile Pentium III processors are now available in 500, 450 and 400 MHz speeds. These new processors bring a significant performance boost - in some cases greater than a 100 percent performance increase -- over Intel's fastest mobile processors today. Systems with the new processors also feature a 100 MHz system bus, representing a 50 percent increase in bus bandwidth over today's Pentium II processor-based notebooks. The mobile Pentium III processor at 400 MHz operates at an extremely low voltage (1.35 volts) and is targeted specifically at mini notebook designs. Volume prices are from $530 for the 500 MHz CPU and $348 for the 450 and 400 MHz CPUs. (estimates)

Pentium III SpeedStep - Prior to Christmas, Intel promised that they would release new Mobile CPUs based on dual-speed Geyserville technology. Geyserville was the code name for Mobile Notebook CPUs that would run at full speed when plugged into a power source, and run at a slower, battery conserving, speed when using the notebook's battery. These new dual-speed CPUs were renamed SpeedStep and Intel released these new Pentium III CPUs at speeds of 650 and 600MHz. On April 24, 2000, Intel announced it was shipping the 700 MHz SpeedStep. Per Intel, "Mobile Pentium III processors featuring Intel SpeedStep technology can dynamically switch frequency and voltage depending on whether the computer is running on batteries or is plugged into AC power. When running in Battery Optimized Mode, the processors run at a fast 500 MHz and 1.35 volts, significantly lowering CPU power consumption. When a user plugs into an AC outlet, the notebook can automatically switch to Maximum Performance Mode, increasing the voltage to 1.6 volts and the speed to either 650 or 600 MHz (depending on the processor). These transitions happen in only 1/2000th of a second--so fast they are completely transparent to users, even if they occur in the middle of performance intensive applications such as; running performance-intensive applications such as playing a DVD movie. Users also have the freedom to select the Maximum Performance Mode even while running on batteries. Making that switch is as easy as clicking an icon at the bottom of the screen, with no reboot required. Intel developed both the hardware and software components to make this technology work seamlessly, including the system BIOS, end user interface software, switch control ASIC and support in the chipset. Intel SpeedStep technology is supported under all major PC operating systems, including Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000. No change to operating systems or software applications is needed in order to take advantage of Intel SpeedStep technology."

AMD CPUs - The plain K-6s are used in laptops and range in speeds from 233MHz-300MHz. On 14 January, AMD released its Mobile K6-2 Laptop CPUs. AMD has released its Mobile K6-2 processor at speeds of 266, 300, and 333 MHz.

AMD introduced new Mobile "K6-2P" CPUs on March 9 . The new "P" CPUs will be offered in speeds of 380, 366, and 350 MHz. On June 15, AMD announced the 400 MHz K6-2P. On September 20, AMD began shipping Mobile K6-2Ps at speeds of 433MHz, 450MHz and 475MHz .Per AMD, "The AMD-K6-2 P processor family complements AMD's existing low-power Mobile AMD-K6-2 family introduced earlier this year. Both AMD mobile processor families share a number of performance-boosting features, including 3DNow! technology and support for Super7(TM) notebook platforms that implement leading-edge features, such as a 100-MHz front-side bus, 2X AGP graphics, and the largest Level 2 cache (up to 1,024KB) available for notebooks today. Mobile Super7 chipset support is available from ALi, VIA, and Trident."
The P designation is thought to stand for "power". AMD believes the additional power its CPUs consume (2.2 volts compared to 1.6 volts used by Intel Mobile CPUs) results in better performance. While the CPU does consume more power (hence they consume battery life faster), no independent tests show an increase in performance.
On May 24, AMD introduced the K6-3P "Phantom" . K6-3P "Phantom". On May 24, AMD announced the Mobile K6-3P laptop CPU. The K6-3 was to be available at 350 MHz, 366 MHz and 380 MHz. The mobile K6-3 P would have had the same tri-level cache design as its desktop twin (please see our article, Intel Pentium III vs. the Other Guys for further discussion of the K6-3) . The only difference between the K6-3 laptop and desktop versions of the CPU, besides power management, is the Mobile K6-3 can only address 1 MB of L2 cache instead of 2 MB. On September 20, AMD announced that it would begin shipping Mobile K6-3Ps at speeds of 400MHz, 433MHz and 450MHz. < Editor's note: The K6-3 Mobile CPU should be renamed the "Phantom". As of April, 2000, I have yet to see a single laptop with the Mobile K6-3P. No K6-3P notebooks have as yet been announced, and we think it unlikely for AMD to ship the K6-3P laptop CPU.>

AMD announces new K6-2 and K6-3 Mobile Processors with PowerNow! technology. On April 30, AMD announced the Mobile AMD-K6®-III+ and Mobile AMD-K6-2+ processor families with speeds up to 500MHz. The first mobile devices to be manufactured on AMD's advanced 0.18 micron technology, these processors support a number of notable features including high-speed on-chip L2 cache, AMD's innovative PowerNow! battery saving technology and an enhanced implementation of AMD's 3DNow!™ instruction set with digital signal processing (DSP) instructions.

Mobile AMD-K6®-III+ Processor. The Mobile AMD-K6-III+ processor is targeted at high performance notebooks. Available in clock speeds of 500, 475 and 450MHz, this enhanced version replaces the Mobile AMD-K6-III-P processor. The processor has a full-speed 256Kbyte on-die, Level 2 cache, and includes support for AMD's unique TriLevel Cache™ design with optional external Level 3 cache of up to 1MB for additional performance. The Mobile AMD-K6-III+ has a 100MHz front-side bus, an enhanced implementation of AMD's 3DNow! instruction set with digital signal processing (DSP) instructions, and support for AMD's PowerNow! technology for better system battery life.

Mobile AMD-K6-2+ Processor. The Mobile AMD-K6-2+ processor offers exceptional performance and features for value notebook PCs. Available at 500, 475 and 450MHz, the processor incorporates 128Kbyte on-chip, Level 2 cache, support for AMD's innovative PowerNow! technology, an enhanced implementation of AMD's 3DNow! instruction set with digital signal processing (DSP) instructions, and a 100MHz front-side bus. Hewlett-Packard Company has chosen the 475MHz Mobile AMD-K6-2+ processor to power its Pavilion N3215 notebook PC. Models are shipping immediately.

PowerNow! Technology. Enables high-performance and extended battery life in the same system. PowerNow! allows the processor to operate at different clock speeds and voltages, depending on the user's need for maximum performance or maximum battery life. On AC power, the processor typically runs at maximum frequency and normal voltage. When running off the battery, the processor can run at a lower frequency and voltage to extend battery life. Intermediate modes of operation are also possible, where the system can balance battery life vs. performance needs. Processor mode changes are transparent and occur automatically, based on user preferences; however, a simple Microsoft Windows® control panel interface allows the user the choice of running in other modes. PowerNow! technology requires specific notebook system and BIOS support.

Cyrix's Media GX- usually sold in speeds of 300MHz. <It is unlikely that you will see many new notebooks selling with Cyrix Media GX processors as National Semiconductor stated that they will discontinue manufacturing computer CPUs. However, VIA technologies has acquired Cyrix and they will produce several new notebook CPUs which are due out in December 1999.>

Future Laptop CPUs

None at the moment

CPU Speed Comparison- Fastest to Slowest (compared at same clock speed when possible).

1. Intel Mobile Pentium III 400, 450, 500 MHz (with full speed L2 cache)
2. Intel Mobile Pentium II 333, 366, and 400 MHz (with full speed L2 cache).
3. Intel Mobile Celeron 366, 400, 433, and 466 MHz (with Quickstart)
4. <AMD Mobile K6-3P at 400, 433, and 450MHz> (not yet shipping)
5. AMD K6-2P 433, 450, and 475MHz.
6. <AMD Mobile K6-3 P 350, 366, and 380 MHz >(still not shipping)
7. Intel Mobile Pentium II 266 and 300 MHz.
8. Intel Mobile Celeron 266, 300, and 333 MHz.
9. AMD K6-2 P 350, 366, 380, and 400 MHz.
Has Beens *
10. AMD K6-2 266, 300, and 333 MHz.
11. Intel Mobile Pentium 166-300 MHz.
12. AMD K6 233-300 MHz.
13. Cyrix Media GX 300 MHz.

Remember the CPU you decide on will probably not be upgradeable, so make sure you are happy with the laptop's performance before your trial period expires.
* You should not be buying any "new" notebook with a CPU that is slower than an AMD K6-2. The slower notebooks are being dumped from manufacturers' inventories and you should only pay heavily discounted prices for them.

:Hints on Buying a Laptop

Try before you buy - If at all possible, try out the laptop before you purchase it. Why? Because if you don't like the keyboard, mouse, screen, or performance, you shouldn't buy it in the first place. There is very little you can do about these things when you are traveling with the laptop. So, it is very important that you are comfortable with the feel and performance of the computer. I encourage you to shop around and try as many laptops as you can. A laptop is a personal thing, and just because your friend likes a certain one doesn't mean you will.

Less is More- Unless you are a serious traveler, don't buy a high-end laptop. Why? Because when you are paying double, newer features will cost you. You are much better off buying an older laptop that will meet your mobility needs, and sinking the bulk of your money into your desktop.

Desktop Replacement? - No way! Laptops are inferior to desktop computers in all features except portability. For example, let's look at the game playing potential of laptops. Odds are that even if you can play some new games when you buy the laptop, within a year or so you will no longer be able to play new games. How many laptops have you seen with a Voodoo III card?

Return Policy - Beware! Make triply sure that you can get a refund if you don't like the computer. Many stores have special rules on returning laptops - make sure you know them.

Maintenance Contract - I never buy maintenance contracts on electrical items. I always figured that if the thing broke it was probably time to get a new one anyway. However, laptops may be the one exception. The more you move them, the greater the chance something will break. If it is important to you that your laptop is always working, you might want to buy the maintenance contract. The total life of your laptop is three years, by then, it will no longer run new software of any kind efficiently.

Decision Making Advice - The brand of the laptop is the most important thing. This determines the quality of the computer, warranty, and parts availability. My brand suggestions are Dell, Sony, Compaq, IBM, and Toshiba. If you buy a laptop from one of these companies it should be a good product.
It would help if you try some laptops out to determine which features you like. Screen viewability, keyboard feel, and pointing device, are all decision factors when buying a laptop.

:Links to Notebook Reviews

1. CNet review of 17 workhorse notebooks.
2. ZDNet review of Winbook 400 MHz laptops.
3. PCWorld Top 400: Notebooks.
4. CNet 12 of the Best Notebook Bargains.
5. ZDNet Test of 54 notebooks in 5 different size and performance categories.
6. ZDNet 7th Annual Notebook Torture Test (March 99)
7. PCWorld Notebooks for cheapskates.
8. PCWorld's Notebook page. Latest reviews on notebooks and handhelds.
9. ZdNet's Notebook page. Latest notebook reviews. Also has editor's notebook picks and links to shopping.
10. CNet's Notebook page. Reviews and all sorts of notebook information.