Laptop Buying Guide

First, a few ground rules:

• Rule #1 in the laptop buying guide is that you will get what you pay for. If it looks too cheap it probably is.

• Rule #2 is that there are only a handful of laptop manufacturers in the world. Every laptop for sale has been made by one of those manufacturers, just branded for the ulimate seller. There may be fewer differences than you think.

• Rule #3 says that warranty is everything. Laptops suffer every abuse that its owner can put it through. Once the warranty is over, repairs are very expensive. Many times it just isn't worth it.

Let's get down to business

A laptop buying guide needs to make specific recommendations, so here goes:

If you want a warranty that will bail you out if the unit is damaged by the user then the only viable option that I know of is to buy a Dell Laptop. This type of coverage from Dell is known as CompleteCare. If you drop it, spill on it, expose the unit to extreme cold or hot - it's covered.

At different times in the past it has been hard to recommend CompleteCare because it was very expensive. But as of this writing (Fall 2006, Spring 2007), CompleteCare is again very affordable.

If you don't care about this kind of coverage, then your options are much more open - tailor the laptop buying guide accordingly.

Shop at the big box stores if you must, but be careful when buying there.

• Weight: laptops can range from 3.3lbs to 9lbs. Does the luggability factor matter to you?

• Size: a near cousin to weight, size will be affected by screen size and keyboard layout. Performance chimes in here a bit too. The most powerful laptops are typically not the lightest or smallest.

• Pointing device: Here's a biggy. Most laptops have moved to the touchpad although some have pointing stick and touchpad. Here's a tip: Buy a Microsoft Wireless Notebook Mouse, you'll thank me later.

• Screen: Decide on size first, it affects cost & weight. Notice that widescreen is the future, but regular 4:3 is still out there. Depending on your normal work environment, glossy vs. matte finish could be an issue. Glossy can be bad for glare from a window, but does let you see who's peeking over your shoulder!

  CRITICAL POINT: Laptops, especially the wide screen variety, usually have only one resolution that looks good and works in wide screen mode. Young, healthy Asians with excellent eyesight are the ones choosing what that mode will be. Those with aging eyes (you know who you are) many times complain they can't read the screen and try to adjust everything bigger. You can do it, but it just doesn't look the same.

  So pay attention to native resolution when buying. For some clients I have actually forgone a better WSXGA+ screen for the WSXGA screen because the "+" version had a higher resolution (bigger numbers mean smaller letters and icons). WUXGA is higher yet.

• Price: How much do you want to spend? This is another way of asking "How long do you want it to last?". The more you spend now, if spent wisely, the longer you are likely to be content with the performance of it.

  For instance, if you want a laptop to last a child all the way through college, then get a great laptop with a great 4 year warranty! (Next, tell the child that if he streches college to year 5, the next laptop is out of his pocket. Just make sure he checks out my laptop buying guide first!)

• Warranty: I already mentioned warranty and Dell's CompleteCare above, but I don't want you to forget about it. Remember, laptop repairs are VERY expensive and you are more likely to need to use the warranty than with a desktop model. My advice is don't skimp.

How about 1 specific laptop buying guide recommendation?

Absolutely. I have a number of clients that have recently purchased this very unit, and everyone, including me, is thrilled with it.

Weight: This laptop is in the 6.5 pound range. For a lighter laptop, 5 pound range, and a smaller screen, click here.

(Note: This system is "Windows Vista Premium Ready", not just Vista compatible)

 Dell Laptop - Latitude D830
  Processor:        Intel Core 2 Duo 2.00GHz
  Memory:         2GB DDR2 667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
  Operating System:    Windows XP Professional (or)
            Windows Vista Home Premium or Above
  LCD:            15.4 inch Wide Screen WSXGA+
  Graphics:        256MB nVidia Quadro (512MB better)
  Hard Drive:        80GB 7200rpm
  Optical Drive:        8X DVD+/-RW
  Wireless:        Intel 3945 802.11ag Dual Band Mini Card
  Battery:         9 Cell
  Pointing Device:    Keyboard integrated Pointing Stick/Touchpad
  Fingerprint Reader:     Included
  Docking Solution (Optional): D/Port Advanced Port Replicator

Explanations for the above system

My laptop buying guide wouldn't be complete without some explanation of why I picked the components I did on the above Dell laptop.

Intel Core 2 Duo is the way to go. Pentium M was a good processor and can still be found in cheap laptops. Core 2 is a great technology, powerful and low in power consumption (and therefore heat too) for longer battery life. It's more than the old Hyper-Threading, it's 2 actual processors on the die.

For my laptop buying guide I chose the 2.00GHz, due to the price point. I wouldn't go less and expect to be happy with the unit for a full 3 - 4 years. Feel free to go faster, but the price goes up fast with it.

1GB RAM is the minimum with a powerful machine and if you want Windows Vista. 512MB only if you are trying to conserve money or only need the laptop a short time. I recommend 2GB at least for Vista (XP won't complain either).

If you get "2 DIMMs" that means you cannot increase memory without taking some (probably all) out (more expensive later). These laptops only have 2 slots, or capacity for 2 total memory modules. "1 DIMM" now means you can add more RAM later for less money (more expensive now).

Windows XP Pro Please, no XP Home or Media Center Edition. Others have argued with me over this, but my experience over the years is clear as crystal. See my operating system page. For Vista, do a comparison of the different versions. See my Vista Upgrade section for more info.

Screen Size/Quality is mentioned above, be wary the resolution. 17" is available, but realize that the weight will surge to over 9lbs. Smaller sizes therefore will result in smaller laptops and lower weight.

Graphics. You will want to spend more on a good graphics option if you use graphics intensive applications and/or the Aero interface of Windows Vista.

Hard drive MUST be 7200rpm, or why bother with a fast processor or RAM? 4200rpm should be outlawed and 5400rpm will cost you performance. Get the size you think you need. The difference in cost to the manufacturer of the laptop is small; what you pay depends upon who you buy from.

DVD Writers shouldn't cost really any more money, why not get it?

Wireless is just about a given; I prefer the Intel wireless software over the Dell. It only costs a few dollars more.

Does that about do it?

I will do my best to keep this laptop buying guide updated, but as you might expect, things change pretty fast. Notice that many of the things I have talked about are principles, and those don't change. Hope you love your new laptop. You should, if you buy using this laptop buying guide.