How To Buy a Laptop

I recently bought a Laptop , an HP Pavillion dv6000 series . So having a good time now. But the worst time i had was getting myself to decide which one to buy. As i googled around i gathered more and more info and the more information i got the more confused i became. HP or Dell , Intel or AMD, Nvidia or ATI and then there are subsections core 2 duo T5600 or core 2 duo T7100, 15'.4" or 14"
and the list goes on and on.

PIC:The HP Pavillion dv6000 series

But now that i bought the machine ( with my share of blunders included ) i want you guys to reap the benifits of my research. But the bottom line is buy what you want.

Laptops are broadly classified into 3 types
1. The Budget Laptop ( low cost, low performance )
2. The Main Stream Laptop ( more emphasis on Entertainment)
3. The High Performance Laptops ( High performance , High Cost)

2 and 3 ( above ) will have three categories
1. Desktop replacement ( with screen size of 17 " and above)
2. Portable ( Screen size of 13" to 15.4")
3. Ultra Portables ( with Screen size <13")>>If all you want to do is update some spreadsheets , write a few docs and surf the net occationaly go for the Budget laptop just dont think of anything else ( you can donate the exess money to the Bill and Melinda Foundation !!!)
>> If you are looking at using it to some programming , some digital transfer ( music , Photos),
some amount of gaming , some DVD playing and writing and of course surfing . Go for the Main Stream Laptop.
>> If you are an avid gamer or a gadget freak who like the Ghz and Megabytes and also have a lot of cash to burn ... go for the high performance one .

Q. What the size?
>> Gamer and couch Potatoes ( includes software programmers ;-)) go for Desktop replacements
>> Cool Dudes who dont mind to carry some weight sometimes and who would otherwise usually use them at home go for Portables.
>> Mobile guys who are always on the move and have to carry their machines . Just dont compromise because of the cost . Go for the ultraportables ( Ofcourse you should be comfortable with the screen size)

Q. Configuration?
I am writting this blog based on my experience of buying a Laptop and i choose a main stream one with some high end components thrown in, so rest of this blog will focus more on buying a mainstream laptop.
Configuration will change everyday and todays Hi tech will be tommorrows obsolate and hence i would be only able to guide you if you plan to buy a Laptop within the next six months of the publication of this post.

Processor : Personally i love AMD . Simply because it has put on a big fight agaist the bully. BUT when it comes to mobile computing intel is the boss with their Centrino platform
By the time you read the next generation centino's code named Santa Rosa might be released.
Or Puma series from AMD. But since i dont have details of these chips now. I am going to stick to AMD Turion and Intel Centrino Duo Series
If you are looking for performance, pure 64 bit chip, with low cost but can bear with low battery life and relatively more heat on your lap go for the Turion X2 TL-52 or TL-60.
If you are looking for better performance , good battery life , less heat dissipation but can compromise on higher price go for the Centrino Duo Series
( based on core 2 duo, Merom )T5200, T5600, T7100
Search in the compant websites to know more about the details . But in plain English
Higher the number better the performace higher the cost.

http://www.intel.com/products/centrino/compare.htm

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/

Memory: With Windows Vista around a 1 Gb RAM is a must and sufficient. However 2 Gb is recommended if you' ve some cash to burn.

Hard Disk : For home users 120 Gb is a must but can never be sufficient , 200 Gb is recommended if you've some cash to burn ( again!)

Graphics Card: Gone are the days of shared memory. Now with Vista around a 128 MB dedicated graphic card is a must , 256 MB is recommended. Opt for cards from Nvidia or ATI







Wireless Options: Should have WLAN , Bluetooth etc. A remote is a plus

Ports : Should have atleast 3 Usb 2.0, LAN , Modem, Video out, Expansion slots and memory card readers

Optical Drives: Go for a multi DVD writer

Display: Preferably a brightview wide screen infact wide screen is a must

Size and Weight : See that you are comfortable with the size and weight, its a personal choise, however it should n't be too bulky and weight should not increase 3 kg.

After Sales Service: Ask your friends who already have the Laptops from reputed brands and listen what they have to say about their after sales. These things differ from city to city.

Softwares: See that they give you a genuine copy of the OS ( so that you can avail online support ) and a good anti virus software. Rest are just addons.

My Recommended Brands in the order of Preference [ Mainstream Laptops]:
( Methodology: No maths, just Value for Money, Look and Feel and After sales reputation)
1. Sony Viao C series
2. HP Pavillion
3. Dell Inspiration
4. Toshiba Sattelite
5. HP Compaq Presario
6. Acer Aspire
7. Others ( Wipro, HCL, Zenieth )

I am getting too lazy to write more. But will keep this blog updated!!!
So long....

Diclaimer: These are the author's personal opinions. Please observe discretion in your selection.