Older article (didn't recall seeing on this thread)
Mad2
Copyright 1999 Information Access Company,
a Thomson Corporation Company;
ASAP
Copyright 1999 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company
Computer Shopper
November 1, 1999
SECTION: No. 11, Vol. 19; Pg. 210 ; ISSN: 0886-0556
IAC-ACC-NO: 55942676
LENGTH: 4174 words
HEADLINE: Perfectly Portable; notebook computers; Buyers Guide
BYLINE: Somers, Asa
BODY:
Get equipped with the perfect notebook to suit your mobile needs
At any given time, more than 100 different notebook models are available for purchase, each one featuring some nifty detail, some flashy feature, or some design element setting it apart from the rest. So the process of shopping for your portable needle in this haystack of choices can be a real chore.
The path to finding the ideal portable starts with examining your work habits and determining your specific computing needs. Depending on whether you give frequent presentations to clients, spend one day a week in a remote office, or just want to play video games and watch DVD movies, your system requirements will vary. To get you started on the quest for notebook nirvana, this Shopper's Guide will help you determine the best type of notebook for your needs.
Take It with You
By definition, notebooks are portable, and in theory, you can use your notebook just about anywhere. They come in different shapes and sizes, each striking its own balance between light weight and performance. The rule of thumb, however, is that features and capabilities such as processor speed and screen size decrease proportionally with weight. So figuring out where and how you'll use your system determines your target notebook form factor. To simplify, we've divided all portables into four categories based on size and weight. There are exceptions that fall outside these categories, but this classification system will give you the perspective needed to narrow and close your search.
We'll consider anything under 3 pounds, such as Panasonic's ToughBook 33 or Toshiba's Libretto, a mini-notebook. Products in this category appeal most to those who simply need access to e-mail and the occasional spreadsheet. You can toss a mini-notebook in your briefcase and forget it's there; however, typing on its cramped keyboard is an obvious trade-off you'll have to make.
A step up from mini-notebooks are ultraportables, the 3- to 5-pound, often ultrathin (less than 1.5-inch-thick) models popular with highly mobile professionals who use their notebooks as their primary computers. Though you can get the fastest CPUs and screens as large as 13.3 inches in many of these systems, trade-offs still exist. You might be without an onboard CD-ROM drive, for example, and some standard ports might be omitted. IBM's 4-pound ThinkPad 570 is an excellent example of an ultraportable that makes up for its deficiencies by offering an optional 3-pound underside module, which provides floppy and DVD drives. This kind of dual-use notebook treads the line between ultraportable and mainstream notebook, and can be costly.
By weight alone, it's possible to classify all 6- to 8-pound systems under the umbrella of mainstream notebooks. However, the features and prices of midrange notebooks vary widely. Running the gamut from $ 1,000 value systems to $ 4,000 presentation powerhouses, mainstream notebooks appeal to many disparate users who don't have particular portability needs. Simply being able to pack the unit into a travel bag and use it on a plane is portability enough for these folks.
At the top of the weight spectrum is the desktop-replacement system the Imperial Death Star of portables which at upward of 8 pounds packs in all the latest and greatest components, including the largest screen available (currently 15.1 inches diagonally) and a full-size keyboard. You might, however, run up a sizable bill at the chiropractor if you lug one of these machines around all the time. Moreover, the desktop- replacement system isn't practical for those who compute on a plane, since the big screen can't open fully when the person in front reclines the seat. Typically, notebooks of this size and weight like the Dell Inspiron 7000 are a company's flagship design and are the most expensive.
It's Looking Up For Your View
Now that your mind's eye is focused on a laptop category, concentrating on your necessary computing chores helps you decide on other components. Your notebook's display, for example, needs to be a suitable palette for the work and play you'll be doing.
Currently, 13.3-inch displays are the standard. If you'll be doing graphics work or giving presentations, a 14.1-inch or 15.1-inch display is most appropriate. Ultraportables typically feature 12.1-inch screens, and mini-notebooks don't usually offer more than 11.3 inches.
Most of today's notebooks feature active-matrix (or TFT) screens, as opposed to the older, cheaper, and dimmer passive-matrix (or dual-scan) variety. You can save a substantial amount of money by opting for a dual-scan screen, but you get what you pay for. Your onscreen image will suffer from ghosting and poor off-axis visibility. Passive-matrix displays are typically available only in the lowest-end units today, and in fact, most top-tier notebook vendors are offering only active- matrix displays. Passive-matrix displays won't disappear altogether. Some companies are using complicated addressing algorithms to get past dual-scan's inherent shortcomings, so it's possible to find a passive- matrix display with decent brightness and refresh rates. However, anyone using graphics-intensive applications, especially multimedia presentations, should kick in the extra bucks for a TFT display.
Removable Requirements
Removable media drives are another key consideration. Most often, mini- notebooks and ultraportables won't even offer an onboard floppy drive, which means they require you to run all drives externally. At the other end of the spectrum, if you need all your drives most of the time, consider a mainstream or desktop-replacement machine, which will have the floppy and more onboard.
Many consumers are drawn to three-spindle machines, notebooks that can run the hard drive, floppy, and CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives simultaneously. Sometimes, the drives themselves can be ejected from the system to make room for additional modules, such as a Zip drive or a second battery. Most often, however, the removable-media drives are fixed within the system, giving the user less flexibility in configuring or upgrading the system and adding considerable weight to the machine.
Fixed-drive, three-spindle devices are appealing because you can access any drive without swapping. Frequent travelers usually prefer a dual- spindle device with two swap bays one for a removable-media drive and one for the battery. This flexibility lets you run different configurations for different situations. Got a cross-country flight planned? Run dual batteries. Don't feel like carrying as much weight? Run with a single battery and a weight-saving empty module, and leave your drives at home. It's best if the drives are hot-swappable, so you don't have to reboot every time you switch drives.
Configuration is half the equation; the other is choosing the actual drives. When choosing your drives, DVD is now a common option among consumers and videophiles alike. Business types, however, often prefer a high-speed CD-ROM drive (24x is the current high end), since business-oriented DVD apps are still pretty rare. Although 4x is currently the fastest speed of DVD drives, 6x is on the horizon, but the potential performance increase isn't much of a reason to put off buying. Make sure to ask if the DVD drive itself can read disks made by a recordable DVD drive. Recordable DVD drives (known as DVD-RAM or DVD+RW) are currently available in desktops and will begin to trickle into notebooks at a high cost, but probably not for at least a year.
Any two- or three-spindle notebook comes with a standard-issue floppy drive, but optional Zip and LS-120 mass-storage modules are also available. If you share large files with others, a Zip drive may be a good bet because of the product's installed base. Although LS-120 doesn't enjoy the same market penetration, it works with both standard floppy disks and special 120MB cartridges.
A Pretty Picture
Between the DVD drive and that gorgeous 15.1-inch LCD sits the graphics subsystem, a relatively hidden area of extra cost that can make or break the quality of your notebook's display. Multimedia gurus will definitely want a notebook that features a dedicated graphics adapter rather than a graphics processor integrated on the motherboard. An AGP graphics adapter is the most expensive solution, and it features a dedicated video port that runs twice as fast as the PCI bus. This lets large 3D graphics files and DVD-ROM files run more smoothly by taking the load off the main processor. PCI solutions cost less, and integrated systems, such as the NeoMagic MagicMedia 256AV, less still.
In many cases, you won't have a choice. Most vendors equip high-end notebooks with better graphics adapters like the top-of-the-line ATI Rage LT Pro, and outfit the low-end offerings with integrated solutions. If you have the opportunity to configure your system, you'll want a minimum of 4MB of graphics RAM; stepping up to 8MB will run you only about $ 50 more. By the time you read this, systems based on S3's Savage/MX and Savage/IX dedicated notebook graphics accelerators should be available. This new generation of accelerators is built on a 0.18- micron process and supports up to 16MB of integrated memory. Both factors are expected to boost 3D performance significantly. Better graphics solutions also support higher screen resolutions, which is most important if you need to drive an external display running at 1,600x1,280 resolution.
If you're running DVD on your system, hardware MPEG decoding improves video performance. Although it's possible to decode MPEG output via software, it will tax the system's CPU, and you're more likely to experience dropped frames and poor-quality video. In fact, some vendors won't even sell you a DVD drive without requiring you to get built-in hardware decoding. It's a wise choice for playing DVD movies, but it is more expensive, and opting for a software decoder can save you roughly $ 100.
More Memory, More Storage, More Speed
Modern operating systems and productivity apps require more system memory than ever. Today, you'll need at least 64MB of RAM, and if you work with large programs or handle serious multimedia tasks, you'll want even more.
A single DIMM packed with 128MB of RAM is a more expensive option than two DIMMs with 64MB of RAM on each. However, consolidating memory on a single slot makes for easier upgrades and ensures that you won't have to throw out existing DIMMs to make room for more memory. If you don't plan on upgrading, opt for the cheaper method. If you can afford it, spend the necessary $ 150, and keep your options open.
Choosing the type of memory in your system is as important as the amount. For example, EDO RAM is slower than SDRAM, which runs at 66MHz. The mobile Pentium III, which we'll see in notebooks this quarter, can run memory at 100MHz. If you wait and buy a Pentium III system, make sure the vendor includes 100MHz of RAM.
Hard drives continue to increase in capacity. Most midrange users will be sated with 6GB, but because hard drive space is relatively cheap at roughly $ 50 per gigabyte choosing a 10GB hard drive is an inexpensive way to ward off early obsolescence. Another alternative is to use a second hard drive in one of your notebook's multimedia expansion slots, to achieve 30GB and larger capacities.
Today's drives spin their platters at 4,200 rpm, with certain larger, higher-end drives spinning at 4,900 rpm. Although 7,200-rpm drives are common in desktops, don't expect to see them in notebooks. The drives simply run too hot.
The Heart of It All
When choosing processor type and speed, it often makes the most sense to select your other components, determine a target price, and see which CPUs are in your price range. With new technologies constantly coming to the fore, you won't be short of mobile-processor options.
Although AMD has been making headway, Intel still controls the lion's share of the mobile-processor market. Its Pentium II and Celeron products are ubiquitous in today's notebook fleets. Both lines currently feature clock speeds of 266MHz, 300MHz, 333MHz, 366MHz, and 400MHz. Pentium II chips cost more than Celeron chips of identical clock speeds and are preferable for processing-intensive tasks such as graphics, high-end number crunching, and engineering. Most consumers, however, won't see much difference in performance. As evidence, some benchmark tests show the Pentium II processors give a 12 percent performance gain over Celeron processors of equivalent speeds, while other benchmark tests lessen the gap to around 4 percent. Considering the $ 200 to $ 300 price difference, Celeron-based systems often offer the better value for midrange customers.
The first mobile Pentium II chips debuted about a year ago. They featured 512K of L2 cache with clock speeds of up to 266MHz. Six months later, Intel released an updated version called Pentium II PE. This chip features half as much L2 cache, but it's been moved onto the processor, where it delivers information to the CPU at up to three times the Pentium II's speed. The result is improved performance. Code- named Dixon, these new Pentium II PE processors currently represent the high end. In June, Intel announced a new 400MHz Pentium II processor built on 0.18-micron technology. Because these processors are smaller, more of them fit onto a fabrication sheet, which means they cost less to produce and to buy. In addition, the technology allows for higher operating frequencies. The chips also require almost 50 percent less power than a comparable 0.25-micron CPU, which translates into longer battery lives.
Competing with Celeron chips at the market's low end are AMD's low- power K6-2 and K6-2-P processors what the company calls its higher- performance chips. K6-2 processors are available in 300MHz and 333MHz clock speeds, and are targeted at thin and light notebooks. K6-2-P CPUs come in 350MHz, 366MHz, 380MHz, and 400MHz versions; you may see them referred to simply as K6-2s. Both AMD processor families feature 100MHz front-side buses, which allow for faster transfer rates of information between the CPU and the system components. Additionally, they incorporate AMD's 3DNow instruction set, which is designed to speed certain 3D tasks necessary for high-end graphics rendering and games. Your applications must be written specifically to take advantage of 3DNow to see any benefit from the instructions. The chips also feature 64K of internal cache and up to 1MB of external cache.
Competing with the Pentium II is AMD's latest top-of-the-line chip, the K6-III, which debuted last May. AMD implements three levels of cache with this chip by adding a 256K L2 cache to the processor die along with the 64K L1 cache (also on-die), plus a 1MB L3 cache, which resides on the motherboard.
The K6-III is currently available in 350MHz, 366MHz, and 380MHz versions, and performance is comparable to that of today's Pentium II chips.
To one-up the competition, AMD sells its processors for less than comparable Intel products. For example, at press time, a K6-III processor cost almost $ 200 less than a same-speed Pentium II. But because notebook manufacturing is a game of millimeters and razor-thin margins, vendors are often loath to try something new. As a result, AMD has garnered precious few design wins among tier-one vendors. WinBook, Compaq, and Toshiba have rolled out AMD-based notebooks, but even those are low-end consumer units. Still, AMD-based notebooks provide a lot of value for buyers because they are usually sold for less than Intel- based notebooks. Just be sure that you're comparing similar machines when shopping and examining prices.
A handful of smaller manufacturers, including IDT/Centaur and Rise Technologies, also offer competing chips. In such a competitive market, however, even third-tier design wins are few and far between.
Keep It Coming
Much to the smaller chip makers' collective chagrin, Intel doesn't appear to be letting up the pressure any time soon. Despite a two-month manufacturing delay, the company is said to be back on track for a November release of its highly anticipated next-generation mobile processor, code-named Coppermine.
Coppermine, a Pentium III based on the 0.18-micron manufacturing process, will debut on desktop and mobile platforms simultaneously. Featuring a faster 100MHz bus, the mobile Pentium III will top off at 500MHz before year's end and is expected to hit 600MHz in the first quarter of 2000.
Although it won't appear in the first generation of mobile Coppermines, Intel's Geyserville power-conservation scheme is another innovation expected to debut early next year. A Geyserville-equipped processor can change the voltage and frequency at which it operates dynamically, depending on whether you're using battery power or not. When power conservation isn't of the essence, your Pentium III processor runs at full speed, but when you switch to battery power, the CPU downshifts to a lower frequency to save battery power. Of course, since these higher- performance Pentium III chips will be running faster than today's Pentium II processors, it's possible that the 0.18-micron process and forthcoming Geyserville technology will simply offset the added power requirement, leaving your battery life virtually unchanged.
Longer-Lasting
Although processors, hard drives, and graphics adapters continue to evolve at a rapid pace, two other technologies are only slightly refined from where they were years ago. One is the LCD, which won't be replaced by another alternative any time soon. (See the sidebar "21st- Century Laptop.") The other is the battery. Today's lithium-ion batteries far outstrip the older nickel-metal-hydride breed still available in the bargain bins but batteries remain big, heavy, clunky blocks that give you a few hours of computing time at best.
Though some innovative ideas from methanol-based fuel cells to keyboards that actually charge the battery as you type are being developed, nothing is expected to materialize for a while. Today, the best companies can do is to work out elaborate power-management schemes to conserve energy. Gate way's Solo 2500 is one notebook that benefits from such a scheme, although it achieves its long battery life via a larger, heavier battery.
Also pay attention to system flexibility. As notebooks are increasingly relied on as primary systems, docking options become a greater consideration. If you're constantly connecting your notebook to a network at the office, or to a monitor and a printer at home, a docking station or a port replicator makes it simple. Many direct and retail vendors lack a large selection of docking solutions, however, so be sure to ask about this option.
A Better Relationship
Amenities and performance aside, some crucial user-interaction features can determine how well you and your notebook get along. A good keyboard is a must; the ThinkPad's is legendary. The wrong pointing device can sour the user/notebook relationship for life. Some notebooks, such as the WinBook XL2, feature both a pointing stick and a touch pad. The placement of the power jack can make access to the other ports difficult, and flimsy port coverings and PC Card slot doors can snap off too easily. Product reviews, Web research, and word of mouth are important research tools, but to really get a feel for a notebook, test-drive before you buy or make sure you're covered by a no- questions-asked 100 percent money-back guarantee.
For years, we've been warned against opting for an internal modem. The fear was that rapidly increasing modem speeds would render this internal and essentially impossible-to-upgrade component obsolete in the short term. But with V.90 firmly in place, 56Kbps is now the theoretical speed limit on analog modems. Also, because cable and ISDN broadband solutions, which may be added via a PC Card anyway, are still not available in all regions, there's less reason to shun internal modems.
Speaking of PC Card slots, any system at least 1.5 inches thick will probably feature dual stacked Type II slots, which together can accommodate a single Type III PC Card device. Mini-notebooks and thin ultralights may have one slot on either side, or dispense with one or both slots together. If your system already has an internal modem, you might not need the slots, but if you connect with a network or use specialized external devices, double-check that your choice of system has the slots you need.
CardBus is a faster-throughput, lower-power PC Card technology that most vendors offer in one or both of their notebooks' PC Card slots, except at the low end. If you plan to use multiple CardBus-compatible cards, make sure your notebook can support them. Zoomed Video (ZV) is another performance-enhancing technology. It's designed to deliver full-screen video from TV tuners, video-capture devices, and the like by streaming the data directly to the notebook's video-display hardware. Demand for ZV-compatible PC Card slots is still specialized, but if you need it, check with your vendor.
As stated earlier, ports are sometimes the first thing to go when a manufacturer is designing an ultraportable or a mini-notebook. If you print frequently on the road, a parallel port is crucial. Wireless printing via infrared is still vastly misunderstood by most users. Moreover, there's a large fleet of legacy printers out there that don't feature built-in IR ports. If you need to synchronize a Palm III or other handheld device with data on your notebook, make sure there's a serial port.
Some small notebooks feature a single proprietary port that connects to a dongle, which features all the ports for which the machine lacks room. Needless to say, this is an inconvenient workaround. On that note, USB is a great technology that may soon greatly simplify notebook design. For now, a single USB port is probably sufficient.
Be Sure To Be Sure
If you already have a laptop that's a couple years old and your work habits haven't changed drastically, a tactical upgrade can be just the shot of energy your old, graying notebook needs. If you're just processing words and firing off e-mails, add more memory, pop in a fresh 6GB hard drive, and buy yourself a new 56Kbps V.90 or broadband modem. You'll save yourself a grand.
If you truly need a new notebook, poke around the Internet to get the scoop on your future notebook vendor. Remember that support, service, and the reputation of the manufacturer or merchant from which you buy can all be potential deal-breakers. Similarly, the software package may help one contender outpace another. When all else or nearly everything is equal between two notebooks, you're better off getting the one with the software package that most closely matches your needs. If you have to buy software separately, it can cost upward of $ 200.
At last, your journey has begun. With this guide in hand, you're well- equipped to work your way through the notebook-buying process in a thoughtful and rational manner.
Notebook Net-Shopping Tips
Buying a notebook direct on the Web is a great way to save time, effort, and money, but it is not without potential hardships and pitfalls. For starters, be aware that buying on the Net means you'll probably be handling most service issues via the phone, online chat, e- mail, or mail. If you're comfortable with the prospect of using some initiative to get service and support, then review the following tips and go place that order online.
Make sure you're clear on your needs before zeroing in on certain models and configurations that meet your requirements. As you begin comparing prices, try to remain flexible. If a vendor offers a competitive price on a notebook that meets your every need except for a fast CD-ROM drive, be willing to revisit whether this is a must-have feature.
Investigate your options at one of the third-party sites that let you compare various notebooks on a feature-by-feature basis. Sites like CNET (www.cnet.com), NECX (www.necx.com), and ZDNet (www.zdnet.com) are excellent examples.
If you're really looking for a bargain-basement deal, one option to consider is a refurbished machine. These are often available through the actual manufacturer, even if the company doesn't have a direct sales channel. Compaq (www.compaq.com) and IBM Corp. (www.ibm.com) are good examples.
Visit the site of an external certification program, such as BizRate.com, that rates vendors and weeds out the fly-by-night organizations.
Investigate a vendor's shipping policies (especially return shipping) to ensure you won't get stuck with an unexpected bill.
Make sure you're confident that a vendor's service policies will meet your needs. Some buyers will want to pay more for around-the-clock phone support, while others are satisfied with less.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
IAC-CREATE-DATE: October 4, 1999
LOAD-DATE: October 05, 1999
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