Laptop buying guide

What kind of laptop is right for me?

While a laptop has become a ubiquitous accessory for modern life, the actual process of choosing the right model can take some serious time and research.
In this guide, we'll outline the different categories of laptops and which types are best for different users. We'll also take a look at CPU, hard-drive, and networking options.
Below are a handful of typical user experiences that should help outline what type of laptop is right for you. Chances are, you'll fall somewhere in between two or more of these archetypes, so carefully consider what you'll be using your new laptop for.

The student | The business traveler | The photographer and/or videographer | The gamer | The home user
The student
Students typically require low prices and portability above all. A laptop that can be carried from class to class is key, so many students turn to low-cost Netbooks, which are small, low-power systems that generally cost less than $500. The downside is that these have small screens and generally use underpowered single-core CPUs.
Another option is a 13-inch thin-and-light laptop, which is somewhat less portable, but makes for a better experience when sitting down to write papers and do research. These have dual-core CPUs and often include optical drives. Apple's 13-inch MacBook is a prime example.
What to look for: At least 1GB of RAM; 160GB or larger HDD; 13-inch or smaller display.
The business traveler
Those who work on the road require a robust computing experience, a sturdy, rugged system to safeguard data, and often, access to security and management tools to satisfy the requirements of their IT departments.
Lenovo's ThinkPad and Dell's Latitude are two popular examples of laptop lines made with the business traveler in mind. Both brands offer security features such as Intel's vPro platform and TPM chips, internal software and hardware components that work alongside your operating system.
What to look for: 2GB to 4GB of RAM; 160GB or larger HDD; 12- to 15-inch display; Windows Vista Professional or Windows 7 Professional; mobile broadband modem.
The photographer and/or videographer
Video game players aren't the only ones who need powerful processors, discrete graphics, and massive, fast hard drives. Those who work with high-definition video or high-resolution photographs are among the most demanding of laptop power users.
Apple's 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops are among the most popular for these purposes. This is especially true as Final Cut, the widely used video-editing software, is only available for Macs (Adobe's Photoshop, however, is cross-platform).
Either a 17- or a 15-inch screen that runs at a high native resolution is suggested. You should also look for plenty of RAM--up to 8GB is ideal--and a large 500GB hard drive that runs at the faster 7,200rpm speed (typical drives run at 5,400rpm).
What to look for: 4GB-8GB of RAM; 320GB or larger 7,200rpm HDD; 17-inch or larger display.
The gamer
While a bit of an endangered species these days, PC gamers are among the most fervent user groups. Most serious PC gamers will naturally gravitate toward desktop computers, with their flexible upgradeability, faster components, and better cooling. But gaming laptops have made great strides in recent years.
Intel's Core 2 Quad and Core i7 CPUs are recommended for 3D gaming, as is a top-of-the-line discrete GPU, such as Nvidia's GeForce N260. High-end brands such as Alienware offer flashy, expensive laptops that can be customized with the latest components, while Gateway's P-series is a good example of a budget-minded 17-inch gaming laptop, with slightly older parts, but excellent overall value.
What to look for: 4GB to 8GB of RAM; 320GB or larger 7,200rpm HDD; 17-inch or larger display; discrete graphics GPU.
The home user
Anyone who does not fall into one of the above categories is likely to fit in here. From parents and children gathered around the laptop at homework time to watching Hulu videos in bed, these are systems that typically stay anchored to one desk, den, or kitchen--perhaps taking the occasional road trip or moving around from room to room.
The traditional 15-inch laptop is still the most popular size, although 14- and 16-inch versions are becoming more common. Every PC maker makes standard mainstream laptops, and they generally have more similarities than differences.
For much less than $1,000, you can expect to find an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB or larger hard drive, and a DVD burner. Usually the most configurable of laptops, you can add extras, including a Blu-ray drive or discrete graphics, to many mainstream models.
What to look for: 2GB to 4GB of RAM; 250GB or larger HDD; 14- to 16-inch display; DVD burning optical drive.

What are the different categories of laptops?

The different product categories that laptops fall into is constantly evolving and changing. The introduction of Netbooks in particular has created a relatively new category that has quickly become the fastest-growing segment of the PC market.

While there are many ways to divide the categories--based on weight, price, and components--we use screen size as our primary deciding factor, as it's the clearest physical difference between types of laptops.

Sizes: UMPC | Netbook | Ultraportable | Thin-and-light | Midsize | Desktop replacement

UMPC

UMPCs (or ultramobile PCs) are small handheld devices with screens that are between 5 and 7 inches, but they never really caught on. While the idea of a palm-size computer running Microsoft Windows and including most of the features you'd find on a full-size desktop or laptop was an engaging one, most of these devices were not exactly practical outside of a handful of specialized users.

Many lacked physical keyboards and relied on slow, expensive low-voltage processors and wonky touch interfaces. A typical UMPC, such as the Sony Vaio UX390, could cost $2,000 or more.

In the past two years, the iPhone, iPod Touch, and inexpensive Netbooks have largely made this an unnecessary category. The few UMPCs that remain are less expensive, using Netbook components, but are still not terribly useful.

Key features:
5- to 7-inch display
Nontraditional design

Netbook

Depending on who you ask, Netbooks are either the most exciting thing to happen to mobile computing in years, or they are the downfall of an industry engaged in a painful price war race to the bottom. We generally define Netbooks as having 7- to 12-inch screens, a full keyboard, and an inexpensive, single-core low-voltage CPU.

While the earliest Netbooks had 7-inch screens and Intel Celeron processors, the typical Netbook today has a single-core Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and runs either Windows XP or Windows 7.

Small and lightweight, they lack optical drives, have tiny keyboards and touch pads, and are generally underpowered for anything other than Web surfing, e-mailing, and basic office productivity. The payoff is that a typical Netbook can be had for less than $300, an unheard-of sum just a few years ago.

PC makers are currently trying to upgrade Netbooks with faster CPUs and bigger screens, and these new models blur the line with the ultraportable category.

Key features:
9- to 12-inch display
No optical drive
Single-core low-voltage CPU, Intel Atom or comparable
Typically less than $500

Ultraportable

Before the rise of Netbooks, ultraportable systems were 11- and 12-inch laptops with then-expensive low-voltage CPUs, allowing them to be small and power efficient, but still relatively underpowered.

The popularity of Netbooks had threatened to make this category irrelevant--after all, who would pay $1,500 or more for an 11-inch laptop, when a $300 10-inch Netbook was a reasonable substitute for basic Web and office tasks?

The ultraportable has been revived of late with the introduction of Intel's new low-cost consumer ultralow-voltage CPUs. These chips are slightly more expensive and somewhat more powerful than the Netbook Intel Atom CPU, and are available in both single-core and dual-core versions.

Some PC makers are calling the thin, upscale laptops that include these new processors "ultrathin," rather than ultraportable, now. Many of these new versions lack an internal optical drive.

Key features:
9- to 12-inch display
Low-voltage ULV CPU
No optical drive
Typically $600-$800

Thin-and-light

This somewhat unimaginative descriptor is intended for 13-inch laptops. Why do laptops with 13-inch displays deserve their own distinct category? It's because they occupy a unique space in the industry. We define this by pointing out that a 13-inch laptop is the smallest size we'd be able to work on comfortably all day, and at the same time, the largest size we'd consider carrying around more than once or twice a week.

While it's not the perfect size for either task, it walks the line reasonably well between both. A prime example is the extremely popular 13-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro--perhaps the most imitated laptops of all time.

Key features:
13-inch display

Midsize (aka mainstream)

The traditional 15-inch laptop, along with its newer 14- and 16-inch offshoots, make up this category. Although technically mobile products, most mainstream or midsize laptops tend to stay anchored to one location, or only move around a single home or office.

Less expensive mainstream laptops will have resolutions of 1,280x800 pixels , wide-screen 16:9 models will have resolutions of 1,366x768 pixels, and more-expensive versions can get resolutions all the way up to 1,600x900.

Mainstream laptops have dual-core CPUs, most commonly from Intel's Core 2 Duo line, along with between 2GB and 4GB of RAM, 250GB or larger 5,400rpm hard drives, and internal DVD-burning optical drives.

This category covers the widest ground in terms of price and features, starting at around $500 and going well past $1,000. Most typical are $700 to $900 configurations.

Key features:
14- to 16-inch display
Dual-core CPU
Internal optical drive

Desktop replacement

These massive 17-inch and larger laptops are meant to literally replace your old desktop, monitor, and keyboard combination with a single device that can also be easily transported in a pinch.

At a minimum, you'll find an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, with more-expensive models trading up to a quad-core Core 2 Quad or the new, more powerful Intel Core i7 processor. The majority of desktop replacement laptops have discrete graphics cards, either for help in playing HD video or for running 3D games.

While Blu-ray drives are available in some mainstream systems, they make the most sense in desktop replacements, which often (but not always) have native screen resolutions that can handle hi-def 1080p content.

The tradeoff is that these laptops tend to have very short battery life. Being big and heavy by definition, they're unlikely to spend much time away from a wall socket, so PC makers opt for more powerful hardware rather than energy-saving designs.

While 17 inches is the most popular size, there are a handful of 18-inch models, and even a couple that top 20 inches. With sizes nearing those of personal TV monitors, desktop replacement laptops make good hybrid entertainment centers for the den or dorm room, putting your computing, video, and music devices in a single box.

Key features:
17-inch (or larger) display
Intel Core 2 Duo of better CPU
Discrete graphics
Poor battery life

What CPU should I look for?

The single most important component in your laptop is its central processing unit, or CPU. Essentially the brain of a computer, this processor has a huge impact on what applications you can run, how smoothly they run, and how many you can run at the same time.

The two biggest players in the CPU arena are Intel and AMD. Of those, Intel's CPUs comprise the lion's share of the market currently. Most laptops currently have dual-core CPUs, such as Intel's Core 2 Duo. Low-cost Netbooks, however, use single-core CPUs, such as Intel's Atom.

Options: Intel processors | AMD processors | VIA processors

Intel

Core i7: Intel's newest line of mobile CPUs adopts the high-end graphics/gaming performance of the desktop Core i7 line, and is expressly for those who want top-end power--namely, hard-core gamers and those who prefer desktop-level graphics processing power. The Core i7 Mobile series has better power management than its desktop cousins, but they still draw more power than other laptop CPUs, and will generally be found only in larger desktop replacement laptops.

Core 2 Duo: This is Intel's ubiquitous mainstream processor, which comes in a variety of designs based on processor speed and manufacturing size. A newer line of Core 2 Duo CULVs (consumer ultralow-voltage processors) have slightly slower performance, but allow for longer battery life, and are showing up in new ultrathin laptops, where space, cooling, and battery life are key issues.

Atom: Intel's entry-level single-core processors are found primarily in the popular Netbook category. Their limited performance is best for simple, single-task computing such as e-mail, basic Web browsing, and office document work. They're fine for low-expectation budget computers, but are unable to play most games or HD video. Common Atom chips include the N270 and the N280, and you should generally avoid the slower Z-series Atoms, intended more for handheld mobile devices than laptops. Revisions to the Atom line are due in early 2010.

Also from Intel
Core 2 Quad: As the name implies, these are four-core processors that excel at multitasking and computing that requires running multiple apps at once.

Core 2 Solo: Some of Intel's ultralow-voltage processors (ULVs) still have only a single core. These sit somewhere between the Atom and the dual-core ULV CPUs. They're often seen in ultraportable laptops that aim for small sizes and good battery life but leave our mainstream features such as optical drives. While these chips are a small performance step up from the Atom, the price premium asked for them makes us suggest holding out for a dual-core ULV processor.

Pentium Dual-Core: Multicore CPUs that don't qualify for the Core 2 Duo tag are marketed as Pentium Dual-Core. We've seen these in very inexpensive mainstream laptops, and they're a good value if you need a dual-core 14- or 15-inch laptop for less than $600.

Celeron: There are still a handful of Celeron processors available in the least-expensive mainstream laptops. As trading up to a Pentium Dual-Core laptop can be as little as $50 more, we suggest avoiding Celeron CPUs.

AMD

AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core: AMD's alternative to Intel's Core 2 Duo processor amounts to an affordable budget alternative in mainstream laptops, but we've found that Intel CPUs consistently perform better in similarly priced systems. This has not always been the case, and these two companies have swapped the top performance spot more than once over the years.

AMD Athlon Neo: Found in thin-and-light notebooks and Netbooks, the Neo is one of AMD's newer processors. It favors long battery life and low power consumption, similar to Intel's Atom processor. Unfortunately, the systems we've seen with the single-core Neo have been more expensive than Atom Netbooks, with very little performance boost. The new X2 version of the Neo is a dual-core part, and has some potential.

AMD Turion X2: This is AMD's low-power-consumption version of its mainstream laptop CPU.

VIA

Via Nano: A third low-power processor option for Netbooks, the Nano is from chipmaker Via. The handful of Netbooks we've seen with Nano offer similar-to-better performance than the Intel Atom, and Via says this CPU is eventually destined for a wider range of products than just Netbooks.

A note about GPUs and Netbooks

While discrete graphics chips, such as the GPUs provided by Nvidia and ATI, are key for video editing and PC gaming, it's important to note two new Nvidia products that will also enhance certain products in the Netbook arena.

Nvidia Ion: Nvidia's first graphics option for Netbooks, the Ion is based in part on the integrated GeForce 9400M GPU in Apple's MacBooks. The added graphics power can help Atom-based Netbooks play back HD video smoothly, and even handle some basic gaming.

Nvidia Tegra: Nvidia's integrated CPU/GPU is intended for hybrid devices, which are smaller and more affordable than Netbooks, running hybrid versions of smartphone operating systems. The Tegra focuses on smooth HD video playback and some graphics capability, and also appears in mobile entertainment devices such as the Zune HD. 

What type of storage and drives do I need?

Even though cloud computing and online storage can help eliminate some of the need for physical drive space, it's always nice to have a large hard drive in your laptop. On the other hand, while optical drives used to be commonplace, they're quickly becoming optional in laptops with displays that are 13 inches or smaller.

Drives: Hard drive | Optical drives | Swappable vs. fixed drives | External drives

Hard drives: HDD and SSD

A notebook hard drive
removed from the system.

Traditional HDDs provide basic, inexpensive space to save programs and files indefinitely--or at least for the life of the drive. This type of "spinning platter" hard drive, which is the standard for both desktop and laptop PCs, has grown steadily in capacity, and now laptops can be found with drives up to 500GB in size. Be warned that capacity alone does not make a good hard drive. The hard disk's rotational speed also makes a big difference; a 7,200rpm notebook disk delivers significantly faster performance than a 5,400rpm model, though a faster drive may also shorten your laptop's battery life.
SSD drives, or solid-state drives, have no moving parts, and, unlike traditional hard disks, are less likely to be physically damaged by movement, and generate little to no heat. They are similar to the SD cards found in digital cameras and other devices, or the internal memory in the iPhone, PSP Go, and other portable devices. Keep in mind that SSD drives are more expensive and usually offer smaller capacities than HDD storage. In terms of performance, they offer hypothetical advantages, but in real-world terms, the results are a mixed bag.
When getting a hard drive, it's always good to get more than you might think you need.

Optical drives: DVD and Blu-ray

Unless you're going
budget, don't settle for
anything less than an optical disc drive.

While nearly every laptop used to have a CD/DVD-burning drive not so long ago, today many Netbooks and thin-and-lights don't include an optical drive at all. They're still useful for installing software from a disc, burning backups of media, and importing music CDs, as well as for playing DVDs, of course, but with downloadable media growing in popularity, optical drives aren't quite as appealing as they once were.
Blu-ray drives, which can play back high-def Blu-ray movies, are being incorporated into higher-end multimedia notebooks, but make sure the laptop has a 1080p resolution screen (1,900x1,080) capable of playing back Blu-ray content at full quality.

External drives

This is an external drive
tethered to a Sony notebook.

External drives--storage and media-burning options that hook up to your notebook via USB, FireWire, or eSATA cables--come in many shapes and sizes, and can be traditional platter hard drives, SSD storage drives, or even outboard optical drives.
Also note that USB-connected flash-memory thumb drives are becoming so cheap and compact that buying one or two for backup and extra storage space is nearly an impulse decision. Having a thumb drive on your keychain is a great way to transfer data to and your PC. 

What do I need to stay connected on my laptop?

To send and receive e-mail, browse the Web, and share files or printers, your laptop must be able to connect to a network or the Internet. This is done via a modem, an Ethernet hookup, or a wireless connection (either Wi-Fi or 3G mobile broadband).

Get connected: Networking options | Bluetooth | PC Cards and ExpressCards | Mobile broadband

Networking options

Though the standard is being phased out, many notebooks still come with a 56Kbps modem (RJ-11) connection, and virtually all include Ethernet (RJ-45) or even faster Gigabit Ethernet connections. Almost all notebooks also include built-in antennas for wireless networking so that you can access wireless hot spots. Most Wi-Fi antennas use the 802.11g standard, but the faster 802.11n is becoming increasingly common. Note that you'll need a compatible 802.11n wireless router to get the faster throughput.

Bluetooth

For additional connectivity options, it's always nice to have Bluetooth, a wireless protocol that can transfer anything from wireless data to music back and forth between your laptop and paired devices. Some phones allow Bluetooth tethering for wireless Internet access. Bluetooth is often included on mainstream laptops, but be sure to check if it's something you think you might use.

PC Cards and ExpressCards

The ExpressCard interface has largely replaced the old PCMCIA style of card-based devices, both of which fit into a slot built into your laptop. However, even those are passing out of favor and being replaced by USB-powered dongles and adapters. ExpressCards can be used for high-bandwidth interfaces, such as Gigabit Ethernet ports and HDTV tuners, but with USB adapters for nearly everything--including 3G wireless modems--they're rarely necessary for mainstream users.

Mobile broadband

If your travels regularly take you beyond the reach of Wi-Fi hot spots, you may want to consider spending a little extra for a notebook with a built-in mobile broadband antenna (the terms WWAN or 3G are also often used for this type of connection).
These antennas let you tap in to a cellular provider's data network. While they can be incredibly useful when Wi-Fi connectivity is spotty, the technology has its downsides: data plans still tend to be pricey; throughput speeds, while improving, are still slower than most high-speed Internet connections; and your built-in cellular card can typically work with only one cellular provider.
The good news is that 3G data plans sometimes allow for the purchase of subsidized Netbooks that not only save some money, but come with a 3G antenna built in. If you don't have one, there are a variety of USB or ExpressCard adapters that can add this functionality.

What laptop accessories do I need?

If you haven't accessorized your notebook, you haven't lived. Here are some of the best ways to do it.

Accessories: Docking station or port replicator | Laptop bag | Extra battery | External drives | Mouse and keyboard

Docking station or port replicator

Lenovo's port replicator works
for many different ThinkPad notebooks.

A docking station contains a mixture of ports, slots, drive bays, and security features, and it usually attaches to the notebook from underneath. Docking stations come in a variety of shapes, ranging from the same size as your notebook, which is often referred to as a media slice, to much bigger--some stick out five inches past the back of your notebook. As the name implies, a docking station is where you park your notebook when you get back to the office, giving you easy access to your network, along with a bigger monitor, a regular keyboard, additional storage devices, and the convenience of leaving cables plugged in when you walk away from your desk.

A port replicator, on the other hand, is a smaller, stripped-down version of a docking station that mainly features--as you might guess--ports, such as USB or S-Video. A port replicator can range from the size of a box of toothpaste to just shy of docking-station stature. When you're on the road, a port replicator is a convenient way to increase your connectivity.

Laptop bag

A solid notebook carrying
case is worth the extra money.

You're about to drop a couple grand or more on a laptop, and the last thing you want to do is spend even more money on a carrying case. So, you save a few bucks by going with the manufacturer's basic case. But basic bags often lack a padded shoulder strap or internal pockets. You'll be kicking yourself soon when your nine-pound load is cutting a groove into your shoulder and all of your accessories come tumbling out of your bag in a tangled mess. Dig into your wallet for a sturdy, comfortable carrying case, and your shoulder will thank you. Look for padded shoulder straps, reinforced corners, and specialized compartments designed to hold the AC adapter, the extra batteries, and so on.

Extra battery

It sometimes helps to
have an extra battery.

If you do even a modest amount of traveling, we recommend getting the largest battery available for your model--or, if you're wary of the extra bulk that a larger battery entails, get a second battery. They range from $50 to $300, and they are well worth the money if you plan to regularly spend more than two to three hours away from a wall outlet. Next time you're trapped on the tarmac working away on your laptop and your primary battery is about to die, you'll be glad to have that second cell. If you rarely travel with your notebook, however, and your laptop is pretty much always plugged in, don't bother with a second battery.

External drives

This is an external drive hooked
via a cable to a Sony notebook.

External drives--storage and media-burning options that hook up to your notebook via cable--can be a pain to carry around and hook up, plus they can be pricey. You're generally better off buying a notebook that has everything you need out of the box. Nevertheless, external drives are sometimes required. If, for instance, you buy an ultraportable that lacks a built-in CD-ROM drive, you might want an external drive for loading software or reading data discs. Types of external drives include DVD/CD-RW, DVD-rewritable, hard drives, and more. No matter what notebook you buy, we strongly urge you to invest in a thumbdrive that plugs directly into your USB connector sans cable. Priced as low as $15 for 1GB of storage, these little drives are brilliant for transferring small amounts of data between notebooks or between notebooks and PCs, and they're much more convenient than burning data onto CD.

Mouse and keyboard

Wireless keyboard and
mouse for home use.

Working for hours with just a pointing stick or a touch pad can take a toll on your hand, wrist, and forearm. To save yourself some wear and tear, invest in a small travel mouse. These can cost as little as $20, they usually hook up via USB, and they're very easy to tote. The same advice applies to typing for hours on your notebook's keyboard. If you plant your notebook on your desk when you work, hook up a USB keyboard and relieve your wrists. If you prefer working without wires, get a wireless mouse and keyboard.