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Laptop Computers

Laptops

From MissionTechWiki

Contents

How missionaries use laptops

In commercial organisations, laptops are often used by mobile workers who are away from the office most of the time, but do return occasionally. When they return data can be backed up, operating systems updated and so on.

Laptops used by missionaries "in the field" are their office, as it were. They have to make their own provision for backups as the laptop may be the only place where there data is stored.

Before You Start Shopping for a Computer

How do I know when it's time to replace my computer?

Computers are expensive, and it’s natural to want to want to use one for as long as possible, before replacing it. However, there comes a time when a computer has aged enough that it becomes less capable to do what you need it to do. Eventually, the master-servant relationship can become unbalanced, with the result being that you are serving your computer, rather than the other way around.

Some signs that indicate that you are reaching the end of your computer’s useful lifespan, and that you may be served better with a new machine:

  • The machine is more than three years old
  • The machine seems to run more slowly than it used to, and you find you are spending more time waiting for it to run.
  • You want to add support for new hardware (such as wireless Internet connections, more memory, a writeable CD or DVD drive, etc.)
  • The machine has become unstable, and crashes or freezes frequently
  • A major component (such as the hard drive, or the display screen) fails, or has become unreliable
  • Plastic parts begin to break
  • The machine won’t run a new application (or the newest release of an application) without having to upgrade hardware.

Individually, none of these reasons is necessarily a compelling reason to replace your machine, and there may be ways of working around limitations. In particular, a slow machine may improve some with a system tune-up (by removal or disabling of unused software), and an unstable machine may improve significantly by having hard disk reformatted, and having Windows and your applications reinstalled. However, there will come a point where the cost in time, effort, repair costs, and lost production time (even for a machine that doesn’t have other faults) will be high enough that you will be better served by a new computer, rather than trying to keep an older computer running.

What are you going to use your computer to do?

Before you start shopping, it is useful to consider what you’re going to do with your computer. It can be easy to think, “I’m just doing a little bit of email, word processing and web-browsing.” Thus, it’s often easy under-buy, purchasing a machine that’s not adequate for you’re your immediate needs, or that doesn’t have enough room for growth, either in handling updated versions of software (which are often essential), or handling new applications.

There are a number of common applications that field missionaries often use. Some of these applications may require more computing capacity than is included in a “basic” consumer-grade, entry-level machine, especially if you plan to use several of them. (The features noted in parentheses are ones that often must be upgraded over a basic configuration in order for specific applications to work well.)

  • Personal finance
  • Desktop publishing (graphics, processor speed, memory, disk capacity)
  • Store and edit photos (disk capacity, memory, chip reader)
  • Listen to music (sound, disk capacity)
  • Edit video (graphics, processor speed, disk capacity, memory, FireWire)
  • Home schooling (graphics, sound)
  • Multilingual work, including Bible translation (graphics, multilingual keyboard)
  • Group/collaboration work (e.g., Groove) (processor speed, memory)
  • Play games (graphics, processor speed, memory, sound)
  • Watch movies (display, sound)


Further questions to consider:

  • How much do you travel? A low-end entry-level laptop computer is not designed to travel frequently, despite the apparent portability of its design. If you travel frequently, a smaller-form (and lighter) ultra-portable or subnotebook may suit you better than a full-sized desktop deplacement or mainstream machine. If you do most of your work at home or in your office, a desktop machine might serve you better than a laptop. (However, by design, a desktop machine isn’t portable, so getting help at a conference is usually not possible.)
  • How reliable is your electricity? If you often have power outages, then you should invest in a spare battery. If you have a desktop machine, you may need an interruptible power supply.
  • Where do you work? If your environment includes high levels of heat, humidity or dust, then you may want to consider a ruggedized computer. You may also need to plan for more-frequent replacements of your computer.

General Suggestions

Choose a business-grade machine

A consumer-grade machine is often designed for a true home user -- somebody who does a little bit of word-processing, email, web browsing, personal finance, and maybe a bit of entertainment (especially digital photos and music), including use of small "all-in-one" suite packages, such as Microsoft Works. The way a typical missionary uses a machine does not fit many of the assumptions that manufacturers and software writers assume the machine is going to be used. Although a missionary may never work in a traditional office, or connect the computer to a Local Area Network, a the way that a computer that's used to support ministry work is far more consistent with the design assumptions that are made for a business-grade machine.

Thus, avoid consumer-grade machines. Although a business-grade machine will cost more than a consumer-grade machine, the long-term benefit is often worth the extra cost. Business-grade machines are generally built better, and frequently have better technical support. Consumer-grade machines use the cheapest possible parts, and are more likely to need repair work. They may also include a lot of unnecessary software (including promotional and demonstration applications) that can be difficult to remove, and get in your way.

  • Business grade: HP/Compaq, Toshiba Tecra and Portege, all IBM models (except the cheapest R-series models), Dell Latitude, Apple MacBook Pro.
  • Consumer grade: HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario, Toshiba Satellite and Satellite Pro, Dell Inspiron, Apple MacBook.

In the US, the base "street price" for business grade machines tends to start at around $800, and it's generally a good idea to be prepared to spend at least $1000 for the machine, before add-on hardware, software and extended warranty.

PC Magazine's review of what you get (and don't get) with the lowest-end laptop machines: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2024586,00.asp

Can I Buy a Mac?

The short answer is yes, although as with any brand or type of computer, prospective buyers should give priority to letting three key considerations determine the hardware they purchase: (1) expected and potential software tasks to be performed, (2) desired type of user support, and (3) desired type of user experience. Most all of the traditional reasons to avoid a Mac are no longer relevant, and the discussion offered here is an attempt to clarify the issues in a practical way.

Apple’s MacBook Pro won “Best Laptop” in the InfoWorld 2007 Technology of the Year Awards (and Apple’s Mac Pro took the “Best Desktop/Workstation” award); see <http://www.infoworld.com/slideshow/2007/01/32-2007_technology-6.html> (and for the Mac Pro desktop, see <http://www.infoworld.com/slideshow/2007/01/32-2007_technology-5.html>.) Consumers who don’t need all of what the MacBook Pro offers will find the MacBook laptop to be a very reliable tool. See "MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Value Revisited" at <http://www.pbcentral.com/columns/hildreth_moore/mbval2.shtml>.

As of this writing in 2007, several hardware and software factors are converging which make this year look to be a special milestone for Macintosh systems. In addition to the Mac’s famed “user friendly interface” and best-of-class software, 2007 appears to be the year when Mac hardware might truly cross the line to being a user friendly multi-operating system machine. In practical terms, this means that the average user will be able to run Microsoft Windows applications on his Mac at native PC speeds right along side his OS X applications. (To what degree this will be true of high-end games remains to be seen.)

The basic pieces for this were all in place in 2006, but tweaks were needed to work out the kinks, and that process is making fast progress. Apple’s own BootCamp will be integrated into OS X 10.5, scheduled for release in Octorber 2007 (based on Apple's statement of April 12, 2007), a new version (2.5) of Parallels Desktop for Mac was released in February 2007, and VMware Fusion of PC world enterprise fame is getting ready to enter the OS X market. See relevant articles at <http://www.macworld.com/2007/04/features/windows_intro/index2.php>, <http://www.macnightowl.com/2007/02/27/parallels-desktop-reaches-another-milestone/>, also "Virtual realities: all the world on a Mac" is online at: <http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9011577&source=rss_news10>, and also at <http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/02/21/vmwarevsparallels/index.php?lsrc=mwrss>.

In February 2007, Microsoft said it would not allow the inexpensive Home versions of the recently released Windows Vista to run in virtualization environments (e.g. Parallels), although it will allow the more expensive Business and Ultimate versions to be used for this purpose. Ironically, Microsoft was quoted as saying this is a security issue for end users. This may be a mute point for MissionTechWiki readers who are part of organizations that have access to steeply discounted prices on MS Windows, or others who would prefer to boot up their Mac in Windows using Apple's BootCamp for a lengthy work session using Windows software. Others will think twice as to just how important Windows software is to them and how willing they are to pay Microsoft's exspensive entry and upgrade fees. For some people, having an older version of Windows such as XP or 2000 may even be desirable if special in-house software will not run under Vista; we know of at least one mission for which this is currently true.

In June 2007, new MacBook Pro laptops were released with LED-backlit screens that helps to extend run time on a single battery charge. Both the MacBook Pro line and the lower end MacBook line were also recently refreshed with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors. The annual Apple worldwide Developer's Conference starts June 11, 2007, and will likely include more announcements of new products.

One of the misleading pieces of old data that keeps coming up is the cost of Macs versus PCs. Comparing a cut-rate PC to a higher quality machine--either Mac or PC--is only a worthwhile comparison if initial purchase price is overwhelmingly more important than anything else. In missions this is rarely true since missionaries often go places where there is no repair service or where it's important to have a computer that can stand up to power fluctuations. Better quality components generally cost more money. True cost of ownership is affected by the variables in long-term costs. More and more people are finding that an out-of-the-box Mac package gives more per dollar than equivalent PCs, and that in the long run higher quality hardware and software makes Macs less expensive than many PCs. The benefits of low cost are also sometimes mitigated by a superior user experience which empowers users to do more, thereby enabling some Mac users (such as this writer) to do tasks they previously could not imagine themselves doing.

In 2006, Apple transitioned its entire current hardware line <http://www.apple.com/hardware/> from IBM-Motorola PowerPC processors to Intel processors <http://www.apple.com/intel/>. Infoworld <http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/01/01/01FEtoysb4_1.html> says "Apple’s software library is completely ported to Intel, along with a solid 98 percent of third-party commercial software." Apple's "Made for Mac" website at <http://guide.apple.com/> identifies which third-party Mac software runs natively on Intel Macs; Apple's own software tools are listed at <http://www.apple.com/software/>.

Now that Adobe Creative Suite is "MacIntel"-native (as of April 2007), Microsoft Office is the only popular tool set for which a new Intel-native version is lacking, but is expected in the second quarter of 2007. Until then, a behind-the-scenes software utility called Rosetta transparently enables Intel Macs to run the older PowerPC version of MS Office. In spring 2007, Sun Microsystems began developing a native Mac version of OpenOffice which is Sun's alternative to MS Office.

As of December 2006, some Mac vendors were still selling left-over PowerPC Macs. Prospective Mac buyers are strongly encouraged to go with the newer Intel-based Macs rather than trying to save money by purchasing a PowerPC-based unit. PowerPC-only Macs not only have very little future, but their performance is less than optimal on the newer Intel machines that are capable of dramatically increased speeds and battery power efficiency.

There are positive reasons to buy a Mac, many of which can be found by using Google or other search engines to look for "reasons to buy a Mac"; Apple's entertaining website at <http://www.apple.com/getamac/> also clarifies some issues in a humorous manner. Apart from the hyped aesthetics of Macs or other emotive factors, a few of the most significant reasons are:

  • Mac hardware is traditionally well built (Mac desktops currently have the top reliability rating at http://www.consumerreports.org), and will tend to need less repair and may last longer than a Windows machine.
  • Apple Computer has a good tradition of technical support, and many users find that they need less tech support with Macs than with other machines. Thus people working in an environment where there is no local support of any kind are generally better off with a Mac. Since Mac users tend to expect and demand a relatively high degree of support, many of the companies that produce third party software also tend to provide good tech support. Macs are machines, not miracles, so some sort of tech support should be expected at some point.
  • Apple's Mac OS X operating system, a Unix-based system with a long history of development, is very stable.
  • Overall system security is very good, and Apple has stayed on top of producing fixes for potential threats to the current OS X operating system. Of course no computer can be expected to be 100% invulnerable. Nevertheless, Macs are generally not attacked by the plethora of viruses and other types of malware that target Windows machines. The actual numbers of malware for Macs and Windows, and the varying degrees of potential versus real vulnerability, are the subjects of endless debates; however it appears to be safe to say there are currently less than 600 malware for Macs (500+ macro viruses that affect all Microsoft Office products for Windows or Macintosh, plus less than 100 actual Mac viruses, most (all?) of which affect the old, pre-OS X, "classic Mac" operating system), versus 100,000+ malware for Windows.
  • Mac hardware and Apple software are particularly well suited for multi-media applications, such as desktop publishing, photo processing and video editing, and this is the defining reason that many people use Macs. Apple's own Mac-only software options for photo, audio and video are of exceptional quality, and serve the entire range of users from novice to professional. Apple’s iLife (a suite of media tools included with every Mac) and iWork packages, and increasingly more of Apples’ professional tool suites, offer an amazing level of inter-application integration and convenience. Apple’s Keynote presentation software is one of this author’s favorite applications. (Why would I use Powerpoint when I can use Keynote?)
  • If others on your team are Mac users, having a Mac may facilitate peer-to-peer support and document exchange.
  • Extensive Bible software for Macintosh is available from <http://www.accordancebible.com/>. Some PC users have been known to purchase Macs or to use Mac operating system emulators just to be able to use this software. Logos is projecting availability of its Bible software for the Mac in the first quarter of 2007; see <http://www.macbiblesoftware.com/> for news and links.)
  • Mac users in the USA and a few others major cities will say one of the reasons they bought a Mac is because of Apple's excellent retail stores which offer classes and high grade user support. See "Shop Retail" at <http://www.apple.com/buy/>.

There are also some potential trade-offs to owning a Mac that may affect some users, while other users will see these as irrelevant:

  • Local repair may not be available in many countries for Mac hardware or software. (Only 28 countries are listed on Apple's web site.) Factory authorized repairs may require being shipped out of country. Of course this is frequently also the case for some popular brands of PCs even in countries where those brands have manufacturer-recognized vendors.
  • Although Apple often uses premium hardware, the down side of this is that this may sometimes result in a higher initial purchase cost for a Mac than for a PC. However, when Mac and PCs are equally configured, PCs have sometimes been known to cost more than Macs. Specific configurations have to be compared, but can also be hard to evaluate, e.g. comparing the quality of a power supply, hard disk, or RAM. The low price of some hardware may in some cases be offset in the long run by a higher maintenance and repair cost.
  • Gaming software has not been a strength of the Mac, although there is evidence (i.e. that Apple computer has reportedly been hiring gaming programmers) that this could change in 2007 or 2008; meanwhile, if high end gaming is important to you, you should currently stick with a PC.
  • More low cost software is available for PCs than for Macs, but users need to determine whether what is available is what they need or want for their particular use. Generally speaking, long-term benefits of wisely chosen, well made and well supported software (and hardware) outweigh initial savings.
  • Although widely used Windows applications (such as Microsoft Office) are available for the Mac, Mac versions are often released later than Windows versions, although in other cases the reverse tends to be true. Some users who want to avoid the problems that frequently accompany major version releases may consider the late availability of Mac software to be a benefit.
  • If you're in a place where you're not around other Mac users, getting user-to-user help or local tech support that is knowledgeable of Mac hardware or software may be difficult. On the other hand, many individuals and organizations that use Macs discover they need less tech support than when they were using PCs, and in today's world of connectedness peer level help and tech support are often just a click or phone call away. In some developing countries, Macs are used primarily by professionals in the local graphics and video industry, and local Mac vendors and tech support may be known more by word-of-mouth than by advertisements or Yellow Pages listings; prospective Mac buyers can find out where local graphics and video pros get their Macs and tech support. (It has also been seen in these situations that vendors may adjust their prices to the professional market where the cost of a computer and software can be paid for in a single job, so consumers need to take this into account.)
  • Some applications that are less widely used don't have Mac versions, which would imply a learning curve for some Windows users to learn new tools. However, there are also notable Mac applications with no Windows versions, and the Mac owners who use them sometimes say that is why they purchased a Mac in the first place. Apple Keynote and Accordance Bible software are two examples in this writer’s opinion. Video software is another reason amateurs and pros are turning to Macs.
  • Although the Mac user interface is famous for its ease of use, it's different enough from the Windows user interface that there is a learning curve for those with well established Windows user habits. This writer found that moving from PC to Mac was easy; others are all over the range of experiences.

An excellent source of information about Macs is the portal <http://www.macsurfer.com> and <http://maconlysource.com/content.html>.

Apple's own web site at <http://www.apple.com> also has a lot of helpful information.

For a helpful report on up-coming Intel brand chips that may affect Apple laptops (and desktops) in 2007 and 2008, see the March 7, 2007 eWeek article at <http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2101695,00.asp>.

Much of the Mac vendor market has a history of being very Web-centric, although Apples new retail store chain with classes and expert help have added to the very positive total user experience; vendors can be found by visiting Web <http://www.apple.com/buy/> and <http://wheretobuy.apple.com/Catalog.html>.

Consider a desktop machine

If you don't need to travel with your computer, a desktop machine is an option to consider. Even counting the cost of an external monitor, a desktop machine costs several hundred dollars less than a comparably configured laptop, and is more easily upgraded, especially memory and additional drives. In particular, you can get better performance from separate CD and DVD drives, rather than a single all-in-one drive, and a desktop machine has enough bays for extra drives. Additionally, because it's easier to upgrade, a desktop machine may be usable for a year or two longer than a laptop.

However, a desktop machine does take more space, and you will need to purchase a monitor, mouse and keyboard (and possibly speakers). A flat-panel LCD display takes up less space on your desk and uses less power than does a traditional glass-tube CRT monitor, but will cost more (though prices have dropped dramatically in the past year). The cheapest way to get a flat-panel display is to get it bundled with a new computer. A further limitation to a desktop machine, is that you generally can't travel with it; thus, it won't be possible to bring it to a conference to have it checked by somebody in person.

If you choose to buy a desktop machine, an unbranded "white box" machine may be preferable to one with a major brand name on it. An unbranded machine will allow you to have it built precisely to your specifications (both getting what you want, and not getting what you don't want), and without proprietary parts.

As a result, the machine often can easily be serviced by a local repair shop. If you're buying a desktop machine in Europe, North America or Australia, a further option to consider is in purchasing a "small form" desktop machine (rather than a mini-tower machine). Buy the machine, ship it overseas, and then purchase your external peripherals (keyboard, monitor, mouse, speakers, etc.) locally.

Determine which variety of laptop you need

Although terminology isn't standardized, there are a number of general groupings of laptop types. Knowing what they are may better help you find the computer that suits your needs best.

  • Desktop Replacement machines are designed to provide nearly all the functionality of a traditional desktop machine, but in a portable package. Although these machines are portable, they're often too heavy for frequent travel. These machines generally weigh more than 3 Kg (7 pounds).
  • Mainstream or Thin-and-Light machines are mid-range general-purpose laptops that have less capacity than desktop replacement machines, but more than ultra-portable machines. These machines generally weigh more than 2.25 Kg (5 lbs).
  • Ultra-portable machines are designed for people who travel frequently. They're generally physically smaller than standard laptops (with smaller screens and keyboards). They weigh less, and they don't have as many features. These machines generally weigh more than 1.6 Kg (3.5 lbs).
  • Subnotebook machines are the smallest and lightest laptops, and often are limited in their capacity for upgrading hardware. These machines weigh less than 1.6 Kg (3.5 lbs).


Beyond classification by weight, there are also several varieties of special-purpose machines:

  • Tablet computers include a screen that allows input from a stylus, similar to the way a Palm PDA does. Some newer models allow positioning of the screen so that when the computer is closed, the screen faces outward.
  • Multimedia machines are optimized to support entertainment. These machines run the Media Center version of Windows XP, and often include wide-screen displays that are good for watching movies
  • Games machines are the highest of the high-performance machines. They include the fastest processors, the best graphics and sound, and the most memory.
  • Ruggedized computers are designed for extreme conditions, such as heat, cold, moisture, dust, etc. These machines don't have cutting-edge features (by the standards of normal computing) and tend to be expensive, but they are very good for places where other computers won't hold up well.

For further description of varieties, see http://laptopmag.com/Tools/Guide/


PC Magazine uses a different set of groupings: Business, General Purpose, Gaming, Multimedia, and Cheap. http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1874,9,00.asp

Be realistic about expected lifespan

Laptop computers are often designed for an intended life of three years, and you can generally use a machine for four years. No manufacturer will provide tech support for more than five years, even with an extended warranty. Once your machine is three years old, you should begin to plan for (and save money for) a replacement.

Why is it necessary to replace a computer so often? Software demand and wear on moving parts are primary reasons. Software is continually being improved. Newer software tends to make more demands on a machine, especially for processor and memory capacity. Using an older machine will impose limitations on the software you can use, whether it is upgrading to newer versions of software you're already using, or installing new applications on your machine.

In addition, older machines begin to break down from wear on moving parts. Screen hinges are the most common points of wear, especially on machines that travel more than occasionally. Bearings in hard drives and cooling fans are also a common problem. In arid places, plastic parts can have problems when they dry out and become brittle. Excessive heat, humidity or dust will put extra stress on a machine (and shorten its overall expected lifespan). Consumer-grade machines will also usually wear out more quickly than business-grade machines.

Additionally, older machines are less flexible in adding support for new technologies. It's often difficult to install hardware upgrades on a laptop machine, regardless of the age.

Components to Consider

When buying a computer, it's easy to under-buy, getting the cheapest possible machine, but one that is lacking in the ability to support what you're doing, quality of equipment and service or inadequate to handle future growth, and may have a too-short overall lifespan, that needs replacement too soon. It's also possible to over-buy, purchasing a machine with ability that will never be needed.

Below are some suggestions of how to figure out how much is enough, without getting too much.

[ Note: comments included here are personal opinion. Other contributors are welcome to disagree, and invited to add contrasting opinions. gp]

Main Memory (RAM)

The amount of available memory often has the most effect on a machine's performance (even more so than processor speed). Consider 512 MB of RAM to be the minimum for a Windows XP machine. Having more RAM is preferred, and if you want to use a machine for more than three years, 1 GB of RAM isn't too much. It's also easier to get memory pre-installed than to upgrade later. Remember, the next version of Windows, (called "Vista") is scheduled for release in early 2007, and it will require more memory (512 MB minimum, 1GB recommended).

If you want to use your Windows XP computer for more than the "bare minimum" style of usage (office-type applications, email and web browsing), consider at least 1GB of RAM. Applications like audio and video editing, photo editing and presentations etc require a lot of memory. Generally, spending any extra money on more RAM instead of a faster processor is a better choice. And the faster RAM styles (eg DDR2-667 over 533) is worth it if you need performance.

Processor

Intel Pentium 4 and AMD Athlon processors are both good choices. Intel's latest product line is called "Intel Core", a successor to the Pentium series. AMD processors are usually less expensive than comparable Intel processors, and they have begun to appear more frequently in laptop machines only in the last year or so.

Intel Pentium-M processors are optimized for mobile use, including lower power consumption (which makes battery life longer) but are more expensive than standard Pentium 4 processors. Machines that include Intel's Centrino technology are optimized for mobile use, and they include on-board support for wireless connections. Centrino-equipped machines will have longer battery life - sometimes, as much as 8 hours between charges. Intel's latest processors are the Intel Core Solo (single processor) and Core Duo (dual processor). AMD's Athlon processors compare well with Intel Core processors (although there is not yet an AMD dual-processor yet available). In the same way, the Intel Turon line compares well with the Pentium-M.

Via Technologies' chips are extremely low-power. They aren't quite as fast as AMD or Intel chips, but the low power draw promises vastly extended battery life. Unfortunately, most manufacturers, even those who use Via chips, don't make it easy to select models according to the CPU.gjs

Avoid machines equipped with either the Intel Celeron or the AMD Duron lines. The Sempron processor is AMD's entry-level processor (and is acceptable); it has virtually all the processing capacity of a full Pentium-4, but with prices similar to a Celeron.

Generally, processor speed isn't especially important. Buy one of the processors with slower clock speeds, and use the extra money on other things, especially memory or dual-core processor.

There are two new trends in processors: 64-bit processors and dual-core processors. Both add computing capacity to the processor; dual-core processing also makes a computer more crash-proof. For now, most users should avoid 64-bit processing due to the extra complexity of device drivers and such, unless you run high-performance, processor-intensive applications, such as large, complex spreadsheets with lots of floating-point calculations, desktop publishing, video editing or games.

  • Dual-core processors bundle two processors into a single processor chip. Many of the new laptops, as well as Apple machines with Intel processors have Intel Core Duo (which is Intel's dual-core chip.) Dual-core processors are less prone to lockup because even if a device causes one processor to temporarily "hang", the other one will still be available. They are also a help for users who use more than one program at the same time, and frequently have many open windows. Dual-core is a very inexpensive option, typically cheaper than extra RAM or faster clock speed.
  • 64-bit processors extend the amount of data that can be processed at once. Taking advantage of a 64-bit processor requires software that is written for 64-bit processors. At the same time, 64-bit processors can also run standard 32-bit software. Most AMD processors are already 64-bit. However, the value of 64-bit processors is minimal if the software (especially the operating system) running them is only 32-bit software.

As a general thing, there's nothing wrong with having either a 64-bit or dual-core processor, but at this update (May 2007), there's still little enough that can make use of 64-bit processing to make it worth the extra money or hassle. Dual-core on the other hand is almost always worth the small additional cost.

Disk drive

If you're going to work only with business-type (that is, text-based) applications, 20 GB will provide you with plenty of storage space. However, if you are doing multi-media (photographs, music, etc) that will consume a lot of space quickly, 80 GB (or more) may be useful. Video editing consumes more space, and for that, it's often necessary to invest in an external hard drive. (A minimum of 40 GB has been recommended for Windows Vista.)

You should also try to make sure that the disk drive has a speed of at least 5400 RPM. 7200 RPM drives are becoming common, and are noticeably faster; however, a faster drive may be a little more expensive, and consumes more power (which can increase battery usage). Ultra-portable machines may have drives with only 4800 RPM.

CD/DVD

Make sure you purchase a machine that can write CDs, and it's also good to have a read-only DVD drive. A combination CD-RW/DVD drive is a good option, although the CD reader in a combination drive will be slower (often 24x) than a stand-alone CD drive (usually 48x or 52x). A writable DVD drive is a often a practical low-cost solution for backups (always recommended); of course they are also useful for video work.

Display

Larger screens allow for higher resolution, and the ability to display more data. However, on laptop machines, larger screens (14 and 15 inches) often can't be used in tourist-class airplane seats. On machines designed for multi-media use (especially playing movies), screens often have a glossy finish, because they're expected to be viewed from a distance. However, a glossy screen can be annoying for more traditional use, where your eyes are much closer to the screen, when you're sitting at the keyboard. A glossy finish can add extra eyestrain. Thus, if you do mostly keyboard work and don't watch movies, you may want to make sure you get a machine with a dull-finish display.

The type and amount of backlighting used in laptop displays directly affects battery endurance as well as size and weight features. As of January 2007, Sony produces an LED-backed display and Apple and HP are expected to produce laptops with LED displays in 2007. See <http://techreport.com/onearticle.x/11534> and that article's links. Also, <http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9671130-1.html?tag=rsspr.6147306> and for info about the Sony LED laptop, see <http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9671130-1.html?tag=rsspr.6147306>.

Video Memory

Video memory is the memory that's used as a part of the display. If the machine has separate video memory, then main system memory doesn't have to be used for this task, and the result is a faster machine. If a machine has less than 512 MB of RAM, having at least 32 MB of separate video memory is a good thing, especially if you do work that makes a lot of video demand. Games are the heaviest user of video memory, but if you use higher video resolution settings, or you have many windows open (and frequently move from window to window), separate video memory will cause a noticeable performance improvement. The new user interface for Windows Vista will also require separate video memory.

Pointing devices

Nearly all laptop machines now use touch pad pointers. Toshiba seems to have abandoned the "pencil eraser" pointer. Many IBM machines still have the "pencil eraser" (in addition to the touch pad), although some IBM models have only touch pads.

Wireless

Wireless networking is becoming common enough that it's generally something you want, especially if you travel frequently. A computer with Centrino technology will include wireless support. Built-in wireless capacity will typically add about $400 (USD) to the cost of the machine. Using a PC Card for wireless connections is considerably less expensive. For wireless security, make sure that the technology is capable of WPA (and preferably WPA2) encryption. (The older WEP standard is inadequate.) WPA is normally supported on equipment that has the 802.11g standard. Don't bother with the newer 802.11n standard, at least not yet. As of September 2006, 802.11n hasn't yet been finalized as a standard, and 802.11n equipment that is being sold will have to be updated once the standard is finalized.

Accessories

Floppy drive

Now that USB memory devices (often called "memory sticks", "thumb drives", "jump drives", and such) are common, floppy drives are rarely necessary. If you need access to a floppy drive to exchange files with other computers that can't use USB drives then consider purchasing a laptop with one built in, alternatively you could purchase an external USB connected floppy drive independently of the laptop.

Modem

If you live in a place where you have broadband access, a modem may not be essential, unless you use it to send faxes. However, if you travel, it's definitely worth having a modem. Most machines have built-in modems, but these have software controllers, and they are not especially reliable on bad phone lines. If you live in a place where broadband isn't an option, don't rely on a built-in modem. Purchase either a PC Card modem (Xircom, and 3Com have good reputations, avoid all USRobotics Sportster models), or an external desktop modem. (These are now rare, but US Robotics V.92 Performance Pro and Diamond Supra are very good.)

If you purchase one of the new Intel-based MacBooks, there is no built-in modem, and you have to buy an external one from Apple that connects through the USB port.

(Note that as of Sept 2006, Apple do not have Windows driver support for their modems, so if you have an Intel MacBook with MS XP installed, you won't be able to use their modem).

Battery

If you do a lot of work on battery power, it's worth having a spare. On many machines, the CD/DVD drive bay is actually a multi-function item, and it's possible to take out the CD/DVD drive, and put a second battery in its place. The result is having twice as much battery life. (If you anticipate using two batteries at the same time, check to make sure that both the battery bay and the multi-function bay use the same battery design, so that they're interchangeable; machines that require different battery designs for each bay are much less useful.)

Batteries may last up to three years, although it's unusual for a battery to have warranty coverage for more than a year. Additionally, replacement batteries can be difficult to find in developing countries. Continuous charging of a battery (e.g., leaving it in a computer that runs all the time, and is connected to power) may lessen the overall lifespan of a battery. Thus, it's useful to have a spare available, especially if you frequently work from battery-supplied power. The newer lithium-ion (Li-Ion) designs have longer lifespans than the older nickel-cadmium (NiCad) and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)designs, and don't have the "memory" problem of NiCads that requires batteries to be fully discharged before recharging.

Smaller machines (especially sub-notebooks) may have smaller batteries, and as a result, less available power. If you work from battery frequently, an extra battery may be useful.

Beware of counterfeit batteries. Although counterfeits currently seem to be more of a problem with cellular phones and camcorders, they can cause problems for computers, too. Counterfeits have poor quality, and have the potential of leaking fluid or even exploding, as well as poor performance (short working time between recharges, short overall lifespan). Third-party replacement batteries aren't necessarily a problem, but make sure you purchase from a reputable vendor. http://www.batteries.com and http://www.batteriesplus.com are both good vendors to check, although their prices may not be significantly lower than if you purchase directly from the manufacturer.

(n.b. In August 2006, both Dell and Apple recalled batteries manufactured by Sony, and in September, Le because of safety problems. In September, Lenovo and Toshiba also recalled Sony-manufactured batteries. In this particular case, the difference between a battery manufactured by a mainstream vendor, and one manufactured by an unknown or no-name third party is that the former offers warranty support, and a formal recall and replacement, in the event of problems.)

Spare power adapter

A spare power adapter can be useful, especially if you travel frequently. A nice convenience is to keep one power adapter on your desk and the other in your bag. Virtually all computer power adapters will handle either 110v or 220v power at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz. As a result, a computer can be plugged into any normal electrical source without having to use a transformer. All you need is a plug converter to allow the computer to be plugged into the available electrical socket.

On computers, most power adapters come in two parts - the "brick" portion that connects to your computer, and the cord that connects the "brick" to the wall. You can also usually buy a replacement cord - it may be useful to buy a cord with the plug you normally use, rather than having to rely on a plug converter.

External monitor, mouse, keyboard

If you spend a lot of time working in your home or office, connecting a full-sized external monitor, a mouse and a keyboard (one or all) may make your work more comfortable. An external monitor can usually provide a display with higher resolution than is possible on a normal laptop display (often 1024 x 768).

If you buy a traditional glass-tube (CRT) monitor, get at least a 17-inch display. A 15-inch display doesn't allow high enough video resolution that provides much improvement over a laptop screen. If you buy a LCD flat-panel display, a 15-inch display will provide the same output as a 17-inch CRT.

A small-form mouse can be a useful accessory for travel. An external keyboard can also be an inexpensive way of getting support for writing in your local language, without having to buy a computer with a local-language keyboard.

Either wireless or USB connections are fine for both mouse and keyboard.

Audio: speakers, headphones and microphones

As with video, modem, and Ethernet networking, sound is commonly integrated with a computer's motherboard, but it's often quite basic. If you frequently listen to music or play video games, you'll want to upgrade your sound card (the Creative Media SoundBlaster is traditionally a good choice), and good speakers can make a significant difference in sound quality.

If you anticipate using Skype or other Voice over IP (VoIP) Internet telephone service, you will also need a microphone. Most laptop machines have microphones built in, but sound quality is bad. The best solution for VoIP usage is a headset that includes a microphone. Altec Lansing headsets have good quality, and are inexpensive.

PC Card and ExpressCard

Over the last several years, one of the most common ways of connecting things to a laptop computer (especially modems, Ethernet and wireless network interfaces) has been using a PC Card device that plugs into a slot in the computer. A Type II slot accepts a standard device, and a Type III slot accepts either a double-thickness device with two plug connectors, or two Type II devices, simultaneously.

A recent development is that support for traditional PC Card interface is beginning to decline. There is a new, more advanced standard, called "ExpressCard", which uses smaller devices and different connector sockets. Some computers (including a number of Dell models) now have only ExpressCard slots (which won't accept older PC Card devices). Other computers may have only a single Type II socket, meaning that the computer will accept only one PC Card device at a time. Thus, if you use PC Card devices on your current machine and you intend to continue using them on a new machine, make sure the machine you buy supports the device(s) you use.

USB hub

If you have many things to plug into USB ports (especially if you use an external monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers or disk drives), a hub is a cheap way of increasing the number of things that can be plugged in simultaneously. Some laptops have two USB ports, some have only one. However, a USB hub is generally something that you don't need to include when you travel.

As USB devices have become common, another option to consider is in buying a machine that is a "legacy free" machine, that has only USB ports, but not support for older connections, such as parallel, serial, VGA video, audio, etc. If you have older devices that require legacy connectors, many can be connected to USB ports with plug converters. However, buying a "legacy free" machine might be an opportunity to consider replacing older peripherals with newer ones that support USB connections.

Port replicator/docking station

A port replicator is a tool that allows you to plug in external devices that you don't take with you when you travel, such as connector cables. A docking station includes the functions of a port replicator, but it also includes extra devices, such as an external hard drive. Now that USB is common, a USB hub often can perform most of the functions previously provided by port replicators and docking stations.

Some machines have docking stations that are small and light enough to travel with, and for these, it is an option to simply leave the docking station permanently attached to the computer, even during travel. However, the overall weight and bulkiness of the combination makes it impractical for frequent travel.

Multifunction card reader

A multifunction card reader (5-in-1, 8-in-1 or 9-in-1, etc.) that can be plugged is nice if you're using a digital camera or video recorder, although it's not essential to have bundled with the computer, unless your camera doesn't support USB connections.

FireWire

FireWire is a competing technology to USB. It's faster than USB, and if you're doing video editing, it's significantly faster to move data from a camcorder over a FireWire connection than with USB. Most Sony machines include a FireWire port. FireWire is also the preferred technology on Macintosh machines.

Anti-virus and security software

Many machines come with bundled anti-virus software, either by itself, or as a part of a larger security suite (either free, or an inexpensive add-on option), especially Norton and McAfee. In some cases, the value of these is questionable, especially the full suites.

Norton and McAfee are adequate virus scanners, although Norton can put a noticeable drag on overall system performance. Additionally, renewal of Norton subscriptions can be difficult from some countries, because of potential credit card fraud issues. Additionally, Symantec provides support for Norton for only three years (including subscriptions for signature updates). Thus, if you have the 2004 edition of Norton Anti-Virus, and have renewed your subscription in 2005 and 2006, Symantec won't let you renew again for 2007 -- they make you buy a new copy. If you put a new version of NAV on an older computer, the performance hit is much more noticeable. Thus, if you intend to get more than three years out of your machine, it may be better to not use Norton at all, or be prepared to replace Norton with something else when Norton stops renewing your subscriptions, and you have to get a new virus scanner, anyway.

All-in-one security suites (especially Norton and McAfee) are probably better to avoid. Expertise by a vendor in one security area (such as virus-scanning) doesn't necessarily translate to expertise in another (firewall, spyware scanning, spam-filtering, etc.) and many of the suites are collections of products with varying effectiveness or ease of use. Norton's firewall has a reputation of adding additional performance lag on a system.

As a general thing, it's better to use stand-alone tools for each individual function, rather than an all-in-one security suite. Besides being preinstalled on a computer, the primary attraction of a suite tends to be a single, unified user interface. However, the result is often that there are individual components that are inadequate for your needs. For Norton and McAfee, the bundling of tools in their security suites are mostly a marketing thing, designed to increase sales (and renewal subscriptions) for their anti-virus products.

  • Anti-virus: Which anti-virus scanner you use is often less important than making sure that you keep the signatures updated. Norton and McAfee are the most widely known (and most often pre-installed on new machines), but a number of other acceptable ones are out there: F-Prot, AVG, NOD32, Trend Micro's PC-Cillin, Kaspersky, H+Bedv, Avast, Norman and others. NOD32 has a reputation of being very fast. AVG and Avast both have free versions that are available for personal use (limitedonality. It should be noted that there are beginning to be weaknesses in freeware firewalls that may never be fixed, and we may soon see the end of the era when free tools will be adequate.
  • Spyware scanners: There are several good tools that are free, several that are paid software, and a lot of malicious software masquerading as legitimate anti-spyware tools. Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy are good, free tools that identify and remove installed spyware. It's good to use more than one spyware scanner, as each has its own methodology, and both Ad-Aware and Spybot will find things that the other misses. Spyware Blaster is also free, and helps a machine prevent spyware from installing. See comments above regarding McAfee TPSB - it also has spyware and malware protection.

Another approach to spyware scanning is a tool called Hitman Pro. Hitman is a collection of some number of anti-spyware packages -- some are free (including AdAware, Spybot and Spyware Blaster), and others are demos of paid software. If you suspect you have spyware on your machine, Hitman is a good way of getting the most thorough scanning possible. The one thing to be aware of is that some of the packages in Hitman have varying aggressiveness, and some may turn up false-positives of legitimate files.

For further information about what anti-spyware packages are available, as well as lists of rogue anti-spyware packages, see http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-features.htm.

Additional Buying Considerations

Windows XP Home or Pro?

The primary limitation of XP Home is with networking; generally, you can't connect XP Home into a corporate Local Area Network. Additionally, XP Home will "see" only five computers in a small peer-to-peer LAN.

Other limitations of XP Home:

  • No inclusion of backup and Automated System Recovery tools
  • No support for Encrypted File System - even with full-disk encryption software, EFS is useful for encrypting individual files and directories on machines that have multiple user IDs.
  • Less support for multilingual work

Ultimately, XP Home is designed for a true home user, one who does light-grade email and word-processing, web-browsing, personal finance, entertainment, and other recreational use, etc. Many missionaries don't fit the assumptions that Microsoft (or computer builders) makes of how a machine with XP Home is being used. A further consideration with XP Home is that when Microsoft releases Windows Vista (in early 2007), they will begin scaling back support for Windows XP, and support for XP Home will not be available for as long as for XP Pro.

Although you may never need the extra features of XP Pro, it's better to buy XP Pro and have the features, than to buy XP Home and not have them if you ever need them.

Get a Windows installation CD

Many of the big vendors may try to save a few cents in production costs by not including an installation CD. Instead, they put all their recovery software on the hard disk. Some vendors (especially IBM) put recovery information in a place on a hard drive where it can easily be copied to CD. Others may rely exclusively on putting all the necessary data in a portion of your hard disk called a "recovery partition," where it's not easy to copy onto CD. Compaq machines have a long history of recovery partitions (which may be difficult to use, or conflict with the disk encryption software). A further description of this issue can be found at http://www.datadoctors.com/help/kenscolumns/column.cfm?id=18261 .


An installation CD is essential for rebuilding a machine from a reformatted hard disk. Additionally, a few Windows features aren't normally included in a normal installation, unless you install them yourself from a Windows installation CD. If a hard disk crashes and has to be reformatted and rebuilt, a "recovery partition" is useless. Sometimes, installation CDs are available, but the vendor won't tell you about them unless you ask for one. If the machine you're considering has no installation CD, and no way of creating it easily, consider that a "deal breaker", and choose another computer.

Weight

Lighter-weight machines are often a little more durable (less weight when dropped, and less damage to screens), but cases may be prone to breakage, because they're made from thinner plastic than is used by heavier machines (which typically use thicker plastic, aluminum, titanium, etc.) On the other hand, some vendors (again, especially IBM) add additional shock-resistance to cases and frames, which does add weight.

If you travel frequently, a desktop replacement machine will probably be too heavy for you. However, if you're looking for a lighter-weight machine, it's not worth the effort to go shave a few ounces (or centigrams) from a computer. For what you save in the weight of the computer itself, the weight may be shifted to external accessories - especially the power supply, and spare battery (if you have one), plus whatever other accessories you carry in your bag. For subnotebook computers, there's often not enough space in the computer for a CD or DVD drive. Thus, if you have to carry an external drive, the total weight may be more than with a larger computer that has the drive built in. The overall travel weight (including accessories) is more important than the weight of the computer by itself.

Repair and Service

If you are considering buying your computer in a country that is different from the country in which you work, check the availability of the vendor's repair network in your country, including warranty support for computers purchased in a different country. Toshiba's repair network traditionally is widest. First-line vendors (Dell, HP/Compaq, and IBM) are usually best, but coverage can vary by country.

Remember also that the first point contact of tech support for Windows comes not from Microsoft, but the company (or person) that built the machine (thus, if you have a Dell computer, if you need tech support for Windows, you need to contact Dell, and not Microsoft).

Warranty

Just about all workers need to think about warranty issues. For workers on the move, or buying equipment and working in another, International warranty is essential, but not always available. If you follow the advice for a business-class laptop, it's also more likely that you can take advantage of an international warranty. Some vendors (Dell, etc) allow you to transfer the "home base" of your warranty from nation to nation.

For workers based in a particular country/region, if possible check with the vendor or on their website to see if local service is available. Otherwise, local knowledge is invaluable in determining what brands are supported in country. If local service is not available, the user may be without the laptop for weeks at a time while it is sent elsewhere for repair. We have heard of people sending broken machines back home with colleagues to be fixed. This may become essential if International warranty isn't purchased.

A general rule of thumb is to purchase the longest warranty for the laptop that is affordable, including "all risks" coverage. If your laptop is an essential part of your work, and onsite coverage is available where you work, seriously consider paying the small additional fee for overnight onsite repair. It will save weeks of frustration when a repair is needed. Laptops are notoriously expensive to repair. And they will break. You may find yourself paying several hundred dollars for such coverage, but it is often well worth it. A single repair can easily cost US$500 to US$1000.

Many manufacturers require a machine to be covered under warranty in order for you to have access to phone-based tech support. Others will provide support for out-of-warranty machines, but only under a pay-pe