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New technology is providing consumer laptops with such benefits as longer battery life, lighter systems, and brighter displays. Intel is due to introduce a new chipset, Centrino 2, which the company claims will provide better performance, longer battery life, faster integrated graphics for gaming. In 2007, when we tested Intel's then-new Centrino Duo chipset, we found battery life to be 30 to 45 minutes longer than older chipsets. An up-and-coming storage technology, the solid-state flash drive, is also adding to battery life, and making laptops lighter, but it's still too pricey for most people.

Manufacturers are beefing up RAM in laptops. For Windows Vista, 2 GB is sufficient. For more intensive applications, such as performance games or video editing, 3 GB is better. DVD-recording drives are standard, as are ample hard drives. Blu-ray high-definition drives are becoming more common. As computers become a repository for digital photos, music, and video, manufacturers are making larger laptops and their peripherals increasingly competitive with home-entertainment systems.


Do you need a new PC?

If your old Windows laptop is sluggish, it may be time for a new PC. First try to these steps to beef up its performance: Run the defragmenting software it came with. That will help your hard drive access files more quickly. If you're running out of space on the hard drive, open up some free space by deleting programs you no longer use. To add a lot more storage space, get an external hard drive. If that isn't enough, and the computer is no more than four years old, add 1 GB of memory. Memory is a lot cheaper than it was a few years ago. If none of that works, and the computer is more than four years old, it's probably time to replace it. (Be sure to recycle it.)

Laptop or desktop?

A laptop is the most convenient way to take full advantage of the growing availability of high-speed, wireless Internet access at airports, schools, hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops. The thinnest laptops on the market are less than an inch thick and weigh just 3 to 5 pounds. But to get these light, sleek models, you'll pay a premium and make some sacrifices in performance, screen size, and features.
A desktop computer typically costs less for equivalent performance and is easier to upgrade, expand, and repair. It usually offers better ergonomics, such as a more comfortable keyboard, bigger eye-level display, and enhanced audio. But as costs plummet, a laptop computer is your best choice if portability and compactness are priorities.

Windows or Macintosh?

Many people choose laptops using the Windows operating system because it's what they've always used, but Apple's Mac OS X is a fine alternative (Apple computers can also run Windows, but you need to purchase and install it yourself). In recent subscriber surveys, Consumer Reports found Apple's technical support to be top-notch. (Unfortunately, it's only available free for 90 days.) According to another survey, we also found that Apple computers were less susceptible to most viruses and spyware than Windows-based computers. Among Windows laptops, Lenovo's tech support is above average. Dell's support is improving.

What will you use the computer for?

If you're planning to carry the laptop around frequently, a 13-inch or smaller model is best. In our tests of 13-inch systems, we found that you might have to sacrifice some speed, and you'll spend a few hundred dollars more than you would for a larger laptop. But you'll also lighten your load by at least a couple of pounds, and you'll find many of the same features on slim-and-lights that are available on larger laptops, including webcams, memory-card readers, and fingerprint scanners.

If you need something a bit larger and can handle the extra weight, look to a 14-inch model. You'll gain an inch of screen space for an extra half-pound to a pound or so of weight. Laptops with 14-inch displays are a good, welterweight alternative for travelers on a budget.

If you travel infrequently, a laptop with a 15-inch screen offers the ideal balance of performance, portability, and price. These models weigh about 6 pounds, although you can find some lighter ones and can easily be configured to serve as a desktop replacement.

For a full-blown, entertainment-oriented desktop replacement, consider a 17-inch model. You'll get a good-sized screen, better speakers, and more options for multimedia features. It will cost more than a comparable desktop, but it's handy if you have space constraints or if you're planning to use it in areas of your house other than the home office.

FEATURES

The key components of a computer are the processor, memory, operating system, hard drive, graphics adapter (with video RAM), optical drive, and display (monitor). Laptop computers have additional features and considerations that are important. Where applicable, we've noted feature information that is important and distinctive to the type of computers.

Processor

Laptops generally come with a dual-core processor. If you're on a budget, an Intel Pentium Dual-Core or AMD Turion 64 X2 is fine. For greater power or battery life, get an Intel Core 2 Duo.

Hard drive

Most laptops come with a traditional 60- to 320-gigabyte hard drive, which is where all your files and programs are stored. Pay attention to a hard drive's speed. 4200 RPM, while rare, is considered fairly slow. 5400 RPM is common. 7200 RPM is fastest, but costs more. Some laptops can be equipped with two hard drives for improved performance or backup.

Solid-state drives are on the cutting edge of storage technology, allowing your computer to access data without the moving parts required by a traditional hard drive. So-called flash drives don't have the spinning disk of a conventional hard drive, so they use less power, work more quietly, and should be more resistant to damage from rugged use. And because there are no moving parts, they promise to access data more quickly. Apple's MacBook Air is available with a solid-state hard drive as an option. Sony, Lenovo, and other companies also sell laptops with solid-state drives.

RAM

Laptops use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. In Consumer Reports' tests, a normal battery provided two to nearly five hours of continuous use when running office applications. (Laptops go into sleep mode when used intermittently, extending the time between charges.) You can lengthen battery life if you dim the display, turn off wireless devices when not needed, and use only basic applications. Playing a DVD movie uses more battery power than other functions, but most laptops should be able to play one through to the end. Many laptops can accept an "extended" battery, adding size and weight but giving as much as twice the battery life.

A laptop's keyboard can be quite different from that of a desktop computer. The keys themselves might be full-sized (generally only lightweight models pare them down), but they might not feel as solid. Some laptops have extra buttons to control DVD playback. You can attach a USB keyboard, which you might find easier to use.

A 14- to 15-inch display, measured diagonally, should suit most people. Displays that are 17 inches are common. Models with a 13-inch display are becoming more common, as the industry moves toward even smaller models; several 9-inch models have already appeared. A resolution of 1,440x900 (WXGA+) pixels (picture elements) or more is better than 1,280x800 (WXGA) for viewing the fine detail in photographs or video, but it might shrink objects on the screen. You can use settings in Windows to make them larger. Most models are offered with a display that has a glossy surface instead of a matte one. Those look better in bright ambient light as long as you avoid direct reflections. Try to view the screen in bright light before buying. A "wide aspect" display (WXGA or WSXGA) fits wide-screen DVD movies better.

A new display technology called LED-backlit LCD is making its way into laptops. An advantage of the technology is its more efficient use of power and, as a result, longer battery life. Color on LED-backlit screens is sometimes better, sometimes worse than displays using older technologies.

Touchpad

Most laptops use a small touchpad in place of a mouse; you slide your finger across it to move the cursor. You can also program the pad to respond to a "tap" as a "click," or scroll as you sweep your index finger along the pad's right edge. An alternative system uses a pointing stick the size of a pencil eraser in the middle of the keyboard. You can attach a USB or wireless mouse or trackball if you prefer.

Card slots

Laptops usually include at least one PC-card or Expresscard slot for expansion. You might add a wireless-network card or a cellular modem if those are not built in.

Some laptops offer a connection for a docking station, a $100 to $200 base that makes it easy to connect an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, network, and power in one step.

Ports

Most laptops let you attach those devices without the docking station. At least two USB ports for easy hookup of, say, a printer, digital camera, or scanner are standard. A wired network (Ethernet) port is also standard. A FireWire port for digital-video transfer is common. An internal wireless-network (Wi-Fi) adapter is standard. Another option is an internal Bluetooth wireless adapter to link to a Bluetooth-capable cell phone, camera, or another laptop.

Log-on security

A growing number of laptops include fingerprint scanners for security and as a convenient alternative to typing a password when logging in. Some of Lenovo's laptops use face-recognition technology; Toshiba and other manufacturers are expected to add it to some of their models. Lenovo's new IdeaPad uses VeriFace technology when you log in. With VeriFace, your face is scanned, via the laptop's webcam, and then scanned again to make sure it matches the initial scan every time you log in.

The small speakers built into laptops often sound tinny. And a brand name like Altec Lansing or Harmon Kardon doesn't mean they'll sound good. Headphones or external speakers deliver much better sound. But some larger laptops include much better speakers and even a subwoofer for deeper bass. For the best built-in speakers, see our laptop Ratings.

SHOPPING TIPS

With a laptop, ergonomics and style are important. The best way to assess these is to try the laptop out at a retail store. Make sure the keyboard and pointing device are comfortable to use. Also note whether there's glare on the display and how heavy the laptop feels.

Buy à la carte

If you've settled on a model and prefer not to buy in a store, order from the manufacturers web site. Configure-to-order is now common practice for laptops as well as desktops. Menus show you all the options and let you see how a change affects the overall price. You might decide on a less-expensive processor, for example, but spend more for wireless capability or better graphics. Configure-to-order will often give you choices you won't get if you buy an off-the-shelf model. And it means less chance of overlooking important details. But be sure to double-check your choices before ordering, and look for unwanted items that some manufacturers include by default.

You can also purchase a computer off the shelf. (You can do the same online if you opt for the default choices of equipment the manufacturer offers.) Most retail configurations are quite robust, except for graphics.

Downplay the processor speed


Ergonomics can make or break a laptop

Look for a keyboard with keys that don't feel mushy. Touchpads should be large enough so your finger can cover the span of the screen without repeatedly lifting it, and touchpad buttons should be easy to find and press. The touchpad should also have a dedicated scroll area.

The laptop shouldn't get hot during use (89 to 100 degrees is a good range), and it should run quietly. Glossy screens are now standard on most laptops. Several have added antireflective coatings, with mixed results.

Copyright © 2003-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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