Buying advice for Laptop Computers

A longtime companion at work, school, and on the road, the laptop has finally come homeBigger, crisper displays and more usable key layouts have replaced small screens and cramped keyboards.
Processors have caught up in speed, and innovative new processors provide some real advantages. Fast CD and DVD recording drives are common, as are ample hard drives. As computers become a repository for digital photos, music, and video, manufacturers are making laptops and the peripherals to which they connect increasingly compatible with home-entertainment systems. And a growing interest in wireless computing plays to the laptop's main strength: its portability.
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.Most laptops now have wireless networking capability built in and deliver commendably long battery life. The thinnest laptops on the market are less than an inch thick and weigh just 3 to 5 pounds.

To get these light, sleek models, however, you'll have to pay a premium and make a few sacrifices in performance and screen size.WHAT'S AVAILABLEDell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard (which also makes Compaq), Lenovo (formerly branded as IBM), Sony, and Toshiba are the leading Windows laptop brands. Apple makes Mac OS MacBook and MacBook Pro models. Laptops can be grouped into several basic configurations:Budget models. These have slower processors, fewer features, and lower screen quality than others but are suitable for routine office work and home software. Price: $1,000 or less.Workhorse/multimedia models. These have faster processors and more built-in devices, so there's less need for external attachments. They also have larger screens and enhanced sound and video components for home-entertainment uses. They're not lightweight or battery-efficient enough for frequent travelers. Price: $1,000 and up.Slim-and-light models. These are for travelers. They are about an inch thick and weigh about 3 to 4 pounds. Some require an external drive to read DVDs or burn CDs. Price: $1,000 and up.Tablet-style. These sit in your hand like a clipboard and have handwriting-recognition software. Some convert to a "normal" laptop with a keyboard. Price: $1,600 and up.HOW TO CHOOSEDecide if a laptop is right for you. If you're on a tight budget and aren't cramped for space, a comparably equipped desktop computer may be preferable because it costs a few hundred dollars less. It's also a better choice for heavy users who spend hours at the computer each day. Otherwise, consider a laptop. If you'll use it mostly at home, built-in wireless networking lets you use it throughout the house and easily store it.Windows vs. Macintosh. Many people choose laptops using the Windows operating system because it's what they've always used, but Apple's Mac OSX is a fine alternative. In recent subscriber surveys, Consumer Reports found Apple technical support to be top-notch. According to a recent survey, we also found that Apple computers have been less susceptible to most viruses and spyware than Windows-based computers. Apple's MacBook will suit you if you're interested in basic photo editing, music, video, and office applications, but the 13.3-inch screen is small. The Apple MacBook Pro is suited to more intensive tasks but is relatively expensive as laptops go.Buy à la carte. Dell and Gateway pioneered the notion that every computer can be tailored to an individual's needs, much like choosing the options for a car. This configure-to-order model is now common practice for laptops as well as desktops.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.) That's fine if you don't have very strict requirements for how a laptop is outfitted or if you want to take advantage of an attractive sale.Menus show you all the options and let you see how a change in one affects the overall price. You might decide to use 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 configure-to-order 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.Downplay the processor speed. Speed is no longer the be-all and end-all of personal computers. Current processors deliver all the speed most people need. Spend the money on more memory instead.Look closely at warranties and insurance. Since the average cost of repair is usually not much more than the average cost of an extended warranty, we don't recommend buying a service you might not use. If you intend to travel a lot, consider buying screen insurance from the manufacturer.- From ConsumerReports.org