Mossberg: Special Considerations Buying a Laptop

Buying a laptop computer requires a little more attention to
details and features
. New technologies on the way for laptops
should be watched closely, and many may want to defer purchasing for
awhile, according to Walt Mossberg at All Things Digital.

Some new technologies to be aware of are the new hard disks that include a Flash memory cache
called Hybrid Hard Drives. These systems buffer the access to the drive and make access much faster. Some small, portable notebook computers may even switch over entirely to Flash-based memory for the main memory.

Also, vendors will be increasingly moving to LED backlit LCD displays.
These displays have more uniform brightness and consume less power.
[Neither of the above two features are currently available for Mac laptops.]

In addition, for travel, itis a good idea to check for the availability of
built-in Webcams, microphones, and communication software that supports
them.

Finally, itis a good idea to pay attention to the availability of
ExpressCard slots and the kinds of modem or other cards available for the slots. The Wi-Fi system should be 802.11n.

When purchasing a laptop (notebook) computer, especially for travel,
one must be careful to pick the size and weight thatis suitable for
travel, especially for use in cramped airline seats.


Apple MacBook

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