Laptop Buying Guide 2011

Buying Laptop, what you need to know to buy the right one for you.
Index

Understanding laptop specification

Processor (CPU)
RAM
Hard disk
Graphic Processing Unit (Graphic card)
Optical Drive/DVD writer
Screen
WLAN (wi-fi)/Bluetooth
Operating system
Additional feature
Business laptop feature
Speaker/Build quality
After sales service/support
netbook
Task Hardware Requirement/How Much Hardware Performance You need?

Understanding Laptop specification

Every laptop catalog have specification for its laptop. Understanding laptop specification
can help you to get the right laptop. The specification below is a typical laptop
specification :-

Processor
Processor are the like the engine for a laptop, a high speed processor allow you to finish
CPU intensive task like video/image/audio editing, Convert video/audio to one another
format, Scanning virus and more quickly, and real time application such as viewing high
definition flash video, CAD, PDF viewing and playing 3D game (require fast GPU as
well) better and smoother.
Most of the laptop comes with Intel or AMD processor. The current model of CPU in
2011 are as follow : -

The latest model Second Generation Intel Core Processor, with Turbo Boost
Technology 2.0 (on i5 and i7 series), boosting extra performance when you need it.

Core i3/i5/i7 Intel laptop processor series, with dual core and quad core configuration
plus HYPER THREADING technology which enables each core of your processor to
work on two tasks at the same time. The I series processor also integrate chipset inside
the CPU, gaining battery life and higher memory bandwidth. Cutting edge 32nm

technology make the processor use less power and cooler. Some i5/i7 with Turbo Boost
feature speed up the processor when your PC need extra performance.

Core 2 Duo are mainstream processor. The debut of Core I series processor cut the price
of the laptop integrated with this processor. although not the latest model. Its impressive
CPU performance should fast enough for most people.
Core 2 Duo processor with model number start with SU are used in ultra portable. Its has
lower clock speed (less Ghz) but use less power therefore battery life are longer.
Core 2 Solo are used in ultra portable laptop. Ultra portable laptop are small and light,
long battery life but mediocre performance. It has better performance than netbook with
Intel Atom processor.
Fast processor is beneficial for :

Advance Gaming
Converting video/audio file format, render video to DVD
Video editing
High definition video
File compression/decompression
3D animation/ video content creation

More information on Processor :Intel Processor Rating

WHAT DO THE INTEL PROCESSOR STAR

RATINGS MEAN?

Ultimate intelligence and breakthrough technologies

Advanced intelligence, premium technologies, and speed help you do more
Smart, fast, energy-efficient technology
Dependable and proven

Value and reliability

2nd GENERATION INTEL CORE PROCESSOR

FAMILY
The stars next to the processor badges signify their relative levels of processing power
compared to other Intel processors, based on a combination of cores, GHz, cache, and
other technologies.

2nd generation Intel Core

i7 processor Extreme Edition >
The worlds fastest visibly smart processor for
laptops

Extra performance on demand

Smart multitasking
Built-in visuals

Overclocking enabled

2nd generation Intel Core

i7 processor >
Visibly smart performance at its best

Extra performance on demand

Smart multitasking
Built-in visuals

Higher frequency and greater cache size

2nd generation Intel Core

i5 processor >
Visibly smart performance with a boost

Extra performance on demand

Smart multitasking

Built-in visuals

2nd generation Intel Core

i3 processor >
Visibly smart performance starts here

Smart multitasking2
Built-in visuals3

See ratings for previous generation Intel Core processors >

INTEL PROCESSORS FOR BASIC COMPUTING

Intel Pentium Processor >

Classic and reliable

Intel Celeron Processor >

Entry-level processor

RAM
Every program running on a computer need a fast memory to hold it. Not enough RAM
capacity can cause the computer to swap current program data to hard disk. Hard disk are
slow memory therefore as more data swap into the hard disk the program become slow to
respond. The recommended RAM capacity is 2GB or 3 to 4GB if you run many
application at the same time.
DDR2/DDR3?
DDR2 and DDR3 have not much difference in terms of speed visible to user. DDR3 are
newer technology and consume slightly lower power (DDR2 1.8v vs DDR3 1.5v)
64bit Windows and RAM
64 bit operating system (64bit compatible hardware required) allow beyond the boundary
of 4GB ram limit, allow more than 4GB ram to be used.

Hard Disk
The hard disk store all the data. The higher capacity of a hard disk is, the more data/file
you can save into the hard disk.

Hard Disk Impact Sensor/Active Protection System/Free Fall System

Business laptop like Lenovo Thinkpad, Toshiba Tecra and Dell Latitude comes with hard
disk protection features. The accelerometer sensor detect any strong movement and
protect the hard disk by slow down/stop the hard disk. Preventing the hard disk getting
damage.
7200RPM
Recently more laptop comes with 7200rpm (rotation per minute) hard disk, these hard
disk faster than 5400rpm hard disk, fast hard disk means faster boot up time, application
load up time and file operation.

SSD Hard disk

SSD (Solid State Disk) is new storage technology that use FLASH MEMORY to store
data. Flash memory dont have moving parts, therefore SSD are more robust than
traditional hard disk and alot more faster. Laptop using SSD hard disk should see
15~250% performance gain on boot time, respond time and file operation. Since SSD is
still new, they are very expensive.

Graphic Processing Unit / Graphic card

Realistic modern game require fast GPU to get smooth playing experience
Graphic processing unit / graphic card process graphic data and display to the screen.
Modern 3D game/High definition video require fast GPU, if the GPU is not fast enough
you get low frame rate, which means the video/game will look lag. Imagine the
video/game only have 5 frame per second, it will be very slow.
To check the laptop graphic card performance on games, check out at
notebookreview.com

Optical drive/DVD-RW
Optical drive allow you to insert DVD/CD and read/write it. some ultra portable laptop
doesnt comes with DVD-RW drive.

Screen
There are various size of screen, such as 13.3, 14,15.4 and 17 inches. New LCD screen
now come with LED back light, LED back light use less power and brighter
than fluorescent back light. LCD screen with LED backlight also produce vibrant color
and better contrast.

Glossy or Non-glossy (Matte)

Glossy screen are brighter, sharper and more vibrant color than non-glossy, but its
reflective surface is annoying in bright places. Matte screen display are consistent in any
places.

Laptop screen, Glossy or non glossy (Matte)

5 April 2010 One Comment

Most of the laptop manufactured after year 2006 comes with glossy screen. What are the
advantage and disadvantage of glossy screen when compared to non-glossy (Matte)
screen?
Glossy screen display slightly sharp, bright, better color compare to matte screen, but its
glossy, reflextive surface are annoying in bright environment. The display become
difficult to see. Thats why sometimes u should look for matte screen instead of glossy
one

Advantage and disadvantage of glossy screen

Pro and con of glossy screen
PRO
CON
Slightly brighter,vibrant color Reflective screen cause
display
annoying glare
High contrast
Collect finger print and dust
Ideal for entertainment in dark environment
Not ideal in bright room and outdoor

When to choose matte screen instead of glossy

If you use your laptop in office, bright room. or for work its better to choose laptop with
matte screen. Matte screen display consistent and balanced image in all places. Matte
screen also much better than glossy when working outdoor with sun light.

Wireless Connection/Wi fi/Bluetooth

All current laptop comes with wireless network adapter (wi fi/802.11 adapter) Wi Fi does
have several standard. The current standard are 802.11G which allow u to transfer data up
to 54mbps. The latest standard are 802.11n, the transfer speed is up to 300mbps, 802.11n
is faster, longer range and more reliable than 802.11G. (802.11n adapter need to connect
to a wireless N network to archive high speed transfer)
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is mini wireless connection that let you connect device like mobile phone,
printer, mouse, keyboard and camera without wire. The range is less than 10m

Operating System (Windows)

Most laptop come with pre-installed genuine operating system. The latest operating
system from Microsoft is Windows 7. There are 32bit and 64bit of Windows 7. Which
one is better and right for you? The 64bit version of Windows 7 can make full use of
laptop RAM. Having more ram means your computer can run more program at the same
time without slowing down. But 64bits of windows require 64bits drivers and anti virus.
32bit of Windows 7 have the highest compatibility but have limitation of maximum
usable ram up to 3GB.

What is Windows 64 bit and 32 bit?

31 March 2010 No Comment
Recently you might notice on the laptop specification on the catalog the Windows operating system is 64BIT. What is 64BIT Windows?

Most of the Windows operating system we use today are 32 bits, however 32 bit
operating system have limitation on RAM memory. 32 bit operating system can only use
up to 4GB of RAM, and when you install more than 3GB memory some system device
will need to reserve RAM memory space for them. So you only get 3.1-3.4GB ram when
u got 4GB of ram in a 32bit operating system.
Recently new laptop comes with 64bit of Windows 7. 64 bit Windows operating system
allow the system to use more than 4GB of ram. Having more RAM memory allow you to
work faster with many application running at the same time.

Compatibility with 32 bit program

Programs like Microsoft office, games, anti virus, printer driver, video player and more
also have 32bit and 64 bit version. A 32 bit program need to be run on 32bit Windows
operating system, but Windows 7 64bit can run most of the 32 bit programs, but not for
Anti virus and device drivers. For anti virus and device drivers you need to get 64bit
version for Windows 7 64bit. Windows 7 64bit will not run 16bit program (some DOS
and very very old program)
Some program that are CPU intensive may have performance gain in 64 bit Windows
operating system.

Additional feature
HDMI
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) are a port allow you to connect a HDMI
cable to high definition TV or monitor and use it as display unit. HDMI can transfer
image and audio in the same cable.
Switchable graphic / Nvidia Optimus
Switchable graphic / Nvidia optimus allow the laptop to choose which graphic processor
to use. When doing task that need fast GPU it can switch to faster GPU for best

performance, while doing normal task that doesnt need fast GPU it can switch to lower
power GPU to save power/gain battery life.

Business Laptop Feature

Fingerprint reader
Fingerprint reader are biometric security feature. Instead type in password, you swipe
your finger to log in your computer, you can also save the password for web services then
log in the web site with fingerprint reader. This is safer because keylogger cant capture
your password.
Intel vPro
Intel vPro technology is a suite of features allow IT administrator manage and secure
laptop through wired or wireless connection. IT administrator can control/repair the
laptop remotely through network connection. In case the laptop is missing/stolen,
administrator can disable the laptop to prevent data fall to wrong hand. Build in AES
instruction provide hardware accelerated encrypt/decrypt, secure the data and cut
performance overhead for encrypt/decrypt.

Speaker, Laptop Build Quality.

Aside from the technical specification, there are other things not listed on the
specification. Laptop speaker vary between models and maker. Usually multimedia
laptop have better speaker. Laptop build quality also can vary between models and maker,
good build quality means solid casing, quality build material, no squeaking sound when
press against it and no losse part. Usually business model like Thinkpad, Latitude, Tecra
and Travelmate have higher build quality than consumer model.

After Sales Service, Warranty and support

Most laptop comes with standard 1 year warranty. If your laptop got problem due to
manufacture fault (damage by user not covered) in warranty period, you get repair for
free. Some laptop comes with Free 3 years warranty, these laptop are highly
recommended as it assure the laptop can be used for at least 3 years.
International warranty
International warranty allow you to claim warranty anywhere with the laptop maker
service center in the world. If you plan to work/study oversea its recommended to look
for international warranty.
Dell Complete Cover
Dell complete cover give comprehensive cover for your laptop including damage cause
by user, If your laptop got problem or got damaged, Dell complete cover plan repair and
replace the fault part for free.

Are Netbook the one for you?

Task hardware requirement
How much hardware performance you need? Depending what do you do with your
laptop, you need hardware performance that have enough power to do the task smooth
and fast. This table show you hardware requirement for certain tasks
HARDWARE PERFORMANCE
LEVEL
Processor
RAM
1. Intel Atom
2. Intel Pentium, Core 2 Solo/duo
3. Intel Core i3/Core 2 Duo >2.0Ghz
4. Intel Core i5
5. Intel Core i7

Graphic adapter
1. Intel GMA 3150,950
2. Intel GMA X3100
3. Intel X4500MHD, GMA HD
4. Nvidia 310m 320m AMD HD 5470
5. AMD HD5650, Nvidia GT540m or
higher

1. 512MB
2. 1GB
3. 2GB
4. 3GB
5. 4GB 64bit

Hardware requirement
Process
Graphic
Ram
Adapter
or

Task

Suitable for
netbook?

General
task No specific hardware
requirement
These task have no specific hardware
requirement, any modern
laptop and netbook should perform these
task smoothly
Casual web browsing

YES

YES

NO

Word processing and office work

IM chatting, VOIP
Standard definition video
Play DVD Video/Music

HD Video720
Flash video and files at 720 resolution.

Full HDVideo 1080

Flash video and files at 1080 resolution.

Facebook game
Some Facebook flash based game are very
CPU intensive, require
fast processor to have smooth game play.

Basic game
Basic game such as bejeweled, zuma,
peggle.

Game will
look choppy
on some
game

YES

4/5*

NO

NO

Only light
video editing

NO

Will take
long time to
complete

Advanced game
Advanced game such as Crysis, Starcraft2,
Half life 2 have
realistic graphics, but require very high
performance hardware, Better
hardware performance get better graphic.

3D animation creation and

rendering
3D animation creation and 3D rendering
require high performance
hardware to work smoothly and faster.

Video Editing Standard

definition
Video editing on standard definition video
require fast
processor and more ram to work smoothly
and faster

Video Editing High

definition
Video editing on high definition video
require fast processor
and more ram to work smoothly and
faster.

Media conversion
Video and audio file format conversion
requires high speed
processor to finish conversion in shorter
time.

*4 = Playable at low/medium setting, 5= Playable at high

setting.

Recommendation

Toshiba and Asus laptop Reliable, most Toshiba & Asus laptop comes with 2
years warranty

Laptop with at least 2 years warranty, best is 3 years

Mid range laptop with Nvidia/Ati graphic processor