Newsletter #13 - The Road Worrier Part 1
How to Buy a Laptop
The next couple editions of the newsletter concern what you need to know about wireless networking and using a computer on the road.  Herein, Cheryl writes about how to buy a laptop and which wireless standard to use. 

Next time, Bob promises an article about San Diego's new Verizon broadband internet over their cell phone network... a real boon for those of us who regularly work out of the office. 
         
    When buying a laptop, start with the same questions you ask when buying any computer:  How exactly am I going to be using it, and what software will I want to run on it?  If you want the laptop to do presentations to clients, you'll want the biggest screen possible.  If you plan to use it while traveling, you'll want a lighter model, with a long battery life and a footprint small enough to fit on an airline fold-down tray. 
       In this decision, the single most important factor right now may be compatibility of your specialized business software with the operating system...  Most laptops now sell with Windows XP Home Edition.  To avoid disappointment and extra expense, make sure that your special billing, or appraisal, or inventory software will run on it before you purchase the laptop. 

       Then go to Best Buy and Fry's or CompUSA and try some on for size.  This is more important when buying a laptop than when buying any other piece of computer equipment.  With a laptop, it's all about the comfort.  Are you comfortable with the keyboard?  The mouse-thing?  The screen?  If not, the other features don't really matter, because you will never enjoy using them. 

       One more thing you need to do during the test drive.  After the laptop has been running for 10 minutes or more, put your hand under it.  If you picture yourself, kicking back in a recliner answering your email, you may not like the heat it's generating.  Think about it. 

       While other available features for new laptops are all basically the same... (nice big hard drive, plenty of RAM, USB 2.0 ports, DVD/CDRW), the ergonomic designs are very different from one another, subjective and individual.  This will be what determines your long-term satisfaction. 

       Finally, you're going to want an 802.11g wireless interface.  Even if you do not have a wireless router yet.  If you don't get it now, I believe that within one year you'll wish you had.  It's universal and very convenient.  Just make sure that you get the 802.11g standard, not 802.11b or 802.11g(draft).  To summarize: 

      
    1.  Figure out what software you want to run on the laptop and which operating systems the software will run with.

    2.  Test drive several laptops at your local retailers, but don't buy yet, and don't listen to the salesmen.  I have personally been led astray several times by salesmen who seemed to know what they're talking about, but really didn't.  Note their prices, but don't buy until you've shopped around. 

    3.  After you've decided which specific laptop you want in terms of ergonomics and compatibility with your other software (and not forgetting the 802.11g wireless interface), get on the internet and find the best price.   
   and   are good places to start. 
            
Cheryl                                       
P.S. If you find the best price on , check out the seller and his terms BEFORE you bid.  I know three people who have been burned buying big-ticket items from unknown sellers. Okay, I confess, I am one of the three people.  Anymore, I would only buy from a well-established eBay seller with significant positive buyer feedback. 

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