Notebook or Netbook? How to Decide What to Buy
From the processor to RAM, HD display, optical drive, connectivity ports, things keep changing in the world of notebooks. And with the introduction of Intel's Atom processor in 2008, mobile computing devices have seen a new avatar in the form of netbooks. We do a comprehensive lowdown on this most important component for Mobile Computing, to help you choose the right one
Before we start dissecting the vital elements of a notebook, we want to remind the uninitiated about the key difference between netbooks and laptops. While both look the same, they are purposefully built for different needs. Laptops are powerful computing devices and can be used for running heavy software while netbooks on the other hand are meant to support basic productivity tasks such as browsing, email, running office apps, etc. You can't run any complex application on them so if you are a professional working with a large organization, these are not meant for you. With this important clarification, we now get to the key parameters that should be kept in mind before you shell out your money.
Screen size and weight
These matter only for laptops as netbooks usually are build to be carried around easily and usually come with a screen size of around 10� with average weight below 2 Kg. Notebooks on the other hand are available in different screen sizes, ranging from 12.1� to 17� widescreens. The weight of a notebook is in direct proportion to the screen size and so their average weight varies between 2 to 3.5 Kg. Another important point aspect is that the weight mentioned by the vendor is the weight of the laptop alone without the carry bag, adaptor and other accessories that you have to lug around. Also when buying a widescreen notebook, check for its compatibility with external display devices such as a projector or a monitor.
These matter only for laptops as netbooks usually are build to be carried around easily and usually come with a screen size of around 10� with average weight below 2 Kg. Notebooks on the other hand are available in different screen sizes, ranging from 12.1� to 17� widescreens. The weight of a notebook is in direct proportion to the screen size and so their average weight varies between 2 to 3.5 Kg. Another important point aspect is that the weight mentioned by the vendor is the weight of the laptop alone without the carry bag, adaptor and other accessories that you have to lug around. Also when buying a widescreen notebook, check for its compatibility with external display devices such as a projector or a monitor.
Battery backup
Battery backups of most notebooks vary between 2.5 to 5 hours with a 6-cell battery which can further be increased with a 9-cells battery. It is advisable to go for a 9-cell battery if you travel a lot. However, upgrading to a 9-cell battery would also mean added weight.
Battery backups of most notebooks vary between 2.5 to 5 hours with a 6-cell battery which can further be increased with a 9-cells battery. It is advisable to go for a 9-cell battery if you travel a lot. However, upgrading to a 9-cell battery would also mean added weight.
I/O ports and optical drive
Other key considerations are the optical drive and the number and type of connectivity ports such as USB, HDMI, etc. As netbooks miss out on an optical drive, this feature is exclusive to laptops. Go for Blu-ray or DVD drive depending on your needs, keeping in mind that a Blu-ray drive adds a lot to a laptop's overall cost. As for I/O ports, laptops should have at least three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire, a VGA out, S-Video out, Ethernet (RJ-45), modem (RJ11), headphone (line-out) and microphone ports.
Other key considerations are the optical drive and the number and type of connectivity ports such as USB, HDMI, etc. As netbooks miss out on an optical drive, this feature is exclusive to laptops. Go for Blu-ray or DVD drive depending on your needs, keeping in mind that a Blu-ray drive adds a lot to a laptop's overall cost. As for I/O ports, laptops should have at least three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire, a VGA out, S-Video out, Ethernet (RJ-45), modem (RJ11), headphone (line-out) and microphone ports.
A CD/DVD writer is being offered with all current models. In case you buy a laptop that doesn't have it, you can always attach a USB/FireWire based drive. These days Blu-ray format for high-def video is making headlines. Some of the high-end notebooks come equipped with a Blu-ray drive and vendors also offer it as an option to buyers for extra cost. The added capacity that Blu-ray (25GB per layer) discs offer over standard DVDs (4.7 GB per layer) shall be an advantage for those who want their notebooks to be future ready.
Security features
Most notebooks have a feature or two for security and privacy. These could be TPM (trusted platform module), biometric fingerprint or face recognition and HDD security. As the name suggests, the finger print or face recognition system stores the image of the finger or the face of the authorized user, which is used to authenticate access to the notebook. These features can also be applied to individual files/folders on a notebook. Some notebooks also have a one touch data recovery button for retrieving lost data which could be very
helpful incase of data crash in the middle of travel or meeting.
Most notebooks have a feature or two for security and privacy. These could be TPM (trusted platform module), biometric fingerprint or face recognition and HDD security. As the name suggests, the finger print or face recognition system stores the image of the finger or the face of the authorized user, which is used to authenticate access to the notebook. These features can also be applied to individual files/folders on a notebook. Some notebooks also have a one touch data recovery button for retrieving lost data which could be very
helpful incase of data crash in the middle of travel or meeting.
TPM chip is a feature which can be used along with hard drive encryption software such as Windows BitLocker, etc and can be used to store the public key for encryption. This makes sure that the hard drive only works when connected to the laptop with the key sitting inside the TPM chip. So if someone tries to take out the drive and plugs it into a different machine it will not be readable. Even changing the bus of the hard drive in the same machine will make the data unusable.
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