Weigh Features Carefully When Deciding Which Laptop to Buy

My friend Jerry called me the other day to ask what type of notebook PC he should buy. I didn’t respond immediately with a specific brand or model but asked him a series of questions to determine what type of machine is best for him. If you’re thinking of buying a notebook PC, first ask yourself how you plan to use it--the answers will largely dictate what you should buy.

First consider whether you want a Windows machine or a Mac. If you already have one or the other, your life will be easier if you stick with the type you have. Although it’s possible to exchange data files between a Windows PC and a Mac, it’s not always seamless. Plus, if you change types of machines, you’ll have to learn new software.

If you opt for a Mac, your choices are pretty simple. Apple is the only company making Mac laptops, so you either spend $2,500 to $3,500 for a PowerBook G3 or wait until late September, when Apple starts shipping its innovative, colorful $1,599 iBook. I’ll write more about this machine closer to its release and after I have a chance to test it.

Your next question should be whether you’re looking for a “desktop replacement” or a machine for traveling.

Many of today’s laptop PCs are almost as powerful and versatile as high-end desktop systems, albeit more expensive. If you do plan to use the machine mostly at home or the office, then weight isn’t nearly as big an issue as features. You’ll want a machine with a built-in CD-ROM or DVD drive, a floppy disk drive and unless you plan to use an external monitor, as big a screen as you can afford.

Make sure that any Windows notebook you buy has a built-in USB, or universal serial bus, port. That lets you plug in a scanner, digital camera, tape or disk backup system and even some printers and mice without having to use any other port. Even a single USB port is sufficient. You can buy a hub--sort of a power strip for peripherals--that lets you plug in multiple devices. If you plan to take the machine on the road, pay attention to weight. The difference between an 8-pound full-featured laptop and a 3- to 4-pound sub-notebook machine can be painfully obvious as you run between planes or traverse a convention floor.

Find out the “carrying weight,” which includes the power cord and any additional peripherals (such as external floppy or CD-ROM drive) that you might need to carry.

And don’t think you can avoid carrying the power supply just because the PC maker says that you’ll get three or more hours of battery life. Those estimates are usually based on best-case scenarios. “Your mileage,” as those car commercials say, “will vary,” and it will probably be lower.

Some of the smaller machines don’t even have standard PC ports, so they require you to plug in an extra adapter (sometimes called a port replicator) that provides connections for printers, keyboards and other devices. That’s one more thing to pack up and carry with you--and one more thing to lose or break.

Aside from the required port replicator, Toshiba’s Portege 7020 ($3,339) is a terrific lightweight (4.1 pounds) machine. If you’re going to use it extensively at home or the office, you should consider spending an additional $650 for the optional network DVD dock, which has built-in DVD and floppy drives along with all the ports you’ll ever need, including an Ethernet port.

Like weight, size should be a key consideration. When I’m on the road, I want a machine that’s thin, and I don’t need a 14.1-inch screen. In fact, large-screen machines can be harder to use from the coach section of a plane.

The look or feel of the keyboard, pointing device and screen are very important on a notebook because you can’t go out and replace one of those components like you can with desktop PCs.

Some of the ultralight notebook PCs, such as the 3.1-pound Sony Vaio 505TR and the Toshiba 3110CT, have keyboards that are about 10% smaller. They drive me crazy, but I’m a touch typist. If you hunt and peck or have very small fingers, it may not matter.

There are three types of available pointing devices: track ball, touch pad and a pointing stick, which looks like a pencil eraser sticking out from between the G, H and B keys. Which is best? That’s purely a personal decision, but to avoid buyer’s remorse, be sure to try out the options before buying.

If price is no object, my favorite lightweight machine is the IBM ThinkPad 570--a svelte 4 pounds and 1.1 inches thick. It has a terrific full-sized keyboard and a built-in modem, as well as serial, parallel and USB ports. At prices ranging from $2,663 to $3,572, it’s hardly your bargain-basement special, but after carrying one across the USA and around Britain a couple of times, I can testify that the 570 is a rugged and reliable machine. It uses an external floppy and comes without a CD-ROM drive, but for $119 you can purchase the 3-pound UltraBase with a built-in CD or DVD and floppy drive.

Notebook PC makers, like PC makers in general, are prone to throw in gimmicks that seem cool but are rarely useful. Sony, for example, makes a version of its Vaio called the PictureBook ($2,299), with a built-in digital camera. It’s fun to take to parties and may actually be useful for some people, but for most of us, it’s a better idea to get a regular laptop and a separate digital camera.

Some models of IBM’s new iSeries machines come with a built-in DVD drive and an S-video out port that lets you watch DVD movies on your TV set. It works fine, but do you really want to use a $2,800 notebook PC as a $350 DVD player?

Most important, when it comes to notebook PCs, remember that this is the most personal kind of personal computer, so never buy blind. I have few qualms about buying a desktop PC sight unseen but wouldn’t dream of buying a notebook without being able to pick it up, carry it around and take it out for a test drive.

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Lawrence J. Magid can be reached at [email protected].