MUNICH, 2 September 2003 — Everyone, it seems, wants a notebook PC these days. It’s easy to see why. At a time when Internet wireless is gaining momentum, mobility is coveted, and space is at a premium, notebook computers fit right in. Plus, notebook prices have come down to earth over the past year.
That’s why mobile computers are increasingly marketed to the public these days, as opposed to corporations, which have traditionally been the biggest buyers of notebooks.
“The sales figures show that the trend in laptops is toward the individual consumer,” says Alexandra Boeckelmann, with Taiwanese computer manufacturer Acer.
But notebooks come in all shapes and sizes, some better suited for the businessperson who will gladly sacrifice features for weight savings and others geared toward those who will never move their mobile computer away from the desk.
“Before buying a laptop, the customer should think about the likely area of application for the device,” says Thomas Rau, hardware editor at computer magazine “Chip”.
Most notebook manufacturers these days supply a full range of notebooks — from ultra light to full-fledged desktop replacement. Some manufacturers, however, are better known for particular types of notebooks.
Toshiba, for example, builds desktop replacement that have seen wide acceptance in the market.
“Our emphasis is on laptops with power and options, and less on things like battery life, size, and weight,” explains Tanya Quijano, a press spokeswoman for the Japanese computer manufacturer. Along these lines, for example, is Toshiba’s recent release of a laptop with a 17-inch TFT display.
Toshiba, like other manufacturers, however, has taken advantage of recent battery-saving innovations like Intel’s new Centrino technology, which mates a new low-voltage Pentium M processor with wireless capabilities. Centrino notebooks are achieving battery life of as much as five hours per charge — unheard-of performance just six months ago.
Laptop users no longer need to settle for a drop in performance when comparing laptops with desktop PCs. Nestled inside many of the more recent devices are the same main processors (CPUs) that can be found in stationary machines.
There are laptops on the market today that offer more than 3 gigahertz (GHz) of processing speed. Yet such blazing speed can also introduced problems in the svelte machines.
“Those who want to use their laptops mostly on the go should avoid components not specifically designed for notebook computers, such as full-fledged Pentium for chips,” Rau advises. Notebook-specific components are crucial to lowering energy consumption and weight.
Centrino and Pentium M processors from Intel, for example, were designed for notebook computers. Offering roughly the same processing power found in desktop computers, the Centrino technology uses less energy, which translates into more time that can be spent away from a plug.
“Centrino notebooks are geared right now toward business customers,” says Toshiba’s Quijano. At some future point they will make a grand entry into the private sector.
If a laptop is really to replace the good old desktop PC, however, several other factors are important, too.
“The keyboard and monitor should be tested before the purchase,” Rau recommends. The effectiveness of CD and DVD-burners as well as graphics chips and hard drives can only be surmised from the product descriptions.
Buyers should also take the time to think out which option package they will need.
“Laptops can theoretically be loaded up with lots of options,” says Acer’s Boeckelmann. But not everything is always possible on every machine. Furthermore, if a user wants to change the setup after the fact or if a defect turns up, the compact design of a laptop necessitates that the user head to a professional repair shop.
“Anyone who buys a laptop should therefore think about support,” advises Simone Vintz, from consumer products testing group Stiftung Warentest.
“The telephone hotlines for manufacturers are a big problem,” says Vintz, referring to her organization’s anonymous tests. Yet there is no good way to get around these hotlines. Once a manufacturer agrees to take back faulty equipment, though, the actual swap is usually friction-free. The price for such service out of warranty can be astronomical. “You never know if the repair bill will be reasonable or drastic,” Vintz says.
The major difference between brand name machines from well-known companies and no-name devices: Price.
“If the specifications for a computer fit what you’re looking for, then a no-name device from a discount source can also be a good choice,” says Thomas Rau, from computer magazine “PC Welt”.
