With the dizzying array of brands, sizes, types, and speeds of various laptops, it's difficult to know where to start in choosing the ideal laptop. We've attempted to simplify the technical jargon with some rules to help you narrow down your choices to the best performers and then make your final decision based on your personal preferences such as the keyboard and screen on the machine.
2. Windows 7 vs Mac – Apple’s are great, but there is a substantial learning curve if you’ve never used them before. Also, Apple price is almost exactly twice the cost of a high quality PC (Sony Laptop, or Dell Workstation Desktop). But Apple does have the best phone support and better overall stability than Windows. Choose Windows for most cost-effective computer with very little learning necessary, and better compatibility, choose Apple for better support and better system stability.
3. 32-bit Windows 7 vs. 64 bit Windows 7…. 32 bit windows has a hard memory limit of 3.5 GB which means it’s not upgradable. It also seems to be less virus resistant than 64 bit Windows 7. Choose Windows 7 64-bit.
5. Buy a fast CPU- Windows 7 requires it - The CPU is the brain
of the computer, and Windows 7 is a BIG operating system. Unlike XP,
you should buy a rather fast CPU for Windows 7 to work well. The price
of laptops strongly depends on the speeds of CPU, so I’ve listed the
speed and the Best Buy Prices (Jan 2011) on the laptops with various CPU’s
Slow (Score of less than 1000 on Passmark Speed test) AMD V120 = 750 (compaq 15” $349) Celeron 900 = 850 (Toshiba 15” $349)
