| Buying notebook computers can be a daunting task | | | | integrated. Discrete are generally far more powerful, |
| for many consumers, but one can avoid the pitfalls | | | | and have their own dedicated pool of memory but |
| by following a few common sense rules and | | | | may also draw some additional memory from the |
| understanding what each component does and why | | | | system RAM. Integrated graphics are generally less |
| it is important. The first step is to decide what the | | | | powerful, and always use system RAM for their |
| notebook computer will be used for as that will have | | | | tasks. A general rule is that games, video editing, and |
| a major influence on later decisions. Notebook | | | | image manipulation software all tend to take |
| computers used for simple tasks cost less money | | | | advantage of discrete graphics, while everyone else |
| than those used for gaming and more advanced | | | | is probably better off saving their hard earned |
| needs such as video editing and photo manipulation. | | | | money on other features that notebook computers |
| Also decide how big the notebook computer should | | | | have to offer. |
| be at this stage. | | | | One of those features is memory, often called RAM. |
| Notebook computers come in a wide range of sizes, | | | | Notebook computers, like desktop computer need |
| ranging from tiny netbooks that are under an inch | | | | lots of memory if they are going to be tasked with |
| thin to monstrous powerhouses with screens in | | | | handling multiple and/or complicated programs. RAM is |
| excess of twenty inches when measure diagonally. | | | | measured in gigabytes, and it is important to know |
| The best rule of them here is to only look at | | | | that systems with more than 4 gigabytes of RAM |
| notebook computers that one is comfortable taking | | | | need 64-bit operating systems to reach their full |
| on the road, but are not too small to be ineffective. | | | | potential. |
| After all, what good are notebook computers that | | | | Don't forget to factor in the CPU. Low-end notebook |
| have screens too small to read? | | | | computers may feature either single or dual core |
| After selecting a general range of screen sizes, it is | | | | CPUs and may be either 32- or 64-bit. It makes little |
| time to look at the pixels. A pixel is a tiny dot on the | | | | sense to buy a 32-bit CPU today as the 64-bit era is |
| screen that can change colors, and grids of | | | | upon us. It is only a matter of time before 32-bit |
| thousands of pixels work together to display what | | | | applications are a thing of the past. |
| end users see on their screen. The more pixels in a | | | | Rounding things out are the storage and networking |
| given space will result in sharper image quality, but | | | | options. CD/DVD/Blu-Ray drives and burners can |
| also in higher prices more often than not. Of course, | | | | augment a spacious hard drive, but one gets what |
| notebook computers with gorgeous screens need a | | | | they pay for. Wired and wireless networking is fairly |
| graphics chip to render all those lovely images, | | | | standard on most modern laptops, though there are |
| windows, DVDs, games, and so on. | | | | varying speed grades available. |
| Graphics chips come in two varieties: discrete and | | | | |