| Various criteria should be considered when purchasing | | | | gaming functionality. In most instances the |
| a notebook computer. Here with a look at five | | | | Celeron-based notebooks will be the intelligent choice |
| criteria to be considered purchasing an Acer | | | | for students and Microsoft Office users. |
| notebook computer in Cape Town South Africa. | | | | Connectivity |
| Price | | | | Today most notebooks are configured with state of |
| To buy the cheapest notebook computer available | | | | the art connectivity options. It is important that your |
| on the market today may not necessarily meet | | | | notebook is configured with your current and future |
| individual performance / connectivity / mobility / | | | | requirements in check. Standard on all Acer |
| warranty requirements over the primary lifespan of | | | | notebooks will be Wireless Networking / LAN / |
| the product. Purchasing a notebook is a serious | | | | Modem / USB ports. Other options to consider will be |
| decision and should be done after proper needs | | | | Bluetooth and built in 3G HSDPA. Recommendation: |
| analysis and research. Notebook pricing generally | | | | To buy as much technology as you possibly can - |
| range from R4 500 to R25 000 and it's not to say | | | | stretch your budget a little for this. Bluetooth should |
| your choice should be at the extreme ends of this | | | | be a serious consideration as it allows for excellent |
| pricing continuum. A notebook should be acquired to | | | | synchronization with most cellular phones. For 3G |
| fulfill a specific personal / business requirement and a | | | | HSDPA your Cellular Service Provider will either |
| three year ownership period should be anticipated to | | | | provide an Express card or USB modem. It will work |
| provide the required Return On Investment. | | | | on all Acer Extensa and TravelMate notebooks. |
| Recommendation: The Acer notebooks in the R5 | | | | Mobility |
| 500- R7 500 range will be a solid investment for the | | | | This is one of the main reasons for purchasing a |
| serious student and / or Microsoft office user. | | | | notebook. Generally the Acer notebooks will vary |
| Backed with the standard one year warranty or | | | | from about 2.5 - 3.5 Kg. In notebook terms the latter |
| extended three year on-site Acer Advantage Fetch, | | | | is heavy. Decide on your normal day at the office / |
| Repair and Return warranty these products will want | | | | work. How often do you need to carry the |
| to "work" for you long past your daily bedtime. | | | | computer between meetings / clients / home and |
| Performance | | | | office? The lighter notebooks are not necessarily the |
| Notebooks today are as powerful as most desktop | | | | cheapest as they have smaller technologies |
| models and will provide an excellent mobile and | | | | embedded to keep the weight down. |
| integrated platform for an array of high intensity | | | | Recommendation: Buying a notebook with a bigger |
| Central Processing Unit (CPU), graphic and memory | | | | LCD screen than 15.4" will make the notebook not |
| applications. Acer notebooks will either be configured | | | | just heavier but will also drain the battery much |
| in an Intel Celeron or Intel Centrino solution. The | | | | faster. 15.4" is more than adequate and currently the |
| Celeron CPU product is for entry-level and value | | | | main stream standard. Consider a 12" or 14" for |
| users, whereas the Centrino solution will provide for | | | | ultra-portability. |
| higher level CPU and graphic applications. | | | | Warranty: All Acer notebooks come standard with a |
| Recommendation: Acer notebooks configured with | | | | 1-year warranty which for R995-00 can be upgraded |
| the Celeron CPU is an excellent choice for students | | | | to a 3-year on site warranty. Recommendation: |
| and Microsoft Office users. The Centrino-based | | | | Seriously consider the 3-year warranty if you can |
| TravelMates will provide superior performance with a | | | | afford it. Notebook parts can be very expensive to |
| choice of optional graphic / rendering possibilities. Be | | | | replace once the product is out of the initial warranty. |
| prepared to pay a premium for high-end graphic / | | | | |