| Laptops or notebook computers can empower any | | | | models comewith 60 to 100 GIG hard drives which |
| business or company. | | | | should be sufficient spacefor most companies. If your |
| They can be a platform for a fully equipped | | | | company deals in heavy graphics orvisual work more |
| workforce, one thatis well organized and ready to | | | | space can be obtained with an extra externalhard |
| meet all of today's vast technologicalchallenges. A | | | | drive. |
| workforce that's cohesive, well connected andtotally | | | | The main function of your laptops should be |
| prepared for the modern work place. | | | | considered. For instance,if you have workers that |
| Laptops are state-of-the-art communication machines. | | | | require a lot of note-taking (floormanagers |
| These sophisticateddevices are ideal for many | | | | inspectors, real estate agents, medical personnel, |
| business applications such as record keeping,wireless | | | | etc.)a slate or tablet PC would be a more appropriate |
| networking, presentations, instant communication... | | | | choice for yourcompany. If your workers or |
| can yourcompany really compete in today's business | | | | employees do a lot of traveling thenyou want the |
| world without this greattechno advantage? | | | | lightest and most portable laptop or notebook |
| Not completely! | | | | youcan find. |
| Laptops should be a vital element in your company's | | | | Battery life will also be very important for the |
| overall businessstrategy. They should be a priority on | | | | travelingbusiness person. Must recent laptops now |
| your company's acquisition listfor they just may be | | | | supply 5 or more hoursof power, if you want more |
| the competitive edge your company needs | | | | you should considered buying anextra battery or two. |
| toincrease production and beat out the competition. | | | | Also, remember when choosing your laptopbattery |
| Purchasing any kind of high tech device can be a real | | | | always pick the battery with the higher |
| challenge initself. Laptops are no exceptions. | | | | numberedcells. More cells will give you longer battery |
| Notebook technology is constantlychanging, there's a | | | | life. |
| new generation of notebook technology every | | | | Security is another consideration for your company's |
| twoyears or so. Keeping abreast of recent advances | | | | laptop. Youmust be careful to protect sensitive |
| is not an easy job. | | | | company records or documents --some notebooks |
| Notebooks are getting smaller, faster and are almost | | | | like those in the IBM/Sonoma ThinkPad seriesinclude |
| matching theperformance level offered by their | | | | an integrated fingerprint scanner for biometric |
| bigger cousin -- the desktop computer. | | | | authenticationthat uses an Embedded Security |
| And for the first time in history, they are outselling | | | | Subsystem and Password Manager. |
| their desktoprivals. | | | | This offers extra security. |
| Laptops are also becoming better connected, most | | | | Along with security, your company will need a laptop |
| high quality notebookscome with Wi-Fi (Wireless | | | | that's sturdy andwell built, especially if your workers |
| Fidelity) connections, many have atri-mode 802.11a/b | | | | do a lot of business traveling. |
| g wireless system. Some recent models, like the | | | | Many laptops are ruggerized and can take a decent |
| Sony's New Ultra-Portable VAIO VGN-T350P, are | | | | pounding or two. |
| raising the bar, it hasthe world's first 'Built-in Cellular | | | | Some even offer some novel sturdiness features |
| Modem'. You can use your cellphone to connect to | | | | such as IBM's Active |
| the Internet. This may be a great advantagesince | | | | Protection System which is designed to protect the |
| finding a 'Hot Spot' in some parts of the world can | | | | hard drive fromfalls and spills for those accident |
| still bedifficult. | | | | prone notebook users in yourcompany. |
| One of the main features of a good business laptop | | | | Perhaps, the most important tip and buying factor is |
| is portability. | | | | price. Outfittingyour workforce with laptops doesn't |
| A great business laptop must be very portable. You | | | | come cheap. But you can save moneyif you practice |
| should be ableto carry it around in your briefcase or | | | | that old adage: 'It pays to shop around and bargain'! |
| under your arm with ease. | | | | Don't just buy your laptops off the rack -- always |
| Its weight should not cause you any discomfort even | | | | speak to the manager. |
| if you have tolug it around all day. | | | | Even when buying laptops online, contact the sales |
| Most lightweight and small laptops can be found in | | | | staff and try for aspecial price or bargain. Since |
| the 'Thin and | | | | you're buying in bulk or volume, many |
| Light' and 'Ultra-portable' categories of notebooks. | | | | laptopcompanies and manufacturers will give you a |
| Notebooksin those classes are usually well under 5 | | | | special unit price. |
| pounds, around | | | | The more units you're ordering, the lower the price. |
| 10 by 14 inches in size and approximately an inch | | | | A little haggling will go a long way in lowering the |
| thick. Manyare a lot smaller. | | | | overall cost ofyour company's laptop purchase; |
| But don't let the small size fool you, these laptops | | | | saving your company money. And if you'rethe person |
| are verypowerful. They can do almost any business | | | | in charge of this purchase, making such a deal will |
| application you canthrow at it. However, you must | | | | reflectwell on you, so try to go out of your way to |
| make sure your company's laptopis powerful enough | | | | get a good deal! |
| to get the job done. It's usually agreed thatyou need | | | | But don't sacrifice quality for a special price, always |
| at least 256MB RAM for Windows XP and Mac OS X. | | | | make sure you'rebuying laptops that can get the job |
| You willonly need 128MB for other operating systems | | | | done. Use the laptop tips aboveto guide you on the |
| in Windows or Mac. | | | | right path. It should make your task just be alittle bit |
| Storage space should not be a problem, most recent | | | | easier. |