| The laptop (or notebook) computer untethers | | | | With its portable nature, power and battery life are |
| workers from the office and desk. Packing virtually all | | | | top concerns for laptop users. Battery life greatly |
| the computing power and applications of a desktop | | | | improved with the introduction of Intel's Pentium M |
| system into a portable version, the laptop has | | | | processor. Battery life with the chip averages 3.5 |
| become the sole computing device of professionals | | | | hours (with some performing up to 7 hours). |
| and students everywhere. Models vary in price, | | | | Ultraportable models have specialized ultra-low |
| performance, and portability. Desktop replacements | | | | voltage processors to maximize weight, space, and |
| offer a large display, integrated drives, and high | | | | battery life issues. The rechargeable lithium ion |
| performance. Ultra-light versions are available for | | | | battery is the most popular battery offered by |
| mobile professionals who don't want to carry any | | | | vendors today. |
| extra weight while traveling. Value notebooks offer a | | | | Laptop security is a critical concern for laptop owners. |
| middle ground in both size and performance at a | | | | From stories about laptops forgotten in taxis to |
| lower price. | | | | hi-tech crime rings targeting airports and conferences, |
| Laptops have evolved to offer the same computing | | | | protecting the physical computer and confidential |
| power, memory, and hard disk space as desktop | | | | data is a top priority. A multi-layered security |
| models. Screens continue to get bigger as more and | | | | strategy is always advisable. Most laptops are |
| more people are opting for laptops as their primary | | | | equipped with a USS (Universal Security Slot) that |
| (or sole) computer. Some manufacturers offer | | | | can be attached to a cable lock or alarm. When |
| laptops with 16- and 17-inch screens. Average value | | | | leaving laptops in the office, you can lock it securely |
| notebooks now offer 14- and 15-inch screens. | | | | to a docking station permanently affixed to a desk |
| Ultraportables with 12- and 13-inch screens are | | | | or cabinet. Metal tamper resistant asset tags can |
| available for road warriors. There has also been a | | | | increase your odds of recovering a lost or stolen |
| recent trend towards widescreen models in the | | | | laptop. |
| marketplace. | | | | Beyond physical security methods, there is much one |
| Several manufacturers offer laptops with rewritable | | | | can do to safeguard data. Most operating systems |
| DVD drives; today's more common combination is a | | | | (like Windows 2000 and XP Professional) offer secure |
| DVD-ROM with CD-RW drive. Ultraportable versions | | | | logon, file level security, even data encryption. Data |
| rely on external drives. Notebooks now contain card | | | | thieves can be foiled with BIOS protection schemes. |
| slots for removable media cards like CompactFlash | | | | Personal third-party firewalls are an effective layer of |
| (CF), Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard, Memory | | | | security to prevent attacks. Some computer vendors |
| Stick, or Smart Media. | | | | are now offering optional biometric sensors where |
| Pointing devices enable users to point-and-click | | | | your fingerprint is your logon ID instead of a |
| without a flat surface and mouse. Users may have | | | | password. |
| their own preferences between eraserhead (or | | | | The choice of laptop computers has never been |
| pointing stick), trackpad (or touchpad), and trackball | | | | greater, take some time to work out which is the |
| devices. Try to get a feel for each method before | | | | best one for your own needs and enjoy the flexibility |
| choosing the one which suits you best. | | | | of being able to work anywhere! |