In order for your laptop to improve your productivity, remember that it has to be with you at all times. So, the weight of the laptop is more important than any other feature, including speed or storage capacity. If you can’t carry it around all day, every day, then your laptop will not be a big help to your business. Keep these tips in mind:

• Watch the screen size! Larger 15-inch screens mean heavier, 7-pound or more laptops! Look for something in a 14-inch size to keep your laptop around 5 pounds.
• Laptops last two years on average; plan to spend $100 for every month you wish to keep it, or about $2000 on average for today’s business class models.
• Look for two year warranties, with on-site service. Also ask if your vendor offers a “loaner” program if your laptop needs serious repairs over an extended period of time.
• Laptops will take a beating on the road, so try to stick to vendors with a reputation for quality, rugged performance. Fortune 500 computer vendors design more sturdy models and have greater experience designing laptops with higher reliability than models designed for home users or occasional travelers.

Desktop Replacement Models

Print this page and use the following table to compare the standard laptop features and "what to look for" specifications with the "what you've found" specifications while shopping for your new laptop.

FEATURE	“What to Look For” SPECIFICATIONS		FEATURE	“What You’ve Found” SPECIFICATIONS
Processor	Pentium IV 3.0GHz		Processor
Memory	1GB		Memory
Hard Drive	80GB		Hard Drive
CD/DVD Recorder(s)	CD-RW/DVD-RW		CD/DVD Recorder(s)
Graphics Card	64MB Video Memory-Minimum 60-80GB-Average		Graphics Card
Monitor	14" LCD Panel		Monitor
Wireless	802.11b/g networking		Wireless
PAN Networking	BlueTooth integrated		PAN Networking
Usual Extras	Smart Media card reader, 2 PCMCIA slots, 2 USB Slots, 1 printer port		Usual Extras
Battery	4-6 hr Lithium Ion		Battery
Operating System	Windows XP Pro		Operating System
Networking	10/100/1000 Ethernet		Networking

In order for your laptop to improve your productivity, remember that it has to be with you at all times. So, the weight of the laptop is more important than any other feature, including speed or storage capacity. If you can’t carry it around all day, every day, then your laptop will not be a big help to your business. Keep these tips in mind:

• Watch the screen size! Larger 15-inch screens mean heavier, 7-pound or more laptops! Look for something in a 14-inch size to keep your laptop around 5 pounds.
• Laptops last two years on average; plan to spend $100 for every month you wish to keep it, or about $2000 on average for today’s business class models.
• Look for two year warranties, with on-site service. Also ask if your vendor offers a “loaner” program if your laptop needs serious repairs over an extended period of time.
• Laptops will take a beating on the road, so try to stick to vendors with a reputation for quality, rugged performance. Fortune 500 computer vendors design more sturdy models and have greater experience designing laptops with higher reliability than models designed for home users or occasional travelers.

Mid Range Models

Print this page and use the following table to compare the standard "mid-range" laptop features and "what to look for" specifications with the "what you've found" specifications while shopping for your new laptop.

FEATURE	“What to Look For” SPECIFICATIONS		FEATURE	“What You’ve Found” SPECIFICATIONS
Processor	Pentium M 2.2-3.0 GHz		Processor
Memory	512MB - Minimum 1GB - Average		Memory
Hard Drive	40GB - Minimum 60-80GB - Average		Hard Drive
CD/DVD Recorder(s)	CD-RW/DVD-RW		CD/DVD Recorder(s)
Graphics Card	64MB Video Memory-Minimum 128MB-Average		Graphics Card
Monitor	14" LCD Panel		Monitor
Wireless	802.11b/g networking		Wireless
PAN Networking	BlueTooth integrated		PAN Networking
Usual Extras	Smart Media card reader, 2 PCMCIA slots, 2 USB Slots, 1 printer port		Usual Extras
Battery	4-6 hr Lithium Ion		Battery
Operating System	Windows XP Pro		Operating System
Networking	10/100 Ethernet		Networking

In order for your laptop to improve your productivity, remember that it has to be with you at all times. So, the weight of the laptop is more important than any other feature, including speed or storage capacity. If you can’t carry it around all day, every day, then your laptop will not be a big help to your business. Keep these tips in mind:

• Watch the screen size! Larger 15-inch screens mean heavier, 7-pound or more laptops! Look for something in a 14-inch size to keep your laptop around 5 pounds.
• Laptops last two years on average; plan to spend $100 for every month you wish to keep it, or about $2000 on average for today’s business class models.
• Look for two year warranties, with on-site service. Also ask if your vendor offers a “loaner” program if your laptop needs serious repairs over an extended period of time.
• Laptops will take a beating on the road, so try to stick to vendors with a reputation for quality, rugged performance. Fortune 500 computer vendors design more sturdy models and have greater experience designing laptops with higher reliability than models designed for home users or occasional travelers.

Budget Models

Print this page and use the following table to compare the standard "budget" laptop features and "what to look for" specifications with the "what you've found" specifications while shopping for your new laptop.

FEATURE	“What to Look For” SPECIFICATIONS		FEATURE	“What You’ve Found” SPECIFICATIONS
Processor	Pentium M 1.2-1.7 GHz		Processor
Memory	512MB		Memory
Hard Drive	40GB		Hard Drive
CD/DVD Recorder(s)	16 x CD-RW Only		CD/DVD Recorder(s)
Graphics Card	32MB Video Memory		Graphics Card
Monitor	14" LCD Panel		Monitor
Wireless	None		Wireless
PAN Networking	No BlueTooth		PAN Networking
Usual Extras	2 PCMCIA slots, 2 USB slots, 1 Printer Port		Usual Extras
Battery	2-4 hr Lithium Ion		Battery
Operating System	Windows XP Home