These pages are dedicated to laptops/notebook PCs. There is a natural tradeoff with these type of mobile/portable computers. Thin and light usually means few features/short battery life. High performance usually means short battery life and big and heavy. Between these extremes lies the various combinations and natural tradeoffs.
Most laptops today use Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) versus the Thin Film Transister (TFT) technology for the display. LCDs work by using a backlight, typically a flourescent light built around the edges f the screen. The TFT or aka active matrix does not need a backlight. In TFT technology each individual transister emits light. TFT screens are more expensive and can consume more power depending on the efficiency of the transisters and the brightness desired. Future models will hopefully sport the new Organic LED (OLED) technology which promises low-cost, bright, crisp screens at lower power levels. Laptops are available with widescreen displays versus the standard 4:3 ratio monitors.
Many laptops today sport a plethora of features including wired and wireless networking, the ability to play movies or music without booting the Operating System (OS), built in media readers that support several different types of removable media*, remote controls, and various types wired and wireless device connections such as Bluetooth, USB, serial ports, firewire, analog 15pin D-sub RGB and S-video external video.
Laptop manufacturers also vary in their support ratings. Most manufacturers today have exported their technical support service or outsourced it to countries like India. Laptops are made in various countries including China and in the case of Dell, in Ireland.
Most manufactures try to hit a couple of price gap markets and sport the below $1000 models. Sometimes these inexpensive models can be upgraded with additional performance or features that drastically change the price and the capability of the notebook. For example, HP's DV4000 sells for $800 or $2150 with all the frills. This wide spread of capability and price is good for the consumer as they can tailor a new laptop to their particular tastes.
Manufactures are also separated by their standard and extended warranty offerings. For inexpensive laptops the standard warranty is usually sufficient as the pace of technology changes so rapidly your best course of action in case of failure is most likely to buy a new one. More expensive laptops that have maxed out capabilities make purchasing these extended warranties practical as they are less prone to be overcome by obsolescence as quickly.
Also watch for DVD writers on laptops that support both the DVD formats +/- or dual layer.
I have owned many laptops for either home use or business use including models from NEC, MICRON, Texas Instruments, Fujitsu, Averatec, Dell, Gateway, and HP. I had stayed away from HP products for a long time other than their printers. HP computers and computer accessories have caused me grief before and their tech support was always lousy wanting more money for a driver to work with the latest version of windows as an example. I really like HP printers and have bought many of those without complaint. I just came to the conclusion a while ago that they should have stuck to printers. Well now they make really good laptops. Now a laptop is not very upgradeable. You pretty much have to buy what you want in a laptop upfront. Not true for desktops and HP desktops followed the same path as many others that also limited their upgradeability which is why I started building my own desktops. But now given the inherent limited upgradeability of laptops I currently find HP makes the best laptop around. One note of caution though. HP has outsourced their technical support to India.
And don't forget the travel bag or notebook case to carry it in. You want a bag that is made from quality materials that will survive the rigors of travel. It should also provide sufficient padding for the notebook itself and have plenty of room for the additional travel items you'll be carrying.
*Note: A word of caution about Sony. They have a proprietary removable memory called the Sony Memory Stick. No other manufacture uses this type of stick nor provides the ability to interface with them. On a personal note, I have ridden myself of all Sony technology. I have had enough with Sony. I used to be a great admirer of Sony products but not anymore due to three facts, 1) several failures with top end products 2) proprietary schemes like memory and remote controls 3) proprietary media protection schemes that prevent you from playing a music or movie CD on a computer. In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) Sony has gotten too big for their britches and this customer has had enough.
