Christchurch Press - May 12000

Buyers Guide to Mobile Computers

by Shelley Grell

Mobile computers are ideal for people who work on the go, such as high-flying execs, home office users, students, or even those with no space for a desktop PC. But deciding on the right notebook for you can be like playing lotto. With umpteen hi-tech features and benefits to chose from it’s little wonder that most purchases are based on a calculated assumption that lots of features + low price = value for money.

Confusing abbreviations, memory sizes and processor speeds is enough complexity to surrender anyone into buying a brand name from their nearest friendly dealer and hope for the best.

Unfortunately by the time you realise the questions you should have asked, you’ve paid more for the brand name than for the product and your shoulders have drooped under the weight of your new whizzy-featured notebook. Having been sold on features that you’ll never use, you find it’s too late to swap your $8500 investment for a lighter, cheaper and more suitable model. It pays therefore to spend some time investigating your options before you buy.

There are a number of factors you should consider before you take one step into a computer showroom. Firstly ask yourself why you need a notebook at all. This may seem odd but apparently many people get carried away with the idea of having a notebook that when forced to think about it, can’t really justify buying one.

Once the need is established ask yourself what is more important to you: price, functionality, portability or performance? Often notebooks are sold according to these requirements and are classified suitable for ‘students’, ‘business users’, ‘executives’, ‘frequent flyers’, ‘power users’, and even as ‘desktop replacements’. Just be mindful that these classifications act as a guide only.

Surf the websites of leading brands to get a feel for what’s on offer for the price. Brands include Toshiba, Acer, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Canon, IBM, Panasonic, Asus and NEC. Most offer ranges of notebooks, each with varying features. Today’s new mid range notebooks are priced around $5-6,000 RRP and for that you can expect a PIII 450 processor, 6GB hard disk, 64MB RAM, 14.1” Active TFT screen, CD drive, modem and Windows 95/98. The advertised difference between one brand and another within this range are extras like MS Works Suite 99 and a carrying case. But it is the less obvious features that should be considered more important.

First time buyers often fall for the trap of selecting notebooks on the basis of the biggest hard disk drive, the fastest processor, the best graphics acceleration, speakers and modem. The fact is that most struggle to use even half the 6GB average memory currently on offer, let alone determine the difference in speed between an Intel Celeron 466Mhz processor and a PIII650.

Ask any existing notebook user what features are most important and they will list the following considerations: weight, battery life, durability, PC Card expansion slots, keyboard design, upgradability, networking, screen size, type of pointing device (i.e. mouse, track ball/pad and joystick), internal vs. external CD-ROM / ZIP drives, technical support and extended warranty options.

Once you have an idea of what you can get for the price visit a few computer showrooms to get a feel for each model. For added assurance, check out the latest PC magazines or websites (such as www.pcworld.com) to see which products have won awards in tests or received good reviews. Then ask yourself do you really need all of those features and how much are you willing to spend for them.

If you decide that all you want to do is type documents, create spreadsheets, use the Internet, access your CD-ROMs and prepare presentations then perhaps you don’t really need the latest notebook with all the bells and whistles. You can get a relatively recent second-hand notebook that will suit your needs adequately for under $2000.

At the end of the day, your decision will probably come down to budget and whether or not your chosen notebook is value for money. Look out for promotional offers such as price specials, bonus software, clearance products and so on. As the prices are only recommended it pays to shop around or negotiate a discount. But do weigh up the pros and cons versus the benefits and accept that you may have to compromise.

Shelley Grell is the Director of high-tech PR agency Communicate IT Ltd. Contact her at shelley@communicateit.co.nz or mobile 025 260 2635.