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There is probably nothing more confusing than shopping for a notebook computer (or laptop, whatever you want to call it). There are so many types of processors that it’s even tough for someone like me who follows these kinds of things to keep on top of it. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choices you have to make. Fortunately for you, I do know quite a bit about notebooks and I’ve done a little research so that I can give you the facts you need to know to purchase the right notebook for you.

The first thing you have to consider is whether or not you really need a notebook. Sure, notebooks are portable and they look really cool, but there are a few things you need to know before you spend your hard-earned cash. Did you know that notebooks are…

• 20-30% slower than similarly equipped desktop computers?
• twice as expensive as a similarly equipped desktop? That’s right, you could buy two nice desktops for the price of a notebook.
• basically non-upgradeable? You can usually upgrade the amount of RAM, but upgrading with external or removable drives and cards can cost you twice as much as upgrading a desktop.
• significantly less reliable than a desktop? That miniaturization and portability are tough on notebooks. A longer warranty is going to cost you and you can’t just replace things yourself because of the proprietary nature of notebooks.

These are just the facts. Before buying, ask yourself if it is worth sacrificing all these things just to be able to bring your computer with you every once in a while.

Of course, notebooks are often needed just for their convenience and portability. If only buying them was convenient. There are a multitude of options, most of which will sound foreign to you and those that aren’t foreign-sounding actually aren’t what they seem. I bet that’s about as clear as mud!

Size and weight

First, let’s start out with your three basic types of notebooks:

Thin and light – These things are small and sleek and often under 1” thick. But, they are usually very expensive, have short battery life, few ports, and few bays for removable drives.

Desktop replacements – These are your monster notebooks that can weigh up to 10 lbs. They have huge screens up to 17”, lots of drives and ports, fast processors, and lots of bells and whistles. Because of their heft, these notebooks are really made to be moved from room-to-room or an occasional trip outside the house.

Middleweights – These are you most common type. They weigh up to 7 pounds, have 14-15” screens, and have just the right mix of features and battery life. This is the sweet spot in the notebook market, and this is the type of notebook I’d recommend for a very large majority of users.

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