Key Components in a Laptop

Smaller and less power-hungry components are used in laptops,to make them run cooler and more efficiently than desktop PCs.Other than portability, you will get less noise and heat with a
laptop, the downside is that the components are slightly more expensive and less powerful. It can also be difficult or even impossible to upgrade later on, so it’s best to choose carefully
right from the start. In case you are not that savvy with computers, here are the key parts of the laptop that have the biggest effect on price and performance:
CPU/Processor
The Central Processing Unit – also known as the CPU or just processor – is the core and "brain" of the computer. This is where all of the essential calculations take place, and therefore
it has a significant effect on almost everything you do on the computer. Its speed is measured in MHz or GHz (1000MHz). This number determines with how fast the processor handles
instructions in cycles per second. Not all GHz’s are created equal, however. Newer generations or different processor models can handle various amounts of instructions per cycle. Another important aspect of the CPU is its number of cores. Basically, one core equals one processor, so a dual-core processor can (at least theoretically) process twice as much data.
Intel is currently leading the processor competition, with AMD a distant second. Both
companies offer powerful and dependable processors, but Intel has the performance lead for
now while AMD caters to the lower-end market. Measured in both MHz and power
consumption, Intel processors are also more efficient, but for everyday use this shouldn’t be
too noticeable.
The processor is usually the component with the most noticeable effect on both the laptop’s
performance and the price tag, and you can’t upgrade it later, so choose wisely. Most
processors today lie in the range 1.6GHz to 2.5GHz, and prices vary accordingly. Generally
speaking, you will get the most performance for your money at CPU speeds around 2.0GHz.
RAM Memory
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. As opposed to the hard drive, which stores your data, RAM is where your data resides while you’re actually using it. Some tasks require huge
amounts of RAM, like photo and video editing, but having lots of applications open at the same time (multitasking) while running others in the background will also eat lots of RAM.
When you are out of available memory, the computer starts swapping memory with the hard
drive, which can slow down any system considerably. Basically, the more RAM you have, the
better, and memory modules are very affordable at the moment so getting some extra RAM
is definitely a good investment.
The bare minimum for running Windows Vista is 512MB, but more is definitely recommended. Try to get a laptop with at least 1GB and preferably 2GB for a smooth Vista experience. If you run XP or Mac OS X you can get away with less, but it’s always a good thing to have lots of RAM, especially if you plan to edit photos or videos, or work with lots of active windows at a time.
Hard Drive
There are two types of storage devices for your laptop – the conventional hard drive with spinning platters, and the Solid State Drive (SSD). SSDs are much faster, completely silent, and consume less power than traditional hard drives. Unfortunately, they are also
much more expensive, especially when compared as cost per GB. Consequently most laptops are still equipped with old-fashioned hard drives.
If you plan to use the laptop to store a lot of videos, photos and music, look for as large a
hard drive as possible (measured in GBs). However, this is one component that you actually
can upgrade, so it’s not a disaster if it gets full – you can always upgrade or use an external
drive. If you’ll only use it for work and store documents and spreadsheets, you won’t need
lots of storage – also consider an SSD in this case.
Graphics Card
The graphics card, or GPU, is the single most important component if you want to play any modern games. There are different types of graphics: integrated or dedicated,
and if you want gaming performance it’s absolutely crucial that you get a laptop with dedicated graphics from either ATI or Nvidia. Integrated Intel graphics are more common,
but can barely be used for anything that runs in 3D.
Powerful graphics cards generate a lot of heat and use lots of current, and for that reason
you’ll only find them in larger, desktop replacement-type laptops. If you plan on using your
laptop for regular office work, you may actually be better off without dedicated graphics.
Otherwise, look for the latest Nvidia or ATI chip for gaming ability.
Choosing the Right Size
When you go comparison shopping for laptops of different sizes, you’ll notice that prices tend
to go up as sizes go down (with netbooks being a notable exception). The most common size
is around 15 inches. A 14 to 15-inch laptop is usually a reasonable compromise between
portability and performance. Smaller, ultraportable laptops are fitted with more expensive and
less powerful low voltage processors, which are excellent for having a long battery life when
travelling, but less suited for more demanding tasks like games.
Mainstream/Desktop Replacement Laptops
Most laptops fall into this category; 14, and 15 inches or larger with standard components.
The screen is large enough to work in front of for longer periods, while you retain the
portability aspect (if it’s not much larger than 15 inches). These laptops can be designed for
almost any task – business use, home entertainment or gaming – and are available in all
price categories. Bigger desktop replacement laptops allow for even more performance, on
par with most desktop PCs.
Ultraportable
Lightweight, thin and ultraportable laptops (excluding netbooks) are designed for mobility
from the ground up. Screen sizes range from 11” to 13” and the components are custom
made to reduce weight and prolong battery life.
Netbooks
Netbooks are a category of their own in several ways. It’s a relatively new phenomenon,
originally inspired by the OLPC (One Laptop per Child) initiative and later by the computer
manufacturer ASUS’ extremely popular EEE PC series. By netbooks we refer to small, 7” to
10” laptops with less powerful hardware, intended for light usage such as web surfing and
simple office tasks.
Most netbooks are built on Intel’s Atom – a single-core, small form factor processor with low
power draw and less computing power than regular laptop processors. Having only a
netbook might be sufficient for some, but it’s good to know that they are not even remotely
capable of more strenuous tasks like gaming or high definition video playback. Not yet, at
least.
Gaming
Dedicated gaming laptops are usually quite large and heavy, with a 17” or even larger
screen. If you can settle for a graphics card that isn’t the fastest, you might be able to find
some smaller variants too that provide enough power for light gaming.