Professional CommunicationsApril 2010

Simone Barnett Robert Cummings Henry Debrosse Elaine Mom

Pros Mobility Compact Size Easy Storage

Cons Reduced

Capabilities Reduced Audio Difficulty Upgrading

Hard Drive (HDD) Long-term

memory Permanent

Storage Unit Larger units can

store more (GB) Faster units retrieve

and find more quickly (rpm)

RAM Short-term

memory Information is lost

at shutdown unless it is saved. Can increase the

number of applications you can run.

CPUs Brains of your

computer The faster the

better Single Core Dual Core

2 Cores increase performance

Multiple Core

Ports Connections to

peripheral Devices Serial Parallel Infrared Universal Serial Bus

(USB)

Drives CD-ROM

Standard drive for CDs

DVD-ROM CD-ROM capabilities

and DVD playing Blue Ray Drive

Blue Ray DVDs

Networking Standard modem

(RJ-11) Ethernet (RJ-45) Built-in Antennas Bluetooth

Weight and Size Most Laptops weigh

between 3 and 8 lbs with a typical unit weighing in at 5lbs.

Common screen sizes include 12.1, 13.3, and 14.4 inches.

Input Devices Touch Pads

Square touch sensitive pad below the keypad

Pointing Stick Rubber nub

protruding between G, H, B keys

Batteries Lithium-ion

Preferred Nickel Metal-

Hydride Hourly charging

Nickel Cadmium Avoid

Display Active matrix

Sharper and Smoother

Preferred Passive Matrix

Older and Cheaper Avoid

Keyboard Comfort

Test different types Spill Resistant

In case of accidents

Durability Consider shock-

resistant hard-drive mounts if you expect bumpy adventures

Low prices and portability

A low cost Netbook small low powered

system. A 13-inch thin-and-

light laptop Apple’s MacBook

Recommendations 1 GB RAM 160+ GB HDD 13-inch or smaller

display DVD Burner Wireless &

Ethernet

Rugged and Robust

Must offer Security features Intel’s Vpro and

TPM chips▪ Lenovo ThinkPad▪ Dell Latitude

Recommendations 2GB – 4Gb RAM 160+ GB HDD 12 – 15 inch

display Dual layered DVD

burner Windows 7 or Vista

Professional Wireless &

Ethernet

Powerful and Massive

Powerful processors

Discrete graphics Fast hard drives Video Editing

Software Final Cut▪ MacBook Pro Laptops

Recommendations 4GB – 8GB RAM 320+ GB HDD 7200rpm HDD 17+ inch display DVD Burner

Powerful Duo CPU

Intel’s Core 2 Quad and Core i7 CPUs

GPU Nvidia GeForce

N260 Alienware Systems

Recommendations 4GB – 8GB RAM 320+ GB HDD 7200rpm HDD 17+ inch display Discrete Graphics

GPU Wireless &

Ethernet

Versatile Often non-mobile

with occasional trips

Recommendations 2GB – 4Gb RAM 250+ GB HDD 14 – 16 inch

display DVD burning

optical drive Wireless &

Ethernet

Know what you would like to do on your laptop

Know what your laptop will need Think about your budget. Consider shopping online where there is a

wide selection. Compare units at such websites as CNET

or Pricescan. Have Fun.