Netbook, Ultrabook or desktop replacement:
When buying a portable computer wait numerous melodious product names on the
consumer. What you really need to pay attention instead of these marketing
terms that betrays our buying guides.
Gone are the days when laptops cost more
than 1000 euro. Useful notebooks you get already for 300 to 400 euro - which
you of course can still spend four figure sums (for example, the MacBook Pro
Retina series of Apple). The selection is huge, and depending on the intended
use, you should pay attention to different features.
The computer is mainly on the desk or take with
you every day? Serves he "only" for surfing or he needs a lot of
computing power for graphics editing and gaming? Help you build our buying
guides determine your needs and have at the end a list of the properties that
must fulfill the suitable to your notebook.
1
type
The laptop manufacturers use different
marketing terms to distinguish notebook models. Netbooks are cheap small models
with little computing power. Ultrabooks are slightly larger, have more power
and are mainly lighter and thinner than a standard laptop. As a desktop
replacement large, heavy models are called notebook, which are most of the time
on the desk and are rarely moved.
Conclusion: The design is a first
indication of size and features of a notebook.
2
screen Size
The screen size is critical to the size and
weight of a laptop - including how handy it is. A standard notebook has a 14 to
15 inches (35.6 to 38.1 centimeter) display. So it is good for quite occasional
takeaway. Ultrabooks or sub-notebooks with 11 to 13 inches (27.9 to 33.0
centimeters) wide screens, however, are for daily use on the road more
suitable. 16 to 17 inches (40.6 to 43.2 centimeters) wide gaming notebook or
desktop replacements you will but rarely want to wear through the area. The
most ten inches (25.4 centimeters) wide netbooks are ideal for traveling.
However, they are increasingly replaced by tablet PCs.
Conclusion: The screen size determines the
mobility.
3
Matt or glossy display
If two notebooks with matte and glossy
display next to each other, the choice seems clear. The glossy screen is
clearer and has more vibrant colors on. Who but longer looking at a monitor,
will notice that a matte screen is better for the eyes, especially if you
travel a lot with the notebook and uses it in direct sunlight sometimes.
Conclusion: Glossy displays look more
beautiful, but matte screens are easier on the eyes and do not reflect.
4
touchscreen
A touchscreen is worth a notebook only if
the operating system and the daily used programs are designed for operation
using finger touches. The controls are correspondingly large and the structure
is built up sensible change frequently finger from the keyboard to the screen
and back. Cases, the icons and menus, however small from the touchpad is still
the first choice in the operation and the touch screen remains unused.
Conclusion: A touch screen gives only with
the appropriate software sense.
5
Processor and graphics card
More important than the clock rates of
processors are now the respective series, which potentially provides each new
processor generation more power and consumes less power. The slow series are
sufficient for typical Internet and office applications as well as for watching
films. Who wants to edit images, and occasionally also in other programs do not
like waiting, should rather enter the same in the notebook middle class. The
premium chips are needed only for gamers, video editors and graphic designers.
All modern processors feature an integrated
graphics chip. This has enough power for the display of Full HD video (1080p)
and the most common applications. Only for games and complex graphics
calculations is an extra graphics card - with its increased space, cooling and
power requirements - is required.
Conclusion: High-performance processors and
graphics cards require only graphic designers and gamers, all other rich normal
chips.
6
Memory (RAM)
The RAM is decisive for how fast a computer
runs. Less than two gigabytes of RAM should not get stuck in the new notebook.
Better even four gigabytes. Eight or more gigabytes are required just for games
and graphics applications.
Conclusion: Two gigabytes of RAM are the
minimum.
7
weight
The lightest laptops weigh about one
kilogram. However, the necessary materials for housing (e.g. aluminum) as well
as its overall design make them much more expensive than the standard models
with their 2 to 2.5 kilograms. Weighs the notebook even more, it should have a
permanent place and are rarely worn.
Conclusion: Especially, when the mobile
host goes daily on trips, it should be easy.
8
hard disk
Currently, two different types of hard
drives compete in the notebook with each other, the traditional Hard Disk
Drives (HDD) and the significantly faster flash-based SSD storage. HDDs with
their rotating disks are significantly cheaper, but sensitive to vibration.
They also develop a higher operating temperature. SSDs are faster, however,
virtually noiseless and insensitive to shocks. They use less power and generate
hardly any heat. A compromise form hybrid hard drives that combine a HDD and a
smaller SSD. On the SSD mainly for data operations are stored that need to be
accessed quickly. Only occasionally needed data is on the HDD.
Conclusion: SSD are a prerequisite for a
fast and insensitive ready for use in notebook. If you are afraid the higher
price gets to a device with a HDD still quite satisfactory performance.
9
drive
Do you want to watch DVDs on the laptop, of
course, he must have an optical drive. Otherwise, you can also choose a model
without drive. New programs are always available for download, and data that
does not want to send by e-mail friends, can be easily transmitted with a UBS
stick in the Internet in general.
Conclusion: An optical drive is not absolutely
necessary in times of USB sticks and stable Internet connections.
10
Keyboard and Touchpad
Try the keyboard and the touchpad on a
laptop before buying. Everyone here has different preferences and comes with
the laptops closed for reasons of space tradeoffs differently along well.
Bottom line: keyboard and touchpad often
receive little attention, but are immensely important for the daily work. Try
before you buy.
11
connections
For notebooks up much less space for
interfaces is available as desktop PCs. A notebook should have at least two USB
3.0 ports. About them can be external mice and keyboards and disk drives
connect. Depending on your own needs should be a slot for memory cards eighth
(from digital cameras), and VGA, HDMI or DisplayPort connectors - for
connecting projectors and external screens. Other types of connections (eg
Firewire) harm nothing, however, only rarely needed.
Conclusion: Two-time USB 3.0 is mandatory,
all other connections are necessary according to personal needs.
12
Battery time
The manufacturer's instructions regarding
the battery life only partially correspond to those in real usage. Who looked
at many HD videos and is constantly connected to the wireless network, will the
battery need to recharge faster again. In addition, the space requirement: The
more powerful a battery, the larger and heavier it is - and thus the laptop
also. Buyer should note that the power consumption increases and the capacity
of the notebook and screen size.
Conclusion: For the battery life, the right
settings - for example, the screen brightness - more important than the
information provided by the manufacturer.
13
software
The notebook manufacturers have contracts
with software vendors. To install the programs from the factory on the new
devices and apply them. However, it is at the pre-installed applications are
primarily to test versions of limited duration, intended to motivate purchase.
Conclusion: Except for the operating system
software should not influence the purchasing decision
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