2012 Laptop Comparisons
Ultra portable,
thin & light, midsize, desktop replacement, and tablets
overviewed.
Laptop
Computer Size Comparison
Laptop Shopping Deals
Welcome to our laptop comparisons
overview!
Before
taking the plunge and investing in a new
laptop, be sure to read our laptop size recommendations below.
We want each and every one of you to be well
prepared before embarking on a new laptop purchase.
All
too often we hear from people who weren't fully aware of their options
and they ended up purchasing a laptop almost entirely based off the wow
factor. Unfortunately impulse buying often ends with
a regretted decision.
Because they didn't compare and contrast the
various laptop types with a bit of research, they found out the hard
way
that it does not fit their specific needs. Don't fall victim
to the wow and end up
paying a potential costly price in return.
The laptop comparisons type recommendations
below will help you
to be better prepared, for laptop size is often the number one factor
to make or break a great laptop purchase.
After you've finished reading over the laptop
comparisons section below, you will be one step closer to finding your
perfect
laptop.
After
this page check out our
detailed Laptop
Buying Guide for information on key laptop components and
buying recommendations. Enjoy!
Ultra Portable
- Laptop Comparisons Review
Ultra portable laptops are the smallest type of laptop available and
perfectly suited for the frequent traveler or person who often carry
their laptop on the go.
Ultra
portables typically weigh no more than 4 pounds and they are normally
very thin by design, usually less than 1-inch, and additionally they
normally get excellent battery life compared to their larger siblings.
While
these are going to be obvious advantages to some, ultra portable
laptops are not going to be the best choice for all of you.
Ultra
portables are typically slower than their larger counterparts, contain
fewer features because of their compact nature, carry a premium price
tag, and you are also going to sacrifice screen and keyboard size which
for some of you may be bothersome.
Individuals with large hands or subpar vision
definitely should consider a larger laptop for a problem may ensue.
We
definitely recommend an ultra portable laptop for all of you travelers,
frequent laptop carriers, or any of you who may need an ultra portable
for a specific reason.
Keep in mind you are going to sacrifice
features mentioned earlier in this guide but in return you will also
normally gain a size, weight, and battery life advantage.
Ultra Portable Snapshot:
- Ultra compact size and
weight - 4 pounds or less
- Smallest screen size -
Typically 12-inches or smaller
- Great battery life
- Slowest processors -
Typically contain lower voltage mobile processors
- Smallest keyboards
- May lack internal CD/DVD
drive depending on size
- Fewest ports and
connections
Thin and Light - Laptop Comparisons Review
Thin and light laptops make up for some of the ultra portables
shortcomings by typically delivering more performance, features, and a
balanced cost while still delivering outstanding portability.
We
are especially grateful that most thin and lights come with a larger
keyboard, bigger screen and built-in CD/DVD drive while still offering
great portability and battery life.
We recommend a thin and
light laptop for anyone still wanting portability but also a fuller
feature set and lower purchasing price compared to the average ultra
portable.
Thin And Light Snapshot:
- Compact size and weight -
4 to 6 pounds
- Smaller screen size than a
midsize but typically larger than an ultra portable - 12 to 14 inches
- Good battery life
- Midrange to fast dual-core
processors
- Small or closer to normal
sized keyboard
depending on laptop size
- Typically contains an
internal CD/DVD drive unlike most ultra portables
- More ports and connections
than ultra portables but less than a midsize
Midsize - Laptop Comparisons Review
Midsize laptops are the most common type of laptop and a popular choice
as they don't normally have the shortcomings of the smaller portables
or larger desktop replacement models.
Not
everything about a midsize however is a precious jewel, midsize laptops
are not often the best companion for travelers or frequent carriers,
and they do not typically get the battery life of their smaller
brothers and sisters either.
Midsize laptops, especially models
on the heavier end of the scale can also become bothersome to many
users if lugged around for sustained periods of time.
We feel a midsized is however a great choice if
you occasionally take your laptop on the road but use it primarily at
home.
The
larger screen size, keyboard, and mainstream features make it perfect
for a desktop replacement and because you don't have the bulk of a true
desktop replacement taking it on the go occasionally isn't a chore.
Midsize
Snapshot:
- Average weight - 6 to 8
pounds
- Screen size - 14 to 15.4
inches are typical of a midsize
- Decent battery life for
their size - Many times an optional larger capacity battery is an
available option
- Contain processors from
budget all the way to high-end
- Normal sized keyboard
- Contains internal CD/DVD
drives
- Typically contain a wide
range of ports and connections unlike thin & lights or ultra
portables
Desktop
Replacement - Laptop
Comparisons Review
Desktop replacements are the largest of all the laptops designed to
offer desktop computer like performance.
They typically include fast
processors, tons of memory, huge screens, full sized keyboards, and a
full range of ports and connections.
One
of coolest abilities with replacing a conventional desktop computer
with a desktop replacement laptop is the freedom to move it from room
to room if desired.
Carrying one of these behemoths on your
shoulder for a long distance is going to cause you some hurt though, so
if portability is your ticket please don't even thing about buying one
of these beasts.
We highly advise anyone who plan on taking
their laptop on the go to not purchase a desktop replacement but
instead check out a midsize laptop if you want near desktop replacement
features without the chiropractic visits.
We recommend desktop
replacements for gamers, multimedia audio & video buffs, or
people
looking for a replacement to the conventional desktop computer for the
flexibility of room to room computing.
Desktop
Replacement Snapshot:
- Heavy - Typically 8 pounds
or more
- Screen size - 17 to 20
inches are typical for desktop replacements
- Typical desktop
replacements contain higher end graphics cards for better multimedia
and gaming performance similar to a desktop
- Lowest battery run time
out of all laptop types - Many have optional larger capacity batteries
to increase run time
- Contain the fastest
dual-core processors and lots of memory
- Full sized keyboard -
Often come with 10-key
- Always contain internal
CD/DVD drives
- Contain the fullest
feature set with numerous ports and connections
Tablet PC - Laptop Comparisons Review
Tablet PCs in a nutshell are specially configured laptops which allow
you to navigate Windows with a special stylus pen similar to how a Palm
Pilot or Pocket PC PDA (personal digital assistant) operates.
With
a tablet PC you can take handwritten notes with the stylus and you can
also use it similar to a mouse to navigate menus, etc. within Windows
if you choose. Because a tablet PC is just a specially configured
laptop you can also perform most anything a normal laptop does.
Tablet PCs are smaller than a midsize notebook and
similar in size to a thin and light or ultra portable.
Some
tablet PCs actually have no keyboards and instead are all screen, but
the more common tablet looks like a normal laptop but has a display
that swivels 180 degrees and then folds over the keyboard thus changing
it into a tablet. Once the display is folded over the keyboard
navigation is via the stylus unless you have a mouse attached.
We
feel tablet PCs could be useful for a college student for taking notes
during lectures or anyone else who could benefit from being able to
handwrite digitally, but overall we feel the typical tablet PCs price
isn't quite worth the extra bucks unless you absolutely can benefit
from the handwriting capability.
Tablet
PC Snapshot:
- Ability to handwrite on
the display using a special stylus pen
- Compact or ultra compact
size and weight - Typically 4 pounds or less
- Small screen size -
Typically 12-inches or smaller
- Great battery life
- Moderate speed processors
- Often contain lower voltage mobile processors
- Small keyboard or lack of
keyboard depending on Tablet PC type
- Sometimes contain an
internal CD/DVD drive but often do not depending on size
- Usually fewer ports and
connections than a midsize or thin and light
Laptop
Comparisons Conclusion:
If
you are in the market for a new computer but were previously unsure to
what your best laptop option is, our laptop comparisons guide we hope
has opened your eyes a bit and at the least walked you a step closer to
determining which laptop style will fit your individual needs.
Before
you fork out your hard earned bucks remember to read our laptop
reviews, reread this laptop comparisons guide, and honestly really look
closely at your day to day routine. This will help you pinpoint your
perfect and unique lifestyle match.
Check out our favorite online shopping
destination and review below. We hope you enjoyed our laptop
comparisons guide.
Online
Shopping Specials
Laptop Computers,
Netbook Computers, Apple Mac Laptops, iPad Tablets, Computer
Accessories & More
Store Review:
Amazon - Our favorite place to
shop online period. We highly recommend
Amazon.com for their colossal online inventory and their excellent
service has never failed us over the years.
They
carry a large selection of laptop computers, batteries &
accessories, and almost everything else you could ever want or need for
your computing experience.
As the largest online
retailer Amazon literally has everything, and their large selection of
new, used, and refurbished laptop computers, AC adapters, and
accessories make it a great online destination for all your laptop
shopping needs.
See
also:
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