This is actually a mini hardware tutorial covering some of the basic but important things which all computer users should know… A few advanced terms like cache memory, FSB etc. are also covered. As I said earlier, this is not just a laptop buying guide but a mini hardware tutorial…
OK! Let’s start…
Before I start… This guide is written by keeping in mind, the needs of an average user… If you are a hardcore gamer or somebody like that, you should go for a better configuration. But the basics which I’m about to write are applicable for all users.
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Screen Size (For Laptop Users)
First of all the screen itself since it is a laptop… Because you should have a clear idea about your laptop’s size… Students should go for smaller ones because they are compact and portable. I think a 15 incher will be enough for most people. Keep in mind that bigger screen means bigger laptop. Big laptops are difficult to carry.CPU
Go for a Core 2 Duo processor or a Pentium Dual Core (Pentium D) processor. Anything below 2 GHz is enough. The processor has 2 cores. So if you buy a processor (C2D or Pentium D) with 1.8 GHz clockspeed, the actual speed will be 1.8*2=3.6 GHz. There are differences between Dual Core and Core 2 Duo s. I'm not posting it here but if you get the opportunity, always go for the Core 2 Duo.RAM
The memory(RAM) is something to which the programs are loaded. Consider the RAM as a table and and the programs as books or something like that. The bigger the table the more books (programs) you can arrange on it. 1 GB of RAM is enough. 2 GB is more than enough. Don't even think about anything more than that (it is a laptop, not a server).Hard Disk
A 160 GB Hard Disk is enough for most users (even for the advanced users). For those who don’t know what a hard disk is: It is something to which all your data is stored. The bigger the hard disk size, the more space you will get.GPU
There's a thing called GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) which is integrated to your motherboard. With a good GPU you can play the latest games and edit videos etct. In short it will increase the graphics performance. So ask the vendor about the quality of the GPU (I don’t want to confuse you mentioning the names) .There's no need to comment on other factors like optical drive (DVD writer, CD drive etc.), battery backup etc. Just use your common sense and decide.
Additional Information (Mainly For PC Users)
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Cache Memory
The CPU has a very special ability (something like the 6th sense). The data is loaded to the CPU even before you ask the computer to do a particular thing. Actually the CPU is guessing. The advantage of this guessing is that if it is correct, then the CPU wont have to contact the RAM to load the data. So things will be very fast. A correct guess is called a cache hit. More than 90% of the guesses are hits. So it is a very useful feature. A CPU with a big amount of cache memory can make more guesses. So naturally the no. hits will increase which in turn increases the speed. Most of the processors come with a good amount of cache memory. 2 MB is a v. good size.
FSB
FSB (Front Side Bus) is the speed at which data is transferred through the channel (on the motherboard) that connects the CPU and the RAM. Latest motherboards have FSBs of about 1333MHz. So you should choose a motherboard with a big FSB (the cpu also should support such high FSBs).
Well, that was just a brief description… I’m planning to write a special post explaining in detail, some of the overlooked factors like GPU, Cache Memory, FSB etc.. There will be a special post on Motherboards also…
If you have any queries, contact me…
I’m very busy with my studies nowadays and that’s reason for the big time gap between posts.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Prince
