Thursday, January 24, 2008

Laptops for Home

Most home users are looking to add a laptop computer to their existing home office network. A laptop can provide the power of a desktop computer but has the added flexibility of being able to move easily between rooms. Keeping that in mind, if you already have a wireless network configured for your home or are interested in setting one up, be sure to look for a laptop that is equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) adapter.Here are the minimum requirements you should look for when shopping for a laptop computer for your home:
Processor speed - 2 GHz and up. (gigahertz: measures the microprocessor speed)Memory - At least 256 MB of RAM (random access memory) installedHard drive - A 12 GB to 20 GB hard drive will provide you with plenty of storage for documents and low-resolution photos (the kind of photos you email). If you want to store lots of music files or high-resolution photos (the kind you print) on your laptop, you may want to consider a larger hard drive.Screen size - Any size from 12" to 16" will work well for the home userWeight - Anywhere from 5 lbs to 7 lbsBattery Life - 2 to 4 hrs should be fine. Battery life is less important for the home users considering that the laptop will most likely remain plugged into a power outlet and not rely on the battery to function for long stretches of time.Cost - Most laptops that are suitable for home use cost around $1,400 to $2,000, however, a perfectly adequate home laptop computer can be purchased for under $1,400.

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