The device derives its name from being able to be used by resting on a person's lap without the need for a desk or other surface. Laptop computers may also be referred to as notebook computers, though a notebook computer usually describes a computer that is smaller and lighter than a laptop computer.
Similar to personal computers, laptops require a power source—they can be plugged into an outlet or operate on their internal battery. Laptop computers can be used at a desk by themselves, or as a desktop-style computer by connecting a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. These small computers can also be hooked into docking stations—devices that allow some laptops to easily connect to peripherals like monitors and keyboards at a desk—and then "undock" for easy mobile use and transport.
Components such as processors, motherboards, memory sticks, hard drives, graphics cards, and interface devices are all items that form a laptop computer. The smaller these components are, the smaller and lighter a laptop can be. The drawback with reduced size, however, is that smaller components are generally not capable of performing as fast as larger components in certain scenarios.
Manufacturers of computer components continuously work to reduce their size, while keeping performance as high as possible. Laptops also are designed to require less power to operate, which can also lower their capabilities for intensive work.
These factors should be considered when choosing a laptop for your business or professional needs. Size, necessary performance, the operating system, and price are all aspects to consider when looking for the right computer. The right one for you depends on how you are going to use it. While there are no specific types of laptops, retailers generally give them categories for consumers to help them find one for their needs.
Some of the labels you might find at a retailer are:. Value laptops usually have lower price tags, with lower-performing hardware, and less storage and memory for people that only do basic computing such as a few hours of internet browsing, playing a movie, or writing some papers. Everyday laptops might have slightly higher performance with more storage and memory for people that use computers more than a value-user would.
Making note of these keys can also be useful as you customize the machine to meet your needs. Laptops and netbooks are often purchased online. For the experienced user of assistive technology who has access to good information about the characteristics of a computer, an online purchase can be convenient and satisfying.
However, if you need to be able to ask some specific technical questions and to try the machine for yourself, where you buy can be as important as what you buy. Big box stores and computer centers typically offer the most choices in one place.
Best Buy defines "big box" and, as you would expect, offers many choices to try in the store. More specialized retailers, such as Micro Center, offer a large inventory; I counted more than 10 netbooks on a recent visit. The additional advantage can be in the depth of knowledge of the sales staff. A salesperson who sells systems to business and advanced users may have a body of knowledge greater than the generalists at an office superstore.
As with any successful technology purchase, some advanced planning and data gathering can go a long way toward avoiding a poor choice and dissatisfaction with your new computer. Try them all. In an orderly manner, try each of the systems you are considering. Check out the feel of the keyboard and the location of the controls and commonly used keys. See the checklist presented later for specifics. A membership is free. Even if it is not your primary screen reader, System Access will give you a clear impression of the behavior of a particular machine compared with others you are considering.
As was mentioned earlier, it is important for you to find out what free software is included. If the machine you are interested in includes proprietary applications and utilities, can it be returned for a full refund if these applications are inaccessible or interfere with the operation of your assistive technology? A UK-based site www. The reviewers do not hold back. Since netbooks are so similar, their reviews are detailed.
The current video reviews are easy to locate on the page. The commentary is useful and includes a description of the physical layout of each machine. In addition, www. The release of Apple's Snow Leopard operating system has focused increased attention on the Macintosh as a viable alternative to Windows-based portables, including attention by those of us who use screen reading or screen magnification.
Recent price reductions in the Macbook laptop line have spurred sales of these machines. However, when you add the price of a screen-access program to the price of even a modest Windows system, the total expenditure may shift significantly in favor of the Mac.
It is important to consider whether the Mac, using the free Voiceover screen-access program, can satisfy your computing needs. Many web sites and articles address this issue with reviews and demonstrations. While text editing, web browsing, and e-mail functions are all supported by the suite of applications that is included on every Mac computer, we are not aware of specialized OCR offerings that are comparable to Freedom Scientific's OpenBook or to the Kurzweil package.
As with Windows, off-the-shelf OCR programs may be accessible and effective alternatives. With Voiceover, the use of gestures means that for the first time the touchpad can become an effective nonvisual element. Although AccessWorld has not yet evaluated this technology, we have observed that similar gesture-based navigation of the iPhone is a compelling advancement.
If you are interested in exploring the Mac option, VoiceOver can be activated on any system that runs Snow Leopard. Resources and information are growing on the web, and many users have provided personalized information by means of lists. Laptops were originally marketed as "business" machines, capable of using spreadsheet, presentation, and financial software packages, just as desktops could.
Notebooks were mainly marketed for "personal" tasks, such as email, writing, entertainment, and file management. The biggest difference between the two eventually became the size and weight of the battery, with laptops boasting times the battery life of notebooks, but also weighing pounds more.
As hardware capabilities increased, laptops became powerful enough to become primary computers for many people. Despite being more expensive than desktop units, the computer had become a personal device used for much more than office or schoolwork, so portability was a key feature.
The growth of smartphone and tablet use also reduced the need and usability of a desktop unit, as well as the need for a large laptop. Notebooks also started featuring high-resolution screens, while the need for DVD drives was reduced as broadband Wi-Fi and streaming through services like Netflix and Spotify became ubiquitous.
In , laptop sales declined for the first time since , while notebook sales rose. Even so, the rise of tablet computers slowed notebook sales in What has emerged from this proliferation of portable computing devices is a nuanced market, with laptops occupying the high-end user niche graphic artists, executives, freelancers , notebooks used primarily by students and highly-mobile workers, and tablets used widely by the general public.
A big advantage of laptops is that they can be configured in many ways for different tasks and needs. For example, a common laptop configuration for playing games includes expanding RAM, adding a high-end graphics and video card, and "overclocking" removing limitations on the hardware to allow for faster response times.
The typical laptop nowadays has a 1 terabyte TB drive or a solid state drive SSD , the latter of which is hundreds of times faster than hard drives were 10 years ago. RAM capacity is often GB, screens feature large HD resolutions and sometimes retinal displays , and battery life is about hours. Many laptops are large enough to offer a full keyboard, are usually about inches wide, and weigh lbs.
Notebook computers are less likely to offer a full-sized keyboard, ranging from 8. RAM is usually GB, and screen quality can vary. Two major differences between current laptops and notebooks are found in battery life and weight: notebooks tend to have a much longer battery life ranging from 5 to 14 hours typically weigh in at under 5 lbs.
There is a hybrid niche of extremely lightweight portable computers that feature full-sized keyboards, but below-average hardware capabilities. An example from this category would be the MacBook Air , which has a Unfortunately, weight is often inversely proportional to price.
Heavier models tend to fetch a lower price, while leaner ones often come at a premium. On the other hand, if the display size is a concern as described below you may want to sacrifice weight and portability for a larger size. Smaller notebooks also have more cramped keyboards which can be uncomfortable for some users. Before you buy, check your budget and weigh it against how you intend to use your personal or business laptop.
Do you need something to video and photo editing? Are you a serious gamer or a power business user who typically uses multiple applications at the same time? Or do you just want one for basic stuff like web surfing and video chatting with friends and family? You pay a premium for being able to pack your office around with you. This, of course, also depends on the brand you're buying as well as any specs going into the laptop. And unlike PC desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, and tablets are often difficult or impossible to upgrade with interchangeable components.
If you buy one, try to choose one with all the features you want at the time of purchase. The brand name will also determine how much you'll up pay for your portable device. Cheaper models that don't do as much can cost a few hundred dollars.
Those made by top manufacturers like Apple or Microsoft can cost in the thousands, depending on the model and specs. If you plan to use your computer "unplugged" frequently, pay close attention to the device's battery average run time. More efficient processors, SSD disk drives and improved battery technology have increased average run times to 14 or more hours for some models. But there is still a large variation.
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