Buying Guide »


Introduction

Who could live without their laptop computer? Today everyone from gamers to grannies has their own laptop, complete with personal preferences from screen size to colour. Many of us prefer our laptops to desktop computers, even if we don't take them out of the house.


The days of complaints about poor battery power and over-heating are far behind us as innovation ensures all the essentials process effectively. Whether you’re a Mac fan or a die-hard PC lover, your ideal laptop is out there waiting for you to find it!


However, many laptop specs can seem confusing if you’re not familiar with the numbers and terminology used by vendors – and let’s face it, most of us aren’t. Luckily only a handful of these facts and figures are really essential; many are only useful if you’re after something particular from your laptop, for example, if its primary use will be playing networked games, or if you’re a designer looking to run a particular software package.


So what are the terms you do need to look out for? Our handy guide below will equip you with all the necessary information to identify what you really need from your laptop.


The essentials
1. CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is, in a nutshell, the ‘brain’ of your laptop. Working alongside the Operating System, the CPU processes the instructions you give the laptop and fetches data from the RAM to allow execution. Intel and AMD are the most well known brands of CPU.


2. RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) provides space for your laptop to read and write data to be accessed by the Central Processing Unit (CPU). When people refer to a computer’s memory, they usually mean its RAM. The more RAM a computer has, the less often the CPU has to read data from the hard disk, allowing the computer to work significantly faster. If you’re planning to use the internet and several applications/software programs outside the core Microsoft Office suite, you should look for at least 2 Gigabytes of RAM. If you work with image, video or audio editing software you may want to increase this to as much as 4 Gigabytes to help improve running speed.


by RAM Installed Size



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Reviews of Laptops »

Sony Vaio VGN-NS30E/W nice and easy to type

Advantages: Easy to type, bright monitor.
Disadvantages: White gets dirty easily

I bought this laptop because it was recomended to me by a friend and so far it hasn't disappointed. The battery life runs fr a couple of hours and the key board is really easy to type on. The laptop looks nice to and suits males and females. The only downside is that it is white. Although white is a nice colour irt shows the dirt really easily which is a down point. The fan doesn't make a noise. The internal volume doesn't turn up that high so you ...

chloealicia 02.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Sony Vaio VGN-NS30E/W

Speed

Look & Feel

Comfort & Portability

Robustness & Durability

Value For Money

Another Sony marvel, this time with Blu-Ray built in!

Advantages: HUGE harddrive, lots of memory, stylish and fast. Easy to use and robust.
Disadvantages: Battery life could be better, and I'd have preferred it to be a little lighter.

...Here we have the Sony Vaio VGN FW 41 - a mid to high-spec 16.4" screen laptop, designed with gamers, office workers, professionals and casual users all in mind. One of the first things I noticed with this laptop is how professional and stylish it looks, with its silver metal lining. It wouldn't look out of place in a teenagers bedroom or a top executive's office. That's one of the first key pro's about this laptop - it suits practically every kind ...
...Toshiba on their premium consoles. Sony is at the forefront of the industry, so it would have been nice to have that battery longevity in the Sony Vaio VGN FW 41. These are minor gripes though. All in all, I found this laptop to be snazzy, stylish, fast and easy to use. As usual there is a price difference between places, so shop around the net and the high street. I'd recommend it to the majority of people, with the exception of tyhe most demanding ...

4leafclover 17.08.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Sony Vaio VGN FW 41

Speed

Look & Feel

Comfort & Portability

Robustness & Durability

Value For Money

No sexier way to spend your netbook money

Advantages: Portability, style, it's a Sony
Disadvantages: Price, speed, mouse control

I heart Sony very much like I would heart my kidney dialysis machine if I was diabetic. It is a requirement for most of my electrical devices, when I have the money, to be able to purchase it whatever it may be. When I cannot afford a Sony device, I usually head for “cheap man’s Sony”: Samsung, and it is frequently let me assure you. The name Sony exudes an aura of style and quality that just stands ahead of its competitors; it is the trendsetter ...
...a yard stick. It was Sony who had the high contrast glossy screen first and caused the others to follow suit. It was Sony who draped their devices in vampiric, fingerprint attracting glossy plastic that caused the others to swoon in adoration, and then plagiarise. The inhabitants of the Far East see Sony as the epitome of electrical reliability and quality, just like they see Mercedes cars as the ultimate automobile. When you drive around in a vehicle ...

0wnz0rz 28.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Sony Vaio VGN-P11

Speed

Look & Feel

Comfort & Portability

Robustness & Durability

Value For Money

My Laptop Sony Vaio VG-NS20E/S

Advantages: Good Basic laptop, Fantastic Design, Acceptable Price, Satisfactory Speed
Disadvantages: Lesser Battery Life, Slow at start up

...I put my eyes on Sony Vaio VGN-NS20E/S. I hope my review would help others in taking decision while purchasing new laptop. I have got Sony Vaio VGN - NS20E /S for £510 along with 2 years product warranty. The 2.16 GHz processor & 3 GB RAM gives nice speed one it boots. But at the time of system start up it looks somewhat slow in speed. It also comes with another specification of variant in 4 GB RAM also. But I satisfied with my 3 GB speed. The screen ...
...keyboard, there is speaker, below which there are two physical shortcut buttons. First one mute the volume, 2nd marks AV mode which gives easy access to multimedia. Overall first impression is very positive. Overall design look fascinating. Color is awesome. This is reliable and user friendly Sony product. ...

kami_chint 14.07.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Sony VAIO NS Series VGN-NS20E/S

Speed

Look & Feel

Comfort & Portability

Robustness & Durability

Value For Money

Can you endure their after sales "support"?

Advantages: Nice laptop
Disadvantages: Absolutely terrible after sales support

Nice laptop. However, Sony after sales service completely spoils it - and you'd better be prepared for them, because every Vaio laptop I've ever owned has had to go back at least once. It's up to you whether you're willing to deal with that but, just so you're forewarned: No Customer Service line. You'll be speaking to the repair centre ... not people who are concerned with your satisfaction. They are: - difficult to reach - never able to return ...
...- frequently rude - disinterested - unable to explain issues fully, or clearly - not focused on solving your issues - more on how they can make money out of you - EXTORTIONATELY expensive, if they do happen to weasel their way out of the warranty agreemend ... and they WILL try The Vaio customer website says "your serial number is your key to premium-class support". Well, they gave me the wrong blinking key. I've no support and the service ...

Ruggr88 14.11.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Sony VAIO AW11S/B Core 2 Duo P8400

Speed

Look & Feel

Comfort & Portability

Robustness & Durability

Value For Money


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