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Laptop Buying Guide

-Laptop Processor
-Laptop Ram
-Laptop Hard Drive
-Laptop Screen
-Laptop Graphics Card
-Laptop DVD Drive
-Laptop Networking and Laptop Battery
-Laptop Ports
-Buying a Laptop

Laptop Networking and Laptop Battery

Which laptop networking card & battery do I need?

Most new laptops should come with a port for wired networking. Even if you plan to use wireless, make sure you at least have the option for a wired connection. The connection is faster, and you never know when it will come in handy.

You should also consider whether or not you need a modem. Dial up networking is becoming less and less prevalent, but if you use it, make sure your laptop comes with an internal modem. If it doesn't, or you want to add one later, you can always get one for the PCMCIA slot or USB port of the laptop.

Wireless networking is clearly becoming more and more widespread. A new laptop should have an internal wireless card built in. There are many different standards, and a laptop should ideally support the newest and fastest which are 802.11b and 802.11 g. Often these are just referred to as B and G.

One additional note is that laptops with Intel Pentium M or Celeron M processors should come with an Intel Wireless card. A laptop can be equipped with one from a different manufacturer, and if you are building your own system online you may see other choices. Stick with Intel's card as it offers the best power management when combined with these CPUs.

Power

Most laptops come with a standard battery size, and also offer an upgrade for roughly $50 to $100 (though they will charge more if you choose to purchase one later) . The sizes vary by system, but the choices will be something like a 6 cell battery standard or a 9 cell upgrade, with each cell providing a certain amount of battery run time. The larger capacity batteries run longer, but add weight to the system, and can sometimes increase the size if they stick out.

The standard battery is a fine choice if you are on a budget or very concerned about traveling weight. For many users though, the extra battery is a great way to stay mobile longer. $50 and a little extra weight is usually a small price to pay for extended battery life.

Further, while dedicated graphics chips provide more visual performance, they also consume more battery power. If you opt for a laptop with one of these chips, very seriously consider the larger capacity battery. Often, the option to upgrade to a larger battery is not available in stores, and can only be found on laptops you order online.

Recommendations

Any wireless networking chip will be fine, as long as it supports both B and G networking. If your laptop has an Intel Pentium M or Celeron M processor, be sure to match it with an Intel networking chip, in order to attain the highest battery life.

A higher capacity battery is great upgrade, and if you chose dedicated ATI or NVIDIA graphics, sticking with the small battery is probably be a mistake.