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Basic Laptop Needs - A Guide

What are the the basic laptop needs for the average user? By average we mean the users who will use their laptop for email, web browsing, viewing photos etc, all the basic tasks that are required from a laptop today.

The basic laptop needs are summed up fairly easily, we have created a list of the things you should look out for when buying a laptop to ensure it meets your needs both today, and for a good few years into the future.

Screen Size - 14 Inches

The screen size of your laptop is important in as much as it decides the size and weight of the unit, obviously the smaller the screen size, the smaller and lighter the laptop will be. As far as basic laptop needs go, its not really such an issue and a laptop with a screen size of 14 inches will offer the best balance of use and affordability so go for something around this size for basic needs.

Memory (RAM) - 512mb

Probably the next most important factor when choosing a laptop (other than screen size) is the amount of memory (RAM) it has. The current Windows version (Vista) requires a minimum of 512mb just to run so your laptop needs to have at least this much to be useful, and if you can stretch to 1024mb (1GB) of memory (RAM) you will notice a positive difference in performance.

Processor - 1.5Ghz Dual Core

The processor is the heart of your laptop and should be considered carefully, but for basic laptop needs most modern processors are easily capable of keeping up with users performance requirements and its unlikely that your system will suffer because of the processor, memory (RAM) for instance is a far bigger factor affecting a PC's performance.

So something like a 1.5Ghz Dual Core processor, even though its just about the slowest available, is more than enough to the meet basic laptop needs of the average user.

Hard Disk - 40GB

Modern laptop hard disk sizes are now so large that to the average user the size of it is not an issue. Whilst we recommend a minimum hard disk size of 40GB as it is easily enough for basic laptop needs , its highly likely you wont even be able to find a new laptop with a hard disk this small, more likely the starting point will be 60GB or 80GB, but use 40GB as your starting point.

Graphics Card - 64mb Shared Memory

Whilst an all singing, all dancing graphics card is essential for gamers, for the average user something rather less advanced is easily sufficient. If your laptop has a graphics card which uses 64mb of shared memory (i.e. it borrows 64mb of memory from your main system memory) then this should be sufficient to meet the basic laptop needs of the average user.

If you can get something with 128mb of shared memory then all the better, but remember, its borrowing memory from your main system memory and performance of the system may suffer unless you have at least 1024mb (1GB) of main system memory (RAM).

Conclusion

So, to sum up, to meet the basic laptop needs of an average user, your laptop should have a 14 inch screen, 512mb memory (RAM), a 1.5Ghz Dual Core Processor, a 40GB hard disk and a 64mb shared graphics card!

Hopefully this information will provide you with a useful start point on the things to consider when looking for a basic laptop, and of course, if you can afford to, improving on any elements mentioned will only help your laptop perform better and help future proof it for the next few years.