Self Help & Knowledge Base Computer Recomendations What should I consider in a Notebook Computer? - Picking a notebook form factor
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Article Index
What should I consider in a Notebook Computer?
Picking a notebook form factor
What else does my notebook need in it?
What accessories will I need?
What brands should I consider?
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First Step: Picking a notebook form factor

The easiest way to narrow the selection of notebooks that are suitable for you is form factor, or how large do you need the display to be? The larger the screen, the heavier and more immobile the notebook. Displays are measured diagonally, from corner to corner. Below are some common sizes and their uses, but we suggest you try a hands on experience before you commit.

Display Size
 Best suited for...
11” to 13.3” Best for road warriors. You take your notebook everywhere and the lighter it is the better. These notebooks will usually sacrifice computing power for light weight designs and long battery life. When you finally make it back to your office desk you’ll have a second display ready to plug in to give you big screen ease of use.
14” Best portable computer. Your notebook often gets moved from place to place but you need more power or don’t need the added cost of the light weight design of a machine designed for a road warrior. This is the size/price/performance compromise that many European’s settle on.
15.4” Best desk use notebook. You want a portable machine that usually moves from desk to desk and you don’t want to compromise on it’s abilities. This is the size/price/performance compromise that many Australian’s settle on.
17”
Best performance computer replacement. You want a computer with the form factor and style of a notebook, or you want something you can pack away after use, but you don’t want to compromise on the size of the display or power of the processor. You’ll always be using it at a desk ‘cause lets face it, lap computing with this thing might break your knee, worse, carting the 3+ kgs around might dislocate a shoulder.


 
Self Help & Knowledge Base Computer Recomendations What should I consider in a Notebook Computer? - Picking a notebook form factor
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