Cool Laptops for School

Need an A+ laptop? Here's how to find one that makes the grade.

James A. Martin

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming with the following special bulletin: A man has just purchased an overpriced, underpowered, overweight, poorly equipped, and altogether wrong laptop computer for his daughter's first year in college.

We turn now to Mobile Computing expert James A. Martin for more on this breaking story.

"The father spent way too much money on this machine--money his daughter could have used for more important things, like concert tickets," Martin reports. "To make matters worse, this poor young woman will be forced into regular chiropractor visits because of the laptop's excessive weight."

And the laptop's battery life? "It'll last about as long as a caramel frappuccino on a hot afternoon," adds Martin.

We've asked Martin to spare parents and students from making the same tragic mistakes as this well-meaning but woefully misinformed father. (The father declined to reveal the brand of computer or the price he paid.)

Check out Martin's advice on the five key things you should consider before investing in a laptop for high school or college students. Martin tackles price, weight, battery life, and wireless capabilities--along with options for fun and games.

1. Price

"You just spent a wad of money on education that would shock even Queen Elizabeth," Martin says. "So do you really want to spend another wad on a laptop? I don't think so."

The good news is that laptop prices have fallen consistently. Not all that long ago, you would have had to drop $3000 or more to get a good desktop replacement model. Today, you can easily find a well-equipped desktop replacement on PC World's monthly Top 15 Notebook PCs that costs less than $2000. The most expensive models are still in the $3000 to $4500 ballpark, but they're loaded with extras many people won't need (see Fun and Games).

If price is your top consideration, focus on getting the best value for your dollar. PC World's monthly Notebook PCs chart includes the five top "value" models. A recent Best Buy is IBM's ThinkPad R50. For about $1500, depending on where you buy, you get a solid machine that's neither too heavy to carry nor too skimpy on features. To view the range of available ThinkPad R models, go to Big Blue's R Series page.

Note: The R50 is soon to be replaced by the R51.

The rule of thumb is: The lower the laptop's price, the less memory, storage, and dazzling multimedia features you'll get. Even so, just $1400 will buy some awesome machines.

Another example: IBM's ThinkPad X31, which goes for about $1400 (without a docking station) is a near-perfect ultraportable notebook. The X31 weighs under 4 pounds, sports a keyboard that feels better than those of many full-size notebooks, and includes plenty of data ports. The $1400 price gives you only a 20GB hard drive, however. And the X31 lacks a CD- or a DVD-ROM drive. To get one (and you must), you'll spend an additional $199 for a 2-pound docking station. For the full range of available configurations, see IBM's ThinkPad X series page.

Note: IBM is replacing the X31 with the X40.

Tip: Some schools have specific (minimum) system requirements--if, say, the computing tasks will involve editing video. Be sure to investigate whether you need to purchase a machine with a given set of hardware and/or software specifications before you hand over your credit card.

Tip: For software, you'll most likely need Microsoft Word (for term papers) and Microsoft PowerPoint (for presentations). Both programs (and others) are included in Microsoft Office. Often, Office is an option when configuring a notebook for purchase online or over the phone. But you may save money by not buying the software pre-installed on your notebook. Instead, compare the price against the Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other programs. (Microsoft's list price is just $150.)

For more information about Microsoft Office for students and teachers--and for details about when you qualify for the discounted software--visit Microsoft's site.

You might also want to consider Corel's WordPerfect Office 12 Student and Teacher Edition. It's $50 cheaper than Microsoft's package. Check Corel's site for its eligibility policy.

Tip: Don't forget: Many students, teachers, and other faculty members qualify for educational discounts on computer hardware, too. Contact your school or check your school's Web site (if it has one) to compare prices before you buy.

Tip: With refurbished notebooks, you can sometimes get more features for your money than with comparable brand-new models. Computers that are returned to the store or manufacturer and are then repaired, retested, and resold are often called "refurbished" or "remanufactured." Dell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, and others sell refurbished laptops online. For details, read "Mobile Computing: Refurbished Notebooks."

2. Weight

Most students haul laptops all over campus. "So to prevent back and shoulder problems from lugging around a too-heavy laptop, you should seriously consider a portable's weight before buying," Martin advises.

The lightest laptops, ultraportables, weigh roughly 3 to 6 pounds and are the most comfortable to tote around campus. The tradeoff: Ultraportables tend to have smallish screens (12.1 inches or less) and often have cramped keyboard keys, which can make them uncomfortable to use for lengthy periods.

Ultraportables are sometimes more expensive than other comparably equipped models, due to the higher cost of producing the small components. And, as we saw with the IBM ThinkPad X31, some models don't include built-in CD or DVD drives, in order to keep their weight down.

The reason the heaviest laptops are called desktop replacements is because their large screens and powerful features are roughly on a par with stationary desktop PCs. While desktop replacements are often the fastest, most feature-rich portables you can buy, they're also the heaviest. For instance, the $1779 Dell Inspiron 5150 weighs a hefty 10.3 pounds (with power adapter). Check out Dell's customization options.

A desktop replacement is ideal if the student does not plan to bring the laptop from class to class but wants something other than a bulky desktop PC for the dorm room.

For students who need the easiest portability, ultraportables are the way to go. There are plenty of good, lightweight models to choose from.

Along with the IBM ThinkPad X31, Sony's $3000 Vaio PCG-TR3AP3 is another great ultraportable--you'll just need to come to grips with the high price. This 3.2-pound unit comes with a built-in digital camera, Wi-Fi networking, an internal DVD burner, and an 80GB hard drive, among other features. Check out other Sony Vaio models.

Another example is the $1899 Fujitsu LifeBook P5020. At 3.9 pounds, it gives you a built-in DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drive, multiple connection ports, and CompactFlash and Secure Digital slots--great if you have a digital camera that stores images in those formats. But the 10.6-inch screen is as small as a laptop's display gets, and the keyboard keys are as small as Chiclets. Check out other LifeBook models.

Tip: If you're sold on an ultraportable, also factor in the purchase of an external keyboard, pointing device (such as a mouse), and monitor. For comfort reasons, no one should use an ultraportable as their main computer without them. For information about laptop ergonomics, see "Mobile Computing: Safer Pointing Devices."

Tip: The more you carry your laptop around, the more susceptible it is to loss and theft. Kensington offers a variety of laptop locks and security cables.

Tip: Worried about damaging a laptop while hauling it around? Consider laptop insurance, offered by Safeware. The insurance protects your laptop investment in case of theft, damage, or repairs. Rates vary, but here's an example: A college student in California would pay $120 a year to protect a $2000 laptop.

3. Battery Life

"I never had a laptop battery die on me in class," says Martin. "I never felt the horror of watching the screen flicker and fade, just as the instructor was saying something truly important that I should type up. Why? Because laptops didn't exist when I was in college."

But for today's student, a laptop battery that can't hold enough juice is a distinct problem. So when shopping, pay close attention to a laptop's advertised battery life. Laptops featuring Intel's Centrino package of computer chips often boast longer battery life than other models. But don't go strictly by the manufacturers' claims--their battery life promises don't always live up to real-world use. Instead, check the battery test results in PC World's notebook reviews.

In PC World tests, laptop battery life runs the gamut from about 2 hours up to 6 or 7. Recent chart-topping battery champions include the $1992 HP Compaq Business Notebook Nc6000, clocking in at almost 6.5 hours, and the $1522 Gateway M405CS, at roughly 5 hours. See the manufacturers' sites for the HP Compaq Nc6000 and the Gateway M405CS.

Both models, weighing in at 6.6 pounds and 7.1 pounds respectively, are fairly heavy desktop replacements, however. Among ultraportables in recent PC World charts, the IBM ThinkPad X31 was tops in battery life, lasting 4 hours and 49 minutes on one charge.

Tip: Some notebook models, such as the HP Compaq Nc6000, let you run off two fully charged batteries at one time, thereby doubling your work time. The downside: You have to remove the CD or DVD drive to make room for the second battery. Also, some standard laptop batteries can be replaced with long-life batteries as an optional purchase.

Tip: Need some tips on making the most of your notebook's battery life? Go to "Power Tips for Notebooks."

4. Wi-Fi

"Wireless broadband Internet access is becoming ubiquitous throughout many college campuses," Martin notes. "From the important places students go every day--the library, cafeteria, dorm room, classroom, neighborhood pub, and bohemian coffee house--they can get a speedy Internet connection without wires."

Thankfully, many new laptops now include built-in Wi-Fi. This doesn't make wireless networking a no-brainer in your purchasing decision, however. Currently, there are three Wi-Fi network standards: 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g. The most common standard in place today is 802.11b. The 802.11a and 802.11g standards offer data transfer rates much faster than 802.11b. (For more details about wireless networks and the technology's advantages, see "Mobile Computing: All About Wi-Fi.")

It's worth noting that 802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b or 802.11g devices. Some notebooks offer only 802.11b networking built in, while others offer a combination of 802.11a and 802.11g--or all three standards. If fast wireless networking is important--for transferring video, music, and other large files--then you're better off with a laptop that supports 802.11g.

In some cases, you can specify which wireless network standard(s) you want when configuring a laptop. For instance, with the $2306 ultraportable Dell Latitude X300, you can choose an 802.11b/g card, an 802.11a/b/g card, an 802.11b chip, or no Wi-Fi at all. For additional specification options, visit Dell's site.

Tip: If the notebook you want doesn't include Wi-Fi, don't fret. You can buy inexpensive wireless network adapters, from about $40 to $60, that slip into the laptop's PC Card slot or connect to the USB port. Browse the latest prices for adapters.

Tip: While there are security precautions in place, wireless networks (which transmit data over radio waves) aren't as secure as traditional dial-up or other wired networks. Whenever possible, make sure the notebook you're buying offers wireless networking with Wi-Fi Protected Access, the latest and strongest wireless network security protocol. For more about Wi-Fi security, go to "Better 802.11 Security."

5. Fun and Games

"Of course, only a microscopic portion of college students use their computers for non-academic pursuits," Martin reports. "So for the five students who plan to listen to music, edit video, or play games on their laptops, read on. The rest of you: Put your nose back in that book, where it belongs."

A devoted gamer's laptop needs plenty of power (such as the 3.4-GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor), memory (at least 1GB), and storage (60GB or more). You'll want superior graphics, speakers capable of blasting the Gap label right off your T-shirt, and a disc drive that burns CDs (for music) and DVDs (for video and data backup). And you'll want a wide-format screen (such as 15.4 inches) for watching DVD movies, and FireWire or USB 2.0 ports for plugging in high-speed peripherals such as external hard drives, digital video camcorders, and iPods.

In short, you'll want something like the Dell Inspiron XPS, a laptop designed with serious goof-offs in mind. The Inspiron XPS includes all the specs mentioned above. But get ready to have your financial world rocked: The laptop PC World tested costs $4349. You can configure the Inspiron XPS online.

Now here's the drag. In addition to being expensive, the Inspiron XPS, like many gaming and multimedia portables, is heavy (11.8 pounds with AC adapter) and its battery runs out quickly (after 1 hour, 44 minutes, based on PC World's tests). It does include 802.11b/g wireless networking, however.

Tip: Not into gaming? Just want to listen to MP3 files and watch DVD movies in your few unoccupied hours, and you're not too picky? Then most laptops will do just fine, especially if you add some good external speakers. Altec Lansing offers a variety of affordable models.

Consider a Tablet PC, Too

"A Tablet PC, which sounds like something Fred Flintstone used to tally his bowling score, is one more option to consider," Martin notes.

Unlike traditional laptops, Tablet PCs let you write by hand using a stylus on their displays. Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, NEC, Toshiba, and Fujitsu are the companies currently offering Tablet PCs. Many models can be used slate-style without a keyboard--it's like carrying just your laptop's LCD to class. Others let you twist the screen around so that it hides the keyboard when you want to write on the screen. Then you can pop the screen up, traditional laptop style, to type.

Though relatively new, Tablet PCs are gaining favor among many mobile professionals. PC World recently picked the $2199 Toshiba Portege M200 as its World Class winner in the Tablet PC category. Check out the details from Toshiba.

To read some first-hand experiences about living with Tablet PCs, see "Tablet PC Tales."

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.