How do you Pick the Right College Notebook?

Today's notebooks are much more powerful than even the hottest desktop computers of yesterday. They're also lighter and much more stylish. More and more students are opting out of desktop computers altogether, seeking a notebook for all their computing needs.

Frequent travelers will tell you that after a while that a 9 lb. (4 kg) notebook computer will feel like a ton of bricks on your shoulders! So if you intend to carry your notebook computer quite often, you should consider the weight as important criteria.

Do need a large screen? Remember that larger screens equal more weight! ASUS' F9J notebook, designed for mobile users, has a 12.1" screen and weights only 4.2 lbs. Choosing a 14.1" screen on the ASUS A8 series will increase weight to 5.25 lbs., while a 15.4" widescreen (ASUS F3SV series) will weigh in at 6.5 lbs. A 17" ASUS W2Pb, the world’s thinnest and lightest 17” notebook, weighs in at 7.95 lbs.

If you are looking for a notebook to replace your desktop computer there are a few strategies you could choose from. Remember, all new notebook computers have a port to attach a monitor to. If you already have a nice monitor, you could just continue using that. Then your choice of notebook would not be dictated by its screen size. Just make sure that the notebook is equipped with a dedicated graphics engine with at least 128 MB memory, such as ASUS’ A8Sc.

Another point of consideration should be the hard drive. An 80 GB capacity hard drive is fine for most users, but if you intend to use the notebook as a replacement for your desktop computer, consider a 120 or even 160 GB hard drive.

One important point to remember is that notebooks aren't as expandable as their desktop cousins. Usually you'll get 1 slot to add more memory, and it’s always good to have at least 1 GB system memory to gain better system performance. If you’re an art/ medical school student, you might want to choose a tablet PC, such as ASUS’ R1F, which lets you jot down ideas with a stylus pen in real time and instantly converts your notes to text. The R1F also comes with a hot swappable module bay, allowing you to add an additional hard drive for more storage or an additional battery for longer usage. So you'll need to choose wisely!