Purchasing a Portable Computing Device

Some things to think about...

Types of portable devices:

We have multiple choices when it comes to portable computing these days we have much more choice for less cost than we did even a couple of years ago. When we think of portable computers, we usually think of Laptops, however, you now have a choice of Netbooks and Tablets. Your choice depends on your needs and your budget.

Today, a laptop can be thought of as a portable computer workstation. The amount of money you want to spend on a laptop will depend on the amount of processing required, and tasks the device will be used for the most.

A Netbook can often be thought of as a mini-laptop. They are usually small and power efficient, but their computing power is limited. A tablet, has even more limitations, the most basic of which are that they usually do not include keyboard or mouse devices. Tablets are very handy for basic Internet communication needs.

Logistics:
Important factors to consider when purchasing a portable computing device of any size are its weight and size. It all comes down to frequency of travel relative to needs. Finding that perfect balance between the two is the trick. In short, the more you travel, the lighter your laptop should be (with exceptions of Netbooks, Ultrabooks, and tablets – they are designed to be lightweight), all for the sake of your convenience.

Performance:
Higher performance usually comes with a price; bulkier design in order to accommodate spatial and cooling needs, significantly heavier chassis, and most importantly, substantially diminished battery operating time. While technology is slowly transcending this trend, the more powerful the hardware is, the less time is available while running on battery. Purchasing additional 9 to 12 cell Li-Ion battery for laptops and Netbooks and USB power banks for tablets can gain you some additional usage time. Determining power needs can often be a tricky subject and at PCN we can happily discuss your needs and recommend the configuration accordingly.

Cost of purchase:
Final cost remains an uncertainty until the configuration is finalized, but it’s safe to assume that smaller and faster will, in most cases, be pricier than bulkier and faster configurations. We will give you some suggestions and estimates based on the needs described. Again, you shouldn't simply get the most expensive device as it might not be the best fit for you. If you need a portable device for writing, for example, a $350 laptop might be a better fit than a more expensive laptop built for high-end computational use. In some cases a Netbook or tablet will fit your needs very well for a low price.

(Funds permitting, configuring a device to be more future-proof may be taken into consideration.)

Optional:
Purchasing a wireless laser mouse will significantly mitigate the handicap of portable computing compared to desktop PCs. Remember that laser sensor mice can track on virtually any surface and do not require mouse pads.