Just four years ago, when I wrote my last Laptop Buyers Guide, laptops cost an average of more than $1,000, but now PC notebook computers commonly break the $400 price point during advertised specials.  While the portable offering of Apple computers start at $1,099 and $1,999 for iBook and MacBook Pro hardware, the PC landscape has more variation of included hardware and ultimately capabilities. 

Albeit a bit more expensive, Apple has made the purchase decision easy, with few platforms and customization options for hardware that not only runs Windows if you choose to buy it, but also Apple's advanced and fast operating system, OS-X.  Pronounced O-S-Ten, the system supports software suites compatible with Microsoft Office file formats, without their systems being susceptible to viruses and driver crashes that Microsoft is prone to.

Notebooks today come in three price and size categories.  They start with mid-sized 5-7 pound basic models with 13" to 15" screens, even larger desktop replacements with 17" to 20" screens, and 3-pound sub-notebooks with 8" to 13" screens. The notebooks in the lower price range may be enticing to your pocket book but lack sophisticated video capabilities for games and 3D interfaces supported by Windows Vista. 

Just as your new printer comes with "low capacity ink" cartridges when you buy it new, inexpensive laptops even have fewer battery cells, which limit the amount of running time while unplugged.  This means you will need to stay near a power outlet or buy a second battery.  It is usually worth the cost to upgrade the battery when you custom order the system, but I have seen extended capacity batteries at the consumer electronics stores as of late.

If you are into gaming, Dell has a line of XPS notebooks with Dual SLI video capabilities, great for driving their internal 17" LCD with video games or High Definition programming at 1080p.  HP's multimedia offering, the HDX, has a huge 20.1" LCD screen, Blu-Ray DVD playback and a pocket for the wireless remote next to the keyboard.  At 15.5 pounds, I doubt you will want to lug this monster into class, but it would easily make the trip to a LAN party or a spring break stuck at your parent's house.  I can imagine that if you bought either of these laptops as a college student, you would not have the extra money to take a vacation over spring break, as these machines run within the $2,000 price point, and beyond.

I have used a very capable sub-$500 Compaq notebook for several years before I bought the $1,800 ultra-mobile 3-pound wide-screen MacBook Air with a backlit keyboard on which I typed this story.  Lenovo, owners of the IBM Thinkpad brand, now offer a similar lightweight PC called the X300 which has a few more capabilities and ports than the Air.  But at $3,000 the product is much pricier as it comes with a Solid State Drive (SSD) which is small in capacity at 64GB, but offers quick access as well as a longer life expectancy than a hard drive with its fragile moving parts.  As a writer, I have always been impressed with the Thinkpad keyboards, and their low-cost IdeaPad line is something to take a serious look at for a low-cost capable system.

As you can see, there are plenty of price points, operating systems and capabilities to choose from in the notebook space, so take a look at the sidebar for tips on buying your next notebook.

As a road warrior, Dave loves his ultra-light Air notebook, but never has enough battery power.  Check out his stories and travel follies at davemathews.com.

Features to look for in a laptop

• Look for as much memory as possible-2GB is ideal but more is always better
• Buy as large a hard drive as you can afford but between 80 and 250GB is great
• Core 2 Duo processors are fast, but Core Duo and AMD X2 are fine cost reducers
• Built in 802.11g wireless networking is required, but 802.11n is still premature to pay a premium for
• I prefer computer screens without TrueLife, BrightView or other glossy coverings which reflect light from your environment.
• If you go the Windows route, look for the option to install XP in case you run into compatibility issues with Vista

Free Double Warranty

Don't purchase an extra product warranty (unless you are a klutz and ten to break laptops) but instead, purchase your new notebook with a credit card that will double the manufacturer warranty.  I used my Amex to buy a computer that was blown out by an electrical storm and they sent me a check that paid for its replacement almost two years later!