Laptops, witness many improvements

2002/05/17 Mendiburu, Joana - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Hardwarea

And although the design has made laptops always very attractive to the consumer, when it comes to buying did not hesitate too much between desktops and laptops.

When it comes to choosing, the scale did a lot for desktop, since the laptops were too expensive and, in addition, the quality difference was quite high. However, little by little laptops are changing (or the other way around) with the market and no longer need to choose between quality and design. Therefore, there are many who bet on laptops, as they cover gaps that can have the comfort they offer.

Matching in speed race

Those who travel a lot, want to take advantage of lost hours or have no space at home for the computer, buy without a doubt the laptop. But laptops have not yet conquered the entire public, although they increasingly have more advantages and fewer disadvantages.

The main drawbacks are the speed and difficulty of increasing accessories. As for speed, small computers, whether PCs or Macintosh, are behind the big ones, but also at this level the advances are evident. The computers of the new generation PowerPC G 4 require much less power than the previous ones.

Apple has on the market iBooks and Power Books. The main difference between the two is that the first has the G 3 processor, much slower than the second the G 4 processor. Of course, this difference is also appreciated when paying: the iBook costs about 300,000 pesetas and the PowerBook double.

In both cases, one of the most serious problems is the difficulty and in some cases the inability to add add-ons. Therefore, they age somewhat quickly, and when choosing it is necessary to consider if it is necessary to renew the computer every two years.

Better screen and low weight

Another feature of laptops is the small screen. This difference is evident and perhaps that is why the idea that you lose sight working on these screens is so widespread. But it is time to overcome prejudice. These screens are not as small as they seem and also do not emit electromagnetic radiation.

Compared to conventional screens, laptop screens present a significant difference, being unlike others, the full screen. On a classic 15-inch screen of a desktop computer only 13.5"-14" are useful. The 13.3 inch laptop screen is complete. The difference between both screens is not as big as expected.

In addition, as already indicated, they do not emit harmful electromagnetic radiation, so visual fatigue and possible eye problems are reduced.

Currently there are two types of screens on laptops: Dual Scan and TFT displays. The first ones are little used since the visual quality depends on the outside light. On the second screens there are no problems of this type, but they are quite more expensive.

However, those who spend a lot of time in front of the computer know that buying a good screen is very important because the eyes get tired of the quality of the screen.

Finally, there is the weight of laptops. Because if to carry the computer from one side to the other you have to end the arm pain, it is not highly recommended. But today's computers are very light. An iBook, for example, gives a 3 cm thick folder and only weighs 2.5 kilos.

Apple has launched a new eMac similar to iMac but more affordable. eMac will cost about 999 dollars. Includes 7000 Mhz Power PC G 4, 4 0 GB hard drive, 12 8 MB memory and 17 inch screen. Apple managers have announced that it is a computer similar to iMac, but has no flat screen, and that it will only be available to teachers, students and educational institutions. Thanks to the new computer, Apple wants to recover the success of its time in education. In addition, the apple reports that it is about to market two new versions of the laptop PowerBook G 4. One of them, with 800 MHz processor and an approximate value of 199 dollars, and the other, with a 66 7 MHz chip, will be sold at $2,499.

Portable or pocket?

Choosing a laptop is nothing simple and first of all you have to think if we don't have enough PDA or handheld PC (pocket computer).

PDA, understandably said by all, is like an electronic superagenda, but with many more functions. In fact, you can have the most used Word and Excell programs in addition to the Internet. As for the format, there is also a wide offer: computer type keyboards, with touch screen, with plastic pencil…

In addition, even if they are not PCs, they are compatible with desktop computers and are suitable for passing information and data to or from a PC. Therefore, they also have a new name: pocket computers.

Prices range from 125,000 to 50,000 pesetas, expensive to have a whim, but cheaper than laptops.

Posted in Zabalik.