Buying a new Business Notebook?
Notebooks (or laptops as they are still often referred to) now have enough power to run even the most demanding software applications, most have acceptable battery life and (in some cases) with add-on batteries, can easily keep running all day, every day.
Connectivity via wireless networks and technology like 3G means people can stay connected to personal and company networks, email and the internet whenever they need to and wherever they are. Some models have embedded 3G SIM slot to help make the internet even more accessible without having to carry cumbersome USB dongles or devices. People need access to data continuously and require a notebook that has a reliable design and solid construction.
While a business notebook may look similar to a consumer notebook many of the components used in the business ranges have been specially selected to withstand more rugged handling and longer usage times.
Generally speaking there are five main categories of notebook to choose from:
- Netbook – Netbooks are designed for mobile workers who only need access to email and the occasional Web page.
- Ultraportable – Ultra portables although similar in size have much greater processing power than netbooks, while being highly portable they are very capable of handling demanding applications. Expect to find screen sizes up to 12.1” and weight up to 2kg.
- Thin and Light – Thin and Light represent a category slightly larger than an ultraportable but still small enough to comfortably carry. Typical screen sizes of between 13.3” to 14”.
- Midsize – The midsize ranges are the most common with the entry level pricing and features such as screen size 14.1” – 15.6”, weighing around the 2.5kg mark. Midsize notebooks generally offer the most choice.
- Desktop Replacement – A desktop replacement model will generally have been designed with high demand applications such as CAD or video editing in mind and frequently sport 16” plus screens, powerful processors and discreet graphics but can weigh above 3kg – making them much less portable.
Business notebook considerations should include a combination of which reliability, mobility and security features matter most to you.
Durability?
A business notebook will typically have hinges built to last 5 years, metal casing built to be scratch-resistant and many have hard drive sensors, which protect vital data in the event of a fall or sudden movement. Most can be upgraded to use solid-state drives (SSDs) which are more rugged than spinning drives and less likely to fail. SSD provides other advantages such as low power consumption and extremely fast read speeds for increased performance and battery life.
