Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, Fourth Edition

In addition, your notebook probably has a built-in CD or CD/DVD drive, like the

one shown in Figure 2.3, typically on the side of the case. Press the little button to

open the drive and insert a disc; push the drive back in to begin playing the CD

or DVD.

CHAPTER 2 UNDERSTANDING NOTEBOOK PCS

31

CD/DVD Drive

FIGURE 2.3

A side-mounted

CD/DVD drive.

Inside the notebook case are the guts of the computer—everything you have in a

desktop PC’s system unit but more compact. In fact, most notebooks have more

inside than does a typical desktop; in particular, most notebook PCs have a built-in

WiFi adapter so that the notebook can connect to a wireless home network or public

WiFi hotspot.

In addition, virtually all notebook PCs come with some sort of built-in battery. That’s

because a portable PC is truly portable; in addition to running on normal AC power,

a notebook PC can operate unplugged, using battery power. Depending on the PC

(and the battery), you might be able to operate a laptop for three or four hours or

more before switching batteries or plugging the unit into a wall outlet. That makes a

notebook PC great for use on airplanes, in coffeeshops, or anywhere plugging in a

power cord is inconvenient.

Different Types of Notebook PCs

Although all notebook PCs have similar components, they’re not all created alike.

As you can see in Figure 2.4, some notebooks are smaller and lighter than others,

whereas some models are more suited for multimedia use—for watching movies and

listening to music while you’re on the go.

FIGURE 2.4

Different types of

notebooks.

32

ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO COMPUTER BASICS

Ultraportable

Midsize

Desktop replacement

The smallest and most portable type of notebook PC is called an ultraportable. These

models typically have a smallish screen (12" or so) with a traditional aspect ratio

and weigh less than 4 pounds. Ultraportables are small and light enough to fit in a

business briefcase and are perfect when all you need to do is check your email and

do a little work when you’re on the road. Because the screen is small and the PC

horsepower is low, they get great battery life. On the downside, the screen is small

and the horsepower is low, which means you can’t do high-performance work; in

addition, some users find the keyboards a trifle too compact.

In the middle of the pack is the appropriately named midsize or traditional note-

book. These notebooks are a little bigger and a little heavier than ultraportables but

also offer bigger screens and more comfortable keyboards. These notebooks have

enough horsepower to do most traditional home or office computing tasks and typi-

cally have battery life in the 2–3 hour range.

If, on the other hand, you want a notebook that will do everything a desktop PC

does and you won’t be using it on batteries much, consider a desktop replacement

model. These notebooks are big and heavy and have relatively poor battery life, so

you won’t be carrying them around much. They have big screens and lots of com-

puting horsepower, so they can perform the most demanding tasks—including high-

octane game playing and video editing. As the name implies, you can totally

replace your desktop PC with one of these notebooks.

Which type of notebook is best for you? If you travel a lot but don’t use your PC

much, consider a lightweight ultraportable. (These are also good for watching DVDs

in the car or on an airplane.) If you use your notebook a lot and need to take your

work with you, a midsize model is a good compromise. And if you want to totally

replace your desktop with a notebook and know you won’t be using it on battery

power much, go with a more expensive desktop replacement model.