Notebooks are nothing less than fully-functional portable PCs that you can take from home to office, carry between classrooms or accompany you on journeys further afield. They do however come in all shapes and sizes with specifications as varied as their desktop counterparts. Also bear in mind that most notebooks are difficult to upgrade, so choose a specification to last.

Form factor

The biggest decision to make when buying a notebook is what physical size to go for. So-called desktop-replacement notebooks may contain multiple drives and ports, but are subsequently large and heavy. Conversely ultra-portables may be small and light, but are stripped of all but the essentials.

Carefully consider what it is you want from a notebook and where and how you’ll be using it. If it’s replacing a desktop PC, then even the heftiest notebook will be comparatively tiny. If you’re constantly carrying it around, you’ll want something lighter.

Processor

Processor manufacturers design special chips for notebook computers which consume minimal power and radiate as little heat as possible. Each generation is significantly better than the last, with Intel’s latest Pentium III-M range boasting the best performance. Intel’s mobile Celerons along with AMD’s mobile Athlon 4 and Duron processors are also good choices. The fastest chips always carry a huge premium, so consider the second or third fastest.

Screen

All but the very cheapest notebooks use high-quality TFT screens. They vary enormously in size and resolution though, and have a big impact on cost. Sufficient for most are 14.1in screens with XGA (1024x768) resolution, and they are comparable with a 15in desktop monitor.

Memory

Memory can make a massive difference to overall performance. Go for at least 64Mb of Ram, and preferably 128Mb. If you’re going to use your notebook for videoaudio editing or photo retouching work, then upgrading to 256Mb is a good idea.

Disk

Notebook hard disks can be tricky to upgrade, so choose one with plenty of capacity for the future. Aim for 10Gb minimum, or at least 20Gb if you’re going to use your notebook as a replacement for a desktop computer or are into audio, video or digital photos.

Drives

Today’s notebooks can accommodate all manner of drives, from the humble floppy to a combination DVDCD-RW, but they all add size and weight. If you want the slimmest, lightest notebook, you’ll have to sacrifice functionality, but remember a CD or DVD drive is essential for installing software. If you want to get files out of your notebook, go for a ZIP drive or CD rewriter.

Removable or external drives can reduce the overall weight - handy if you don’t need them while travelling.

Plugs and ports

Almost every notebook features at least one USB port and PC card slot for expansion, but beyond that you may be limited. Only the larger PC notebooks will have old-style serial, parallel and PS2 ports, which may be required for connecting to older devices. Remember you’ll also need a VGA port to connect your notebook to an external monitor or projector - essential for presentations.

Wireless connectivity

The latest word on notebooks is wireless communications. The serious standard is WiFi, which uses a wireless version of Ethernet for proper networking facilities - it’s also known as 802.11b or AirPort. Bluetooth is a simpler standard and only really useful for connecting suitably-equipped mobile phones. Bluetooth is nowhere near as fast or secure as WiFi and operates over a shorter distance.

Infra-red can also be used to talk to most mobile phones, but is becoming rare on new notebooks. If your notebook does not have infra-red, you’ll need to use Bluetooth or a wired connection to your mobile phone.

Recommended models

Apple arguably produces the most desirable notebooks around, with its Titanium G4 ruling the roost - you’re looking at pound;1,800 to pound;2,500 depending on configuration. Its latest G3 iBooks are also excellent from pound;1,000, although the latest 600MHz with combo drive will set you back nearer pound;1,500.

If you’d prefer a Windows-based notebook it’s hard to go wrong with a Dell Inspiron, which starts at around pound;1,000 for a 900MHz mobile PIII model with 14in screen, 10Gb disk and 128Mb Ram. Sony’s VAIO range of notebooks is also excellent, although unforgivably lacking infra-red. HiGrade, Elonex and Viglen also produce respectable notebooks.

Whoever you buy from, you should be looking at spending a minimum of pound;1,000 for a decent modern specification. Note that Windows 2000 and XP offer superior power-saving facilities to Windows 98 and ME.

Laptop do’s and don’ts

Don’t assume you can upgrade. Choose a specification that will last Do go for 128Mb of Ram as this gives much better performance than 64Mb Don’t assume USB and FireWire are enough. Some older devices require older ports

Do buy a notebook with infra-red if you want to use a mobile phone with an infra-red modem

Don’t bother with Bluetooth unless you have, or are considering, a Bluetooth mobile phone

Do go for WiFi if you want to connect to a wireless network at home or in the office

Don’t expect the best 3D graphics. Desktop PCs and Macs can be much better for games

Do go for a FireWireiLink port if you want to edit video from a DV camcorder

Do have a CD-Rom drive or you’ll find it almost impossible to install software

Do buy a floppy, CD-RW or ZIP drive if you need to copy files on to removable disks

Do make sure your notebook has an Ethernet port if you’re connecting it to a wired network

Do get a built-in modem if you’re connecting to the Net using a phone line

Help with hardware funding

Teachers wanting advice on how to get more portable devices, from laptops to Palm Pilots, to students should visit the e-Learning Foundation on stand T63 at the BETT exhibition to learn more about its public-private partnership approach. The organisation, set up last year, has already helped several local foundations to obtain more than pound;4 million to spend on portable computers for pupils.

www.elearningfoundation.com