Choosing the Right Business Laptop
The Top 7 Business-friendly Laptop Features
By
:
Sarah Pierce
(6/15/2009)
Choosing a business laptop for a newly mobile workforce can be a daunting task. The sheer number of options available can work against you when deciding which features and options you need most.
Simple vs. Sophisticated
When choosing a laptop, the first thing to factor in is what you’ll be using it for. Are you a small business that needs its laptops to perform simple tasks, or is your team built of specialized professionals who will need to run demanding applications?
“If the goal of providing a laptop is to provide not much more than e-mail, Internet access, and communication capabilities, it’s important to eliminate features that may hinder the performance or operability of the laptop," says Ben Silverman, a software engineer. "Components such as powerful video cards, widescreen/high-resolution screens, and biometric user recognition might not be necessary for basic laptop users.”
But if the nature of your business requires high-performance multimedia capabilities, such as video editing or graphic design, you’ll want to invest in a more powerful and sophisticated system that has high-resolution screens, dual video cards and a quad-core processor.
“This is not the average business laptop, but it’s worth noting that these options are available,” says Silverman. “For basic business users, a laptop with 1GB to 2GB of RAM and a 2.0+ GHz processor will be very effective for simultaneously running word processing applications, e-mail clients, a Web browser and instant messaging software without any noticeable performance lag.”
RAM, he adds, is inexpensive to upgrade if the need to run more sophisticated programs arises.
Performance and Power
Dual and quad-core processors are important features to consider when purchasing a laptop. Dual-core processors are less expensive than quad-core processors, and not surprisingly, that’s because dual-cores perform at a lower capacity. Lower, however, doesn’t mean worse, and might be exactly the right thing for your small to medium business.
“Dual-core processors are fairly inexpensive and are highly recommended for any business laptop,” says Silverman.
Rita Gorman, a systems administrator at Polymicro Technologies, agrees. “A dual-core processor has many advantages, especially for those looking to boost their system's multitasking computing power. While each core operates simultaneously, the operating system has sufficient resources to handle tasks in parallel. This capability provides a noticeable improvement to multitasking.”
Mobile workstations that perform more demanding applications may need a quad-core processor.
Security
Protect your laptop and any sensitive information stored on it by choosing a model that meets your business’s security needs. Elements such as hard drive data encryption and remote administration should come as standard features. Companies that need more protection should opt for more advanced security features such as fingerprint readers for user authentication and laptop tracking and recovery protection.
Battery Life
Depending on how mobile you are, a laptop’s battery life is a very important feature to consider. Batteries typically last from 4 and 7 hours before needing to be recharged, though some models boast battery power that can last between 9 and 10 hours. Keep in mind, though, that you might have to sacrifice some performance power for a higher battery life or turn off features to achieve optimum battery life.
“The longer the battery life can last, the more features and components will be lacking,” says Silverman.
Portability
Today’s laptops come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re highly mobile, choose a thin, lightweight model that’s easy to carry. More stationary mobile users can opt for heavier models with larger display screens.
Durability
Protect your investment by choosing laptops that are designed to hold up in tough conditions, including accidental drops and spills. Reinforced chassis, robust hinges and latches, shock absorbers, and free-fall sensing hard drives help to prevent damage to the laptop and the data stored inside.
Connectivity
To be productive while mobile, most need to stay connected. Choose a laptop that has built-in wireless and Bluetooth technology.
“Another common feature to consider is if the system has a built-in microphone and Web camera, as this will allow for easier capabilities for network conferencing and Web meetings,” says Gorman.
Going mobile is an important step for any business. Choosing the best laptop model to meet all your business needs is never an easy task, but it can be made simpler by factoring in these seven features.
Simple vs. Sophisticated
When choosing a laptop, the first thing to factor in is what you’ll be using it for. Are you a small business that needs its laptops to perform simple tasks, or is your team built of specialized professionals who will need to run demanding applications?
“If the goal of providing a laptop is to provide not much more than e-mail, Internet access, and communication capabilities, it’s important to eliminate features that may hinder the performance or operability of the laptop," says Ben Silverman, a software engineer. "Components such as powerful video cards, widescreen/high-resolution screens, and biometric user recognition might not be necessary for basic laptop users.”
But if the nature of your business requires high-performance multimedia capabilities, such as video editing or graphic design, you’ll want to invest in a more powerful and sophisticated system that has high-resolution screens, dual video cards and a quad-core processor.
“This is not the average business laptop, but it’s worth noting that these options are available,” says Silverman. “For basic business users, a laptop with 1GB to 2GB of RAM and a 2.0+ GHz processor will be very effective for simultaneously running word processing applications, e-mail clients, a Web browser and instant messaging software without any noticeable performance lag.”
RAM, he adds, is inexpensive to upgrade if the need to run more sophisticated programs arises.
Performance and Power
Dual and quad-core processors are important features to consider when purchasing a laptop. Dual-core processors are less expensive than quad-core processors, and not surprisingly, that’s because dual-cores perform at a lower capacity. Lower, however, doesn’t mean worse, and might be exactly the right thing for your small to medium business.
“Dual-core processors are fairly inexpensive and are highly recommended for any business laptop,” says Silverman.
Rita Gorman, a systems administrator at Polymicro Technologies, agrees. “A dual-core processor has many advantages, especially for those looking to boost their system's multitasking computing power. While each core operates simultaneously, the operating system has sufficient resources to handle tasks in parallel. This capability provides a noticeable improvement to multitasking.”
Mobile workstations that perform more demanding applications may need a quad-core processor.
Security
Protect your laptop and any sensitive information stored on it by choosing a model that meets your business’s security needs. Elements such as hard drive data encryption and remote administration should come as standard features. Companies that need more protection should opt for more advanced security features such as fingerprint readers for user authentication and laptop tracking and recovery protection.
Battery Life
Depending on how mobile you are, a laptop’s battery life is a very important feature to consider. Batteries typically last from 4 and 7 hours before needing to be recharged, though some models boast battery power that can last between 9 and 10 hours. Keep in mind, though, that you might have to sacrifice some performance power for a higher battery life or turn off features to achieve optimum battery life.
“The longer the battery life can last, the more features and components will be lacking,” says Silverman.
Portability
Today’s laptops come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re highly mobile, choose a thin, lightweight model that’s easy to carry. More stationary mobile users can opt for heavier models with larger display screens.
Durability
Protect your investment by choosing laptops that are designed to hold up in tough conditions, including accidental drops and spills. Reinforced chassis, robust hinges and latches, shock absorbers, and free-fall sensing hard drives help to prevent damage to the laptop and the data stored inside.
Connectivity
To be productive while mobile, most need to stay connected. Choose a laptop that has built-in wireless and Bluetooth technology.
“Another common feature to consider is if the system has a built-in microphone and Web camera, as this will allow for easier capabilities for network conferencing and Web meetings,” says Gorman.
Going mobile is an important step for any business. Choosing the best laptop model to meet all your business needs is never an easy task, but it can be made simpler by factoring in these seven features.