CNET's notebook buying guide
What kind of laptop is right for me?
To choose the right notebook--one with the right set of features at the right price--you'll need to figure out how you'll want to use your machine. Match your needs to one of these user profiles to get started.
 Home user 
Home users are increasingly turning to notebooks as second or third PCs for the home. Notebooks can offer similar performance and features to those of a desktop PC, but they can be easily moved from room to room. Two types of notebooks are suitable for home users: mainstream notebooks and desktop replacements.
KEY FEATURES:
| Processor: AMD Turion, Intel Core Duo, or Intel Core 2 Duo |
| At least 512MB of memory |
| Large hard drive for storing digital photos and video |
| 14-inch display or larger |
| Fixed or swappable DVD/CDRW combo drives |
| External keyboard and mouse |
| Ethernet and wireless networking |
| Microsoft Windows XP Home |
| Microsoft Works Suite |
Students and others on a tight budget should look for a laptop that delivers the most bang for the buck. In particular, students need a notebook that is small and light enough to lug back and forth across campus but rugged enough to withstand bouncing around in a backpack.
KEY FEATURES:
| Processor: AMD Turion, Intel Core Duo, or Intel Core 2 Duo |
| At least 512MB of memory |
| Big hard drive to hold all those MP3s |
| DVD/CDRW combo drive for burning audio CDs |
| Wired and wireless networking for network-equipped classrooms and dorm rooms |
| Microsoft Windows XP Home or Apple Mac OS X |
| Microsoft Office XP Student & Teacher Edition or Office X for Mac OS |
If you spend a lot of time on the road, size and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook--even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features. The smallest and lightest notebooks, ultraportables, weigh less than 1.8kg and are no thicker than a spiral-bound notebook.
KEY FEATURES:
| Processor: AMD Turion, Intel Core Duo, or Intel Core 2 Duo |
| At least 512MB of memory |
| A 13.3-inch display or smaller |
| Wired and wireless networking |
| Extended battery for those cross-country flights |
| Media slice or external USB DVD/CDRW combo drive |
| Port replicator for the desk |
| Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Tablet Edition |
| Microsoft Office XP Professional Edition |
If you rely on the same notebook at work, at home, and on the road, you need a well-balanced system. And it has to deliver the performance to keep up with a wide range of applications. A thin-and-light is just the ticket.
KEY FEATURES:
| Processor: AMD Turion or Intel Core 2 Duo |
| At least 512MB of memory |
| Midsized hard drive |
| A 14-inch or 15.4-inch display |
| Dual-layer DVD burner |
| Wired and wireless networking |
| Extra battery |
| Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Media Center Edition |
| Microsoft Office XP Professional |
If you demand more from a notebook, you'll need a true desktop replacement . Whether you're designing a Web site, editing home movies, or mowing down aliens, your notebook will demand a powerful processor, plenty of memory, great graphics, and a healthy hard drive.
KEY FEATURES:
| Processor: AMD Turion or Intel Core 2 Duo |
| 1GB to 2GB of memory |
| A 15.4-inch display or larger |
| Advanced graphics card with 128MB or 256MB of its own memory |
| The largest and fastest hard drive available |
| Dual-layer DVD burner |
| Multimedia connectors, such as S-Video, DVI, FireWire, S/PDIF |
| External keyboard and mouse |
| Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional, Microsoft Media Center Edition, or Apple Mac OS X |
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