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The Laptop Compatibility Quiz

Q. Are you a high-flying business traveller? A gamer who’s on the go? Or just an average Joe? A. Whatever your personality, we’ll help you find a laptop that’s right for you.

By Darren Gladstone / Tuesday, September 29 2009

Q. Do you want to write a few email messages or surf the web while listening to some music? Figure out the family budget? Watch a DVD movie or two?

A. You’re an Average Joe.


Q. Are you on the lookout for a no-compromise laptop that will power through the day while staying true to the bottom line? Are you ready to get down to business?

A. You’re a Corporate Raider.


Q. Regardless of whether you’re on permanent vacation or travelling for work, do you want power and a light load? Above all, must it be stylish?

A. You’re a Jet-setter.


Q. Late to class? Again? Are you faced with overstuffed bags and an under-stuffed wallet?

A. You’re a Student.


Q. Forum know-it-all? Multimedia junkie? Action addict? Do you want only the best of the best?
Is “Nerd” printed on your business card?

A. You’re a Gamer.





As an average Joe, you don’t demand the fastest machine around, and you certainly don’t care about every single bell or whistle that many pricey laptops offer. You need only a couple of key features, and if the laptop you’re considering can offer a little extra, so much the better. You require something portable enough to let you take work on the road – and maybe entertain the kids with a movie. Perhaps it can enable you to play a few casual games in your off hours, and, of course, surf the web, compose email, and juggle Office documents.

CPU: Most all-purpose laptops these days offer decent performance. You won’t need to expend much effort to find a notebook that can deliver decent video playback and run your office applications at a reasonable clip. Heck, you might even be able to sneak in a bit of casual gaming on the sly. As for which CPUs to consider – whether AMD or Intel – you don’t have to lay out a fortune. An Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Mobile CPU, for example, is plenty for handling Windows Vista’s everyday chores. AMD’s 2.3GHz Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile ZM-84 CPU, also available in value-priced all-purpose portables, doesn’t run quite as quickly, but it delivers just enough gusto for a slightly lower price than Intel products.

System memory: The cheapest and best way to get a quick performance boost in any computer is to load up on the RAM. Most machines offer at least 2GB of RAM these days. (One warning: The 32-bit versions of Windows Vista support only about 3GB of RAM; if you plan on ever going higher in your laptop, make sure that you buy a 64-bit version of Vista.) The safe bet is to upgrade memory from the get-go: if you’re having your laptop built to order, add RAM then. Upgrading to 3GB or 4GB may seem like overkill initially, but if you want to hang on to the laptop for a while, that extra memory will keep your system motoring longer.

Graphics board (aka GPU): The GPU can make or break your experience on a laptop, yet this is the first thing the manufacturer will give short shrift to in order to achieve a lower price. At the very least, go for a notebook that offers a discrete graphics board option, even if you’re not completely convinced that you’ll need it. A GPU can affect performance in ways you may never have considered, so don’t dismiss discrete graphics as being a necessity only for gamers. Maybe you want to watch a movie in glorious 720p on the notebook’s expansive screen. Or perhaps you’ll find yourself charmed by Vista’s Aero environment – all of that eye candy gets a big boost from a graphics processor.

Screen size and native resolution: If you’re buying a laptop for general-purpose use, the sweet spot for screen size ranges from 13 to 16 inches, depending on your specific needs. But in considering such sizes, many shoppers fail to take into account the display’s native resolution, which is typically too low and can make for some hard-to-read text. It’s a personal-preference thing, but I’m partial to laptops with 14-inch screens. That size is just roomy enough to accommodate video well, yet it still makes for a machine that’s easy to transport. If video is your thing, try to steer toward a laptop that offers resolutions capable of widescreen 720p video. (Hint: if the screen has a resolution above 1,280 x 720, it could technically give you a 720p picture, so long as the laptop has the horsepower.) Most notebook screens should be able to do that now, but you also need to consider whether the laptop’s graphics processor is capable of producing the optimum picture (see above).

Battery life: First, ask yourself how much travel time you’ll need with your laptop. On average, an all-purpose notebook will last about 3.5 to 4 hours on a single charge. If you don’t expect to go mobile often, don’t bother with a big battery. If you’ll be bringing your machine on the road regularly, start looking at higher-capacity batteries for the next long haul. And don’t trust vendors’ battery-life specs – many of them quote times for their laptops configured with higher-capacity batteries and with many of the notebook’s features turned off (dimming the screen brightness to nothingness and shutting off wi-fi, for instance). Want the straight scoop? Check out our WorldBench 6 test results for laptops (see pcworld.co.nz). We use a bunch of real-world programs in real-world situations, and we run the notebooks into the ground.

Optical drive: These days almost every laptop packs a DVD burner – and many of them offer LightScribe technology for inscribing images or labels on top of specially coated discs. For enjoying high-definition flicks, Blu-ray Disc is the format of choice. Most laptops come standard with a DVD-RW drive, but BD-ROM drives are slowly creeping into all-purpose laptops too. Of course, adding a BD-ROM drive often means tacking a few extra dollars onto the price tag.

Connectivity: Most all-purpose machines offer three or four USB ports, an SD/Memory Stick flash card reader,
a webcam, headphone jacks, VGA ports, and Ethernet jacks. And without exception, such notebooks also have at least 802.11g wireless (802.11n should be ubiquitous within the next few months).

Extra features: For the near future, you’ll want to have HDMI-out (for high-definition video) and eSATA (for high-speed data transfers). Another addition that notebook makers are including more often as time goes by is a hybrid USB/eSATA port. We’re also seeing some all-purpose models with a pass-through charging port, which allows you to charge a USB-powered device through the laptop – even when it isn’t on.

Our picks: Selecting one laptop that’s perfect for everyday use is a bit tricky, but Acer’s Aspire Timeline 4810T hits most of the basic needs for under $2,000. It might not be the fastest thoroughbred in the stable (it earned a mark of only 58 in WorldBench 6 tests), but it’s fast enough to finish the race – while carrying a host of features. Acer manages to cram in both HDMI and VGA video outputs, three USB 2.0 ports, a flash-card reader, Ethernet, wi-fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), and Bluetooth.

The machine also provides a DVD burner and a 5400-rpm, 320GB hard drive. Another all-purpose alternative is the $1,999 HP Pavilion dv3, which offers eSATA ports and other great options in a lightweight frame. Similar to the Acer 4810T, the dv3 scored 64 in WorldBench 6. If you’re looking for a bigger screen, consider Dell’s Studio XPS 16. Its hardy construction and sweet-looking 16-inch screen will grab your attention. Of course, with that high-end display, it will also grab your wallet – our review unit would set you back about $3,000.



You’re a very busy professional, so we’ll bottom-line this for you. All you care about is a laptop that will get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, and you don’t want some luxury status symbol. Games and movies – who has the time? You want a reasonable, portable, general-purpose business machine that will juggle spreadsheets and look decent while doing it, but you aren’t trying to impress clients with the calibre of your computer.

CPU: You’re mainly concerned about booting Windows in a hurry between meetings and being able to run rings around office suites. You’ll probably be fine with an average-priced CPU. An Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Mobile CPU, for example, easily handles everyday chores in Vista. AMD’s 2.3GHz Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile ZM-84 may not be as fast, but it works fine, and it’ll save you some money.

System memory: You’re angling for speed, so your machine needs 4GB of RAM. Having lots of memory is the easiest, most cost-effective way to get a power boost. For smooth performance with that much RAM, buy a 64-bit version of Vista.

Graphics board (aka GPU): An integrated GPU should be sufficient. The only reason you’d need discrete graphics firepower would be to help your video presentations run well (or to sneak in a little World of Warcraft in the hotel room after a day of meetings). If you want to output snazzy HD sans stutters, you may be able to get away with integrated graphics, but a laptop with some discrete-graphics oomph would be better.

Screen size and native resolution: You might not need a crazy-high resolution to navigate spreadsheets, but keep all of your activities in mind. Will you have to hook the laptop to projectors? A 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution is reasonable. One more thing: laptops with screens larger than 16 inches may seem brilliant, but few of them fit in a conventional carry-on bag.

Battery life: If you plan to go a long way between recharges, a good business laptop with a high-capacity battery will offer about 7 hours of life on a single charge – enough for you to make it through even the most drawn-out meetings.

Keyboard and pointing device: We’re starting to see more laptops of manageable size with a ten-key number pad in addition to the QWERTY layout. The HP ProBook line, for example, crams a good-size ten-key onto a 15.6-inch machine. If you need to crunch tonnes of figures, that feature will go a long way, though you might lose some room on the QWERTY side.

Dimensions/weight: Since you need to be nimble during the workday, you’ll want something around the 2kg range.

Connectivity: If your laptop has VGA-out, you should be covered during presentations. Web connectivity is also essential. You’re going to need at least 802.11n wi-fi, and you should consider a Wireless WAN (mobile 3G) option so that you can be constantly connected when you’re on the road.

Extra features: Besides stocking up on hardware to future-proof your laptop (such as HDMI for HD video output and eSATA for fast data transfers), look for USB ports that let you recharge other devices through them when the PC is off. Also consider an accelerometer to protect your hard drive in case you drop your laptop. You’ll need a good suite of applications that will prepare you for the workday, too. Fujitsu’s apps can help salespeople who have to plug into someone else’s display, but Lenovo captures the prize with its ThinkVantage suite – it’s like having IT on-call.

Our pick: Lenovo’s ThinkPad T400 is our choice for a solid-performing business laptop. It lasted 8 hours in battery tests and earned a respectable mark of 92 in WorldBench 6. That kind of muscle can get you through the workday – and with prices starting at about $2,300, it won’t push you into the red.


Maybe it’s for work, maybe it’s for play. Maybe both. But when you take your tech entourage on the road, you want to go light – and in style. You don’t want to disconnect from the world or from your entertainment, so you often eyeball magazines and websites (PC World first among them, of course) to learn about the latest, sleekest ultraportables on the planet. Before you hop on that Lear jet or set sail on that yacht, read on for help in choosing your ideal travelling companion.

CPU: Ultraportables usually have CPUs that are sprightly enough to power through basic documents and score in the 80s in WorldBench 6. That may not seem lightning-quick, but it’s more than twice as fast as your garden-variety netbook. (The Lenovo ThinkPad X200, for example, has a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 and notched a mark of 88.) Of course, the average ultraportable starts at $2,000 versus $800 for an Atom-powered netbook, so be glad you can afford to travel first class.

System memory: Thin-and-light laptops need all of the help they can get to wrangle Windows Vista. If the notebook you have your eye on comes standard with 3GB of RAM, upgrade to 4GB. And if you hope to actually use all of that RAM, make sure that you have the 64-bit version of Windows installed.

Graphics board (aka GPU): I have to give ultraportable makers credit: many try to shoehorn GPUs into their machines. The inconceivably thin MacBook Air, for instance, makes room for an nVidia GeForce 9400M, a discrete graphics card perfectly capable of playing games. Most business ultraportables, however, use integrated GPUs and can barely handle Vista. If all you care about is watching a couple of movies on your next flight to Fiji, you should be able to squeeze out enough performance from an integrated GPU. Want high-quality HD? Consider a discrete graphics card.

Screen size and native resolution: Ultraportable screens max out at 13.3 inches. As for screen resolution, don’t expect much more than 1,280 x 800 pixels. On any system you consider, make sure the display is large enough and sharp enough for you to read without developing eyestrain.

Battery life: Thanks to ultraportables’ light weight, strapping a high-capacity battery onto one is easy to justify. With the extra battery capacity, the Lenovo X200 lasted for nearly 9 hours in our tests. If nine-cell batteries are available for your potential laptop, look into them.

Keyboard and pointing device: Try to lay your hands on an ultraportable before you buy it. Take special note of the size of the touchpad and the keyboard; manufacturers usually end up making one too small.

Optical drive: Many paper-thin ultraportables, like the MacBook Air, ditch the optical drive. Others, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X300, somehow slip one in. I’ll always opt for one with an optical drive, but your needs may vary.

Dimensions/weight: A machine in this class will weigh, at most, 2kg. The biggest factor is the battery – especially if you get a nice, big battery for long flights.

Connectivity: Thin-and-lights are focused on internet access, anywhere. Beyond 802.11n wi-fi, you’ll find that many ultraportables these days offer Wireless WAN (mobile 3G) capability.

Extra features: A large solid-state drive (SSD) offers plenty of storage room but takes up very little physical space inside the computer. Though their costs are coming down, SSDs still tack a bit onto the price of an already-expensive ultra-portable.

Our pick: It isn’t the speediest machine, but we like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X301. Thin and a little more straitlaced than the MacBook Air, the X301 is a superthin-and-light (1.45kg) laptop with an optical drive and plenty of ports. Naturally, like any good ultraportable, it’ll cost you – a lot.
Our review configuration was $3,532.


If you’re constantly running off to class, your portable has to be really light. You need something that you can take notes on all day long and use for assignments at home. And it shouldn’t cut into your tight budget – living on toast and tea is bad enough! We’re talking netbooks here, for bookworms who don’t need a big, beefy machine. All you engineering students and future Photoshoppers, turn to the gamer-centric laptops on page 53; you might require the same kind of desktop-replacement muscle that gamers do.

CPU: The Intel Atom CPU, which powers most netbooks, is strong enough to run Windows XP. (Some foolhardy vendors have tried using Vista on Atom-powered netbooks, but those models run in slow motion.) These days, alternatives are popping up, namely the VIA Nano and the AMD Athlon Neo. AMD’s product is capable of running Vista and is faster than conventional netbook chips, but it’s still not nearly as speedy as what you find in ultraportables. Our test Athlon Neo machine earned a mark of 45 in WorldBench 6 running Vista (netbooks normally score around 36).

System memory: You won’t find many netbooks sold with more than 1GB of RAM, but several have opened up a little, allowing you to jack up the memory on your own. Toshiba’s new NB200 netbooks, for example, can go up to 2GB.

Graphics board (aka GPU): In a word: none. You get integrated graphics that are just barely passable, and may be adequate for basic games. Keep in mind, though, that nVidia’s Ion platform (which marries an Atom CPU with the nVidia GeForce 9400M GPU) will be available as of mid-August in Lenovo’s IdeaPad S12; it promises HD video and 3D gaming on the cheap.

Screen size and native resolution: We’re starting to see screens approaching 12 inches. Usually, netbooks have a native resolution of 1,024 x 600 pixels; if you use a program that defaults to 1,024 x 768, plug your netbook into a monitor and reset the app’s resolution. If you’re concerned about the low resolution, look at Lenovo’s IdeaPad S12 or HP’s Pavilion dv2; both support a native resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels.

Battery life: When netbooks first came out, their battery life was pathetic – 2 hours, if you were lucky. Now, though, some can run a marathon. On average, expect a netbook to last 3.5 hours.

Keyboard and pointing device: The curse of these Lilliputian laptops is tiny touchpads with awkwardly placed mouse buttons. The tightly packed keys are difficult for adult hands to use, too, so be sure to try a netbook or two in person before you commit to purchasing anything.

Optical drive: What optical drive? If you need one, you can buy an external USB-connected drive for $40 online.

Dimensions/weight: Netbooks come in at less than 1.5kg and are about as large as a hardback book, the perfect size for chucking into a bag and running out the door with.

Connectivity: It’s strictly the basics here. Usually you’ll find three USB ports, a VGA-out jack, Ethernet, an SD Card reader, a webcam, and headphone and mic jacks. Recently we saw Vodafone offering subsidised netbooks for sale, too. The promise of a “no cash upfront” netbook with Wireless WAN (mobile 3G) access sounds good; but the category is only one generation old, and it’s bound to improve again soon. Do you want to be stuck with your netbook until your contract runs out in two years? Didn’t think so.

Our picks: If you’re on a tight budget, look at the Asus Eee PC 1000HE or 1008HA. Both are stylish standouts that offer great battery life and good-size keyboards for around $900. I also recommend the $1,399 HP Pavilion dv2 often. Neither a true netbook nor a full notebook, it offers you a little more juice while you’re on the go, plus an external optical drive and a discrete GPU to play games like Left 4 Dead.


You’ve got game. Lots of games, in fact. Maybe you want a true surround-sound, 1080p home-theatre experience in your lap. Or if you’re on the creative side, maybe you plan to edit video and enhance images in Photoshop. Whatever the case, you constantly crave high-performance computers and you don’t care how much they cost – or how much desktop real estate they commandeer. Laptops that fall into this category are often referred to as desktop replacements because they can be just about as big as a desktop PC.

CPU: Considering the Death Star size of some desktop-replacements, you’ll find a wide variety of CPUs inside. Dell’s Alienware M17x sports an Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad CPU, while Toshiba’s Satellite Pro P300 packs a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo T9550, which offers good – if not great – performance.

System memory: Since 64-bit versions of Vista can support larger amounts of RAM than 32-bit versions can, you’ll see desktop replacements rising to the challenge. Dell’s monster machine boasts 8GB, but 4GB will do you just fine.

Graphics board (aka GPU): Top-flight gaming relies on discrete video chipsets from nVidia or AMD holding at least 512MB of dedicated graphics memory. Many laptops make do with a single graphics card. HP’s HDX 18, for instance, uses nVidia’s 512MB GeForce 9600M GT. The highest of high-end laptops, such as Dell’s M17x, put two cards together. The M17x relies on dual Nvidia 260M GTX GPUs; other machines have two ATI cards working in tandem. In the end, it’s a matter of how much speed you’re willing to pay for in a portable. You might also keep an eye out for laptops offering the nVidia GeForce GTX 260 or 280.

Screen size and native resolution: Most gaming notebooks have roomy screens with high resolutions to match. While more-modest gaming laptops with 15-inch screens are entering the market, high-end systems still offer 17- or 18.4-inch screens that support resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200 (the resolution I prefer). Be wary of any desktop replacement that has a native resolution of 1,650 x 1,080 or less – that’s a surefire sign that the laptop is underpowered.

Keyboard and pointing device: Notebooks in the gaming category typically have a keyboard that is almost full-size, as well as a large touchpad. Sounds good, right? Well, for ergonomics’ sake, consider springing for a real mouse to go alongside the keyboard wherever you park your laptop. The frequent, rapid motions required for intensive gaming simply aren’t suited for touchpads – they’ll leave you with a gnarled hand.

Optical drive: Since high-end laptops offer 1080p resolution, you can expect to see them include a Blu-ray Disc drive too.

Dimensions/weight: These machines can weigh as much as 5kg – they’re called “desktop replacements” for a reason.

Connectivity: Expect a desktop replacement to have five or six USB ports, HDMI-out, eSATA…you name it, it’s in there.

Extra features: Thanks to their girth, some high-end laptops promise awesome audio. In reality, many mail it in and others offer merely decent sound; only a few nail it. Toshiba’s Qosmios, for instance, continually deliver audio dynamite through their Harman/Kardon speakers. We’ve found that some laptops configured with Altec-Lansing audio fare nicely as well.

Our picks: When looking at our reviews, don’t go just by the WorldBench 6 score. The frame rates we obtained in games are the truest indicator of how good a power laptop will be for you. If money is no object, by all means spend $4,800 on Dell’s benchmark-busting Alienware M17x notebook; but for a good combination of price and performance, look to Toshiba’s well-balanced P300. The P300 garnered a fairly impressive WorldBench 6 score of 105 and did a great job running Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and Unreal Tournament III (at 80 and 88 frames per second, respectively). And at $3,700, the P300 sells for $1,000 less than the Alienware M17x.