Notebook Computer Purchasing Guide:
Recommendations for Fourth Quarter 2007-2008

Recognizing that there are a variety of notebooks which meet different needs, this Information Systems & Computing (ISC) purchasing guide for 2007-2008 presents three alternative configurations.

Mid-Weight Notebook

These notebooks are generally used as a primary desktop system or ‘desktop-equivalent’, with a need to have most drives on board. They tend to weigh between five and seven pounds and have medium-sized (14.1-inch to 15.4-inch) screens. In performance and capability, they tend to be relatively close to last year's desktop recommendations. Examples of such notebooks are the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch, the Dell Latitude D630, the Dell Latitude D830, the Lenovo ThinkPad T61 14-inch, and the Lenovo ThinkPad T61 15-inch.

Notes: this specification does not apply to extremely large portable systems often called desknotes. Desknotes are generally not useable as notebooks - they are too large and have too little battery life. ISC has developed a separate set of desknote recommendations

Lightweight Notebook

These notebooks, sometimes called sub-notebooks, tend to weigh between two and five pounds and have small (12.1-inch to 13.3-inch) screens. In performance, they tend to be relatively close to last year's desktop recommendations, but contain fewer features. Examples of such notebooks are the Apple MacBook Air, the Apple MacBook (in its higher-priced versions), the Dell Latitude D430, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61s, the Lenovo ThinkPad X300, the Toshiba Portégé R400, and the Toshiba Portégé R500.

Notes: some Intel-based lightweight notebooks are Tablet PCs - in other words, they support Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, which is a pen-based superset of Windows XP Professional and/or they support Windows Vista. ISC sees Tablet PCs as an emerging technology; providers that have previously considered or deployed pen-based computing devices should strongly consider evaluating these devices. Please see ISC's Tablet PC Purchasing Guide for more information.

Peripheral notes: media slices, port replicators, and docking stations are not included in this pricing - they can be expected to add to the estimated price in these amounts:

• Media slices; $100 - $200
• Port replicators; $150 - $200
• Docking stations; $450 - $550

Value Notebooks

This specification is intended as a complement to the recommendations for desktop systems in ISC's Value PC Buyers Guide. These notebooks tend to weigh between five and eight pounds and have small to medium sized (13.3-inch to 15.4-inch) screens. In performance, they tend to lag behind last year's desktop recommendations and contain fewer features. Examples of such notebooks are the Apple MacBook (in its lower priced versions), the Dell Latitude D630 (in its lower priced versions), and the Lenovo ThinkPad T61 (in its lower priced versions).

Low Cost Notebooks – Not Recommended

Price reductions resulting from market competition and continued technical innovation make the definition of "Low Cost Notebooks" a moving target. It is generally true, however, that notebooks priced in the bottom 30% of the current range (currently ranging from $500 to $1000) compromise some combination of performance, reliability, compatibility, or expandability to achieve the lowest possible costs. Compatibility with recommended network products is a particularly important consideration at Penn, as is a three-year warranty.

Bearing in mind that you get what you pay for, and that the costs associated with supporting these systems significantly outweigh the actual purchase price, ISC recommends that "Low Cost Notebooks" not be purchased for general use.

General Notebook Observations

Estimated prices for these notebooks include three-year service plans from the manufacturers, which ISC strongly recommends. Note that the three year warranty is an extra cost for some notebooks (including Macintoshes) and that this cost is reflected in the estimated price.

Pricing is generated using the online configurators available from Dell, Apple, and Lenovo and is for general reference only. Support providers will often be able to generate more competitive pricing using various means, such as purchasing components (RAM, etc.) seperately and taking advantage of vendor bundles and rebates.

These specifications are sometimes revised in mid-quarter when major changes in configurations from Apple, Dell, and Lenovo become generally available. When this happens, the relevant notebook category has the revision date highlighted in red and both operating system categories are repriced.

Other than some differences in peripherals, support for notebook systems is generally little different than for desktop systems.

Notebook manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and Toshiba.

Operating Systems

Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 is supported and recommended. It is an appropriate choice for new systems running the Windows platform because of its emphasis on security, superior driver support, stability, connectivity, and supportability. It is also the only version of Windows XP to implement the "No Execute" security capability supported by all current Intel and AMD processors. ISC does not recommend, but will support Windows XP Home Service Pack 2. Windows XP Home is missing important networking and security features, such as domain-based authentication, that are critical to many Schools and Centers in the University.

Windows Vista (Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions) is also supported and recommended for general use, though it is not currently compatible with all University applications. ISC does not recommend, but will support Home Premium. Home Premium is missing important networking and security features, such as domain-based authentication, that are essential to many Schools and Centers in the University. ISC will not support Home Basic. Home Basic is missing many important networking, maintenance, and security features that are critical to many Schools and Centers at the University. See the University's main Windows Vista page for more information and advice.

Mac OS 10.5.x is the only supported and recommended choice for new Macintosh systems, as Apple's newly released systems always require the latest version of the Mac OS. It features superior driver support and security. See the University's main Mac OS 10.5 page for more information and advice.

Apple's Boot Camp technology offers the promise of added flexibility in the future for users who need to occasionally use Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista. It should not be used to turn a Macintosh into a full time Windows machine. Boot Camp also requires that both the Windows and the Mac OS operating systems be patched and maintained.

Other Resources

If your school or center is considering a notebook purchase, ISC strongly recommends a consultation to weigh pros and cons in today's rapidly changing environment (contact John Mulhern III in ISC, mulhernj@isc.upenn.edu; 573-3567).

Notebook computer change history

Desktop Recommendations