Laptop Computer Purchasing Guide:
Recommendations for 2001-2002

In previous versions of the desktop recommendations, Information Systems & Computing (ISC) included a laptop recommendation as a part of the desktop recommendations. Recognizing that there are a variety of laptops which meet different needs, this purchase guide for 2001-2002 presents four alternative configurations:

1. A laptop being used as a primary desktop workstation or ‘desktop-equivalent’, with a need to have all drives on board. These laptops tend to weigh between six and nine pounds, have large (14.1-inch to 15.7-inch) screens, and have internal floppy disk and optical drives ('three-spindle' in industry parlance). In performance and capability, they tend to be relatively close to last year’s desktop recommendations. Examples of such a laptop are the Apple PowerBook G4, the Dell Latitude C810 (Pentium III) and C840 (Pentium 4), the Gateway Solo 9550, and the IBM ThinkPad A31.

Note: the PowerBook G4 has only two spindles, but is otherwise a better match for the full-size desktop-equivelant category than for the lightweight desktop-equivalent category.

Screen notes: 15-inch and larger screens, though available, are not recommended for frequent use in trains, planes, or other tight spaces; experience suggests that they are too large. The PowerBook's 15.2-inch screen is slightly better for travel than most 15-inch screens because it is wider than most and not as tall.

Laptop computer change history

2. A laptop being used as a primary desktop workstation or ‘desktop-equivalent’, with a need to have most drives on board. These laptops tend to weigh between five and seven pounds, have medium to large (13-inch to 14-inch) screens, and have room for an internal floppy disk or an optical drive ('two-spindle' in industry parlance). In performance and capability, they tend to be relatively close to last year’s desktop recommendations. Examples of such laptops are the Apple iBook (14-inch), the Dell Latitude C610, and the IBM ThinkPad T23.

Laptop computer change history

3. A lightweight laptop being used as a secondary workstation. These laptops, sometimes called sub-notebooks, tend to weigh between three and five pounds, have small to medium sized (11.1-inch to 13.3-inch) screens, and often have external floppy disks and/or optical drives ('one-spindle' in industry parlance). In performance, they tend to be relatively close to last year’s desktop recommendations, but contain fewer features. Examples of such a laptop are the Apple iBook (in its higher priced versions), the Dell Latitude C400, the Gateway Solo 3450, the IBM ThinkPad X23, and the Sony VAIO SuperSlim Pro R505.

Laptop computer change history

4. A value-priced laptop. This specification is intended as a complement to the recommendations for desktop computers in ISC's Value PC Buyers Guide. These laptops tend to weigh between five and eight pounds, have small to medium sized (12-inch to 14.1-inch) screens, and have internal floppy disk and/or optical drives. In performance, they tend to lag behind last year’s desktop recommendations and contain fewer features. Examples of such a laptop are the Apple iBook (in its lower priced versions), the Dell Latitude C510, and the IBM ThinkPad R30.

Laptop computer change history

General Laptop Notes

Estimated pricing for these laptops includes three-year service plans from the manufacturers. Note that the three year warranty is an extra cost for Macintoshes and that this cost is reflected in the estimated price.

Other than some slight differences in peripherals, support for laptop computers is generally no different than for desktop computers.

Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional are significantly more reliable, supportable, and secure than other versions of Windows (e.g., Windows 95/98/ME/XP Home). At this point in time, Windows 2000 Professional is generally the best choice for the Intel platform because of its superior driver support, high reliability, and excellent connectivity. ISC sees Windows XP Professional as steadily improving and expects it to be the Windows operating system of choice sometime in Fiscal Year 2003. Schools or centers may choose to use other Windows operating systems (such as Windows 98 or Windows NT Workstation 4.0) where local needs warrant such use, but should be aware that Microsoft is rapidly retiring these operating systems.

Mac OS X version 10.1.2 or greater is generally the best choice for the Macintosh platform because of its superior driver support, high reliability, and excellent connectivity. Schools or centers may choose to use other versions of the Mac OS (such as Mac OS 9.2.x) where local needs warrant such use.

Laptop manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Apple, Dell, IBM, and Sony.

If your school or center is considering a laptop 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).

2001-2002 Desktop Recommendations