This is Part II in our series on how to select a laptop computer.

In Part I, we recommended that you visit a computer store, compare the machines for style and features, and make some basic decisions. Now that you’ve done that, you’re ready to select the components you want in your computer.

• CPU: the CPU (Computer Processing Unit) is the computer’s engine.  The more powerful it is, the better performance you’ll get.  And because it generally can’t be upgraded or changed, you probably want to select the most powerful computer you can afford. Intel is not the only maker of processors, but it’s certainly one of the most highly regarded.  Choose a computer with an Intel “Duo Core” processor (like “Core 2 Duo”).  Intel also makes “Atom” processors, a less powerful, single core component that you’ll often find in netbook computers.  But, if this will be your main computer for business use, we don’t recommend choosing a netbook computer with an Atom processor.
• Memory: Also known as RAM (random access memory).  Memory is what lets you run applications on your computer and switch back and forth between them.  The more memory you have, the faster you can work and the more productive you can be.  Many desktop computers allow you purchase and install additional memory chips, making it possible for you to save money on your initial purchase and upgrade later.  But with laptops, installing additional memory may be tricky and is often impossible.  So here again, you probably should purchase as much memory as you can afford.  Choose a computer that offers 2-4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM.
• Screen Size: Decide what size screen works for you.  As we mentioned in our earlier post, larger screens have higher resolutions, but they make the computer heavier.  If you’re going to be carrying your computer around, you’ll need to balance the size of the display with the weight of the machine.  Look for a screen size of 13”-14” if you need to keep the weight manageable. (The size of the screen, by the way, is measured on the diagonal.)  You can opt for a larger display if the computer won’t be carried around much.
• Hard Drive: Pictures and music can take up a great deal of space on your hard drive, so give yourself plenty of storage capacity—160 GB or more. Also, the speed of your hard drive is important. Look for drives that rotate at 5400 rpm or higher.  If you need to cut corners on price, you can consider a smaller hard drive.  You can always purchase an external hard drive later for long-term storage of pictures or documents.  Such hard drives typically stay at home, and can be connected to your laptop manually when you need to store and retrieve files.
• Optical Drive: This is the drive that reads media such as CDs and DVDs.  Some laptop computers come without optical drives.  This makes the computer lighter but places limitations on how you can use it.  It may also require you to borrow or buy an external optical drive when you need to install something that’s only available on disc. We recommend selecting a computer that has, at the very least, an internal DVD drive.  Depending on how you plan to use your computer, you may want a combined CD/DVD drive and a drive that can write discs as well as read them.  Newer computers may have Blu-Ray drives for watching content in high definition, and storing more data on each disc.  If you want to get ahead of the game, consider a combination BD/DVD/CD drive–that is, one that offers Blu-ray in addition to CD and DVD.
• Networking:  Your computer should have an Ethernet port for connecting to the Internet with a cable, and built-in wireless connectivity.  If you expect to frequently use your computer in your car, in public places, or in clients’ homes, consider getting a computer with a mobile broadband antenna.  That will allow you to use the Internet anywhere you have mobile phone service.  (If you get this, you’ll also need to purchase a data plan from a mobile phone company.)
• Weight:  Finally, for the greatest portability, select a computer that’s under 5 pounds.   Four pounds or less is even better.

If you’re a real estate professional who’s often on the go, you need a professional grade computer you can take anywhere.  Here’s what to look for when you’re ready to purchase your next business laptop.

First, make some basic decisions:

How Will You Use It? Will this computer mostly sit on your desk at home? Or will you be a true road warrior, taking your computer to the office, using it to do presentations in clients’ homes, and running slide shows at open houses?  If it’s the latter (and we hope it is), then you’ll need something powerful and well constructed, yet lightweight and easy to carry. (A computer that never leaves the office can be bigger with a larger screen.)

Netbook or Notebook? Small, inexpensive netbooks are growing in popularity.  They’re great as a second computer or perhaps for short outings where all you’ll be doing is checking e-mail.  But you probably shouldn’t select a netbook as your primary business machine.  Their computing power is limited and their screens and keyboards are often too small to do any real work.

Windows or Mac? Apple computers are also growing in popularity, and for good reason.  They’re well designed, they perform beautifully, and Apple support is exceptional. The drawbacks:  they tend to be more expensive than Windows-based computers and you’ll need to learn your way around the Mac environment (although Apple gives you lots of help with this).

Perhaps most important, however, is that some software can’t run on the Mac. Before buying one, you’d need to be certain that you could still access your local MLS and any software or products offered by your board, that you could still access any proprietary programs offered by your broker, and that you could still use any special software you’ve purchased on your own. (Top Producer 8i, for example, requires a Windows operating system.)

There are ways to get around some of these issues, but if you’re not especially tech-savvy, you probably should stick to Windows for your work-related computer.

Next, go shopping.

You’ll probably find the best deals on the Internet.  The Internet lets you do comparison shopping and can even allow you to select a custom-designed computer that includes the exact components you want. But you should probably “test drive” a computer before purchasing one on the Internet.  Visit stores that sell computers and try some out.

Decide what size screen works for you.  The larger screens have higher resolutions, but keep in mind that they also make the computer heavier.  If you’re going to be carrying your computer around, you’ll need to balance the size of the display with the weight of the machine.  Look for a screen size of 13”-14” and a total weight of less than 4-5 pounds or less. (Yes, there will be netbooks with smaller screens and lower weights, but as we’ve already noted, they’re generally not designed for full-time professional use.)

Also, try to tell whether the screen will work for you in other settings; in the store they all look good, but you may need to be able to use your computer in your car where the light is bright, or in some other less than perfect environment.

Pay attention to the keyboards and mice. Look for keyboards that feel comfortable and that fit your hands.  Also, some computers have a trackpad for navigation and some have a mouse pointing stick.  Try both and decide which one you prefer.

Once you’ve had the opportunity to touch and feel a few machines, you’re ready to make your purchase.  In our next post on this topic we’ll help you understand the technical aspect of the computer (e.g., what’s a CPU, the memory, how much memory do I need, etc.) so you can purchase the machine that’s right for you.

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Not long ago, we wrote about why you should have your own laptop computer.  But having a laptop computer is useless unless you also have a way to get on the Internet when you don’t happen to be at home or in your office.   Without the Internet, your computer is little more than an expensive paperweight that you carry around from place to place.

Fortunately it’s possible to have Internet access for your computer and your other devices wherever you happened to be.  Here are two great tools that let you have Internet anywhere.

TetherBerry

First, some background.  It’s possible to use your cell home like a modem.  Anywhere you can get a cell phone signal, you can tether your phone to your computer and use the cell phone’s wireless capabilities to get on the Internet.  Many phones allow you to do this (the Iphone is a notable exception), but the process is clumsy and difficult, and data transmission is slow.

TetherBerry solves many of these problems by offering an inexpensive fix that works with all Blackberrys and all carriers. Download the software from the Tetherberry website, install it on your computer and on your Blackberry and you’re ready to roll.  Right now it only works for Windows computers, but a Mac version is being tested.

To find out more, follow these links:

• Read a review:  www.smartphonenation.com
• Learn how to use it: www.newBBie.com
• Buy the software and get started:  www.tetherberry.com

MiFi™

Another great way to stay connected is with the MiFi™.  Offered by Verizon and Sprint, the MiFi™ is a small, battery-powered wireless modem that turns a cell phone signal into a your own personal wi-fi hotspot.  Barely bigger than a credit card, this device can be charged when you’re near a plug, then carried in your purse or pocket to give you a wi-fi signal that goes where you go.  Use it to get on the Internet while you’re out and about without having to search for a wi-fi hotspot.  You can even invite others to get under your wi-fi umbrella as the MiFi™ can accommodate up to five devices at a time.

To find out more, follow these links:

• See a picture and read a review:  www.wired.com
• Watch a video demonstration here
• Learn about your “wi-fi to go” options in this New York Times article
• Get pricing and details from Verizon and Sprint

Are you confused about what all those “wires” behind your computer or your TV do?  Do you know the difference between “composite” and “component” cables?  Click here to watch an excellent  slide show prepared by J.D. Biersdorfer of the New York Times that sorts out those cables and helps you make sense of it all.