Articles | How to Read Notebook Computers Specs

If reading the specifications that come with notebook computers is leaving you feeling dizzy, here is a brief guide to some of the most important things you must know before buying your notebook.

CPU. Also known as the central processing unit or the processor, this is the part of the computer that is actually responsible for its functions. In general, there are two major companies producing nearly all the processors used in notebook computers AMD or Intel. Some of the more common processor types you are likely to meet include the Intel Core i7, which offers desktop-level processing power, the Intel Core 2 Duo, which is its mainstream processor used in ultrathin notebooks, the single-core Core 2 Solo, which are used in ultraportables and the entry-level single-core Atom, which is mainly found in netbooks.

GPU. The Graphics Processing Unit is responsible for processing images in the notebook. Generally, you can choose between an integrated GPU that is built into the CPU itself or a discrete GPU which has its own memory for processing images, giving more improved performance than integrated GPUs. Integrated GPUs are available from Intel and AMD while discrete GPUs are made by ATI or nVidia.

RAM. Random Access Memory refers to the temporary memory that the notebook uses to store frequently-used files so that it can access them more quickly than having to locate them from the hard drive. Two terms you might run into with regard to RAM are DDR2 and DDR3. DDR stands for double data rate and is a type of computer memory used in computers that use advanced processors. Generally, you should get notebook computers that use DDR3 if you use many memory-intensive operations. Some RAM specs may also list a clock speed such as 800MHz; the higher the speed, the faster the RAM.

Screen (native) resolution. This refers to the number of pixels on the screen; the higher the number of pixels the sharper and clearer the image the screen displays. However, higher resolutions also result in tinier fonts that are more difficult for people with poor eyesight to read, although this can be adjusted in the OS settings. There are also some common acronyms that refer to particular resolutions, including WVGA (800x480); SVGA (800x600); WSVGA (1024x600); UXGA (1600x1200) and WUXGA (1920x1080).

HDD. The hard disc drive is where your programs and files are stored permanently. Notebooks offer a range of HDD options, ranging from 250GB to as much as 1TB for high-end models. Another item listed in HDD specs are the speed rates of the drives in rpms or revolutions per minute. This refers to how fast the plates of the drive spin and the higher the rpm, the faster the disc drive operates, translating to shorter booting times and better file copying.

Wi-Fi standard. There are a number of Wi-Fi standards that notebook computers support, the most common of which is 802.11g although you should try to look for a model that supports 802.11n, which is the fastest Wi-Fi standard, and one which will become the most commonly used in the future.