Can a notebook computer be your main squeeze? - notebooks as alternatives to desktop computers - Buyers Guide

Home Office Computing, May, 1993 by Crystal Waters

It should come as no surprise that notebook computers have gotten faster, cheaper, and lighter since we did our previous buyer's guide to these portable workhorses last May. And while notebooks are often seen as computers for the road, we've decided to take notebooks even further--to determine how the new, impressive systems hold up as your only computer. Are notebooks ready to be considered true alternatives to desktop computers?

Many of our readers think so, and we'll talk with two of them about the wows and woes of having their notebooks at their sides and on their desks. We'll also uncover the pros and cons of the newest, flexible, expandable notebooks from AST, Compaq, Apple, and Samsung, to name a few.

NOTEBOOK DEVOTEE

Michael McClure, a computer administrator for ICN Pharmaceuticals in Southern California, uses his AST 386SX/25 at his office desk, at home, and on the road. He has a desktop computer at ICN, but because he's the company's network administrator, 90 percent of his office work and 100 percent of his work at home has been done on his trusty AST notebook since 1991.

"I bought as big a hard-disk drive and as much RAM as was available at the time," says McClure, "which was 80MB and 4MB, respectively. I added a [proprietary] fax/modem in order to keep in touch with those I support at the office when I'm not there."

Since McClure uses several Windows programs, such as Microsoft Excel and Word, he misses not having color on his computer. "If I bought a system today, I would definitely get an active-matrix color notebook. And since Windows software seems to get larger and larger every day, I plan to upgrade to a system with more storage, preferably with a removable hard-disk drive." McClure solves his video problem by connecting his notebook to a VGA monitor.

There's no doubt that McClure's job has been easier and more productive since the notebook has become his main squeeze: It's easier to work at home, his time is more flexible, and he can take his notebook with him on rounds--to keep notes or exchange information with one of his desktop charges with LapLink.

His advice to the new notebook buyer: "With today's notebooks, you don't have to settle. Don't just think about what you need today--get something upgradable, comfortable, and buy color if you need it."

WHEN A NOTEBOOK'S NOT ENOUGH

Heather Carver, a principal of Documentors, based in Honolulu, used a 12-MHz Bondwell B310 laptop with IMB of RAM and a 40MB hard-disk drive for her home-based business. Her partner, Marsha Tamura, owns the laser printer. "For the first two years," says Carver, "my notebook allowed me to bring everything with me to my partner's house to discuss, work on, and print." This efficient way of transporting data proved invaluable. "If I took just a floppy [to Tamura's], I might not be able to fit all that I needed to in order for us to get our work done."

Recently, however, Carver purchased a desktop computer to take over her main business tasks of writing employee handbooks and job descriptions and creating organizational charts for her clients. The 486 desktop, which she purchased for $2,200, holds 8MB of RAM and has a 200MB hard-disk drive.

"Back when I bought the Bondwell, 40MB was a huge hard-disk drive. I thought I'd never run out of space," she laughs. Asked why a new notebook was not her latest acquisition, she replied, "I would love to purchase a color notebook, especially if prices continue to drop. My partner keeps talking about it."

Carver adds her tips for the notebook buyer: "For me, it was a matter of needing a notebook right away, so I have no regrets about my purchase. If your budget is limited, get the best you can. Most of all, find a screen that's not going to kill your eyes; try it out in different lighting conditions if you can."

NOTEBOOK VS. DESKTOP---A STANDOFF

Consider the usual arguments against notebook computers when stacked up against desktop units: Comparable notebooks cost more than desktops. Lower-end notebooks have screens that are a mere fraction the quality of a standard VGA color monitor. The keyboards on notebooks are smaller and usually more crowded than desktop keyboards. Windows can be wimpy on a notebook. Notebooks offer a distinct lack of expansion options-- and on and on.

Many notebooks still come with some of these deficiencies, but along with the phenomenal increase in notebook interest and sales, manufacturers have also increased the available options.

Among the improvements we've seen are lower-cost color screens, improved keyboard layouts, user-upgradable memory, hard-disk drive options, and other convenient touches. The most obvious benefit to using a notebook is its portability--you'll no longer have an excuse to avoid getting work done. And with the options we discuss, you may find you no longer have an aversion to notebook computers because of theft so-called limitations.

ROOM TO GROW

Perhaps the most frequently heard point for desktop computers over notebooks is their expansion possibilities. Notebooks rarely come with expansion slots; some notebooks have one proprietary slot for a fax/modem or memory upgrades, and that's it. So enter the docking station. In short, a docking station is typically a $300 to $900 desktop-computer-size box that you connect your notebook to. The box contains those missing slots and perhaps a drive bay or two, along with a few interface ports, so you can enhance your notebook system to your heart's content. Plug in a sound board, a CD-ROM drive, a tape-backup drive-- in short, anything you would add to a desktop.