You Should Be Aware of New Laptop Technology (Before Buying Your Next Laptop)

Laptop and notebook computer technology is growing at a breakneck pace. Ferrari is quick. So quickly that by the time you buy a new laptop, it will most likely be outdated or out of date. A disturbing notion gave the exorbitant pricing for a high-end laptop. 

However, laptop technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that new advancements are being introduced as you read this piece. Every two years or less, a new generation of laptop technology is released. As a result, unless you purchase or replace your laptop every year, you will slip behind what these sleek little powerhouses can currently produce.

Keeping up with all these new technology and advances might be difficult unless you’re already in Geek Heaven. Choosing the greatest graphics chipset to operate with the best CPU and data buses is a difficult task. And now that everything is being Doubled — dual core, dual graphics — it’s approaching the point where Einstein would be amused, even if he had a terrible hair day!

What should the average laptop buyer do?

What you actually need to consider are the consequences of all of this new technology. These new technologies have essentially made laptops smaller, quicker, and more powerful. With each new advancement, the laptop closes the gap with its major opponent, the desktop computer. 

Notebook computers have surpassed desktop computers in sales for the first time in history. Laptops are replacing desktop computers, which may be on their way out. It won’t be long until laptop computers outperform them as well. 

Some big computer manufacturers are seeing this trend toward more powerful, smaller PCs. Even desktop computers are evolving! Look at the new Apple iMac G5’s streamlined design: gone is the huge tower, and in its place comes a well-designed desktop computer that’s virtually a laptop!

Keeping up with all of this new technology and ideas may be a huge job for the average computer user, especially if you plan on purchasing a laptop shortly. Here are a few pieces of modern notebook technology you may want to have in your hands when you approach the cheerful salesman at your favorite computer shop so you don’t appear like a total newbie. Hey, when it comes to technology, we’ve all been there and done that. Here’s a short rundown of some recent Notebook Developments to help you tech-proof your next laptop purchase: 

The Sonoma Chipset 

Intel’s next-generation Centrino Chipset, the Sonoma Platform, is now available. Sony, IBM/Lenovo, BenQ, Dell, Samsung, Acer, and Toshiba are all members of the Sonoma club, and another 80 or 90 ‘Sonoma-endowed’ items will be introduced very soon. 

It will undoubtedly become the Platform standard for many high-end laptops. Actually, it won’t make or signify much to the average Joe or Jane who merely wants a notebook or laptop for online browsing, word processing, and e-mail. Notebooks based on the Sonoma Platform will be somewhat speedier and have a little longer battery life. 

New Laptop Technology

But for Mobile Professionals and Notebook Fanatics (yes, they exist), this new Centrino Chipset delivers or is capable of delivering a lot of wonderful things. First, wireless communications will be simplified thanks to the inbuilt tri-mode 802.11a/b/g, called by some the “wireless trinity”! This will make staying connected simpler no matter where you are. 

The new Pentium Ms include a 533MHz frontside bus, are supported by up to 2GB of DDR2 DRAM, Serial ATA Hard Drive, and PCI Express, and have better-integrated graphics, including Intel’s Hi-Def Audio. All of this is achievable with the Sonoma Platform.

PCI Express

PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is a new expansion card technology that comes in many variations. We now have x16 and x1 lanes, with x4 and x8 versions on the way. It provides greater bandwidth, for example, x1 lanes give 500MB/sec instead of PCI’s 133MB/sec.

All computers, even laptops, have various buses that transport data from one component to another. Of fact, in an ideal world, all of your computer’s data would flow via a single BUS; nevertheless, most experts think that this is unlikely to happen unless we start over and create a computer system from scratch. For the time being, we must depend on various internal buses to transport data around; nevertheless, PCI Express is a significant advance that will make your laptop speedier. 

Display Card

These are always developing. A Graphics Card is in charge of your notebook’s graphics or visuals. If you like 3D visuals and games, you should invest in the best system available. Higher-end models include the ATi Mobility Radeon 9800, X800, and FireGL V3200, as well as Intel’s Graphics Media Accelerator 900. 

If you can, get an NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 graphics card, or for true gaming enthusiasts, wait for the NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300, which will have NVIDIA’s TurboCache technology. Gamers will be familiar with NVIDIA SLI technology, as well as ATI’s CrossFire and Hyperthreading. All new content elevates the gaming experience to a new degree of excellence worthy of a Spielberg or Lucas production. Not exactly, but it’s on its way.

Laptops with 64-bit processors

The 32 Bit System is used by the majority of computers nowadays. Remember that the primary difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit system is the amount of memory that they support. 4 GB for 32-bit and 8 GB or more for 64-bit. Currently, Intel, Apple, and AMD all provide 64-bit computers. 

Do you really need all of this memory? No, it’s overkill for the ordinary laptop user. However, whether you like gaming, desktop publishing, or the creative arts, 64-bit technology will benefit you.

Notebooks with Dual Core Processors

Two is preferable to one!

Dual-core laptops are currently available. Many of these complex technologies have their origins in the gaming business.

For example, Rockdirect, a British laptop manufacturer, currently sells the Xtreme 64, a gaming laptop equipped with AMD’s latest two-core Athlon 64 X2 CPU. This laptop also has an ATI Mobility Radeon X800 XT graphics card with 16-pixel pipelines, an industry first for laptops. Intel and AMD are the two leading manufacturers of dual-core processors. The Intel dual-core processor supports hyperthreading (HT), which divides the two cores into four virtual CPU units. Is all of this necessary? Again, if you like strong visuals or gaming, this is something you should think about and investigate more.

Integrated Cellular Modem

Most high-end laptops now have an inbuilt tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless WI-FI module. Some newer models, such as Sony’s New Ultra-Portable VAIO VGN-T350P, are pushing the standard; it boasts the world’s first built-in Cellular Modem. You may connect to the Internet using your mobile phone. This might be a huge benefit since locating a ‘Hot Spot’ in certain regions of the globe can still be tough.

The Cutting-Edge: LumiLED Display

LED monitors will be available shortly. LED monitors will have different brightness, hues, and backlighting technologies than LCD screens. NEC’s SpectraView LumiLED is the forerunner in this industry, and it will provide a far superior picture and color. Keep your eyes open. 

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Future Plans:

Laptop Displays of 19 or 20 Inches

There is a report, although it is just a rumor, that Dell will release a 19-inch laptop in early 2006. There is also talk that LG-Philips has a 20-inch LCD panel that laptop manufacturers might utilize if they wish to enter this market. Andre the Giant will be ecstatic!