Essential Hardware for Home Office Dwellers

Notebook Computer Versus Desktop

Notebooks tend to be slightly more expensive than desktop PCs. But if you plan to work at home often, it's worth it. For one thing, notebooks are much more compact than desktops--a benefit if your home office is also your kitchen table.

With a notebook, you can take your work anywhere--the neighborhood Starbuck's, for instance--when you're feeling cabin feverish. Also, you may need your computer when visiting clients or to answer e-mail when traveling, so portability is a big plus.

Look for a notebook with at least 256MB of memory (512MB is better), a combo CD/DVD drive that plays DVD movies (for those long airplane flights) and burns CDs (for backup). For information on notebook backup strategies, go to "Mobile Computing: Backup Strategies for the Road."

Other components to consider include a USB 2.0 port (the latest standard for connecting printers and other devices) and built-in 802.11b or 802.11g for wireless networking. If your notebook doesn't offer these features, don't worry: You can add them via PC Card adapters from companies including Proxim, Linksys, and D-Link.

If weight and battery life are important to you, look for notebooks based on Intel's new Centrino chip-set architecture. Many weigh less than 6 pounds and provide over 3 hours of battery power.

Consider the notebook's LCD size, too. Smaller displays make for more compact notebooks, but they can cause eye strain with prolonged viewing. If your notebook screen measures less than 14 inches, consider buying an external 15-inch or larger LCD to use when you're working at home.

Of course, if you want to keep the desktop PC you already own--or have space for a new one--consider purchasing an LCD monitor (instead of a bulky CRT), if you haven't already. Check out PC World's Top 15 Desktops, Top 19-Inch LCD Monitors, Top 17-Inch LCD Monitors, and Top 15-Inch LCD Monitors.