Frank J. Ohlhorst

Most Recent Posts by Frank J. Ohlhorst

Choose the Perfect Windows 7 Laptop

Frank J. Ohlhorst

Picking a laptop can be a complicated ordeal that amounts to balancing features against portability against price -- and with Windows 7 on the way, the choice gets tricker. Here are some tips for purchasing a notebook computer that will work well with Windows 7.

You'll need a notebook with a 64-bit processor to guarantee compatibility with the 64-bit version of Windows 7, which will be the preferred version of the OS. Choosing an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU pretty much guarantees that Windows 7 will run fine. All Core 2 Duo processors support 64-bit applications, and even the slowest of the current batch (the T7200) clocks in at 2.0GHz, which is plenty fast enough for Windows 7.

Windows 7 is very visual and offers a lot of eye candy, from the ability to play HD content to showing fancy desktop themes with active content. Because of this, most users will want at least a 14.1-in. display that offers 720p compatibility, meaning WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution.

With RAM, more is always better -- 2GB is a good starting point, 4GB is better.

For most users, integrated graphics will offer more than enough performance for the visual elements of Windows 7 and associated applications; however, gamers should consider a notebook with a discrete graphics card, which offers improved 3D performance.

You'll also want a large hard drive -- 250GB or more -- with a rotational speed of at least 5400 rpm. (7200 rpm will be a little faster, but may not be worth the increased price for most users.)

An internal optical drive that offers DVD compatibility helps to turn the notebook into a portable movie theater, always a plus for travelers.

When it comes to overall travel weight, buyers will need to consider how much traveling they are going to do with the notebook and how much they are willing to spend -- lighter notebooks are usually more expensive.

Keeping these simple guidelines in mind, there are dozens of notebooks that will fit the bill. Savvy buyers should be able to buy a great notebook for less than $900 once Windows 7 arrives in October. If you must buy now, look for a model that includes a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it ships.

Review: Lenovo's A600 Blurs the Line Between Consumer, Business PCs

Frank J. Ohlhorst

Lenovo is not known for product aesthetics. Instead, the company has focused on straightforward designs that get the job done, for the most part leaving flash and style to competitors like Apple, Dell and Hewlett-Packard. But with the A600, Lenovo is sauntering down the style runway with a new take on what a desktop PC should be.

What is it? Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 PC is an all-in-one desktop PC, which means the PC and monitor are melded into one unit. While the concept of all-in-one is not new -- just take a look at any desktop replacement notebook -- Lenovo has added a few twists that refresh the idea and look cool at the same time.

Intel and Nokia to Rattle Mobile Landscape

Frank J. Ohlhorst

Intel and Nokia to Rattle Mobile Landscape Plenty of questions linger regarding Intel and Nokia's partnership, but one thing we can count on is the two powerful tech players will rattle the mobile landscape. The Intel and Nokia partnership, announced yesterday, was slim on specifics but brimming with potential as both announced they would collaborate on a mobile-computing partnership.

Intel and Nokia to Join in Mobile Chip Marriage

Frank J. Ohlhorst

Intel is hoping that a deal with cell phone maker Nokia that will create a new stable of mobile products with "Intel Inside." Intel is expected to announce a partnership in a press conference slated for 8:30 a.m. PDT Tuesday. The possibilities for both companies here are huge. Intel will be able to sell hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of new CPUs into a new mobile market, while Nokia gains access to technologies such as the Atom processor, which can spawn a new generation of devices.

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