The desktop computer in my office is an excellent piece of equipment, and one that I really enjoy working with. Now last month I started working extended periods outside the office, and I quickly realized that without access to the information in my desktop, I was really going to have a serious problem on my hands. Right then and there it was clear to me what I had to do; I had to get a portable computer if I wanted to be more efficient while working outside the office. With a portable computer I would have access to the information on my desktop; in addition I could access our company’s website our email and also access the Internet. All of those are tasks that while outside the office, for me are extremely necessary.

My next step was to meet with our IT manager, and get his recommendations concerning what type of portable computer would be suitable for what I wanted to do. I also wanted to discuss with him any configuration issues that I should consider while making my selection. Our IT manager was extremely helpful, and invested quite some time painting an entire picture of a configuration that not only takes care of my needs, but also integrates perfectly into our company’s network and our security protocols. Our IT manager also recommended a laptop, he said this type of computer is perfectly suited for the type of work that I’ll be doing. He also had a comprehensive laundry list of options that I should carefully consider while making my selection.

The following are just a few of the recommendations from our IT manager’s extensive laundry list of options:

Operating system

Most laptop computers sold today come with Microsoft Vista 7. And that’s just fine for me because it just happens to be the operating system that our IT manager recommends. The other recommendation was that whichever operating system I select it should provide the ability to connect to our company’s domain server. And for me that’s, Windows Vista 7 Professional because it’s the operating system that has the option which will permit joining a domain server.

Weight

I really like the processing power of my desktop computer, so I’m interested in getting that same type of processing power from a laptop computer. But without the heavy bulky configuration usually associated with laptops that have equivalent power to desktop computers. Also I have an overall weight limit of 6 lbs or less. So, while I determine what I’m willing to carry around in terms of overall weight and size, I anticipate that I’ll be picking up quite a few laptop computers before making a final choice. Our IT manager also recommended that I should consider the weight of the AC adapter as port of the computers overall weight. Because the AC adapter is one of the items I’ll have to carry around with me.

Processor (CPU)

Since processing power is one of my primary issues, our IT manager is recommending the Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 along with whatever my budget can withstand in terms of memory. His philosophy is get all the memory the CPU can stand.

Memory (RAM)

Here is yet another area where memory is directly associated with the computers processing power. And since one of my primary concerns is processing power I’ll be maxing out the RAM memory requirement of whichever laptop I select, till my budget calls out for economic help.

Display and video

Since one of my primary concerns is processing power I’ll need a widescreen display and a graphics processor that can stay in step with whichever CPU I select. Our IT manager recommends a display with a native resolution of no less than 1366 x 768 pixels with a display size no larger than 14″; he’s also recommending the following graphics processors, the ATI or the NVIDA with a memory configuration of 250 MB minimum of dedicated graphics memory.

Hard Drives

After taking into consideration the applications that I’ll be using and the amount of information that I’ll be carrying around with me, and the data that I’ll be generating while outside the office. My hard disk choice is pretty simple; a 300 GB hard drive spinning at 5400 rpm will do the job just fine for me.

CD and DVD

Independent of which laptop model I select a CD-R and a DVD-RW are a requirement. Our IT manager informs me that today; laptops come with CD-R and DVD-RW options standard across laptops independent of models. Therefore I should make sure the laptop computer that I select has those CD and DVD configuration options that interest me.

Networking

Our IT manager is tells me the Ethernet port on the laptop should be a 10/100 in order to connect to our company network without problems. In order connect to our company wireless network without any problems, I’ll need an 802.11g 54 Mbps or 2.4 GHz either of those two wireless protocols will do the job nicely. Our IT manager handles the network configuration for both wired and wireless connections using the networking tools found in Windows Vista 7.

Ports

The basic ports I’m looking for in a laptop: USB 4-ports max, Firewire 1-port, VGA 1-port or DVI 1-port, Ethernet 1-port 10/100, SD media port, S-Video 1-port, Headphone jack and a microphone jack also a cable lock slot.

Battery life

Our IT manager is telling me anything that can run 4-hours or more is excellent, and his not recommending that I carrying around two battery.

Warranty

Our IT manager recommends that once I located the laptop I want to buy, that we should sit down and carefully review the warranty information before buying. He’s telling me warranties sometimes are the deal breakers. If the sales people are unable to provide a copy of the warranty before the purchase, our IT manager said we could locate the warranty information at the manufacturer’s website.