Laptops have often been thought of as simply a small, portable computer that can be taken anywhere you go (within reason!). There are actually four different types of laptops varieties currently available however, and it is important to know the differences between them, as prices, features and performance can vary greatly between these laptop genres:



Ultra light Laptops – Known as sub notbooks or ultra-portables, these laptops usually weigh no more than 4 pounds, and people who travel frequently usually love these types of laptops. Because these laptops weigh very little, they are easy to lug around in a backpack or laptop briefcase...but they are also very small. Typing on Ultra light Laptops, especially if you have large hands, is downright difficult and uncomfortable...make sure you bring along an external keyboard that you can hook up to your ultra light once you arrive at your destination. Ultra light laptops usually lack a CD Rom drive as well, so make sure you have the proper attachments before leaving home. Battery life on Ultra light laptops is usually excellent however!

Notebooks – This type of laptop usually weighs between 4-6 pounds, with screen sizes from 12-15". As the laptop grows in size, battery life usually goes down as there are usually more devices and a larger screen to power. The Notebook is considered a 'regular' laptop, and usually has a large opening on the side where you can plug-in different devices like a CD-Rom drive, floppy drive, or wireless PCMCIA cards.

Standards – These laptops are the most commonly purchased types of laptops...they offer a full range of built-in features, including wireless connectivity, CD/DVD drives, network interfaces, multiple USB 2.0 ports, nice sized screens (usually 15") and a keyboard that is easy to type on. You won't need to pack along a lot of extra attachments for the standard laptops which is nice. Also, the best deals, discounts and prices can usually be found on standard laptops from all of the major laptop manufacturers.

Extra Large/Gaming – These bests are best suited as a 'desktop replacement'. They are usually much faster, louder and have 17" screens in most cases. The battery life is only about 1-2 hours as these laptops really burn through the power. Their faster processor speeds, larger screens, larger keyboards and heavier size makes them perfect 'home / gaming machines'. Expect extra large laptops to weigh in excess of 8 pounds. These specialty laptops are also some of the priciest, and will almost always have all options built-in...no need to pack around an external keyboard or CD-ROM drive with these laptops...just make sure you bring a couple extra batteries though!

Make sure you purchase the laptop that will work for your needs, whatever they may be…buying a laptop that is too heavy if you are a frequent traveler will leave you exhausted from hauling it around. Buying an Ultra light laptop if you are a gamer will leave you disappointed. Make sure you evaluate your needs before purchasing your next laptop, and you'll be smiling instead of grimacing in frustration!