Notebooks for business

Charles McLellan

Published: 17 Nov 2008

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Go to section: Introduction Notebook usage modes Types of notebook Matching users to notebooks Notebook specs: CPU, chispet, RAM Notebook specs: graphics, storage Notebook specs: slots, networking, ports Notebook specs: multimedia, docking, power Notebook specs: security

Expansion slots
The original notebook expansion card format, PC Card, is gradually making way for the more compact next-generation ExpressCard standard, although you can find either or both on today's systems.

Expansion cards are used to add functionality such as solid-state storage, wireless connectivity (via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or mobile broadband), TV reception or high-end audio processing. If your notebook only has a PC Card slot, you can still buy newer ExpressCard peripherals and use them via a PC Card-to-ExpressCard adapter. Likewise, you can get an ExpressCard-to-PC Card adapter that will allow you to use older PC Cards on newer notebooks that only have ExpressCard slots.

Most notebooks come with at least one memory card reader, but there is now a bewildering array of memory card formats in circulation — including CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick (Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo, Micro M2), MMC, RS-MMC, SD, miniSD, microSD and xD-Picture Card. If you must have compatibility with a particular type of card, check the specs of the reader in your proposed notebook carefully. Even if your favourite card isn't supported directly, a suitable adapter may be available.

Networking
Most notebooks come with a wired Ethernet connection, usually up to 1000Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet) speed, although netbooks tend to be restricted to 100Mbps. Built-in modems are becoming rarer, so if you still do dial-up, make sure your chosen notebook has one.

As far as wireless networking is concerned, 54Mbps 802.11g is the prevalent Wi-Fi standard, and most notebooks have this built in. Because the 2.4GHz frequency band in which 802.11g (and the older 11Mbps 802.11b) operates is also used by Bluetooth, microwave ovens other equipment, some businesses use 5GHz 802.11a, which also supports 54Mbps throughput. The latest standard is 802.11n, which is widely available even though still yet to be ratified. Draft-N Wi-Fi operates at either 2.4GHz or 5GHz and employs MIMO and channel-bonding technology to achieve throughput of up to 300Mbps. Because of its lack of ratification (this is expected in 2009), 802.11n has yet to be taken up by many large organisations, although it's already popular in homes and some small businesses.

Mobile broadband is required if you need internet connectivity outside of Wi-Fi range. You'll find integrated mobile broadband modules on a number of netbooks, ultraportables and thin-and-lights; if there's no integrated option, you can add this functionality via a USB adapter or an expansion card (PC Card or ExpressCard). All of the UK's network operators offer mobile broadband adapters along with various tariffs; be sure to check the conditions — especially regarding charges for international roaming and data above the tarrif's monthly limit.

Bluetooth is the wireless technology for short-range connectivity. Many, but by no means all, notebooks have Bluetooth built in, so check the specification if you need a wireless link from your notebook to a mobile phone (for an internet connection, for example), a printer or some other peripheral. Bluetooth's data throughput is limited (version 2.0+EDR runs at up to 3Mbps), but this is likely to be fixed when 'Bluetooth 3.0' (not an official name) appears, as it will incorporate ultrawideband technology, giving theoretical data rates up to 480Mbps.

Ports and connectors
The number of ports and connectors you get on a notebook will depend on the system's physical size. On a netbook, for example, you'll be lucky to get more than one USB port, a VGA port for an external monitor, modem (RJ-11) and Ethernet (RJ-45) ports, plus a pair of audio jacks. Larger systems will add more USB ports, plus DVI and FireWire (IEEE 1394) connectors, while more consumer-orientated notebooks will feature things like HDMI, S-Video, eSATA and digital audio (S/PDIF) ports. The occasional legacy parallel and serial port is to be found on some mainstream and desktop replacement notebooks, but you'll need to hunt around for these.

We'd advise paying particular attention not only to the number of USB ports, but also to their physical layout. Often, a pair of USB ports can be so close to one another — either stacked vertically or arranged side by side — that a peripheral such as a mobile broadband dongle or a flash memory stick in one port can render the other one unusable.

 

Go to section: Introduction Notebook usage modes Types of notebook Matching users to notebooks Notebook specs: CPU, chispet, RAM Notebook specs: graphics, storage Notebook specs: slots, networking, ports Notebook specs: multimedia, docking, power Notebook specs: security

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