Thin and Light Laptop

Providing the best of both worlds, a thin-and-light laptop is powerful enough for any task you throw its way, yet light enough to take on the road.

PROCESSOR

Look for a model powered by Intel's Core 2 Duo processor, which provides long battery life, strong performance, and cool running temperatures. If you're interested in purchasing an AMD-based laptop, go with the Vista-friendly Turion 64 processor.

MEMORY

Having adequate RAM is crucial for fast performance, especially when running multiple apps. Running Windows Vista requires at least 512MB, though we recommend opting for 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM, which will boost overall performance and keep Vista running smoothly. Also, be on the lookout for any free memory upgrades at time of purchase—many PC makers offer specials that double the amount of installed RAM. Some vendors may offer the option to add Intel Turbo memory to your system. These flash-memory modules, available in 512MB or 1GB varieties, reduce the time it takes for your computer to power up, access programs, and write data to the hard drive.

GRAPHICS

Most thin-and-light laptops will disappoint gamers because they forgo dedicated 3D chips in favor of integrated graphics, which not only cost less but help reduce the heft of the laptop case. When coupled with at least 1GB of RAM, Intel's latest GMA X3100 graphics chipset does support Windows Vista and its graphics-intensive Aero interface. You may find a few thin-and-light notebooks with lower-end dedicated chips, however, such as the ATI Radeon HD 2400 or nVidia GeForce 8400M. While they won’t rip through the latest titles at the highest resolutions, these Vista-compatible cards should satisfy casual gamers with their 128MB or 256MB of dedicated video RAM and DirectX 10 support.

HARD DRIVE

When it comes to storage space, the more gigabytes you can get, the better— especially if you have a big digital media collection. We’ve seen thin and light systems with drives as big as 320GB. While slower 4,200rpm hard drives cost less, opt for one with a rotational speed of 5,400rpm. In addition to standard hard drives, some vendors have introduced solid-state drive (SSD) options for their thin-and-light notebooks. These flash-memory-based drives, which have no moveable parts, offer faster boot times, lower weight, and increased resistance to shock. This technology is currently quite expensive, however, and drive capacity is usually limited to 32GB or 64GB. Unless having the added durability is a must, we recommend sticking with a traditional hard drive.

OPTICAL DRIVE

Go for a multiformat (DVD±RW) DVD burner, which writes to both plus- and minus-format DVD media. If you have no need or desire to burn DVDs, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, which burns only CDs, will serve you well. A few thin-and-light notebooks can be configured with a high-definition Blu-ray drive, which can play compatible HD movies and write up to 50GB of data to dual-layer Blu-ray disc. This upgrade is pricey, however.

CASE

A laptop chassis more than 1.5 inches thick or heavier than 6 pounds (without AC adapter) exceeds the bounds of the thin-and-light class. Look for a model with a case that's durable, preferably one made from a metal alloy. You’ll find plenty of thin-and-lights with bland-looking black or gray cases, but some manufacturers offer more exciting color options and designs.

WIRELESS CONECTIVITY

Integrated Bluetooth and 802.11 wireless networking (Wi-Fi) are essential. Look for a notebook with a Wi-Fi card that supports the 802.11a, g and Draft N wireless standards. Draft N makes use of multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which reduces signal interference and provides greater range and throughput, up to a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 300Mbps. Bluetooth is also standard on many laptops, though some configurations provide it only as an option. For maximum compatibility with other Bluetooth devices, make sure your laptop supports Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR). If you want to be able to get online when you’re out of range of any Wi-Fi networks, look for notebooks that can be configured with a built-in WWAN module, which lets you tap into a cellular mobile broadband networks from Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T for a monthly fee.

DISPLAY

You’ll find thin-and-light notebooks with screen sizes ranging from 12.1 inches to 15.4 inches; for crisp text and smooth DVD or Blu-ray movie playback, go with maximum resolution available on the screen size you choose. While LCDs are still the norm, look for notebooks with displays that use LED backlighting instead of the traditional fluorescent tubes, which offers less weight and increased power savings. Many screens now come with a reflective coating that provides a better viewing experience when watching movies. Some people don't like the reflectivity of these glossy screens, however, so be sure to check out a laptop's display in person before you buy. If you want to use your notebook for video conferencing, opt for a system with a Webcam built in to its display bezel.

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