Laptop Specs - Jan 2011

We keep track of laptops that we like for everyday / business use. Some people may like the most powerful laptops -- or more stylish looks -- but the specs below represent the "sweetspot" in terms of performance, price, and value. Here's a record of what you can get for the given price point over recent years.

It's exciting to have the new Intel "breakthrough" Core i3/i5/i7 series of chips in this price category. Other features that we have our eye on include:

• LED screens use much less power than LCD screen -- meaning improved battery life.
• Those concerned with battery life might want to consider a slightly smaller screen (14 inches instead of 15 inches means a smaller surface area to light up). (This is a trade-off for smartphones as well: a larger screen means more battery drain.)
• HDMI output is increasingly available.

Date	Processor Speed	Memory	Harddrive	Battery	Price
Jan 11	2.4 Ghz (i3) Win 7	4 GB (exp to 8)	500 GB	4.5 hrs / 8 hrs	$500 / $600
Nov 10	2.4 Ghz (i3) Win 7	4 GB (exp to 8)	320 GB	4 hrs	$500
Dec 09	2.2 Ghz (x2) Win 7	4 GB	300 GB	4 hrs	$550
Aug 09	2.1 Ghz (x2) Vista	3 GB	320 GB	3 hrs	$500
Dec 08	2.0 Ghz (x2) Vista	3 GB	300 GB	2.5 hrs	$550
Aug 08	1.9 Ghz (x2) Vista	3 GB	250 GB	2 hrs	$550
Dec 07	1.6 Ghz (x2) Vista	1.5 GB	120 GB	1.5 hrs	$550

4G Coming Soon

We recently reviewed Sprint's 4G service for smartphones. 4G service is supposed to have speeds of up to 10x that of 3G. Here is the latest we have heard about other 4G service being rolled out:

• Verizon's 4G LTE service is expected to be the largest and fastest 4G network. In tests, Verizon has claimed download speeds of 6Mbps - 12 Mbps.
• As a comparison, 3G speeds average 700 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps.
• Verizon has 4G service available in some areas -- but only for the laptop aircards.
• Verizon unveiled smartphones that can access 4G data -- but those will probably not be available for several months. Verizon's COO said that 4G handsets would be available at the end of the 1st quarter of 2011, but other sources, including the Wall St. Journal have said that mid-year is a better bet.
• Verizon is expected to launch 4G in 38 markets and then have it available to 2/3 of its customers within 18 months.
• AT&T is said to be rolling out its own 4G LTE service for smartphones by June or July of 2011.
• T-Mobile's HSPA+ service has download speeds averaging 3-7 Mbps.
• 
  

Sprint 4G Review

We've checked out Sprint's 4G service along with a few Sprint 4G smartphones. Here are some notes:

• Within metropolitan areas (right in cities) -- 4G service is decent: generally good 4G service, but will sometimes drop to 3G depending on the location.
  
• 3G data service is generally widely available - even outside of the metro areas. A few weak areas, but generally good.
• Surprisingly, voice service was spotty outside of the metro areas. Just five miles away from big cities, we had a weak signal and almost-dropped calls.
• The Sprint 4G phones - in particular the HTC EVO 4G (no keyboard) and Samsung Epic 4G (with keyboard slider) - are beautiful phones with many useful features. The Samsung Epic seems to have even more vibrant colors on the screen than the HTC - but both phones are nice.
• Some people will feel more comfortable with the slider keyboard -- but many get used to the touchscreen keyboard.
• The HTC feels sleeker, but that may be due to the keyboard slider on the Samsung.

If you are not in a major metropolitan area, you should check out Sprint's coverage in your area. Although Sprint shadows Verizon's network, their signal strength is not necessarily the same as Verizon's.

4G Wireless Coming Soon for Verizon Smartphones

At the recent CES show, Verizon showed some of the new 4G smartphones that will soon be available. Verizon's network actually boasts 4G speed now -- but it is currently available only for aircards (for laptops) in most markets. Smartphones that can use the 4G signal will hopefully be available within a few months.

Sprint currently DOES offer 4G data service for its smartphones, but Sprint's "footprint" and signal strength seems to be best in and around the metropolitan areas it serves. It's network "shadows" Verizon's network -- but the actual signal strength is not as strong (at least in testing we have done) if you are slightly outside the main service areas.

Some other notes:

• Verizon is expected to offer the Iphone 4 in early February. Note that all of these numbers are confusing to some people. The Iphone 4 will used 3G speed for smartphone data service.
• Verizon's 4G service, called LTE, will be accessible by 4G phones that will probably be available in the second quarter of 2011. Verizon salespeople are saying, "Within a few months; maybe even in a few weeks" -- but it makes sense for Verizon to stagger their offerings.
• Sprint's 4G service seems good, but you should check the signal strength of your smartphone.