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My parents are considering buying a laptop computer and wanted some advice. Mom plans to use it for e-mail, web browsing, word processing, and viewing/ retouching photographs. Dad might also use it for music editing, sequencing, recording, and playback (via an external USB audio codec).

Current laptops are based on the Celeron (low-end), Pentium (low-mid), and Core 2 (mid and up) processors. High-end machines based on the newest generation of Intel processors are starting to come out (Core i7 Mobile). My guess is that Core i5 laptops will be out in Q4 2009 (mid-high range) and Core i3 laptops in Q1 2010 (mid-low range).

As new processor technologies are rolled out, products based on the previous technology are cheap for a while (clearance sales) and then become even more expensive than before (upgrade/ repair). So, there is a buying opportunity right now for previous generation high-end laptops (Core 2 Quad and/or Core 2 Extreme), but maintenance/ upgrade costs will be higher sooner.

That said, over the years I've found that the new stuff really is better, faster, and cheaper. And, the upgrade options are viable for longer. I prefer to put my money into current/ new technology, rather than spending it on obsolete/ old technology.

Another observation is that the price/ performance curve is, well, a curve. This is espcially true for CPU's. Intel's top-shelf desktop Core i7 costs $1,000, but a 92% version costs 59% and a 84% version costs 28% [1, 2]. There is a Core i5 around 53%/19%. I expect a Core i3 around 25%/ 10%. 25% of a supercomputer is plenty for Mom.

Windows 7 comes out October 22. I tried the release candidate, but it didn't fully support my motherboard's on-board video chip. I now have a release-to-manufacturing copy of Windows 7 and need to evaluate that.

I ran Windows Vista and Office 2007 on my primary desktop machine for about two months. It was slow and had some issues (especially with non-Microsoft software), but it got better over time (a service pack helped a lot) and there were some useful new features (privilege escalation, dynamic disks). The deal breaker was that Microsoft removed the menu bar/ tool bar in Office 2007 and replaced it with a "ribbon". Not only does the ribbon waste screen space (which is precious on laptops), it throws away years of previous user interface training.

Office 2010 is still alpha.

Microsoft has offered, and continues to offer, Windows, Office, and other products in top-shelf and lesser versions. Whenever I've purchased the lesser product, I've regretted it.

With all of that said, here are some suggestions:

1. What form factor do you want? Portable Windows computers range in size from a steno pad to a brief case. The smallest offer the most portability, but the least productivity. I have used my 15" laptop as a desktop replacement, but I can't stand the touchpad, I dislike the keyboard, and the ergonomics can get painful with prolonged use. Large machines typically have more CPU, provision for a second hard drive, faster video, larger screen, better sound, and better keyboards, but they are the bulkiest. Are you going to carry it onto an airplane, train, bus, car, etc., and/or try to use it there? Outdoors? Go to a retailer and put your hands on products of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest. Try doing the same tasks on all of them -- edit a text document, browse the web, watch a music video, play a movie, etc.. Take them off the counter and try sitting in a chair or on the floor.

2. How much computer do you need? Low-end machines can do the basics -- web browsing, e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, viewing/ retouching pictures, playing music, etc.. Multimeida, such as playing music and video, watching movies, and video conferencing, will require more CPU, video hardware acceleration, or both (especially Blue-Ray/ High Definition). Multi-media will be more enjoyable on a mid-range machine. Video editing and games are the most intensive applications, and a high-end machine will do the best job. Truly professional multimedia work (audio and/or video) requires a dedicated high-end machine (e.g. no other application software, no anti-virus software, never upgraded/ patched, never connected to networks, etc.).

3. Do you plan to upgrade in the future, or get another computer? You can usually upgrade memory and hard drives in a laptops. But, if you get enough memory and hard drive to begin with, you can put your money into a new laptop later, instead of upgrading your old one. Upgrading for increased computing power is rarely cost effective; you're better off getting a newer and/ or more powerful machine.

4. Get at least 2 GB of dual-channel memory; 4 GB would be better.

5. A 32-bit operating system will be compatible with more software than a 64-bit operating system. Be sure to get the top-shelf version (XP Professional, Vista Ultimate, or 7 Ultimate).

6. Office might be cheaper if you buy it bundled with the computer. Be sure to get the top-shelf version (2003 Professional or 2007 Enterprise).

7. Set a budget and min-max the available products, including web/ mail order. Understand that top-shelf Windows and Office can add $500 over low-ball prices.

8. If you want a mid-range or low-end machine, consider waiting a few months for Core i5 and/or Core i3 laptops -- they will have longer service lives than current Core 2/ Pentium/ Celeron machines.

[1] http://www.intel.com/products/processor/corei7/specifications.htm

[2] http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductList3.jsp