14. Screen Image Quality, Size, Weight And More

A laptop or notebook can exhibit excellent brightness and contrast but still have a screen that is difficult to view. For this reason, we also assess image quality subjectively by carefully examining the screen image to see how easy it is to read characters and how well graphic images are displayed. We use a standard text page and graphic image.

Measuring size and weight is a simple matter. We work with a very accurate and regularly calibrates scale and measure each specific component separately (for example, laptop or notebook with standard battery, higher capacity battery if supplied, power supply, external CD/DVD drive, and so on.) All size measurements are made with a steel ruler. We provide both weight and size measurements in English units (pounds and inches) as well as Metric ones (grams and centimeters.)

We also report on the networking capabilities of each laptop or notebook. This includes wired and wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth and infrared, depending on what the system has built-in. For Ethernet we also report the standards and bandwidths supported. As noted above, we use MobileMark 2005 to benchmark battery life using a wireless Ethernet connection. We check to assure that all built-in networking options work. We do not test actual bandwidth achieved under any of these options. We believe that the chip level electronics for various networking options have achieved a level of standardization and maturity such that bandwidth tests will reveal little difference across laptops or notebooks.

We evaluate keyboard quality and ease of use by typing a standard paragraph on the keyboard. We look for crowding of keys and unusual keyboard layouts, both of which might slow typing and lead to more typographical errors. We also subjectively assess the feel of the keys as we depress them. Do they move easily and smartly down and back up? Is their downward travel just right, too long or too short for comfortable, fast and accurate typing? Are any mechanically produced sounds associated with key travel? If so, are the sounds helpful or distracting?

We enumerate the built-in input and output connectors on each laptop or notebook. Then we assess the ease of accessing them and plugging and unplugging devices into them. We report whether the manufacturer makes docking equipment for each laptop or notebook and what peripherals are supported on each docking device.

We assess audio quality subjectively using the built-in speakers, external speakers (Sony's classic powered model SRS-D2 which includes a substantial subwoofer) and a headset (JVC's Noise Canceling Stereo Headphones Model HA-NC100). We use a mix of classical, pop and rock music in our evaluation of audio.

Finally, we offer our subjective evaluation of the design and quality of the outer case. We look for a design that is easy to pick up and hold in one hand. We assess fit and finish, including how easy it is to open and close the computer and how well the two parts of the case fit together when it is closed. We check the sturdiness of the case, including the degree of protection it provides against twisting and flexing of the parts when closed and open. Too much twisting and flexing of the part of the case containing the screen can lead to distorted images at least, and LCD damage in the worst case.

Warranties can be tricky; we report the length of the overall warranty period. We also tell you what is covered under that warranty for what period.