Laptops for PowerPoint

Don Weixl

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Nov 30, 2001, 4:40:24 PM11/30/01

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Hello:
What should I look for when purchasing a PC laptop needed
to run PowerPoint presentations? Power, size etc...... I
will be showing about 160 slides containing photographs,
with a soundtrack of music.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Don Weixl

TAJ Simmons

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Nov 30, 2001, 4:48:42 PM11/30/01

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Don,

What I Look for in a laptop is.....

In order of priority.
1. Reputable manufacturer
2. 1024x768 XGA Screen (or to match what projector you use)
3. Fastest Processor I can afford at the time.
4. Built in - floppy/cd or dvd/network/modem
5. A touchpad (personal preference) and not one of those green/red nipple
things, that's like trying to walk while drunk
6. A nice keyboard.
7. Get the retailer to chuck in a case to carry the thing. But don't use if for
the laptop. Otherwise when you're at the airport the local thieves can see
you've got a laptop and target you effectively. Carry the thing in an old
plastic bag!

Then, if I can, I run a powerpoint demo thru it that test's everything to my
satisfaction.
It's amazing how many laptops out of the box will not play a certain powerpoint
demo/test page.
It's normally a case of downloading a newer or older video card driver, that's
why it's important to get it from a reputable manufacturer.

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome -
powerpoint backgrounds: http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com
powerpoint tutorials:
http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com/powerpointtutorials.htm
powerpoint resources: http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com/powerpointtips.htm

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Bob Ostwald

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Nov 30, 2001, 5:10:05 PM11/30/01

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Nice list. I would add a built-in CDRW and a firewire (IEEE 1394) port. I
would expect all of today's new laptops would come with at least one USB
port anyway, so no need to specify that.

Oh! and a decent graphics support, e.g., the new nVidia card. You probably
don't need this for PPT, but it should be fun for other things (like Max
Payne).

Bob

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Steve Rindsberg

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Dec 1, 2001, 12:20:15 AM12/1/01

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> In order of priority.
> 1. Reputable manufacturer
> 2. 1024x768 XGA Screen (or to match what projector you use)

2a RAM
2b Some more RAM

> 3. Fastest Processor I can afford at the time.

3a Or a slightly slower processor and more RAM

Austin Myers

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Dec 1, 2001, 1:43:23 AM12/1/01

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In addition to the gangs love of RAM (me too), I'd suggest a couple of
additional things to consider.

Video seems to be the area that PPT and laptops have the most trouble
getting along in. I would really suggest putting any prospective machine
through it's paces with a presentation that includes sounds and video if
they are important to your use.

If you plan on using a beamer, test the machine with the beamer attached.
You can't imagine all the weidness that can happen doing this.

I'd really consider dual monitor support for beamer use. The ability to run
the show on one display while you monitor/control it from the other can be a
real asset. Just don't confuse monitor/video out (most lap tops have this)
with true dual monitor support while your looking things over.

Oh, one more thing. The new machine will probably come with Windows XP. If
you want to connect to a network domain, your going to need to use Windows
XP pro.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

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