Used dell laptop computer

Careful, there are desktops in laptops' clothing. Everybody from Hewlett-Packard to Gateway and Dell is feeding the laptop market with notebooks powered by desktop processors. A couple hundred dollars cheaper and usually faster than portables with mobile processors, the hybrids are also heavier, require larger fans/ cooling systems and chew through batteries faster. Dell's SmartStep 200N with a 2GHz Pentium 4 processor is only $1,499 (street), but it's pushing 8 pounds.

While every vendor has one of these speedy notebooks in its lineup, nobody is trumpeting the fact that they're using desktop components. Smart shoppers will look for the "Pentium 4-M" or "Mobile Pentium 4" label. True mobile warriors won't want the extra heft, heat and frequent recharging, but a hybrid may suffice if you're looking for a desktop replacement that won't wander far from the office.

Only time will tell how desktop processors affect laptop longevity.