This is a good basic way to learn about laptop computers. I received it quickly, and Amazon and the sender were both very helpful.

A comprehensive volume which goes far to fill in the many gaps left by
the inadequate, sketchy, and obscure "instructions" issued with the
laptop. Obviously, there is never going to an all-embracing book for
computers in general, and all of my books on PCs make only passing
references to laptops -- almost as if laptops were beneath their
notice. This is an excellent book and far less frightening than
"Prostate Cancer for Dummies".

Very helpful book, with lots of information, a must to read before you consider buying a laptop

I bought this book for my mom and dad, who just recently had their very own notebook computer. The text is easy to read and not intimidating, and it is also a good read for advanced users who want to step back a bit to cover the basics of a laptop.

Buying a laptop should be easy. I want a system that is very powerful, weighs almost nothing, has a huge screen but small overall size, and runs forever on its internal battery. Unfortunately such a system is hard to find. Therefore you have to make compromises.

And in reading this book I find that I pretty much agree with the analysis Mr. Gookin makes. And I base that on having had about a dozen of them down through the years.

First, decide what you're going to use it for. I use it for programming, especially web programming so I need a web server, a database and some other web software.

That fits into his second comment, decide what software you're going to use. OK, that's a given. Windows (not Apple or Linux).

Screen size - smaller is better for me because the overall system can then be smaller. I'm just looking at code most of the time and don't need graphics.

Service & Support - as he says, go with a big name company, look carefully at the extended warranty. The extra money was worth it when laptops were $2,000+, I'm not so sure now that they've gotten so cheap.

Battery life used to be important and I carried three batteries around. Now with most aircraft having power available it's not nearly so important - and besides batteries are heavy. I've found power outlets in airports, coffee shops, libraries, on trains and other obscure places. I now only carry only one battery.

Physical security, get one of the tie down devices that connect your laptop to the desk. This is especially a problem at college.

I find I'm talking my own ideas. I didn't mean to start preaching. After all these points and more are included in the book. This fellow knows what he is talking about.