A laptop is a personal computer just like the desktop PC, but is designed for mobility. It is small in size and meant to be used while on the lap. A laptop incorporates all that a desktop PC has although some components are in different form.

Laptops measure between 0.7 to 1.5 inches in thickness and 10 by 8 inches with a 13″ display to 15 by 11 inches with a 17″ display. Previous laptops were heavier than the modern ones, which weigh between 3 to 12 pounds.

Laptops were initially the preserve of professionals in the military, sales representatives, accountants and other professionals. This greatly changed and university and college students are some of the high users of these devices. The sale of laptops has surpassed that of desktops by far.

The 17-inch laptop has become very popular in the market. Its basic components are similar to the desktop PC but are small and designed for mobile use.

The components include:

• - Motherboard. A 17-inch laptop motherboard incorporates all the functionality of the laptop. This covers for lack of expansion slots for expansion cards. The only expansion one can introduce is through USB port.
• - The best 17-inch laptop CPU’s have advanced power-saving features and produce less heat. Such CPU’s are available from Intel, AMD, VIA technologies and other manufactures.
• - Most laptops have SO-DIMM memory modules that are about half the size of desktop DIMM’s. These are can be upgraded up to 8 GB.
• – Rechargeable battery. This is internal and is used to power the laptop. It is charged by an external power supply. Charging the battery and powering the laptop can be undertaken simultaneously.
• - The best 17-inch laptops have superb display. They have larger color active matrix display based on a CCFL lamp with resolutions of 1280 by 800 pixels and above. The LED based screens offering a lesser power consumption and wider viewing angles.

Laptops have several advantages, which include:

• - Portability. Laptops can be used anywhere. This can be in coffee shops, flights, libraries or in meetings.
• - Immediate. Laptops offer one a chance to act on immediate items such as e-mails fast. There is no need to wait to reach a stationery computer.
• - Using a laptop eliminates the need to synchronize changes as in making changes to desktop computers.
• - A laptop has easy Internet and local network connectivity with its mobility.
• - Size. Laptops are small and light. This is important when space becomes a factor. They do not need big space during use or when stored.
• - Accessibility. It is very easy to access a laptop to replace any component.
• - Silence. Laptops are generally not noisy.

Some of laptop manufacturers are Dell, Compaq, HP, Toshiba and other companies. 17-inch HP laptops are increasing in popularity especially with professionals. This is attributable to HP’s continued strong reputation.

There are cheap 17-inch laptops whose performance is the same as the branded ones. 17-inch laptops for sale are available widely online and having one makes your life a lot easier.