Asus ASUS CHROMEBOOK CM1402 14" MEDIATEK 520, 64GB EMMC, 2Y

The display size describes the size of the visible part of the screen of your portable computer across the diagonal in inches. Average portable computers have 15.4" standard or 15.6" wide-screen displays. The ultra compact category portable computers have the display size of about 10,1".

Some portable computers have the option of turning the screen to the angle of 180 degrees and close it with the keyboard – the result is a true tablet computer without a keyboard. These models are sometimes referred to as transformers or tablets - they can be used both as a standard portable computer and as a tablet computer. This option is very handy for reading or, for example, drawing when the keyboard is not required.

Portable computers that are positioned as a replacement of desktop computers sometimes have the screen as big as 17". A bigger monitor is usually required for editing graphics or reviewing big-size tables, etc. However, it has to be considered that a bigger screen means a bigger size and usually also a bigger weight of the computer, besides it can be damaged more easily during opening and closing.

The maximum resolution of the display indicates the number of colour points (pixels) on the computer screen. The higher the resolution the better quality (more detailed) image. For example, 1366x768px means that your computer has 1366 points horizontally x 768 points vertically. High resolution provides more information on the screen and this is directly related to the size of the screen. Nowadays even a 12.1 inches screen can have 1024x768 resolution. At the first glance it looks that this resolution is too high for this size of the screen, however, high resolution provides more comfort.

WVGA (800x480) is characteristic for old portable computers and mini tablet computers of the new generation. WSVGA – ultra mobile portable computers with the display of 10.1’’ (the resolution of 1024x600 can be seen more often).

WXGA (1280x800) – this resolution is mainly characteristic of 12.1’’, 13.3’’, 14.1’’ screen with the relation of sides of 16:9.

HD 1366x768 and 1600x900 is a widespread resolution for the budget and middle class portable computers.

Full HD (1920x1200) resolution combined with high capacity video cards (NVidia Quadro FX vai ATI FireGL) is intended for the professional level 3D modelling work.

WUXGA (1920x1200) – ultra extended graphical arrangement (screen16:10) is intended for watching HD TV.

Attention has to be paid also to the contrast and brightness of the screen. The screen must have the maximum brightness for using the portable computer even in very bright lighting conditions.

The screens of portable computers are divided into Glare, or flossy and AntiGlare, or mat. The advantage of the flossy screen is better contrast, colours and sharpness, therefore this type of monitor is preferred by home users. The disadvantage of this screen is the glare which disturbs seeing the image in bright lighting.

AntiGlare, or mat screens to some extent prevent the glare problem by "scattering". This type of screen is usually used in business class computers intended for working with documents and accounting systems.

The processor clock frequency is among the main criteria of the processor performance. This index determines the number of operations that each CPU core can perform per second. The higher the CPU clock frequency the faster the computer will be perform the given computing tasks.

RAM is a short-term data storage. This component determining the operation speed:

• allows the CPU of your computer to have fast access to the information that needs to be processed used by the computer application which you have opened;
• at the moment of opening an application stores it in its microchips, thus the memory capacity determines how many applications can be run by your computer simultaneously and also with how big data volume (pictures, texts, webpages) you can operate at once.

Thanks to the dense placement of chipsets the RAM of a portable computer has the same characteristics as the RAM of desktop computers. Dateks.lv recommends to use 3Gb or higher capacity RAM for general use.

This criterion determines the type of the RAM used by the computer,m and this is useful if you want to buy an additional memory module when you buy the computer or upgrade the existing RAM capacity in future.

The newest type of memory is DDR3. DDR2 represents an older generation accordingly.

USB 3.0 is the newest and fastest USB standard that allows to connect all the devices of the preceding USB2.0 generation and the new USB3.0 generation.

The true advantage of this connection can be seen when the USB3.0 external HDD or the USB3.0 flash memory is connected to the USB3.0 connector. This speed of operation of this solution can exceed the predecessor USB2.0 standard by several times and even the current speed record holder - FireWire connection.

Bluetooth connection provides secure wireless data transmission among various devices (at the distance of up to 150 m). This is a possibility for your portable computer to connect with your mobile phone, another portable computer, palmtop and other bluetooth devices without using any wires for exchanging Mp3 music, photos and documents. You can use bluetooth for connecting wireless headphones with a microphone, mouse, keyboard, printer and other devices supporting bluetooth connection.

Examples of use of the Bluetooth technology:

• transfer of files between computers or between a computer and another device;

• printing using Bluetooth enabled wireless printer;

• use of a Bluetooth equipped keyboard or mouse, listening to music via wireless headphones;

• synchronisation of the personal digital assistant (PDA) with a computer or another device;

• wireless connection to the Internet via the mobile phone or the modem server;

• connection to the Bluetooth personal network (PAN - this is the technology that allows to establish the Ethernet network with wireless links between portable computers, mobile phones and hand devices).

*For establishing a connection with a portable computer with bluetooth; all the devices to be connected need the bluetooth support.

This parameter determines whether the keyboard of the portable computer has a separate number pad. If you have to work with numbers and figures a lot you should certainly verify whether the selected computer has the numpad.

The battery time indicates the approximate time how long your portable computer will be able to operate after it has been disconnected from the electricity supply when the battery is fully charged.

The battery time depends on the configuration, performed operations and other factors. This indicator usually is based upon the testing results. The lithium batteries built-in modern portable computers usually provide the operation time of 3 to 5 hours and this time depends on the use and configuration of the computer. The maximum battery capacity reduces the time of use of the portable computer. Currently lithium batteries are used in computers and they replaced nickel batteries. It has to be taken into account that the lifetime of portable computer batteries is limited. The capacity decreases with time and it is necessary to replace the battery.

*The battery time may decrease depending on the loading of the portable computer during the time when the battery is used as the power supply to the computer.