What are they ?
Multimedia laptops put the emphasis on entertainment, so a big screen (15.4 inches or more) is a must. Look for dedicated playback controls, good sound, and extras like high-def optical drives and HDMI output. A robust processor and plenty of RAM are also important for those who want to edit video or audio.
Who are they for?
If you edit video, audio, and/or digital photos, a multimedia-centric laptop is the best choice for you. Similarly, if you use your PC as your entertainment hub to store your music, video, and photo libraries, opt for a machine that puts the emphasis on media handling. When paired with a TV tuner, a multimedia laptop can also serve as a portable entertainment center for a dorm room or weekend place.
What to Expect:
Large, Widescreen Display
If the laptop will rarely leave your house, opt for as big a screen (and as high-resolution a panel) as you can afford. A 20-inch screen might seem ridiculous up close, but viewed from the couch with a movie in the optical drive, you'll be glad you went big. If the machine will often see the inside of a carrying case, opt for an 8-pound (or less) 15.4-inch notebook.
Blu-ray or HD DVD
While several set-top players now handle both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs (and such drives are even an option on some Media Center desktops), dual-format readers have not yet come to laptops. So you'll have to choose a format and, with some content available exclusively for one or the other, that could be a tough call. Also, note that some drives play high-def discs, but burn plain old DVDs and CDs. More expensive options actually burn to the supported high-def format (in addition to DVD and CD), which is what you want if you plan on editing and storing HD video.
Spacious Hard Drive
Hard drive capacity is cheap these days, so get a lot - 320GB or more (many larger multimedia portables have the option of two drives). It will save you having to cull your multimedia collection down the road, or offload items to external storage.
TV Tuner
For a full multimedia experience, consider adding a TV tuner to your machine. Most offered today can receive both standard analog cable broadcasts as well as over-the-air HD programming. Some laptops offer internal tuners, which are convenient, though the picture quality (especially analog) can be a bit soft. An external tuner (which connects via USB) can deliver better image quality, but you'll have to deal with the extra box.
Multimedia Controls, HDMI Ports
Look for a machine that delivers little extra touches that will make living with your multimedia companion more convenient. Chief among them is an HDMI port, which will let you connect to most newer HDTVs and home-theater systems with just one cable. Handy multimedia controls on the keyboard deck are also a must.
