The Practice of Categorizing

Case Study: Laptop Purchase 

         In professional communications it is sometimes necessary to categorize, or demonstrate one's thought process in written form. The activity listed here demonstrates the practice of categorization, using the purchase of a laptop computer as the activity being analyzed. Using categories such as classification or partitioning to identify various features, functions, and benefits of an object, issue, or process, can assist in determining direction, or enhance the effectiveness of one's communicative efforts.       

       When looking to purchase a computer, one must consider which features are most important such as size, software, battery life, and memory. Lannon recommends using the techniques of classification (dealing with an assortment) and partitioning (dealing with specific features), to empower one to better sort and select (2008). Beginning by placing contending computers into four classifications such as a) desktop, b) laptop, c) netbook, and d) tablet, helps one to better consider practicality and purpose of each before purchasing.         

       For example, if one requires mobility and compact screen size, selections classified as desktop (category A) fail to meet this preference. However, this single criterion still leaves three classifications “on the table”, so to speak. The Best Buy (2012) internet site alone provides multiple options in these categories; therefore, in addition to mobility one may require full computing functionality, in which case tablets (category D), can also be removed from the list of possibilities. To make my selection, I began classifying laptops by function (i.e. gaming, school, professional, and general applications). After selecting the general application group as my best option, I partitioned the laptops by various features: audio-visual quality, software applications, battery life, and memory. 

 

Selection Classifications 

1. Gaming and Entertainment
• Higher RAM (8 – 16GB)
• Highest graphics and sound quality
• Greater hard drive capacity (500 – 899GB)
• Wireless internet connection and standard battery life (3 – 4hrs.)
• No academic software 
2. School
• Standard RAM (4 – 6GB)
• Standard graphics and sound
• Wireless internet connection and standard battery life (3 – 4hrs.)
• Moderate hard drive capacity (350 – 500GB)
• Discounted software bundles (e.g. Windows 7, Microsoft Office for Students)
3. Professional
• Moderate RAM (4 – 8GB)
• Intermediate graphics and sound card
• Wireless internet connection and long lasting battery life (>5hrs.)
• Standard hard drive capacity (300 – 400GB)
• Light weight (5.5 lbs. or less) 
4. General
• Moderate RAM (4 – 8GB)
• Moderate hard drive space (500 – 750GB)
• Intermediate graphics and sound card
• Wireless internet connection and moderate battery life (4 – 5hrs.)
• Discounted software (e.g. Turbo Tax, Microsoft Office Standard)
• Moderate weight (5.5 – 6.5 lbs.) 

 

 

General Application Laptop Partitions

1.       Toshiba

o   15.6” diagonal display and Dolby Advanced Audio

o   Windows 7 Home Premium

o   Five hour battery life

o   640 GB hard drive and AMD Quad-Core 6GB processor (Best Buy, 2012)

2.       HP

o   15.6” diagonal display and Beats Audio

o   Windows 7 Home Premium

o   Six hour battery life

o   640 GB hard drive and Vision 8 Processor

3.       ASUS

o   14” diagonal display and Sonic Focus

o   Windows 7 Home Premium and Microsoft Office 2010

o   10 hour extended battery life

o   750 GB hard drive space and i7 Intel Core processor (ASUS, 2012)
 

Conclusion

By categorizing my selections into four specific classifications (e.g. gaming, school, professional, and generic application), and then partitioning my preferred classification into components (e.g. screen size and CPU) I was better able to determine which system would best suit my needs. I opted for the ASUS laptop as it had all of the major features I was most interested in obtaining (e.g. portability, software bundle, extended battery life, and extensive memory and processing speed).  In today’s technologically advanced marketplace and demanding business environment, limiting selections by applying specific criteria such as classifications (i.e. what, where, and how), and then partitioning similar possibilities (by parts or make) are excellent strategies to sort and examine options (Lannon, 2008). By applying these methods over the weekend, I was able to select an affordable computer that met my personal, professional, and scholastic needs.

 

Reference

Lannon, J. M. (2008). Technical communication (11th ed.). New York: Longman.

Unknown (2012). ASUS notebooks. Retrieved on June 3, 2012, from: http://www.asus.com/ Notebooks/Superior_Mobility/U46E/#specifications

Unknown (2012). Best Buy computers. Retrieved on June 2, 2012, from: http://www.bestbuy. com/site/Electronics/Computers-PCs/abcat0500000.c?id=abcat0500000 

Unknown (2014). Image: Laptops. Retrieved from: http://cdn3.pcadvisor.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3361263/mid-range_Laptops_buying_advice_496x331.jpg