【正确答案】
A、C
【答案解析】[听力原文] 1-10
Mike: Hi, Steve! How's it going?
Steve: Oh, fine. How about you?
Mike: Pretty good.
Steve: Mike, you know a thing or two about laptops, don't you?
Mike: I suppose I'm pretty well informed. Need some advice?
Steve: I do. I'm thinking about buying one and was wondering what sort of things I should consider. I mean, there's such a wide choice. I hardly know where to begin!
Mike: I guess you need it for your {{U}}studies{{/U}} most of all, right? Q1
Steve: Yes, but I also like {{U}}downloading music{{/U}} and {{U}}watching TV programmes{{/U}}
on the Internet. How have laptops developed in recent years?
Mike: Well, the displays are bigger and crisper and they have better
keyboards than before. Processors have become a lot faster.
Fast CD and DVD recording drives are common, as are ample
hard drives. {{U}}As many people use their laptop computers to{{/U}} Q2
{{U}}store digital photos, music, and video{{/U}}, manufacturers are making
laptops increasingly compatible with home-entertainment
systems. And, of course, a growing interest in wireless computing
plays to the laptop's main strength: its portability. A
laptop is the most convenient way to take full advantage of the
growing availability of high-speed wireless Internet access at
{{U}}airports, schools, hotels, restaurants{{/U}}, and coffee shops. Q3
Steve: Yes, that's why I'd prefer one to a desktop. I want to be able to do stuff on the move. I really need a wireless capability in a laptop.
Mike: Most laptops now have wireless networking capability built in, so that shouldn't be a problem. You need to think about how much you'll be moving around. I mean, if the laptop is heavy, you won't want to carry it around too much. The thinnest laptops on the market are less than an inch thick and weigh just 3 to 4 pounds. To get these light models, however, you'll have to pay extra and make a few sacrifices in performance and screen size.
Steve: OK, so basically, what's available?
Mike: Well, laptops can be grouped into four basic groups. First,
there are budget models. These have {{U}}slower{{/U}} processors, {{U}}fewer{{/U}} Q4/5
features, and lower screen quality but are suitable for routine
office work and home software. They cost $1,000 or less. Second,
you've got the workhorse or multimedia models. These
have faster processors and more built-in devices, so there's
less need for external attachments. They also have {{U}}larger{{/U}} Q6
screens and enhanced {{U}}sound{{/U}} and video components for home-entertainment Q7
uses. They're not lightweight or battery-efficient
enough for frequent travellers. They cost $1,000 upwards.
Steve: The lack of battery power could be a problem for me.
Mike: Well, the places that offer wireless Internet connections often
have sockets that you can plug your laptop into. There are
some portable devices that use solar power to recharge your
laptop, but they're not very efficient at the moment.
Steve: You said there were four main groups. What are the other two?
Mike: Well, third, you have slim-and-light models. These are for
travellers. They are about an inch thick and weigh about 3 to
4 pounds. Some require an external drive to read DVDs or
bum CDs. They cost $1,000 and upwards. The fourth kind is
the new tablet-style. These sit in your hand like a clipboard
and have handwriting-recognition {{U}}software{{/U}}. Some convert to Q8
a "normal" laptop with a keyboard. They're more expensive
than the other types, but the price is falling as they become
more common.
Steve: I've heard that some people buy a laptop configured to their personal needs.
Mike: Yes, that's right. Configure-to-order is now common practice
for laptops as well as desktops. Purchasing a computer off-the-shelf
is fine if you don't have {{U}}very strict{{/U}} requirements for Q9
how a laptop is outfitted or if you want to take advantage of
an attractive sale price. Configure-to-order will often give you
choices you won't get if you buy an off-the-shelf model. If you
buy configure-to-order, be sure to {{U}}double-check{{/U}} your choices Q10
before ordering, and look for unwanted items that some manufacturers
include by default.
Steve: Thanks for the advice. You've given me plenty to think about.
Mike: No problem. When you've given it some more thought, let me know and we'll go and look around together.
Steve: Thanks. That'd be great!