Thin And Light - Ultraportable Laptops
In recent years, the major players in the laptop arena (Sony, Toshiba, HP, IBM, etc,) started to produce more and more portable laptop computer, weighing less than 2.8 and thus offers much as 9 hours of playback. Often portability would come at the expense of losing functionality in favor of a smaller footprint and longer battery life.
Thanks to advancements such as new low-voltage processors from Intel, and some ingenious engineering, in most cases this is notlonger the case (although) there are some notable exceptions. You can now an ultraportable laptop computer running at a weight of slightly more than 3 kg (or less), and reserves with tremendous functionality to Windows Vista, and perhaps more importantly, keep extra long battery life - as long 9h in some cases.
There is always a wide range of ultra portable computers, so that some reservations are in order. For example, we are only on laptops with a viewa screen 11 to 13.5 inches - smaller and we are in the field of handheld computers. We also want to be a maximum weight of 2.5 kilograms or 5.5 pounds, to impose - theres no point in an ultraportable if you wear a brace back to it.
The following is by no means a comprehensive list, but it should prove a good cross part of the market.
Apple Macbook from € 1119 / £ 749
Since counter Apple Computer "from PowerPC to IntelProcessors in 2006, they were increasly pushed their way into the traditional PC market, and nevermoreso since the release of Boot Camp - a free program from Apple that gives you the ability to install and run Microsoft Windows operating systems on Apple hardware .
The recently updated Intel Core 2 Duo powered MacBooks offer a lot for its price point. From € 1119 / £ 749, the ultra-thin, ultra bright widescreen wonders (such as Apple put it) packs in many high-specificationComponents that are not often seen in high specification laptops, such as the built-in iSight webcam, remote control, gigabit Ethernet. and FireWire-400.
Unspurprisingly want the cheapest model on offer, you can, at € 200 cheaper than the next best model, missed a super multi-drive - the fantasy jack of all trades, CD / DVD burner, an additional 512 MB of RAM and 20 GB of disk space among others.
Although the graphics processor on the MacBook is far from ideal, it issufficient for most purposes, including video playback, and even Windows Vista's Aero interface, of course, remember that there are ultra-portable computers are not designed to meet the needs of modern players, and probably never will.
Pros:
Can host either MacOS X or Windows XP to play / Vista
Starting at just € 1119 / £ 749 you get a lot of bang-for-your-buck
Significantly more stylish than your average brick
Cons:
Can only be purchased online or at an Apple storeonly a few are and far between. Although in recent months, more and more high street stores are Apple computers.
If you are a Windows user, you can find the one-button mouse, which irretating.
At 2.3 kilograms, it is at the very upper limit of the ultraportability
Poor integrated graphics 64MB of memory sharing
Score: 3 / 5
Sony VAIO VGN-TX from € 1999
Wild claims and high prices, well the Sony VAIO TX series of ultraportable notebooks. With a screenSize of 11.1 inches and with such a high-end features like a carbon fiber chassis, weighing in at nearly undetectectably 2.7 pounds and a battery life of up to 7.5hr per load, it is not surprising that the VAIO TX series comes the most expensive of all, the prices start at € 1999th
If there is an ultimate portable laptop, it would be the Sony VAIO TX. With battery life up to 7.5hr alone it should receive such a title, but in the diminutive that its size, its more thansufficient storage capacity of 1 GB of RAM and 80 GB hard drive, the Sony VAIO TX really the most portable of the ultra portables.
Apart from that, is not all sunshine and lollipops. The TX series has in its efforts to reduce the space a little lost in the process of usability. Although by definition, an ultraportable computer should be small, in this reviewers opinion, the TX series was perhaps a little too far, at least with the screen. Wide-screen with a size of only 11.1 inches diagonally and aResolution as high as 1366 x 768 insane, then one has the feeling that using it even this small display on a regular basis would need either a magnifying glass or prescription glasses. In addition to the resolution dispraportionate the size of the display is, I have a feeling that might do the trackpad with a little more in the way of size. For such a small screen is the control of the cursor turn into a nightmare at times.
Pros:
Truly in a class by itself
Carbon Fiber Chassis
Highspec in a small package
Super Multi Drive
Cons:
Native resolution of the display is incredibly high for such a small screen
Trackpad is too small or inaccurate for the native resolution
Expensive
Score: 4 / 5
Dell XPS M1210 from € 1,299
Certainly not the nicest of the Ultra Mobile, far from it infact, the Dell XPS M1210 series makes up for the chunky look of the packaging in many functions. With 1GB RAM, 120GBHard Disk, 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and integrated DVD + / - RW standard, the Dell XPS M1210 probably the best value for money of all the ultra-portable computer.
It has its weaknesses, but apart from looking like a plastic brick, and weighing from 1.93KG. Thats definitely with minimal offerings, its by far not the best fighter in the ultra-portable box. However, if the price is an issue which packets with this machine a lot in a very small space at a very reasonablePrice.
Pros:
Perhaps the best value for money
Cons:
Surely, the ugliest of the group
Score: 4.5 / 5
Samsung Q35 from € 1450
By far my favorite of all the ultraportables, the Samsung Q35 offers not only great functionality at a reasonable price, but also a very stylish way - both in silver and red. Unlike some other pretenders to the throne, ultra-portable, the Q35 provides not only decent battery life (over 5 hours), aHigh-performance processor (1.8 GHz Intel Core) 2 Duo), bags of storage (1.25 GB of RAM, 100GB hard drive, but also packs in an internal super multi drive and a 6-in-1 memory card reader, while still remain only 1 ultralight , 89 KG and still at a very reasonable price. It also includes a splash / waterproof keyboard, which is everyone who fears wiped from a buried Beverage desperate to die before their laptop, apreciate experienced.
The Samsung Q35 is the successorThe Q30, an older and a little lighter model that was missing some important features such as an integrated optical drive, and whose memory was a skinny now 512 MB and 40 GB respectively.
Available in silver and red, the Q35 is an ultra-portable notebook, yes, especially compared to the rather clunky and inspired design of the Dell XPS M1210, which now sports de facto standard for wireless communication protocols: 802.11b / g and Bluetooth 2.0 withEDR.
Pros:
Stylish in silver and red models
Decent battery life
Super Multi Drive
Low price point
6-in-1 card reader
WLAN 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Cons:
Hard to find a replacement or increased capacity battery
Windows XP (a free upgrade to Vista Home Premium)
Score: 5 / 5
Comments? Discuss here
Sean Nicholls has with computers over 6yrs. A student of software systems at the NationalCollege of Ireland, Sean has an extensive knowledge of computer systems and computer programming.
For further reading, please visit http://www.seannicholls.com/
Related Reviews
Tags: Laptops, Ultraportable
Acer Aspire AS1410-2954 Reviews and Ratings (Top 10)
![]() |
Top #1 ASUS UL30A-X5 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Black Laptop - 12Overall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by Mattforn (USA) 2010-03-09 " This laptop has been amazing so far, great design, portable, excellent display, awesome battery life, it was exactly what i was looking for. When you first get this thing and power it up you will notice that it really doesn't come with a lot of bloatware. Most of it is Asus Utilities t... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #2 Acer AS5732Z-4867 15.6-Inch HD Display Laptop (Black)Overall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by Linda D. Pinder (SPANISH WELLS, BAHAMAS) 2010-03-02 " A little disappointed as I recently ordered and received from amazon this Acer AS5732Z-4867 and was satisfied that it was a good, basic laptop, at a budget price. However, I discovered today, that Acer was good enough to give me a nice, integrated webcam with this model, but NO microphone, only a m... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #3 Acer Aspire AS7740-6656 17.3-Inch HD Display Laptop (Blue)Overall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by GlobalHoaxing (SOMEWHERE IN VIRGINIA, MAYBE.) 2010-02-21 " I usually buy my electronics through [...]. Newegg didn't have this model so Amazon got my business on this one and I'm glad that I happened to stumble across it. I wanted 2 things in my PC. One was a large screen and the other was speed. The 17.3" screen is perfect. Not as bulky as... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #4 Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 11.6-Inch Sapphire Blue Laptop - 6 HourOverall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by Vice Admiral (WOLF 359) 2010-03-11 " Had it for 2 months now. Two minor complaints: max volume is not very loud (I usually use earphones anyway), and I sorta wish I'd held out for Windows 7. Otherwise, I love it. Battery life, screen, keyboard, wi-fi are all excellent.... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #5 Acer Aspire AS5740-6025 15.6-Inch Laptop (Blue)Overall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by Loaf (DENVER, CO) 2010-02-23 " Picked up nearly the same model at Costco for $599 after discount. Only difference is a 320GB drive instead of the 500GB drive. Seems like fairly solid construction. Keyboard is quiet. Track pad is a tad sensitive but I've adjusted how I use the pad with my fingers. There is a button to shut th... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #6 Acer AS7540-1317 17.3-Inch Laptop (Blue)Overall Rating (6/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by Jeffrey A. Holley (USA) 2010-02-18 " I bought this for a friend because he had a computer failure. He is enjoying it. I can't review the features since I have not used it.... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #7 Acer eMachines E525-2200 Notebook PC - 15.6" LCD / IntelOverall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by DoubleTime (USA) 2010-02-06 " I just picked my e525-2200 from Best Buy for a smooth $279.99 plus tax. That's much cheaper than anywhere I've ever seen it. The laptop is packed full of features and Windows 7 is amazing. I only have a few complaints. The first is that when you click and drag the mouse it takes about a second or ha... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #8 Acer Aspire Timeline AS1810T-8638 11.6-Inch HD Display Black Laptop -Overall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by J. Brezinski (OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) 2010-01-17 " I've had my 1810T for about 60 days, and it became unstable. It would hard crash after about 5 minutes on battery. Basically became unusable unless it was plugged in. So much for a laptop. I had been running x64 Windows 7 Ultimate. Prior to last week, I've had zero probl... " Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #9 Acer AS5740-5513 15.6-Inch Laptop (Blue)Overall Rating (10/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by Cactus AZ (USA) 2010-01-29 " This laptop has a good specification for the price. Who would pay out anything without doing due diligence and knowing what you are going to get for your money? I personally check several sources when making purchases. This laptop does the job for most everyday users. Read more reviews | ||
![]() |
Top #10 Acer Aspire AS1410-2039 11.6-Inch Black Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium)Overall Rating (8/10)![]() |
|
|
Review by I. Hinojosa (USA) 2010-03-09 " I recently bought this Acer 1410-2497 to replace my Aspire 5735Z because it was a monster, too big. I thought the smaller 1410 would perform slower, but I'm surprised that it runs almost as good. It is great for browsing the 'net, running MS Office 2007, and I can even play Legend of Zelda N64 ROM o... " Read more reviews | ||



















