Monday, March 17, 2008
So What's The Lightest Notebook Computer Anyway?
I went looking for the lightest notebook computer the other day and after a couple hours of searching I was getting pretty frustrated. "Ultalight notebook computer", "light weight notebook computer" - I kept trying different approaches.
What I found was a lot of old machines - 1, 2, even 3 years old. And a ton of spam websites that took my search keys and created a dynamic page. That left going to the manufacturers and looking at actual product specs to see who actually has the lightest notebook computer. Fortunately I finally found a list to start from so here they are - the light weights.
The Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 weighs in at 2.2 pounds with a 12.1 inch screen. Unfortunately it has a 1.2Ghz processor and a 30 GB hard drive though it comes with XP Pro and a DVD writer.
The Dell Latitude D420 also has a 12.1 inch screen and is significantly less expensive but again 1.2 GHz and a slow (4200rpm) 30 GB HD and it weighs around 3 pounds. It also comes with 512MB of DDR2-533 SDRAM on an integrated DIMM. The upgrade to 1GB or to 1.5GB is reasonable, but the 2GB configuration costs an extra $1000 (probably because it requires a 1.5GB DIMM).
The Sony VAIO VGNTX750PB weighs 2.76 pounds. it has a smaller screen (11.1 inches) than some of the others, a 1.2 GHz processor, but it includes an 80GB hard drive and a DVD+-RW dual layer combo Drive. The memory is upgradeable to 1.5 GB.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X60 at 3.3 pounds has a 1.66GHz Core Duo, a 12.1 inch screen and a 60 GB hard drive. The memory is theoretically upgradeable to 4GB, but it has no optical drive. You need to get a ThinkPad X6 Ultrabase to add a CD or DVD drive. That kind of hampers its mobile uses.
The Averatec AV2260, weighing in at 4 pounds, comes with a 1.8 GHz AMD Turion 64 Mobile, a 12.1 inch screen, 1GB installed DDR-SDRAM, an 80GB hard drive and a DVD+-RW Dual Layer Combination Drive. So it's a little like an overweight Sony on steroids. It's also the least expensive of the six lightweights. The others run from around $1200 to over $2300 depending on the seller and configuration.
Though slightly heavier at 4.4 pounds, the HP Compaq nc6400 is unusual in having a 14.1 inch Wide XGA screen. It comes with a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo Processor, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 60GB hard drive and a DVD/CDRW Drive. The lowest price I saw in a quick search, was $1259.99. Most of the models I saw were being advertised with 80GB drives and DVD+-RW/DVD-RAM optical drives, rather than the 60GB and DVD/CDRW drives.
Obviously the lightest notebook computer in this list is the Fujitsu. If you really want an ultralight notebook computer then you will have to accept some sacrifices. Personally, I think I'd rather have a more capable machine. I also don't like the small screen sizes on the very light notebooks.
As with any computer purchase it's critical that you carefully analyze just what you're going to do with a machine. Lightweight notebooks are nice simply because they're less hassle to lug around, but there compromises involved that may make extra weight a less significant issues. Aside from tending to be more expensive, a light weight notebook computer will almost always have a smaller screen and a more compact keyboard than heavier notebooks. The real question you need to ask yourself isn't "What's the lightest notebook computer?" it's "What's the lightest notebook computer that meets my requirements?"
Richard Keir, a computer professional and writer, is a little obsessed with software and computer hardware. Completely Notebooks at http://Completely-Notebooks.net has much more about notebook computers and accessories.
What I found was a lot of old machines - 1, 2, even 3 years old. And a ton of spam websites that took my search keys and created a dynamic page. That left going to the manufacturers and looking at actual product specs to see who actually has the lightest notebook computer. Fortunately I finally found a list to start from so here they are - the light weights.
The Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 weighs in at 2.2 pounds with a 12.1 inch screen. Unfortunately it has a 1.2Ghz processor and a 30 GB hard drive though it comes with XP Pro and a DVD writer.
The Dell Latitude D420 also has a 12.1 inch screen and is significantly less expensive but again 1.2 GHz and a slow (4200rpm) 30 GB HD and it weighs around 3 pounds. It also comes with 512MB of DDR2-533 SDRAM on an integrated DIMM. The upgrade to 1GB or to 1.5GB is reasonable, but the 2GB configuration costs an extra $1000 (probably because it requires a 1.5GB DIMM).
The Sony VAIO VGNTX750PB weighs 2.76 pounds. it has a smaller screen (11.1 inches) than some of the others, a 1.2 GHz processor, but it includes an 80GB hard drive and a DVD+-RW dual layer combo Drive. The memory is upgradeable to 1.5 GB.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X60 at 3.3 pounds has a 1.66GHz Core Duo, a 12.1 inch screen and a 60 GB hard drive. The memory is theoretically upgradeable to 4GB, but it has no optical drive. You need to get a ThinkPad X6 Ultrabase to add a CD or DVD drive. That kind of hampers its mobile uses.
The Averatec AV2260, weighing in at 4 pounds, comes with a 1.8 GHz AMD Turion 64 Mobile, a 12.1 inch screen, 1GB installed DDR-SDRAM, an 80GB hard drive and a DVD+-RW Dual Layer Combination Drive. So it's a little like an overweight Sony on steroids. It's also the least expensive of the six lightweights. The others run from around $1200 to over $2300 depending on the seller and configuration.
Though slightly heavier at 4.4 pounds, the HP Compaq nc6400 is unusual in having a 14.1 inch Wide XGA screen. It comes with a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo Processor, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 60GB hard drive and a DVD/CDRW Drive. The lowest price I saw in a quick search, was $1259.99. Most of the models I saw were being advertised with 80GB drives and DVD+-RW/DVD-RAM optical drives, rather than the 60GB and DVD/CDRW drives.
Obviously the lightest notebook computer in this list is the Fujitsu. If you really want an ultralight notebook computer then you will have to accept some sacrifices. Personally, I think I'd rather have a more capable machine. I also don't like the small screen sizes on the very light notebooks.
As with any computer purchase it's critical that you carefully analyze just what you're going to do with a machine. Lightweight notebooks are nice simply because they're less hassle to lug around, but there compromises involved that may make extra weight a less significant issues. Aside from tending to be more expensive, a light weight notebook computer will almost always have a smaller screen and a more compact keyboard than heavier notebooks. The real question you need to ask yourself isn't "What's the lightest notebook computer?" it's "What's the lightest notebook computer that meets my requirements?"
Richard Keir, a computer professional and writer, is a little obsessed with software and computer hardware. Completely Notebooks at http://Completely-Notebooks.net has much more about notebook computers and accessories.
Introduction to Microsoft .NET Technology
In 2000, Microsoft announced its .NET software environment, a new addition to Windows. The .NET (dot net) environment is effectively a virtual computer that runs on a real computer, with the advantage that any program written for it will run on any computer which is running .NET.
One important aspect of the .NET strategy is its independence from a specific language or platform. Developers can create a .NET application in any .NET - compatible language and participate in the same software project writing code in the .NET languages in which they are most competent (such as Visual C++.NET, Visual Basic .NET, C#, Perl and others). Part of the .NET software environment includes Active Server Pages (ASP) .NET technology, which allows developers to develop applications for the Web.
The .Net architecture can exist on multiple platforms, further extending the portability of .NET programs. Additionally, the .NET software environment involves a new program development process that could change the way programs are written and executed, leading to increased productivity.
The most important component of the .NET architecture is Web Services, which are applications that can be used over the Internet. One example of a Web service is the tour operators flights booking system. The tour operator wanted to enable customers to book flights from the tour operators Web site. To do so, the tour operator needed to access the airlines booking system. In response, an airline partner created a Web service that allowed the tour operator to access the airlines database and make bookings. Web services enable the two companies to communicate over the Web, even if they use the different operating systems (the tour operator uses UNIX and the airline uses Windows). By creating a Web service, the airline can allow other tour operators to use its booking system without creating a new program.
The .NET strategy extends the concept of software reuse to the Internet, allowing developers to concentrate on their specialties without having to implement every component of every application. Instead, companies can buy Web services and devote their time and energy to developing their products.
The .NET strategy incorporates the idea of software reuse. When companies link their products in this way, a new user experience emerges. For example, an online store could buy Web services for online credit-card payments, user authentication and inventory databases to create an e-commerce Web site. The keys to this interaction are XML and SOAP, which enable Web service to communicate. XML gives meaning to data, and SOAP is the protocol that allows Web services to communicate easily with one another. XML and SOAP act together combining various Web services to form applications.
Another important concept in the .NET technology is universal data access. If two copies of a file exist (such as on a personal computer and a company computer), the less recent version must constantly be updated, this is called file synchronization. If the separate versions of the file are different, they are unsynchronized and could lead to serious error. Using the .NET data could reside in one central location rather than on separate systems. Any internet-connected device could access the data, which would then be formatted properly for use on access device (a desktop PC, a PDA or other device). Thus, the same document could be displayed and edited without the need to synchronise the data, because it would be up to date in central area.
Ratko Carevic is the IT Solutions Development Manager of eNetGate Company, which specializes in Web Design, Database Development and Application Development throughout the UK.
One important aspect of the .NET strategy is its independence from a specific language or platform. Developers can create a .NET application in any .NET - compatible language and participate in the same software project writing code in the .NET languages in which they are most competent (such as Visual C++.NET, Visual Basic .NET, C#, Perl and others). Part of the .NET software environment includes Active Server Pages (ASP) .NET technology, which allows developers to develop applications for the Web.
The .Net architecture can exist on multiple platforms, further extending the portability of .NET programs. Additionally, the .NET software environment involves a new program development process that could change the way programs are written and executed, leading to increased productivity.
The most important component of the .NET architecture is Web Services, which are applications that can be used over the Internet. One example of a Web service is the tour operators flights booking system. The tour operator wanted to enable customers to book flights from the tour operators Web site. To do so, the tour operator needed to access the airlines booking system. In response, an airline partner created a Web service that allowed the tour operator to access the airlines database and make bookings. Web services enable the two companies to communicate over the Web, even if they use the different operating systems (the tour operator uses UNIX and the airline uses Windows). By creating a Web service, the airline can allow other tour operators to use its booking system without creating a new program.
The .NET strategy extends the concept of software reuse to the Internet, allowing developers to concentrate on their specialties without having to implement every component of every application. Instead, companies can buy Web services and devote their time and energy to developing their products.
The .NET strategy incorporates the idea of software reuse. When companies link their products in this way, a new user experience emerges. For example, an online store could buy Web services for online credit-card payments, user authentication and inventory databases to create an e-commerce Web site. The keys to this interaction are XML and SOAP, which enable Web service to communicate. XML gives meaning to data, and SOAP is the protocol that allows Web services to communicate easily with one another. XML and SOAP act together combining various Web services to form applications.
Another important concept in the .NET technology is universal data access. If two copies of a file exist (such as on a personal computer and a company computer), the less recent version must constantly be updated, this is called file synchronization. If the separate versions of the file are different, they are unsynchronized and could lead to serious error. Using the .NET data could reside in one central location rather than on separate systems. Any internet-connected device could access the data, which would then be formatted properly for use on access device (a desktop PC, a PDA or other device). Thus, the same document could be displayed and edited without the need to synchronise the data, because it would be up to date in central area.
Ratko Carevic is the IT Solutions Development Manager of eNetGate Company, which specializes in Web Design, Database Development and Application Development throughout the UK.
