When size matters, choose small one
Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta
Some like it big, some like it small, and others believe that there is such a thing as the right size in between. Of course, when you travel a lot, the smaller the notebook the better.
And if your work away from the office does not require desktop-class power, why not go with the tiny notebook computers called "ultra-portable," "ultra-light and ultra-thin," or simply "mini-notebook."
What distinguishes this class of notebooks from a handheld Personal Data Assistant? First and foremost, the mini-notebooks are still largely based on the Intel Architecture (IA).
This means that they still run on processors made by Intel -- or its competitor AMD. It also means that they run the full- fledged Microsoft Windows operating system -- not the Windows CE or PocketPC.
And there are also the increasingly popular Crusoe processors made by Transmeta. This processor uses software to emulate the working of the Intel processors.
We cannot expect speed from it, but Transmeta has promised that Crusoe requires so little power that a battery charge can run up to six or seven hours. In a way, Crusoe has influenced Intel to design new processors with the ability to economize in their use of battery power.
Although up to now Crusoe has not really delivered on its promise of providing many hours of computing time, at least it has brought into the picture the fact that we all want to be able to work on our notebooks for the whole day without having to look for a power outlet or an extension cord.
What is available on the market? Let us take a look at just a few of the very portable notebooks today. Toshiba has a mini notebook, Libretto, that has been around for quite many years already.
The interesting thing about the latest Libretto is that it is the first to use the Crusoe processor. With a 10-inch TFT display and a 10 GB hard disk, it runs on a 600 MHz Crusoe. It weighs only 2.4 pounds.
Sony's second generation VAIO PictureBook, a small notebook with a digital camera, has been around for a couple of years, too, although not as long as the Libretto. It runs on a 667 MHz Crusoe processor, has an 8.9-inch screen and weighs only 2.2 pounds.
Casio is a name we would readily associate with calculators and the Cassiopeia PDAs. Recently, Casio launched its own mini- notebook in the U.S., and it was called Fiva. Fiva is not to be taken lightly, though, as this 600 MHz Crusoe-powered computer comes complete with a PC-Card slot, a 20GB hard disk, a FireWire, a CompactFlash and a USB ports. It also has a built-in 56 Kbps modem and an Ethernet adapter.
Small dimensions mean a lot of sacrifices, unfortunately. The screen is very small. We cannot really write a thriller using a mini-notebook. It also comes with a small keyboard. However, as they run Windows, you can run Windows-based applications and make simple changes to your presentations or memos as you travel.
As with other electronic gadgets that you plan to buy and use for some time, the same rule applies: Try it out before you hand over your credit card. The rule becomes even truer in the case of the mini-notebooks, which are definitely not for everyone.