05-31-2004, 02:01 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 277
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Ultraportable Laptop List!
Hello all,
Since I've decided to replace my Pocket PC with an ultraportable laptop, I'm putting together a list of some of the different models I've seen. The list isn't complete (there are some Asus ones I'm missing), but it gives a pretty good idea of what's out there.
UPDATE: Thanks to some help from the folks at the LeoG.net forums, I've updated this list. Much better now.  Still to be improved.
Notes:
All models have no optical drive unless specified. This list is for non-import models only. Added Asus and Panasonic model information, as well as the Lifebook S series (with a note). I'll make a separate "Imports" category soon and put it in later. I ditched the "Handhelds" category because, seriously, there just isn't one yet. The Vaio U50/U70 will go into the "imports" category with a special note for its special little self. :wink:
Less than 10" wide-screens- Fujitsu Lifebook P1120 2.2lbs*1
10" wide-screens- Sony Vaio TR2A 3.1lbs*2
- Fujitsu Lifebook P2120 3.4lbs*2 (technically discontinued, but easily buyable, and more-or-less up to date)
- Fujitsu Lifebook P5020D 3.9lbs*2
10" XGA screens- Sony Vaio X505 1.8lbs
- Sharp Actius MM20 2lbs
- Fujitsu Lifebook B3020D 3.1lbs*1
12" screens < 3lbs- IBM ThinkPad X40 2.6lbs
- Dell Inspiron 300M 2.9lbs
- Dell Latitude X300 2.9lbs
- Toshiba Portege R100 2.4lbs
- Panasonic ToughBook T2 2.7lbs
- Panasonic ToughBook W2 2.8lbs*2
- Asus S5N 3lbs
12" screens > 3lbs- IBM ThinkPad X31 3.7lbs
- Dell Latitude D400 3.7lbs
- HP Compaq nc4000 3.5lbs
- Asus M5N 3.4lbs*2
More than 12" screens < 4lbs- Panasonic Toughbook Y2 3.4lbs*2 (How in the heck did they do that?!)
- Fujitsu Lifebook S2020 3.9lbs*3
- Fujitsu Lifebook S6210 3.6lbs*3
- Fujitsu Lifebook S7010D 3.9lbs*3
*1 - Touchscreen, but not WinXP Tablet PC Edition.
*2 - Includes an internal optical drive.
*3 - Weight is with empty drive-bay slug. ("Weight-saver" is such a euphemism).
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iPAQ h3635 => Jornada 548 => Jornada 720 => Jornada 568 => iPAQ h1935 => iPAQ h1940 => Axim x50v
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05-31-2004, 02:39 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,056
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I had a recent thread you might be interested in since I just recently made the same purchase. It included some very nice recommendations. Don't know how to attach the link, just do a search on my name and you'll see it at the top of the list.
You mention a few that I considered and a couple that I did not. At the end of the day I thought the Dell 300M was the best deal. I got mine for slightly less than $1,500 (including taxes and shipping). At 3 lbs, integrated wireless "G" (an absolute MUST for me), external CDRW/DVD combo drive (though you can upgrade to DVD burner for $150), and the performance ratings via CNET, this machine was clearly the best deal for my budget. It's scheduled to arrive later this week.
After reading your list I went back and did some digging on the Sharp M20. WOW, that is one sweet machine. Very compelling. The only drawbacks for me were the lack of integrated SD slot and the small hard drive. But d#$n, that is one good-looking machine.
One more thing, I really liked the Toshiba Portege. Unfortunately it only had wireless "B" and to add an optical drive made it to pricey for my budget.
Good luck.
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Shawn - HP 4150, Sandisk 1G SD Card, Dell Latitude X1
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05-31-2004, 03:48 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 277
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Yes indeed... I looked at the 300M for a long time. It's probably the best deal for a 12" screen that's less than 3lbs.
For now though, my #1 priority is the best combination of features, price, and small size--and I'm waiting eagerly for the next iteration of the P1000 series (either to get it, or to buy a discounted P1120).
The mm20 is very tempting to me as well, but the small HD is a concern, and I wouldn't opt for the larger footprint unless I was sure it had enough muscle to handle some modest games (which your new 300m certainly can). Transmeta processors (even the new Efficeons) do not => performance. If I decided to go for 10", I'd probably get the (somewhat thicker) B3020D Lifebook ( all right! I admit! I'm turning into a Fujitsu fanboy. So sue me  ) for the Pentium M and the touchscreen. As an ultra-ultra-portable 9hr battery life workhorse, though, I'll take the P1k.
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iPAQ h3635 => Jornada 548 => Jornada 720 => Jornada 568 => iPAQ h1935 => iPAQ h1940 => Axim x50v
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05-31-2004, 07:00 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 461
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If you haven't already, you should check out www.pdabuyersguide.com, they have about 15 reviews of small laptops. I was actually looking for relatively small laptops for a friend last night, and found an Averatec with a 12" screen, 1" thick, 4.2 lbs, 802.11g, AMD Mobile 2000+, 512 RAM, and other nice specs, for less than $1000. I'm thinking about getting that sometime this summer before college, especially since I get getting 10% discounts from buy.com, so I'd save almost $100. |
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05-31-2004, 07:15 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,056
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Falstaff,
A word of caution about the Averatec, most of the consumer reviews I read on this pc were horrible. Slow hard drive that constantly overheats, something about power dissapation (whatever the heck that means), and there were a few others.
I came very close to buying this machine because it was the only one I could demo in the store (Circuit City carries them). The screen looks fantastic, it is very lightweight, and my goodness, the price is incredible. Everything about it was impressive until I began reading consumer reviews.
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Shawn - HP 4150, Sandisk 1G SD Card, Dell Latitude X1
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05-31-2004, 08:55 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,048
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what is your issue with tablets?
just out of curiosity
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Please see www.grlt.com "Tech with a twist of lime!"
The Midlands Hybrid Club MidlandsHybrid.com
Current: Kacey's Wing, T-mo Wing Past: GCM_T, T-Mobile MDA |
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05-31-2004, 09:47 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,211
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What about the Panasonic W2? Too big for what you're looking for?
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05-31-2004, 11:05 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,056
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kacey Green
what is your issue with tablets?
just out of curiosity
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For me they were too expensive and too heavy. It also just seemed a little "gimmicky". I did consider them in the beginning, but the infatuation didn't last long and I quickly eliminated them from consideration.
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Shawn - HP 4150, Sandisk 1G SD Card, Dell Latitude X1
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05-31-2004, 11:23 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,065
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kacey Green
what is your issue with tablets?
just out of curiosity
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I think it's useful for people who would TRULY benefit from having the digitizer. I know some of my professors use tablet PCs since they can be more interactive with their Powerpoint presentations by writing and clarifying things right on the slide.
If you don't have a real use for a Tablet PC, then it's a waste of money. The processors are slow and the devices are very expensive. Maybe things will get better in a few years, but for now, I believe that Tablet PCs will stay a niche market. |
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05-31-2004, 11:47 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 277
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I agree with the above as far as Tablet PCs go. Some of those notebooks are really expensive (Panasonic and Sony are, of course, the worst offenders) but at least they're expensive for reasons besides some nifty HWR features, and either lacking a keyboard or sporting an unwielding-looking single-hinge design.
Those Averatecs look enticing, but they don't qualify for the list, cuz' they're all heavier than 4lbs!
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iPAQ h3635 => Jornada 548 => Jornada 720 => Jornada 568 => iPAQ h1935 => iPAQ h1940 => Axim x50v
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