Sunday, 21 June 2009

Why Small Laptops?

The main question that most people ask with regards to small laptops is why they are better than larger sized notebook machines. Below are the main reasons to choose a small laptop over a larger sized laptop.

1. Size
Small Laptops are small and portable. This makes them excellent for travelling and they are much easier to carry than the larger models. They are also lightweight in comparison and this has helped in making them accepted in the market more quickly. There is also a general consensus that netbooks are seen as being "cute" due to their small size. People like small cute phones, small cute dogs etc. and now small cute laptops too.

2. Price
With current global economic conditions being slow and people having less disposable income, netbooks prove to be a viable option. In fact it can be said to be a perfect time to launch them. They are considerably cheaper in price than larger laptops. You can pick a small laptop up for the price of a new mobile phone. Yes your own latest new portable personal computer for less than £200.

3. Specification
The introduction of Intel's Atom Processor has revolutionised the new small laptop market, this small, energy efficient chip uses less power and requires less cooling, whilst still providing up to 2.0Ghz performance. Netbook's large hard drives allow users to store as much data as a desktop PC - up to 80 GB. All the main manufacturers have their own model, many offering built in webcams, and the majority having USB and full networking capabilities.

dell-inspiron-9

4. vs PDA
The concept behind PDAs has been simplicity and portability and the mini laptop is no different. Using small laptops proves to be much less awkward and more user friendly.Their portability is also seen to be almost as good, easily fitting into any of the range of stylish small laptop bags which are now on the market.

5. Eco Friendly
Due to the fact that small laptops use less power, they are beneficial to the environment. Netbooks use fewer toxic components and are resource efficient. They have lower battery weight with long battery life.

6. Cooler and Quieter
The small processors used in mini laptops require less cooling power and as a result don't bring with them much noise.

7. Battery Life
The battery life of the latest small laptop has a run time of 8 hours. Plenty of time to carry out tasks of surfing the web, email, blogging, writing documents, watching videos, movies and more.

8. The Future is Web Based Applications
With much talk of cloud computing and many applications being web based, there won't be a need to waste hard drive speed and free up more of the processor's capabilities.

9. Stylish
The small laptop is seen as being a stylish accessory and the latest gadget or must have item. They look funky and are easy to carry around. Bright colours enhance their look.

Small Laptops are introducing a brand new approach to personal computing. They are perfect for exactly what we need you can't email, blog, watch video and be on the move with those big laptops anymore!

Small Laptops For Business

For business users carrying the wrong laptop can cause many problems. Size and weight are important factors for deciding on which laptop to purchase and with so many to choose from its difficult to decide which one to buy. For Small Laptop Business users looking for the best small laptop we would advise the guidelines below to follow:

1. Memory / RAM - a minimum of 1GB is advisable.

2. Hard Drive - For the hard drive it really depends on your usage but 80GB would be a good amount to start with.

3. Size - This depends on your personal preferences on how small you feel comfortable to work with. You should also consider the size in terms of portability, what size small business laptop are you happy to carry. We feel that 12 - 13 inches is a good size to go for.

4. Battery Life - Always remember to check the battery life when buying a small business laptop. Try to find small netbooks with battery life of 5 hours and above.

5. Weight - The weight of a good small business laptop will be around 1kg.

We will soon be adding a guide of the best small business laptops.

How to Buy a Small Laptop

Today's laptops range from large widescreen heavy laptops, to lightweight small cheap laptops. If you have ever shopped to buy a laptop then you know that size is only one of the factors to consider. Often laptops are built to a buyer's specific needs, so its important to try and find the laptop that suits your needs. If you need a high spec machine to act as a desktop pc replacement for gaming or for managing complex software or programs, then one of the larger laptops available on the market would be for you. If you need a small low priced laptop computer with extreme portability for carrying out small tasks like videos, music and internet surfing with some word processing too then a small laptop or netbook would be the ideal purchase.

Before shopping for a laptop you should consider how and where it will be used. If your primary goal is to get some word processing done whilst staying on top of your emails then a small laptop would be for you. One of the most important factors to consider is the CPU which determines how well the laptop performs. Another important factor to consider is memory or RAM, the more memory installed the better it will perform. Upgrading memory on a laptop is trickier than on a desktop so try and find a laptop with plenty of memory pre installed.

The screen size of your small laptop is an important consideration. Laptop screens continue to get bigger and at the same time get smaller. 10" or 11" screens are a good size for small laptops and desktop replacement pcs offer displays up to 18 inches. Remember that a laptop's screen only looks as good where you want to use it. Many small laptops screens look sharp on shop shelves thanks to extra glossy coatings but when you try and use them outdoors or in public places like coffee shops the screens can be difficult to see, so keep in mind not only how you want to use your netbook but also where you are planning to use it. It is always recommended to check the internet for reviews on a particular laptop before going ahead to purchase.

hp-mini-note-2133

When buying a small laptop try also to get a large hard drive. Many small laptops have 120 GB hard drives which allow storage of plenty of files and information. If you plan to work with spreadsheets, databases or digital photos then opt for a larger hard drive. When dealing with any portable laptop battery life is key. You should check the manufacturer's specifications. It can also be worth investing in a higher capacity battery for users who don't have access to a power outlet regularly.

Though you can get accustomed to a particular keyboard it is still a good idea to try before you buy, especially when purchasing a small laptop. Also check that the laptop has full wireless capabilities and ethernet access to wired connection sources. You should also check the number and location of USB 2.0 ports. Most laptops have between 2 and 6. If you want to connect an external drive or digital camcorder look for a firewire port.

Many sellers allow you to custom build a machine so use these steps to buy the best small laptop as they will give you control. Its important to remember that only some of the components are upgradeable whilst others are permanent once they have been installed at the factory, so take your time and buy what you need. If you are interested in purchasing a new small laptop then visit our buy small laptops page.