Hi, I need a very small notebook or handheld pc and was wondering if
people could give me some suggestions.
I do _NOT_ need it to have:
- floppy disk drive
- CD or DVD drive
- huge hard disk
- touch pad
I _DO_ need it to have:
- built in wireless, ethernet, and modem
- a touch typeable keyboard
- some way to get data in/out other than a network
(this last could be via USB storage devices or CF/SD Cards ???)
I'll only be using it for email, Web browsing, and word processing 80%
of the time. Being able to connect to ethernet/wireless/dialup
networks in most
And I'd like it to be as small and light as possible. I'm not real
worried about screen SIZE, but I do need a screen that's
viewable/useable outdoors.
The Libretto L5 and JVC Interlink 7310 are two I've been looking at
(online, not in person). Originally I was considering the NEC
Mobilepro 900, but would prefer something than can run a "real"
version of Windows.
Money is not a big concern (it's for work), but I'd like to keep it
under $2,000 US if possible.
Thanks for any info!
-Brett
Money is not a big concern (it's for work), but I'd like to keep it
Here we go! Heavier to lighter & smaller (all 100% PC compatible):
Used Sony Picturebook C-series. $500-1000 on www.ebay.com. Built-in
camera. ~2.5lbs.
Fujitsu P1000. Even smaller than P2000.
JVC Interlink MP-XP7310. <1kg/<2.0lbs.
Used Toshiba Libretto 110 series. (www.silverace.com/libretto/ for
more info on Librettos) $300-350 on www.ebay.com. Works fine under
Win98SE with GPS, wireless internet ($29.99/mo unlimited from Tmobile +
Merlin G100 GPRS card ~$80 on www.ebay.com), word processing, web
editing, ftp, MP3 & VCD playback, etc, etc. A touch smaller than JVC above.
Used Toshiba Libretto 70 series (better overclocked). Think VHS
plastic tape case sized. Will fit in man's Docker's pants pocket.
Sony U-series, eg. the latest U101. Even smaller than all of the
above. Even lighter at 880gr.
----
Now, from the above, only the JVC Interlink and Sony U101 has
everything built-in connectivity-wise (10/100, 56kb, 802.11b). The
others require you to add a wireless LAN PCMCIA card. However, if work
will pay for the Tmobile $29.99/mo unlimited 24/7 wireless internet card
& service, I'd highly recommend this over any built-in wireless option -
you can then go online anywhere in the USA with cell coverage by Tmobile
- backyard, car, beach, wherever.
As for daylight viewability, get real! No standard laptop on the
planet can be read in direct, bright daylight. Only special laptops
with daylight readable screens can be seen clearly, and there aren't any
at this weight range. With subduded lighting or some shading, you'll be
semi-okay with these choices, but just don't expect miracles. These
screens simply were not designed for outdoor use.
www.conics.net
www.dynamism.com
www.japan-direct.com can all import these for you.
=--
as for moving data off other than by network, all can use external CD-RW
drives, standard flash cards with PCMCIA adapters, USB flash drives, etc.
===
Personally, I'd go with the JVC Interlink. A touch bigger and heavier
than the Sony U, but the advantage is a keyboard you can easily
touchtype for longer periods (the U series is more like calculator keys,
tho barely touch typeable), has a far faster processor, larger, more
comfy to read screen. The U has the disadvantage of smaller size,
cramped keyboard, and two handed mouse operation (one thumb does
mousing; the other does clicking).
( But right now, there's nothing the above has that can't be handled
easily by the TOshiba Libretto 110 I have. Works fine, cheap, runs
everything fast enough, and has gone everywhere (eg. that recent around
the world solo balloon flight had a Libretto on board as the
communications laptop to ground control). Still, if the company's paying
for it, I'd go new with the faster JVC.)
