The biggest challenge facing laptop computer producers has always been always size and weight. It quickly became evident that there is no easy way to escape it: On the one hand, it's more convenient to work on a big screen and keyboard. On the other hand, it's less convenient to carry it from place to place.
Sub-Notebooks
A possible solution is offered by the prestigious market of the ultra-portable computers. They are described as Sub-notebooks. These are computers that do not settle on capabilities nor on technical specifications, except for the screen which is logically just as small as the device. How small are the screens? The definition is unambiguous, but computers that arrive with screens that are up to 13 inches big can be honorably welcomed into this category.
The little computers offer almost everything their big brothers include in a small and light case. But these small and light technological wonders come with a pretty big and heavy price: The hottest models, the Lenovo X300 and MacBook Air, will cost between 2,000 to 3,000 dollars in the States (according to specifications).
Computers for Kids and Students
In the sub-notebook category, more compact models can be found, but they are still not very small computers and are not entirely cheap. A new category enters the picture here. It doesn't even have an official name yet, but one thing is clear: These are computers that are even smaller than the Sub-notebooks, and they even have an accessible price.
In the past few years there have been a few attempts to follow this direction, like for instance, Intel's tiny Classmate PC, which is designated for the education system, or the OLPC project (One Laptop Per Child).
But the first computer in this category which has been profusely praised is the all solid-state EEE PC by Asus. These computers are designated for students and for those who need it as a second computer. As such, the tasks it is required to perform are pretty limited: internet browsing, editing and viewing documents, reading and writing emails.
The technological restrictions, along with the low price, force the producers to come up with operating system solutions that are a little less sophisticated . You won't see Vista here. This market belongs to various versions of Linux or Windows XP.
Ultra Laptops and MID
The next portable category was produced and promoted by Microsoft. These are the ultra-portable computers, or ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPC). These computers arrive with minimal hardware specifications, a tiny touch screen (7 inches at most), and sometimes with a tiny keyboard (which can't compete with the almost normal keyboards of the previous category). The need for this configuration sounds logical – but relatively heavy weight, proportions and prices not small enough have prevented up ultra-portables being particularly successful until very recently.
Another category promoted by Intel, which also stuck its name on it: the MID computers (the initials of "Mobile Internet Device"). Its screen size is between 3 to 4 inches – pretty similar to what palm computers have to offer. These computers also allow for easy email checking and manage a chat with an immediate messenger program. Currently, devices with Intel's specific unique specifications are still non-existent in the market, but Nokia's series of tablet computers (N810 for instance) offer similar capabilities and specifications and answer the needs for occasional browsing without being tied down to the desk-top computer or laptop, even though they're exceptionally small.
Looking for something smaller? Then you'll have to look for it in the category of smart phones. Advanced devices such as iPhone or those based on Windows Mobile with a touch screen, offer similar capabilities to the ones of the MID: in other words, advanced browsing and a little more restricted technical specification for the favor of portability and weight.
The N95's Crown
At the bottom of the food chain we'll find the smart phones minus touch screens, with an advanced operating system, such as Symbian S60. These devices offer size and functionality almost like those of a phone and most of the capabilities of the bigger versions. The primary price we'll pay here is in convenience and operation and a pretty restricted input interface because of the lack of touch screens.
The crown of this category is still worn by Nokia's N95, which can execute a variety of functions and still remain useable as a phone. Devices of its kind are, in fact, the smallest computers you can buy.
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