Why were laptops invented? What was the need to create a transportable computing machine? Of course the foremost reason of creation of laptops was Portability issue. People with tough traveling routines were not able to get done with their computer related tasks sooner. They needed a portable computer, and thus were notebooks introduced. This declares that portability should be the major feature of a laptop. This is why heavy and thick laptops are not liked much, even though they have better functions and features.

These days, ultra-portability is in demand. People want laptops that are very easy to carry and are extremely functional. Today, I will discuss some ultra-portable high end laptops.

1. Alienware M11x:

Ultra portability and great battery life; what else do you demand from a notebook? Alienware M11x has it all. Let us have a look at its specs and features.

Specs:

• Weight: 5.3 lbs
• Display size: 11.6 inches
• Maximum resolution: 1366 x 768
• Processor speed: 1730 MHz
• Video chipset: NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3
• HDD: 500 GB
• Networking: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Built in features: stereo speakers, microphone, webcam
• Energy Star compliant

Features:

This 11.6” machine is best choice for gamers! You can take it anywhere, you can play latest titles on it and battery won’t leak fast. Also, this laptop is not going to cost much. The Intel ultra-low voltage processor has been overclocked for better performance. The dedicated 1GB of graphics memory makes video watching and game playing whole new experiences. You can switch to Intel integrated graphics while simple web surfing or working in MS Office, in order to save juice. Where display is average, audio quality is brilliant. Fan noise disturbs a bit, when system is heated up.

Photo By Jason.Cheung

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• AlienFX customizable lighting
• Great performance
• Overclocked fast processor
• Nice battery life
• Good for gaming
• Ultraportable

Limitations:

• Unimpressive display
• Bad fan noise

2. Sony VAIO VGN-Z598U:

This multi media high end ultra portable business laptop by Sony is one of the best options, but only for those to whom money does not matter. This laptop defines the term “expensive.”

Specs:

• Display size: 13.1”
• Weight: 4.2 lbs
• Processor class: core 2 Duo P9500, 2530 MHz
• Video chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
• Graphics memory: 256 MB
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3, 1066 MHz
• HDD: 256 GB
• Optical drive: BD-RE/BD-R
• Networking: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate – 32-bit

Features:

Sony is notorious for high price tags (though not more than Apple) that it puts especially on Vaio. As far as this ultra portable is concerned, switching between integrated graphics and NVIDIA GPU will certainly save power, resulting in long battery hours.

Photo By ArtistOnline

The wide screen is beauty; that shows crisp picture even in direct sunlight, as well as is helpful in viewing side by side windows. Keys are nicely spaced and are easy to type with. Audio is okay; one will have to use earphones at times. If you are afraid of the frightening $4450 price tag, opt for normal hard drive instead of dual SSDs and you will save $2000.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Awesome widescreen display
• Two GPUs
• Great performance
• Nice battery life
• Ultraportable

Limitations:

• Very expensive
• Average audio quality

3. HP Probook 5310M:

This 14” ultraportable notebook from HP has good industrial design and nicely priced. Let us look at its specs and features.

Specs:

• Display size: 14”, glossy S with LED Backlight
• Weight: 3.79lbs
• Max resolution: 1366 x 768
• Processor speed: 2300 MHz
• Video chipset: Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset
• RAM: 2GB
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• HDD: 300 GB
• Networking: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• Built in features: stereo speakers, webcam, microphone

Features:

This is an all purpose nice business machine with adequate battery life of 5 hours. Keyboard is nice and keys are spaced properly. The touch pad is also very nice though with slightly thin mouse buttons.

Photo By personalagain

Also, it has multi touch functionality. Display is really nice and so is the video watching experience; but you might complain about audio. This is so because this laptop focuses on business people. I am sure that everyone out there is going to love the 2M webcam.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Nice industrial design
• Handy business software
• Nicely priced
• Above average keyboard and touchpad
• Pleasant display
• Limitations:
• Thin mouse buttons
• Unimpressive audio quality

4. Lenovo ThinkPad X200:

This highly ultra portable laptop is packed with god features and great battery life.

Specs:

• Display size: 12.1” Active matrix LCS (TFT)
• Weight: 3.24 lbs
• Maximum resolution: 1280 x 800
• Processor class: Core 2 Duo P8600 2400 MHz
• Video chipset: Intel X4500 HD
• Graphics memory: 384 MB
• RAM: 2 GB DDR3 (up to 4 GB)
• HD: 160GB
• Networking: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Business 32-bit

Features:

You will notice the big keyboard and will love working with it. The laptop is highly portable due to its form and weight. Though the normal graphics don’t allow you to play high end games; it does save your battery. What is the big deal if you can work non-stop for NINE hours but cannot play games? Lack of an optical drive is annoying, but Lenovo is into cutting off optical drives in its ultraportable notebooks. Overall, it is a great choice for you if your priority is good battery, nice keyboard and ultraportability.

Photo By rajankur1709

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Outstanding battery life
• Big keyboard
• Grand performance
• Very light in weight

Limitations:

• No touchpad
• No built in optical drive

5. HP EliteBook 2540p:

This highly portable machine does lack a dedicated GPU which results in bad gaming experience, but the light weight factor overwhelms this fact.

Specs:

• Display size: 12.1”
• Weight: 4.8 lbs
• Max resolution: 1280 x 800
• Processor class: Intel Core i7, 2130 MHz
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3
• HDD: 250GB
• Networking: Ethernet
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• Built in features: stereo speakers, webcam, microphone, Fingerprint reader, keyboard light
• Energy star compliant

Features:

The solid case of this notebook enables it to bear pressure. Battery life is really nice with around 5 and a half hour. This is powerful system running on Core i7 and is able to run almost any application. The keyboard is nice and works well and touchpad has multitouch functionality. A dedicated GPU would have added into the computer’s goodwill.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Strong processor
• Ultraportable

Limitations:

• No dedicated GPU

These ultraportable laptops provide you with the opportunity of working (or playing) anywhere; take them on journeys with you and the batteries will not deceive you for hours.

Laptop is all about portability and functionality. A heavy notebook is good for nothing when you leave it back in your room because you cannot afford to hold it during traveling, or leave some other important luggage to carry the heavyweight portable. Why are net books being liked so much? The only reason is their small size and light weight.

Here, we will discuss three thinnest and most lightweight laptops; the Apple MacBook, Dell XPS 1330 126B, and HP Pavilion dv3510nr.

1. MacBook:

The new 13” MacBook possesses an aluminum body and is available under $1600. Main specifications are:

32.5 x 22.7 x 2.4 nm
13.3 in TFT active matrix, 1280 x 800, LED backlit
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
2 GB/ 4 GB RAM, DDR3 SDRAM – 1066 MHz
EPA energy star, EPEAT gold compliance
250 GB – Serial ATA-150 – 5400 rpm
Integrated CD/DVD RW
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Shared video memory (UMA)
Integrated web cam
Touchpad, backlit keyboard, multi touch technology
Ethernet , Gigabit Ethernet , IEEE 802.11n (draft) , Bluetooth 2.1 EDR , IEEE 802.11a , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g
1 x Network, 2 x Hi-Speed USB, 1 x Display / video , 1 x Audio- Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio – SPDIF output/headphones – Mini-phone 3.5 mm
Battery life 5 hrs
Software: Front Row , Apple iCal , Apple iChat , Photo Booth , Apple Safari , Apple Spaces , Apple Dashboard , Apple QuickTime , Apple Spotlight , Apple iLife ?09 , Apple DVD Player , Apple Quick Look , Apple Address Book , Apple Time Machine , Apple Mac OS X Mail , Drivers & Utilities , Apple XCode Developer Tools

Features:

This MacBook Pre Mini has a 13” wide screen, and is an ultra portable laptop. With edge-to-edge glass on the LED-backlit display, all-button touchpad, improved graphics and uni-body aluminum case, this is a beautiful notebook.

It has a 250 GB hard drive, and Intel core 2 Duo processor. Other features include redesigned customizable track-pad with multi touch technology, backlit keyboard, optical DVD drive, wireless connectivity, integrated web cam, and LED backlit display.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Thinner and lighter
Solid aluminum uni-body
Large multi-touch touch-pad
Edge-to-edge glass on display
Backlit keyboard

Limitations:

No ExpressCard or SD-card slot or FIREWIRE port
Difficult to use touchpad
No matte-screen option

2 . Dell XPS 1330 126B:

It is a decent and well designed laptop, with Intel core 2 duo processor, and is lighter than the above mentioned MacBook by Apple.

Specs:

12.5” x 9.4” x 1.4”
4.4lbs
13.3 in TFT active matrix, 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ), TrueLife , UltraSharp
Vista Home Premium
Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 / 2 GHz, 800 MHZ, 2MB L2 cache
4GB RAM DDR II SDRAM – 667 MHz
320 GB – Serial ATA-150 – 5400 rpm
DVD RW (dual layer)
SDIO , Memory Stick , MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , XD-Picture Card , Memory Stick Pro , SDHC Memory Card
Intel GMA X3100 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
Integrated 2MP web cam
Dell Wireless 1395
802.11 b/g wireless LAN

Features:

This 13” laptop is a perfect choice for students out there. It is wedge-shaped and a pound lighter than MacBook. The glossy display is, though, difficult for understanding the words and touchpad is too small.

There are only 2 USB ports, but the positive aspect is the presence of an HDMI port. With 320 GB hard drive, it gives great deal of memory storage to the user.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Thinner and lighter
Great design
Good battery life

Limitations:

Over glossy screen
Too tiny touchpad

3 . HP Pavilion dv3510nr:

HP and Best Buy have teamed up to create this wonderful first Blue Label laptop. Packed with great features, this sleek and slim laptop delivers great level of performance.

Specs:

12.6” x 9” x 1.4”
4.6 lb
13.3 in TFT active matrix, 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ), BrightView
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 / 2 GHz, 1066MHZ
4GB RAM DDR2 SDRAM
EPEAT silver compliance
320 GB – Serial ATA-150 – 5400 rpm
DVD RW (R DL) / DVD-RAM
Memory Stick , MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , XD-Picture Card , Memory Stick Pro
Altec Lansing speakers
Integrated web cam
Intel WiFi Link 5100
Ethernet , Bluetooth , IEEE 802.11a , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , Fast Ethernet , Gigabit Ethernet , IEEE 802.11n (draft)
Software: Microsoft Works , CyberLink Youcam , CyberLink DVD Suite , Adobe Acrobat Reader , HP Total Care Advisor , Microsoft Windows Mail , HP Help and Support Center , Microsoft Internet Explorer , Microsoft Windows Photo Gallery , Norton Internet Security 2008 (1 year subscription)

Features:

It is the first Best Buy Blue Label laptop. It has a 13.3” Brightview display, and is very light weight. Graphics are good but not perfect for 3D gaming.

The backlit keyboard is extra spacious and easy to use. Glossy finishing of the touchpad is not very easy to use. With an ExpressCard expansion, 3 USB and an HDMI port, and wireless connectivity, this is a nice pick.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Lightweight and slim
Centrino 2 platform
Backlit keyboard and media control keys
Fingerprint reader
Remote control
HDMI and eSATA ports
Great application and 3D performance
Full-size backlit keyboard
Great battery life
2 yr warranty

Limitations:

No FireWire
Glossy touchpad makes working difficult

Final Words:

These were the top ultra portable laptops available. All of these 3 are a good choice, and the users can choose according to their likes and dislikes.

Written by “Seemab”