I am looking for a reasonably price small laptop computer. (less than $1,000.) My primary use would be to download and backup files to a couple of small hardrives. I would also like the ability to read email, surf the web, etc. and maybe do some light photo editing. I am thinking maybe 8- 10 inch or so diagonal screen.
Thanks if you have any experience with this or recommendations.
I'm not sure about all current offerings...but when I bought my ThinkPad X41 almost two years ago I paid MORE for it because it was smaller (12") than if I had gotten something more typical size (14-15"). I got mine through an employee discount program and paid over $1,500 for it.
e.g. the VAIOŽ TZ Series (11" screen) starts at $2,000
Forrest Egan wrote:
I'm not sure about all current offerings...but when I bought my ThinkPad X41 almost two years ago I paid MORE for it because it was smaller (12") than if I had gotten something more typical size (14-15"). I got mine through an employee discount program and paid over $1,500 for it.
e.g. the VAIOŽ TZ Series (11" screen) starts at $2,000
Are you wanting something NEW or USED?
Thanks Forrest. I guess I would prefer new. I was really curious if anyone had come out with a scaled down laptop. Even if it had a bit less functionality, I could handle that, but my main need is to download files and then make a backup while travelling. I could sacrifice photoshop if necessary but I would like a bit more than a photo viewer if possible - mainly because I would want to have two copies of my files at all times and that would mean two photo viewers.
I've used a scaled-down Toshiba for similar purposes for 3 1/2 years and like it. Initial cost was about $850. It has the Celeron processor, and I've wished several times for the Pentium. They have several levels and sizes. Get at least 100 Gg hard drive and 1 Mg of RAM, more if you use Photoshop. Dell offers a variety of models as well.
George
What you're asking for is a subnotebook. A buddy of mine has a Fujitsu that's pretty slick. Try a google search for "subnotebook" and you'll likely find a few interesting possibilites. I'm waiting for the rumored Apple, perhaps this Spring.
Patrick Cox wrote:
Thanks Forrest. I guess I would prefer new. I was really curious if anyone had come out with a scaled down laptop. Even if it had a bit less functionality, I could handle that, but my main need is to download files and then make a backup while travelling. I could sacrifice photoshop if necessary but I would like a bit more than a photo viewer if possible - mainly because I would want to have two copies of my files at all times and that would mean two photo viewers.
Thanks again.
Pat
If you are looking for small, you can get a sony vgn-ux490 for $2500 or so.
If you want low cost, you can get something large (14-15" diagonal) or you might consider:
Another vote for Averatec. I've been traveling with mine for 2 years with no problems. I do not run Photoshop on it but it does handle Capture One and Photo Mechanic fine. I started out looking for the 10-12 inch models but ended up with a 14 inch wide screen due to a deal I couldn't pass up. Not the most durable contruction and battery life isn't the greatest, but with a little care and a good case it travels just fine.
Ultra small - 1.6lbs
5+ hour battery life
Touchscreen, 5.6", tablet mode
1Gb memory, 40Gb hdd
External display and docking
Networking: cable, wireless, and bluetooth
the best part for me as a remote downloader:
CF card slot
AND
SD card slot built in.
Slightly too big for pocket, but about the size of a day planner. Probably not that great for PS with 800Mhz CPU, but I have bigger boxes for that.
Hammy wrote:
I just picked up a Fujitsu U810 a few weeks ago.
Ultra small - 1.6lbs
5+ hour battery life
Touchscreen, 5.6", tablet mode
1Gb memory, 40Gb hdd
External display and docking
Networking: cable, wireless, and bluetooth
the best part for me as a remote downloader:
CF card slot
AND
SD card slot built in.
Slightly too big for pocket, but about the size of a day planner. Probably not that great for PS with 800Mhz CPU, but I have bigger boxes for that.
My wife gave me here Fujitsu P2120 subnotebook after her work got her another subnotebook. The P2120 has 256MB of ram, but upgradable to 512. Harddrive is 30gb, but I've read they can be upgraded to at least 80gb. I'm using PS6 on it and even though it's only 256MB of ram it still does what I want quickly. I wouldn't use it for batch stuff, or use it with Nikon Capture. BTW, they have two USB 2.0 slots. My main reason for taking this is so I can go to a client's house and quickly show them how pics will look after some basic post. All my main editting is done on a Dell desktop.
Here is a site I found and it seems to be useful for subnotebook users:
I also would recomend a MacBook. There is rumer of a new model coming out soon as well, in the next several months, that should be smaller than Apple's current offerings.
Another option, is the new Asus Eee Laptop. The HD is basically non-esistant, however I'm assuming you are planning on backing up to external HDs. If this is the case, this could be a good fit for you. Check out http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/upgrades/8gb-asus-eee-pc-to-get-bigger-screen-322050.php to read a bit about it. It uses flash memory for a harddrive, but is 8" -> 10", and very cheap.
it is quite slow and noisy when the fan runs, which is much more often than i liked. i suggest if you get one, don't use it for anything except email and file copying or viewing. i had one fully tricked out and with a fast 60GB hard drive. i had Photoshop CS on it and it was really slow. some versions of applications, especially games, won't install because the Transmeta processor doesn't emulate enough of a Pentium III instruction set for the games and graphics stuff. my video editing software refused to install even though all i planned to use it for was to do trimming of clips.
Herb....
wjlapier wrote:
My wife gave me here Fujitsu P2120 subnotebook after her work got her another subnotebook. The P2120 has 256MB of ram, but upgradable to 512. Harddrive is 30gb, but I've read they can be upgraded to at least 80gb. I'm using PS6 on it and even though it's only 256MB of ram it still does what I want quickly. I wouldn't use it for batch stuff, or use it with Nikon Capture. BTW, they have two USB 2.0 slots. My main reason for taking this is so I can go to a client's house and quickly show them how pics will look after some basic post. All my main editting is done on a Dell desktop.
Here is a site I found and it seems to be useful for subnotebook users:
invalid2 wrote:
Why do you say "not a true laptop"?
The ASUS does not have a hard drive, which the OP wanted, and comes with Linux preloaded (does work with XP it says)...has potential with a little tinkering to be useful, but it does not have the full functionality of a laptop (nor the price) out of the box.
