The latest mini notebook computer craze features the smallest laptops with customizable skins and even one with a floral print. Nearly weightless, compared to the dinosaur relics of, say, 2007, these new mini laptop PC computers fit into a purse or book bag and weigh less than 2 pounds.
Some of these mini laptops are great for most consumers; they're able to run Windows Vista and XP, familiar operating systems and have enough memory for everyday computing similar to a desktop PC. Others, though, run Linux or other lesser-known systems that can intimidate users. Macintosh also offers a mini laptop, their 13 inch MacBook.
Best Mini Laptop Review
The Asus EEE PC, consistently voted #1 from consumers at Intellreview, tops the power-meter chart with a whopping 9.5 hours usage on one charge. Unfortunately, it comes loaded with a Linux operating system that is designed to be quick and customizable, but frightens some Windows users.
Some reviewers at Amazon and other sites claim that switching it over to accommodate a Windows operating system isn't difficult, others needed help from tech-savvy friends or their local computer repair shop.
Smallest Laptop Computer
Remember when the MacBook Air was the thinnest mini notebook computer? It's the one that comes out of a manila envelope in the commercial. They also make another mini, the 13 inch MacBook which boasts a unibody aluminum frame construction, webcam and a backlit LED glass screen that goes all the way to the edges.
The newest "thinnest," the Sony Vaio X505 is razor thin and has a carbon fiber body, a 10.5 inch screen and weight just 1.7 pounds. It has a battery life of 1.5 hours and not enough memory to run major applications, but it's cute. If that matters. Laptop reviewers have not had many good things to say about the functionality of this computer, but the size is a novelty and one simply must marvel at the technology involved in creating such a gem.
Cutest Mini Notebook Computer
The Acer Aspire stole a few hearts with its AOA150 in pink and sapphire blue, but the Asian-esque red floral printed Vivienne Tam HP mini, released in early 2009, has really added a dimension of feminine style and personalization that laptop computers have never seen before.
Both of these mini laptops feature 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processors with 1GB of RAM, but the mini HP laptop falls short, with half the battery power and a much smaller hard drive.
Mini Laptop Computer
The MSI Wind comes pre-loaded with Windows XP. It features full sized keys on most of the keyboard, instead of making all the keys smaller, it simply condensed the keys on the periphery of the keyboard, leaving the letters and numbers full size. Users report that it takes some getting used to, but that it's easier than other mini PC computers. The Wind also boasts more USB ports than other mini laptops. It also has a card reader and an ethernet port.
Small laptops now house an enormous amount of features and options, and aren't just mini mobile computers. With the capability of using the same operating systems as a desktop computer, a mini laptop consumer can expect these small computers to be easy to use, whether as a primary PC or for travel.
They're lightweight and most models have built in web cams. In online reviews, some users lament the lack of Bluetooth that makes file transfer easier, since these models don't generally come with CD Rom Drives. USB technology enables users to use an external CD rom drive, mouse or full size keyboard.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
