Mini notebook computers are becoming increasingly popular. Their features mirror the desktop computers of a few years ago and they're portable and lightweight. Whether it's to replace a desktop or for travel, different consumers will require different features from a mini laptop. Manufacturers like Dell, Acer, Sony and HP respond with several different features and a wide range of specifications.
Hewlett Packard's Mini Notebook
HP has played into a consumer's desire for personalization, with a rainbow of mini laptops. Available in Atom Blue, a Sonoma Red laptop, plus silver, matte black, white, Pacific Blue and Swirl Black. In addition to the colorful laptops, consumers can also choose mini laptop decals with a transparent background, which can be used to complement and further customize the appearance of their mini HP computer.
Dell Inspiron Mini Laptop
Dell also offers customizable appearance, but the Dell mini notebooks have a different variety of features. The kids mini laptop from Dell, which is a popular laptop for homeschoolers, for example, starts at $50 less than the HP mini laptop, but comes standard with a 160gb hard drive, whereas the HP comes with 250. For $50 more, HP consumers get a faster computer with a built-in webcam and microphone. Recent news stories of school administrators using student's laptops to spy on them, however, makes the Dell a better choice for kids. It may limit their ability to chat with Grandma, however.
Finding Mini Laptop Reviews
Consumer shopping sites allow buyers to post their product reviews. Amazon for instance, solicits feedback from shoppers about a month after their purchase. Users share their experiences with their mini laptops, which allows users to make an informed decision.
When computer manufacturers list their features, it can look like mumbo jumbo. The Sony Vaio mini, for example, boasts “Dimensions (Approx.) : 10.54"(W) x 1.08-2.00"(H) x 7.07"(D), Weight (Approx.) : 2.93 lbs (with standard battery), Capacity : 250GB, Speed : 5400rpm,” A list of specifications that can make the average consumer's head spin.Real reviews of mini laptops can provide relevance.
How to Compare Computer Specifications
A simple piece of graph paper or a spreadsheet can help consumers compare the specifications. With a mini laptop, the important features will be the battery life (they range from 2.5 hours to 9 hours) and internal memory, which can be from 1gb to 40gb and even higher. The speed of the processor is also important.
Consumers who plan to use their mini laptop os a primary computer, in place of a desktop, will want to be sure that a USB port is included. Often, there will be ports for a digital camera's mini SD card. A CD drive isn't something that mini notebooks feature, so factor in the cost of an external CD drive with USB connector. Frequent vloggers may want to choose a mini laptop whose built-in camera has a higher megapixel rate, for better image quality. Cheap built-in laptop cameras are notorious for shaky pictures and jumpy picture quality.
To compare the specifications, make a list of the features down the side, with the names of each laptop across the top. Fill in the fields for a quick comparison. Be sure to include the prices of each one, as a feature. A spreadsheet format will allow easy reorganizing of data, to sort by cost, speed, battery life, customization or any other feature chosen.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
