| I went looking for the lightest notebook computer the | | | | The Averatec AV2260, weighing in at 4 pounds, |
| other day and after a couple hours of searching I was | | | | comes with a 1.8 GHz AMD Turion 64 Mobile, a 12.1 |
| getting pretty frustrated. "Ultalight notebook computer", | | | | inch screen, 1GB installed DDR-SDRAM, an 80GB hard |
| "light weight notebook computer" - I kept trying | | | | drive and a DVD+-RW Dual Layer Combination Drive. |
| different approaches. | | | | So it's a little like an overweight Sony on steroids. It's |
| What I found was a lot of old machines - 1, 2, even 3 | | | | also the least expensive of the six lightweights. The |
| years old. And a ton of spam websites that took my | | | | others run from around $1200 to over $2300 |
| search keys and created a dynamic page. That left | | | | depending on the seller and configuration. |
| going to the manufacturers and looking at actual | | | | Though slightly heavier at 4.4 pounds, the HP Compaq |
| product specs to see who actually has the lightest | | | | nc6400 is unusual in having a 14.1 inch Wide XGA |
| notebook computer. Fortunately I finally found a list to | | | | screen. It comes with a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo |
| start from so here they are - the light weights. | | | | Processor, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 60GB hard drive |
| The Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 weighs in at 2.2 pounds | | | | and a DVD/CDRW Drive. The lowest price I saw in a |
| with a 12.1 inch screen. Unfortunately it has a 1.2Ghz | | | | quick search, was $1259.99. Most of the models I saw |
| processor and a 30 GB hard drive though it comes | | | | were being advertised with 80GB drives and |
| with XP Pro and a DVD writer. | | | | DVD+-RW/DVD-RAM optical drives, rather than the |
| The Dell Latitude D420 also has a 12.1 inch screen and | | | | 60GB and DVD/CDRW drives. |
| is significantly less expensive but again 1.2 GHz and a | | | | Obviously the lightest notebook computer in this list is |
| slow (4200rpm) 30 GB HD and it weighs around 3 | | | | the Fujitsu. If you really want an ultralight notebook |
| pounds. It also comes with 512MB of DDR2-533 | | | | computer then you will have to accept some |
| SDRAM on an integrated DIMM. The upgrade to 1GB | | | | sacrifices. Personally, I think I'd rather have a more |
| or to 1.5GB is reasonable, but the 2GB configuration | | | | capable machine. I also don't like the small screen sizes |
| costs an extra $1000 (probably because it requires a | | | | on the very light notebooks. |
| 1.5GB DIMM). | | | | As with any computer purchase it's critical that you |
| The Sony VAIO VGNTX750PB weighs 2.76 pounds. it | | | | carefully analyze just what you're going to do with a |
| has a smaller screen (11.1 inches) than some of the | | | | machine. Lightweight notebooks are nice simply |
| others, a 1.2 GHz processor, but it includes an 80GB | | | | because they're less hassle to lug around, but there |
| hard drive and a DVD+-RW dual layer combo Drive. | | | | compromises involved that may make extra weight a |
| The memory is upgradeable to 1.5 GB. | | | | less significant issues. Aside from tending to be more |
| The Lenovo ThinkPad X60 at 3.3 pounds has a | | | | expensive, a light weight notebook computer will |
| 1.66GHz Core Duo, a 12.1 inch screen and a 60 GB | | | | almost always have a smaller screen and a more |
| hard drive. The memory is theoretically upgradeable to | | | | compact keyboard than heavier notebooks. The real |
| 4GB, but it has no optical drive. You need to get a | | | | question you need to ask yourself isn't "What's the |
| ThinkPad X6 Ultrabase to add a CD or DVD drive. | | | | lightest notebook computer?" it's "What's the lightest |
| That kind of hampers its mobile uses. | | | | notebook computer that meets my requirements? |