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