1 Topic by Crast

  • Registered: 2002-11-01
  • Posts: 2,697

Topic: Looking for a PDA-like device or lightweight laptop?

This coming fall, I will have a very heavy class schedule, consisting of 12-hour days four days a week  (some of it is break time, but nevertheless, I will be there till 8pm every day.)

I have a laptop currently, an Apple Macbook core 2 duo, 2.0ghz.   It's a great laptop, with a whiz-banging CPU, but it's a bit excessive for my needs in classes, namely note-taking.  I don't need dual core to use a text editor and a web browser.   The battery life is dismal, a scant 3 hours even when I'm trying my best to keep the usage low.

I would like something a little lighter (I know it's not a heavy laptop, I'm looking for even lighter though).   It does not have to be a PC, though.  Embedded-OS devices are fine, as are old laptops.  I'm not averse to buying older hardware, either.  Stuff I can find on ebay

Requirements
- must have Wifi, either onboard or via accessory
- Approximately 6 hour battery life with wifi running
- proper laptop-size Keyboard (external keyboards are fine)
- can run a simple web browser and notepad-like software
- Replaceable battery (I will likely need multiple batteries)
- Under $1000 hopefully?

Thoughts
- Some PDA's accept USB and bluetooth keyboards, a decent PDA with a stand might be the answer, though those tiny screens can be annoying.
-  The IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad X60s is a 3.5 lb laptop with a 12 inch screen, and a 8+ hour actual  battery life with wifi running, on a single battery.  It's rather pricey, even with recent price drops it'll cost a cool $1500 to get it with two extended-life batteries. it is sexy, though.
-  Palm is coming out with a flash-based "companion" device which is small and light, and will cost $500, called the Foleo.  http://www.palm.com/us/products/mobilecompanion/foleo/  Battery life appears like it'll be only 5 hours, though.  For something which is running a 400mhz CPU, that's pretty sad.
- If I could hack up an older P3-m laptop with a more modern battery and a flash drive, it could get (in theory) some sexy battery life.   But that's a pretty ambitious project.

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"Throw away logic and kick reason to the curb"

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  • Registered: 2006-04-09
  • Posts: 115

Re: Looking for a PDA-like device or lightweight laptop?

Have you taken a look at the Dell XPS M1210 laptop?  Its sub-$1000 before tax, and about $1049 with the bigger battery.

  • Registered: 2002-06-17
  • Posts: 4,820

Re: Looking for a PDA-like device or lightweight laptop?

Lenovo FTW... All your features++ - knowing you, I would seriously consider the extra cost.

Sadly, I couldn't convince my boss I needed a T60p WS... had to go with a regular 60. tongue

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  • Registered: 2006-04-09
  • Posts: 115

Re: Looking for a PDA-like device or lightweight laptop?

You could also take a look at the OQO:
http://www.oqo.com/

Has a full external foldable keyboard that can be purchased separately.

Unfortunately its as expensive as a full laptop, and from the reviews I've read, in order to get more than 3 hours of battery life you need to purchase the extended battery.

Sony also has a thing similar to this called the VAIO UX, but its even more expensive.
http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/notebooks/ux_series/

There are Factory Reconditioned versions of the VAIO UX for about $1k
http://www.clearanceclub.com/products/5607-VGN-UX180P

This one might be new (not sure, doesnt say reconditioned though):
http://www.onsale.com/shop/detail.aspx?dpno=7116434&store=onsale&source=bwbfroogle