JAYNE AUGOYE explores features of ultrathin, sleek and portable laptops now dominating the martIn May 2011, Intel Vice President, Sean Maloney, introduced his companys new category of slimline laptops called Ultrabooks. With this ultra-thin/light device, which has tablet-like features, Maloney predicted that their laptop models will account for 40 per cent of all laptops sold by the end of 2012.Although it may be too early in the day to tell if Maloney was right or wrong in his projections, the truth is that Ultrabooks are fast gaining prominence in the computer world.Ultrathin, sleek, ultra-portable and longer battery life are some of the features of this device. Well, it is no news that the world of computing is expanding at a jet speed, evident in the massive growth of all sorts of devices, from Smart Phones, Tablets, E-Readers, Netbooks to Chromebooks. The variety of gadgets is a pointer to the fact that consumers too are always on the lookout for a technology that perfectly suits their lifestyle.Because Ultrabooks have Intel processors incorporated into them, they deliver optimal performance at a great speed. Before delving into Ultrabooks production, Intel processors were famous for speed and data maximisation. The Intel Core i7 processor, for instance, speeds up video editing and compresses games and other popular Internet and computer activities by up to 40 per cent - without increasing power consumption.Many laptop and PC manufacturers have been bitten by the Ultrabook bug and are wowing their consumers with an array of models. HP recently announced the launch of Folio 13, its first ultra-slim laptop designed to fit squarely within the Ultrabook category of devices being promoted by Intel. They also hope to go up against the MacBook Air with these new offering. The 13-inch laptop is the first device from the manufacturer in the Ultrabook category, aimed at business professionals on the move.With all-day battery life, users will no longer be saddled with carrying power adapters to charge their notebook, while a wide array of ports eliminates the need to carry cumbersome dongles, the company boasts. The Axus U21 is one of the first Ultrabooks to be produced. The entire body of this new laptop is built from an aluminum alloy (weighs 1.1kg / 2.4lb).According to its makers, it only takes two seconds to come up after it is started. They also note that it has USB 3.0 connectivity, and the ability to hibernate for up to one week. The track pad is made of glass, while the keyboard keys are all metal.Lenovos first Ultrabook, dubbed the IdeaPad U300s, has also been released. Just like its contemporaries it has an amazing short boot time and an aluminum case for sturdy uses and ultra portability.ZDnetreviewer, James Kendrick, says the gadget validates the new product name as it is the thinnest and lightest Windows laptop I have ever used. It has a dimension of 324 x 216 x 14.9 mm. This makes the device one of the thinnest and lightest Ultrabooks in stores. It also weighs at 2.9 lbs including the 4 cell battery.The notebook sports a 13.3-inch ultra-slim HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Its HD display also makes it a real threat to Apple MacBook Air 13-inch,Asus ZenBook UX31 and Acer Aspire S3 .The Ultrabook is equipped with the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 (1.8G, up to 2.9G, L3 4MB) processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. Intel Core i7 is the fastest processor available on the market today. The machine also has a 2nd generation Intel CoreTM i5-2457M (1.6G, turbo to 2.1G, L3 3MB) version. With its 4GB DDR3 memory, the Notebook runs on Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium.Lenovo have also slotted in a 1.3-megapixel web camera that can capture video at 720p.Acers Aspire S3 is skinny (just 13mm thick, to be exact) but it also claims to wake from sleep in two seconds flat and reconnect to known networks in two and a half minutes.The thin and light Acer Aspire S3 has a 13.3 inch display, an Intel Core i5 processor, and a hybrid storage model with a fast solid state disk for your operating system and applications and a roomy hard drive for additional storage. Now Acer is also launching the Aspire S3-951-6697 which packs a 1.7 GHz Intel Core i7-2637M processor and a 240GB solid state disk.This device features 4GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Bluetooth 4.0 and a wireless port. The laptop has 2 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, a 1.3MP webcam, and SD card reader. The notebook weighs 2.93 pounds and has a 3280mAh battery.Hardware features you might want in a portable PCDoyou want HDMI' A laptop shell' An eSATA port' The hardware choices on the new business laptops can be confusing. If youre new to shopping for a business PC, or if its been a while since your last purchase, check out this visual guide to PC hardware. It will help you determine which hardware you need. Take a look even if, like me, you just bought a new business PC. Before I read the guide, I had no idea my laptop had an SD card reader. Now, I dont need to find my transfer cable to upload photos; all I have to do is insert my cameras memory card into my laptop.Meet the new generation of portable business PCsPortability has become more a necessity than an option in business, and the latest portable PCs are lighter, faster, and more powerful than ever. They all come equipped with Windows 7 Professional, as well! Below are three new, ultra-portable, ultra-performing PCs to consider for your business.- The super slim Toshiba Portege R700 weighs an impressive 3.2 pounds and comes equipped with Windows 7 Professional, a 13.3-inch HD (1366 x768) display, a magnesium alloy chassis, a fingerprint reader, and lots of ports.- The HP EliteBook, at 6.5 pounds, boasts Windows 7 Professional, a 15.6-inch HD screen, an Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M graphics, and 1 gigabyte (GB) dedicated DDR3 video memory.- The ultra-light Dell Vostro weighs only 3.5 pounds and is just .65-inch thick, with a 13.3-inch screen, 4500 MHD graphics, and Windows 7 Professional installed.Maintain your portable business PCYou wouldnt skip your cars 3,000-mile oil change, would you' PCs are like cars: Even the best ones are more likely to fail if they arent properly maintained.Anyone whose operating system has failed or whose battery has suddenly gone out knows how important routine backup can beits key to recoveryand how critical it is to maintain battery life. You can set up routine backups and battery checks on your portable PC so that your PC does the maintenance for you while you focus on business.- Set up routine backups or create manual backups in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.- For more help using Backup and Restore in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, read Back up your data.- Take care of your laptop battery in Windows 7.- Conserve battery power in Windows Vista.- For more help, read Strategies for conserving battery power.Help protect your portable PC from theftHaving the latest antivirus software to protect the data on your portable PC is not enough. Protecting your portable business PC itself, while on the road or at your local coffee shop, is equally important.Source: www.microsoft.com
Click here to read full news..
