laptop recommendations

I need a small light compact wifi laptop when traveling what is recommended.

[RichardMannion]

Toshiba have just relaunched the Libretto line - I used to have one and it was fantastic for travelling. JVC do a mini-notebook too which is always well reviewd, and normally on display at Dixons Tax Free. Sony of course do some small Vaio laptops, but I have never been a fan of the Vaio range.

Dell are just breaking into the small notebook market too, I think its called the X1. There will be the usual Dell sales and discoutns to be had, http://www.hotukdeals.com will be the place to watch for these. My only issue with that page is that every time I visit I buy stuff, I bought the Sony DV camcorder for £252 yesterday that was on offer!

Thanks,
Richard

[preiffer]

This one (cooler) or this one (cheaper).

Both available in 12", both are bl**dy marvelous [y]

I always travel with my Apple Powerbook 12" - nice and light, and the battery lasts over 4-hours when using WiFi connections...

Thanks [y]

I'd probably go for a Thinkpad X-series. Very light, long battery life with the extended battery and good support. Unfortunately Toshiba have dropped in my estimation over the past few years.

BC

[preiffer]

I'd second BC's suggestion on IBM. I have an X31 (the predecessor to the X32), and it's a great PC all-round.

Still prefer my PowerBook though...

Originally posted by jaguarpig
I need a small light compact wifi laptop when traveling what is recommended.

I like my 12" iBook , but assuming you want to run windows, go for a panasonic toughbook, they seem bloody amazing, you can drop em, pour coffee on them and stand on them without damage! And they don't have any fan.

Cheers
sky

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by sky

Originally posted by jaguarpig
I need a small light compact wifi laptop when traveling what is recommended.

I like my 12" iBook , but assuming you want to run windows, go for a panasonic toughbook, they seem bloody amazing, you can drop em, pour coffee on them and stand on them without damage! And they don't have any fan.

Cheers
sky

If it was good enough for Angelina in Mr and Mrs Smith.....

Thanks,
Richard

I am using a Dell X1 at present on a wi fi connection, sitting under a palm tree on an island in the Indian Ocean. I find its great with 4 hour battery life and very light weight. Have no problems connecting to the office and they haven't a clue where I am!

Originally posted by RichardMannion


If it was good enough for Angelina in Mr and Mrs Smith.....

Thanks,
Richard

Ohhhhhh, didn't know that . Now I desire one instead of just wanting it .

Cheers
sky

The new Vaio TX1 looks interesting, and ideal if you need a real small ultraportable...

Originally posted by McCoy
The new Vaio TX1 looks interesting, and ideal if you need a real small ultraportable...

Bought a Sony T2 a couple of months ago - somewhere around 1.2kg with a 5-6 hour battery life (certainly had 4.5 hours with around 15% still showing) and slightly bigger than an A4 piece of paper when open.

Its a great little machine with dvd writer wifi and bluetooth

regards

David

Hmm.. thanks for that David! Nice to hear a positive report of the Vaios.. everywhere I ask or read usually results in negative comments about price and build quality.

I am thinking about the new TX1, but will go for an older T series if I see one. [Q> Do Dixons Tax Free at LHR sell them?????]

For me, the size (small) is crucial, but so is the phenomenal battery life!!

Originally posted by David

Originally posted by McCoy
The new Vaio TX1 looks interesting, and ideal if you need a real small ultraportable...

Bought a Sony T2 a couple of months ago - somewhere around 1.2kg with a 5-6 hour battery life (certainly had 4.5 hours with around 15% still showing) and slightly bigger than an A4 piece of paper when open.

Its a great little machine with dvd writer wifi and bluetooth

regards

David

I love my T1-XP. The black screen is excellent for movie playback, battery life is very good, it's durable, thin and lightweight.

John

[preiffer]

Originally posted by JAT74L
I love my T1-XP.

So do Sony - they've got one available to win through Sony Business Direct at the moment...

The major problem with Sony laptops (and I have one) is that you cannot hack the DVD to play multi region [:(][:(]

Hmm... really? I'm sure I saw a website earlier... hmmm...

Originally posted by McCoy
Hmm... really? I'm sure I saw a website earlier... hmmm...

the problem is with the new range of matsu****a Uj8XX series of DVD ROm units which cannot use the programmes such as Region Free etc.
It needs a firmware flash and for many of the drives Sony use, there is no region free update (in fact if you go to the Firmware page web site there are many problems getting them to write at above 8X!)

Fair enough...

On the plus side, this month's PCW magazine (December 2005) has reviews of 7 ultraportables, and puts the new Vaio TX1XP on top..!

Went with the JVC MP-XV841GB with 512Mb memory upgrade.Tiny size and the built in CD/DVD drive swung it, plus an excellent price of £765+VAT thanks for the advice.