How low can you go: ultramobile or ultraportable?

Matthew Elliott, Section Editor June 16, 2006

Samsung's new Q1 ultramobile PC is small, but so are some laptops--machines with actual, physical keyboards. When we first laid eyes on the Q1, we were drawn in by its sleek design, compact size, and light weight. After using it for a few days, the attraction began to wane. For starters, we couldn't get comfortable with the Q1's onscreen keyboard (and there are six from which to choose). Then its performance failed to impress, and the battery conked out before the three-hour mark. We might be able to live with its poky performance, but the dismal battery life is a deal breaker.

Thankfully, we've seen some ultraportable laptops and a tiny tablet recently that are nearly as slick and much more functional. (Warning: They'll cost you more.) The HP Compaq nc2400 weighs less than three pounds and covers the basics for mobile workers. The Sony VAIO SZ is a little heavier at 3.7 pounds but boasts a dual-core Intel Core Duo processor, an excellent display, and a carbon-fiber chassis. Even better is Lenovo's ThinkPad X60s, our current fave among ultraportable laptops for its overall design and features and the fact that you can equip it with an extended cell battery that'll run for more than 8 hours. That's a coast-to-coast flight--with a layover in Chicago. And if a touch screen is a must, the ThinkPad X41 Tablet is nearly as impressive. Does your hardware take a beating? Then check out the Panasonic ToughBook W4, an impossibly thin machine given its ruggedness.

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