Sharp Actius MM20

Summary: I LOVE it. I purchased it last Christmas as a compliment to my new desktop PC. The synchronization dock and software makes it the perfect commuter laptop. It's light, quiet, and the battery is pretty good (the extended battery is great--that's my next purchase). Being as small as it is, it obviously doesn't have a CD drive, but with the synchroziation dock (it can act as an external hard drive for your desktop!), I haven't found that to be a problem.

It's been perfect for me for graphic design on the go, internet browsing, mobile movie watching, etc. It's still a competitive ultraportable even though it's not a new release. The processor speed is half that of my desktop, but I haven't found that to be a problem at all. It runs with Photoshop, Adobe, several browsers, Office Suite, AIM, and Flash open all the time with ease. There's no humming/screeching fan because this doesn't have a fan at all. It's one of the few (perhaps the only) fanless notebooks in the USA. My previous laptop had fan issues that were unresolveable, but this little Actius is just awesome.

For mobile computing, it's perfect. I couldn't ask for a better notebook out of today's market offerings. It's a small little guy but it packs a BIG PUNCH at only 2 +- pounds. It draws attention, too, that's for sure!!

Summary: I've used this laptop for almost 18 months. It's just what I need. The two most important considerations for me are portability and battery life. The MM20 scores a 10 on portability and an 8.5 on battery life, but you have to have the extra capacity battery. I actually have two extra capacity batteries.

I can fit this laptop in any briefcase or bag I own. It takes up less space in my bag than a one inch thick 3 ring binder. With the extra capacity battery, the weight is noticeable, but not substantial.

I get about 4 hours of battery life on the extra capacity battery while running exchange mail, large Excel files, and surfing the web. I never switch to the "mobile" low power mode available. If I did, battery life should exceed 4 hours. I carry two extra capacity batteries to give me a total of 8 hours of use a day. You can buy the extra capacity battery for a good price if you join their "sharp rewards" program. Join the rewards program when you buy the MM20 (without the extra capacity battery), wait until you recieve your laptop and your rewards points, and apply the rewards points to the purchase of the extra capacity battery.

It could be faster, but the MM20 is fast enough for my needs. I don't run games or music or any extras. I use my laptop to surf the web and run the full Office 2003 suite of products and a few other applications. This is purely a work laptop for me and I love it.