| Several of the major computer manufacturers now | | | | transport, but how hard is your current laptop to |
| offer ultra thin, very sleek and, above all, fantastic | | | | carry around? For example, if you were to buy a |
| looking small laptops. Sony recently launched their TZ | | | | MacBook Air you have to consider that it does not |
| Ultraportable and in January 2008 Apple unveiled the | | | | have an interchangeable battery. If you travel for |
| MacBook Air. These laptops are at the cutting edge | | | | long periods of time without access to power then |
| of available consumer computer technology and their | | | | after the battery runs out you have to wait to |
| unique selling point is how portable and lightweight | | | | charge it. With a larger, more traditional laptop you |
| they are. However, these are expensive laptops and | | | | could simply replace the battery with a spare one. |
| the question remains - will you be getting good value | | | | There is a great deal of compromise in these ultra |
| for money? | | | | portable laptops and you need to truly assess your |
| The first thing to consider is exactly what you will be | | | | requirements (everything from connection ports to |
| using your new laptop for. These ultra thin laptops | | | | screen size) before committing. It may be that a |
| maybe small, but this comes at the expense of | | | | laptop just ½ an inch thicker is more suitable. |
| power. They are not the most powerful laptops | | | | Finally, there is one more important aesthetic to |
| available because the manufacturers have had to | | | | consider before you purchase a new laptop and that |
| closely pack all the components in. If you are going | | | | is the style factor. Ultra portable laptops are at the |
| to be editing movies or running other power hungry | | | | lead edge of personal computer technology and they |
| applications you should go for the most powerful | | | | look sensational. Do you want to be just another |
| laptop you can get for your budget. | | | | commuter with a standard laptop on the train, or |
| Secondly you should consider how much you travel | | | | would you prefer to stand out from the crowd with |
| with your computer, how long for and what you do | | | | an laptop so compact it oozed style and design cool. |
| with it when you do travel. These ultra portable | | | | The answer to that question can only be decided by |
| laptops are extremely thin and particularly easy to | | | | you. |