Slip it in your pocket

Why lug around a heavy laptop when you can tuck in a slick little netbook in your handbag? Priyanka Joshi advises you to travel smart.

On a recent visit to China, Devita Saraf, executive director of Zenith Computers, chose to travel with her Z Book — just a little larger than a standard hardcover book — instead of lugging around a back-breaking conventional laptop or even a slimmer “notebook”. This laptop, even sleeker than a conventional notebook, satisfied all of Saraf’s business needs, so much so that she is now in the process of switching over to it even for her day-to-day work. “It helps me cut down on the load of carrying a heavier laptop while I am on the move from south to north Mumbai for meetings and dealer interactions,” she explains.

BUYING GUIDE 
Important things to know before you buy your netbook:

• Many models use Linux instead of Microsoft Windows as their operating system (to help keep the price down). If you prefer Windows, or have applications or peripherals that require Windows, make sure you get the desired machine 
• Many models use solid-state flash storage, from as little as 2-4 GB up to 40 GB, instead of hard drives, which have a storage range of 80-120 GB. Unless you want to load on a lot of multimedia, 2-4 GB can be enough space and you can always add storage space with a media card or USB device later 
• The battery life on many models is only around two hours (some claim up to five). Some vendors also offer a larger-capacity battery; be sure to check 
• Get the maximum amount of RAM you can — it will help compensate for the slower processor 
• Try the netbook out before you buy it

Saraf is among millions of jet-setting executives, kids and even home-users who are scouting for smaller and easier-to-carry laptop and notebooks, especially while they are travelling. What they have discovered now is a new category called the netbooks. These mini-notebooks— for that is what they are essentially — typically weigh less than 1.5 kg, making them light enough for your shoulders, particularly while making day trips or while vacationing, when you are not sure if you will need a computer but don’t want to be without one. With prices ranging between Rs 20,000-30,000 (depending on the model, configuration and options), a netbook is light on your budget too, and is thus ideal as a spare or secondary laptop or notebook, or even as a disposable one.

ASUS EEE PC 1000HE
Rs 24,990
Excellent battery life, bundled 10GB Eee storage (online), 160GB hard disk

LENOVO IDEAPAD S10
Rs 24,990
Built-in web camera, decent audio playback

ACER ASPIRE ONE AOD150
Rs 20,999
A 10-inch display, Bluetooth, well-designed keyboard and extended battery life

SONY VAIO P
Rs 49,990
Attractive design, superior 1.33GHz Atom processor, built-in Wi-Fi

ZENITH Z BOOK PREMIUM
Rs 16,500
One year warranty; 10.2-inch display and 160GB hard disk

Or, you can gift one at a wedding, Saraf says. “We use these often as wedding gifts,” she concedes, “The Z Book Premium comes with a custom-fitted sleeve and is packaged in a small box, which makes it perfect for gifting.” This tech-gift from Zenith will lighten your pocket by Rs 16,500.

Netbooks are truly one of the cheapest examples of new consumer technology this year. They are compact, energy-efficient and practical. As per an industry estimate, around 30,000 netbooks were sold in India last year, and this year Indians could buy up to three lakh of these.

If surfing the Internet, writing documents, storing a few digital photos is all that you do, avoid the temptation to get the slickest, most powerful machine available. Instead, consider buying a netbook. The Asus Eee PC 1000HE netbook that costs just Rs 24,990 may be ideal for your needs. Its battery lasts an average of six hours, it weighs about 1.45 kg, and is fast enough to handle basic tasks. According to Stanley Wu, country head (notebooks and Eee PC), Asus India, the Eee PC S101 netbook model was his most useful companion on a recent trip to Jaipur. “It helped me stay connected with my work and accentuated my style quotient.” Wu has, in fact, gifted his wife a model too and vouches for its long battery life.

Another company that offers a similar product is Acer India. The Acer Aspire One D150, for instance, is smaller than an average diary and weighs under one kilogram, making it just the gizmo to travel light with. Acer’s range of netbooks is priced at a reasonable Rs 20,000-24,000. These netbooks also make for ideal travel companions since they slip into your hand luggage and there is no need to lug around a separate laptop case. The downside: they may struggle to run memory-heavy applications.

Competing with Acer on the price point is the Lenovo’s Ideapad S10 netbook that comes with a 10.2-inch screen. The company has built its sales pitch around social networking: A built-in web camera makes way for video messaging and its two USB ports and a 4-in-1 multi card reader can connect it to other devices and transfer photos, music and videos easily. At a price tag of Rs 21,990, it’s an easy buy. But not all netbooks are inexpensive; Sony’s new eight-inch Vaio P will set you back by a hefty Rs 49,990 — but then it is more of a luxury product.

Whether you buy the stylish Vaio P or a budget netbook, get ready for the beach!