small laptop wanted but advice needed.

clodhopper_2

I work in a job where I am needing to update a diary, update spreadsheets, receive and send e-mail fairly regularly.
the problem is that i am in a bout 20 different locations daily trying to do this - from apartments, properties etc to bars, cafes etc.

I would ideally like a small laptop which i can take around easily and start up very quickly, ( a friend had a sony viaiao or something similar and this seemd very small and neat) with a good battery - to last 4 or 5 hours, with enough power to do spreadsheets, internet, e-mail, etc.

I am not snobby at all - names are unimportant, but reliability, ease of use and price are key.

am I stupid to be looking for a small laptop - are they less powerful? are they moore expensive?

any advice would be helpful - - i am a total dimwit when it comes to computers and laptops.

what sort of price should i be looking to spend?

many thanks

totalsolutions

Blackberry, small hand held device, also known as a PDA

motorguy

totalsolutions wrote: »

Blackberry, small hand held device, also known as a PDA

You're not seriously proposing a Blackberry for this are you?

jmc160

I can't help much with make/model, but I will say that if you want good battery life, definitely go with a processor that's designed for mobile use, like a Centrino or Celeron M, etc.

You may find that the smaller you go, the more expensive it gets.
What kind of budget are we talking?

I agree with TS about handhelds, I use a Pocket PC all the time, but for what you want, it may be a bit too small, especially if you do a lot of typing. I quite like the look of the HTC Shift. Could be a good option if you're on the move a lot as it's loaded with connectivity options, including HSDPA. It also runs on Vista and meets your size requirements. BUT it can be quite expensive.

I always find Dell is a good place to start looking.

d123

ASUS eeePC, seems to fit your needs pretty well, and it will only cost you 220 new.

clodhopper_2

thanks - i will check that one out.

Will this allow me and hubby to have one of these each that can communicate / link (whatever the word is) with each other and more importantly the home / office pc.

We would need to have whatever we update on our machines backing up and updating the master computer / exell files / diaries - is this possible from this machine.

The other thing that I did see was a dell lattitude 420 for £458 - is this any good.
http://www.portableuniverse.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4388

do all the machnes have wifi cards to access free and wifi networks?

clodhopper_2

i have now just been told by a friend that the dell lattitudes are over rated -
do the experts out there agree

BillScarab

No, at work we only use lattitudes and I work for an employer who buys thousands a year. They're not the greatest altop on earth but there's certainly nothing intrinsically wrong with them.

Blacksheep1979

you'll find that smaller laptops are generally less powerful and more expensive - have a look at asus (who make the eee pc and also sonys laptops).

d123

clodhopper wrote: »

Will this allow me and hubby to have one of these each that can communicate / link (whatever the word is) with each other and more importantly the home / office pc.

We would need to have whatever we update on our machines backing up and updating the master computer / exell files / diaries - is this possible from this machine.

do all the machnes have wifi cards to access free and wifi networks?

I have connected for a video call with the eeePC, as it has a built-in webcam.

Remember the eeePC is a proper laptop (albeit very small) and not a PDA so it can run Windows XP if you wish (which I have done on mine). So back up/excel/diaries will back up exactly like a normal PC,

The eeePC does have very good wifi, it will connect and work on weak signals that my HP laptop doesn't even acknowledge are there.

Little_John

The small laptop's are great but you will find they will be a bind to take with you, get out just to edit a spreadsheet or send an email.

I would look at a pocket pc no not a blackberry, somthing running windows mobile. it will sync with your desktop also allowing the sync of documents between the ppc and the desktop pc, email, callender, contacts, favourites and media files. windows mobile pro has word and excel and allows the editing and createing of word and excell documents that require no conversion between ppc and desktop perfect for what your looking for.

I have a HTC TyTn 2 it has a slide out keyboard, touch flo scrolling, HSDPA and 3G connectivity which is great for browsing the web on the move and sending or receiveing email. It also has push mail facility with exchange servers. there are additional features that allow the remote wipe of them should you loose your device to prevent data getting in to the wrong hands.