Lightening the Laptop Luggage

A survey by MetaFacts of over 7,000 American computer users which focused on mobile computing came to some interesting conclusions. To quote the press release, “Mobile PC users enjoy their nomadic lifestyle, being twice as likely as desktop PC users to be using a handheld GPS, Apple iPod, other portable MP3 player or digital camcorder.” They gamble, blog and buy more online as well. Another recent study showed that over 30% of home machines are notebook PCs.

But it was also found that work-issue laptops aren’t nearly as mobile as personal machines, with personal users more likely to log in at libraries and cybercafes and workers at hotels and client offices, if at all. In other words, workers may be wireless, but are still somewhat tethered to their workplace, at least with the company laptop.

InformationWeek blogger Barbara Krasnoff wonders if the size and weight isn’t an issue for workers on the go, and asks for suggestions on a lightweight solution for her upcoming trip to the CES in Las Vegas. I just loved the ultra-light PC-MM20 from Sharp even if it was getting long in the tooth, and find the Lenovo ThinkPad X41 to be eminently luggable. But other than a brief caress of an OQO 01+, I’ve never tried one of the sub-notebooks, with or without a portable keyboard. Any thoughts?

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