Generation Laptop

In May 2005 U.S hardware history was made.

This was the first time that laptops sold more than desktop computers in a single month. Indeed, Current Analysis, an innovative research firm headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, confirmed that laptop sales leapt to 53.3 per cent of the total PC retail market in May 2005.

Were these figures just a blip on the the computer sales radar? Let your own eyes answer that question for you - Folks using laptops are everywhere! - People checking their emails in coffee shops, students studying interactively in the classroom, business men and women compiling data reports on planes and trains.

So, what current factors contribute to the massive popularity of laptops with the computer buying public?

AFFORDABILITY

Five years ago, you could walk into a computer store with four thousand dollars, and emerge bow legged, carrying a bulky notebook computer the size of a sewing machine - about as cutting edge as grandpa's pipe and smoking jacket. Today you can pick up a Compaq NX6125 from HP, equipped with a biometric fingerprint reader, 60GB hard drive, and an AMD 64 bit Turion processor for less than $1000!

Expect prices for laptops to get even lower in the coming months thanks to intense competition between the two heavyweight processor manufacturers, Intel and AMD. Both companies have introduced mobile chips with speeds that offer desktop performance.

CONNECTIVITY

Laptops with Wi-Fi are no longer an optional luxury. At Mammoth Coffee in Newport, Ohio, more and more business owners are jostling for notebook "office space", - to the modest tune of a blueberry muffin, and a Cafe Au Lait.

Those who dine at fine restaurants at the very least expect a sensory, savory meal, set upon a table with fine silver and white table cloths; superior service; and ambient lighting. Well that's exactly what's on the menu at Trapeze restaurant in Burlingame, California,- along with wireless access service for laptops.

Wireless fidelity has moved effortlessly from the boundaries of home and office to the pristine elegance of posh restaurants. But, will the wireless laptop revolution end here?

Last Mile Communications have even greater ambitions for Wi-Fi notebooks. They hope to use the established infrastructure of the many lamp-posts dotting around merry old England to produce a network of wireless access points.

This ambitious UK company would like convert the street lights so they can be accessed via your laptop to get on the internet. Last mile would also like to put flash memory in the lights so even without accessing the web you could find information about local amenities, and emergency fire, police and ambulance services.

PORTABILITY

Laptops with performance rivalling that of desktop computers used to be knee breakers - Not any more. A stream of high quality ultralights and ultraportables have flooded onto the market in the last few months.

Acer's Red dot award winner,the Travelmate 3000 boasts a widescreen 12.1 inch panoramic display, and the notebook's compact chassis occupies less desktop space than a sheet of A4 paper - weighing just 1.4kg. The Sony T2, a sleek silver ultralight laptop, is equipped with a 60GB hard drive, 1.2GHz processor and weighs just under 1.4kg.

Too big you say? How about Toshiba's Libretto U100? This laptop weighs just 2.16 pounds, has a 1.20GHz Intel Pentium M processor, and sports a hard drive protection system.

Tom Fox writes for the Laptops Weblog - Laptopical is a site dedicated to offering relevant news commentary and reviews about notebook computers.

More laptop news

---

Toner Cartridges - How They Work

In the past computers and their accompanying printers were huge.... Read More

Whats In An LCD Display?

Who needs an LCD display? Well, if you're like me,... Read More

Getting A Great Refurbished Laptop

Are you sick of all the high priced notebooks out... Read More

Testing a Transformer- How To Accurately Test A Transformer

There is two types of transformers in the market- linear... Read More

Intel Celeron vs Pentium

The Celeron and Pentium Processors are two of Intel's best... Read More

Generation Laptop

In May 2005 U.S hardware history was made.This was the... Read More

Is A Laser Printer Right For Me?

The average home computer user definitely does not need a... Read More

Buying Cheap Refurbished Laptops

When comparing refurbished laptop models, ask about these specifications:Central Processing... Read More

Easy to Execute!

Plug and play equipment or hardware solves the problem of... Read More

How to Change, Upgade or Remove an IDE Hard Drive

Hard drives - Hard drives are a little more complicated.... Read More

Adding Serial Ports to a Computer with Only USB Ports

So you bought a new computer but you don't have... Read More

Ergonomic Products 101

Human beings are scaling new heights day by day. Markets... Read More

The Importance Of Current Sense Resistor In Switch Mode Power Supply

Current sense resistor is usually located in the switch mode... Read More

An Introduction to HD-DVD

High density digital versatile disc is a digital optical media... Read More

Ink Cartridges & Printing - Poor Print Quality Solutions

Why are there faint areas or gaps in my print... Read More

3 Easy Step To Locate A Real Bargain On Laptop Batteries

Looking for a real bargain on laptop batteries? How do... Read More

How To Troubleshoot DVD Drives Fast

You really enjoy those dvd movies and games and the... Read More

The Constantly Changing World of Inkjet Technology

We have finally advanced to a time when technology can... Read More

Setting up a Tape Backup Strategy for your Business

So you know a little bit about tape backup, but... Read More

ABCs Of DVD Drive Abbreviations

The number of different formats available in DVD drives can... Read More

Where does technology come from?

Ever wonder where all the cool gadgets come from? Ever... Read More

Video Display

Video displays are most recent technique used in both outdoor... Read More

Alternatives to Tape Backup

You may ask, isn't tape an anachronism in the age... Read More

Computer Network Installation

Computer network installation has become an essential prerequisite for any... Read More

Printers: What Really Happens When You Hit ?Print?

You just poured hours upon hours into a lengthy research... Read More

Does Size Really Matter In Our Digital Age?

Well, we've all seen the advert, but that's not what... Read More

Special Events Recording in DVD Players Age

The proliferation of portable DVD players has dramatically changed the... Read More

Three Must Have Accessories For Notebook Computers

An Optical MouseNotebooks are normally equipped with touch pads which... Read More

Purchasing Laser Toner Refills

Laser toner refills can be expensive. Over the life of... Read More

How to Add or Remove an IDE ROM drive

CD ROMS - If you're adding or removing an internal... Read More

Flash Memory Part 2: MMC and SD

MMC and SDFlash memory is available in so many formats... Read More

Choosing The Right Bar Code Reader

The importance of a bar code reader in this day... Read More

The Benifits of Assembling Your Own Computer

Thinking about getting a new computer, but with all the... Read More