New Choice: Small but Cheap Laptop

For everyone who love to mobile, laptop’s size and weight become important factor. Small form factor’s laptop will easily carried with small backpack and easy to bring along. Lighter weight mean that we’ll save the energy to bring it, especially if the owner is a news reporter that have to move swiftly without burden of heavy gadget.
However, small laptop (maximal screen size 12 inch, weight less than 2 kg) commonly priced more expensive compared with bigger laptop, with same specification. But that difference (I think) justified with more difficult production process and mobility factor.
So, for you that wish a small and cheap laptop, there’s good news. Recently many small and cheap laptop emerge at the market. With 7” to 10” screen, these laptop priced 3 to 4 million rupiahs. The pioneer at the market was Asus with trade-mark eeePC, and followed by Zyrex with it’s Anoa and Ubud, and Axioo with it’s Classmate.
From OLPC to UMPC
The emergence of mini-laptop can be traced from Prof. Nicholas Negroponte—computer expert from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) idea. He propose idea called OLPC (one laptop per child), namely laptop donation program for under-developed country’s children. The aim is to enhance technology usage for poor children that unable to access technology. With cooperation with several computer vendors, he designing laptop with several characteristics: cheap, durable, mini size suitable for children, and also adapting remote area condition with no electricity, so this laptop designed with pedal-movement as a power source. Laptop entitled XO with 100 dollar price then distributed to target children with the help of donor organization.
then, Negroponte ideas get a response from other vendor for commercial market, although the price rise up to 200 dollar. One of “early bird” vendor are ASUS. Taiwan’s computer manufacturer launching eeePC, in Indonesia priced from 3 to 4 million rupiah. Product that entering Indonesia at the end of 2007 received positively by market, that stimulating other manufacturers to follow.
indeed, small form factor, previously priced expensive—example ultra mobile (UMPC) computer, prices from 7 million. UMPC’s Line product, example Kohjinsha, Fujitsu Lifebook, Toshiba Libretto, or Sony Vaio have excellent performa compared with regular laptop or high-end PC, so naturally expensive priced. The technology also contribute to this high price, for instance touch screen, rotatable screen, more strong and durable casing, shock protection mechanism, etc. so, for one who want this UMPC mobility, but price-sensitive, cheap-laptop offer ala eeePC is a great chance.
Just for Mobile User, not Power User
Beside for entry-level and children, these mini laptops are suitable for mobile user, or as second laptop. Beside small and low weight form factor (less than 1 kg), onboard wifi feature enable us to internet surfing wherever we are—as long as there hotspot wave. Its ULV (ultra low voltage) series processor that save power, so the battery can last approximately 4 hour. Its storage with NandFlash (static memory) technology, that more shock and impact resistant compare with static harddisc. Moreover Zyrex Anoa designed uniquely with carrying handle, strong and ergonomic design, equipped with water-resistant cover.
however, for power user, a.k.a. big and heavy application’s user, as graphics application (video editing, 3D, CorelDraw), these laptop unsuitable with them. first, relative small storage capacity—NandFlash 2 or 4 GB. Even is using Harddisk (example Zyrex Ubud), its capacity only 30GB. Second shortage, its processor less powerful, with speed between 900 MHz to 1,2 GHz, without L2 Cache, or when equipped only small capacity (example Zyrex Ubud 128KB). third, there’s no optical drive.
Now, if you want to chose these products, plan to preparing additional budget to upgrade RAM, buying external hardisk (via USB connection) so you ease to install more application and saving file, also buying external optical drive if you need it.

(Note: Indonesian version have been published at Kedaulatan Rakyat Newspaper -- search at www.kr.co.id)