This thread contains information about all the major types of portable computers on the market today, as well as advice on who the groups are for and examples of machines in each group.
Subnotebooks/Netbooks
At 10" or less, this class is the closest you can really call a notebook. Any smaller than this and we're entering the area of the PDA (digital planners, effectively). “Netbook” is simply a name given to a system which is part of the recent flurry of cheap and easy subnotebooks.
Who this group is for
* Those on a tight budget.
* Those looking for a very small and light notebook which still works like a normal computer.
* Those who just want some web surfing, music playback, webmail, and to do some light office work.
Pros and Cons
(+) Small size and light weight.
(+) Internet access, ability to run basic office programs.
(-) Small display.
(-) Small keyboard.
(-) Weak processing power.
Recommended Systems
Asus EEE (~£210)
HP 2133 Mini-Note (~£329)
Acer Aspire One (~£230)
Advent 4211 (~£280)
Ultraportables
These cover the 11 and 12" systems typically weighing between 1.4 and 1.8kg, one step up from the subnotebooks. Portability is still priority, but you get a bit more flexibility than you did with a subnotebook.
Who this group is for
One step up from the subnotebooks, if you're willing to compromise on performance for portability, but nevertheless find the subnotebooks to be too restrictive, ultraportables are the way to go.
Pros and Cons
(+) More power than a subnotebook.
(+) Larger screen.
(+) Larger keyboard.
(+) Small footprint and low weight.
(-) Not as light or as small as subnotebooks.
(-) Limited power.
Recommended Systems
Sony Vaio TZ (~£1900)
Lenovo X61 (up to ~£1900 for tablet versions)
Toshiba Portege R500 (~£1300–£1800)
Samsung Q210 (~£565)
Samsung Q35 (~£900)
Thin-and-Lights
Covering the 13" and 14" systems from typically 1.9 to 2.3kg, these are perhaps the perfect compromise between portability and performance.
Who this group is for
If you like the idea of being able to carry your notebook around with you quite easily, but you don't need to have a system with you all the time; want a system that is capable of dealing with fairly demanding tasks, but don't plan on gaming or editing together big video, give these systems a look.
Pros and Cons
(+) Larger screen
(+) Quite often, a full-sized keyboard.
(+) More power: some games and editing possible.
(-) Significantly heavier and larger than ultraportables or subnotebooks.
(-) Lacks the power to be a dedicated gaming or editing system.
Recommended Systems
Samsung Q70 (~£750)
ThinkPad X300 (~£2000)
Dell XPS M1330 (~£680)
Dell Vostro 1310 (~£300)
Toshiba Satellite U300 (~£350+)
HP Compaq nc6400 (~£500)
Samsung R20 (~£300)
Mainstream Systems
A vague designation covering some 15"s (especially widescreen 15.4"s) to up to 17" systems, these fall just short of being full-powered desktop replacements.
Who this group is for
First and foremost, you want performance and a large screen if you're looking at these. You're not going to be carrying it on the daily commute, but you want to keep the option open for moving it around the house, or taking the system across your room to a friend's.
Pros and Cons
(+) Screen size rivalling some desktop monitors.
(+) Full-sized keys, some have an independent numpad.
(+) Performance to rival a basic desktop.
(+) Less hassle to move around than a desktop.
(-) Big and heavy.
(-) Bad battery life.
Recommended Systems
Dell XPS M1530 (~£800)
Dell Vostros (from ~£300)
Samsung R20 (~£300)
Samsung R60 (~£350–450)
Acer Aspire 5920 (~£400)
Dell Inspiron 1525 (From ~£300)
Dell Studio 15 (~£500)
Toshiba Satellite A305 (~£300+)
HP Pavilion dv5 (~£600)
Desktop Replacements/Gaming Laptops
Somewhat misnamed, these are more or less small desktops.
Who this group is for
Those who can see spending almost all of their time tethered to a mains socket, but want to make taking a gaming system on the train a little easier than carrying a full-sized server case, a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers.
Pros and Cons
(+) Power rivalling higher-end desktops.
(+) Big display and full-sized keyboard.
(-) Abysmal battery life.
(-) Very heavy and very large.
(-) Can get very hot.
Recommended Systems
Samsung R700 (~£560–£740)
Dell XPS M1730 (~£1000)
Rock Xtreme SL8 (~£3300)
HP HDX Pavilion (~£1300)
Acer Aspire 8920G (~£1400)
ASUS M70 (~£750)
HP Compaq 8710w (~£1400)
Toshiba Qosmio G40 (~£1000)
