Notebook computers: How small can they get?

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Author: Rubin, Paul

Smaller, faster, lighter, colorful, easier to use: these are qualities that consumers demand of their portable computers. Portables account for about 20 per cent of the North American personal computer market and represent the fastest-growing segment. Small wonder. As telecommunications technology continues to shrink the world, staying mobile and accessible means that users need more power, more "user-friendliness" and more functionality from ever-smaller computers.

The notebook computer market consists of three major categories: notebook. sub-notebook, and palmtop or "Executive Organizer."

Today's standard notebook computer weighs about 2.7 kilograms (6 pounds); lighter models are introduced almost weekly. Among the key trends in notebook technology are the following:

• more computing power from a 486-based system;
• new nickel metal-hydride batteries that allow longer computing time between recharges than traditional nickel cadmium batteries;
• active matrix color screens that are more reliable and less costly;
• better mounting of components and improved durability;
• more communications capabilities, including inexpensive, built-in cellular changes.
• lower prices.

No concise definition for "sub-note-books" exists. Based on price, performance and portability, this category sits partway between palmtop and notebook PCs. It has a limitedfunc-tion notebook design, weighs 0.9 to 1.4 kilograms (2 to 3 pounds), and measures about 15.2 x 25 x 2.5 centimetres (6 x 10 x I inch). The sub-notebook usually contains an 8086 or 80286 processor, a CGA, reflective or edge-lit display, and limited internal storage. Its advantages: low price, high portability, long battery life. Its disadvantages: no 386 processor, poorer keyboard, no VGA display, litre hard drive storage, and the inability to run Microsoft Windows 3.0 or 3.1. Although sub-note-books will become more powerful, they cannot get much smaller and lighter without sacrificing functionality.

Hand-held, chequebook-sized palmtops, or PDAs (personal digital assistants) weighing less than 0.45 kilograms (1 pound) are very portable and cost relatively litre. These devices include a personal information manager, communications software and ROM-based applications. However, with limited RAM and storage expandability and limitations in keyboards and displays, palmtops are unsuited for broad, mainstream DOS applications. Their real niche: digital and voice communicators, time managers, and notepads.

The key constraint on portable computing is the keyboard fingers and hands are not getting any smaller. Some experts predict that keyboards will eventually be replaced by penbased portable computers aimed at users who lack keyboard skills and at applications beyond a keyboard's capabilities. Although pen-based systems are being used by a very small number of people, their widespread use and application is still a distance away. With pen-based systems awaiting mass introduction, dare we speculate about voice-recognition technology?

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By Paul Rubin

Paul Rubin is vice-president, marketing, with Dell Computer Corp. (Canada) in Richmond Hill, Ont.