Bigger isn't always better when it comes to computers and, thanks to tiny notebook PCs, lugging around a computer need not be back-breaking work.
If you've resorted to hiring a sherpa to carry all your high-tech gadgets, a computer that fits in the palm of your hand might seem like the ultimate gadget on the go. Remember the trade-off with a tiny computer is a tiny keyboard and tiny screen. Unless you've got eagle eyes and toothpicks for fingers, you might struggle to achieve any more than slow two-finger (or two-thumb) typing. If you can really get by with a device that small, perhaps you should go the extra step and get a smartphone with a full Qwerty keyboard - such as a Palm Treo 750 or a HTC TyTN II.
Notebook sizes are measured according to the diagonal measurement of the screen. Your standard notebook size is 14 to 15.4 inches (that's roughly 35 to 39 cm, but notebook makers still work with old-school measurements). You generally pay a premium for anything bigger or smaller.
Many notebooks now have widescreen displays, which means the screen is shaped like a rectangular movie screen rather than a squarish television. The fact screens are measured on the diagonal means a 14-inch widescreen display is wider than a standard 14-inch display, but not as tall.
Opting for a small notebook often means sacrificing more than screen real estate and keyboard size. Heat is the natural enemy of the computer, so tiny notebooks usually sport low-power processors to avoid overheating. This shouldn't be a problem for email and web surfing, but if you're after serious grunt for gaming or video editing then a tiny notebook probably won't do.
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