We look at which device is right for you
When it comes to computing on the go, should you plump for a laptop, netbook or smartphone? We've looked at the pros and cons of the various devices for several common portable-computing tasks in a bid to help you choose.
Home and student life
Not a corporate road warrior? That doesn't mean that you don't need to get some work done on a portable device.
Productivity isn't just for middle managers: students need laptops to take notes or write papers, while home users have to write letters or balance the family budget.
The requirements of home users and students differ from those of business professionals, however.
Laptop
A good laptop will do everything you need, but the size and weight may put off anyone who wants to take their computer with them wherever they go. A small, light system is particularly nice for the college student who walks all over campus with their laptop every day.
Basic home laptops can be had for as little as £350 to £500, and even the nicer, more full-featured models start at £600 to £675, so you don't have to break the bank.
Netbook
A good netbook (or an inexpensive, small ultraportable laptop) may be the best choice for home and school work. If you find one with a good keyboard, you can easily crank out a history paper or a letter to Grandma.
The limited screen size and resolution don't get in the way of doing taxes or using personal finance applications. Perhaps most important, a netbook is easy to carry around all day, and the battery will last long enough for you to leave the charger behind.
Smartphone
Smartphones are great for general consumer use, and they can be great tools for keeping your shopping list or staying in touch with what your college friends are doing.When it comes to productivity, though, they suffer from the same problems for home users as they do for corporate users.
Their small and difficult-to-use keyboards make it a chore to take quick and accurate notes or to write anything longer than a few sentences.
What to buy
If you're a home user or a student, a good netbook might be just the thing for productivity on the go. It's hard to beat such machines' compact size, light weight, long battery life, and low price.
The small screen and keyboard size aren't ideal, but they're certainly good enough for everyday tasks.
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Comments
Incony said: What i want is a really very good high end PC that will work in my van totally fragmentable in that the core PC is not directly attached to the screen or the keyboard or mouse so i can have the screen where i want it move it about have the keyboard and mouse where i want all in my van Then as a plus a laptop that has good remote ability so that it can talk to the PC in my van 10 floors below and a phone that can do that too so in effect i dont carry the high end PC but its there not 100 miles awayits hard drive and full windows 7 are just 10 floors away if i have too i can use my van like a mobile office with a printeretcI dont want a phone that can nearly do it or a laptop that can nearly do it i want it all Until the laptop can do it all its not what i want