Building Better Ultralight Computers

Published:2010/11/18 0:08:00 Author:Michelle From:SeekIC

The Holy Grail of mobile computing is a portable device that has the power of a desktop computer, lasts more than a day on a single battery charge, and weighs next to nothing. Right now, such a computer is still a myth.But computer makers are pushing the limits of weight and power.

Today’s so-called ultralight computers, which retail from about $1,800 to more than $3,000, are less than an inch thick, weigh less than three pounds, and have the computing power of a typical year-old desktop.

Yet many of the smallest, lightest computers are studded with tradeoffs. They, for example, won’t last more than a few hours on a single battery, don’t come with built-in CD or DVD drives, and have less powerful processors than "normal" PCs. One of the most promising new technologies to help achieve that goal is a new breed of low-powered microprocessors that can vary the speeds at which they operate.

Such snazzy portables may not be as cheap as ordinary notebooks, however. Early tablet PCs were priced well above $3,000 because of expensive parts such as the touch-sensitive screen. Related chip is:SN54198 .

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