ASUS U36JC
Features
• CPU: Intel Core i5 480M
• Video Graphics and Memory: NV GT310M 1G DDR3 VRAM
• Hard Drive: 500 GB, 5400 rpm
• Display: 33.8cm (13.3-inch) HD (1366×768)/16:9 LED backlight
• Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
• Battery Pack and Life: 8-cell, 5600mAh, 84 Wh
• Weight: 1.4 kg
• Others: 0.3MP Web camera
Price: Rs 55,299
Dell Vostro V-130
Features
• CPU: Intel Core i5 processor
• Memory: 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Display: 33.8cm (13.3-inch) WLED display
• Operating System: Windows 7
• Battery: 6-cell Li-ion (30Wh)
• Dimensions: 33x23x(1.6-1.9) cm3
• Starting Weight: 1.6 kg (with 6-cell battery)
• Others: Optional external 8X DVD+/-RW drive, integrated 2-megapixel webcam, 5-in-1 card reader, HDMI, Bluetooth v3.0
Price: Rs 37,290 onwards (as mentioned on the website)
HP Pavilion dm1 3014AU
Features
• Accelerated Processor: AMD E-350 (1.6GHz, 1MB L2 cache), two cores with integrated GPU
• Video Graphics on APU: AMD Radeon HD 6310M
• Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA (150 MB/s at 7200 rpm)
• Memory: 2GB PC3 8500 DDR3 1066 (8533 MB/s)
• Display: 29.5cm (11.6-inch) LED backlit wide-screen, 1368×768 HD, 16:9 aspect ratio
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Basic (64-bit)
• Battery: 6-cell Li-ion
• Dimensions: 29.2×21.5×2.1/3 cm3
• Weight: 1.6 kg
• Others: Three USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI v1.3b with HDCP key, Dolby Advanced audio
Price: Rs 25,000
Lenovo IdeaPad U260
Features
• CPU: Intel Core i3-380UM (1.33GHz, 3MB cache)
• GPU: Intel GMA HD integrated graphics
• Hard Drive: 320GB HDD (5400 rpm)
• Memory: 4GB DDR3 1066MHz
• Display: 31.8cm (12.5-inch) HD LED
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
• Battery: 4-cell, 2.7A
• Dimensions: 31.8×20.4×1.8 cm3
• Weight: 1.35 kg
Price: Rs 44,990 plus
MSI X370
Features
• CPU: 1.6GHz E-350 dual-core processor
• GPU: Radeon HD 6310 graphics
• Hard Drive: 320GB/500GB/640GB
• Memory: Up to 4 GB of RAM
• Display: 34cm (13.4-inch) LED-backlit with 1366×768 pixels
• Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium or Basic operating system
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Dimensions: 32.4×22.7×2.3 cm3
• Weight: 1.4 kg
• Others: ECO Engine power-saving technology, DirectX 11 API support, 1.3MP Web camera, two Hi-Speed USB v2.0 ports, HDMI port, etc
Price: Rs 28,900
Sony VPCSB16FG/B
Features
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2410M Processor 2.30GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.90 Ghz
• Graphics Accelerator: AMD Radeon HD6470M (speed mode)/Intel HD Graphics 3000 (stamina mode)
• Hard Drive: 320 GBx4 (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm)
• Memory: 4 GB (4 GB x 1) DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable up to 8 GB)
• Display: 33.8cm (13.3-inch) wide (WXGA: 1366×768) TFT colour display
• Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (English Version)
• Battery Life: Up to six hours with VGP-BPS24 Lithium-ion bundled battery
• Dimensions: 33.1×22.4×2.4 cm3
• Weight: 1.72 kg (including the supplied battery)
• Others: Dolby Home Theater technology, two Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) Type A connectors, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) Type A connector, HDMI out, DVD SuperMulti Drive, etc
Price: Rs 56,990
Buying checklist
When buying a lightweight notebook, keep the following points in mind:
1. Your needs
2. Weight of the notebook
3. Processing speed
4. Battery life
Select the notebook configuration based on your needs. The optimal configuration for a lightweight notebook is 25.4cm (10-inch) to 30.5cm (12-inch) screen size, at least 2GB RAM and 320GB hard drive. For professional applications and high-end gaming, fast processing speed is one of the key decision criteria. Long battery life matters if you are looking for all-day computing. Also, check the premium features you’ll get in return for the high price paid.
A thin-and-light notebook offers the optimal combination of portability, performance, features and cost. Power-tuned mobile processors deliver enough power to keep you working smoothly, and unlike ultraportables, most thin-and-light notebooks have a more reasonably sized keyboard and display, a larger hard drive and a built-in optical drive. No doubt, these are more expensive than slightly larger, heavier midsize laptops, but for maximum productivity in a portable package they are the best choice.
You can select a configuration suited for your needs as follows:
1. Weight: 1-2 kg
2. Thickness: Approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch)
3. Display: 27.9 to 35.6 cm (11 to 14 inches) diagonal, probably wide screen
4. Processor: Mid-range-to-fast dual-core processor. Intel Core i series recommended.
5. Hard drive: Up to 500 GB
6. RAM: 2-4 GB
7. Connectivity and networking: All the standard ports and connections, LAN, modem, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (optional)
8. Battery life: Notebooks come with different types of batteries like four-cell, six-cell and eight-cell. For all-day computing, look for 10-hour battery backup.
9. Other things to note: Small keyboard and touch pad, combo CD-RW/DVD drives.
The author is executive editor at EFY
