A Brief Look at Four Serious Portable Computers

Apple is a company that knows better than to fix something that’s not broken, so this year’s version of the 11-inch MacBook Air has the same great design as 2010’s model. It still has an all-aluminum, solid-feeling body that’s so thin it actually rivals a tablet. The rear of this portablelaptop is only .68 inches thin, but it tapers to a measly .11 inches at the front, making it supremely tuckable, packable, and ultraportable.And now it’s even faster because of the addition of a high-speed Thunderbolt I/O port for data transfer, and HD audio/video. Other new features include a backlit keyboard, new, faster, second generation Core i5 processors, and Apple’s new operating system update, Mac OS X Lion. Add to these features Apple’sInstantOn capability (well, almost instant), long battery life, and effective gaming capabilities (as long as the games don’t require intense 3D graphics), and the MacBook Air is a computer that’s sure to capture lots of fans, even at a price of about $999.

Of course, there is always room for improvement, and many users will think a few essential features have been omitted from the MacBook Air. Many users think that this upgrade should have included such improvements as more flash storage and RAM (it still has only 2GB or RAM and 64 GB of flash storage), an SD card slot, an Ethernet port, and the option for 3G wireless. The speakers have a clear, crisp sound, but not enough volume. Headphones would need to be used for optimum sound quality. And some users would prefer the webcam to be HD capable.

In the thirteen-inch laptop category, the standout features of the Toshiba Portege R835-P70 are its long-lasting battery (seven hours and one minute), its second generation Intel Core i5 CPU, and its built-in WiMax 4G technology. This model is attractively designed with a tough, blue-tinted brushed magnesium alloy chassis, and it’s relatively lightweight at 3.2 pounds—3.9 with its AC adapter. Although it’s not as thin as some ultraportable models, it still has respectable portability at a maximum thickness of 1.1 inches. A particularly welcome feature is the integrated DVD drive, which is not available on manyof today’s lightweight portable laptops. Other notable features include its USB 3.0 and eSATA ports. The price tag is especially appealing, starting at$729 for all these features.

On the downside, this laptop wouldn’t be the best choice for dedicated gamers. The graphics have improved over earlier models, but their quality is still insufficient for the requirements of the newest games. The display has adequate brightness, but the viewing angles become unclear when they’re off-axis. Some users are also disappointed at the lack ofBluetooth and mobile broadband, and some would prefer to have a Blu-ray option over the DVD. The audio features of this model are adequate, but nothing special.There have also been some users who reported being distracted by the indicator lights at the base of the touchpad, as well as some who mentioned broken hinges.

For those who appreciate a high-end notebook and don’t mind paying a high-end price, the Sony Vaio Z is an option worth exploring. Starting at $1900, it’s the most expensive, but also the fastest, notebook out there. With its excellent build quality and great design, it has the most features to be found in any 13 inch notebook, but it still weighs only 3.04 pounds. It has a sturdy chassis of brushed metal and magnesium that comes in four colors. The power button and the DC input jack are incorporated into the screen hinges to save space and improve appearance. Its ports include 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, HDMI-out, Ethernet, and audio jacks. Its display screen is ultra-thin, perfect for showing off the vibrant colors and crisp contrastsin DVDs, games, and photos.Added to these features are switchable graphics with NVIDIA GeForce GT330M for solid gaming performance, a comfortable, backlit keyboard, and a responsive multi-touch touchpad, making the Sony Vaio Z an excellent choice for business, school, or recreation for those who can afford it.

There are a few qualifications, however. First and foremost, not everyone has the option of spending about $2000 on a 13 inch notebook. When they do, they’d probably like every aspect to be cutting edge. So the fact that the speakers don’t really deliver the best audio experience may make you think a little harder about spending that kind of money. The display screen also has a narrow viewing angle, so working or viewing off-center of the screen is not ideal. Like all technology products, potential buyers should just weigh the pros and cons to determine the best fit for their own needs.

Samsung also offers a high-end portable laptop in their Series 9 NP900X3A. This one is also in the thin and light category at 2.9 pounds, and .64 inches at its thickest point. Its sleek, sophisticated design is built from duralumin, which is used in construction of aircraft. It has a second-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, and its SSD drive delivers fast boot up.It moves instantly into hibernation when the lid closes, and, impressively, it only takes six seconds to wake up after opening the lid. Its 4 GB of RAM can be increased up to 8 GB. The battery life is very good, and the brightness and viewable angles of the display are some of the best available. The backlit keyboard is easy to navigate, and the large, multitouchclickpad is as good as most of the competition. The ports are concealed behind flip-down doors and include HDMI, one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, and Ethernet connectivity. It has an included 1.3 megapixel Webcam with above average light sensitivity and picture quality, plus the ArcSoftYouCam software to provide a variety of interesting effects. The audio speakers on this pc actually deliver good quality sound and volume, which hasn’t been the case with many similar laptops.

Of course, not everyone will be able to manage the $1649 price tag of this Samsung model. And some may think that, for the price, the limited 128 GB of SSD storage doesn’t meet their needs or live up to what’s available with some other computers. There are a few other shortcomings, as well, such as an awkwardly-sized charger, but overall, this is a portable laptop with a lot to offer.