The Notebook PC: Your digital lifestyle, mobilized.

Next generation notebook computers have just begun saturating the market, innovations in mobile dual-core processors, high-capacity memory modules, 2.5" notebook hard drives -- in capacities of 250GB's and soon to be much greater due to perpendicular recording technologies -- and highly improved high-speed wireless networking with speeds up to 300 Mbps are all examples of where notebook computers are improving. Other note worthy features such as built-in 1.3MP digital cameras and bio-metric fingerprint scanners for security are quickly becoming the norm in higher end notebook computers. All of this is great news for the mobile computer user and the future looks even more promising.

Unfortunately there are a few categories in today's notebook PC that mobile users must consider before investing in a newly built notebook PC. With the release of Microsoft Windows Vista - the demand for performance hardware on a PC just increased dramatically - components such a the GPU (graphics processing unit) and high-density notebook memory modules (SODIMM) in a minimum capacity of 2GB's is required to run Windows Vista effectively. Also components like Intel's Core 2 Duo Mobile processor (clocked anywhere from 1.6 to 2.33GHz with a 800MHz FSB and a industry leading thermal rating of 35W, which is a vast improvement over past mobile processors) and an emerging storage technology called solid state hard drives (a nand-flash based high-density, non-mechanical storage drive in capacities up to 64GB's which consumes half the power of conventional hard drives) and a mixture between the two -- nand-flash and conventional hard drives also known as a hybrid hard drive are key elements to desktop-like mobile computing on the Windows Vista platform.

One of the main categories and concerns for mobile users lies within the battery. The one component in the notebook PC that determines how truly mobile we can be. Unfortunately most batteries found in notebook computers at the moment are terribly inefficient and when combined with high-performance components like the ones listed above result in a total battery life of 1.5 to 2 hours. Thankfully there are ways to improve this battery life. Some great examples would be utilizing a smaller screen (11.1" to 13.3" is ideal) and using the latest processors with improvements like Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology and reduced power consumption in the Core 2 Duo at just 17.5 watts per core at full processor load. Also using solid state hard drives or even newer conventional hard drives using perpendicular recording and a 5400RPM spindle speed helps improve overall power consumption. When combined properly and used with a Li-ion 8 cell battery or greater... you can achieve battery life of 4 to 5 hours.

Overall I would say that the industry is heading in the right direction. Mobile computers have improved greatly in 2007 and we are sure to see significant changes in the notebook market over the next few years. One thing is for certain though - if we are to move forward in the mobile computing market, our battery cell technology needs to improve greatly. It would be interesting to see where that particular technology is heading and what innovations are in the works to fix these issues of underpowered mobile computers.

With that being said, I'll leave you with this -- http://www.msicomputer.com/NB/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1221

This fully customizable barebones notebook is a perfect example of an ideal notebook computer that takes full advantage of all of the features talked about in this article. Not only does it exceed hardware expectations but it does all of this weighing in at a very light and very cool 4.5 lbs (battery included). This is sure to be my next notebook of choice for the office.

If anyone is interested in a custom-built d3 notebook computer, optimized for performance and battery life that is looking to invest in a solid desktop replacement - you can reach me at jason@d3-solution for a personal quote. Generally our custom notebooks range from $1500 to $2500 depending on the specifics and software installed.