Notebooks with LCD smaller than 12-inches ??

[kstuart]

What is out there, in the way of really ultra-ultra-small notebooks (meaning a PC that runs Win2k or WinXP) with screens smaller than 12 inches ?

If 12 inch screens have perfectly usable displays at 1024x768, then a 9.4 inch screen at 800x600 would have the same pixels/inch ratio. (800x600 is perfectly usable for many applications, such as web browsing and email.)

Several particularly small notebooks could be placed around the home in strategic locations (wirelessly connected to broadband, of couse), available for casual, impulseive use ("Who was it who co-starred with _____ in the film last year?"). (I suppose that there would also have to be used units from several years ago for that to be an affordable concept.)

One would think that the biggest problem would be fitting a decent keyboard into that small a space...

[JHEM]

One would think that the biggest problem would be fitting a decent keyboard into that small a space...

About the only place in my house where I didn't have ready access to a laptop or desktop was the kitchen. Rather than expose one of my hangar Queens to potential spills and splashes, I put a spare T21 in a drawer and connected it to an IBM Spacesaver keyboard (with Trackpoint) and the existing 15" LCD kitchen TV.

Works great for those recipe crises which require a quick lookup or those "Who was that actor/actress" discussions meals can devolve into. It's connected via CAT5 to my FIOS router and wirelessly to my wife's Cable router for backup. The keyboard takes up very little space and is usually "hidden" under the microwave when not in use.

The only change I'm considering is a wireless keyboard and mouse to enable more relaxed use than having to stand by the counter, but I'm loathe to give up the Trackpoint for a mouse.

Regards,

James

[sugo]

Panasonic R series has a 10.4 XGA 4:3 LCD.

[jdhurst]

If you want small, there is no beating a Toshiba Libretto. Mine is very old (Windows 95, 7 inch screen, 1.9 pounds, and goes in a large pocket). But you can get modern XP Librettos with fast processers and big hard drives and still just a bit over 2 pounds. Find them on Ebay (pricey, they are). ... JD Hurst

[GomJabbar]

If you want really small, check out the OQO model 01+.

If you want something a tad bigger, check out the Fujistu Lifebook P1500.

Then there is the Toshiba libretto U100/U105 (flash movie), mentioned by jdhurst above.

[tfflivemb2]

That OQO model 01+ was REALLY nice!!

The Libretto was nice, hardware wise, but even though it is so small, it looks bulky like the older Thinkpads. Maybe it is because in comparison to its footprint, it is thick. Also, the border around the LCD is so wide that it seems dated.

[kstuart]

Interesting PCs.

I think that as one gets smaller than an X-series, the keyboard becomes difficult to use, and that is the limiting factor.

I carry a Sony Clie NR70 in my pocket and it has a full color screen and a full mechanical QWERTY keyboard.

However the screen is only 2" by 1.5" (big enough for reading novels, btw)and the keyboard is about the same size (you use the stylus to tap the keys).

Whereas my speculation is that a screen partway between the Clie and the X-series would be perfectly usable for short applications, I'm not so sure about some of these teeny keyboards - they might tend to really limit the use.

[JHEM]

I'm not so sure about some of these teeny keyboards - they might tend to really limit the use.

I've never been able to get comfortable with the small "chiclet" keyboards on most of the smaller devices, even the one on the Crackberry.

I'm not a member of the "average" demographic these devices are built for.

Regards,

James

[archer6]

I have a Sony VAIO SRX which is several years old, the best "little" notebook I've had until the new X60s which I just love.

The SRX is unusually well constructed for a Sony. Not that the others are bad, just that this one has a aluminum alloy cover and the rest is a very high quality, non flex plastic. The keyboard is exceptional (second to a ThinkPad) as it is rock solid instead of flexing like my other Sony VAIO's. The build quality is absolutely superb.The display is 10.6" XGA, built in WiFi, WinXP Pro, a massive 20GB HD... memory stick slot, external optical drive (included) 3 hour battery life with slim batt. 4.5 hrs with protruding extra life battery.

SRX

At the time, these were very popular, sold well, provided a good profit for Sony, so they got nervous and discontinued them. I'm sure this was for a number of reasons, first and foremost was that they were _not_ having any problems or complaints with them (tonque in cheek)....

Mine still looks like and works like new (sure to be jinxed now)....

[christopher_wolf]

I am going to go with my 701c Thinkpad; I still have a fullsize keyboard for a sub-12" screen. Plus, it is a Thinkpad.

Although all of the other systems mentioned thus far would fit the bill quite nicely as well.

[archer6]

I am going to go with my 701c Thinkpad; I still have a fullsize keyboard for a sub-12" screen. Plus, it is a ThinkPad

I have not actually seen your model in person. What are the dimensions? I'm just curious, as I concur, the best part is _it's a ThinkPad_....

[JHEM]

9.7 x 7.9 x 1.7 inches closed.

11.5 x 7.9 with display open and keyboard extended.

4.5 lbs.

Regards,

James

[archer6]

9.7 x 7.9 x 1.7 inches closed.

11.5 x 7.9 with display open and keyboard extended.

I remember seeing the articles in the magazines back then and the radical butterfly keyboard, very cool...

Thanks James!

[christopher_wolf]

I am going to go with my 701c Thinkpad; I still have a fullsize keyboard for a sub-12" screen. Plus, it is a ThinkPad

I have not actually seen your model in person. What are the dimensions? I'm just curious, as I concur, the best part is _it's a ThinkPad_....

Here are some pics

https://webfiles.berkeley.edu:443/chris ... 6_1721.jpg (The 701c is on the right and the T43 is on the left)

https://webfiles.berkeley.edu:443/chris ... 6_1723.jpg (Close up, POV normal to screen; keyboard fully extended and lid fully opened)

https://webfiles.berkeley.edu:443/chris ... 6_1727.jpg (To give an idea of the effective mobile size; it feels *very* sturdy and is the size and weight of a large hardcover book)

https://webfiles.berkeley.edu:443/chris ... 6_1728.jpg (Another one for the size perspective)

https://webfiles.berkeley.edu:443/chris ... 6_1729.jpg (This one shows the jigsaw action of the TrackWrite keyboard as implemented on the 701c; you can see the port replicator for it off to the right there. I have two batteries for it and several peripherals including the floppy drive, PD/CD-ROM, and IBM Travelstar HDD enclosure with PCMCIA attached dongle. )

Sorry about the picture quality of the shots, but my Nikon CoolPix of 2-3 years has finally broken (I may or not be able to fix it depending on the problem) and these were taken on my Motorola RAZR; if I fix the CoolPix or get a new digital camera, I will take and post new pics.

[GomJabbar]

Chris, did you run out of room in your pocket protector?

Nice ThinkPad. Definitely an attention getter.

[christopher_wolf]

Chris, did you run out of room in your pocket protector?

Nice ThinkPad. Definitely an attention getter.

Kinda...I actually have several pocket protectors; they are quite nice in combination with a labcoat.

Actually, when I was discussing single particle tracking with one of my Profs., he noted that I had a Thinkpad, he saw my T43 at the time, and asked if they still made the "one with the folding keyboard" as that is what he remembered and liked as a stellar high-end offering from IBM for the Thinkpad line. So I decided to go and show him my 701c; iconic and a true piece of history in every way.

[jcrkelly]

The OQO unit is very cool... and earns serious props for being the "first kid on the block" as it's been out for 2+ years now.

Newer to the scene are all the UMPC devices, like the Sony UX line.

Sony also sells their TX line of notebooks w/ 11.1" screens and very usable keyboards. I just spent a few days with one, and found it nearly as good as my X31.

[archer6]

Here are some pics

Image quality aside, these are some great pics. If you decide to take more after you resolve your camera issue, I would truly enjoy seeing them. This looks like a very unique notebook computer. And that it is still functional is even better! What a priceless piece of ThinkPad history !

Thanks, Christopher...

[JHEM]

Here's a fan's website for the 701.

Here's a better photo.

Regards,

James

[kstuart]

Someone with electronics engineering skill ought to "hot rod" a 701 and fit it with T20 or T40 guts (ie processor/memory/hd).

That would approach the optimum Thinkpad (in terms of a highly portable unit with full size keyboard).

[JHEM]

Someone with electronics engineering skill ought to "hot rod" a 701 and fit it with T20 or T40 guts (ie processor/memory/hd).

That has been the Holy Grail of Thinkpad upgrades.

I can well remember conversations 10 years ago on the old Thinkpad Mail List about upgrading the 701.

I've got the 133MHz CPU upgrade in mine, but it's still a hangar queen sitting out on the mantel on display.

Regards,

James

[Puppy]

Kohjinsha SA1 ultra-portable PC
http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=625
http://www.dynamism.com/sa1/gallery.shtml

[pianowizard]

Kohjinsha SA1 ultra-portable PC
http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=625
http://www.dynamism.com/sa1/gallery.shtml

Gee, the weight is nice but the resolution is way too low. I am on the market for a ~2lb XGA notebook to replace both of my 2.38lb Toshiba Portege R100 and my 2.76lb X40 (see my signature, and http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33415). I am seriously considering the Sony G1 that is available through dynamism.com, though I am hesitating a little due to the Japanese keyboard.

[RUSH2112]

Sony has the TX and Toshiba has the Libretto.

I owned a Sony SRX (P3 800MHz, 10.4" XGA). Once you get used to the size, its very nice and very usable. Actually, after using it for a week, my friend's X31 seemed, no joke, massive.

[epbrown]

And here's my candidate using some quick and dirty pics taken moments ago. The display is an 8.9" diagonal widescreen running at 1024x480, which can mean a lot of scrolling for some jobs. It weigh 2.2 lbs, has a 667Mhz Transmeta CPU, and 384MB RAM, making it as usable as my Transnote (600Mhz, 320MB, 10.4" SVGA display, and weighs twice as much). The Picturebook is the size of a small hardback (see "Prince of Chaos" by Roger Zelazny underneath it) and the keyboard is the same dimensions as the one on my Trasnote, which stole its keyboard from the 240-series, iirc.

http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/IMG_0003.JPG
http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/IMG_0004.JPG
http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/IMG_0005.JPG

[kstuart]

And here's my candidate using some quick and dirty pics taken moments ago.

So what model is that and what do they run in price ?

It looks like a Fujitsu Lifebook, which was my eventual top choice when I looked through this category back a few months ago, but my ultimate conclusion was to wait for something new.

I'm really looking for a Nokia 770 with twice the screen size, twice the cpu speed and twice the memory.

[epbrown]

And here's my candidate using some quick and dirty pics taken moments ago.

So what model is that and what do they run in price ?

That's a Sony C1 "Picturebook." You can find early models (c1x) for $300-400, the last models (C1M) run $800-1000. Mine is a C1-VPK, but I recommend the C1-XS for most people - it runs a 400Mhz Intel processor so it's fast enough to play Mp3s and DVDs, but doesn't have the sometimes curious slowness of the "faster" Transmeta Crusoes exhibit. I can confirm that it will take up to an 80GB 2.5" drive, and I've read of people installing the larger ones.