As we're getting more dependent on computers, we want to take them more places with us. Plus, as mobile broadband gets cheaper and easier to get, we want to be connected to the internet wherever we go. Smart phones are a high priority for most people, but a smart phone just doesn't have the computer power that a lot of people are looking for.
So, when it comes to mobile computing options, you're really limited to choosing between a laptop, a netbook or a tablet. Which one is right for you? Well, each has its own pros and cons.
Laptops...
Laptops are the oldest mobile computing solution. And there's a lot to be said for owning a laptop. You get big memory, fast processing and all the programme features that you get on a regular desktop computer. On the other hand, as a mobile computing solution, laptops don't necessarily have the portability that you might be looking for.They tend to be thicker and heavier than netbooks, and a laptop might not be something that you really want to carry around with you wherever you go. And then there's the price tag. Even with electronics prices falling, a decent laptop is still going to set you back around £500 or so for a low end model.
On the other hand, if you're looking for something that you can use at home as a regular computer as well as something that you can travel with then a laptop is probably going to be your best choice.
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Netbooks...
Netbooks are like laptops little brothers. You still get some decent processing power, and most netbooks nowadays come with a fair amount of internal memory too. You can even run a regular 64 bit version of Windows 7 on a netbook, though it's not standard on most. And then you get that added portability. Netbooks are small and light.On the down side, keyboard size can be an issue, though the physical keyboard is preferable over touch screen typing on a tablet for many people. And diminished screen size is just the price that you pay for excellent portability. There are a lot of great netbook deals on the market right now, and you can get a good model for around £250.
Tablets...
The new kid on the block in mobile computing; tablets are the ultimate in portability. They're extremely light, and very easy to carry around. There are a lot of neat functions on a tablet, and they're definitely cool. However, there are also a lot of features lacking.There's no physical keyboard, which can make typing difficult, especially for longer emails, and there's rarely a lot of internal memory. And with tablet prices ranging around the same area as netbook prices, tablets aren't always such a great deal either. But if you're looking for the ultimate in portability, it's probably going to have to be a tablet.
Phil TurnerAbout the Author:
Phil Turner has two decisions to make regarding a more portable computer than his massive laptop. He has to decide between a netbook and a tablet and which ISP he will use for his 3G data. Phil will probably go with Tesco home broadband and one of their 3G data only packages next month when his current contract expires.