Mobile devices: Should you go for large, medium or small?

Mobile devices: Should you go for large, medium or small?
By Paul Taylor

Published: February 15 2010 11:40 | Last updated: February 15 2010 11:40

When Compaq Computer unveiled the first IBM-compatible portable PC at the Waldorf Hotel in New York in November 1982, it was shaped like a portable sewing machine and at 28 pounds quickly became known as “luggable” rather than portable.

It featured an Intel 4.77 MHz 8088 processor, 128KB RAM, a 9-inch monochrome monitor, one 320Kb 5.25-inch disk drive and cost $2,995 – well out of reach of most consumers and many business users.

Ten years later, Nokia launched the world’s first commercially available GSM digital phone, the Nokia 1011. The handset (195mm x 60 x 45) could hold contact names and numbers, came with a two-line monochrome screen and needed an extendible antenna.

Since then, Moore’s Law and competitive markets have worked their magic and users can now choose from a vast array of integrated portable computing and communications devices ranging from a pocket-sized smartphone such as the iPhone 3GS, Palm Pre, HTC Hero or BlackBerry Bold, to the latest netbooks, smartpads and laptops.

Today it seems there is a mobile device to suit every taste and meet every need and most are “converged devices” that combine computing, communications and entertainment.

So what are the pros and cons of different types of device and what are they best for?

By Paul Taylor

Published: February 15 2010 11:40 | Last updated: February 15 2010 11:40

When Compaq Computer unveiled the first IBM-compatible portable PC at the Waldorf Hotel in New York in November 1982, it was shaped like a portable sewing machine and at 28 pounds quickly became known as “luggable” rather than portable.

It featured an Intel 4.77 MHz 8088 processor, 128KB RAM, a 9-inch monochrome monitor, one 320Kb 5.25-inch disk drive and cost $2,995 – well out of reach of most consumers and many business users.

Ten years later, Nokia launched the world’s first commercially available GSM digital phone, the Nokia 1011. The handset (195mm x 60 x 45) could hold contact names and numbers, came with a two-line monochrome screen and needed an extendible antenna.

Since then, Moore’s Law and competitive markets have worked their magic and users can now choose from a vast array of integrated portable computing and communications devices ranging from a pocket-sized smartphone such as the iPhone 3GS, Palm Pre, HTC Hero or BlackBerry Bold, to the latest netbooks, smartpads and laptops.

Today it seems there is a mobile device to suit every taste and meet every need and most are “converged devices” that combine computing, communications and entertainment.

So what are the pros and cons of different types of device and what are they best for?

Mainstream Laptops
Windows-based laptops still command a small price-premium over desktops and if you are looking for the ultimate in performance, you might be better off with a desktop system, particularly if you plan to upgrade the system on a regular basis with the latest technology.

But for most mainstream business users, consumers and students, a standard 15-inch or widescreen laptop, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad T500, may be the best option, certainly if it is required in more than one place.

Those using a laptop regularly in one place might also invest in a docking station, a large screen monitor such as the Viewsonic VG2427wm and wireless keyboard and mouse such as Logitech’s Wireless Desktop LX310. Alternatively, a laptop stand will elevate a laptop screen to a more comfortable height for viewing.

Thin-and-light Laptops
Slim, stylish and ultra-lightweight laptops have been around for more than a decade, but the latest machines, such as Apple’s MacBook Air, Dell’s Adamo and Lenovo’s ThinkPad X301 make fewer compromises than their predecessors.

For example, Intel’s family of Core 2 Duo processors has helped deliver desktop-like performance while minimising power consumption and extending battery life. High-density hard drives are expanding portable storage capacity and solid state drives are reducing weight and power consumption still further.

Most machines in this category weigh about 3lbs and have LED backlit screens of 13 inches or larger. But these features do not come cheap and ultra-lightweight machines typically command a significant price premium over more mainstream machines. For example, the MacBook Air costs from $1,500 while the ThinkPad X301 costs from $1,890.

As a result, these machines are particularly well suited to road warriors who need lightweight, high-performance laptops. They have also become popular as executive status symbols and as technology fashion statements.

Netbooks
Netbooks are the new kids on the portable computing block. They initially evolved about two years ago as an offshoot of efforts such as One Laptop Per Child to build low-cost computing devices primarily for education in developing countries.

Most of the first netbooks, such as the EeePC designed and built by Asus, the Taiwanese consumer electronics group, were powered by Intel Atom processors, ran Linux operating systems, 10-inch or smaller screens and had limited local storage capacity.

They were designed primarily for network-based or cloud computing using a wired or wireless wi-fi connection, hence the name Netbook.

Typically, they cost $399 or less and were immediately popular as second laptops or for travellers who did not want to carry a full-size machine around.

Initially, most mainstream laptop makers shunned the new devices, arguing that they lacked the performance or usability of full-sized laptops and were not suitable for business use. Privately, they also feared that their success could threaten margins on higher priced laptops.

That left the emerging netbook market to companies such as Asus, MSI and Acer who quickly expanded the market by adding Windows XP-powered netbooks, boosting screen sizes and storage capacity.

By the end of 2008, netbooks were the fastest growing segment of the PC market and one that even the big PC makers, including Hewlett-Packard and Dell, could no longer afford to ignore.

Since then, a steady stream of netbooks has been launched that has found its way into corporate use as low-cost alternatives to laptops, with some offering higher-performance Intel Atom processors, larger screens (up to 13ins) and large hard drives.

Other “crossover” machines, such as Acer’s $600 Aspire Timeline 1810T, which has a relatively powerful dual-core Intel Ultra-Low Voltage processor and a bright 11-inch screen, come with Windows 7. Others come with built-in cellular data modems enabling them to connect to 3G cellular broadband networks as well as local wi-fi hotspots while on the move.

One of the most interesting new netbooks is the Nokia Booklet 3G, designed to be a communications and computing device for all-day use.

Smartphones
If 2008 was the year of the netbook, 2009 was the year of the smartphone. While laptops became smaller, lighter and better at wireless communications, mobile phones grew smarter and more like mini portable PCs with open operating systems, full web browsers and a wide range of downloadable third-party applications.

These converged devices, including the Apple iPhone 3GS, BlackBerry Bold 9700, Nokia N97, Palm Pre and Motorola Droid, are designed for far more than voice communications.

Most run one of a handful of smartphone operating systems such as Symbian, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile 6.5, Android, and Linux and take advantage of their built-in 3G radios, wi-fi and GPS chipsets to deliver a wide range of services.

Most feature cameras and many now use touchscreens as a primary user interface, or – like the Motorola Droid – combine a touchscreen with a thumb-operated Qwerty keyboard.

The first smartphones, including the early BlackBerrys, grew popular mainly because they supported push-e-mail and this remains a primary requirement for most corporate smartphone owners.

But, as Research in Motion, the Canadian manufacturer of the BlackBerry, has acknowledged, smartphones today need to appeal to both consumers and business users, and that means combining extensive multimedia and social networking features with more mainstream business features such as contact databases, mobile calendars and the ability to create, view and edit office documents.

For some, a smartphone may be a viable alternative to carrying a laptop. For others, particularly those who need to do a lot of typing, smartphones, at least for the moment, are complementary rather than laptop substitutes.

Apple’s iPad
The iPad, which will go on sale in the US towards the end of March, represents an interesting example of the convergence of technologies and devices.

It has a 9.7-inch multitouch-enabled screen, runs the iPhone operating system and comes with wi-fi and an optional 3G cellular modem and seeks to fill the gap between smartphone devices, the iPod touch digital media player, and the bottom of the laptop market.

While some analysts have characterised it as a “large screen iPod Touch”, Apple clearly envisages it providing a much broader platform enabling the delivery of a wide range of services.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s mercurial chief executive, positioned the iPad as primarily an entertainment device capable of running most of the third-party applications available in the iPhone App store. But he also highlighted its capabilities as a next generation e-Book reader that could challenge established rivals such as Amazon’s Kindle and Sony’s Reader family.

Some corporate IT directors also see a place for the iPad in business, as a “lite” portable PC, or as a display device, although, at least for the moment, the iPad’s lack of support for Adobe’s Flash technology could be a limiting factor.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.



Mainstream Laptops
Windows-based laptops still command a small price-premium over desktops and if you are looking for the ultimate in performance, you might be better off with a desktop system, particularly if you plan to upgrade the system on a regular basis with the latest technology.

But for most mainstream business users, consumers and students, a standard 15-inch or widescreen laptop, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad T500, may be the best option, certainly if it is required in more than one place.

Those using a laptop regularly in one place might also invest in a docking station, a large screen monitor such as the Viewsonic VG2427wm and wireless keyboard and mouse such as Logitech’s Wireless Desktop LX310. Alternatively, a laptop stand will elevate a laptop screen to a more comfortable height for viewing.

Thin-and-light Laptops
Slim, stylish and ultra-lightweight laptops have been around for more than a decade, but the latest machines, such as Apple’s MacBook Air, Dell’s Adamo and Lenovo’s ThinkPad X301 make fewer compromises than their predecessors.

For example, Intel’s family of Core 2 Duo processors has helped deliver desktop-like performance while minimising power consumption and extending battery life. High-density hard drives are expanding portable storage capacity and solid state drives are reducing weight and power consumption still further.

Most machines in this category weigh about 3lbs and have LED backlit screens of 13 inches or larger. But these features do not come cheap and ultra-lightweight machines typically command a significant price premium over more mainstream machines. For example, the MacBook Air costs from $1,500 while the ThinkPad X301 costs from $1,890.

As a result, these machines are particularly well suited to road warriors who need lightweight, high-performance laptops. They have also become popular as executive status symbols and as technology fashion statements.

Netbooks
Netbooks are the new kids on the portable computing block. They initially evolved about two years ago as an offshoot of efforts such as One Laptop Per Child to build low-cost computing devices primarily for education in developing countries.

Most of the first netbooks, such as the EeePC designed and built by Asus, the Taiwanese consumer electronics group, were powered by Intel Atom processors, ran Linux operating systems, 10-inch or smaller screens and had limited local storage capacity.

They were designed primarily for network-based or cloud computing using a wired or wireless wi-fi connection, hence the name Netbook.

Typically, they cost $399 or less and were immediately popular as second laptops or for travellers who did not want to carry a full-size machine around.

Initially, most mainstream laptop makers shunned the new devices, arguing that they lacked the performance or usability of full-sized laptops and were not suitable for business use. Privately, they also feared that their success could threaten margins on higher priced laptops.

That left the emerging netbook market to companies such as Asus, MSI and Acer who quickly expanded the market by adding Windows XP-powered netbooks, boosting screen sizes and storage capacity.

By the end of 2008, netbooks were the fastest growing segment of the PC market and one that even the big PC makers, including Hewlett-Packard and Dell, could no longer afford to ignore.

Since then, a steady stream of netbooks has been launched that has found its way into corporate use as low-cost alternatives to laptops, with some offering higher-performance Intel Atom processors, larger screens (up to 13ins) and large hard drives.

Other “crossover” machines, such as Acer’s $600 Aspire Timeline 1810T, which has a relatively powerful dual-core Intel Ultra-Low Voltage processor and a bright 11-inch screen, come with Windows 7. Others come with built-in cellular data modems enabling them to connect to 3G cellular broadband networks as well as local wi-fi hotspots while on the move.

One of the most interesting new netbooks is the Nokia Booklet 3G, designed to be a communications and computing device for all-day use.

Smartphones
If 2008 was the year of the netbook, 2009 was the year of the smartphone. While laptops became smaller, lighter and better at wireless communications, mobile phones grew smarter and more like mini portable PCs with open operating systems, full web browsers and a wide range of downloadable third-party applications.

These converged devices, including the Apple iPhone 3GS, BlackBerry Bold 9700, Nokia N97, Palm Pre and Motorola Droid, are designed for far more than voice communications.

Most run one of a handful of smartphone operating systems such as Symbian, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile 6.5, Android, and Linux and take advantage of their built-in 3G radios, wi-fi and GPS chipsets to deliver a wide range of services.

Most feature cameras and many now use touchscreens as a primary user interface, or – like the Motorola Droid – combine a touchscreen with a thumb-operated Qwerty keyboard.

The first smartphones, including the early BlackBerrys, grew popular mainly because they supported push-e-mail and this remains a primary requirement for most corporate smartphone owners.

But, as Research in Motion, the Canadian manufacturer of the BlackBerry, has acknowledged, smartphones today need to appeal to both consumers and business users, and that means combining extensive multimedia and social networking features with more mainstream business features such as contact databases, mobile calendars and the ability to create, view and edit office documents.

For some, a smartphone may be a viable alternative to carrying a laptop. For others, particularly those who need to do a lot of typing, smartphones, at least for the moment, are complementary rather than laptop substitutes.

Apple’s iPad
The iPad, which will go on sale in the US towards the end of March, represents an interesting example of the convergence of technologies and devices.

It has a 9.7-inch multitouch-enabled screen, runs the iPhone operating system and comes with wi-fi and an optional 3G cellular modem and seeks to fill the gap between smartphone devices, the iPod touch digital media player, and the bottom of the laptop market.

While some analysts have characterised it as a “large screen iPod Touch”, Apple clearly envisages it providing a much broader platform enabling the delivery of a wide range of services.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s mercurial chief executive, positioned the iPad as primarily an entertainment device capable of running most of the third-party applications available in the iPhone App store. But he also highlighted its capabilities as a next generation e-Book reader that could challenge established rivals such as Amazon’s Kindle and Sony’s Reader family.

Some corporate IT directors also see a place for the iPad in business, as a “lite” portable PC, or as a display device, although, at least for the moment, the iPad’s lack of support for Adobe’s Flash technology could be a limiting factor.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.