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No matter what my technonerd offspring says, thin
is definitely in! Only those that have a passion
for screwing around with software and peripherals
need to suffer by carrying around what have become
commonly referred to as "desktop replacements".
These doorstops can weigh-in as much as nine pounds,
which can result in aches and pains in areas of
your neck and shoulders that you never knew existed.
My motto has always been: If you don't need 'em,
don't carry 'em. And this especially applies to
notebook computers.
Most folks really only need to lug along their
computers to work on reports, maintain contact with
the office by email or deliver presentations that
are stored on their hard drives. They don't need
to install programs, transfer files to disk or do
anything else that would require the extra weight
of CD or floppy drives.
In other words, they don't need to carry around
all that extra weight. And, if they do need access
to those drives, mose of the newer notebooks come
with docking stations that attach to the bottoms
of the computers. And guess what? They then resemble
-- and weigh as much as -- their heavier counterparts.
As for other thinner components:
-- Where was Dave when cellular phones were about
the size of small watermellons and weighed almost
as much? No doubt he would've wished for a smaller,
lighter model.
-- Has Dave ever tried to button shirt cuffs wearing
a "thick" watch? Probably not! Also, lighter
= more comfortable!
-- My PDA is about the size and thickness of a
credit card. I've never had a problem with it. It
fits in my shirt pocket. And I don't have to lug
around a handheld computer that's 100-times larger.
The verdict: If you don't need 'em, don't carry
'em! Shed a few pounds It'll make you a better ---
and probably happier --- person!
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Lighter, smaller, thinner, faster. Faster faster
faster!!!
*ahem*
Cellphones, computers, organizers, watches and other
electronic doodads are getting smaller each and
every day. I still have a Compaq 286 Lunchpail sitting
on one of my desks. For those unfamiliar with what
that is, it's a 30lb laptop with a keyboard that
flips out. Nowadays laptops weigh less than a pound.
Thankfully we're not forced to go with these thin,
slender and sleek gizmos.
Did Dave -- that charming sonofagun -- just say
what I think he did?
That's right, JOCGEEK.com readers, I said "Thankfully
we're not forced to go with these thin, slender
and sleek gizmos."
There's a multitude of reasons not to do it. Here's
a few:
-- One word: flimsy.
-- Expandability and upgradability tend to be a
problem.
-- Everything that you add to them attaches externally.
-- External = SLOW.
-- Packing up all the components requires a suitcase.
-- Battery life typically stinks.
-- Mike's all for it.
I'd rather have a machine that I can open up and
add things to. I'm perfectly happy with my 5lb laptop
that has an internal floppy and DVD-ROM. Its slim
counterpart comes with a floppy and DVD-ROM, too
but they're external and optional. Not only that,
in order to attach them you need a docking station
or port replicator. Show them the money!
Even servers are coming in smaller and smaller form
factors. Look at the new DELL 1550s. They're smaller
than my laptop! And while you may be able to stack
more of these bad boys on a computer rack, you have
to ask yourself, is thin really in?
Sadly, there may be no convincing Mike that it's
not all about looking pretty -- he needs more help
than I do -- but hopeully a few thousand of you
will see it my way -- the right way.
-- Dave
Always right and never watered down.
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