Group test: Ultraportable laptops

Carrying a notebook PC around all day can be too much like a workout at the gym. We check out 11 models that promise to go easy on your back

Unless you’re built like the governor of California, dragging a bulky laptop to and from the office each day can be a strenuous exercise.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. And to prove it, we asked the major manufacturers to submit an ultraportable notebook for us to barrage with our regular tests.

To make sure we gave the manufacturers the opportunity to submit their most portable model, we didn’t specify a price limit. All we asked was that every model weighed 2kg or under ­sadly this was flouted a number of times (you can read more about this on the next page).

We also accepted two HP notebooks, one from the company’s Compaq corporate arm and another from its consumer brand, Pavilion. Despite merging in 2004, the two brands retain very separate designs, so we were happy to allow both into the group test.

You can see the full specifications of each notebook in this group test here.

Unsurprisingly, none of the notebooks set new performance records in our labs, but there are a couple of models that performed much better than we expected. What’s more, the fact that the latest processor and graphics chips aren’t being used means battery life is given a real boost, with a couple of models getting very close to the seven-hour mark, which is a real achievement.

So, if portability is what you’re after, read on to find out which model scoops our
Editor’s Choice award.

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This article is part of a group test, see also:
1 Introduction
2 The great weight conundrum
3 Acer Travelmate 6292 review
4 Advent 8112 review
5 Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook P7230 review
6 Hi-Grade Notino D2200 review
7 HP Compaq 2710p review
8 HP Pavilion TX-1260ea review
9 Lenovo Thinkpad X61 review
10 MSI PR200-064UK review
11 Panasonic Toughbook CF-W7 review
12 Samsung Q45-A007 review
13 Toshiba Portégé R500-10U review
14 Performance graphs, page 1 of 2
15 Performance graphs, page 2 of 2
16 Replacement battery costs
17 Conclusion and awards