More on Notebook Computers

Portable personal computers are popularly called notebook computers. The notebook computers perform all the functions of the desktop computers. But notebook computers have one obvious edge over their desktop cousins - in that they are essentially mobile machines that can be carried along, and used, anywhere.

The notebook computers are nowadays being categorized according to their sizes and the features they offer. The notebook computers that are smaller in size than an A4 sheet of paper and weigh about 1 kg are usually called sub-notebooks. The bigger notebook computers that weigh around 5 kg are often called desk-notes. The heavier and more powerful notebook computers having specifications and potential almost similar to that of desktops are known as desktop replacements.

Again, there are computers termed as palmtops that are smaller than standard notebook computers but larger than PDAs. This category of ultra-light notebook computers have a screen size of about 12 inches diagonally, or lesser, and smaller hard drives - 40 gigabytes or lesser. Such notebook computers cannot be easily upgraded - most of them can only have ram or hard drive upgrades. But then, though they are no way comparable to desktops with regard to performance and features, they serve the main purpose that notebook computers are meant to serve - mobility!

Developers of notebook computers are continuously creating more and more advanced models that can compete closely with the desktops. These are typically referred to as desk-notes. The advent of powerful batteries has now made it possible to put components of desktops into notebooks, thereby making the notebook computers as strong in performance as their desktop cousins. But then, these newer versions of notebook computers, with capabilities equal to desktops, are often bulkier than the standard ones - since they use components of desktops. These heavier notebook computers are obviously not meant for carrying around very frequently. People who buy such notebook computers mostly use them on their desks and carry them to some other places only when doing so is absolutely necessary. So it is better to term such notebook computers as desktop replacements - as they are true substitutes of standard desktops.

But still, these desktop replacements can never match the kind of portability the standard notebook computers provide. As such, the sales of these standard notebook computers have been higher, and will always be higher, regardless of all the better performance that the desktop replacements may provide.