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Mini notes break into the top of the mobile pops
The first shipments sold out within days, writes GREG GORDONTHE mobile PC market has switched on to the advent of new-generation, full-powered, mini notebook PCs, proving that they're more than a fad or executive toys. Initially, there was a slow uptake of the little notebooks. "The first mini notes were generally too low-powered and demanded significant computing compromise from users," says Brian Bogaard, general manager of Acer Africa. Intel's release of a Pentium processor designed for the new mini notebook form in July changed all that and the mini notebook PC sector exploded." For example, Acer reports sales of more than 1 000 units a month of its Pentium-powered Acer TravelMate 310 mini notebook series in regions like Hong Kong, despite the depressed economy there. "In South Africa, our first shipment of the 310 series sold out within days. This proves that vendors like Acer have got the mix right between size (it must fit comfortably into a standard briefcase), weight (it must weigh considerably less than a standard notebook PC) and functionality, with high power, e-mail performance, compatibility, file transfer capabilities and Internet access," he says. So what exactly is a mini notebook? According to Bogaard, the generally accepted definition is a portable PC weighing half as much as its mobile PC counterparts at around 1,4kg or less. Its dimensions are also considerably smaller yet it contains a hard disk drive (1,6Gb to 2,1Gb), with optional external floppy or CD-ROM drives that can be plugged in as needed. "The Acer TravelMate 310, for example, is the size of an A5 book - 236mm x 175mm x 36mm - and weighs a mere 1,32kg. "Yet it packs a powerful punch with its Intel Pentium 200MHz processor combined with 32Mb RAM - expandable up to 80Mb with SD-RAM support - for a recommended street price of under R14 000," he says. Another major differentiating factor between mini notebook PCs and handheld systems is that the mini note runs the Windows 95/97 and NT operating systems and provides complete manageability, e-mail, Internet access and presentation capabilities. "The mini notebook PC also utilises commonly available 'off-the-shelf' software to provide file transfers that are fully compatible with its larger desktop and mobile counterparts. This allows for seamless and immediate work productivity, and flexibility across multiple software applications without conversion. And they're highly usable, with touch-type keyboards and screens ranging in size from 8,4 (21,3cm) to 10,4 (26,4cm) inches and supporting today's popular display technologies. "The Acer TravelMate 310 features a crisp 8,4-inch TFT SVGA display while its standard 15,2mm key pitch keyboard makes for a pleasant typing experience on the road," Bogaard says.
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