Super Laptop in Much Smaller Size

Lee Won-gyu, an executive director of a consulting firm, insisted on using a laptop computer. Early last year, he bought a high-capacity desktop as the demand for handling multimedia data was on the rise.

Using two computers, his work pattern has changed. He has cut down on the number of clicks to open up e-mails and messenger messages. On his laptop, various communication tools are up and running. He has shortened the time he leaves office. He copies onto his laptop all the relevant data in his company`s server and carries it with him. Therefore, he can leave his office at 6 instead of 11. When he comes back home, he enjoys some time with his family up to 10 p.m. Then, he resumes his work, and, after some time later, goes to bed.

Recently, a new gismo began to catch his eyes. It is a laptop that performs all the tasks as a desktop does at the same speed. He, now considering purchase of a new laptop, said, "My laptop has a smaller screen and lacks behind in performance. So, I have used it as a secondary tool. Seeing the latest versions of the laptop, I get to realize I could work at any place as in my office with them."

▽ Costing as much as a compact car = Like Lee, more and more people use two computers. In addition, the wireless LAN is becoming more and more available. In accordance, more and more people are replacing their desktops with new laptops. To cope with the new trend, manufactures are pouring out super laptops into the market, which could perform better than desktops.

“The best-selling laptops these days are basically equipped with the memory of 256 MB and the hard disc of 40 GB and the prices are ranging from 2.5 million to 3.5 million won,” said Lee Nam-gun, a notebook market owner at Technomart. Most customers are willing to pay a million won more to add “portability” to the capacity of desktops.

Those customers who want “luxury” for their notebook pay the money amounting to that of a small-sized automobile. Notebook Sense T-10 (ST10-JB542/220) of Samsung Electronics is equipped with the CPU of Intel mobile Pentium 4 2.2GHz, memory of 512 MB, and hard disc of 40 GB. It also has a built-in soundcard assisting a wireless LAN and Dolby digital 5.1 channel so that it can be a PC better than a desk top in a work place as well as a substitute for a home theater at home. The security function is strengthened with a fingerprint discrimination system. Besides, the laptop is made of anti-shock magnesium alloys. The orders for the laptop are steadily growing despite the expensive price of 5,670,000 won.

▽Portable home theater. The characteristics of such notebooks with the desktop capacity are a widened monitor, enhanced function of multimedia and the lightness.

Dreambook G7 of Trigem Computer Inc. manufactured a 15.2-inch screen at a ratio of 15:10 for the first time, which is close to a theater screen (16:9). Sliding DVD Rom driver allows its users to watch movies while on the move. Despite the sound card assisting 5.1 channel, the weight is only 2.8㎏ with the price range from 3,199,000 to 3,339,000 won.

X Note (NZ2SF4B00S, 2,999,000 won), recently introduced by LG IBM, has different images from “the thin and hard laptop for professionals” of the previous “Thinkpad” series. It combines the entertainment function with the capacity because it is equipped with a 15-inch large monitor, a stereo soundcard in a more intensified MCPs (emission of minute gas) plastic case, hard disc of 40 GB, and memory of 256 MB. “Different from the previous perception that expensive laptops do not sell, a market survey result revealed that there is a great demand for those super notebooks. For the time being, laptops will lead the high-powered PC market,” predicted Park Il-hwan, vice president of Trigem Computer Inc.

Seong-Yub Ra cpu@donga.com