With so many tech gadgets to keep track of these days, it’s no wonder your purse and handbag are suffering some serious stress. However, before running to the retailer to complain about a severed strap, how about looking beyond the immediate issue and taking a look inside the pouch? From tablets to iPhones, the amount of technological knickknacks floating around in one’s personal holder these days is enough to entertain an army for months. While it’s easy for some to downsize, others find the thought of leaving their laptops at home similar to losing a limb. For those that thrive on staying connected to the world, the real question becomes: what’s my alternative?
Thanks to the good folks at TrendHunter.com, we have come up with a list of excessively compact laptop designs for the avid tech-lover. These gadgets will keep you in synch with the online space, while ensuring your handy tote stays in tack. It’s incredible to see how far laptop designs have come in recent years, as certain companies have turned what was once a monstrosity of a beast into a two-pound product. Others have solved the problem of bulk by designing computers with folding functions, making the laptop easy and efficient to store. No matter the model, these compact designs guarantee you won’t be weighed down and punished for keeping connected.
IdeaPad Yoga
If you are someone who loves the new iPad but suffers from some serious oversized fingers, then the IdeaPad Yoga is a great merger between the laptop and tablet designs. Many innocent individuals have been reprimanded undeservingly for sending autocorrected texts and messages gone wrong. For those who prefer not to unintentionally swear at their boss, this design provides a keyboard and tablet in one. The product can be folded for tablet use, opened in laptop form and even propped up like a tent for watching that favorite flick. Ultimately, the combination of keyboard and tablet provides easy typing with fewer mistakes. If you’re still not sold, just remember – there’s a big difference between telling Dad your girlfriend is pregnant than perfect.
The ClamBook
While some will tote the iPhone as God’s gift to Internet-lovers, others have a hard time seeing the benefits of a screen you have to magnify in order to see. Some have migrated to tablet use to rectify this issue, but the problem still remains of using the touchscreen for typing. The ClamBook is the best of both worlds, taking the functionality of your iPhone and combining this with the lightweight design of a laptop. When connected, the super slim computer gains all the benefits of a smartphone, including app capabilities. This compact design is bound to shed a few pounds off that handbag, and stop you from squinting when trying to read the latest gossip.
Feno Foldable Notebook
It’s amazing the difference one extra fold can make. Although the one fold (aka shutting option) many laptops offer these days provides easy portability, imagine if this could be made even smaller? Your purse options could definitely expand for one, and guys could ditch that pesky backpack in lieu of more fashionable materials. Ultimately, an extra fold can determine your entire self-presentation. The Feno foldable notebook takes these extra features into consideration, and understands the difference one additional crease can make. The model collapses in the middle, and also mid-screen, giving users an additional compact feature unlike other laptops. Although it seems like a folding screen would hinder viewing, it actually still appears seamless despite the bendable section.
ASUS Eee PC X101
In the world of laptops, the thinner you go, the better you look. While this mantra should not be followed in the world of modeling, tech developers take this style to the max. Many companies including Apple have attempted this feat, but unfortunately compromised other features to make the design less desirable. If you’re going to go thin, you might as well break a few records while doing it. The ASUS Eee PC X101 is an underwhelming two pounds, coming in as the lightest laptop made to date. The battery life is low, but for those sick of cramped shoulders from carrying an overweight design, this shouldn’t deter you. The price is what really elevates this model above other thin styles. For only $199 you can hold a record-breaking laptop and say you own the thinnest portable computer around.
Tablet PC
I’ve taken a few liberties with this last product and expanded what classifies a traditional laptop. After all, the most forward-thinking designers are forced to push the boundaries of what categorizes any model. Instead of picturing the average 2012 computer, fast-forward ten years and imagine the possibilities. This is exactly the mindset Gustavo Fricke was in when designing the Tablet PC with augmented interface, a model so futuristic it doesn’t even need a tangible screen! The keyboard simply projects the monitor onto a flat surface of any kind, and adjusts through either the mouse or touchscreen capabilities. Users may have to convince onlookers that they are not from 2050, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay.
ASUS Eee PC X101
For those willing to take a leap into the future, these sleek laptops are the perfect way to go. Another great find is the Intel Ultrabook, a computer so tech-savvy it contains ultra-responsive qualities to turn on within seconds. It’s small features like these, along with its lightweight design, that makes the Ultrabook an ultimate contender in the tech market. Whatever your preference, these laptop finds offer plenty of ideas for a lighter bag and stress-free shoulders.
What other features can you think of that would lighten the load when carrying a laptop?
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Jamie Munro is a McGill University graduate and Brand Manager of TrendReports.com. She joined the Trend Hunter team on a full-time basis in September 2011, and hasn’t looked back since. As a Vancouver native, she finds it utterly perplexing to look up and not see mountains in the background of the Toronto skyline, but she’s adjusting. To help her adapt, she enjoys a glass of full-bodied pinot noir every now and then, along with any book by Bill Bryson. When she’s not spending time in the office of the largest trend-hunting site on the planet, she’s enjoying the great outdoors (minus the mountains of course), and playing the piano. Follow her on Twitter @jamiemuns, and she’ll follow you back. TrendHunter.com is the world’s most updated, largest collection of cutting edge ideas, fueled by 80,000 Trend Hunters. By tracking the evolution of cool, contributing Trend Hunters generate ideas, stimulate creativity, and ultimately help fuel innovation. TrendHunter.com‘s most popular ideas are grouped into clusters of inspiration that are accessible via our custom trend platform to our brand customers wishing to supercharge innovation.
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