# smallest, most robust, least battery-hungry notebook PC **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172 "2002-10-14T01:44:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nonsmokingmirror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@nonsmokingmirror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonsmokingmirror)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/1 "2002-10-14T01:44:05Z")
I’m looking for a new subportable computer that I can take into and use in (ideally) rough outdoor conditions, or at least stick in a backpack and not worry about too much, hence the above criteria. Are there computers built specifically with this in mind? (Ideally, I would like a true PC with a harddrive which I could install Linux on, rather than a handheld with a keyboard) ---
**Author:** ![PhilAlex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@PhilAlex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhilAlex)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/2 "2002-10-14T04:59:22Z")
Well, I use a PSION 3C, altho I also like the Psion 5 series (5 or 5MX). They take AA batteries, and run FOREVER. the 5 has a great keyboard. Sub-Portable, the 5 is about as big as a Video Cassette Case. The 3’s are smaller. Lots of accessories. Cheap on Ebay. $100 us or so. One drawback: They are not MSDOS/Windows machines. They do spreadsheets and word processing and stuff, and when transfered, THOSE files are compatible. But you can’t play Minesweeper. ---
**Author:** ![honkytonkwillie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@honkytonkwillie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/honkytonkwillie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/3 "2002-10-14T06:38:48Z")
I’m using my Sony Picturebook right now. It’s a fully functional PC running WinXP, 384Mb RAM, internal 30Gb HD, and an external CDRW/DVD. It’s about an inch wider and 2 inches longer than a standard DVD case and weighs in at a whopping 995 grams. The standard battery seems to last about 3 hours though, which isn’t spectacular. I could probably increase that a lot by turning down the brightness of the screen and not using the external drive. I love it. ---
**Author:** ![andy\_fl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/4 "2002-10-14T09:39:10Z")
I use a Panasonic toughbook. Its better because it has a touchscreen, can run from the car battery, and is very robust. Also, it comes in its own slim case, so no need for a bag or thinks like that. ---
**Author:** ![Popup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Popup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Popup)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/5 "2002-10-14T13:33:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PhilAlex \* > \*\*Well, I use a PSION 3C, altho I also like the Psion 5 series (5 or 5MX). > > They take AA batteries, and run FOREVER. \*\* True. The 3c was a great machine, considering that it was released in what, 1996? Unfortunatelly the successor has mechanical problems. I had a 5MX for two years, and broke the screen **four** times. It is a perfect PDA, but it is not designed to be dropped. The 3c on the other hand is a lot sturdier, as is also the **revo** , which is basically a Psion 5MX without the CF port, with a minimal keyboard at half the size. And the good news is that it’s (in theory at least) possible to run [linux](https://boards.straightdope.com/tmp/AM29LV065.pdf) on it! > [@](#): > > \*\*But you can’t play Minesweeper. \*\* Oh, yes you can!!! There’s a minesweeper by default in the 5MX, with which I have spent a lot of time… ---
**Author:** ![PhilAlex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@PhilAlex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhilAlex)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/6 "2002-10-14T16:02:02Z")
Okay… You can! I keep my 5 and 5mx as a “backup” and use the 3c all the time. Very readable screen. That touchscreen nonsense on the 5’s really sucks. Oh : And did I mention they have a backlight? (Stay away from the 3a…) Anyhow, I love 'em. I know 2 author friends who have written book drafts on them… (40 k limit for text files) ---
**Author:** ![Dragonblink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dragonblink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragonblink)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-most-robust-least-battery-hungry-notebook-pc/132172/7 "2002-10-14T16:34:44Z")
I couldn’t find any specs on battery life, but I’ve always kinda wanted a [Toshiba Libretto](http://www.dynamism.com/libretto/index.shtml). Toshibas tend to be fairly durable, and the last time I saw a Libretto it was not much larger than a VHS cassette. They don’t sell them directly to the US anymore, but the site I found those specs at will put an English OS on a Japanese model.