What's with the want for insanely light laptops?

I was on the Dell site, and I noticed that anything over seven pounds is a "Desktop replacement". Really? Seven pounds is pretty small. I think 15 pounds and up is a desktop replacement, five to ten pounds is mid-sized, and under 5 pounds is small. Now I'm a pretty big guy (I'm ~6' 2") so I can probably hold more weight then most people, but 10 pounds is still not that much to carry around. I carry a 25-30 pound backpack (not including my laptop) without any problem, so whats wrong with a 15 pound backpack and a 10 pound laptop?

 

Sure, 7 lbs isn't all that much by itself, and it's certainly not a problem if all the moving that it's going to do is up and down stairs.

But, carrying my 6.2 lbs T500 (with a 9-cell battery) around all day, along with its AC adapter and various other small accessories all in a messenger bag, can definitely get old very quickly. I'd say Dell's ranking is fair enough. If a laptop starts at 7+ pounds without AC adapter or anything else, it's definitely a desktop replacement in my books.

And what's the want for "insanely light laptops"? Wouldn't you want to carry less weight around? I'd love to have an X210, if only my wallet could support that.

 

I think that generally people want to carry around less weight, because that enables them to be more mobile and/or carry more things with them.

Second of all, laptops are usually carried in briefcases/bags and you have to add in a power adapter and other accessories which brings total "carryaround" weight up for many people. I, for one, do this when I travel and switching from a 5.4lb D630 to the 3.9lb E4300 made a very noticeable impact on the weight I was carrying around. I can not fathom carrying around a 10lb notebook.

On your note, why should our cell phones only weigh an ultralight 5 ounces. Why not make them weigh a pound or two. A pound isn't that much weight to carry around...


On a more facetious note (ie joking):
I believe that the phrase "Desktop replacement" is not meant to be taken literally, ie "weighs as much as a desktop". Rather, it is meant to denote that it is not a very portable notebook and probably won't be leaving the desk much.

Or maybe you're that much brawnier than the rest of us mere mortals (still joking...)

 

I am an Alienware fan. My computer outweighs both my brother's and and my mom's, lol.

 

I'm walking around town almost every day and would like to have a laptop with me so I want it as light as possible.

The weight differences going from 1.9 KG (my DM3) to 1.4 KG (Sony Z) makes a big difference for me.

I'm also considering the Apple iPad because it's so light (and I know it lacks a lot of functionality).

In threads like these people often comment 'you should go to the gym' but it's not about that. I work out a lot but still I would love to have a very light laptop. If the Toshiba R500 had a good screen and looked better I would buy one.

 

I'm huge and I still would much rather have a lighter laptop over a heavier one.

 

@warakawa: A lot of things have no point, but people are stupid for wanting to carry around less weight? ok.

 

The better question would be "why shouldn't we want a lighter laptop?"

 

@warakawa: Well any of those you don't want, send them on over here. I'll begrudgingly take them off your hands..........

 

Your standards are from a few years ago. Even if you're big enough not to mind the weight, laptops that weigh more than 7lbs are generally best suited to be used as desktop replacements. I have one that is on the edge (6.5lbs, 15.4") and using it on trains, planes and buses is borders on the uncomfortable (the tray tables feel like they're not rated for that much weight and there isn't enough space for it either). Also, if it was any bigger, it would look out of place at meetings (as it is, it's on the larger side but still OK).

 

I think you're exaggerating on the second part. I've seen a few girls with laptops bigger than that. But I do agree, desktop replacements are not typically suited to be carried around daily. I however, have never considered myself one to conform to the conventional.

 

I mainly see it from a performance view. Except for the Alienware M11x nothing below 12" has that much power. And with bigger size, comes higher weight.

 

But see not everyone needs that much power hence why laptops are classified into different categories based on power and form factor.

 

Ideally, laptops would weigh nothing and still provide exactly the same functionality that they do now.

This not being the case, tending towards the ideal is the best we can get for now.

 

I don't think "desktop replacment" is a reccomendation.. I think the term comes from the way people actually use it, most people just don't carry 17" laptops around. They're big, heavy, and hard to work with when you don't have a desk infont of you- hence the term desktop replacment.
13" laptops on the other hand are easy to carry, can be used in school with ease, fit in all kinds of bags, and most people tend to carry them around; use them on their lap while traveling, etc.
Longer battery life, comfortable to use, and identical preformance for most people.

If you're still confused I'll just put it this way: if you need a desk to use it properly, it's a desktop replacment. If all you need is your lap, it's a laptop.

 

I think this is a good summation of my feelings.