The weight myth

I wanted to share my observations about laptop weights and get your reactions.

When I first began my seach for a lappy I ws obsessed with weight. I wanted the lightest ultraportable on the market. I soon discovered that a lack of weight means compromises on design.

I also realized that many people with 3lb. computers were carrying them around in 2 to 3lb. cases. With cords and accessories I suspect many ulralight folks routinely carry 6 to 7 pound loads!

But here is the big surpise. Becasue of the Panasonic's handle and no need for a case (this is where being rugged comes into play for me) my 5.9lb. is easier to carry than my Sony SZ160! Honestly. This is due in part to the way other laptops must be carried - cupped in one hand, the weight distribution much more pressing.

The point - weight alone does not indicated how heavy a laptop feels. I would rate the CF74 as being equal to a 4 pound unit.

I was told this by several people familiar with the Toughbook series. I did not believe them. But I do now.

 

I had an epiphany a few weeks ago... the Zeroshock sub-notebook case for the R4 has exactly the same footprint as a CF-29.

As for weight, I'm not quite sure how I rationalised the move from 990 grams to 3.6 kilos, but I'm glad I did.

 

That's dumb on their part but its not limited to light weight lapton. I have seen people carry 6lb laptop in 4-5 lb cases. Why, I dont know.

If you are not sloppy any laptop can be put in a simple neoprene sleeve and into you bag.

So those people stupidity in no way reduces the case for light laptops. IMO there really isn't any reason for the large weight of most - especially the Macs which are just silly weight for their size and high price.

 

IMO, the size is more important than weight, I can bear a 6lbs or more, but can not bear a 50mm height laptop.

 

Well my bag does weigh about 2lbs, but I carry a lot more in it than just my notebook, (and yes it's about 7lbs total weight with everything)...I think it's great that your Toughbook has a handle, but what if you want to carry more than just the notebook, like a few file folders, external 1.8 USB drive, computer focused glasses, paper and pens, cell phone, VPN encryption device, and many, many other things that I always take...I guess you could just velcro a zip lock on the side of the Toughbook and you'd be good to go, huh ....