First there was the laptop; a mini version of the home PC. Now comes the mini laptop; a mini version of the mini home PC. If you aren’t already operating your life from your cell phone or blackberry chances are you’ve been tempted by one of these super portable computers. The question is will the purchase actually be worth the money you put out?

There are three main benefits to buying a mini. Obviously, it will be lighter weight and thus easier to carry around, but it is also more compact which makes it super portable. Also, you can carry it in a much smaller bag so it isn’t as obvious to everyone on the street what you have with you.

Actually using the computer can also be more comfortable if you regularly use it at different points of your day or in different locations.

While this may be a great purchase for one person, it might not actually be worth the current expense for others. It really depends on your expectations and what you intend to use it for.

First of all, how often do you plan to use it for actual typing? Some of the minis currently on the market have a pretty decent keyboard that will be comfortable for most people, especially if you are used to texting on a much smaller device. However, others have keyboard designs that are less than ideal for tapping out longer messages or texts.

Second, will you be using it primarily for internet access and emailing? Many people use their laptop mostly for internet browsing or at least use it for this purpose on a regular basis. If this is you, then choosing a mini is just like picking out a regular laptop. Some will move faster than others depending on the processor and other features so choose wisely or you will spend way too much time waiting for pages to load.

The next consideration is whether you need Bluetooth capability or can do without. Without this compatibility you will only be able to access the internet when you are near a wifi network. For more remote access anytime and anywhere you happen to be, Bluetooth is necessary.

As long as you really consider all of these points and select a model that fits within your expectations and intended usage, you may find a mini to be an excellent purchase right now. Unless you have a great need for something smaller, it probably is not worth trading in your current laptop just yet, especially if you really like the product you are currently using. For those already looking to switch it up, this could be a great option.

You can expect to find some really great deals on a mini laptop online, but if you have never used one before you should get your hands on a few different models before making an actual purchase. You can go into local stores with display models and play around with the different features and options to get a real feel for which one may be best for your purposes. Then, you can always go online to find the best deal possible and save a little money on the purchase.

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