Portable, High Performance, Computing Options?

Mostly a lurker asks: "I am a consultant with a need for a high performance machine (fast I/O and minimum 1GB RAM, perhaps more) with which I sometimes travel. I am willing to accept anything up to a 20lb traveling weight, but it must be compact enough to take by air. I would obviously welcome something that does not break the bank. Right now, the best I can come up with is something built around the Shuttle SB51G XPC with a separate LCD monitor and keyboard. It is really frustrating at the apparent lack of good alternatives. If I could wait six months then, the best desknotes would probably fit the bill (with the new IBM 7200 RPM drives). Today's desknotes fall short on I/O performance, and I would not be able to push RAM past 1GB. The lunchbox computers that qualify for air travel are mostly expensive rubbish, unless one's main concern is ruggedization. All-in-one computers like the IBM NetVista, Gateway Profile and ECS Aio's also seem to fall short. So, am I totally missing another great option? Have I mis-evaluated one of the options above? If I go the Shuttle XPC route, is there a really good light (and, equally important, compact) LCD monitor out there that someone wants to recommend [15" minimum, 17" would be nice, 30ms refresh or better, XGA acceptable, SXGA nice]? Thanks."

Comments

Architecture?

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you confined to x86?

Don't plan for more than a years worth out of one.

[stienman]

If you change your specs slightly from "...I want a machine that will meet my needs for the next few years..." to "...I want a machine that will meet my needs now, knowing that I'll be upgrading in less than a year..." then you'll find a ton of options.

A Dell precision laptop (such as the M50) will hold a gig of ram, has a UXGA display, and is essentially a desktop in a laptop form factor. The price is a paltry $2.5 k (for what you're asking for) and it'll resell next year for $2 k, so you'll be 'renting' a machine for $500 for a year.

You'll want to upgrade in a year anyway, regardless of the machine you pick out now. A mid-range machine will keep its value longer than a high range machine (in the laptop world).

Please don't forget that the shuttle and other small form factor PCs almost always trade performance for size and cost. An equivilant laptop will have equal or better performance, but will keep its value, and last longer.

Lastly, desktops and desktop LCD screens are not meant for travel. If you look at the vibration specs alone you'll find that a laptop can take much more abuse than most LCDs and desktops. Trying to get a desktop machine with lcd and associated pieces through airport scanners without a lot of hassle (please turn on the computer and/or open the case of not only the computer, but the LCD and other parts which could possibly hold explosives or other lethal items). Putting it in baggage can be much worse (wear and tear, lost luggage, etc).

So, in the end, I would strongly suggest you get what will work for you now, and leave the future to deal with itself. Even if you do get a tiny PC which holds 2g of ram, you'll still want a better PC this time next year when you want a processor that doesn't fit your MB.

-Adam