The power of the new laptops is incredible when you consider the specifications and features crammed into a package weighing less than seven kilograms. What was unthinkable less than five years ago is now commonplace.

Laptops now have 4 GB of RAM, 160 GB+ hard drives, 50cm screens, multimedia ability and connections, DVD with blu ray, DVD burning, dedicated number pads, decent-sized keyboards, biometric security, built-in modems, dual core technology and mobile broadband as standard features which, combined with portability, make laptops an affordable and desirable capital expenditure. Rather than budgeting for a high-powered office system, with a less-expensive laptop for the road, businesses will be able to reduce overall capital expenditures by purchasing high-end laptops that will be satisfactory in any location.

Major Changes Are Coming

Two major drawbacks of many laptops are the hard drive vulnerability to impact (i.e., being dropped!) and inherently poor battery life. The introduction of flash-based solid state drives (SSDs) within the next two years will transform the computer industry and change end-users' willingness to use only SSD-equipped laptops as SSDs do not have moving parts subject to shock and do not need power to maintain the information stored in the chip. (Think of the SSD as a large USB key.)

Major electronic manufacturers have retooled with a vengeance as they realize that consumers will like the features of the laptops equipped with SSDs.

Features of SSD-equipped Laptops

In addition to having all of the normal features in today's laptop, the most important feature is storage. Currently, major manufacturers offer 30 to 80 GB drives that are more than adequate for most small business applications. Given the development in the near future of 120 GB drives, storage capacity will not be a problem. SSD memory capacity will increase, and traditional hard drives will be obsolete.

Newer laptops are currently being developed with roll cages and head parking capability that reduce the probability of damage if they are dropped, but they can't compete with SSD hard drives which have better kinetic shock resistance than traditional hard drives.

Flash memory is also non-volatile, which means that it does not need power to maintain the information stored in the chip. It also offers faster read access times. Another feature of flash memory is that when packaged in a “memory card”, it is enormously durable, being able to withstand intense pressure, extremes of temperature and immersion in water.

Longevity of SSD-equipped laptops has yet to be proven. However, with virtually no moving parts, less heat build-up and less power draw combined with roll cage construction, they are expected to replace the current laptops.

How Much Will It Cost?

At the moment, the major drawback to purchasing SSDs is price. Be prepared to pay a large premium. The higher price combined with the smaller hard drive will undoubtedly ensure that the traditional hard drive stays around for a while, but for how long?

Predicting the long-term viability of traditional hard drive technology, its pricing and availability is not easy. However, experience has taught us that newer technology, such as the SSD, will become the dominant industry norm.

Small businesses which are considering upgrading in-house and off-site computers to laptops may wish to wait until the fall of 2008 to see if the new technology reduces the price of the traditional hard drive, which would mean there may be incredible bargains to be had on traditional hard drives. However, the competitive nature of industry may provide small businesses with competitive pricing for the new technology.