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Ultra-portable computers are designed to be highly portable even at the expense of certain features. A typical ultra-portable laptop weighs less than 1.5 Kg making it extremely easy to carry while traveling. They sometimes sacrifice features for portability. Today, we take a look at an ultra-portable from ACI. 
The ACI DimiQ is an all white laptop and will attract a lot of attention from every on-looker. This highly noticeable laptop has a milky white color with a combination of bluish silver on the top. I feel the bluish silver top spoilt the looks and all white color would have been better. The laptop got lots of compliments especially from women, with the typical words such as 'Cute', 'Cool', and 'Neat'. The weight, size, and the color really make the laptop a bit girly. 
After I used this laptop for sometime, I have now really started hating the HPDV2025TU, which I regularly use on everyday basis because of its weight and battery life. Well, the ACI DimiQ weighs only 1.45 Kg whereas the HPDV2025TU weighs a kilo more. It may look small, but do not underestimate it. Let's hop on to the specifications. Specifications Intel ULV Yonah 1.06 GHz Single Core Processor (533 MHz FSB) Intel 945GM Core Logic and ICH-7 Platform (NAPA Platform) 2 x 512 MB DDRII RAM 533MHz 4-4-4-12 Integrated Graphic and Video Chip With 128 MB of Memory Shared with System Storage System 80 GB SATA HDD DVD-RW I/O Devices 11.1" WXGA TFT (1366 x 768), Glare Type Keypad with 83 Keys (US) Intel Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g (3945) Card Reader 4 - 1 (SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro) Intergrated Fax Modem V56 Kbps V.90 Integrated Ethernet 10/100 Mbps 2 x USB 2.0 Connectors Express Card Type II Slot IEEE 1394 Port 15 Pin D-Sub Connector for external monitor DC-In Jack Audio System Line out phone jack for external speaker Mic-in phone jack for external Microphone 2 * 1Watt Internal Speakers Power Specifications AC Adaptor Input: 90 - 265V AC, 47/63Hz AC Adaptor Output: 1.9V, 3.42A, 65W Battery: 6 Cell Li-Ion 4800 mAh Battery Dimensions 266 mm x 202.5 mm x 29.5 mm Weight: 1.45 Kg Layout Since the dimension of the laptop has decreased significantly, it also changed the keypad layout. The keys were narrower than usual, and for the first week of evaluation, I kept on hitting the wrong key. It did take me sometime to get used to it. 
I again had slight difficulties on reverting back to a normal keypad, especially with the function keys. 
On the front side, there is a mechanical switch for enabling/disabling Wireless LAN. This switch is really useful for extending your battery life and disabling it, while traveling, is highly recommended. 
On The right side, we have the 4-1 Card Reader, Audio I/O Ports, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, heat sink outlet, and finally the 15 Pin D-Sub VGA Connector for connecting external monitor. Overall, I feel there should be a minimum of 4 USB ports since there are numerous peripherals based on it. However, I did mention before that ultra-portables usually skip out few features. Hence, nothing was surprising about it. 
The left side houses the Modem/Ethernet ports, Mini-Firewire, DVD-RW, and Express Card II Slot. The start button and the Music Hot Key are located on the top of the laptop, at each end of the speaker. 
There are seven LED indicators located below the keypad on the right side. It gives out cool blue light on starting up. 
Performance Based on Intel ULV processor, I don't expect it to be even an average performer. But today, even low-end laptop can run office and internet application without a hitch. Benchmark SiSoft Sandra 2007 
PC Mark 2005 
3D Mark 2003 
Performance Analysis Well, as I said before the performance will resemble to a low-end PC. However, it's quite powerful for day-to-day task such as browsing, office applications, and even for multimedia usage. The 3D Mark score really shows how it is incapable to run games, but we did manage to run some old timers such as Quake 3 and Counter Strike. Again, there will be a segment of opinion disagreeing with my analysis and vying for other laptops having better performance. Weight is one issue, which is often neglected while purchasing a notebook and only an experienced notebook-user will know that weight is an issue significant enough to be considered especially when one plans to carry it everywhere he/she goes. Battery Life This laptop comes with 6 Cell Li-Ion 4800 mAh battery. Considering an 11.1" screen, and Intel ULV processor, I surely expect some serious battery life. We ran the usual Battery Eater 05 software on it, with highest brightness possible. It's recommended, while on move, to keep brightness at half, since it can increase the battery life to a great extent. The battery Eater 05 lasted for 2 hours and 36 minutes, which easily translates to almost 5 and half hour of normal usage. One thing to note, that under full load, the laptop gets hot at the bottom and for certain, one can't use the laptop on one's lap under such conditions. 
Conclusion The ACI DimiQ sells for around Rs. 70,000 with a one-year warranty. Well, buying this is totally up to the usage. One may feel, it is overpriced when compared to its performance, but at the same time, one should also consider the weight and battery life of the laptop. However, if you are ready to bear weight of up to 1.8 Kg, you will find better performing laptops and for almost 15-20k less. But, if weight is very important to you, then this may be the one you are looking for. One thing, I didn't mention earlier is that it comes bundled with Windows XP Professional. One also needs to count the cost of operating system.
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