Date:10/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/10/stories/2006071017020200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Affordable companion for executives

Special Correspondent

Laptops have replaced desktop PC

Bangalore: Prices of laptop computers, known commonly as "notebooks", have crashed. For well under Rs. 50,000, you can get one with the kind of configuration, memory cache included, an executive on the move needs.

With wireless connection to the web available in the most unlikely places, it is a "have a laptop, stay connected world" almost anywhere you go.

You can work on the project report while travelling, while waiting at an airport or in your hotel room. More than anything, it helps your office, business partners, and even family stay in touch with you all through a business trip.

For many executives, the laptop has replaced the traditional desktop PC. When they leave the office, they just keep it in a bag, which has other compartments for papers and CDs and literally take the office home. For many with a wide circle of business associates outside the office, the "address book" on software helps when they lug around that laptop. Instant messaging is possible.

Quicker than voice mail and with the added advantage the party at the other end can download the messages and keep a hard copy for reference.

Almost every city's tourism office is now online as are directories of hotels, restaurants and car hire agencies.

For executives suddenly taking an unexpected out-of-town trip, booking a hotel room and a taxi becomes easier.