For years, computer manufacturers have worked hard to pack more power into progressively smaller boxes. They have outdone themselves this past year with the introduction of a range of tiny devices known collectively as “netbooks.”

These mini-laptops, which are about three-quarters the size of a letter-sized sheet of paper, won’t quite fit in your pocket, but they do fit nicely inside a slipcase. They are not only easier to carry and sleek and stylish, but are also usually easier on battery life as well.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. first captured the public’s imagination with its Eee PC, which was released in 2007. The original unit ran the Linux operating system, although subsequent versions have been available with Windows. Linux is unlikely to have much appeal for advisors who want to work on files from their office machines.

Hewlett-Packard Co. (the Mini-Note), Lenovo Group Ltd. (the IdeaPad) and Dell Inc. (the Inspiron Mini) have also jumped on the netbook bandwagon. Look for the same smaller screen, between nine and 12 inches across diagonally; the same light weight, of less than three pounds; and the almost full-sized keyboard.

You’ll find less memory on these machines than is available on larger laptops. None have 4GB of RAM, although some offer up to 2GB of RAM. This lack of memory can make Windows Vista run more slowly than on conventional laptops. Vista has already had problems with hardware specifications that make it too slow for users of laptops. So, many people are opting for Windows XP instead for these netbooks.

These devices use less power than conventional laptops but also run more slowly. Some — such as the consumer version of one of HP’s netbooks, the Mini 1000 — use Intel Corp.’s Atom chip, which is designed specifically for very low-footprint devices, while others — such as HP’s Mini-Note — have opted for Via Technologies Inc.’s chip set.

Some vendors are targeting the upper end of the netbook market, blurring the line between netbook and small notebook territory. Dell’s Inspiron Mini 12, which features a maximum 80GB hard drive and a 12.1-inch screen, runs on the Atom processor and also includes a Webcam.

HP’s Mini-Note is a business version of its consumer-targeted Mini 1000 device. Originally targeted at the educational market, the Mini-Note appeals to high-level executives who want more style and less weight while on the road, says Darren Leroux, the company’s product manager for commercial notebooks in Toronto.

“A lot of people mix pleasure with business and load Apple’s iTunes on it,” he says, pointing out that it’s perfect for playing MP3s while also handling PowerPoint and moderate-sized spreadsheets. “You have 120 to 160 gigabytes of storage space, depending on the product configuration.”

Many netbooks also come with an optional solid-state hard drive. Unlike conventional hard drives, which use a magnetic head to read and write data on a small spinning disk, solid-state drives use computer memory known as “flash” memory, or DRAM, that is designed to store your data on a chip.

The biggest advantage of a solid-state drive is its fast boot-up time, which is possible because you’re dealing purely with electronics to access your data rather than mechanical parts that move more slowly. There is also some evidence to suggest that solid-state drives improve battery life because the battery isn’t using its power to spin a small metal disk at very high speeds. Finally, there is less danger of damaging the drive and losing your data if you drop your netbook.

Solid-state memory is something that has begun making its way into larger devices, such as the slimline MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. And HP’s EliteBooks are custom-configurable with an 80GB solid-state drive, for example. Some machines offer 128GB versions, and we can expect to see 256GB solid-state drives coming down the pipeline. The drawback is the expense, warns Leroux; the 80GB solid-state drive more or less doubles the price of the Mini-Note to $600.

The bottom line with netbooks is that they are intended mostly as secondary devices. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to use one as your primary device at the office. They do, however, fill an important gap in the market.

Although smartphones are becoming increasingly functional, there is still much that they cannot do. You may be able to edit spreadsheets on your BlackBerry or iPhone (with the right third-party software), but if you do it too long, you will lose patience.

@page_break@Conventional laptops, on the other hand, can be cumbersome when visiting clients. In that situation, the netbooks’ minimum office functionality is just the thing. IE