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Data Doctors: Are lightweight laptops a smart choice or compromise?

By Ken Colburn

Q: What features or tech specs should I look for in a lightweight laptop?

A: Lightweight laptops are incredibly popular right now, and for good reason. If you travel, commute or simply move around the house a lot, carrying a three-pound laptop instead of what feels like a load of bricks can make a big difference.

But going lighter isn’t just about weight. It comes with some trade-offs you should understand before you make your final decision.

Start with weight — but don’t stop there

For most people, “lightweight” means something in the 2.5- to 3.5-pound range. That usually puts you in the 13- to 14-inch screen category, which strikes a nice balance between portability and usability.

Smaller machines are easier to carry, but they also come with smaller keyboards and screens. If you spend hours typing or working in spreadsheets, that compact design may start to feel cramped.

Performance still matters

A thin laptop shouldn’t mean a slow laptop. Look for a current-generation Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processor. For RAM, I’d opt for 16GB to extend the computer’s usable life.

Where lightweight systems often compromise is cooling. Thinner machines have less room for fans, which means under heavier workloads — video editing, gaming or large spreadsheets — performance can throttle to keep temperatures under control. They’re designed for efficiency, not sustained horsepower.

Storage and speed

Make sure it has a solid-state drive (SSD) that’s at least 256GB. If you don’t do everything in the cloud or plan to install a lot of programs, I’d recommend 512GB or more.

It’s also smart to check how much storage your current computer is using so you have a realistic sense of your needs.

Battery life: A bright spot

One area where lightweight laptops shine is battery life. Efficient processors and solid-state storage mean many will run 8 to 12 hours on a charge. That’s a real advantage if you work remotely or travel frequently.

Just remember that manufacturer claims are optimistic. Real-world usage will likely be less — and battery performance will gradually decline over time.

Ports and connectivity

Thin laptops often sacrifice ports. You may get two USB-C ports and that’s it. If you rely on USB-A devices, HDMI connections or SD card slots, you might need external hubs or a docking station.

Adapters aren’t the end of the world, but they’re one more thing to carry — and potentially forget.

Build quality and durability

Lightweight often means thinner materials, so look for models made from aluminum or magnesium alloy. Budget lightweight systems may use flexible plastic that won’t stand up to years of heavy use.

The major trade-offs

Here are the biggest trade-offs: most lightweight laptops have nonupgradeable memory and storage, so what you buy is what you have to live with.

Going lightweight means choosing portability over raw power and expandability.

If your daily routine involves web browsing, email, documents, streaming and video calls, a lightweight laptop should be more than enough. If you regularly edit large videos, game heavily or run demanding software, you may feel constrained.

For most people, the sweet spot is a 13- or 14-inch laptop around three pounds, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. That combination delivers mobility without long-term frustration.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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