March 24, 2008...10:59 pm
Introducing the 6 Euro laptop!
Meet my new laptop. It’s just over 5 centimetres long, it’s lighter than a Macbook Air and you too can have one for only €5.98
During a tidy up of the office the other day I decided to copy all of the files I had sitting on one of my USB keys back to my PC and start deleting or archiving old files I no longer needed.
I then wiped the USB key and installed a product called Portable Apps. This is an ingenious product which does two things. It provides you with a complete suite of applications that can be run from a portable storage device such as a USB key. It also creates a directory structure on your storage device and handy menu for accessing the applications and files. Whenever you connect the portable device that you’re using for Portable Apps, it auto runs and is available via an icon in the system tray.
All of the applications are modified versions of popular programmes such as Firefox and OpenOffice so you can not only carry your files and data around with you, you can now also carry the tools you need to work on them as well. All you need is access to a computer at your destination.
There are a couple of things you’ll need to take into account if you intend to rely on Portable Apps. First of all, it only runs on a PC, so you’ll need to make sure you have access to one. Secondly, Microsoft Office isn’t available on Portable Apps which some people would find to be a deal breaker. Personally, I use OpenOffice as my standard office suite anyway, so the change is no hardship for me.
You’ll also need to factor in that some internet cafes disable access to the USB port. But if you’re going to work in a clients office, a branch office or stay with friends who don’t mind giving you access to their PC then that shouldn’t be a problem.
Clam AV is included in the standard suite of products so if you are using your Portable Apps key in an unknown environment it’ll help protect you from viruses (not real time). All activity takes place on the external device, so all your passwords, cookies and favourites etc stay on the device and aren’t left behind on the computer you’ve been using.
There is also built in back up software that allows you to sync the USB key with a folder on your PC. All in all this is a great tool which gives you the choice to leave your laptop behind and travel light.
It’s Not Just For USB Keys
USB keys aren’t your only option for running a Portable Apps suite. Portable Apps will run on most kinds of external storage devices such as portable hard drives and MP3 players or iPods.
Not All USB Keys Are Equal
There can be quite a difference in price between USB keys. I’ve seen them for as low as €3 and they’re often given away at conferences etc. Most of us just look at the storage capacity, but it’s also important to look at the data transfer speed. I have a 4Gb own brand key which is very slow and a 1Gb key made by Integral. The Integral key is much faster that the own brand one and this is the one I have installed Portable Apps on. With the approaching USB 3.0 standard tools such as Portable Apps will start to match regular computers for speed and convenience.
What ever device you choose to install Portable Apps on, you can still continue to use the device as a normal storage device as well. You can find and install new applications from the Portable Apps web site.
You can download and install Portable Apps and review their full range of applications from www.portableapps.com
1 Comment
March 27, 2008 at 9:33 pm
[...] you’re a Portable Apps user, you’ll be please to hear that Q10 is also available in a portable [...]
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