Hardware
The basic element in a mobile teleworkstation is the notebook.
The constant evolution of production technologies in the field of electronics now permits producing portable personal computers (notebooks) with performance features that were unthinkable until just a short time ago. In fact, the differences between the latest-generation notebooks and traditional mid to high range personal computers are negligible, in terms both of performance and reliability.
The basic components of notebooks are the same as those of a traditional PC, but they are built in such a manner as to be housed in much less space. Thus, the motherboard "integrates" all the functions of those peripherals that in a traditional PC are expedited by separate expansion cards (video adapter, sound card, etc.), the hard disk, and the various drives (floppy, CD, etc.). The circuits and devices are built using standard technology, but are all compressed, "miniaturized" to the utmost. The monitor is an LCD, generally from 12" to 15" in size.
As regards the I/O ports (and therefore the possibility to connect external peripherals (printer, scanner, modem, video camera, etc.), there is by now no limitation on notebooks with respect to traditional PCs; what is more, the notebooks are equipped with a special type of port, called a PCMCIA, which is not used on traditional PCs and which can interface a great number of external peripherals produced especially for the notebook market.
The old problem of power supply charge duration has been in part resolved by the new lithium batteries, which can guarantee the computer more than 3 hours running time.
One typically negative aspect of the notebook market is the limit on expansion: it is almost never possible to upgrade or to significantly expand notebook function (differently from what happens on the traditional PC market). And since the market is a continually evolving one, the notebook is a product subject to rapid obsolescence.
OBSERVATIONS. The appearance on the market of portable Personal Computers with performance features that are practically identical to traditional PCs is undoubtedly of great importance for the telework sector, since these machines make it possible for the teleworker to work wherever he/she may be (e.g., in a hotel, in transit, etc.). (Mobile teleworking).
Connectivity is especially important in the case of a mobile teleworkstation.
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