Ah, laptops on bikes - a subject close to my heart! I have a Sony C1, the predecessor to the TR1. The C1 used to be top dog but the TR1 is even better - I borrowed one the other day - and I'd have one like a shot if I had a proper excuse for retiring my (still excellent) C1.
The TR1 graphics are stunning, great for your photos. Whatever you buy, check to see how much graphics RAM it's got. Laptops have to make compromises to get this small and I suspect that's one area where you don't want a crap spec?
The TR1's CD is built-in - I'm pretty sure it's the smallest laptop which has this. But maybe you don't need a CD when you're out and about? If so you might prefer the JVC which I'm pretty sure is the smallest fully featured laptop on the market right now. It's the same format as the C1, i.e. they've shrunk the case to paperback size by not putting a CD in. (The CD is external). As a result the JVC will fit in a tank bag, or even your jacket. But the TR1...well it might just have to go in the topbox or pannier...depends which tank bag you have I suppose.
The TR1 also has a Centrino chip and built in wireless...not sure the JVC does? Wireless could be fantastic within a year or two...you'll rock up at a coffee shop or a petrol station and find you have instant web access without any fiddling about...imagine the possibilities.
Is disk size an issue? I don't know what sort of files you think you might be storing. It's hard to find a laptop this size with more than 30 Gig, although you can always get an extra external drive like I did - they're not expensive.
Whatever you buy will come with a mains adapter. If you want to run it off the bike's accessory socket get an iGo Juice adapter (about £90) which can also do 12V DC and comes with plugs for a car cigarette lighter and an airline seat.
If you want to be really way out, leading bleeding edge an' all that, have a look at the world's smallest handheld Windows XP machine at
www.antelopetech.com. It will fit in your pocket but it's a real PC, with a 1 Gig processor, a 15 Gig disk and a ruggedised shell. However it has a touch screen instead of a keyboard. If you need a keyboard you might be able to plug in an external one - there are one or two folding ones around which could fit in your other pocket. What a gadget! It's allegedly a quality bit of kit - Antelope have a cosy relationship with IBM. Get one and tell me all about it!
