As a small business owner, there are never enough hours in the day to get it all done. The mobile computer may be the answer to getting back a few precious hours each week. A recent study shows that notebook computer users report an average of 10.8 hours each week of additional productivity over users of desktop computers. And frequent travelers reported almost 15 more productive hours weekly.

Notebooks unleash productivity in part because they free the worker from network cables. Time once wasted commuting, at airports, or during those "can't-sleep" hours at home can now become productive hours to stay in touch with customers and employees, finish projects, check e-mail or share files with colleagues.

New notebook computers can deliver most of the power and benefits of desktop computing in a portable package. They link effortlessly to wireless networks available at the office, home and on the road - and turn the 20-minute stop at a coffee shop or the 60-minute wait at the airport into a productive interlude. Here are some tips from Dell to help you get the most out of your mobile computing solution:

Office

In the office, mobile computing has powered collaboration by enabling employees to stay connected to the office network while literally moving their laptops from office to conference room and back - all while the laptop remains linked through a wireless network to all the needed files.

The new freedom from Ethernet cables gives workers an opportunity to share ideas and test solutions easily - all while capturing information and work product - and without having to re-establish network connections. In some offices, the concept of mobile computing has taken on new meaning as users literally take their laptops into a series of meetings in different locations, without ever missing a keystroke.

On The Go

For the business traveler, wireless access is critical to staying connected. Many hotels and airports, coffee shops, bookstores and other businesses provide "hot spots" that allow wireless users to access the Internet and transfer large files quickly via high-bandwidth connections.

For those who want even more flexible access, the latest notebooks offer mobile broadband capabilities that permit users to connect to the Web using cellular networks from major wireless service providers.

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