Yes that's right. In the topsy-turvy world of technology, small is where it's at.

Sure that Dell laptop might look good when you read the specs, but what if it ends up sitting on your desk because it's too heavy to lug around? You would have been better off buying a faster desktop PC with a larger screen, bigger hard drive and lower price. If you're going to buy something portable, make sure it's actually portable.

Apple used to have a slogan that said a powerful computer is one that you use. The same could be said for your laptop; it can have the latest processor and be chock full of RAM, but if you left it at home because it's too heavy, then you don't have a powerful laptop, you have nothing.

There is no rule that laptops have to give you a hernia. I bought a used IBM ThinkPad for $400 that weighs just 2.9 lbs. That's light enough that I sometimes have to check my knapsack to see if I forgot to pack it. Even though it's vintage (circa 1999), I've brought it into the modern age by upgrading it with an 80GB hard drive, 320MB RAM and Windows XP Professional.

If you've got the cash, Sony has some sweet laptops that weigh in at less than 2 lbs.

Cameras are another area where many forget to consider the size when comparing specs. Sure megapixles, optical zoom and battery life are important, but if it doesn't fit in the front pockets of your jeans, then you're going to leave it home more often than not.

My rule of thumb is if it can't fit in an Altoids tin, it's too big. I've got a Pentax Optio S that fits perfectly in a Licorice flavoured Altoids box. If I'm feeling festive, I put it in a Cinnamon Altoids tin. The side benefit, of course, is that I don't have to spend a lot of money on a camera case, and it keeps my camera smelling minty fresh.

You may think that there are compromises when a camera is that size, but if you're happy with 3.2 Megapixles, 3X optical zoom and 1GB memory, then it's not much of a compromise. Some cameras might leave out the zoom, or the flash, or the memory expandability to get that small - well, just don't buy them.

You can have it all and you can have it small.

Cameras used to have to be big because they needed room for film, and electronics miniaturization wasn't as advanced as it is today. Well we don't need room for film anymore and it's the 21st century, so take advantage of it.

Fortunately, there are some small devices that people have already caught on to.

Have you seen anyone carrying any of those big brick cell phones lately? No, because it makes more sense to fit one in your pocket than having to bring a briefcase house it. Believe me, it won't be long before people will stare at you and laugh if you lug around a clunky camera or laptop like they would if you were caught talking into one of those huge cell phones from the mid-90s.

People have also figured out that music playing devices don't need to be big. You can stick an iPod Shuffle in your pocket with room to spare for your Optio S camera and Nokia phone. Try that with your CD player.