Amazon.com Product Description

Ideal for CPU intensive programs, the Toshibe Satellite A75-S231 features a hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 538 processor, which offers a blazing fast 3.33 GHz clock speed. You also get Toshiba's DVD Super-Multi drive, which offers compatibility for both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats. It features a 15.4-inch TruBrite screen, offering high brightness, high contrast, wide viewing angle. It also is loaded with hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 532 processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, 100 GB hard drive, and integrated 54g wireless LAN. It's perfect for digital media enthusiasts, young adults, and families.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The spacious 100 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for both your work and home files as well as a multimedia library.
• Processor: The Intel Pentium 4 538 processor features a fast 3.33 GHz speed. It also offers Hyper-Threading technology, which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking. It is well suited for professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. It also has A 1 MB L2 cache and an 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (1 DIMM, PC-2700 DDR333) is a good start for power users. It can be expanded to a toal of 1.5 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The DVD Super-Multi drive is compatible with both DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW discs (as well as DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM). It offers a 4x DVD read speed, and writes at 2.4x for DVD+R/RW and 2x for DVD-R/RW. You can also burn CDs at 16x and read them at 24x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The A75-S231 offers a healthy selection of expansion and connectivity options, including a PCMCIA slot for one Type II PC card and the following:

• 3 USB 1.1 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 Firewire (IEEE 1394) for connecting digital camcorders and external hard drives
• 1 Bridge Media Adaptor
• 1 Infrared Port
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 TV-out (S-Video)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
The A75-S231 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also includes Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 90 days of complimentary live updates), Quicken New User Edition, Napster online digital service (30-day trial), Adobe Acrobat Reader, InterVideo WinDVD (for playing DVD movies), ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD, and Sonic Solutions RecordNow Basic.

Dimensions and Weight
At 8 pounds, the A75-S231 is on par in weight with other notebooks in its class. It measures 1.8 x 14.4 x 10.8 inches (H x W x D), which is a little wider than other notebooks in its class.

Power
The included 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery has an approximate 2-hour battery life (during normal use). It also comes with a 120W AC adapter.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Toshiba A75-S231 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Toshiba's Qosmio G15-AV501 notebook PC is a multimedia superstar that offers features rivalling many desktop PCs. You'll get built-in TV and digital video recorder (DVR) functionality as well as an outstandingly bright 17-inch TruBrite screen. It's also built for today's mobile computing needs, with a fast 1.8 GHz Intel Centrino processor. This notebook also features 512 MB of installed RAM, 100 GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and integrated 802.11g (54g) and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: At 100 GB, the G15-AV501's hard drive is one of the largest found in a notebook. And you'll need the space for storing multimedia files and recorded TV programs from the DVR software.
• Processor: The 1.8 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor is at the top of the speed spectrum for this processor class. It is well equipped for office productivity software tasks, from complex spreadsheets to databases. The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has a 2 MB L2 cache and 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is becoming the standard for notebooks, and you should consider it just a starting point. The the G15-AV501 can be expanded to 2 GB of memory, and you'll want more RAM in order to take advantage of all the notebook's multimedia capabilities.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive has 40x read, 16x write, and rewrite at 10x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This G15-AV501 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). It also offers built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity, so you can communicate with compatible cell phones, PDAs, printers, and more. You get a good offering of connectivity options, which does include both super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 Firewire (IEEE 1394) for connecting digital camcorders and external hard drives
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot
• 2 TV out (S-Video)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Media Center 2005 operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Quicken New User Edition, Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 90-day LiveUpdate subscription), Adobe Acrobat Reader, WinDVD Creator 2 Platinum. With the Qosmio's DVR software, you can watch or digitally record TV programs. Use the S-Video in/out ports to hook into a home entertainment system for large-screen viewing.

Dimensions and Weight
While portable, the G15-AV501 is larger and heavier than notebooks used for mobile professionals. But you'll appreciate the ease of moving it from room to room in your home. It measures 16 x 11.2 x 1.5 inches and weight 9.7 pounds.

Power
It is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that offers a standard 1.5 to 2-hour battery life (depending on usage). With use of video playback, battery life will diminish.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Toshiba Qosimo G15-AV501 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited warranty for parts and labor. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Maximize your mobile performance as well as your multimedia capabilities with the Toshiba Satellite M35X-S163 notebook PC. It's ideal for both savvy professionals and students who want outstanding performance and advanced capabilities at an affordable price. It has a powerful Intel Celeron M Processor, integrated 54g wireless connectivity, a 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a widescreen 15.4-inch diagonal display for a better visual experience.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is becoming the average size for notebook PCs, providing enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
• Processor: The Intel Celeron M Processor 360 is designed specifically for mobile computing, offering a balanced level of mobile-optimized processor technology, good mobile performance, and exceptional value. The 1.4 GHz speed resides at the top of the spectrum for this processor (as of March, 2005). It also features a 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and large 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, PC2700, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: This notebook includes a combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, with 24x write/read and 10x rewrite speed for CDs and 8x read speed for DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The M35X-S163 has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including both super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack
• 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), and Norton AntiVirus (with three-month subscription).

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.4 x 10.8 x 1.48 inches and weighs 6 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 4-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 2 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the M35X-S163 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

IBM delivers a top-of-the-line notebook PC--the T42SMB--for mobile business professional at a price that's easy on the bottom line. The T42SMB is highly portable, weighing in at just under 6 pounds, and has an average battery life of up to 4.4 hours. It features a fast 1.7 GHz Intel Centrino processor, 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, a CD-RW/.DVD-ROM combo drive, 54g wi-fi connectivity, and a bright 14.1-inch screen.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB EIDE hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The 1.7 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor sits near the top of the currently available speed spectrum and will be fast enough for gaming and multimedia applications. The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. The T42 has a large 2 MB L2 cache and a 400 MHz front-side bus.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, 333 MHz, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read CDs at 24x and rewrite at 10x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an ergonomic keyboard with palm rest, IBM ThinkPad UltraNav multipointing system, Internet scroll bar, and volume control.

  This IBM ThinkPad T42SMB notebook also features Embedded Security Subsystem, which allows users to authenticate with unique fingerprints instead of passwords with an optional fingerprint reader (sold separately).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This T42SMB model has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a limited offering of connectivity options, but it does include super-fast USB 2.0:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 parallel port
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This notebook comes with the Windows XP Professional operating system (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features), and it includes other software applications such as Norton AntiVirus 2004 (with 90 days of free updates), InterVideo WinDVD and Sonic RecordNow.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 13 x 10.6 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.7 pounds.

Power
This T42SMB notebook comes with a standard 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an average battery life of 4.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the ThinkPad T42SMB (model 2378FZU) notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a three-year limiited hardware warranty and one-year warranty for the battery. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Stylish and utterly professional, the Sony Vaio PCG-V505EX is a lightweight notebook PC--only 4.39 pounds--that's geared for business and mobility. Thanks to the Intel Centrino processor, its enhanced battery life will keep you productive even on long flights. It features a built-in wireless LAN (802.11b), a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, spacious 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a good range of pre-installed Sony digital media software. Stepping up in price, the Sony Vaio PCG-V505EXP offers a 54g wireless LAN.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Though not world-beating in size, the 60 GB enhanced-IDE hard drive (4200 RPM) offers more than enough storage capacity for road warriors.
• Processor: The 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor is near the top of the speed range compared with other Centrino notebooks (with current speed topping out at 1.7 GHz). Because of itsdesign, the Intel Pentium M gets more done per clock tick than a Mobile Intel Pentium 4, thus providing the discrepancy in GHz measurement (i.e., 1.7 versus 3.2). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has a 512 KB L2 cache and a 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB) speed.
• Memory: The PCG-V505EX comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 2.05 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes equipped with a combo DVD/CD-RW drive, which enables you to play DVD-ROM discs and DVD movies as well as burn data and record music to CD discs. The CD-RW drive has 24x write, 10x rewrite, and 24x read speeds.
• Keyboard & Mouse:

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCG-V505EX has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100 integrated wireless LAN that connects using the 802.11b wireless standard, which is not exactly in step with the latest in wireless networking--54g, or 802.11g. You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)

Preloaded System and Software
The PCG-V505EX comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: PictureGear Studio (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), and SonicStage (digital music). Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD and Norton Internet Security Center 7.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 1.38 x 10.9 x 9.54 inches (H x W x D) and weighing just 4.39 pounds, the PCG-V505EX is easily portable.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery (PCGA-BP2V) offers between 2.5 and 6.5 hours of life with typical usage.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-V505EX notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

NOT RUGGED ENOUGH TO BE PORTABLE!
I've had two of the V505 series, this one being the latest. The first one suffered from touchpad problems (clicking at random) and had to be sent out for repairs for a month right after i got it. After two months of use I noticed the case was so poorly reinforced that ripples would go across the screen if you slightly touched the back. After a few more months of carrying it around in a case purchased especially for it, it had major pixel damage. Sony's telephone representatives insisted that carrying it in a laptop case was excessive or abusive use and refused to replace it for several months. They finally replaced it with this model, and now the touchpad is starting to malfunction again.

Aside from the touchpad not working and the wireless card not working on some LEAP enabled networks, this model works well enough and it would make an OK desktop replacement for someone who works from home and never moves their laptop more than a few inches. If you're looking for something you can haul around with you though, look for something that's built better.

Avoid Sony
Just got this Notebook for 3 days. It has problems maintaining it's wireless connection. I tried it on 2 different wireless access points (Netgear and SkyHawk) and Vaio drops the connection every 5 mins. I'm literally 4 feet from my access point, and it still drops. All my other wireless connection works fine and the Dell Notebook works fine. I called Vaio Support and they're useless. They first said that my warranty expired??? and then proceed to say that I purchased it from an unauthorized seller (Amazon). After I resolved that issue, they start to blame the wireless access point. That's a total BS, because my other wireless devices would be affected if it was the access point. Also, I used the Vaio on 2 access points! How can that happen to 2 different access points???

Aside from being small, light weight, excellent battery life, and slick design; this one sucks without the support. I will be returning mine back to Amazon and stick with Dell. They offer better support and quality. I strongly recommend another small notebook and avoid Sony!!!

Great machine, case scuffs annoying
I love this machine. The one kvetch I have is that the beautiful casing scuffed very easily, and I can't seem to remove the scuffs. Other than that--it's extremely fast, very light, keyboard size and play are great, I have no complaints.

GREAT STABLE MACHINE! SUPERB GRAPHICS/MULTIMEDIA NOTEBOOK
I HAD THIS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW. I AM IMPRESS WITH THE ATI RADEON GRAPHICS CARD AS IT PLAYS VARIOUS 3D GAMES. SO FAR I LOADED NEED 4 SPEED UNDERGROUND, AND FREEDOM FIGHTERS, AND IT PLAYS GREAT. BE FOREWARN; RUNNING A GAME ON CD REQUIRES LOTS OF POWER SO DONT EXPECT THE SAME PERFORMANCE ON BATTERIES.

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH ERROR MESSAGES POPPING UP REGARDING THE SONY MEDIA SERVER. TECH SUPPORT HELP CORRECT THOSE PROBLEMS

OVERALL, ITS A GREAT CENTRINO MULTIMEDIA/BUSINESS LAPTOP, ALL PROGRAMS WORK FAST AND THE SYSTEM SEEMS VERY STABLE.

SO AFTER TWO MONTHS.. NOTHINS CRASHED YET!!! GREAT LIL MACHINE.. ENOUGH KEYBOARD SPACE.. AND VERY FAST! ONLY NEGATIVE... IS THE 2 X 256MB MEMORY THAT IT COMES WITH INSTEAD OF JUST 1 512MB! THOSE SONY EXECS ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY FROM US! ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
A superb portable computer for businessmen on the move, the Sony VAIO PCG-K37 will crunch numbers and data faster than the vast majority of desktops yet won't break your back when you cart it from place to place. Its 3D graphics speed is not exceptional, nor is it recommended for anyone who requires extremely long battery life. Yet at this price point and with this level of raw speed, the VAIO PCG-K37 is a solid buy for the power user.

The PCG-K37 features a 15.4-inch WXGA widescreen display that is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favored by DVD movies.

Processor At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The VAIO PCG-K37 is on the top end of the scale, equipped with a blazing 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 538 processor featuring Intel's Hyper-Threading technology. Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system (which most are) to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications. Running at a lightning fast 3.2 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the beefiest in any notebook, but with integrated Hyper-Threading it's nothing short of spectacular. It's important to note that the overall performance of any computer is also influenced by the speed and quantity of its memory and the quality of it graphics card. And as you'll see, Sony has effectively dealt with the former but somewhat neglected the latter.

Memory Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VAIO PCG-K37 incorporates a startling one GB of RAM. This is a massive allotment for any notebook and substantially more than that of most desktops as well. Thusly, users can expect superb multitasking and virtually no slowdowns even during ultra-complex tasks.	 
	Sony VAIO PCG-K37 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 1 GB RAM 80 GB HD	Sony VAIO PCG-K35 3.067 GHz Pentium 4 512 MB RAM 80 GB HD	Sony VAIO PCG-K33 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 512 MB RAM 60 GB HD

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller), which in this case is an ATI Radeon IGP 345M with 64 MB of "shared" video memory. Dedicated video memory is preferable to "shared" video memory (where the graphics controller appropriates a portion of the main system memory), because it takes much more of the load from the processor and thus frees it to handle other tasks. Nevertheless, this system's processor is so powerful that the lack of a high-end video controller isn't as essential as it otherwise might be. Demanding 3D games and 3D animation may cause the graphics to bog down somewhat, but most everything else should look quite smooth.

Display
The VAIO PCG-K37's 15.4-inch WXGA display may be smaller than the 17-inch monsters found in today's top-of-the-line models, yet it's larger than that of most notebooks and even some desktops. Furthermore, its widescreen format is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favored by DVD movies. It's highly sophisticated too -- sporting Sony's new XBRITE Technology for better contrast and a brighter picture, and a crisp 1280 by 800 maximum resolution.

Hard Disk
At a spacious 80 GB, the enclosed hard drive is a welcome perk for those who need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a large library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW Drive, through which you can do all of the above. The drive also supports today's hot new double layer DVD format that utilizes discs with double the capacity of traditional DVDs.

Audio
The unit is equipped with high-grade speakers and a powerful audio amplifier.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 82-key keyboard and a standard electro-static touch pad.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and definitely too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that are typically less powerful than their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. Despite its impressive power, the VAIO PCG-K37 tips the scales at just 8 pounds. It is, however, rather hefty at 14.1 by 2.2 by 10.9 inches.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-K37 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 1 year of toll-free phone support. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The lightweight HP Pavilion dv1130us notebook PC fuses together the world of mobile computing with a portable home theater. Watch DVDs on the bright, high-definition-ready 14-inch screen, and share the experience with dual headphone jacks. You can also burn your own CDs and DVDs with the multifomat DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive. The dv1130us is powered by a power-saving 1.4 GHz Celeron M processor, which provides up to a 3-hour battery life. Other features include a 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 54g wireless connectivity, and a multiformat memory card reader for easy access to pictures captured on your digital camera. For a more powerful Pentium M processor and 80 GB hard drive, see the HP dv1150us.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is an average size for notebook PCs, offering enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store a decent-sized digital audio library.
• Processor: The Intel Celeron M processor is designed specifically for mobile computing, offering a balanced level of mobile-optimized processor technology, good mobile performance, and exceptional value. It features a Deep Sleep state, which helps enable longer battery life by minimizing the power consumption of the processor during brief periods of inactivity. The 1.4 GHz speed is near the top of the speed spectrum for this processor, and it also offers a 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB) speed and a 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users, though it is a little slower (266 MHz) than RAM found in other entertainment-centric laptops. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB), and you'll want to maximize the RAM within your budget to take advantage of this notebook's multimedia capabilities.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive is compatible with a wide variety disc formats, including DVD+, DVD-, VCD, and SVCD discs. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 1x write/rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 2x write/rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 5x). For CDs, it has a 16x write/10x rewrite/40x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 101-key keyboard and two-button touchpad with on/off button and dedictated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The dv1130us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a limited offering of connectivity options, but it does include super-fast USB 2.0:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 2 headphone jacks
• 1 microphone jack
• Multiformat memory card reader, compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia (MMC), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia, and XD cards

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Symantec Norton Antivirus 2005 (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sonic RecordNow, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo Home Theater, Apple iTunes and Apple iTunes Music Store, Adobe PhotoShop Album STE, Muvee autoProducer, Microsoft Money, MSN Encarta Plus, and Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition (60 Day Trial Version).

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Dimensions and Weight
At 5.33 pounds, the dv1130us is highly portable. It measures a slender 13.15 x 9.24 x 1.18 inches (LxWxH).

Power
This notebook is powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers up to 3 hours of battery life (dependent upon computing conditions).

What's in the Box
This package contains the dv1130us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty and 30-day free software support. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatec (AV3360-EH1) Intel Pentium M Processor 72 ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great value!
Like the previous reviewer, this is my first notebook/laptop as well. I bought it as an alternative to the Epson P2000 40GB photo storage unit (that's been sold out everywhere) to download pictures for an upcoming two-week vacation to France. I haven't regretted this decision and think it's even better solution for me overall in the long run.

Not only does this unit have twice the storage (80GB), but being a notebook computer I've also installed Adobe Photoshop CS2 which will enable me to process my images during the vacation instead of doing it all when I get back.My only extended use has been a three-day trip to Yosemite which was a great opportunity to see how this concept was going to work out.Being able to download 2+ GB of photo's per day using a Sandisk USB CF reader, see them on the 12.1" screen and also process the RAW files in CS2 was in a word... sweet!Even the memory hungry CS2 was responsive with the standard 512MB ram - although I'll probably upgrade to a 1GB at some point.

Important factors to me in considering which notebook to buy where screen quality, battery life and weight.The screen resolution and quality is quite "good", but not as great as the VAIO and some others.Battery life seems to run a little over 3hrs with continuous use and weighing a little over 4 lbs, it is light!The wifi works like a champ and connected easily with my D-Link unit at home.The built-in ethernet port is significantly faster as you'd expect. Although the touchpad and its software work well, I'm too used to using a mouse and also bought a USB mouse.This system seems to be well made and has a nice quality feel to it. The feel of the keyboard as far as notebooks/laptops go is more than adequate and easy to use.

Oh, and the iGO charger unit that I bought for auto/air/wall charging is also a great convenience factor to think about - one charger does it all.Finding a nice "sleeve" to simply protect the surface when it's being carried in a suitcase or backpack has been a challenge, but it looks like the 12" Apple iBook dimensions are close enough.We'll see...

Great Notebook.
This is my first laptop. I got it at Circuit City for less than here at Amazon.

Battery life is good. The Intel Wireless-G adapter works fine with my Linksys WRT54G -- 48-54Mbps. WRT54GS was no faster. The 80GB hard drive is responsive. Loaded software was adequate. Has two video adapters so you can display on another monitor. Lacks a microphone (has a jack) and FireWire. Speakers are adequate but not great. Touchpad has some good features, but I added a Logitech USB notebook mouse. I have MS Office Pro, Visual Studio 2003 and SQL Server Personal installed and performance is fast.

Keyboard is small but usable. This is a nice small-footprint machine. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatecs 12.1 XGA (1024x768) 1 thin super slim Combo Notebook wieghing just 4.6 lbs., with Intel Celeron M 360, 80GB, Dual DVD +/- Burner, 512MB DDR, Wireless LAN 802.11g , USB (3x) 2.0 and Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

Sony VAIO VGN-A150 Notebook unites desktop PC power and functionality with performance rivaling any desktop. The Centrino Mobile technology runs cool and quiet, while helping to keep the profile light and slim with enhanced battery performance. The VGN-A150 features fast 802.11g wireless connectivity, a large 80 GB hard drive, 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, a DVD+/-RW drive, 15.4-inch screen, and a bevy of Sony multimedia software.

Sony Series A Display Sizes The VGN-A190 features a 17" screen.

The Basics Hard Drive: The spacious 80 GB hard drive offers more than enough storage for both your work and home files as well as a multimedia library. Processor: The 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor is near the top of the Centrino speed range. Because of its design, the Intel Pentium M gets more done per clock tick than a Mobile Intel Pentium 4, thus providing the discrepancy in GHz measurement (i.e., 1.7 versus 3.2). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has an L2 cache of 1 MB and a front-side bus (FSB) speed of 400 MHz. Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB). CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD+R discs, it has a 2.4x write and 4x read speeds. For DVD-R discs, it has a 4x read/write speed. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed. Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.

Along with VGN-A150, the VGN-A160 also features a 15.4" screen.

Sound and Graphics
With the 64 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics card, the A190 delivers a dazzling visual experience optimized to support the most compelling next-generation 3D gaming environments of today and tomorrow. Sony's exclusive XBRITE LCD technology delivers ultra crisp and super bright graphics, and the Smart Display Sensor automatically adjusts to any projector or display resolution. It also has an AC'97 sound card that's integrated into the main board, and comes with two built-in stereo speakers.

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This A150 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 14.7 x 1.5-1.7 x 10.9 inches and weighing 7.3 pounds (without battery), the A150 is best served as a desktop replacement.

Power
The A150 comes with the PCGA-BP2EA rechargeable lithium ion battery; it has an estimated battery life of 1.5 to 3.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio VGN-A150 notebook, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and printed instruction manual. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Compaq Presario 2210US notbook offers equal parts mobility and productivity, with a price tag that won't break the bank. Road warriors will appreciate the power-saving benefits of the 1.4 GHz Celeron M processor, while digital media enthusiasts will go for the bright, 15-inch display and 24x combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. It also features a 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and 54g Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB IDE hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The younger sibling to Intel's Centrino processor, the Celeron M processor is also closely related to its desktop and Mobile Celeron predecessors. The 1.4 GHz speed measurement is similar to the 2.0 GHz Mobile Celeron processor, which puts it in the middle of the speed spectrum for this processor class. It will aby execute tasks from productivity and multimedia applications, but it's not recommended for high-end video needs. Its M classification denotes its built-in power-saving technologies, so you'll get good battery performance while on the road.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, 266 MHz, DDR SDRAM) is becoming standard on notebooks and it's a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read CDs at 24x and rewrite at 10x speeds. It can read DVDs at 16x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 101-key keyboard and two-button touchpad with on/off button and dedictated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This 2210US model has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a basic offering of connectivity options, which does include super-fast USB 2.0:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money, Quicken New User Edition, Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 60-day LiveUpdate subscription), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Encarta Plus, HP Image Zone Plus, InterVideo WinDVD Creator,Sonic RecordNow, and Apple iTunes.

Dimensions and Weight
At 12.96 x 10.72 x 1.69 inches and 6.7 pounds, the 2210US is average in size compared to other notebooks in its class.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides an average of battery life of around 2 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Compaq Presario 2210 US notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Toshiba Satellite P35-S609 is the ultimate gaming machine, loaded with the latest sight and sound technology plus a 17" diagonal Wide-screen display for the best in graphics. The sleek, ultra-cool chassis contains an extra-large 80 GB hard drive that has plenty of room for your applications and files. The P35-S609 also features a hyper-threaded 3.20 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, a Super Multi-Drive that can burn CD, DVD-, and DVD+ discs, and an integrated 54g wireless LAN

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The spacious 80 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for both your work and home files as well as a multimedia library.
• Processor: The Mobile Intel Pentium 4 538 processor features a fast 3.20 GHz speed. It also offers Hyper-Threading technology, which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking. It is also well suited for professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. Thanks to its Mobile features, the processor can save power when its not needed, thus conserving battery life. It also has A 1 MB L2 cache and an 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (1 DIMM, PC-2700 DDR333) is a good start for power users. It can be expanded to a toal of 1.5 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The DVD Super-Multi drive is compatible with both DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW discs (as well as DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM). It offers a 4x DVD read speed, and writes at 2.4x for DVD+R/RW and 2x for DVD-R/RW. You can also burn CDs at 16x and read them at 24x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The P35-S609 offers a good range of expansion and connectivity options, including a PCMCIA slot for one Type II PC card and the following:

• 3 USB 1.1 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcordrs and other peripherals
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 TV-out (S-Video)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
The P35-S609 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also includes Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 90 days of complimentary live updates), Quicken New User Edition, Napster online digital service (30-day trial), Adobe Acrobat Reader, InterVideo WinDVD (for playing DVD movies), ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD, and Sonic Solutions RecordNow Basic.

Dimensions and Weight
At 9.5 pounds, the P35-S609 is weightier than most notebooks used by business professionals, but is on par with other notebooks in this gaming class. It measures 1.6 x 16.5 x 11.5 inches (H x W x D).

Power
The included 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery has an approximate 2-hour battery life (during normal use). It also comes with a 120W AC adapter.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Toshiba P35-S609 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Striking a smart balance between today's most desirable notebook attributes--versatility, size, price, and battery life--the Sony VAIO VGN-A250 notebook PC is a sophisticated solution for computer users on the go. Like Sony's state-of-the-art VAIO VGN-A290 but with slightly downgraded power, a smaller display, and a more appealing price tag, the VAIO VGN-A250 is so compact and battery-efficient that you can take it virtually anywhere, yet it features top-end amenities such as double-layer DVD burning, smooth 3-D graphics, and a spacious 80 GB hard drive. If you generally work in an unplugged environment but need more resources and features than you'll find in most ultralightweight notebooks, the VAIO VGN-A250 may well be in your future.

Sony Series A Display Sizes The VGN-A290 features a 17-inch screen.

Processor At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collectionof miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entireunit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPUs on parwith those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quickenough only for basic duties such as word processing, e-mail, and the like.The VAIO VGN-A250 is equipped with an Intel Pentium M 725 processor operatingat 1.6 GHz. This is one of three components that comprise Intel's efficientCentrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integratedwireless support). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller,easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts.This particular CPU is part of Intel's upgraded Pentium M lineup, featuringan amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast access to recentlyopened data and a fast 400 MHz front side bus to help reduce data-streamingbottlenecks. Though its raw clock speed is not on par with that of a high-endIntel Pentium or AMD Athlon, this CPU will easily handle most every mobiletask while at the same time improving battery life. Moreover, Sony hasequipped the system with solid graphics support and adequate memory--two components vital to overall performance. Memory Computers typically store information on their hard drives, but they keepfrequently and recently accessed data in random access memory (RAM) forfaster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking,and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VGN-A250 incorporates 512MB of RAM. This is considered a standard allotment for high-end notebooks,delivering solid multitasking and few slowdowns during ultracomplex tasks.

The VGN-A250 features a 15.4-inch screen.

Video
CPUs are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translatingvisual output to the screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (orgraphics controller). This system's graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon9200 with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. Dedicated video memory is far preferableto shared video memory (where the graphics controller appropriates a portionof the main system memory), and this 64 MB allotment is considered plenty for3-D graphics, midlevel 3-D animation packages, and even some of the latest 3-D games.

Display The VAIO VGN-A250's 15.4-inch WXGA display may be smaller than the 17-inchmonsters found in today's top-of-the-line notebook displays, yet it'slarger than that of most notebooks and even some desktops. Furthermore,its widescreen format is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favoredby DVD movies. It's highly sophisticated, too, sporting Sony's new XBRITEtechnology for better contrast and a brighter picture, and a crisp 1,280x 800 maximum resolution. Hard Disk At a spacious 80 GB, the enclosed hard drive is a welcome perk for thosewho need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a largelibrary of space-gobbling music or multimedia files. Audio The unit is equipped with integrated stereo speakers and an audio amplifier.	  Dimensions When Closed Other Series A Computers
	SonyVAIO VGN-A290 1.70 GHz Pentium M 1 GB RAM 100 GB HD	Sony VAIO VGN-A250 1.6 GHz Pentium M 512 MB RAM 80 GB HD

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A CD-ROM driveallows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A CD-RW driveadds CD burning, so you can also back up your important files to long-lastingdiscs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watchDVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can write home movies to durablediscs and archive files to DVDs, which boast more than seven times the storagecapacity of CDs. Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of thesetasks. This system features a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW Drive, with whichyou can do all of the above. The drive also supports today's hot new double-layer DVD format that effectively doubles the capacity of typical DVDs.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 82-key keyboard and a standard electrostatictouchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion
The VAIO VGN-A250 features a bevy of connectivity facilities, including a 56Kmodem for low-speed dialup Internet and e-mail access, a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TXEthernet port for high-speed wired networking and Internet, and an integrated IntelPRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection (802.11b/g) for cord-free e-communicationat home, at the office, or on the road at a public hotspot. Other keyamenities include high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug-and-play devices such asexternal drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly usedfor quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and the usual impressive Sonyroster of audio and video ins and outs.

Operating System and Software
Sony will install Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, a varietyof productivity and business applications, and a broad range of digital photo,audio, and video utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten ortwelve pounds or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuoustraveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements".On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultraportables",super-miniaturized units that are typically less powerful than their largerbrethren but weigh as little as two pounds and often fit comfortably insidea large purse. The VAIO VGN-A250 is just below today's median at 7.3 pounds and14.7 by 10.9 by 1.7 inches. ... Read more

Manufacturer

The Basics
When is a notebook not just a notebook? When it's one of Toshiba's new Qosmio notebooks. Distinctive from other mobile computers by virtue of its strong multimedia attributes and easy adaptability to home entertainment setups, the Qosmio E15-AV101 is a superb portable package that impresses in virtually any environment. Powerful, exceedingly versatile, and packed with cutting-edge amenities, the Qosmio E15-AV101 is well-suited to discriminating individuals with a passion for multimedia.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPUs on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, e-mail, and the like. The Qosmio E15-AV101 is equipped with an Intel Pentium M processor 735 running at 1.7 GHz. This is one of three components that comprise Intel's efficient Centrino system, the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless support. Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller, easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts. This particular CPU is part of Intel's new, upgraded Pentium M lineup, featuring an amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast access to recently opened files and applications. Though its overall speed is not on par with that of a high-end Intel Pentium 4 processor, this CPU will easily handle all common tasks while at the same time improving battery life.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drives, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in random access memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking, and less strain on your hard drive. The Qosmio E15-AV101 incorporates 512 MB of fast PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM memory. Though ultrademanding users may want to expand this total to the unit's boggling maximum of 2,048 MB, the stock allotment of RAM is more than enough for the vast majority of situations.

Video
CPUs are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with dedicated video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. This system's graphics controller is an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB of dedicated DDR video memory. This is considered a strong notebook graphics chipset, delivering topnotch images and smooth frame rates to virtually any 2-D and most 3-D applications, including many of today's most popular 3-D games. Super-serious gamers may want to upgrade to an even more powerful 3-D card, though most users will be quite satisfied as is.

Display
You'll love the way your images look on the system's 15-inch XGA display. Featuring Toshiba's TruBrite technology for a better, brighter picture than with typical notebooks, a maximum resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels, and extra-wide viewing angles, this display is ready for any environment and source.

Hard Disk
The Qosmio E15-AV101 features a massive 80 GB of hard disk space. This level of data storage is a welcome perk indeed for those who want to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a large library of space-gobbling music and multimedia files.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A CD-ROM drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A CD-RW drive adds CD burning, so you can also back up your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can write home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVDs, which boast more than seven times the storage capacity of CDs. Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD-Super-Multi drive that supports all of the above in each of today's most common CD and DVD formats.

Audio
The system features an integrated audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound and two larger-than-average Harman-Kardon speakers for powerful mobile stereo output.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard, several one-touch multimedia and general function keys, and a TouchPad pointing device with scroll.

Connectivity and Expansion
Whether you prefer wireless or corded connections, the Qosmio E15-AV101 is ready for anything the present or future may bring. The unit offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a standard dialup 56K data/fax modem for low-speed communication, an IntelPRO/100 VE network connection for high-speed wired networking and Internet, and integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g) for cordless e-communication at home, at the office, or on the road via local public hotspots. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug-and-play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, Bluetooth 1.1 technology for interaction with wireless peripherals, an i.LINK 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), futuristic S-video and component TV-out ports, and a digital audio-out (SPDIF) connection. Furthermore, all critical connections are positioned at the rear of the unit for clean lines and easy home entertainment setup.

Operating System and Software
Toshiba has fitted the Qosmio E15-AV101 with Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004. Similar to the standard Windows XP but with several enhancements geared to the multimedia fan, this is one of today's most advanced operating systems. Other applications include Intuit's Quicken New User Edition 2004 financial center, Microsoft's Office OneNote 2003 note-taking and management program, and several operational, multimedia, and online utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve pounds or more, therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements." On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultraportables," super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two pounds and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. At 13.31 by 11.22 by 1.70 inches and 8.17 pounds without AC adapter, the Qosmio E15-AV101 is of average size.

Power
The unit is equipped with a six-cell lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 2.35 hours between charges. This is a shorter life expectancy than for many notebooks utilizing Intel's efficient Centrino technology, though not entirely unexpected given the system's impressive capabilities. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The perfect blend of mobility, style, and performance, the HP dv1040us will become the center of your digital entertainment universe, whether at home, at school, or on the road. It features a 1.6 GHz Intel Centrino processor, which offers energy saving battery efficiency. It also has a 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 54g Wi-Fi connectivity, a 14-inch display, and a DVD+R/RW and CD-R/RW combo drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Though not world-beating in size, the 60 GB enhanced-IDE hard drive offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors.
• Processor: The 1.6 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor is at the high end of the spectrum and will be fast enough for gaming and multimedia applications. The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. The dv1040us has a large 2 MB L2 cache and a 400 MHz front-side bus.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, 266 MHz, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB)--a must for taking full advantage of this notebook's multimedia capabilities.
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 1x write/rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 2x write/rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 5x). For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This dv1040us model has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including FireWire:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 6-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia or xD-Picture cards

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money, Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 60-day LiveUpdate subscription), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Encarta Plus, HP Image Zone Plus, InterVideo WinDVD Creator and Home Theater, Muvee autoProducer, Sonic RecordNow, and Apple iTunes.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Dimensions and Weight
At just 5.33 pounds, the dv1040us notebook can can go anywhere without weighing you down. It measures 13.15 x 9.24 x 1.18 inches (L x W x H)

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides an average of battery life of around 2 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion dv1040us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether editing your family photos, balancing your online checkbook, or listening to your digital music collection, Compaq's SR1420NX offers a versatile, strong base for your home computing needs. Focusing on affordability, the SR1420NX has room to grow with an available expansion slot, 2 available PCI slots, 5 USB ports for connecting peripherals, and the ability to add up to 2 GB of RAM. This desktop comes with an 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 2.93 GHz Intel Celeron processor, dual-layer DVD-/+RW drive (which also burns CDs), and a multi-format memory card reader. For a step up in price, the SR1430NX offers a Pentium 4 processor, 160 GB hard drive, and an extra CD-ROM drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (7200 RPM) is average in size when compared to other budget-minded desktop PCs. It will provide ample storage space for your family digital photos as well as a large digital audio library--but it's not quite enough for editing digital video from camcorders.
• Processor: The Intel Celeron D 340 processor might not be as sexy as a Pentium, but it still gets your work done speedily enough. It has a 2.93 GHz speed with a decently fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 256K L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 512 MB of installed RAM is a good start, but you'll want to take advantage of the roomy 2 GB of total RAM capacity (2 x 1 GB)for such multimedia needs as video editing and immersive 3D gaming.
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the SR1420NX multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CDRW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The SR1420NX comes with a Compaq keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the SR1420NX has two 5.25-inch external bays (one available), one external 3.5-inch bay (available) and one internal 3.5-inch bay (occupied), and three PCI slots (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 5 USB 2.0 ports (1 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Norton Internet Security 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), InterMute SpySubtract Pro (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Money 2005, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Sonic RecordNow, Apple iTunes, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, and MSN Encarta 2005.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 15.35 x 7.17 x 16.54 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 30 pounds.

What's in the Box
The Presario SR1420NX desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It is backed by a one-year warranty for parts and labor from date of purchase, and it includes 90 days of toll-free software technical assistance. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sony's Vaio K Series ergnomically designed notebooks combine entry-level affordability with versatile multimedia and communications power. The eye-catching PCG-K27 features a gently slanted full-sized keyboard that provides a comfortable hand and wrist position. The enhanced widescreen format LCD lets you take full advantage of watching DVD moviews as well as view side-by-side page layouts. The K27 features an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN, 15.4-inch screen, 60 GB hard drive, combo DVD+/-RW drive, 2.8 GHz processor, and 512 MB of installed RAM. It also comes with Sony's Vaio Creation suite of multimedia applications.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Though not world-beating in size, the 60 GB enhanced-IDE hard drive offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors.
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor is one of the fastest processors currently available on the notebook market--a definite plus for a video-centric PC. It also has a 512 KB L2 cache and a 533 MHz front-side bus speed.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD+R discs, it has a 2.4x write and 4x read speeds. For DVD-R discs, it has a 4x read/write speed. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The K25 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)

Preloaded System and Software
This K25 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 14 x 1.6-2.2 x 10.9 inches and weighing 8.04 pounds (with battery), the K25 won't load you down, thought its size and weight aren't for the ultimate road warrior.

Power
The K25 comes with the PCGA-BP2NY rechargeable lithium ion battery; it has an estimated battery life of 1.5 to 3.0 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-K25 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more