Amazon.com Product Description

No matter how specific your requirements, chances are IBM has a ready-made mobile computer to cover them. For those users who appreciate lightweight portability and battery efficiency more than overwhelming power, the ThinkPad T41 (2379DJU) Notebook PC is a solid choice. You won’t want to use it in demanding business environments or as a 3D gaming rig, but the ThinkPad T41 (2379DJU) will otherwise fit quite nicely in most personal or light-duty professional situations. It’s also relatively inexpensive in comparison with the majority of IBM notebooks, and that should make any computer buyer happy.

Driven by a 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium-M processor with Intel’s new Centrino technology (Centrino processors offer improved battery life and more power than similarly rated non-Centrino CPUs), the ThinkPad T41 (2379DJU) is fast and easy on the batteries. The unit is equipped with a minimal 256 MB of 333 MHz main memory, which can be doubled or quadrupled for improved general and multitasking performance. Its graphics controller, an ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 with 32 MB of dedicated video memory, helps power the unit through midlevel 3D applications and games but won’t deliver smooth frame rates when asked to operate today’s newest high-end 3D games and 3D design apps.

Tipping the scales at a scant 4.9 lbs. and measuring just 12.2 by 10.0 by 1.0 inches, the ThinkPad T41 (2379DJU) is exceptionally easy to transport and operate. IBM has equipped the system with an average-sized 40 GB hard disk for file and program storage, a CD-RW/DVD drive through which you can listen to and burn audio CDs and watch DVD movies, and a 14.1-inch TFT display screen capable of super detailed 1400 by 1050 resolutions. DVD writing is not supported.

The ThinkPad T41 (2379DJU) is home to many unique and practical perks, including a nifty keyboard-illuminating ThinkLight for low-light situations, an S-Video out port, two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external peripherals, and a full-size keyboard featuring IBM’s user-friendly ThinkPad UltraNav multi-pointing system. An IEEE 1394 FireWire connection, typically used for downloading data from digital camcorders, is not part of the package.

Communication options are excellent. The unit sports a low-speed 56K fax/modem, a super-fast Intel/PRO 1000 Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet connector for incrementally faster network access than traditional LAN technology, and Intel PRO wireless for those times when you can’t plug in. Battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.4 hours under ideal conditions. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Roam where you want to with the Toshiba Satellite M35X-S349, built for today's demanding mobile professional. It features a fast 1.6 GHz Intel Centrino processor, known for its smart, power-saving battery for long life on the road and built-in 54g Wi-Fi connectivity. It also offers a large 15.4-inch screen, 80 GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, and 512 MB of installed RAM (with expansion up to 2 GB).

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive is larger than the average notebook's, enabling road warriors more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
• Processor: The 1.6 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor approaches the higher end of speed 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 the M35X-S329 can be expanded to 2 GB of memory--necessary for running complex spreadsheets and multimedia applications.
• 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 M35X-S329 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:

• 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
• 1 TV out (S-Video)
• 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 Quicken New User Edition, Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 90-day LiveUpdate subscription), Adobe Acrobat Reader, ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD, and Sonic Solutions RecordNow.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.4 x 10.8 x 1.48 inches and weight 6.81 pounds--slightly heavier than other Centrino laptops.

Power
It is powered by an 8-cell lithium-ion battery that has an average battery life of 3.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Toshiba Satellite M35X-S329 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 Product Description

The Basics
An excellent entry-level portable computer for students or "notebook lite" for businesspeople, the Toshiba Satellite A65-S1065 Notebook PC delivers adequate speed, wireless communication and plenty of storage space at a favorable price point. If you want to play games, burn DVDs, or impress your friends with raw power, you'll want to explore one of Toshiba's other models, but for basic computing such as word processing, finances, Internet/email and CD burning, the Satellite A65-S1065 is up to the task without breaking the bank.

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 CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, though these machines are usually noticeably larger and more power hungry than their less powerful counterparts. Intel's cost-effective Celeron processor often forms the basis for budget-priced machines, and the Satellite A65-S1065 is no different. A 2.8 GHz Celeron powers the unit, delivering sufficient speed and power for general duty but not enough for serious multitasking, super-sophisticated business apps or the latest games. Power users would do well to check into Pentium 4-powered notebooks.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM). More RAM means faster computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Satellite A65-S1065 incorprates 512 MB of RAM, the bare minimum for the vast majority of today's notebooks and not enough for efficient multitasking. The unit does allow you to increase the amount of RAM to 1280 MB, but at extra cost.

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). This system's graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP with 64 MB of shared video memory. The Radeon name is highly regarded in video technology, and indeed this system and this chipset will efficiently deal with 2D graphics and do a reasonable job with simple 3D visuals such as those found in older games and entry-level 3D animation. However, it will not competently display the latest high-end 3D computer games and the like.

Display
The unit's 15-inch TFT active matrix display is standard for midlevel notebooks. It is not a widescreen display such as those found in some of today's more pricey units, and therefore does not offer the panoramic perspective favored for movies. Its highest supported resolution of 1024 by 768 is also standard.

Hard Disk
The Satellite A65-S1065 features a solid 60 GB of hard disk space. This amount of data storage is surprising in a notebook at this price range, providing enough room for general applications and files and a small library of music or multimedia files too.

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-ROM/CD-RW drive that supports all of the above apart from DVD recording.

Audio
The system features an integrated audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound through its two stereo speakers.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard with HotKey function and a TouchPad pointing device.

Connectivity and Expansion
The Satellite A65-S1065 offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated wireless LAN for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, and a TV-out port. An IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders) is not included.

Operating System and Software
Toshiba has fitted the system with today's most widely accepted operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition.

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 lbs or more and 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 "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Satellite A65-S1065 is considered average by today's standards, at 13.2 by 11.7 by 1.9 inches and 7.7 lbs.

Power
The system is equipped with an 8-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers 1.5 hours between charges. This is not particularly efficient when compared with notebooks making use of Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, and is just slightly less than average even for most entry-level notbooks. ... 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, 80 GB hard drive, combo DVD+/-RW drive, fast 3.06 GHz processor, and 512 MB of installed RAM. It also comes with Sony's Vaio Creation suite of multimedia applications.

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 3.06 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 K27 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 K27 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 K27 won't load you down, thought its size and weight aren't for the ultimate road warrior.

Power
The K27 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-K27 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, power cord, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

HP's Pavilion zd7310 notebook is a mobile powerhouse, providing performance you expect from a powerful desktop in a highly portable package. Under the hood, the zd7310 offers a 3.2 GHz hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 processor, a 100 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of installed RAM. This cooly designed notebook also features a 17-inch screen, 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro audio, 54g wi-fi connectivity (with SpeedBooster support), and a combo DVD+RW and CD-RW drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive is one of the largest available in today's notebooks, enabling road warriors and multimedia enthusiasts more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
• Processor: The hyper-threaded 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed

  A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

• 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)--a must for taking full advantage of this notebook's powerhouse 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 keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad, and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The zd7360us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. The 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support will enable it to be ready for tomorrow's 125 Mbps wireless LANs. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:

• 4 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) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 parallel port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and SmartMedia)
• 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, 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 9.5 pounds, the zd7360 isn't the most easily portable notebook, and is best served as a desktop replacement. It measures 15.67 x 10.94 x 1.67 inches (L x W x H).

Power
It's powered by a 12-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 zd7360us 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

Sony's Vaio K Series ergnomically designed notebooks combine entry-level affordability with versatile multimedia and communications power. The eye-catching PCG-K23 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 K23 features an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN, 15.4-inch screen, 60 GB hard drive, combo DVD-ROM/CD-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 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. The DVD-ROM has an 8x playback speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The K23 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 K23 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 K23 won't load you down, thought its size and weight aren't for the ultimate road warrior.

Power
The K23 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-K23 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Power house with a great price
This is the first time i bought something online that is so costly.So you can imagine i have done a good deal of research. Sony VAIO K23, indeed was THE BEST pick of them all, (I simply dont like DELL notebooks, all of them have a monotonous look). I got it in 2 days. I am very much impressed with its look and the screen ranks it above all laptops available till date. you also get a bunch of useful softwares with it. I was concerned about the weight, but its really not that heavy.So it was a good deal at least for me.

Addendum to earlier review, great Sony customer service
In my review, I initially complained about the error in making recovery discs. I mentioned that I found out the problem had already been mentioned online. After calling Sony customer service, they decided to mail me the recovery DVD free of charge even though it would normally cost money if bought online. The expedient and hassle free response to my problem proves how Sony excellent Sony support has been.

No other complaints!

Except one thing, if this laptop is too heavy for you, go to the gym and work out.

^^
I ordered this laptop not even 4 days ago and I didn't even pay for the shipping, as I checked their Super Saver shipping method. I received it, along with a few other things, within 4 days total!

The XBrite screen is great. It makes the colors SO vibrant and it makes my older laptop, also from sony, look pretty weak!

If you're not a super freak about wanting to burn DVD's, having the max processor and what not, then this laptop is definitely better than the K27, which is $400 more.

Solid notebook, but a few minor problems
The first thing I did after I turned on this laptop was create the recommended recovery kit, which required burning 8 CD's total. When I started burning Disc 6, a write error occurred. Initially I thought I did something wrong and was about to start over, but after looking on the Sony website I discovered that Sony already knew of this problem and was working to resolve it.

I am glad that Sony has already recognized this problem and I really do believe they're trying to fix it with a patch or whatever. Sony's reputation for quality laptops makes me confident that they will solve this problem.

As far as other characteristics go, this laptop has an amazingly clear and crisp screen. The XBRITE technology for the screen is definitely the wave of the future and I WOULDN'T get ANY laptop without it. Traditional TFT's are going to be obsolete soon, and as the XBRITE's become more prevalent, TFT's will be gone. There is such a significant difference in clarity that it is better than my stand alone LCD monitor. Fujitsu was the original developer of the XBRITE technology, and Sony licensed it. So be sure to check out Fujitsu's laptops as well, but I don't believe any other company's have this technology so far.

15.4" for a screen is quite large, and the fact that it's widescreen makes it even sweeter. Widescreen is cool especially for watching DVD movies. No more of those annoying black borders that surround a horizontal screen.

2.8GHz Pentium 4 is one of the fastest processors for any laptop available, and a 64MB Radeon graphics card is good for a laptop, and 512 DDR RAM is very good for a laptop as well.
THE POINT IS: all these wonderful features for such a GREAT PRICE and especially for a Sony VAIO, which generally is more expensive and Sony's reputation for laptops is very good.
-The full size keyboard is nice, not as cramped

DRAWBACKS:
-8 pounds is considered heavy for a laptop, although you would have to spend significantly more for a weaker, lighter Centrino laptop
-Battery consumption is slightly high due to it's incredible processing power.
However, I feel that battery consumption is a non-issue because most of the time when you're working, there are places to plug your laptop into a wall outlet.

However, I do not recommend this laptop if you're constantly moving around without being close to wall outlets or are too weak to carry this laptop. Although be forewarned, laptops are generally around 7 pounds anyway, so you won't find that much difference unless you spend significantly more. And even then, you'll get a much weaker system.

OVERALL:
The low price for such a powerful, quality laptop made by a highly reputable brand far outweighs the weight and battery consumption issues. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Basics:
Developed primarily for those who prioritize futuristic conveniences and easy portability over mind-numbing power, the Gateway 4525GZ Notebook PC is ideal for businesspeople, personal users and students who are always on the go. Highlights include DVD recording, wireless connectivity, a surprisingly spacious 80 GB hard drive, and battery-efficient Intel Centrino technology. Diehard gamers and serious 3D artists and designers will want to look for a notebook with superior 3D graphics capabilities, but most everyone else should find the Gateway 4525GZ delivers enough power and all the amenities they’re likely to need.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (processor), a massive array of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today’s notebooks are equipped with state-of-the-art CPU’s on par with those found in the finest desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Gateway 4525GZ is equipped with an Intel Pentium M 705 processor running at 1.5 GHz. This is one of three components (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless) that comprise Intel’s efficient Centrino system. Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller and easier on the batteries than their non-Centrino counterparts, with a heaping helping of "Level 2" cache for faster retrieval of recently accessed information. It is important to note, however, that this particular processor is the most affordable of the newly revamped Pentium M roster, and as such offers just one MB of Level 2 cache. While this is an impressive total when compared to non-Pentium M CPUs, it is half the Level 2 cache of all other new 2004 Pentium M CPUs. Nevertheless, it should easily handle most common mobile tasks while at the same time improving battery life.

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 Gateway 4525GZ incorporates 512 MB of RAM of PC2700 DDR RAM, an average allotment and speed for midlevel notebooks. This total may later be expanded to an impressive 2 full GB, more than enough for even the most demanding multitasking purposes.

Video:
CPU’s are usually so busy performing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen, a duty that falls upon the graphics card (or graphics controller). This system’s graphics controller is an Intel Extreme Graphics 3D with 32 MB of "shared" video memory. This is an entry-level video controller, unequipped with "dedicated" memory and appropriating just 32 MB of the system’s main memory. As such, the system will accurately display 2D and some midlevel 3D tasks, but is not recommended for modern 3D games or other demanding applications such as 3D animation and 3D graphic design.

Display:
Some of today’s largest notebooks are equipped with massive 17-inch displays, while many super-compact "ultra-lights" sport substantially smaller 12-inch displays. The Gateway 4525GZ features a midsize TFT XGA 15-inch non-widescreen display.

Hard Disk:
A sub-compact notebook with a truly large hard drive is not commonplace, yet the Gateway 4525GZ houses a generous 80 GB of internal storage space. If you need to install and operate a broad range of applications and also keep a library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files, the unit is up to the job.

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). Most drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD+/- RW drive through which you can do all of the above.

Audio:
Gateway has equipped the system with an integrated audio chip, built-in stereo speakers, a microphone jack and headphone/audio out.

Keyboard and Controls:
You’ll control your notebook via a standard mobile keyboard and a touchpad with vertical scroll zone.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The Gateway 4525GZ offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100Mbps Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and an integrated 802.11g wireless connection for cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a versatile 4-in-1 Digital Medai Manager for reading memory cards from devices such as cameras, PDAs and the like.

Operating System and Software:
Gateway has fitted the unit with today’s most popular operating system, Microsoft’s Windows XP Home Edition. Other applications include Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity suite, Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, and an array of multimedia and Internet 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 lbs or more and therefore too big and bulky 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 generally aren’t as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and fit comfortably inside a large purse. Tipping the scales at just 5.5 lbs and measuring a mere 12.9 by 10.5 by 1.08 inches, the Gateway 4525GZ is small enough to fit inside a briefcase or large purse and not so heavy that it’s prohibitively cumbersome on long journeys.

Power:
The unit is equipped with an 6-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Similar to Toshiba's stunning P25 series of desktop replacement notebooks but sporting a lighter, more portable chassis, slightly downgraded components and a more affordable price point, the Satellite P15 series is an excellent solution for power-hungry business and personal users and multimedia fans who can't financially justify absolute top-of-the-line gear. This model, the Satellite P15-S420, is the midrange model in the P15 series, and thus strikes a perfect balance between performance and price.

Those who enjoy the perks of a full-featured stationary PC will find plenty to like in the Satellite P15-S420. For starters, Toshiba fitted the unit with a sizeable 15.4-inch widescreen display screen capable of dazzling 1280 by 800 resolutions. It added a super-spacious 80 GB hard disk spinning at a snappy 4200 RPM and enclosed a versatile DVD Multi Drive through which you can not only watch the latest Hollywood releases, but also burn your own home movies to DVD media and utilize both DVD+ and DVD- formats.

Moreover, the unit is fast -- faster in fact than the majority of desktops. Driving the Satellite P15-S420 is a potent 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with a scorching 800 MHz system bus clock speed and Hyper-Threading Technology for more efficient CPU usage. Working in conjunction with this CPU are a generous 512 MB allotment of PC2100 DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to a full 2048 MB) and an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics chipset with 32 MB of dedicated video memory. Thusly, the system will handle most anything you can throw at it, be it 2D or 3D in nature, though its display may slow some when trying to render high-end 3D games. Diehard gamers who want more powerful 3D capabilities and an even larger display screen should investigate Toshiba's Satellite P25 series.

Other critical features include an IEEE 1394 Fire Wire port for fast interaction with devices such as digital camcorders, a trio of high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals such as scanners or external drives, one PC Card slot supporting the Type II card format, and an impressive variety of interior and exterior one-touch controls. Communication facilities include 802.11a/g wireless networking, 10/100 Ethernet LAN and an integrated 56K modem.

Measuring 14.2 by 10.8 by 1.7 inches and tipping the scales at 8 pounds, the Satellite P15-S420 is substantially smaller and two pounds lighter than models in the more powerful, more expensive P25 series. Bundled software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Intuit Quicken New User's Edition 2004, Microsoft Works, and InterVideo's WinDVD Creator Plus. Battery life is average at 2.0 hours. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Basics:
An excellent entry-level portable computer for students or "notebook lite" for businesspeople, the Toshiba Satellite A65-S126 Notebook PC delivers adequate speed, wireless communication and plenty of storage space at a favorable price point. If you want to play games, burn DVDs, or impress your friends with raw power, you'll want to explore one of Toshiba's other models, but for basic computing such as word processing, finances, Internet/email and CD burning, the Satellite A65-S126 is up to the task without breaking the bank.

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 CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, though these machines are usually noticeably larger and more power hungry than their less powerful counterparts. Intel's cost-effective Celeron processor often forms the basis for budget-priced machines, and the Satellite A65-S126 is no different. A 2.8 GHz Celeron powers the unit, delivering sufficient speed and power for general duty but not enough for serious multitasking, super-sophisticated business apps or the latest games. Power users would do well to check into Pentium 4-powered notebooks.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM). More RAM means faster computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Satellite A65-S126 incorprates 256 MB of RAM, the bare minimum for the vast majority of today's notebooks and not enough for efficient multitasking. The unit does allow you to increase the amount of RAM to 1280 MB, but at extra cost.

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). This system's graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP with 64 MB of shared video memory. The Radeon name is highly regarded in video technology, and indeed this system and this chipset will efficiently deal with 2D graphics and do a reasonable job with simple 3D visuals such as those found in older games and entry-level 3D animation. However, it will not competently display the latest high-end 3D computer games and the like.

Display:
The unit's 15-inch TFT active matrix display is standard for midlevel notebooks. It is not a widescreen display such as those found in some of today's more pricey units, and therefore does not offer the panoramic perspective favored for movies. Its highest supported resolution of 1024 by 768 is also standard.

Hard Disk:
The Satellite A65-S126 features a solid 60 GB of hard disk space. This amount of data storage is surprising in a notebook at this price range, providing enough room for general applications and files and a small library of music or multimedia files too.

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-ROM/CD-RW drive that supports all of the above apart from DVD recording.

Audio:
The system features an integrated audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound through its two stereo speakers.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard with HotKey function and a TouchPad pointing device.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The Satellite A65-S126 offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated wireless LAN for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, and a TV-out port. An IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders) is not included.

Operating System and Software:
Toshiba has fitted the system with today's most widely accepted operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition.

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 lbs or more and 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 "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Satellite A65-S126 is considered average by today's standards, at 13.2 by 11.7 by 1.9 inches and 7.7 lbs.

Power:
The system is equipped with an 8-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers 1.5 hours between charges. This is not particularly efficient when compared with notebooks making use of Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, and is just slightly less than average even for most entry-level notbooks. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Slim, light, and powerful, the HP Pavilion zt3380us notebook packs the punch you need in a notebook that travels with you wherever you go. Powered by Intel Centrino mobile technology with a 1.70 GHz Pentium M processor, it sports a 60 GB hard drive and 512 MB of RAM to run all your heavy duty applications quickly and efficiently. A 15.4 inch WXGA widescreen display and an integrated ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9200 graphics card make your applications and games appear bright and clear. A combo CD-RW/DVD+RW drive gives you the power to burn your own CD and DVD media, plus a built in Intel Pro/Wireless Pro/Wireless 2200 802.11b/g wireless LAN helps you get online easily and quickly.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: A 60 GB enhanced IDE hard drive has ample room to store your digital photos, audio, and video files, and handle all your day-to-day applications.
• Processor: The 1.7 GHZ Intel Pentium M processor is powered by Intel Centrino mobile technology, which was designed specifically for notebooks and enables integrated wireless LAN capability, improved mobile performance, extended battery life, and allows the notebook to be thinner and lighter.
• Memory: 512 MB DDR SDRAM (in two slots) speeds up the processing of applications--even games, digital audio, and digital video software.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD+RW drive writes CD-RW at 16x and rewrites at 10x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: 101-key compatible keyboard and touch pad.
• Display: The 15.4 inch WXGA TFT high definition widescreen display, with a 1680 x 1050 native resolution, give you more than enough room for your everyday applications, and is ideal for watching DVDs.

Sound and Graphics
The Pavilion zt3380us notebook features a built-in ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9200 graphics card with 32 MB dedicated RAM (which means that it doesn't share memory with the CPU). The internal Harman Kardon speakers and 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible sound card with AC audio link are designed to make your music and audio sound great and crystal clear. It also features volume control and a mute button on the keyboard.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
With an built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN and Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 802.11b/g integrated wireless LAN, you can get online easily wherever you are. It also features an internal 56 Kbps modem, and the following external ports:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting to a wide range of peripherals, from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 IEEE 1394 FireWire port to connect to digital video cameras or other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting to printers or cameras based on older technologies
• 1 S-video port to connect your laptop to your television
• 1 PC Card slot for adding a variety of upgrades, including memory, modems, portable disk drives, and more
• 1 infrared (Fast Infrared) port for syncing your notebook with other laptops equipped with infrared ports or with your PDA
• 1 VGA video out port for connecting to an external monitor
• 1 Secure Digital/MultiMedia Card slot

Preloaded System and Software
The HP Pavilion zt3380us notebook is powered by Windows XP Home Edition, which makes it easy for you to get up and running as quickly as possible. It's packed with multimedia features to help you get your creative juices flowing. Windows Media Player lets you burn and play CDs, in addition to playing and organizing digital audio files. Windows MovieMaker is a basic video editing tool that helps you capture and edit digital video to save your memories and share them with others.

It also comes loaded with the following software: Roxio Easy CD Creator Basic, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo WinDVD SE Player, HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software, Apple iTunes and Apple iTunes Music Store, Symantec Norton Antivirus, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Money, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Encarta Plus, Quicken New Users Edition, AOL Dial-up, MSN Dial-up, Earthlink Dial-up, and SBC Yahoo!.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 14.0 x 10.0 x 1.24 inches (W x D x H) and weighs a very light 6.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
HP Pavilion zt3380us notebook and AC adapter/power cord. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get ready for work/life acceleration with the Compaq Presario x6050us notebook PC, featuring high-performance graphics, integrated wireless connectivity with Speedbooster support, and a super-fast, hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor. The sleekly designed x6050us is built for the demanding office productivity suites and multimedia applications of today and tomorrow, and it's a great choice for getting the job done wherever you call your office. It features a large 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM (with a 2 GB maximum capacity), a DVD/CD-RW combo drive, and a bright 17-inch widescreen display--perfect for business presentations or watching movies on the plane.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Compared to other notebooks in this range the 80 GB Ultra ATA hard drive (4200 RPM) is above average in sizeIt offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store a good-sized multimedia library.
• Processor: The hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 530 processor (3.0 GHz) allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

  A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

• Memory: The 512 MB of installed RAM (2 x 256 MB, dual channel at 400 MHz) is a decent start, but you'll want to take advantage of the 2 GB capacity (2 x 1 GB) to fulfill this notebook's strong productivity and multimedia capabilities.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can read CDs at 40x, write at 24x, and rewrite at 24x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad, and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The x6050us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. The 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support will enable it to be ready for tomorrow's 125 Mbps wireless LANs. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:

• 4 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) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 parallel port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 6-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia, and XD Picture Cards)
• 1 headphone jack and 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), 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).

Dimensions and Weight
At 9.4 pounds, the x6050us isn't the most easily portable notebook. It measures 15.7 x 11.4e x 1.96 inches (L x W x H).

Power
This notebook is powered by a 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers an average of 3 hours of battery life (dependent upon computing conditions).

What's in the Box
This package contains the x6050us 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

Reviews (1)

Compaq Presario X6050US Notebook PC
This Compaq Presario X6050US Notebook PC is amazingly cool. I am going to get this PC next week. The 17 inch monitor is very big, you can see everything on it. Even though it's not available at every store, I see it at J&R and RadioShack. I did a lot of research on this computer. With it's most expensive things it has, no other notebook PC can beat this Compaq Presario X6050US Notebook PC. You should buy it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Got it all in a small package
This is the best value computer around! 100g hard drive, DVD+/-R, widescreen truebrite display, built in wireless connection, even a remote that stores inside the pci slot! Battery life is excellent also, lasts 3+ hours without recharging. Definately pick this one up if you are limited on your budget.

Great specs, but has electrostatic emmissions problems
I purchased the dv1170us from Best Buy mid Feb 2005.After two weeks, the computer started freezing.After calling techincal support, they transferred me to the product engineers.Come to find out there is an electro-static emmission problem on this model.When touching the left front speaker, the unit freezes.The engineers are working to fix this problem.So far, my laptop has been in two times for this issue.I would stay away from this laptop for at least 2 months (thats how long it usually takes to flush out excess inventory from their factor in China).Other than this one problem, I think this will be a great product.You can contact the support engineers directly at 866-671-7359 to get more informatio on this issue.Hope this helps folks considering this laptop. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Exceedingly lightweight considering its surprisingly spacious 14-inch widescreen display and sporting the latest wireless and power-saving technologies, Compaq's new Presario V2030US Notebook PC is a wonderful choice for computer users constantly on the go. It's priced right too, though serious game-players and 3D animators should note that their cost saving will come at the expense of a top-notch video card. Moreover, the unit's processor, while far easier on the batteries than many of its peers and sufficiently fast for most typical mobile tasks, is considerably slower than today's most powerful, most battery-inefficient CPU's. But if you're always on the road, the Presario V2030US makes for a great companion.

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 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 Presario V2030US is equipped with an Intel Pentium M 710 processor, one of three components that comprise Intel's efficient Centrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless technology). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller, easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts. Rated at 1.4 GHz, this is a midlevel Pentium M and therefore delivers enough speed for most typical notebook applications and features an amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast recovery of recently accessed information

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 Presario V2030US incorporates 512 MB of 266 MHz RAM. This is a typical allotment for today's high-end notebooks, though its rated speed is not especially fast. Nevertheless, it will ensure reasonable performance during multitasking situations and provide adequate assistance to the CPU when the going gets tough.

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). The best and priciest graphics controllers feature on-board "dedicated" video memory rather than "sharing" portions of the system's all-important main memory. This unit features an Intel Extreme Graphics 2 controller with shared (not dedicated) video memory, and thusly will have some trouble displaying high-end 3D applications such as advanced games and sophisticated animation. It is, however, perfectly sufficient for most 2D tasks and some 3D work.

Display
A notebook weighing just a hair over five lbs yet sporting a 14-inch widescreen display is a rare commodity indeed. This is a huge viewing screen for a computer of this size, and it's a great aid when you need a closer look at your work or want to watch a DVD movie in today's preferred widescreen mode. And with a maximum resolution of 1280 by 768 and Compaq's BrightView technology at your disposal, you'll always have brilliant, detailed images.

Hard Disk
The Presario V2030US features a large 60 GB hard disk. This level of data storage is a welcome perk for those who require a smaller yet cost-effective notebook but need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a 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 sports a DVD+RW/RW/CD-RW drive through which you can do all of the above.

Audio
The unit is equipped with a pair of impressive JBL Pro Performance stereo speakers, a mini microphone jack and a stereo mini headphone jack.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via a 101 key-compatible keyboard and touch pad with on/off button and dedicated scroll.

Connectivity and Expansion
The Presario V2030US is bristling with the latest connectivity options. It offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 LAN port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 802.11b/g wireless for fast cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a public hotspot. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a convenient 6-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from digital cameras, PDA's and the like.

Operating System and Software
Compaq has stocked the Presario V2030US with a solid selection of software, including Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, Microsoft's Works productivity suite, Microsoft's Money financial centre, and an assortment of multimedia utilities and time-limited trials.

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 lbs or more and 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 "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. At 13.15 by 9.1 by 11.82 by 1.29 inches and 5.2 lbs, the Presario V2030US is well below average size.

Power
The unit is equipped with a 6-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
An excellent entry-level portable computer for students or "notebook lite" for businesspeople, the Toshiba Satellite A65-S1064 Notebook PC delivers adequate speed, wireless communication and plenty of storage space at a favorable price point. If you want to play games, burn DVDs, or impress your friends with raw power, you'll want to explore one of Toshiba's other models, but for basic computing such as word processing, finances, Internet/email and CD burning, the Satellite A65-S1064 is up to the task without breaking the bank.

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 CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, though these machines are usually noticeably larger and more power hungry than their less powerful counterparts. Intel's cost-effective Celeron processor often forms the basis for budget-priced machines, and the Satellite A65-S1064 is no different. A 2.8 GHz Celeron powers the unit, delivering sufficient speed and power for general duty but not enough for serious multitasking, super-sophisticated business apps or the latest games. Power users would do well to check into Pentium 4-powered notebooks.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM). More RAM means faster computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Satellite A65-S1064 incorprates 512 MB of RAM, the bare minimum for the vast majority of today's notebooks and not enough for efficient multitasking. The unit does allow you to increase the amount of RAM to 1280 MB, but at extra cost.

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). This system's graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP with 64 MB of shared video memory. The Radeon name is highly regarded in video technology, and indeed this system and this chipset will efficiently deal with 2D graphics and do a reasonable job with simple 3D visuals such as those found in older games and entry-level 3D animation. However, it will not competently display the latest high-end 3D computer games and the like.

Display
The unit's 15-inch TFT active matrix display is standard for midlevel notebooks. It is not a widescreen display such as those found in some of today's more pricey units, and therefore does not offer the panoramic perspective favored for movies. Its highest supported resolution of 1024 by 768 is also standard.

Hard Disk
The Satellite A65-S1064 features a solid 40 GB of hard disk space. This amount of data storage is surprising in a notebook at this price range, providing enough room for general applications and files and a small library of music or multimedia files too.

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-ROM/CD-RW drive that supports all of the above apart from DVD recording.

Audio
The system features an integrated audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound through its two stereo speakers.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard with HotKey function and a TouchPad pointing device.

Connectivity and Expansion
The Satellite A65-S1064 offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated wireless LAN for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, and a TV-out port. An IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders) is not included.

Operating System and Software
Toshiba has fitted the system with today's most widely accepted operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition.

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 lbs or more and 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 "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Satellite A65-S1064 is considered average by today's standards, at 13.2 by 11.7 by 1.9 inches and 7.7 lbs.

Power
The system is equipped with an 8-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers 1.5 hours between charges. This is not particularly efficient when compared with notebooks making use of Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, and is just slightly less than average even for most entry-level notbooks. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

A multitasking workhorse, the Compaq Presario R3050us notebook PC delivers fast processor speeds and a comfortable amount of memory and storage right out of the box. The R3050us features a 2.8 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor, 54g built-in wireless LAN, a multi-format memory card reader, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a spacious 60 GB hard drive. It also offers a DVD+RW/+R for writing data and multimedia to DVD as well as a bright 15.4-inch WXGA display. For a step up in price, the Compaq Presario R3070us offers an 80 GB hard drive and faster processor (3.06 GHz).

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Though not world-beating in size, the 60 GB EIDE hard drive (4200 RPM) offers more than enough storage capacity for road warriors.
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor will come in handy for tasks such as digital photo or video editing. Thanks to its Mobile features, the processor can save power when it's not needed, thus conserving battery life. It also has a 533 MHz FSB (front-side bus).
• Memory: The R3050us 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 1.28 GB (1 x 256 MB, 1 x 1024 MB). It also has an L2 cache of 512 KB.
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo drive that is capable of reading and writing of both DVDs and CDs (4x DVD+R, 2.4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-ROM, 16x CD-R, 10x CD-RW, 40x CD-ROM). It uses the DVD+RW format, one of two formats for rewriteable DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The R3050us has a 101-key keyboard and touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The R3050us offers a good variety of external connections, including both 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 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 TV-out (S-Video)
• 1 PS/2 port for connecting keyboard or mouse
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II compatible and 32-bit card bus)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• Multi-format memory card reader including compatibility with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia (MMC), Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, and SmartMedia cards

Preloaded System and Software
The R3050us 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 Norton Antivirus 2003 (with 60 days of complimentary live updates), Quicken, Microsoft Money, Microsoft Encarta Online Deluxe, Adobe Acrobat Reader, AOL (with three-month trial membership), InterVideo WinDVD SE (for playing DVD movies) and WinDVD Creator, MusicMatch Jukebox, Muvee AutoProducer, and Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator (Basic).

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 11.18 x 14.25 x 1.8 inches (L x W x H), it's not the thinnest notebook available. It weighs a moderate 7.8 pounds.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery has 8 cells (which refers to the number of charge-storing components within the battery) and offers a standard amount of power for a notebook PC (around 2 hours of typical use).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Compaq Presario R3050us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, phone cord, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Essentially a midlevel unit with an affordable midlevel price, HP's Pavilion zv5160us Notebook PC nevertheless sports several upscale luxuries. Featuring DVD playing capabilities, a movie-friendly widescreen display, wireless connectivity and a potent Intel Pentium 4 processor, the Pavilion zv5160us is quite sufficient for all but the most demanding users.

Powered by a fast 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor (the standard Pentium 4 -- not the state-of-the-art Hyper-Threading variety), 512 MB DDR SDRAM main memory (expandable to 1 full GB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics card with 128 MB shared memory, the Pavilion zv5160us will zip through most typical notebook tasks but may have trouble smoothly displaying graphics in high-end 3-D games and animation packages.

When the business day ends or when you're traveling from one meeting to another, you'll want to keep the Pavilion zv5160us nearby. Sporting a generous 15.4-inch WXGA TFT display (in widescreen format and supporting resolutions up to 1280 by 800) and integrated Harman Kardon-designed speakers, the unit is ready to lend impressive sound and visuals to everything from games to the latest DVD movies. You can store lots of programs and data on the system's sizable 60 GB hard disk, and burn CDs and archive files on its DVD/CD-RW combo drive. DVD burning is not supported.

The Pavilion zv5160us features several of today's most important connectivity options, including three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for linking with external peripherals such as scanners and optical drives, a TV-Out for routing your video signal to a television screen, built-in 802.11 b/g Wireless facilities, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet for fast corded communication with a network or the Internet, and a standard v.90 dial-up modem. HP has not incorporated an IEEE 1395 FireWire port (commonly used for data downloads from digital camcorders), an infrared port or a memory card reader.

The bundled software package features Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, Microsoft's Works productivity suite, Quicken's New User Edition financial center, and a variety of multimedia and online utilities. At 14.25 by 11.18 by 1.8 inches and 7.9 pounds, the