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

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your digital entertainment with you in the sleek and stylish HP Pavilion zv5320us notebook. Powered by a 1.6 GHz Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M 3000+ processor and featuring a 60 GB hard drive and 512 MB of RAM, it's more than capable for digital media enthusiasts and road warriors alike. It also features a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, widescreen 15.4-inch display, and a good collection of pre-loaded software--including HP's Image Zone software, Apple iTunes, and Microsoft Media Player.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: A 60 GB IDE hard drive (4200 RPM) has ample room to store your digital photos, audio, and video files, and handle all your day-to-day applications.
• Processor: The 1.60 GHz Athlon processor is powered by QuantiSpeed architecture and PowerNow! technology, which allows notebook computers to run the most demanding applications and extends battery life. It has a relatively small 256 KB L2 cache.
• 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 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 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This ze4910us 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:

• 3 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, 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 8.1 pounds, the zv5320us notebook is a larger than other mobile-oriented notebooks. It measures 14.3 x 11.6 x 1.8 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 zv5320us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Product Description

The sleek Toshiba Port�g� R200 is an ultra-thin, ultra-light notebook with all the features you need to stay productive on the go, including high-end security to protect your data.The Port�g� R200 features a low-voltage mobile processor optimized for longer battery life, helping you stay productive unplugged for up to 5 hours. The Port�g� R200 also features numerous Toshiba EasyGuard enhancements for better durability, connectivity and security. Stay connected with integrated wireless LAN and enjoy the security of both a fingerprint reader and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) embedded security chip. ... Read more

Product Description

The Portege R100 is the ultimate ultraportable, packing breathtaking performance into an ultra-thin, super-lightweight wireless notebook. Its unprecedented portability and Intel Centrino mobile technology maximize working freedom for highly mobile executives. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your entertainment center with you wherever you roam with the HP Pavilion zd8080 Media Center Notebook PC. Record your favorite TV programs and watch them on the widescreen 17-inch LCD monitor, view photoslideshows with your own soundtrack, or watch DVD movies, and control it all with the included remote. The zd8080 can also unleash your digital creativity with the multiformat DVD/CD burner and included Image Zone photo editing and management software. This multimedia notebook features a super-fast, hyper-threaded 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, 54g wireless connectivity, multiformat memory card reader, and a powerful video/graphics card with 256 MB of dedicated RAM.

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 3.4 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, 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 1 GB of installed RAM (2 x 512 MB, dual channel at 400 MHz) is a very good start for this multimedia-centric notebook, but you'll want to take full advantage of the 2 GB capacity (2 x 1 GB) to maximize the multimedia.
• 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 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 zd8080us 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
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). Explore upcoming TV programming with the easy-to-use Electronic Program Guide, or browse through thousands of movies by movie poster, rating, actor, and more with the MovieFinder feature--all with no additional service fee. With the 250 GB hard drive, you'll be able to record and store up to 180 hours of video programming. It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

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.

Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator and WinDVD SE player, Muvee autoProducer, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Microsoft Works 8.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
At 9.4 pounds, the zd8080 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 zd8080 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, HP Dual TV Tuner/PVR, mini remote control, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty and 30-day free software support. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This notebook does it all !!
Watch TV, record TV, surf the net, read your mail, watch a slideshow, all at the same time !! This newer version of Media Center works much better than the past and why even consider a desktop? For all the specs, convenience of size, and quality of the display, this is a great deal for the price. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

Ideal for CPU intensive programs, the Toshibe Satellite A75-S229 features a hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 538 processor, which offers a blazing fast 3.20 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, 80 GB hard drive, and integrated 54g wireless LAN. It's perfect for digital media enthusiasts, young adults, and families.

The A75-S229 features a 15.4" Wide-screen XGA Display with TruBrite Technology.

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 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 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-S229 offers a basic set of expansion and connectivity options, including a PCMCIA slot for one Type II PC card and the following:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 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-S229 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.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Toshiba A75-S229 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
An awesome roster of portable computers designed for those who won't accept anything less than the finest mobile performance, Toshiba's P25 series of Satellite notebooks will handle virtually any duty you might normally reserve for high-end desktop PCs. As powerful "desktop replacement" notebooks, they are somewhat bulkier and less battery efficient than today's new breed of ultra-lightweight notebooks. However, true power users will find the extra size a small price to pay for amenities such as high-end Pentium 4 processing, solid 3D graphic capabilities and massive 17-inch widescreen displays. This model, the Satellite P25-S526 Notebook PC, features all of the above plus DVD recording and a spacious 80 GB hard disk.

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 Satellite P25-S526 lies firmly in the latter category, equipped with a blazing 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading. Hyper-Threading, a new Intel technology, 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 tasks. Running at 3.2 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the fastest in any notebook, but it is nothing less than spectacular with its Hyper-Threading support.

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 Satellite P25-S526 incorporates 512 MB of RAM, more than enough for most situations. Ultra-demanding users may want to expand their RAM, and with the Satellite P25-S526 they can, to a boggling maximum of 2048 MB.

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 nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. While a graphics card with 128 MB or more of video RAM is considered ideal for a completely smooth frame rate in state-of-the-art 3D games and 3D animation apps, this card is nevertheless comparatively powerful and more than enough for all but the most demanding gamers and 3D artisans.

Display
You'll love the way your DVD movies and 3D games look on the system's roomy 17-inch TFT WXGA display. Substantially larger than most notebook viewing screens, this display is especially notable for its widescreen format, the same panoramic configuration favored by movie-makers and some high-end game producers. And with a maximum resolution of 1440 by 900, you can expect super-sharp images no matter what application you're using.

Hard Disk
The Satellite P25-S526 features a massive 80 GB of hard disk space. This amount 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/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-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 harman-kardon speakers for powerful mobile stereo output.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard with 12 function keys, dedicated Windows keys support, and a TouchPad pointing device with scroll. CD controls include Play/Pause, Stop/Eject, Previous, and Skip/Next.

Connectivity and Expansion
The Satellite P25-S526 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 four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an infrared port for interacting with wireless peripherals, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a digital (S-Video) TV-out port.

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 P25-S526 is definitely larger than average, yet more compact than many other "desktop replacements" at 16.4 by 11.5 by 1.8 inches and 9.9 lbs.

Power
The system is equipped with a 12-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers 1.5 hours between charges. This is not particularly efficient when compared with less capable ultra-portables using Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, but is in keeping with standard desktop replacement battery longevity. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatecs AV3360-EG1 4.6 lb. Pentium M 1.6 GHzIntel 725 512 MB 1 GB DDR SDRAM 60 GB DVD RW Integrated Drive 12.1 Display TFT active matrix - 1024 x 768 resolution IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g and Microsoft Windows XP Professional ... Read more

Product Description

High-end mobile computing at a value price

The Satellite® M35X-S163 is a great value for those who are trying a notebook for the first time, with features not usually offered at such a great price. It features a widescreen 15.4" diagonal display, integrated 802.11bg wireless and an IEEE 1394 port in a small, light chassis. You don’t have to sacrifice performance for price, either, as its Intel® Celeron® M Processor is designed specifically for notebooks, maximizing mobile performance and battery life. The Satellite® M35X-S163 is a great way to experience for yourself the advanced engineering and innovations that Toshiba is known for pioneering.

Notes:

• This model features an integrated Wireless 802.11b/g LAN connection.
• This model is pre-loaded with Service Pack 2 for the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.
• The manufacturer states that both memory slots may be occupied.
• A 1.44MB Internal 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive is not included. An optional 1.44MB External 3.5-inch USB Floppy Disk Drive is available.

Amazon.com Product Description

Offering a head-turning design and eyebrow-raising features, the ultra-light,tiny Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A notebook PC offers long battery life (thanks to theIntel Centrino processor), a Sony XBRITE screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio (greatfor watching DVDs), and an built-in digital camera. It also features a 54g wirelessLAN, combo CD-RW/DVD drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a weight of just overthree pounds. The integrated swivel camera at the top of the screen enablesyou to capture 640 x 480 still images and live video (motion JPEG) that canbe saved directly to your hard drive.

The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN thatconnects using the 802.11g wireless standard

The Basics Hard Drive: The 40 GB (4200 RPM) hard drive offers plentyof space for most users, though this size is beginning to feel smallcompared with other notebooks. It also has a 1024 KB L2 cache and a400 MHz bus speed. Processor: While at the low end of current Centrino notebooks,the PCG-TR3A's 1 GHz Pentium M processor is definitely fast enough foreveryday tasks and basic multimedia (it's comparable to a 1.5 GHz MobileIntel Pentium 4). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically forlow-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuringyou push your battery and productivity to the max. Memory: The PCG-TR3A comes with a 512 MB built-in memory(DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memoryexpansion up to 2.05 GB (2 x 1024 MB). CD/DVD Drive: You can easily and quickly burn music and videoto CD with the combo CD-RW/DVD drive (24x write/10x rewrite/24x read). Keyboard & Mouse: The PCG-TR3A has an 83-key keyboardand electro-static touchpad.

The PCG-TR3A offers many essential connectivity optionsfor its small size

Connectivity and Expansion Slots The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN thatconnects using the 802.11g wireless standard. You get a smaller offeringof connectivity options (due to the notebook's size): 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digitalcameras to MP3 players 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connectingdigital 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 It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN networkport (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software The PCG-TR3A comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system,and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processingand spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimediasoftware: PictureGear Studio and Network Smart Capture (digital photo),DVgate Plus (digital video), and SonicStage (digital music). Other preloadedsoftware includes Intervideo WinDVD and Norton Internet Security Center7. Dimensions and Weight At 10.6 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches (L x W x H), this is a seriously small notebook.And it weighs just a mere 3.11 pounds with the battery.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers between 3 and 5.5 hoursof life with typical usage. An optional larger-capacity battery will providedouble that (between 6 and 11 hours of battery life).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-TR3A notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ionbattery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A perfect mini
I've had a few Sony minicomputers - an early 505g, an SR-7, and now this TR3a. Each revision of the mini keeps getting better for me: The keyboard fits my hands well, and the screen, while small, is brilliant and sharp (and at 768x1280, it is ALMOST equivalent to my Powerbook 17"!)

It's fast, the battery life is very good (you really can get 5+ hours - I don't have to plug it in at work, putting it to sleep at lunch and meetings. The Wireless G has very good range too, much better than my previous two Powerbooks...

Also, it looks FANTASTIC, and I've got nothing but awed looks at work - everyone wants to try it. And it's remarkably light.

My only complaints: The touchpad is dinky - you really need an external mouse for serious visio action - and it's just a LITTLE thicker than I wish...

In the end - if size and coolness are primary drivers for you (as they are for me), this is a no-brainer. But if performance is what you need, the Z1 series might be better. But the screen on the TR is much sharper than the Z1.

Highly Recommended by this geek.

Best Mobile Gadget Ever!
Well, i'll make it simple and easy. I bought the Sony Tr3 from Bahrain (PCG-TR3). It is so handy when it comes to mobility.

Pros:

Long life battery lasted me 2 days with more than average use
with wireless turned on

Nice keyboard that makes no sound .. only problem is the right shift key which is no big deal

This Camera is so handy when it comes to taking pictures on the move of friends and to make online conference

Wireless is so handy when you are in a hot spot ...

The laptop is so lite weighted u can't even feel u are carrying anything!

Looks so trendy and all you get is amazed faces

I use it for university studies, designing my sites, (www.bahrainmobiles.com / www.ucbforums.lunarpages.com) and i also use it for presentations and to get together with my friends studying abroad

cons

can't think of any

the only thing there are so many batter options which keeps u amazed and confused on which to choose

I recommend this laptop to anyone who appreciates the taste of technology and elegance at the same time

Trust me this is the ONE .. the only thing that may stand in your way is the over price .. but it is worth every penny/cent/fils .. just name it

Have a good day all

Battery didn't last that long as claimed
Like everyone else. I read the reviews, user's comments, checkout the stats, etc. about this laptop. Then finally put out the big $$$ to get it. There are alot of things to like about this computer like other owners have described. My only complain is about the battery. Sony's site and most folks in this column said that they can get 6 hours with a fully charge with the battery that comes with this laptop. But I only get about 3 - 3.5 hours max including using the "Maximum Battery Life" profile. I have put up some more $$$ to get the larger battery, still what I got is about 7 hrs or less. So where is the 8+ hours that other people have said ? I have been looking up and down in Sony's technical support site and Goolge but find nothing said if this long lasting battery claim is true. Does anyone have an actually experience with this battery claim ?

beware of small screen
OK, I read all the reviews here and I checked out my friend's Vaio, so I thought I was prepared for the small size of this notebook. And I love how small and portable and lightweight it is, but after typing for only 2 hours, my eyes were burning, I had to sit really close and squint at the screen to see my words being typed. It's very difficult to read anything in Word in 12pt. And when I tried typing in 14pt, the print was almost blurry. I don't know yet if it's just my model or the SONY, but it's harder to see than my other laptop, an Acer TM 800, which I love, but is just so heavy.
All the good things people say about this laptop are true, but you need to be aware just how small everything on the screen appears. It's easier to read my palm than it is this vaio.

VERY portable notebook, solid feature set
For work, I've primarily used ultrathin notebooks: the Sony R505 for a year and then the Toshiba R100 over the last 12 months. Here's what I look for:

> long battery life (for plane flights)
> minimal sacrifice of processing power, HD space, keyboard, other features
> painless wifi and ethernet access
> other cool, smart things I can showoff

This VAIO is great on a number of fronts:

1. INCLUDED battery is solid: 6 hrs for docs, powerpoint, etc, 3 hrs for a DVDs. Meets all my needs for coast-to-coast flights. Light as a book.

2. It works great as my primary computer. I do hook up to a full keyboard/monitor at the office, but I don't feel compromised on speed or functionality.

3. On the road, the is very usable. You might want to try it out, but I don't have an issue. The monitor is extremely clear and bright. They've included a ZOOM feature on the unit to make it easy to enlarge the screen image. Thoughtful, and it works very well.

4. WIFI switch works perfect. Have connected in coffeeshops, airports and the like. No issues. The Ethernet and dial-up jacks are well-postioned.

5. Monitor jack is on the side so it doesn't interfer with the screen being open. 2 USBs are on opposite sides for good reason. Generally, well laid out.

6. When you're working on your traytable on a plane, and the person in front of you leans back, your poor display doesn't get crushed because it's short enough not be compacted.

7. Other items: The camera is fun and useful if you use IM video. Well positioned for informal chatting. It includes DVD viewing software (which my other computer with a DVD drive didn't). My long-term experience with Sony laptops has been that they are very good, durable computers. I researched this unit and compared to other Toshiba, Dell and ThinkPad before the purchase, and after a month feel even more confident about the decision.

Some Cons

> Additional battery is overpriced. As usual, Sony makes the upcharge for another battery or larger capacity battery abusely expensive. Such a turnoff. Thankfully, you really don't need one with this model.

> The Screen IS smaller. Hey, you should know this going into it. Fine for word docs, email, ppts, some spreadsheet work, and DVDs (16x9 format), but if you do a lot of graphics work, it's going to feel tight. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get your motor running and ready for the road with the highly mobile Averatec AV3220H1-01 notebook PC. This tiny laptop weighs just over 4 pounds and runs on a mobile AMD Athlon XP-M 2000+ processor with battery-saving features. It also features a 12.1-inch screen, combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB of installed RAM, and integrated 54g (802.11b) wireless connectivity. For a step up in price, the Averatec AV3225HS-01 features 512 MB of installed RAM.

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 AMD Athlon XP-M 2000+ processor is a moderately fast processor that delivers similar performance to a 2.0 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor. The "M" stands for mobile, and its PowerNow power-saving features will help extend battery life. It also offers a 266 MHz processor system bus and a 640 KB high-performance processor cache.
• Memory: This notebook has 256 MB of pre-installed memory (DDR SDRAM), which is calling out for more power right out of the gate. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 512 MB (2 x 256 MB), which is rather small in comparison to other notebooks.
• 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 is outfitted with a standard keyboard (19mm pitch) and large Synaptics TouchPad with graphics tablet mode.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This AV3220H1-01 model has an integrated 802.11g (or 54g) wireless LAN, which is quickly becoming the most popular wireless standard and is compatible with 802.11b connections as well. The notebook is fitted with a dual 54g antenna, and it can achieve speeds 5 times faster than 802.11b and offers improved reach and added security. You get a standard range of external connections, including:

• 3 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 II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This AV3220H1-01 notebook comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with applications for playing DVDs, burning CDs, and protecting your system from viruses (titles are not noted by Averatec

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 1.2 x 10.9 x 9.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighing just 4.2 pounds, the AV3220H1-01 is an amazingly compact and lightweight notebook that road warriors will barely notice as they shuttle from plane to taxi to hotel.

Power
The included "smart" rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers over 3 hours of battery life (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Averatec AV3220H1-01 notebook PC, rechargeable li-ion battery, AC power adapter, and printed operating instructions. The notebook PC is backed by a 1-year limited warranty; the battery is backed by a 6-month warranty. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Value
I've had this laptop for a little over a month. I thought the 256 mb of ram was more than adequate, but bought another stick of 512 and sold the 256 anyway. I honestly didn't see a big improvement in my day to day programs, but there might be benefits to getting the 3225 or 3255.

I've used my laptop at simple lan parties, playing CS and UT and it works pretty decently, playable.

When on battery, I typically leave my power settings to Max battery, and can usually manage just under 3 hours, I think if I turned off the wireless, I'd be able to hit the 3 hour mark. Max Battery usually leaves the computer running at about 400 mhz, but that's been more than enough for my typical web browsing.

My sister has a Dell and for the price, I don't think I ended up too badly, it feels like the Averatec is very solidly built, but maybe because it's only a month old.

The wireless works very well also, my friend has a Dell D400, very nice and small, but more expensive. At some places, I could connect to wireless accesspoints he couldn't even see.

One night, we got our new accesspoint, one with WPA and I couldn't get it to work with the Broadcom software. I called around 4:00 am local (eastern) and got a personal customer service person to answer my question immediatly.

One gripe I had was the LCD. It seems somewhat washed out, especially next to a desktop LCD. It's also difficult to read at an angle (compared to other laptops I've seen), but that wasn't a problem at all, since I'm really the only one that needs to see it.

Overall, the laptop had been great, especially for the price paid. 3 USB ports, no unnecessary Parallel, Serial or PS2 ports.

Modest but mighty midget
Strengths:
Amazing value for money without compromising on features. Built in wifi, CDRW, DVD, compact and light all in a beautiful Sony-like case

Weaknesses:
Could do with more memory as standard and longer battery life - about 3 hours real world.

Summary:
I didn't want a desktop replacement; I wanted a small, wireless laptop to use around the house which was powerful enough to do a little image editing on vacation and could be used as a portable DVD player when I was occasionally marooned in a hotel room. I would have liked the Sony 10" sub-notebook but my pocketbook didn't stretch that far. (...)

At this bargain price, I was expecting to be disappointed with build quality and design but it compares favorably with the alloy cased Sonys. Compared to my old laptop, the Averatec weighs half as much and is much more compact; that said, the keyboard and screen are both still very usable. The 12" screen is just big enough when I'm away from my desktop. When I want to do some serious work I go back to my 21", color balanced CRT and desktop.

The AMD processor seems to have enough horses to get things done and I've even played some of my older PC games on the machine, though it's modest graphics capabilities would probably struggle with the latest releases. The design sensibly omits com, midi, mouse, keyboard and printer ports in favor of 3 USB2 ports. If this were a desktop replacement this would be a disappointment but in an ultra-portable it makes sense.

Battery life is reasonable but not astounding. A nice feature of the design is that it incorporates a switch to turn off the wireless transceiver on the fly when you want to save power. Another nice feature is that it is not only the machine that is scaled down but it's power brick too allowing you to travel much lighter.

Overall I highly recommend this machine especially if you are lusting after a sub-notebook or ultra-portable but don't want to pay the usual premium for a diminutive laptop. All my geek friends who I have shown this PC to can't believe how much machine you get for your money in such a neat package.

Amazing Slim Laptop for Amazing Price
Averatec (formally known as Sotec) surely knows how to enter "slim notebook" market. - the price ^^ this laptop is a excellet buy for it's price tag. similar slim note book for Sony or Fujisu cost almost double.

After did some research, i'vd decided to try this laptop.(i had Dell Inspiron before). It has been about 2 months, and here are Pros and Cons.

Pros.
1. Price - cant find any cheaper one with this price tag.
2. Portability- Previous dell was okay but this one is only 4.3Lb. Here is a laptop that you can lift with one hand ^^
3. Performance - With AMD 2000 Mobile processor with Power Saving Mode. -- not bad for games, internet, also for some video editing
4. Adjustable Video Memory - at CMOs, you can set you video memory vary from 8 - 64Mb. It is kind of cool .
5. Wireless Lan - I've been using it for a while, and the reception is excellent .Also it is Wireless G (which is much faster than Wireless B)
6. Look for Rebates ( I purchased mine at Bestbuy with $200 Rebate, overall cost was $750, not bad huh?)
okay Here is some Cons

1. Keyboard- this is my most dislike about this laptop . It has been improved from previous one 3150 seris but still don't like the touchy feeling when i type my report.

2. Battery Life - Avertatec claims it last up to 3 hours but i think it is more like 2 house or less. But it is still good compare to other laptops.

3. Here comes the tricky part - the Power Setting for AMD process is rather wieird.
Here is my recommandation for Power Setting
* When you use your laptop with AC power, set it to "Laptop/notebook"
* When you use your laptop without AC power set it to "Desktop/office" mode
(find this from Power Option in Control Pannel in Windows)
By doing this you can save battery life by minimizing CPU voltage use and FAN use.

I tried other setting and it uses battery faster. (talking about battery it cost only $99 to purchase extra one - other brand clost alomost double the price)

Here is my conclusion.
I would recommand this notebook for anyone who is interested to purchase "slim Laptop".

Ah one more thing, their Customer Service is "Quick" when you call them they pick up less than 3 mins.
However, here is what i found after talking to several of them, most of them don't have enough knowledge to help you out, even the simplest knowedge.

Best laptop for the price
I always wanted a thin n slim laptop but Ive never seen one which fits my budget. But now, here it is.. After doing a lot of research I bought this laptop. Averatec rocks. It is so COOL. Its been more than a month and I never had a single problem. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:
- slim, lightweight and cool looking
- nice keyboard layout (better than 3150)
- touchpad has vertical and horizontal scroll option
- quiet
- 3 usb ports
- lan, modem, wireless
- 802.11g broadcom with very good reception
- linux runs very well on this hardware.
- cheap
- every1 at school just cant take their eyes off this laptop

Cons:
- max ram is 512 mb. (amazon description says it has 2 ram slots but it has only one)
- low battery life. mine runs for 2.5-3 hrs on continuous use. (you can always buy an extra battery for less than a 100$)

If youre looking for a slim notebook, I would strongly recommend this laptop unless you wanna get ripped by sony and intel. Go for averatec and go for AMD.

Great Laptop for the Price!
After dealing with Dell for many years, I decided to take a chance on the Averatec AV3220H1. I have to say I'm really surprised at this little laptop. It's fast, built very well, and has had no problems so far. The built-in wireless, 12" screen, and 40-gig hard drive were all perfect for an ultra-compact laptop. It's also very fast. It's NOT a gaming laptop, but it is a great little workhorse. The price makes it an exceptional bargain. Note that the reviewer below doesn't even have the model being reviewed here. That's a totally useless review. I'd say, give this model a chance. Try it out from a place like Staples. It you aren't happy, just return it. If you DO like it, get an extended warranty. The total is still WAY cheaper than a Dell or other big name brand. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

IBM's ThinkPad T42 offers the power of professional business workstation in a highly mobile notebook at just under 5 pounds. This ThinkPad T42 (model 23734WU) features one of the most powerful Intel Centrino processors available, with a 1.7 GHz speed, as well as some of the strongest security measures found on notebook, including a built-in fingerprint reader. Other features include a 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, 14.1-inch display, 54g wi-fi connectivity, and Windows XP Professional operating system.

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 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 T42 notebook also features Embedded Security Subsystem, which allows users to authenticate with unique fingerprints instead of passwords with an optional fingerprint reader (sold separately).

Sound and Graphics
This T42 notebook has an ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 video/graphics card with 32 MB of video RAM. It's not the strongest card for rendering 3D images, but it is strong enough for demanding business productivity software. The 14.1-inch TFT active matrix screen has a native 1024 x 768 resolution and can drive a 2048 x 1536-pixel external monitor. It also includes an integrated audio card and internal stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This T42 model has an integrated 802.11b wireless LAN (which is offers slower wireless speeds compared to 802.11g LANs, which are becoming more and more standard). 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 features Lotus SmartSuite and Lotus Notes business productivity software packages. Other preloaded software includes Norton AntiVirus 2004 (with 90 days of free updates), InterVideo WinDVD and Sonic RecordNow.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 12.2 x 10 x 1.2 inches (WxDxH) and weighs just 4.9 pounds.

Power
This T42 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 T42 (model 23734WU) 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

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 3.0 GHz hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 processor, an 80 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 DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive.

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 hyper-threaded 3.0 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: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read CDs at 24x. It can read DVDs at 16x.
• 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 zd7310us 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 zd7310 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 zd7310us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Brandishing top level accoutrements, awesome power and all the connectivity you'll need for the hottest electronic gadgetry, the Sony VAIO VGC-RA828G Desktop PC is the brightest star in the entire Sony computer lineup and one of the most capable desktop PCs available. Designed to efficiently handle anything you can throw at it, the system is a superb hub for a business, personal, home office, entertainment or gaming environment. It even features an innovative liquid heat pipe cooling system to squelch excess heat and minimize noise, but that's just one of many impressive innovations you'll find in this stunning example of high-tech wizardry.

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. The VAIO VGC-RA828G incorporates one of the fastest CPUs currently in existence, an Intel Pentium 4 560. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version -- nicknamed "Prescott" -- of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at an astounding 3.6 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this pricey but ultra-potent CPU delivers more than enough power for any environment or situation.

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. For the VAIO VGC-RA828G, Sony has installed a whopping 1024 MB (1 GB) of fast PC3200 400 MHz DDR SDRAM memory. This is a ton of memory even for a high-end machine, and its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is easily sufficient for any multitasking situation or complex application. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

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). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the mainboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

One of the problems with many high-end PCs is that they simply aren't equipped with a graphics card on par with the rest of the system. Not so with the VAIO VGC-RA828G, which features an ATI Radeon X600 XT with 256 MB of video memory. Not only will this card efficiently operate all your 2D and 3D apps (including the vast majority of demanding 3D games), but it also includes a television tuner and a Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder/Decoder to pause, rewind and replay live TV. Furthermore, Sony will package the system with a handy remote control to make TV and movie viewing even easier.

Display:
Sony has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The VAIO VGC-RA828G produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset that supports for five distinct audio channels and a dedicated subwoofer. Sony will also enclose a 2.1 speaker system featuring two desktop satellites for clean middle and high frequencies and a subwoofer for added bass support.

Hard Drive
With an incredible storage capacity of 400 GB, the unit's internal hard drive is one of the largest ever manufactured and double the size of the hard drives found in many high-end PCs. It is thusly roomy enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Indeed, even the most avid collectors of digital data will have a tough time filling this hard drive. Furthermore, it's exceptionally quick -- sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. 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 enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of CDs).

This unit features two optical drives -- a DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs and capable of four hours of DVD-quality video). Moreover, this two-drive setup allows you to make extremely fast CD or DVD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have lots of room for plug and play gadgets such as joysticks and printers. Sony has also installed two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (often used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), an S/PDIF jack for crystal clear digital audio, two S-Video inputs for lossless digital video, a DVI monitor port for the highest quality flat-panel display images, and a memory card reader for reading today's most popular memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit Ethernet LAN interface for substantially faster network and Internet access than traditional 100Mbps and 10Mbps Ethernet, and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections

Operating System and Software
The VAIO VGC-RA828G features a software package clearly aimed at fans of multimedia. Headed by Microsoft's Windows Media Center Edition 2005 operating system and Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity pack, the bundle also features Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2.0 photo editing suite, Adobe's Premier Standard video editing solution, and a half dozen of Sony's respected audio, video and photo utilites.

Control
Apart from the aforementioned remote control, the system includes a convenient VAIO Keyboard and a no hassle PS/2 optical mouse. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
An awesome roster of portable computers designed for those who won't accept anything less than the finest mobile performance, Toshiba's P25 series of Satellite notebooks will handle virtually any duty you might normally reserve for high-end desktop PCs. As powerful "desktop replacement" notebooks, they are somewhat bulkier and less battery efficient than today's new breed of ultra-lightweight notebooks. However, true power users will find the extra size a small price to pay for amenities such as high-end Pentium 4 processing, solid 3D graphic capabilities and massive 17-inch widescreen displays. This model, the Satellite P25-5263 Notebook PC, features all of the above plus DVD recording and a spacious 80 GB hard disk.

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 Satellite P25-5263 lies firmly in the latter category, equipped with a blazing 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading. Hyper-Threading, a new Intel technology, 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 tasks. Running at 3.2 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the fastest in any notebook, but it is nothing less than spectacular with its Hyper-Threading support.

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 Satellite P25-5263 incorporates 512 MB of RAM, mo