Reviews (3)

Minimalist, Efficient and Portable
I've been using desktop PC's for many years, with occassional exposure to Macs throughout college. I work as a software engineer developing Java applications on a UNIX platform. Several of my coworkers develop exclusively on their 17-inch Powerbooks and have been raving about the user-centered design. They eventually got through to me and I purchased the 12-inch Powerbook model.

To begin with, it's extremely solid and compact. The aluminum case seems resilient to scratches and can probably take a bit of abuse (I've only had mine for a week, I'll give it time). The display is clear and crisp, a pleasure to look at. I use a 19-inch LCD for my desktop, and switching to my 12-inch Powerbook display causes me no grief.

I purchased my model from a local retailer and added 512MB of RAM, which I strongly recommend since 256MB is ridiculously low for modern OS' and applications. The system is very responsive and handles the load I put on it (web browser, iTunes, etc.) well. MacOS is a pleasure to work with.

The size of the notebook is great. I can tote it around the house (Airport Extreme gets incredible reception) without feeling like I'm lugging a 10 pound dumbbell - the Powerbook weighs under 5 pounds. And with energy savings enabled I get over 4 hours battery usage.

THE best ultraportable notebook currently out now
Let me first qualify this review by saying that:
1) I am/was a lifetime PC user with no prior Mac experience.
2) Before buying this notebook I comparison shopped for 3 months
3) My computer knowledge is far below that of tech professionals and hard core PC hobbyists, but I am however very computer literate.--> in short I'm an everyday computer user/consumer.

Secondly before contemplating a powerbook any further, if you are an avid gamer or buy 3 or more video games a year and you want to use this notebook as a gaming laptop... I'd suggest you you buy a PC notebook for that purpose. Powerbooks are powerful enough to play games, but the mac selection of games is sparse. And now finally to the review...

Specs- As with any notebook I suggest you have at least 512 MB of RAM. This was the only upgrade I added to my Powerbook. The Powerbook comes standard with a very generous 60gig hard drive, USB, firewire 400, ethernet, WIFI(b/g) and bluetooth. The only thing missing is the firewire 800, but that is not essential for most users including me. The Powerbook also comes with a very speedy 1.33 GHZ G4. How does this stack up to the new Centrino's (Pentium M)? Compared to my brother's IBM Thinkpad with a Pentium M 1.3 w/ 512 RAM, it runs equivalent or faster to the naked eye, unfortunately benchmarks are not readily available to compare mac and pc. But needless to say, whatever I can do on the IBM, whether its Powerpoint presentations, Photoshop, Flash, video or photo editing, I can do it on the Powerbook just as fast or faster. Also something that is very unique to this ultraportable is the 64 MB nVidia graphics card. Although there are better graphics cards out there on midsized laptops, ultraportable laptops RARELY have a graphics card as nice as this one.

Combodrive- slot loading. This is amazing. No cd tray to deal with popping in and out. Just insert the cd or dvd into the slot and it is ready to go. This is not only a spacesaver since there is no tray, but it also is less prone to break since there is no tray to snag and break off. Why did I not pick the Superdrive that is also offered with this computer? In a few months they are releasing dual-layer DVD writers that hold twice as much data as writeable dvd's currently do, so I'm waiting to get an external DVD writer. Also its good to notice that many computers in order to stay small do not even include an optical drive like the Powerbook does.

Price- Sony, IBM, Dell, Gateway. These companies all offer 12" notebooks, but customize them to equivalent specs as the Powerbook and they all come out approximately equivalent or much more expensive than the Powerbook. Apple is known for higher prices of their computers, but the Powerbook (specifically the 12" model) is a great deal price wise.

Battery Life- This is VERY important if you want to tote your laptop around (and if you don't want to tote a laptop around, then why get a laptop at all?). Battery life is 5+ hours in my experience when just surfing the net and downloading files. Again how does this compare with other PC models? I think if you research you will find that most ultraportable Centrino's without an optional larger battery average around 4 hours. The IBM mention earlier lasts us about 4 and a half hours of use.

Operating system- I think a description of this is beyond the scope of the review, but in short Mac OS X (Panther) is an absolute delight. I personally had very few problems with Windows XP, but it isn't just about the stability of Mac OS X its about the ease of use, integration and beauty of the system. Its something you just have to use first hand to fully realize it. Combine this with the excellent iLife programs that allow you to make movies, listen to music, video conference with relatives, and organize your photos and its very easy to forget about Windows.

Design- I recommend you go to a local electronic store and hold the PC laptops in your hand and type on them and just look at them all over inlcuding the bottom. Then take a look at an Apple Powerbook. Again its something that is more adequately experienced than described. From the glowing Apple symbol on the cover to the almost seamless bottom, it is an amazing feeling, solid, and beautiful notebook. Everything else just feels cheap in your hands. Also the screen is crisp and clear and the keyboard is a full-sized keyboard, not a miniature one, that is perfect for typing.

Laptop Heat and Sound- Use of the Powerbook for about 4 hours, I noticed it got only mildly warm and much less so than the IBM. However after about 4 hours the Powerbook got about as hot as the IBM, which still is not hot at all. I would say you could comfortably put the laptop in you lap very easily for the first 4 hours. After that, unless you have thick pants or like the extra warmth, I'd suggest putting it on a table. The Powerbook is very, very quiet, especially when cool. When it heats up after prolonged use the fan will kick in more often and make it a little louder. But still it is much more quiet than the IBM.

Overall- I'd HIGHLY recommend this to anyone except gamers. I'm highly satisfied with this purchase and I hope you will be to if you decide to buy it.

Apple pulled me back with this Powerbook
Well, first I'd like to say that I feel honored to be the first one writing a review of this wonderful laptop.

I purchased this Powerbook G4 on tuesday - just one day after Apple announced the new Powerbook lineup. I had been considering going back to apple for a new laptop for quite some time, but seeing new faster specs for the same price as the last revision was what did it for me! I custom ordered mine from the Apple Store on tuesday and it shipped out late Thursday night/Friday morning. I had it by Monday morning - but what a trip it had!

Normal specs for this laptop are 1.33Ghz G4 processor, 256 MB RAM (built in/upgradable via ram slot to 1.25GHZ), 60 GB 4200 RPM HD (as almost all laptops have), 64 MB of VRAM on an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 card on 4x AGP bus, 12" GORGEOUS display, upgraded 167 MHZ system bus speed, including updated software - Panther 10.3.3, iLife '04, etc etc.

I custom ordered mine from their store with 512 MB RAM and upgraded 5400 RPM 80 GB hard drive (because I wanted to get it nice and quick), a nice Brenthaven Pro File 12" laptop bag and a .Mac membership. It shipped out from Taiwan, headed over to Alaska, then through a few other states and finally to me in NJ....

This powerbook is a work of art; even the packaging. It has gorgeous features, fluid graphic motion, VERY speedy processor, GREAT battery life - I get about 4.5 hrs. Their estimated 5 hrs is very likely if you don't upgrade to a faster hard drive (eats more power)....the OS is amazing, I was up and running within 10 minutes or so - the battery came with a full charge from the factory so I could use the laptop immediately.

I only have one minor complaint - Ive had this for a week or so now, and my spacebar has begun to squeak when I press it. Every other laptop I've ever had developed this squeaky spacebar so I don't blame apple -- its probably just the result of how I type. I highly recommend this laptop for its size and portability. It's durable finish, great cooling - yes its warm to the touch, but by no means will you burn yourself as others have suggested in past reviews of their previous version of this powerbook. CD-ROM drive is zippy, magnetic lid clasp mechanism is a marvel, breathing (dimming and getting brighter) LED light on the lid-open button when the computer is in sleep mode is great....everything is great.

This laptop opens Corel Painter 8 within 3 seconds which I consider amazing considering my 1.3Ghz P4 desktop PC can only open it in about 10-15 seconds! This computer flies through everything it does and it certainly could be a desktop replacement. The casing is sturdy and shines like a new penny! The apple illuminates on the back side of the display showing everyone in a subdued manner that you chose the best. Even their power supply/cable design is astounding - having the option to extend it if you need more cable length is great. There is a charging status ring where the cable plugs into the side of the laptop which is orange when charging and green when fully charged. To check the battery status, you can push a small button on the battery which will light up a series of LED lights on the battery to indicate how full a charge it holds. Amazing!

I'm glad to be back in the Apple world and look forward to getting a G5 tower to replace my aging PC in the coming year or so.

Wow I love this Powerbook! ... 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
If overwhelming power and top-notch 3D graphics performance aren't your main concerns and you appreciate amenities such as DVD burning, wireless operation and easy portability, the affordable HP Pavilion dv1010us Notebook PC may strike your fancy. This is not the ideal unit if you regularly put your notebook through its paces with high-end programs that require a lot of computing horsepower, but it's just fine for organizing photos, checking email, doing homework, hammering out word documents or tracking sales contacts. Moreover, it's not overly cumbersome at just a smidgeon over five lbs.

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 Pavilion dv1010us features a Mobile Intel Celeron 330 processor running at 1.4 GHz. Although this is a new and much improved version of the venerable Celeron chip, it remains a midlevel processor that is best suited to midlevel duties. If you intend to run ultra-high-end processor-intensive applications, you will encounter degraded performance.

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 Pavilion dv1010us incorporates 512 megabytes of RAM, a surprisingly generous allotment for an entry-level machine and certainly enough to permit satisfactory multitasking. Moreover, the unit supports memory upgrades to a whopping two gigabytes -- more than you'll ever need.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output, particularly 3D graphics, to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" built-in video memory is preferable to one with "shared" video memory wherein the graphics controller borrows a portion of the all-important main system memory. The cost-effective Intel Extreme Graphics 2 chipset installed inside the Pavilion dv1010us is integrated to the mainboard and features shared (not dedicated) video memory. This is a typical setup for budget-priced notebooks, though it is not ideal for anyone who deals with visually demanding applications such as the latest 3D games or 3D graphics design.

Display
Featuring a DVD-friendly widescreen format and supporting crystal clear 1280 by 768 resolution, the system's 14-inch display is slightly larger than average.

Hard Disk
The Pavilion dv1010us features a 60 GB hard disk. This is a typical size for a notebook in this price range and more than enough for a broad range of applications and also 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). Most drives support several of these operations. This system boasts a versatile DVD+R/RW and CD-RW combo drive, through which you can do all of the above.

Audio
The Pavilion dv1010us offers solid mobile sound via a pair of Harman/Kardon-designed speakers and a pair of stereo earbud headphones.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via a 101 key-compatible keyboard, a Touch Pad with an on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad, and several one-touch hotkeys.

Connectivity and Expansion
The Pavilion dv1010us doesn’t offer ultra-upscale perks such as Bluetooth or Infrared, but it's equipped with all the connectivity you're ever likely to need. The unit features a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and 802.11b/g wireless technology for cord-free communication. 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 6-in-1 card reader for reading and transferring files from popular memory cards.

Operating System and Software
HP will pre-install a copy of Microsoft's Windows Home Edition operating system and an assortment of useful applications including Microsoft's Works productivity package, Microsoft's Money financial suite, and several multimedia utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and too 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 or three lbs. and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Pavilion dv1010us is comfortably undersized and therefore more easily portable at just 5.3 lbs and 13.5 by 9.3 by 1.2 inches.

Power
The Pavilion dv1010us sports a 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The lightweight HP Pavilion dv1150us notebook PC fuses together the world of mobile computing with a portable home theater. Watch DVDs on the bright, high-definition-ready 14-inch screen, and share the experience with dual headphone jacks. You can also burn your own CDs and DVDs with the multifomat DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive. The dv1130us is powered by a power-saving 1.5 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor, which provides up to a 3-hour battery life. Other features include a large 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 54g wireless connectivity, and a multiformat memory card reader for easy access to pictures captured on your digital camera.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is one of the larger sizes you'll find in a notebook, and it's befitting of such an entertainment-centric PC. It offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store a good-sized digital audio library.
• Processor: The 1.5 GHz speed sits in the upper-middle spectrum of currently available Pentium M (Centrino) processors, and will be fast enough for 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 dv1150us has a large 2 MB L2 cache and a 400 MHz front-side bus. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users, though it is a little slower (266 MHz) than RAM found in other entertainment-centric laptops. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB), and you'll want to maximize the RAM within your budget to take advantage of this notebook's multimedia capabilities.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive is compatible with a wide variety disc formats, including DVD+, DVD-, VCD, and SVCD discs. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 1x write/rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 2x write/rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 5x). For CDs, it has a 16x write/10x rewrite/40x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 101-key keyboard and two-button touchpad with on/off button and dedictated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The dv1150us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a limited offering of connectivity options, but it does include super-fast USB 2.0:

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

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

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

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

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

What's in the Box
This package contains the dv1150us 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

Amazon.com Product Description

Get your motor running and ready for the road with the highly mobile Averatec AV3255P1-01 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, Windows XP Professional, combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and integrated 54g (802.11b) wireless connectivity.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB IDE hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The 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 512 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 1 GB (2 x 512 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 AV3255P1-01 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 AV3255P1-01 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 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 AV3255P1-01 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 (1)

good price for great mobility
I use this on the road a lot and you can't beat it for price, speed and mobility. It is light weight. My only problem is that I didn't protect it well enough physically and it broke the internet during turbulence in the overhead bin. Mine was a refurbished model, so no warranty there, but my replacement will definately be this same computer. I recommend buying a nice padded bag for it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Mobile computing has never been so easy--or so cool. The Scribbler SC 2100 is powered by Electrovaya's state-of-the-art SuperPolymer battery that boasts up to 9 hours of battery life. At just .75 inches thick and 2.6 pounds, this Tablet PC is ready to roam. It also quickly and easily convert into either a tablet or laptop computer using its detachable keyboard and touchpad. The SC 2100 features built-in 54g Wi-Fi connectivity, a 1.3 GHz Intel Centrino processor, 20 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 20 GB hard drive seems pitifully small compared with other computers, and it's at the low end when compared with other Tablet PCs. This size of hard drive may crimp your style, especially if you load a lot of office productivity software onto it. Luckily, the SC 2100 can be upgraded to up to an 80 GB hard drive.
• Processor: The 1.3 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor is in the middle range of the spectrum. While it's not recommended for high-end multimedia or gaming, it is well equipped for basic computing tasks, from Internet browsing to office productivity software. 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.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is becoming the standard for notebooks as well as Table PCs. Due to the compact size of Tablet PCs in general, the SC 2100 can only be expanded to a total of 1280 MB of memory.
• CD/DVD Drive: Because of its thin profile, this Tablet PC does not include an optical drive. However, an optional docking station is available, which includes a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The SC 2100 comes with a mini USB keyboard, keyboard stand to convert to laptop mode, and touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This SC 2010 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a basic offering of connectivity options, which does include super-fast USB 2.0:

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

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system, and it also features the following Tablet PC applications: Corel Grafigo, Franklin Covey Tablet Planner, Alias Sketchbook, Note Taking, Ink Annotation, Speech Recognition, and Onscreen Keyboard.

Dimensions and Weight
The SC 2100 weighs just 2.6 pounds (4.5 pounds with keyboard/mouse attached) and measures 11.96 x 9.17 x 1 inches with keyboard and mouse attached.

Power
Powered by Electrovaya's extraordinary SuperPolymer lithium-ion 75 watt battery, the SC 2100 offers up to 9 hours of battery life. It has a battery charging time of 5 hours and 15 minutes (computer off mode).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Electrovaya SC 2100 Tablet PC, detachable cover/keyboard, and power cable. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With its state-of-the-art battery technology, the Electrovaya Scribbler SC 2010 Tablet PC offers a battery life of up to 9 hours. Stylishly professional, the SC 2010 featrues a brushed aluminum finish and a snap-on cover that's 0.25 inches thick and includes a full keyboard and removeable trackpad. This thin Tablet PC also boasts a 1.2 GHz Intel Centrino processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, 60 GB hard drive, 12.1-inch display, 54g Wi-Fi connectivity, and fast USB 2.0 and Firewire ports.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive is an average size for notebook PCs, offering enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software for road warriors. It offers the largest hard drive in the Scribbler 2000 series.
• Processor: The 1.2 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor is at the low end of the spectrum. While it's not recommended for high-end multimedia or gaming, it is well equipped for basic computing tasks, from Internet browsing to office productivity software. 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.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is becoming the standard for notebooks, and it offers double the RAM of the Scribbler SC 2000. However, due to the compact size of Tablet PCs in general, the SC 2010 can only be expanded to a total of 768 MB of memory.
• CD/DVD Drive: Because of its thin profile, this Tablet PC does not include an optical drive. However, an optional docking station is available, which includes a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The SC 2010's sanp-on cover includes a full-size keyboard and a trackpad that connects to either side of the tray. The cover/keyboard also includes a tablet support for attaching the Tablet PC to sit in landscape orientation.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This SC 2010 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a basic offering of connectivity options, which does include super-fast USB 2.0:

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

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system, and it also features the following Tablet PC applications: Corel Grafigo, Franklin Covey Tablet Planner, Alias Sketchbook, Note Taking, Ink Annotation, Speech Recognition, and Onscreen Keyboard.

Dimensions and Weight
The SC 2010 weighs just 3.5 pounds (4.5 pounds with detachable cover) and measures 11.96 x 9.17 x 1 inches with keyboard and mouse attached.

Power
Powered by Electrovaya's extraordinary SuperPolymer lithium-ion 75 watt battery, the SC 2010 offers up to 9 hours of battery life. It has a battery charging time of 5 hours and 15 minutes (computer off mode).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Electrovaya SC 2010 Tablet PC, detachable cover/keyboard, and power cable. ... 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 Satellite P25 series of notebooks will handle virtually any duty you might normally reserve for a high-end desktop PC. As powerful "desktop replacements", 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 such a stunning list of amenities. This model, the Satellite P25-S676 Notebook PC, features such perks as a 17-inch widescreen display, DVD recording, state-of-the-art 3D graphic handling abilities, 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-S676 lies firmly in the former category, equipped with a blazing 3.4 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 applications. Running at 3.4 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the fastest in any notebook, but is nothing less than spectacular with its integrated Hyper-Threading.

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-S676 incorporates 512 MB of RAM, more than enough for most situations. Ultra-demanding users have the option of expanding their RAM 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 Go5700 with a whopping 128 MB of dedicated video RAM. This is simply one of the fastest graphics controllers in today's notebook world, delivering top-notch images and super-smooth frame rates to virtually any 2D or 3D application, including today's most demanding 3D games.

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 you're doing.

Hard Disk:
The Satellite P25-S676 features a massive 80 GB of hard disk space. This quantity 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-S676 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), two digital (S-Video) TV-out ports, and a digital audio out (SPDIF) connection.

Operating System and Software:
Toshiba has fitted the system with one of today's most advanced operating systems, Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 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-S676 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 unit 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 powerful ultra-portables using Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, but is in keeping with standard desktop replacement battery longevity. ... Read more