Electronics and Computer Review

Archive for the ‘Laptops’ Category

Purchasing a notebook computer can be a mind boggling experience with all the different makes and models out there. Toshiba has a strong entry in their Toshiba Qosmio G15-AV501 notebook computer. Let’s examine why this particular model is certain to be an effective competitor.

Unlike most laptops the Qosmio takes computing to the next level. You can watch your favorite TV programs, play DVDs, or listen to music by way of its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. Sporting a 17″ screen the Qosmio offers a nifty 1440 x 900 pixels resolution perfect for TV or video watching. Other key features of the Qosmio include:

• Intel Pentium M 745 Processor (Centrino), 1.8 GHz

• 512MB Memory

• Television Tuner

• Exceptionally Bright Screen

• DVD±RW/CD-RW Combination, 2 Hard Drives

• Wireless LAN Antenna

• Remote Controller

• Video Card

• NVIDIA GeForce FX Go 5700

• Weighs just under 10 lbs.

As much as the Qosmio is an effective performer, I have learned that the battery life is very short compared to models half its $2500. sticker price. That’s right, $2500 [shop around, as prices vary]. Read the rest of this entry »

After twelve years of owning desktop computers, I finally opted for a laptop so I would no longer be chained to my desk. After months of research and weighing various makes and models, I settled on the Dell Inspiron 600m Notebook Computer. This particular model has exceeded all of my expectations and at a price that is hundreds of dollars lower than many competing brands.

For several months I agonized over my next computer purchase. I knew I needed to be more mobile and only a notebook computer would permit me to take my “show on the road.” Still, the decision making process was not easy as the number of different makes and models out there is mind boggling. Ultimately, I settled on a Dell in part because of previous good experience with the company as well as affordability of their product line.

The model I chose was the Inspiron 600m. As with almost everything that Dell builds, it is a “new” model; at least the 600m designation is. That is one of the confusing things about Dell and some other manufacturers: every month Dell introduces new models and you need a scorecard to compare one model with all the others. Fortunately, Dell’s website allows you to do just that.

Key features of the Inspiron 600m include:

Lightweight: Just over five pounds.

Mobile Centrino Technology is standard.

14.1 inch screen

Pentium M 725 Processor

24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

256MB DDR SDRAM 1 Dimm Memory

Wireless Network Card

Extended Battery

Microsoft Windows XP Home Addition

WordPerfect Productivity Pack

I kept my computer fairly basic but I did opt for the latest version of Norton Security, a surge protected cable, a wirless router, and a wireless mouse. I selected the wireless mouse as I thought the keyboard’s mouse would be difficult to use. After two days I quit using the wireless mouse as I quickly got used to the built in one.

The screen is bright and the keyboard is solid. The mouse keys, however are noisy, almost clunky; you wonder if Dell could have used a quieter spring for each key.

Read the rest of this entry »

The laptop market is an overcrowded field with literally hundreds of offerings available to consumers. Some laptops are very basic models with Celeron processors while others are full blown multimedia powerhouses. Featured here are three top models from the “plain Jane” to the middle of the road, to the fully loaded.

Dell Inspiron 1200 – It is possible to purchase a notebook computer for considerably less than $1000 and Dell offers several models below this threshold including the Inspiron 1200. This particular model is the price leader amongst laptops especially when rebates are figured in. A recent Dell advertisement has been touting the Inspiron 1200 for just $499 after a $150For rebate is received. What do you get with this model? Not a whole lot: an Intel Celeron M Processor 350 (1.30 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB); Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition; 30GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive; and 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive. Surprisingly, Dell does include wireless capabilities in the form of a networking card.

HP Compaq nx9600 Notebook – HP’s acquisition of Compaq has produced a nice line up of notebook computers including this particular model geared toward those consumers replacing their desktop computer. Retailing at just over $1300 [before $100 rebate] this midrange offering is nicely loaded as it offers a 17″ screen; Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition; an Intel Pentium 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology; a 40 GB hard drive; a 12 cell battery; wireless connectivity; and graphics oriented software.

Read the rest of this entry »

Presenting the 13-inch Mac laptop Professional. The condition-of-the-art dual-core Apple i5 processor provides as much as 2x faster performance (within the previous generation of Mac laptop Professional). New Thunderbolt technology allows you connect high-performance peripheral devices and-resolution shows to some single port, and transfer files at lightning speeds. Along with the built-in The face-time HD camera, you may make astonishingly crisp HD video calls.

Using the revolutionary Thunderbolt technology, you’ll have the ability to achieve bi-directional channels with transfer speeds to peripheral devices like exterior hard disk drives and servers as much as an incredible 10 Gbps–whilst hooking up to some DisplayPort-compatible high-resolution display.

Just like previous models, the Mac laptop Professional includes a precision unibody enclosure crafted from one block of aluminum, developing a thin and lightweight traveling with a laptop workhorse (under 1 ” thin and merely 4.5 pounds) that’s also highly durable. Also it features a 13.3-inch, Brought-backlit glass display in addition to a glass track pad that does not incorporate a button (for bigger monitoring area) that has Apple’s Multi-Touch technology. You will also wake up to 7 hrs of battery existence while on the run.

This version from the 13.3-inch Mac laptop Professional (model MD313LL/A) includes a second-generation 2.4 GHz Core i5 dual-core processor, 500 GB hard disk, and 4 GB of installed RAM. Additional features include integrated Apple HD Graphics 3000 graphics, ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth connectivity, an SDXC card slot, two USB 2. ports, along with a FireWire 800 port

Apple MacBook Pro Specifications

• 13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1280 x 800-pixel resolution).
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor with 3 MB shared L3 cache for excellent multitasking.
• Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.
• 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 4 GB installed RAM (1333 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Built-in FaceTime HD camera for video chatting
• Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
• Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
• Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
• SDXC card slot
• Thunderbolt port with native Mini DisplayPort output plus support for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI (requires adapters, sold separately)
• Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
• Full-size backlit keyboard
• Stereo speakers with subwoofers
• Dimensions: 12.78 x 8.94 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Up to 7 hours of battery life
• Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements
• Rated EPEAT Gold

Read the rest of this entry »