Notebook Computer Reviews

Weighing under 5 pounds, the ultra-portable Toshiba Satellite U405-S2820 notebook PC packs in an extraordinary amount of power and productivity into its elegant, compact package. The 13.3-inch widescreen display offers TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity and a 1280 x 800 resolution for extra desktop working space and a widescreen aspect ratio for watching letterboxed movies. It’s powered by the 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power–so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. A built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam (with integrated microphone) lets you join in on video conferences as well as make long-distance VoIP calls. Replace passwords, plus help safeguard and share your Satellite U405 laptop with family members, using the built-in biometric fingerprint reader. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), dual-layer DVD±RW drive also burns CDs (and includes Labelflash printing), Intel GMA X3100 with up to 358 MB of shared video RAM, and 5-in-1 memory card reader. Additionally, this Toshiba notebook is RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.
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Built for today’s multimedia-savvy, always on-the-go computer user, the HP Pavilion dv2890nr Artist Edition takes its award-winning imprint designs to the next level with a unique artistic rendering wrapped around the entire laptop. HP’s Take Action/Make Art contest received over 8,500 entries from aspiring young artists worldwide, and this bold, colorful, innovative design stood out at capturing the HP PC experience. You can also travel in style with the coordinating Artist Edition messenger bag (sold separately).

Show your individuality with the Artist Edition HP Imprint finish, featuring the winning design from a worldwide competition sponsored by HP and MTV.

More than a pretty face, the dv2890nr Artist Edition PC delivers rich digital entertainment and excellent mobile performance.

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Designed for fast access to your entire entertainment library, the HP Pavilion dv6830us notebook PC is a great choice for both families and business travelers on the go. The 15.4-inch high-definition BrightView display looks good even in direct sunlight, and you’ll enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process). Control playback settings from up to 10 feet away with the included HP remote, then store it conveniently in the Express card slot. Easily manage your digital photo library and share with friends and family using the included HP Photosmart Essential software. This stylish laptop also features a high-gloss, durable HP Imprint finish with the Radiance pattern of concentric waves. It’s powered by the 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power–so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. This notebook also features a 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), 8x dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard slot, Intel GMA X3100 graphics with up to 358 MB of total allocated video memory, 5-in-1 memory card reader, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also includes an integrated Webcam in the LCD’s bezel and an omnidirectional microphone for easy video chats. Read more…

For multimedia mavens on the go, the HP Pavilion tx2110us tablet PC is light enough to take anywhere and is a great resource for showing presentations thanks to its 180-degree swiveling 12.1-inch touchscreen display–which folds flat to enable the convenience of capturing hand-written notes and drawings. Weighing just 4.5 pounds, the tx2110us delivers the same screen resolution and performance as a 15.4-inch notebook, but weighs over 2 pounds less. It features an HP-exclusive Echo pattern that was inspired by the rings forming a digital fabric that mimics our lives. Encouraging direct interaction, the backlit media control panel responds to the touch or sweep of a finger. Protect your system and online accounts with your unique fingerprint for advanced security and peace of mind. The integrated 1.3-megapixel WebCam (and integrated microphone) provides easy video conferencing via VoIP and video IM chats. And control content from up to 10 feet away with the HP Mobile Remote Control that can be stored in the ExpressCard slot for convenience.Optimized for mobile performance, it’s powered by the 2.1 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-62 dual-core processor, which offers 64-bit computing capability and higher throughput for simultaneous computing tasks. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), quad-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth connectivity, multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard slot, NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 video/graphics card with 527 MB of shared video RAM, and Gigabit Ethernet.

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Thin and light and packed full of powerful entertainment features, the Sony VAIO VGN-FZ430E/B offers a 15.4-inch widescreen LCD with battery-saving XBRITE-ECO technology and embedded A/V controls. A built-in 1.3-megapixel web camera (with integrated microphone) is seamlessly integrated into the lightweight and durable silver magnesium chassis, so you can video chat with friends, family and co-workers. The instant AV Mode feature enables you to start watching a DVD or listening to music with the push of a single button–without having to boot up the system–and the convenient, built-in multimedia control buttons also let you control all playback functions. This notebook is powered by the 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power–so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. Other features include an extra-large 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), quad-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g/n), multi-format/dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 34 slot, Intel GMA X3100 graphics (with up to 358 MB of total available video memory), and both Memory Stick and SD memory cart slots.
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Designed to meet the demands of a multimedia-hungry family, students on the go, and small businesses with demanding computing needs, the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845 offers a versatile base for all your needs. It includes a generous 15.4-inch widescreen TruBrite high-def display for amazing color depth and clarity, plus room to multitask and work with spreadsheets. And video is powered by the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650, which provides 1279 MB of total available graphics memory for watching HD movies and TV as well as excellent 3D gaming. And you’ll enjoy crisp audio from the Harman Kardon stereo speakers. A built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam (with integrated microphone) lets you join in on video conferences as well as make long-distance VoIP calls using Skype. Replace passwords, plus help safeguard and share your Satellite A305 laptop with family members, using the built-in biometric fingerprint reader. It’s powered by the 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, which offers a super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed and extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. Part of Intel’s 45-nanometer (nm) Penryn series, this processor boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. The Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance. It also includes Intel’s 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. Other features include an enormous 400 GB storage capacity (from dual 200 GB hard drives), 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB max), dual-layer DVD±RW burner (with Labelflash disc printing), HDMI A/V output, ExpressCard 34 slot, and a 5-in-1 memory card adapter.
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Stylishly and intelligently designed for mobile professionals, Apple’s MacBook Pro now includes Apple’s Multi-Touch technology (which debuted with the MacBook Air), allowing you to pinch, swipe, or rotate to enlarge text, advance through photos, or adjust an image. And it gets a serious speed bump from Intel’s latest 2.5 GHz 45-nanometer Penryn series Core 2 Duo processor (with 6 MB L2 cache), which also helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. This model (MB134LL/A ) also has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display measuring 15.4 inches and a state-of-the art NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT video card with 512 MB of GDDR3 video RAM.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro offers a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display with an antiglare finish that’s perfect for color-minded professionals.

Meticulously designed and encased in sleek and sturdy aluminum, the MacBook Pro measures just 1 inch thin and weighs 5.4 pounds. Your hands have room to spread out on the full-size keyboard with crisp, responsive keys, and the MacBook Pro has a built-in ambient light sensor that adjusts the keyboard and display brightness so it’s easy to work in low-light settings. Other standard Apple “extras” includes a built-in iSight video camera and Apple’s magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter, which safely disconnects when under strain.

It’s pre-loaded with Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications–including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes–and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 400 and 800 ports, DVI video output, and an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking.
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With the MacBook Air, Apple has created the world’s thinnest laptop–measuring an unprecedented 0.16-inches at its thinnest point (and 0.76 inches thick overall). Apple also introduces its vaunted multi-touch technology, found on the iPhone, to its laptops with the MacBook Air, enabling you to pinch, swipe, or rotate to zoom in on text, advance through a photo album, or adjust an image via the oversized trackpad. Despite the its slender shell, the MacBook Air doesn’t skimp on the specifications. It includes a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, full-size and backlit keyboard, and a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing. The MacBook Air is powered by a custom-built 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multitasking performance. Other features include 2 GB of RAM, an 80 GB hard disk drive, Wi-Fi connectivity via 802.11a/b/g/n standards, a micro-DVI video output (with included adapters), and up to a 5-hour battery life.It comes pre-loaded with Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which adds over 300 new features including easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter, and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. It also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes.
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Built for today’s multimedia-savvy, always on-the-go computer user, the entertainment-centric HP Pavilion dv2840se notebook PC provides quick access to your digital audio and video library wherever you roam. Weighing in at 5.25 pounds, it features the HP exclusive high-gloss, organic Verve imprint finish, which flows freely across the top cover then bursts across the palm rest area. A significant change in color appears as well, with a rich bronze top cover carrying through to the palm rest area to morph into golden copper shades then fade to deep black near the touch-sensitive media control panel. It offers a widescreen, BrightView 14.1-inch display, which provides improved viewing in direct sunlight. Control settings for audio and video playback from up to 10 feet away with the included HP remote, then store it conveniently in the PC card slot. Enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process).Optimized for mobile performance, it’s powered by the 2.1 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-62 dual-core processor, which offers 64-bit computing capability and higher throughput for simultaneous computing tasks. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), quad-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g/n), multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD drive (which can also burn CDs), Nvidia GeForce Go 7150M video card with up to 1071 MB of total available video memory, multi-format memory card reader, integrated Webcam for easy video conferencing, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity to your peripherals and communication headsets.

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Get the power of a full-sized laptop in the ultra-compact ASUS Eee PC 8G Surf, which offers a full QWERTY keyboard, 7-inch screen, and preinstalled Linux operating system. (This laptop is also compatible with the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.) You’ll be able to stay connected to e-mail and the Internet easily thanks to the Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g), and communicate via video chat and VoIP with the Webcam integrated into the display’s bezel. Because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive (with 8 GB of storage), the Eee PC is optimal for weathering rough handling and sharing space in overstuffed bags.
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