Product Description

iBook G4 Notebook, PowerPC G4 1.2GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, 30GB Hard Drive, 12.1-inch XGA TFT Display, 8X DVD / 24X16X24 CD-RW Combo Drive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (61)

This is GREAT!!!
i just got this computer today june 15, 2005 its absolutley amazing everything spectacular i would highly recommend this computer for students. It never freezes up. No virus or spyware this computer is great but windows has alittle more options but this computer is very good. Its better than my dell d600 laptop which has 512mb 30gb also 1.6ghz processor and it dosent even come close to this ibook this is GREAT

Still getting used to this
Overall the iBook is wonderful.The only computer I've owned was the Mac 512k back in 1985.Since then I've worked on various pc's in corporate america.I struck out on my own just recently and needed to purchase a computer and decided on the iBook for several reasons;price and the stability of the OS.I like the iBook 12" but it's taking some time to adjust to it.My previous pc was the Toshiba M100 and it costs roughly twice the iBook, so keep that in mind.The factors I'm adjusting to are:
*The iBook is 4.9 lbs, which is pretty light except when you've been carting around the 2.5 lbs Toshiba.The Toshiba does this by having a shorter battery life and no built in drive.But now the iBook feels like it'll throw out my back when I carry it around.
*I'm disappointed with the fit and finish of the iBook vs the Toshiba.The edges are a bit sharp and I'm getting used to the less precise feel of the track (mouse) button.Also I'm afraid the white surface of the iBook will show dirt and stains more easily than the black and sliver colored surface of thee Toshiba.
*Someone told me that I'd miss the right click button.They were right.
*I also need to get more RAM because the iBook is very slow with just 256k.Originally I was going to get an additional 256k but now I'm leaning twards 512k or 1meg.

My gut reaction is that chosing an Apple computer was the right move vs a pc and that it's just a matter of adjusting to the new OS.But I really wish that the Apple OS could be installed onto non-Apple machines.

Apple IBook - Two Thumbs UP!
Really enjoying this IBook. It's small and very light. I just took it on a trip and was glad to have it with me.Mine came with a built in wireless card and I was able to utilize wireless hotspots on my trip.Watched a DVD on the plane and listened to some tunes with ITunes.Don't be fooled into thinking a 12" screen size is too small(everyone seems to want larger these days. The graphics are really sharp. The battery has been lasting about 4 hours. Best of all I got mine through one of those Offercentric sites.My friend received one that way, so I signed up.[...]

Enjoy!

Great Computers work alike
I work with Mac OS X in my school, and I have found it to be very good! It is very convenient and easier to use than Windows (I'm not saying Windows is bad). I can write essays, get pictures, and go on the internet without being confused.

The iBook is no different than An iMac or eMac. I can do anything I want and store it anyplace since it is so compact. You can also have good functions on an iBook and it will look styling.

Tip: Don't use Appleworks. Get Microsoft office teacher student edition. Microsoft office is a lot easier to use than Appleworks.

Thanks to Apple...I now believe there is a GOD!
Okay, all jokes aside. This Apple ibook is really one of the best purchases that I have ever made. I had a Compaq Presario 2500 with an 80GB Harddrive, 15" screen, 64MB graphics card, 768 MB RAM, with wireless internet and a 1400 by 1050 resolution. This Apple ibook beats the pants off the Compaq in almost every category.

1) Price: The Compaq cost $2,200 when I bought it a little over 2 years ago as opposed to the Apple which cost me $900 on eBay and came with 1.25 GB!!!! of RAM. Just for a side note, the Apple ibook that I got on eBay was 3 months old and I didn't actually pay $2,200 for the Compaq since there was a glitch on their website and I paid $500. Otherwise, nobody should buy a Compaq ever!

2) Portability: The ibook weighs 4.9 pounds as opposed to the 7.5-pound Compaq. In addition, the ibook is smaller by far and I can actually take it to class without having to hurt my back.

3) Noise level: The Compaq was so loud that I would hear a noisy fan almost every time I turned the machine on just to type up a paper or to browse the net making it useless for taking to class since people would stare at me. When playing video games such as Warcraft 3 or Counter-Strike the Compaq would run so loudly that I would have trouble hearing the game or thinking. The ibook is noise free when I type papers; browse the Internet, or most anything else. The only time that the ibook makes a sound is when a disc is inserted and the very quiet fan comes on only after a while of playing Age of Empires 2.

4) Screen size and resolution: The Compaq did have a better resolution of 1400 by 1050 compared to the ibook's 1024 by 768 but I have not really cared since the ibook's resolution is what I would normally use on the Compaq anyways. Just because it can have a better resolution doesn't mean that I will use it. Plus, I assumed that switching from a 15" to a 12" would be hard especially for a gamer but in fact it's not a big deal to me even when I play games on the ibook. The change from a 64MB onboard card to a 32MB onboard card was not great but when running games at the highest resolution, the ibook has a good enough display to make it worth keeping.

5) Battery life: The Compaq advertised 2 hours of life but usually put out 1 hour if I was typing or listening to music. The ibook advertises 6 hours and constantly puts out 4.5 hours of battery life while typing and a little less if playing music.

6) Operating System: While I thought that Windows XP was a step up from previous versions and that the Apple OSX would not be worthwhile I soon realized that I was wrong. My Compaq always had software compatibility issues with other devices, random warnings that I didn't understand, and random crashes while I was playing Warcraft 3 even though I had updated all of the software for the computer and the graphics card. The ibook does not crash, randomly scare me with warnings, and is very compatible with all my devices including my HP 1200 LaserJet. Also the Dashboard on the OSX is very useful with a calculator, stickies, a clock, stock tracker, weather, dictionary, thesaurus, and many other helpful tools that appear and disappear in one click. What's more the Spotlight lets you search your entire computer quickly and easily unlike windows, which is a pain and doesn't actually find what you're looking for.

7) Virus's, spyware, Worms, and other junk: The Windows system always lets all sorts of nasty programs into the Compaq through Activex or many of its other holes. The Apple OSX does not do that because every time that I download a program that could possibly give my Apple a Virus or some other nonsense, I am asked for a password. That is why Apple's don't have Virus's. I used to spend at least $60 a year on Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall software, now I don't need to.

8) Compatibility: Apple works with most hardware out there such as printers, mp3 players, and mice such as my Logitech (don't buy the apple mouse). Most software such as Warcraft 3, Microsoft Word, and Age of Empires 2 can be bought for OSX.

9) Speakers: The Compaq's speakers do sound a little better when listening to music but only when it's really loud. Yet the ibook has great speakers that are of almost equal quality and may actually be better for listening to audio books or radio. My Compaq speakers had static when turned up all the way and went bad several times. The ibook speakers do not hurt my ears with static and have not gone bad.

10) Laptop looks, keyboard, and durability: The ibook is much more beautiful with its white sleek looking case and light up apple on the back. It doesn't look like it would scratch up like the Compaq or those silver Powerbook's. The keyboard on the ibook is better than Compaq's but worse than the Powerbook's not in terms of wearing out but that the Powerbook has those quiet keys. My Compaq had dirty palm prints all over its case from wear and this white ibook is doing much better but that may be because I've had it for a shorter period of time.

11) Harddrive space: I had 80GB on the Compaq and have 30Gb on the ibook but I still use only 15GB on both of them. So what does it matter whether I have 30GB or 80GB?

If you're thinking about getting anything besides an Apple (including a Dell) go for either an ibook or a Powerbook. If you're making the choice between an ibook or a Powerbook, consider this: The Powerbook has a 64Mb graphics card (32MB in ibook), a better screen resolution, a faster processor (1.2 vs. 1.5) but is louder, hotter, more expensive, and has 90 minutes less battery life than the ibook. Check out the Apple discussion boards for yourself. I hope this helps and don't hate the Apple, hate the Game. ... Read more

Product Description

Affordable portable performance.

Fully loaded with a powerful G4 processor, a 5400-rpm 80GB hard drive, 512MB of memory, a faster-burning 8x SuperDrive and a nifty scrolling trackpad, the 15-inch PowerBook G4 boasts features few notebook computers can match.

With a processor speed of 1.67GHz, DDR RAM capacity up to 2GB, a light 5.6-pound weight and thin 1.1-inch design, the 15-inch PowerBook gives you the ideal balance between power and portability. Work and play in millions of colors on a stunning 15.2-inch (diagonal) widescreen display with 1280 x 854 pixel resolution that’s ideal for watching movies in their original wide-screen format. You can also make movies of your own with the included iMovie HD software, or get Final Cut Pro HD for more advanced video editing, compositing and special effects. And thanks to its built-in DVI port, you even have the option of connecting your PowerBook to Apple’s breathtaking Cinema Displays. Add optional dual-link DVI capability and 128MB of graphics memory and your 1.67GHz 15-inch PowerBook even supports the massive 30-inch Cinema HD Display.

As Smart as It Looks
The sleek exterior is as stunning as ever. The 15-inch PowerBook G4 comes with all the refinements and esthetic touches that make it the most coveted full-featured notebook computer on the planet: elegant aluminum construction, 1.1-inch thin design, slot-loading 8x SuperDrive and a brilliant illuminated keyboard. On the inside, a faster PowerPC G4 processor, a standard 5400-rpm 80GB hard drive, powerful graphics, up to 2GB of RAM and Mac OS Xthe world’s most advanced operating systemcombine to deliver off-the-charts performance.

Built for Speed
Inside the 15-inch PowerBook G4 is a screamingly fast 1.67GHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine. Advanced processor design and memory architecture are among several core advantages that enable the PowerBook G4 to pack ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A great computer for anyone in your home.
Being a technician on many products, I've come to learn that computers are tools. I came to work on Apple products through the years but recently my job functions required more hands on use of the G4. Mac Office 2004, which you have to buy on the side doesn't have a good ODBC plugin that makes it hard for people in finance to do their job. That is unless you buy a third party plugin for Office. Some of the features loaded on OS X are not fully developed and seem to be added just so they can add it to the ever-growing list of features. I'd say the top programs I use are Terminal, iTunes, iPhoto, Adium, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Quicksilver.

I'm sure I can get a lot of Mac enthusiasts to argue against me and flame me in every way possible. That's the beauty of this system; you actually have a fan base that most other systems don't. It's fairly easy to adapt to this operating system and hardware if you have patience. I think the nicest thing about this laptop is the DVD-RW that comes with it, Apple calls it a "Superdrive." Although you'd probably be recommended to buy Roxio's Toast program to burn cds. All in all you have to be ready to fork out some money when you switch.

Personally I love the G4, I have distanced myself enough to be very critical on some items but this is one product that doesn't have much criticism. Of course that is compared to almost every other system out there. They've embedded FreeBSD into the OS perfectly and makes it sound for developers to use and compile software. I do hope that in the future Apple fixes a lot of the minor glitches and becomes mainstream because this product is a very valuable tool.

Switching is easy
I was a confirmed PC-bigot since DOS3.1 and made the switch evetually after increased frustration with Windows led to several failed attempts to move to Linux.

My only chance to try a new OS was to buy new Hardware.

A year on I'm not disappointed.OSX is the best of UNIX under the covers with a GUI that's sweeter than anything MS could dream of. The bundled apps have enabled a novice like me to prepare printed books of photos, make DVDs of my photos and home movies and even dabble in making a little music with Garageband.

But it's not just about media...MS Office for the Mac blows the socks of the PC version in power and beauty.Apple ship the development tools CD with the mac as well, so for a programmer, I can get started right away coding lovely mac apps (in ObjectiveC), as well as C, C++, Python, Ruby and Java, all of which ship pre-installed.

As far as the hardware (this specific PB) is concerned, the machine is lovely to look at, ludicrously fast to wake from sleep, and the only times I've rebooted it in the last year are when the automatic software update system suggests I reboot after an OS upgrade. I can even swap batteries while the machine is on and running.The backlit keyboard and superdrive are extras I wasn't sure I would need, but I'm damn glad I paid for.

Do it.Do it now.I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

A word of caution
Apple needs to improve quality control and product support. The superdrive stopped working when laptop was 6 weeks old.Sent to Apple repair on April 4 and was informed 5 days later after I called that replacement wouldn't be available until end of April. New Superdrive could be quality control problem like permanent white spots on screens and batteries that catch fire of earlier models. Pity, because everything else about the machine is simply superb.

The Holy Grail of Laptop Computing
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 15 inch PowerBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, "It's about time Apple put out a computer that had enough memory in it to actually run it!" I have an old G3, 14 inch iBook and right off the bat I had to buy more memory, bumping it up to 640 megs, so knowing this baby comes with 512 right out the door, will bring a sigh of relief to anybody thinking of buying one.

The screen on this baby is gorgeous, no reading glasses for me here. This machine is svelte and sleek, comes with Airport Extreme built in. Has all the usual ports, plus FireWire 800 and it's crowning jewel, in my humble opinion, is the backlit keyboard. Apple claims it's ten times brighter than the old model. I can attest to the fact that it's brighter, but ten times, I don't know, I didn't see it. However, it's plenty bright enough to work in the dark. This 1.67 GHz model comes with a Superdrive and a scrolling trackpad (which I didn't mention in my other reviews). I found the trackpad scrolling business to be a little annoying, but no matter you can turn it off in System Prefs if you want. However, I imagine once you get used to it, one might find it darned handy.

Compared to my aging, but still working like a champ iBook, this baby screams. And the 80 gig hard drive gives you plenty of room to load up those MP3s to play in iTunes.

This, in my opinion, is not only the best PowerBook of the bunch, but the best laptop ever made. It is truly the Holy Grail of laptop computing. Apple has really gone and got it right this time.

Jack Priest, Sailor home from the Sea

tens years later... back from retirement
Had to return an hp laptop because it refused to cooperate.ProTools Le was too much for it.
I didn't want a powerbook, I needed one.
The blend of beauty and pleasure shocked me when I booted it up the first time.
Slipped in the gig of pc 2700 ram with no problems.
It hasn't complained once.
The superdrive is super-intuitive and easily backed up a full dvd in as much time as my pc would burn files to cd-r.
All my peripherals are compatible with osx.3.8 (which I had to download from apple...breezy.)
I'm enjoying the interface, a lot less clicks and menus to access files.
Got giggly about the zoom feature for the display.
When's the last time your pc made you smile?

In short, my g4 is the perfect houseguest.
... Read more

Product Description

Ultra-compact. Full-featured.

More. That’s the word that best describes the 12-inch PowerBook G4.

It has more speed, thanks to a 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 processor. It offers more memory: 512MB, to be exact. It provides more storage, with a standard 5400-rpm 60GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive. It boasts more power to burn CDs with its DVD / CD-RW combo drive. The only thing less about it is its affordable price.

As Smart as It Looks
Housed in a stunning, scratch- and stain-resistant aluminum alloy enclosure and weighing just 4.6 pounds, this diminutive powerhouse features a high-resolution 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display with brilliant 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. You’ll marvel at the way this supersharp display fits into such a remarkably small frame: just 10.9 inches wide, 8.6 inches deep and 1.18 inches thin. Perfectly smooth on all surfaces, the 12-inch PowerBook has no doors, protruding latches or levers to break, no external buttons to accidentally press and no sharp edges to catch on your clothing.

Built for Speed
The 1.5GHz PowerBook G4 delivers blazing-fast performance, thanks to the PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, which processes data in huge 128-bit chunks and accelerates the data-intensive processing required by next-generation video, voice and graphics applications.

Scroll Mate
Scrolling through web pages or large documents on a trackpad can challenge even the most nimble fingers. That’s why every 12-inch PowerBook G4 features a new trackpad with scrolling capability. Just drag two fingers over the trackpad to scroll vertically and horizontally or pan around any active window. Change this feature to suit your needs: Customize your trackpad settings or turn off scrolling completely via System Preferences.

Handled with Care
Now the 12-inch PowerBook G4 is equipped to help protect your most valuable asset: your data. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Looking for a laptop?
There is a lot of attention to the Mac vs Windows topic recently, as Apple has begun to gather attention as being capable of doing everything a Windows computer can - word processing, e-mail, Internet browsing, and everything else.For most Windows users, the Mac software will feel different, but essentially do the same thing.(To top it off, Microsoft Office is offered for Mac as well, presumably for former Windows users that are uncomfortable making the switch...but keep in mind that Apple has other programs that do pretty much the same thing.)

Now, I am looking for a laptop.Just because an Apple machine can do what I need doesn't make it my choice.It's a matter of which does a better job - Windows or Mac.

Since I am not one to rely on ultra-biased reviewers on either end, I have gone to visit the Apple Store a number of times, specifically to try out this PowerBook.I highly recommend that if you are seriously considering what will work best for you, do not just rely on other people - go see for yourself.

Having said that, instantly the differences were obvious.The programs I tried worked beautifully, even intuitively.Imagine not knowing anything about Windows and starting from scratch at computers - that is what I had expected.Wrong!Instead of the cluttered desktop, the long list of programs, and the general cheap and unorganized feel of Windows, I found Mac's operating system to be clean and efficient...everything was at my finger tips.In short, after fiddling with the PowerBook a number of times, I am convinced that it can not only do everything I need it to, but it can do it better than Windows can.Even more, Mac is more secure because most viruses are written against Windows, being that Windows is the majority.

I look forward to distancing myself from memories of Windows worries....For example, Windows Media Player doesn't work for me any more - I get a message saying "INTERNAL PROGRAM ERROR".Now, I'm no computer technician, but all I know is that such errors are frequent, I'm annoyed and hindered by them, and that typically, Microsoft treats it as my problem, not theirs."INTERNAL PROGRAM ERROR"?More like, "Microsoft can't write decent programs."Where Microsoft is infamous for the Blue Screen of Death, Apple is known to simply work.

Having seen that one computer company prides itself in that its programs actually work and lives up to that guarantee, I have no reason to put up with the cheap mess and insulting incompetence of Windows.I had thought Apple computers to be expensive, and still do, because $1500 is a lot of money.But, $1500 on a product that works is far better, in my mind, than any sum for a product that makes me mad, that is, Windows.

Now, maybe you are just fine with Windows, and somehow you have avoided the errors and you don't mind constantly downloading patches and service packs.Still, try out this PowerBook if you are looking for a laptop.See if it doesn't FEEL like a quality product.(Keep in mind, also, that some very serious people are users of Macs...namely, professional artists, schools, small businesses, the United States Military, and certain departments of Microsoft!)(I would post some URLs but it's against the rules.)

it goes everywhere with me :D
i've been a mac user all my life, i have tried a few windows based systems but they just seem poorly integrated and clnuky and too much trouble, i don't mind playing with them at work for the 'geek factor' but i do all of my music and digital artistry on my macs and wouldn't have it any other way.

since the 12" powerbooks came out i have been drooling over them, but i had a 15" titanium powerbook and then recently got a g5....but when my titanium powerbook practically fell apart, i decided to buy the 1.5hz 12"pb (combo drive).

i absolutely love this thing, its so small and cute but it can handle anything you throw at it, i thought the screen would be too small to do my graphics work on it but i can easily sketch away with my graphics tablet wherever i am.

the battery life is good, its compact and relatively lightweight, made of metal, built very solid and runs osx.what else could you want?!

the one thing i was a little unhappy with was the screen because its just a regular lcd, alot of 'windoze' notebooks are using those nice shiny 'crystal bright' displays.
if apple had those displays in a widescreen form factor on this thing, it would be absolute perfection, bar none.

but overall im very happy with it and its abilities to perform anything i throw at it.
if you are considering one then go to an apple centre and play around with one for a while...i bet you will go home with one, or want to :D

osx tiger is fast, sleek, powerful, futuristic, beautiful.
and below the hood in the terminal you have access to its darwin/unix.
ive never had a virus EVER in my life thanks to being a mac user, no spyware, MUCCCH less chances of being hacked, my titanium powerbook only crashed once in the whole 3-4 years i had it, and my g5 and 12" powerbook have NEVER crashed.
sure it is possible to get a 'lemon' and have problems, it IS a computer afterall and there can be things that go wrong, but overall....macs just work. and in doing so they let you work without screwing around with settings and troubleshooting.

i honestly dont know why people still bother with windows, its primative compared to osx.

A TRUE Switcher!
I am writing this review in order to give you my thoughts on this powerbook versus the last guys that wrote a review about switching. First off there's no way you can compare apples to oranges, or in this case Apple to Windows computers. Because first off Apple's processor is much more efficent in the way it handels information. You can not look at Gzh! there are many more steps involved than just that. Now I will go down the line of "cons" that superman2k3 had.
1 - The screen is small, there's no doubt about it but that's what you have to sacrifice for the smallness of the 12 inch powerbook, and I still do not know what he means by clearity in the font, I can easily read what I am typing, what folders say on my desktop and anywhere else there is typing of FONTS!.
2 - I have 512 mb of RAM in my powerbook. It runs perfectly smooth and flawless. My powerbook 1.5 ghz runs faster than my neighbors 3.0 ghz pentium desktop!
3 - First off with the accessories the $60 mouse he's talking about is the Apple bluetooth wireless mouse. You can get a corded mouse much less. And second of all you DO NOT have to buy just Apple accessories. I have a mini wireless mouse that I got when I had a windows laptop (with windows XP) and to use it on the windows laptop I needed to install drivers and other software, well one night I decided to try it on my powerbook and it worked GREAT! with no drivers, nothing. The manufacturers website never stated it made for a Mac! Only for windows 98, 2000, ME, XP ect.
4 - Now I don't know about you but I personally don't have any reason what so ever to get to my hard drive. With 60 or 80 gigabyte discs I don't think I will be randomly droping new ones in. In fact I don't think I will ever even open up my RAM slot for more RAM. There is just nothing inside the computer I would ever want to mess with. Instead I would just send it in to Apple.
5 - Well in a way this is true. Most software for Windows won't work for a Mac but you can however get a $80 software called Virtual PC made my Microsoft for the Mac computer. This program enables you to run every program made for a PC. And when you buy future programs you will just buy the mac version instead.
6 - What do you mean NON SCROLLING. This trackpad in my powerbook has a built in scrolling function. Just drag two fingers over it in a webpage, a word file (yes Microsoft makes all of the Office suite, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, ect. for Mac) pdf's, Jpegs, you name it it works. And I know it only has a single button but if you need a sort of "right click" just hold down the Ctrl button at the same time. A list (just like on a Windows) pops up.
7 - As I stated earlier you can't compare apples to oranges. The Apple computer will run faster, smoother, and is already pre-loaded with amazing applications that would cost you hundreds of dollers on a PC like iPhoto, but mostly like iMovie and iDVD.
8 - Innovation, give me a break!!! Apple invented the personal computer. They wrote the Mac Operating System (OS) that Microsoft eventially copied back in the 80's. In fact there was a huge lawsuit over it. You can search Google if you want to learn more! And Apple has to compete with PC's everyday. I mean you think about it, a person is not going to buy both an Apple laptop and a PC laptop together! THINK HERE MAN!
9 - You DO NOT have to order any more warrenty from Apple, Apple gives you a one (1) year warrenty for your machine already, in fact better than most PC manufactures, however you may want to purchase the extended warrenty because laptops get a more rugged approach to them then desktops. Now this would be the same case as if I were buying a Dell, HP, Compaq (owened by HP so is relativley the same machine) or any other PC. And they're all in the same price range for the extended warrenty.
10 - As I stated earlier (I seem to have to repeat myself a LOT!) almost all hardware devices work both ways. And software, if you want to keep your PC software you can purchase an $80 virtuall PC software that will run it just fine!

Now I hope I did not make anyone angery by this, it's just the facts. And in conclusion the Powerbook is a remarkable tiny, shiny, all around great machine that has the looks and feel of Apple all around, from the hardware, to the OS it is all Apple (with no viruses or spyware) and the best part of it is that if you ever have any problems at all, because Apple makes the whole thing (inside and out) there is just one (1) number to call for anything dealing with it. Try doing that with a PC company. They'll just refer you to another company who will refer you back. That's if you get an actuall representative! Not just a computer on the other end. Well I hope this helps to clear up any thoughts you may have. I am a TRUE switcher. I went from a PC for five (5) years to a mac for now my 3rd month. And I LOVE IT!

One more thing "Once you go Mac, you'll never go Back!"

~God Bless!~

Faster than My Old iBook, that's for Sure
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 12 inch PowerBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, "It's about time Apple put out a computer that had enough memory in it to actually run it!" I have an old G3, 14 inch iBook and right off the bat I had to buy more memory, bumping it up to 640 megs, so knowing this baby comes with 512 right out the door, will bring a sigh of relief to anybody thinking of buying one.

The screen is too small for my tired eyes, but if you're young and seeing 20/20 or don't mind reading glasses that shouldn't be a problem. This machine is small and sleek, comes with an Airport Extreme card built in. This model comes with the DVD/CD-RW drive instead of the Superdrive, so you can't record video, but for an extra 200 bucks, maybe you don't want to. Compared to my aging, but still working like a champ iBook, this baby screams. And the 60 gig hard drive gives you plenty of room to load up those MP3s to play in iTunes.

The machine does not, however, come with one of those nifty, light up in the dark keyboards and you don't get a FireWire 800 port, 400 only, but I guess Apple had to give them up, due to size considerations. But as I said, this machine screams, really screams and for 1500 bucks, it's a deal. It would have been nice if Apple could have figured out a way to engineer a G5 chip into the machine, but, I suppose they are still too hot and a fan or fans would have made this silent marvel both noisy and bigger. Anyway all in all I have to say, well done Apple. Five stars and worth every one.

Jack Priest, Sailor home from the Sea

You'll fall in love with this go-anywhere Powerbook!
I made the "switch" last fall when the 20" iMac G5 was released, and was looking to pick up a laptop with the same quality hardware and OS. I knew I wanted an ultra-portable laptop, partially because of the price and partly because a laptop is just not meant to require a desk to use it. (In my opinion, anything over 15" or 6 pounds is a desktop-replacement). I had originally considered the 12" iBook, which is a great value (1.2 GHz + Airport Extreme!) for the money. In the end, after getting the "i"Mac, I though I'd go with the "Power"book. My decision was partially due to the realization my 15 GB iPod is about 60% full, so importing the iTunes collection would have taken up a good chunk of the iBook's 30 GB drive.

It's quite a bit more expensive than the iBook, but you get a faster processor, a disk drive that twice as big and faster, Bluetooth, and an aluminum case that looks stunning. Also worthy of mention would be the new features in the 2005 Powerbooks, namely a scrolling trackpad (I wish my iMac had one now!), Sudden Motion Sensor that'll park the disk heads if it senses that it might have just been dropped, and Bluetooth 2.0, a standard so new there's no peripherals that'll use the 2.0 speeds, only its 1.1/1.2 legacy support. 512 MB is finally enough for standard usage (I can't endorse anything less than 512 MB for OS X), but I still upgraded the memory. Too bad Apple still has 256 MB built-in, as I had to pull the socketed 256 MB SO-DIMM to put in a 512 MB SO-DIMM, unlike the 15" and 17" which come with a single 512 MB SO-DIMM and an open slot.

If you can afford the extra money over the iBook and need the features, this machine will quickly become your pride and joy. If a 30 GB HD is big enough and you won't be doing heavy-duty iMovie editing, I still believe the iBook is an unbelievable price/performance value. ... Read more

Product Description

PowerBook G4 Notebook, PowerPC G4 1.5GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, 15.2-inch WXGA TFT Display, 8X DVD / 24X16X24 CD-RW Combo Drive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Love it Love it Love it
nd The Powerbook is the third notebook I have ever owned. My last one was a Tablet PC, it was a good PC, i couldn t get enough of the pen, but this Powerbook beats it outright. First off it is Apple beautiful, the pictures on the web do it no justice. It has a georgeus alumiminum finish, that doesn t seem to stain, in addition it has zero protruding parts, it is smooth and sexy. OSX is a joy to use, believe the people who sing its accolades. One example, on my previous notebooks it was a chore and a half to file share between my main PC and my notebook PC, on my two Apples, it takes zero effort. As soon as I took my Powerbook out of the box it discovered my Imac G5 and i could immediately start moving files over my wireless network. It took me less then 20 mintues to move all of my important settings and files. The new two finger scroll pad, has totally changed my opinion on scroll pads, being able to scroll long web pages without pressing the mouse button is something I cannot remember how I did without. One last thing, the beauty of this laptop garners a lot of books, i always felt like a geek when using my windows notebooks in cafes and such, using this Powerbook, I feel like a stud. if you are trying to decide between the 12 inch and the 15 inch, go with the 15 inch, the widescreen is very useful, particually for Graphics work, if you are in school the wide screen is useful because you can open a web page on one side and your word processor on the other. Very useful. This is a definite must buy. Apple is the bomb.

Wintel to Win OSX Switcher
My first computer was a Wintel and so were my second, third, and fourth. My brother decided to take the fourth one away from me just a couple of weeks ago, so I had an opportunity to buy a new computer. A few of my college friends were boasting about their Apple Powerbook G4s, and being the Wintel user that I've been all of my life, I was curious. I did a lot of research - looked at reviews, literally studied every tech specs on the Apple Powerbook website, asked around, etc. Then, OSX Tiger came out that week and every tech website that I went to was boasting on and on about how wonderful thisnew operating system is. I decided that I HAD to give it a try and so I did!

My Apple Powerbook G4 15" came last week with an additional 512MB ram (1GB memory total) and I have to say, I'm pretty satisfied with it. Everything is amazingly easy and I love the dock! All of the programs that I use daily are only 1 click away and it makes my desktop looks uncluttered as compared to my Windows XP's desktop. Everywhere I've taken this baby, people have been amazed as to how thin and beautifully designed this is! Compared with other laptops, this baby is extremely light too! To think, my dad, who wanted me to stay with Wintel, wanted me to buy an 8lbs. Toshiba laptop. For my very petite size of only 5'0 and a little under 100lbs., I don't think I would've been able to carry that Toshiba in a shoulderbag around school. In addition, Apple makes wireless connection so easy to install and use! My friend, who owns an iBook with the same Airport installed in his computer says it's so easy to steal other people's wireless internet with an Apple. I don't know if this is true for Wintel laptops, but immediately when I'm near a place with wireless internet installed, my Airport automatically "discovers" it for me and I don't have to enter any usernames or passwords or anything! That's how easy it is. Not only does Apple make wireless connection easy to use, but a lot of Wintel users don't know that Mac is not as vulnerable to viruses as they are! About almost 75-95% of viruses created are made to target Windows users. This is why you don't hear any complaints about Macs affected by viruses. Now, isn't that wonderful?

However, I do have some minor complains though. First, this laptop DOES get pretty warm if you set it down on a flat surface or on your lap even because of the aluminum metal. Just make sure you don't wear short shorts and it shouldn't be too hot or purchase a laptop stand. Secondly, I do miss the right-click option on Wintel a whole lot. Now, I always have to CTRL + CLICK everything if I want to right-click and it can be a chore sometimes.

During my first week that I got this Powerbook, I was wondering why my battery life was so short since I only used iTunes, iChat, and Safari, and Airport wireless at the same time. I did some research and found out that the best way to maximize your battery's energy span is by FULLY DISCHARGING it, LET IT GO TO SLEEP, and PLUG IN THE POWER ADAPTER and let it charge until FULL. This should only be done once during your first week with your battery or any new battery. I've also read that if you're not using Bluetooth or Airport, remember to disable them so that you don't waste any energy.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with my Apple Powerbook G4. I saved $200 with the Apple Education discount so if anyone is planning to buy one soon in the near future, remember to take advantage of the discount (even if you're not currently enrolled in school; just pick any school - a school your children go to or a school that you went to and you'll still get the discount)!It cost me $2,050 total including the 1GB memory upgrade and tax altogether when it should've cost me $2250-$2300. This is a great investment and I hope any Windows user with curiosities about switching to Mac should go to the Apple store and try it out for himself!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Like another reviewer before me, I too have owned Macs for 20 years [at home].I also have worked with PCs at work for the past 20 years as well.I have watched and worked with the evolutions of the hardware and the operating systems.Both Wintel and Mac products have been, more or less, just fine.

I just purchased a month or so ago from Amazon.com [a good point of sale] a Powerbook G4 1.5. and of course Mac OS 10.3.8.

Yes, there are Wintel laptops that offer, at a higher price, brighter, sharper screens.Yes, there are laptops that offer, at a higher price, slightly faster operations than the Powerbook.But, if you combine the solid "feel" of the hardware with the absolute elegance of Mac OS 10, you have a combination hard to beat.

The more I work with this system, the more I am impressed.Two quick examples: I am studying Spanish and trying to practice writing sentences.Lo and behold I discover that OS 10 allows me the option of changing my keyboard from English to Spanish [or German or any one of scores of other languages] and thus I can type the Spanish punctuation [upside down question marks, for example].

I also had occasion to set up bluetooth devices on a PC and on my Powerbook.With the PC I had to insert a CD, go through a relatively elaborate set up process.It worked just fine, but with the Mac, there was no driver set up needed, just a 10 second "pairing" process and the blue tooth mouse was scampering across the table top.

These are not "assets" advertized or promoted.I just discovered them and I feel like I have a lot more pleasant discoveries ahead of me.

The only computer you'll ever need
I'm just a regular person with no training in graphics or computers. Apple has changed all that. I used PCs all my life and now realize that I wasted my time & money. PCs will never compare to Apple, and frankly, I don't undertand why people bother. I thought buying a G4 desktop was the best purchase of my life. But this powerbook (PB) is an even better purchase. Since I've bought it, I have totally (and I mean "totally") ignored my G4 desktop. I do all my computing from the comfort of my couch. I do everything wirelessly. Apple's OS X is unbelievably stable. This PB is great for the user who enjoys using higher end digital equipment and software. Apple software is simply the best. The graphics intense power simply sits on your lap. iPhoto is easy to use and with a .mac account, you can share your photos on the internet in just a few easy minutes. With music, garageband allows me to plug in my guitar and record my music. Then I use gargeband to add some bass, drums and other instruments. I then save it in iTunes and post my music on the internet where friends can download my music onto their iPods. I'm not even a good guitar player but garageband turns me into a musical genius. As for digital movies, I download my footage into Final Cut Pro and edit my movies while sipping latte at Starbucks. I then use my PB to burn my movies on a DVD and share them with friends and family. And I'm just getting started! As life goes on, Apple continues to improve and so do I. I highly recommend this powerbook. It will change your life...

A PowerBook to Die For
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 15 inch PowerBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, "It's about time Apple put out a computer that had enough memory in it to actually run it!" I have an old G3, 14 inch iBook and right off the bat I had to buy more memory, bumping it up to 640 megs, so knowing this baby comes with 512 right out the door, will bring a sigh of relief to anybody thinking of buying one.

The screen on this baby is gorgeous, no reading glasses for me here. This machine is svelte and sleek, comes with Airport Extreme built in. Has all the usual ports, plus FireWire 800 and it's crowning jewel, in my humble opinion, is the backlit keyboard. Apple claims it's ten times brighter than the old model. I can attest to the fact that it's brighter, but ten times, I don't know, I didn't see it. However, it's plenty bright enough to work in the dark. This 1.5 GHz model does not come with a Superdrive, but for an extra two hundred bucks you might not care.

Compared to my aging, but still working like a champ iBook, this baby screams. And the 80 gig hard drive gives you plenty of room to load up those MP3s to play in iTunes.

All I have to add is to say, well done Apple, you have created a PowerBook to die for. Five stars and worth every one.

Jack Priest, Sailor home from the Sea ... Read more

Product Description

The Sony VAIO A Series Digital Studio PC is a premier notebook, designed to offer the cutting edge of technology and performance with incomparable style. The AV entertainment dock plugs you into a powerful TV tuner and personal video recorder, letting you watch and record your favorite shows. The 17" widescreen LCD display with XBRITE technology lets you enjoy crisp images and vivid colors. More than a PC, more than a TV, it's a feature packed multimedia solution. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

DO NOT BUY A SONY.
DO NOT BUY A SONY UNTILL YOU CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING LINK.
THIS LINK HAS HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS(50 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS) WHO HAD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR A LAPTOP FOR WHICH THEY'RE PAID IN EXCESS OF THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BEGIN WITH..

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=0


I purchased a Sony pcg-grz630 laptop which started freezing every few minutes around 2 years after purchase. This is a manufacturing issue, wherein the memory slot seems to be loosened with time, as hundreds of people over the internet have reported this same issue. Sony's customer service is a total fortress, which you cannot access if you're not willing to pay for each call !!

Great laptop if you're willing to spend the money.
I was planning on picking up a laptop at the end of 2004 or early in 2005, but learned about Intel's new mobile chips that feature more cache. So I waited and picked this up from Sony, which has the Intel M 750 at 1.86 Ghz and 2MB of cache. It also has Intel's 915PM chipset, which is Intel's better chipset for mobile applications. It has a great screen and plenty of power and memory.

I also like the fact it has a new 128mb video chip from ATI (X600) that supports PCI Express. This laptop has 1GB of memory, which I would recommend since 512MB is barely enough today. The hard drive also has plenty of space at 100GB and seems to be fast enough running at 5,400 rpm with SATA interface.

The Sony software for audio and video and editing seems pretty good and I haven't had any problems so far. One thing, I have Office Professional, so I deleted the lame 60-day Office trial package that came with the computer before I could fully access all the programs in my Pro suite.

One of the big selling points of the computer is its excellent 17" wide screen. Out of the box, it looks very good and I haven't even tried to optimize it yet. I'm thinking that the ErgoBright technology, while good for certain areas since it automatically adjusts brightness, compromises maximum picture quality. This feature could be defeated. Generally speaking, these types of auto adjustment features are best left inactive when viewing movies. I find this to be the case with widescreen TVs also. The docking station and speakers are also a plus. Sound from the speakers built into the laptop is only average. I haven't tried headphones yet or the speakers that come with the docking station and I can't yet vouch for the quality of the laptop's internal sound. However, I might pick up an Echo Indigo IO audio pc card. Laptop sound quality is generally average at best, and this add-on card could be a nice upgrade.

This computer is also very quiet, relatively speaking, which is very important to me since I don't like noisy computers. Overall, it is a well thought out design and Sony definitely didn't skimp on the components. ... Read more

Product Description

PowerBook G4 Notebook, PowerPC G4 1.5GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, 12.1-inch XGA TFT Display, 8X DVD+/-RW SuperDrive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Great for portability
This PowerBook packs a great punch for its size!

I am impressed by the speed, and I love the fact that they put in a MINI-DVI port, allowing you to plug it into almost any large screen LCD display or TV

If you need a portable solution now, then look no further!

Another Mac convert
This is the first Mac I've ever owned and truthfully, I was forced to get it for my particular school.I disliked it in the beginning few weeks when I was getting readjusted, but now I'll never go back to the land of PCs, ever.With that said, this is an excellent laptop.I'd give it a 5 just for looks.I don't do anything too fancy on it and it works for me.The color screen is brilliant and the OS/setup easy to use.Walk into any hip coffee shop and all you see are these babies.
For technical details, go read someone else's review, but after using this for two years, I have a few complaints.The laptop gets very hot to the touch (especially the left side where you rest your palm) after a few hours of being on.This is slightly irritating, especially to other people who occasionally use my computer.I just put the keyboard cover over the area though.Hopefully this can be addressed in the next generation of 12-inch Powerbooks.Secondly, after a while, the silver chassis gets a bit dull with use, probably due to sweat and dirt.Haven't figured out how to clean it, or if can be.And the pointer touchpad goes a bit wacko sometimes.Besides that, I've been very happy with this laptop and look forward to buying more products from Apple again.

FYI: this system ships with Panther, not Tiger
fortunately you can get an upgrate to Tiger for $10:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

It's a bit of a hassle, but still the best deal (after rebate) for this system right now.

A great computer for anyone in your home.
Being a technician on many products, I've come to learn that computers are tools. I came to work on Apple products through the years but recently my job functions required more hands on use of the G4. Mac Office 2004, which you have to buy on the side doesn't have a good ODBC plugin that makes it hard for people in finance to do their job. That is unless you buy a third party plugin for Office. Some of the features loaded on OS X are not fully developed and seem to be added just so they can add it to the ever-growing list of features. I'd say the top programs I use are Terminal, iTunes, iPhoto, Adium, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Quicksilver.

I'm sure I can get a lot of Mac enthusiasts to argue against me and flame me in every way possible. That's the beauty of this system; you actually have a fan base that most other systems don't. It's fairly easy to adapt to this operating system and hardware if you have patience. I think the nicest thing about this laptop is the DVD-RW that comes with it, Apple calls it a "Superdrive." Although you'd probably be recommended to buy Roxio's Toast program to burn cds. All in all you have to be ready to fork out some money when you switch.

Personally I love the G4, I have distanced myself enough to be very critical on some items but this is one product that doesn't have much criticism. Of course that is compared to almost every other system out there. They've embedded FreeBSD into the OS perfectly and makes it sound for developers to use and compile software. I do hope that in the future Apple fixes a lot of the minor glitches and becomes mainstream because this product is a very valuable tool.

nice laptop!
It's a nice laptop.Most of the other stuff has been said, but I will comment about battery life remarks:

The ultra portable "PC" laptops that get "double" the battery life mentioned by one poster, are most often pretty stripped- no CD, etc- with everything turned off.We have one model ultraportable laptop at work that does have a CD/DVD and it gets great battery life- all day on battery, plug it in O/N, go all day again- but it's a cutting edge, top of the line PanXXXXic, costs close to double what this 12" powerbook is going for today.

In my use, this is a great little laptop, with the DVDR and firewire etc, it's a small light bundle with all the bells and whistles I wanted. ... Read more

Product Description

iBook G4 Notebook, PowerPC G4 1.33GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, 60GB Hard Drive, 14.1-inch XGA TFT Display, 8X DVD / 24X16X24 CD-RW Combo Drive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (12)

This is cool get it!!
This iBook is the best computer i have ever used. The os is great Much beter than xp. My dad gave me two getting an c- on the ITBS. Apple's great macintel !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shiny Apple
Elegant.That's the word I've used to describe this laptop since buying it.You can put Jane Hathaway in a ball gown, but she's still homely.This thing is more like Jackie Kennedy.It's got the ball gown, but it also speaks French and doesn't snort at dinner parties.

I've read quite a few of the reviews for the iBook 14".I, like many reviewers, I am a new convert to Apple.I used the old (first generation?) Macs in college in the mid-80's, and loved them then.PCs were just bulkier, uglier, and tougher to navigate.PCs have obviously come a long way, and so have Apples.

I bought my iBook at CompUSA, which had an 18 month no interest promotion on all computers, which got my attention.I'm not a huge nerd, but I do spend a lot of time online and do a lot of digital photography.I also am president of my homeowner association, so I do quite a bit of writing--meeting minutes, newsletters, etc.I talked with the nerds (IT guys) at work, telling them that I was about to buy a laptop.We use Dell at work, and I found a great deal on a Dell at Costco.com.I showed them the deal, and they agreed it was a good price, but I might need a few upgrades.Several of these IT guys mentioned an Apple as a choice.I didn't feel like learning a new operating system, so I actually placed the order for the Dell.

Believe it or not (and I hope this doesn't turn too many people off), it was Rush Limbaugh who made the best arguments for Apple for me.He was talking to a listener who had called him asking which computer would be best for his daughter who was entering graduate school.Rush (a technophile) suggested the PowerBook and went down a laundry list of reasons to choose Apple over PC.At the top of the list (like many of the lists here) is the fact that there are virtually no virus issues with Macs.I turned the car around and went to CompUSA to check out the (small and somewhat neglected) Mac department.I cancelled my order for the Dell and bought my friendly little iBook.

There's no vert like a convert, and I'm convinced.I've always thought Apple people were just a little too fanatic.Now I see why.Frankly, I wish Apple would just offer a serious money back guarantee.I'm convinced that once most people get one of these things home and find out that there's NOT much of a learning curve, and the lack of heat, exceptional speed (I did upgrade to 768 MB RAM), and available MS Office for Mac, they'd forget all about getting their money back and decide they got a realy good deal.

5 Stars, but this iBook Wants More Ram
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 14 inch iBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, how come Apple is still putting out iBooks without enough ram to run them properly? After all these years of releasing underpowered machines, they finally came 'round right with the PowerBooks by bumping up the ram to 512 megs instead of the lousy 256 they're pushing the iBooks out the door with. So add another 75 bucks to the price. Which is still a pretty good deal, considering now that Apple has built in Airport Extreme. This machine comes with the combo drive and unless you need to record video it'll do you fine and you'll save a couple hundred bucks to boot over the model with the Superdrive.

This G4 is way speedier than the old iBook 700 I'm still using. That old G3 processor just does not measure up to the G4. However the screen seems brighter and crisper.

I'd just love to give this computer a five star rating, but shame on you Apple for not bumping up the ram. You have made a darn fine machine, otherwise, and the ram required to run System X right would have made it just about perfect.

Jack Priest, Sailor Home from the Sea

Don't make the mistake of the masses, switch to a Mac
After all of my life using Windows software, Windows-based OS, systems built for the flawed programs and having my computers overtaken with spyware, bugs, worms, viruses, adware etc...I did about a years worth of on-line research and took the plunge into buying a laptop that only 5% of the population acknowledges.I am thoroughly impressed and surprized at how happy this computer has made my computing needs enjoyable.
First off,as other readers have said 1.33 GHz vs. 2.whatever processer speeds don't really mean a whole lot.(compared it to friends 2.4GHz and my ibook was faster)So, don't let these well publicized numbers sway you

Second, NO VIRUSES!Let me say that again...NO VIRUSES!The platform apple uses for their OS is rock solid.Most Mac users use no anti-virus, spyware, adware etc.programs because there is not (to my knowledge) a way to infiltrate the system. NO VIRUS CONCERNS!!!

Third.The programs in the mac are so intuitive...The computer was built by Apple, the programs were built by Apple...so everything is where it should be.It is easy to find everything you want and nothing you don't.This part is hard to put into words.Basically, if you need a file you can find it, easy.

Fourth.Other computers may look initially enticing by their low prices...but buyer beware...don't compare apples to oranges.The only two purchases/upgrade I think are essential are to max out RAM (which should be done by yourself to save big $$$, which doesn't void your warrantee (apple actually gives you directions to do so and it's very easy)) and to buy Microsoft Office if you must comply with most who use Microsoft for easy cross communication between platforms.

I will NEVER buy another computer system which solely operates on Microsoft products, with viruses, files scattered throughout, crashing, etc...I wouldn't even consider it.

Do your research, talk to some apple owners, you won't miss you're PC for a minute once you have that beautiful mac in your possession.

So many other reasons to switch...once you own a Mac, you'll never go back.

iBook review -for those looking to "switch"?
Let me qualify this review by making it clear that I am not a Mac user. My only experience with Mac's is a few mins spent each time I visit Apple store. I am writing this for those thinking of a switch from XP to Mac. I know it will be unpopular with Mac fans but hope it helps you XP users make the right decision.

iBook pro's,
1. It looks sleek, smooth and sexy. Nothing in PC world is this well designed.
2. No weekly patches coming from Redmond to apply.
3. No anti-virus or anti-spyware needed (?)
4. Longer battery life than PC laptops but not by much.
5. Can't really think of anything else other than the different and coolness factor.

Con's,
1. Screen, screen, screen. The 14" ibook just look awful with Mac OS X's anti-aliased fonts. XP's Cleartype seems really really clear in comparison. (Search for "Quartz Extreme" for more details on Apple's website)
2. Need to spend $160+ to put in 1GB RAM (in contrast XP runs similarly fast on just 512MB, about $30 expense for an extra 256MB stick).
3. All accessories are extremely high priced. How about $60 for a mouse?
4. No upgrades, everything except RAM slot is very hard to reach. 2 dozen mini-screws before you reach hard disk!
5. Need to buy new softwares, I have almost everything needed for XP already.
6. Non-scrolling & single button touchpad.
7. Paying atleast 30% premium compared to similar hardware with Wintel laptops.
8. Stuck with propreitary things Apple does, no innovation or competetion like in PC world.
9. Need to buy Apple's extended warranty because very few people can open or repair it. And laptops can't be fixed at home unlike desktops.
10. It is heavier than many Wintel laptop with low volt processors like Pentium M.
11. Lots of softwares and devices just don't work on Mac.

>>What good is a laptop that would give you strain with its tiny fancy fonts?

>>What good is wasting your hard earned money for nothing special?

>>What good is a fancy laptop if it can run only propreitary software from Apple and very little else?

In short, don't fall for that iPod "halo effect" that Wall Street analysts are talkin about. The iBook/Powerbook look very good but are no good for most XP users, unlike iPod. XP itself is very stable by now, just needs lots of patches/updates. Don't waste your time & money on this. ... Read more

Product Description

The ultimate portable desktop.

Miraculously engineered, the ultralight 17-inch PowerBook G4 is a mere 1-inch thin and only 6.9 pounds, making it one of the planet’s thinnest, lightest, 17-inch notebooks.

Power on Display
The first thing you’ll notice is the megawide displaythe largest ever in a notebook. This PowerBook’s stunning display gives you the same viewing area as a 19-inch CRT monitor. And as for the amount of information you can see on the screen at one time, the 17-inch PowerBook supports a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixelsan eye-popping 1.3 million pixels appearing on the screen simultaneously, with room aplenty for your menus, toolbars and palettes. Thanks to its built-in, dual-link DVI support and 128MB of graphics memory, you even have the option of connecting your PowerBook to Apple’s breathtaking flat-panel displays, including the massive 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display. Featuring a powerful 1.67GHz PowerPC G4 processor, a standard 5400-rpm 100GB hard drive, an 8x SuperDrive, up to 2GB of DDR RAM and AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR built right in, the top gun of notebook computers has it all.

As Smart as It Looks
You’ll love the high-resolution 17-inch active-matrix display with brilliant 1440 x 900 pixel resolution. And you’ll marvel at the way this supersharp display fits into such a remarkably small frame: just 15.4 inches wide, 10.2 inches deep, 1.0 inches thin and a mere 6.9 pounds. Housed in a lightweight and durable aluminum alloy enclosure, the 17-inch PowerBook G4 is resistant to stains and scratches. Flat-out, drop-dead gorgeous, this revolutionary notebook is perfectly smooth on all surfaces, with no doors, protruding latches, levers or external buttons to accidentally press or break, and no sharp edges to catch on your clothing.

Built for Speed
The 1.67GHz processor gives a tremendous performance boost with ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Put to the Final Cut Pro test!
I'm very impressed by Apple's latest PowerBook

At first, I was hesitant to get it, mainly because I was not impressed by the 1 ghz's performance on FCP and DVDSP

However, this PowerBook has really blown me away ---- in FCP, I was able to play 4 layers at once, all composited upon each other, in real time!

The Apple Store also had HDV footage from the newest Sony camera -- and on that, the PowerBook could handle three layers, composited upon each other, in real time ---- very impressive!

I didn't put it into Motion or DVDSP tests, but the old 1 ghz PowerBook couldn't even open Motion

the 128 in Video-Ram makes a big difference on this PowerBook

Otherwise, for simple multitasking, email, and word processing, the PowerBook is solid

So overall, do not let the Intel switch veer you from purchasing a Mac right now ------ if you need the PowerBook, particularly for video editing, then go for it! You'll be happy with your purchase

The best notebook out, period.
Unless you're a 100 pound weakling, stop complaining about the weight of this notebook and get it. This is the top of the line PowerBook. I was considering the 15inch since I heard the other complaints about the weight and portability of the 17" but went with my own judegement and got the 17". I'm very happy with my decision and purchase. The RAM was upgraded 2GB on my system (which is the maximum). This system outperforms my previous ThinkPad which had a similar specs. The OS is rock solid (Tiger 10.4). Essentials to have WHEN you get this are a great case (I'd recommend Timbuk2 Commute XL), Office 20004 for the Mac, Quicken 2004 for the Mac and if you're into games, Doom 3 for the Mac. My future purchases to complement this system will be the iSight and Airport Express.

If you've been considering this system for a while, take the plunge. You won't regret it.

The best value
There are, quite literally, thousands of notebooks in the market today, ranging from $500 to $3000+ in price. If you're looking through the reviews of the magnificent $2700 17-inch Powerbook, you might be wondering if the price, the upfront cost of a Macintosh, is justifiable given that one can easily purchase 5 of the $500 notebooks. I looked around myself, but it came down to these:

1. The big screen. Most 17-inch Windows notebooks try to be media centers, and they weigh a ton. This Powerbook is barely more than an inch thick.

2. Size. I don't have big hands, but I do like a comfortable writing space. The keyboard has a nice tactile feel, it's backlit in dim lighting conditions.

3. Quietness. There is hardly a sound from the computer, and unless I'm doing processor-intensive work (like watching Quicktime HD sample movies), the fan is never on. It lets me focus on my work, rather than get distracted and annoyed at the grinding noise from the fan and hard drive.

4. Ease of use. All the necessary plugs (USB, firewire, etc) are present. More importantly, OS X (I'm using 10.4) with the included iLife '05 productivity software is easy to learn, and based on my experience from Windows PCs, makes me more productive quickly.

5. Software. The OS and the bundled software (I mentioned them above) don't intrude, requiring constant attention and drivers to install when I plug in a camera for the first time. They get out of my way, and they let me produce results. It took me 30 mins to import photos, edit them, and make a DVD catalog (browseable in Safari) AND make a quicktime movie of a slideshow. I was never able to do this on my old Windows PC (3.4GHz P4).

6. Value. Macs have generally higher resale value than other PCs. It's one company, versus hundreds of companies making, generally, the same computer, and so they gravitate towards pricing as the differentiator. I sold my 6-month-old 14-inch iBook G4 at 80% of the original price I paid. That's hard to do with any other PC or notebook.

And we come to price. At $2700, it is expensive, there is no getting around it. But when I compared to a comparable Dell 17-inch notebook (very nice, I must add), and added hardware and software features, resale value, plus considering ease of use and increased productivity, the $2700 in price is a bargain. Consider with a grain of salt, make your own comparisons and judgements.

You Don't Need a Desktop Machine Anymore
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 17 inch PowerBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, "It's about time Apple put out a computer that had enough memory in it to actually run it!" I have an old G3, 14 inch iBook and right off the bat I had to buy more memory, bumping it up to 640 megs, so knowing this baby comes with 512 right out the door, will bring a sigh of relief to anybody thinking of buying one.

The screen on this baby is gorgeous and really, really huge, stunning, no reading glasses for me here. This machine is svelte and sleek, but a bit to big to be taken on the road in my opinion. It comes with Airport Extreme built in. Has all the usual ports, plus FireWire 800 and it's crowning jewel, in my humble opinion, is the backlit keyboard. Apple claims it's ten times brighter than the old model. I can attest to the fact that it's brighter, but ten times, I don't know, I didn't see it. However, it's plenty bright enough to work in the dark. This 1.67 GHz model comes with a Superdrive and a scrolling trackpad (which I didn't mention in my other reviews). I found the trackpad scrolling business to be a little annoying, but no matter you can turn it off in System Prefs if you want. However, I imagine once you get used to it, one might find it darned handy.

In a way this baby is like having two computers in one, because you won't need a desktop anymore, not with all this screen real estate. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Apple really got it right this time.

Jack Priest, Sailor home from the Sea

Portability not such an issue
First of all, let me state that while I have used this machine, I am the current owner of an older model - the first generation 17" with a 1GHz processor and a 60GB hard drive.

One of the biggest questions I always hear is "Isn't that too big to carry around?" My answer is no. I carry it for a 20 minute walk to my college campus daily and have no problems with it. I keep it in a Brenthaven bag specifically designed for it, and while it is a little unwieldy, it took me very little time to get used to it. The weight is definitely not an issue. For anyone thinking about getting this, I would weigh any bag that you carry with you on a day to day basis - seven pounds really isn't so much to deal with.

I use my Powerbook as my primary machine. At any given time, I am usually running Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator, Macromedia Flash, as well as a few native applications (Mail and iCal are always open, usually iTunes as well). The programs that come with the computer are well integrated into the operating system. I use mine for about 15 hours a day, and I put it to sleep rather than shutting it down. Even with all of the work that I do on it, a year and a half after purchasing my model it still stays on for two to three weeks with no need to shut it down.

The backlit keyboard is a feature that I never thought I would need, but now that I have it I'm not sure how I ever lived without it. Light sensors automatically adjust your screen brightness and keyboard lighting, although these can be adjusted manually. It makes working a breeze. Even though I don't look at the keyboard very much when I'm typing, it's nice to be able to see when I need to use keys I don't access very often (function keys, etc.). Since the keyboard lighting controls take up extra function keys, the "one-key" Expose features in OSX require one more step with pressing function before hitting F9-F11, but if it poses a real problem you can always set screen corners or change the hot key.

My biggest issue with this computer is the battery life. With the brightness turned all the way down (which can make the screen very difficult to see depending on your lighting conditions) and AirPort turned off, it can get around 3.5-4 hours of battery life. If you need full brightness and a wireless internet connection, you're realistically looking at about 2-2.5 hours of battery life.

Overall, I am a large supporter of this computer. I would recommend it to anyone that has a need for a Macintosh with maximum screen size and portability. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your entertainment center with you wherever you roam with the HP Pavilion ZD8110US 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 ZD8110US can also unleash your digital creativity with the multiformat, dual-layer DVD/CD burner and included Image Zone photo editing and management software. This multimedia notebook features a super-fast, hyper-threaded 3.0 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 128 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 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 630 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 large 2 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: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the ZD8110US multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data.
• 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 ZD8110US 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 IR (infrared) port
• 1 Expansion Port 2 connector
• 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). 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 ZD8110US isn't the most easily portable notebook. It measures 15.7 x 11.4 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 ZD8110US 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

Product Description

The Satellite R15-S822 convertible notebook allows users to work with a traditional keyboard or rotate and fold the LCD screen on top of the keyboard for use as a Tablet PC with digital pen-based input and control. The notebook features a 14.1-inch XGA display that offers a large 8.5- by 11-inch writing and viewing area, simulating the dimensions of a paper notepad.The Satellite R15-S822 also includes an integrated DVD-CDRW optical disc drive for multimedia enjoyment, 60GB hard drive, 512MB memory (expandable to 2GB) and Intel Centrino 802.11g wireless technology.In addition, the convertible form factor provides users an unparalleled level of flexibility. In Tablet PC mode, a user can hold the Satellite R15-S822 like a notepad and compute in any setting, including the comfort of one's couch, to sit back and brainstorm, browse the Web, or read an electronic book or magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent hybrid!!!!
I am a first time tablet buyer and thus read everything written on tablets before buying one. I am quite please with my choice.
I have owned an ECS desknote, Compaq Presario, IBM notebooks and Gateway desktop earlier. Right now, I am using the R15 along with my gateway desktop.
Several people wrote that it is probably better to go with a slate rather than a hybrid but I wasn't sure how much will I use my tablet functionality. It appears that I will use the R15 mostly as a tablet and sometimes as a notebook. So, my next purchase will be a slate.

I have such a poor handwriting that I cannot read it myself on some occasions. Thus I am surprised that R15 could read my handwriting so well. I didnt check the speech recognition function, but last time I looked at it, the technology hadn't advanced much.

Overall, R15 is a sturdy machine with good wireless card (I didn't have to set up the wireless). Battery life is good (and can stretch even more than 4 hours on some settings). The pen is very easy to use and pleasant experience. The drive makes a lot of sound but there is a silencer that can make the noise disappear (I am not sure whether it changes the perfomrance). I was quite worried about the cooling of the machine - I checked an averatec which was too hot to handle. R15 manages the heat disspiation quite well, thought it reamins warm (not hot like so many other machines).

I decided not to go with Averatec as I read too many bad reviews and my last experinece with an unknown brand was extremely bad. So, i decided to spend 350 bucks extra on a known brand.

I found the performance of the machine to be at least as good as my 2.2Ghz desktop. I simultaneuously ran word, outlook, excel and onenote and performnnce was still good.

Amazon gave a great deal (and when i bought it was the cheapest R15 around). They also shipped in just 3 days (although they said it woudl take 5-9 days). Buying at Amazon was a pleasure - as always.

The only thing I dont like about R15 is the weight. Although, as a laptop the weigth is not problem, when it is used as a slate holding it in one arm for long is difficult. But this is a trade-off I made to have a larger screen, built in optical drive, and laptop functionality. I am not disappointed with the trade-off.

Overall, I would recommend this machine to someone who doesn't know how much he/she would use it as a tablet and for first time tablet buyers. I would also recommend potential laptop buyers to take a good look at this hybrid as it has amazing features (as a tablet) that would change the way you work with your computer.

Overall it's a good machine for the price
I wrote a review of the R15 that would take too much space here.You can view at VBInk dot com.

In general, I agree with the previous reviews. I would recommend it for people new to tablets.My next one may be a slate though.I didn't think I was too mobile beofre getting the R15.A new world has opened up to me.In a couple years I'll be ready for a slate.Someone told me "If you buy a convertable, try to use it only in Tablet mode to really learn and benefit from the tablet features. Otherwise, you'll end up using the Tablet as a notebook and the purchase would have been pointless."

Excellent tablet pc - versitile - but A Monster
I agree with the previous review.I've had this machine for over about a week now and I love it...but it's a monster.Heavy and big.When converted into tablet form it is much more manageable (at least it's not so bulky then).I bought a verizon broadband card and I've been in heaven.Never have to worry about an internet connection now...I use the tablet form when in meetings and when I have to walk around.The machine itself is great.Comes with OneNote installed...great features...big screen (although that can be a pain because it makes the machine bigger; I like the big screen though)...and a very good price for what you get. If you're willing to spend over 2.5K you can get the Fujitu T4000 which is smaller and lighter and looks like a great machine....but you pay over 1K more (which I was not willing to do).The R15 is a very functional machine; it does what I need it for and although it's a bit heavy and bulky it is an excellent value.Hopefully it will stand the test of time and not fall apart on me after I write this review :)

BEST FOR THE PRICE
I wanted to buy a tablet pc for a long time but the only thing that was keeping me away from it was that the price was too high for something with very low computing power and in most cases no optical drive. For the ones with a good configuration and an optical drive the price was too high. I loved the functionality of the tablet pc so was not able to decide whether to buy a notebook or a tablet, but then this came along and I have to say it is the best for the price, I have given it 4 stars only because it is on the heavier side for a tablet pc, but then I guess you can't have everything for this price. If you want something light and can do without a CD/DVD drive and a smaller screen then you should consider the TOSHIBA M200 or the FUJITSU T4000. Except the weight this is a great machine. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very Disappointed on This Sony Notebook and Tech Support
I agree with "Amazon Fan" almost 100%.I didn't believe what he said until I bought an S460 and tested by myself.This unit is the "hottest" (temperature wise of course) notebook I've ever used.As Amazon Fan mentioned, "this laptop gets heated up so much that you cannot hold it, the meaning of "LAP"TOP loses its meaning"!(I guess that's why Sony call it notebook instead of laptop.) And I don't know how many people can withstand that kind of temperature on their right hand without wearing a glove.Even Sony "admitted" this heat problem (got it from Sony Tech Support):

(...)
"Do not use the notebook computer on your lap for an extended period of time." and
"Extended contact with the computer or adapter may cause discomfort."

Another big issue to me is Sony's false advising on their web site and putting inferior parts in this notebook.The specs at their web site for all S Series (VGN-S430/S460/S470) on memory:

Memory - 512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR2 (512MBx1)

But what I found that there are two SamSung's 256MB (333MHz according to BlueDemon) memory modules in my S460. As a matter of fact I've checked many S460's at local retail stores and they all come with the same 256MBx2.This will prevent users to add more memory without throwing away some existing memory since both memory slots have been occupied.And if you notice that Sony do charge ADDITIONAL $100 for a single 400 MHz 512MB memory module than two 400 MHz 256MB memory modules when you're customizing S480 and S380 notebooks.This is a rip off by Sony and their tech support simply replied: "It's a misprint!"

Now I also believe Amazon Fan that "don't bet on Sony customer service, they will not accept that it is their fault".

4.3lb Performer: Your New Best Friend
In the category of ultra-portable notebook PC's, the VAIO S460 is a top contender.I shopped quite a while before deciding on this model, watching the S series evolve from the S160, S260, S360, S380, and finally to the latest offering, the S460.Let me get this out of the way first, the fan is not an issue and can be controlled through VAIO Power Management.Yes, this notebook does get rather warm on its underside, but keep this in mind, it comes loaded with the same hardware included in notebooks more than twice its weight.The newest generation Sonoma chip from Intel seems more responsive than my desktop running a P4 2.8 GHz with HT and 1 GB of RAM.

Good:
1.73 GHz Sonoma CPU w/ 533 MHz FSB
Dual-layer DVD Burner
80 GB 5400 RPM Hard drive
GeForce 6200 GPU (Great for even modern games,Patiently awaiting BattleField 2)
USB 2.0 and Firewire
Keyboard Size and Tactile response and feel
Can't forget the amazing LCD
Size and weight
Price after rebates
Overall build quality
Sleek Design

Bad:
Battery Life 3hrs+ (Get the High Capacity Batt from Amazon)
Hidden Recovery Partition on the hard drive
Have to make your won recovery disks
No Bluetooth (Can easily add USB Bluetooth Adapter under $50)
RAM included is 2 x 256MB modules labeled 333MHz from Samsung - Upgrading to 2GB DDR2 PC2-4200 533MHz RAM takes less than twenty minutes and costs under $300, but involves removing the keyboard (Sounds alot harder than it is)

What fan problem?
I don't really know what they are complaining abvout.When the fan comes on in mine it is a very quiet hum, in no way distracting or annoying.It does run a little hot, but so did my previous Gateway.It perfroms great, and is extremely light and easy to transport.To me, a great computer that is getting a bad rap because of a fan problem I don't even think exists.

The fan is not that terrible...
There have been complaints about the fan noise.On my unit when the fan is going full blast, it sounds about the same as a CD Drive on a Desktop computer.Not terrible but I can see how it may be annoying to some people.

The other bad thing about this unit is that it will only accept Sony brand batteries, so if you want a high power battery expect to pay $250-350 instead of about $100.00 for an OEM.

What sold me was the high quality LCD display, the best and sharpest one I have seen, even though it does not compare with my desktop CRT.

Other than the battery issue, I would give this unit 5 stars.

Jim Christensen
www.uwphoto.net

FAN SOUND WILL DRIVE YOU CRAZY
I got this notebook today, when I opened it , it looked great. I ts really a beauty to look at. Within 30 minutes of using it I was really upset. The FAN makes a lot of noise, I have had HP and even DELL does not make this much of noise. The laptop gets heated up soo much that you cannot hold it, the meaning of "LAP"TOP loses its meaning. This was a known issue in previous model but never expected Sony not to FIX it. I hope if you want a beauty to look at then buy this good looking crap, I would say its waste of money. I am returning mine very sooooon. Dont bet on Sony customer service, they will not accpept that it is their fault.. ... Read more

Product Description

Qosmio is true digital media convergence simply achieved through state-of-the-art and streamlined design. It's 4-in-1 functionality combines TV, Audio, PC and DVD features in one compact package. The multiple plug-and-play ports transform the unit simply into a gaming monitor, a digital camera slide show screen, audio-out to home systems for TV and MP3s, and more! Qosmio's sleek style echoes consumer electronics design, to complement existing electronics in the home.Experience entertainment fully with one trim notebook. Movies, music, television, gaming, internet and personal computing in the Qosmio F15 - all mobile and starting under 10 lbs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

amazing screen quality
I've had a qosimo F15 for only a few weeks, but so far it has amazed me - I have the US version as the European one is not as hi-spec. So far - screen quality amazing, sounds excellent (better than any other I've heard), and the way the ports are arranged are very user friendly as mentioned by the other reviewer. I've not tried the gaming on it yet but sounds and visison on everything else seem great so I am sure it will fine. The only complaint I might have is that the laptop does not last that long on battery power alone - I think just a couple of hours - which may be a problem for some.

New PC Owner
It hasn't been a month yet since I received the PC, but I like it so far.It's the software that I have to get use to.Usually, it's the software and/or the operator that is the problem and not the electronics.The display is clear and sharp.The color is great.For the size of the speakers, the sound is outstanding.I like the USB ports on three sides.I watched someone trying to give a presentation with a laptop with ill placed USB ports.He had a difficult time getting prepared.I would recommend the purchase of this model. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Replace your desktop PC with a notebook that rivals it in power. The Compaq Presario X6110US notebook PC offers an extra-large 17-inch display, ATI Mobility Radeon X600 video card with 128 MB of dedicated memory, and a fast, hyper-threaded 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor. But it's also ready to hit the road with built-in 54g wireless connectivity with 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support. The X6110US also features an 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, ExpressCard/54 slot, and multi-format memory card reader.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is a bit above average in size for notebook PCs. 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 hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 530 processor (3.0 GHz) allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate, and a 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

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

• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, DDR SDRAM, 266 MHz) 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: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the X6110US multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The X6110US 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. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot, which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a decent offering of connectivity options, which does include 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 port for connecting to a TV
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 6-in-1 Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Sticks, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia and xD Picture 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), Norton Internet Security 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Money 2005, Sonic RecordNow, Apple iTunes, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Intervideo WinDVD, MuVee Autoproducer, and MSN Encarta Plus.

Dimensions and Weight
A good choice for a desktop replacement that can also be mobile, this notebook measures 11.14 x 15.67 x 2 inches (LxWxD) and weighs 9.4 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 3 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the X6110US notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty and 30-day free software support. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Regarding heat sink problem.
I don't own this notebook but I own a presario 1525 model.
The reason I'm writing this review is to help those people getting inflicted by heatsink problem, which causes an sudden computer shutdown.
In my case, my presari 1525 had worked quite well for about 8 months and then I started getting system shutdown problem especially when I performed CPU intensive works like computer games, large file compression, etc. After quite a while, I found out heatsink was causing the problem so I disassembled the notebook and what I found out was a lot of dirst inside the heatsink and that was the cause of all the troubles. So I cleaned it and the problem is gone now. Now I can play games all day long and the computer never goes down.

I guess you should clean the heatsink every 6 months and all you need is T8 torx driver and thermal grease, which totally cost less than $10.

Extrapolating the quality of X6110US model with my past experience with 1525 model, I guess the new model still has the heatsink problem and since newer P4 CPU produces more heat, it's more likely to have heatsink problem. Except that, since I didn't have any problem at all with 1525 US model, I'd recommend this notebook to everybody who is willing to open up the case and clean the heatsink every 6 months.

And take a look at the spec of this notebook, it's fantastic.

I cannot stress this enough...
do NOT get a Compaq laptop. If you are looking for a laptop of quality that will last you more than six months, stay away from this one. As another review stated, Compaq is plagued with quality issues, while most people still think it's one of the best brands out there. There were so many little things that went wrong, I could fill up this review with them, but I want to focus on the worst, most expensive, and most common issue. It's one that Compaq is fully aware of, but refuses to change. It would cost them a measly few cents to upgrade this part, but again, they refuse. To put it simply, the jack in the back of the computer broke. That means the notebook WILL NOT charge anymore without me standing there holding it and wiggling it around every few minutes. If you look at pictures of the jack, it is a cheap, thin piece of flimsy plastic. Another thing you would notice is that you can purchase this piece of plastic for five dollars on Ebay. However, Compaq doesn't cover this extremely common issue under their warantee and charges $600 to fix it, even if you have the replacement part already. I spent $950 on the laptop itself. I can't find a computer repair shop that is willing to get inside of the computer and fix it either, because so few repairmen work with laptops due to their fragile state. This piece must be soldered in, after following seemingly hundreds of steps to take it apart.

The laptop has also started shutting down at random moments. I can no longer do school work, write lengthy emails, or begin any downloads on this notebook, because of it's random shutdowns. This review had to be typed in Word and saved every minute. These are not just shutdowns, mind you, they are periods when the computer just stops. It takes a few minutes to even get it to turn on again. This happens because I have to have the battery in it constantly due to it's faulty charger and the battery is being literally sucked dry.

PLEASE do NOT buy this computer. If you research a little, you will see how very common this issue is! You will spend much more money on this laptop than you are probably looking to spend, no matter what your actual buying cost is. After many recommendations, I have decided the next computer I buy (whenever I can scrape together the cash), will be a Dell. My brother (a computer junkie) highly recommends their customer service. They believe in actually fixing problems their customers have. I wish I'd known that before I bought this piece of junk.

If you do not or did not have this problem with a Compaq notebook, you are/were one of the lucky ones. The rest of us are out a thousand bucks.

Stylish and good feature set, but poor quality
The new Compaq Presario X6110US laptop is HP's attempt at injecting some consumer-friendly features into Compaq's traditional business-oriented product lines.The laptop has clean, sharp edges which give it a stylish look open or closed.It's well-equipped and performance is snappy.The screen is quite good, especially considering how past Compaq laptops had subpar LCD screens.

The big question, however, is quality.I fondly remember the old days, about 15 years ago, when the name Compaq was equated with performance, quality and value (value as in great bang for the buck, not in "cheap").Unfortunately today's Compaq desktops and laptops are plagued with quality problems.I had my X6110US for two weeks and on two occasions the machine would not boot.The backslash (\) key decided to take early retirement after a week.I've heard from a friend in the retail channel that recent Compaq laptops seem to suffer from some serious quality control problems.You might want to keep this issue in mind when you shop.To be clear: I didn't pay for the X6110US I had.If I had to pay for a new laptop with my own money, I'd have sprung for a Sony or Fujitsu in no time.

Excellent notebook!
I cannot say enough good things about this item.

Actually, I can't say anything at all about it. Amazon listed it (through Office Depot) for the low, low price of $549. Sometime after issuing me an order confirmation and billing my credit card, it became apparent that either Office Depot or Amazon had made a mistake, the upshot of which was that I was about to be shipped a wholly different (and unacceptable) item from Office Depot. Only through my own obsessive tracking of the shipment status did I figure out what happened; neither vendor notified me of the problem. (Did they think I wouldn't notice that my Compaq notebook had morphed into an HP desktop?)

What did Office Depot do? Blamed it on Amazon. Amazon, likewise, blamed Office Depot. Neither is willing to make good--or make anything even resembling a goodwill gesture. (One cranky Amazon customer service rep offered me free shipping on the item--which is already offered on the Web site.)

This is where Amazon and I part company. It's been a good run, but it's over!

... Read more

Product Description

iBook G4 Notebook, PowerPC G4 1.33GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, 60GB Hard Drive, 14.1-inch XGA TFT Display, 4X DVD-R SuperDrive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Great
I love this computer! I'd had it for a little over a year. I wanted a notebook and searched for the best possible one. Apple offers the latest technology and you are guaranteed high quality. I had my memory upgraded to 768MB RAM and don't have the Super Drive, but this computer is fast. It's great having wireless - I can pick up wireless points all over campus. My parents were worried about software but I haven't had a problem so far. Microsoft makes Microsoft Works for Macs (Word, Powerpoint, Excel).

This computer is small, and light weight for its size (I dare you to compare). I have also been very pleased with the battery life. I get about 4 hours on average- more if I dim the screen a bit.

Without a doubt, the best computer I've used.
I recently bought this iBook with a couple of modifications: I upgraded my Hard Drive to 80 GB and bumped the RAM up to 768MB.I also had a Bluetooth module installed.The computer works beautifully.I've been a fan of Apple for about three years ago, ever since I was introduced to them by the flat panel iMac.As much as I loved my iMac, however, I feel this iBook is far superior.

Reading reviews, you'll notice that the majority of Mac users are very loyal and devoted to their computers and Apple products in general.This is because they just WORK.This notebook will do what you want it to, just as it's designed to do with very few problems.Mac OSX is simple and intuitive, yet powerful at the same time.The book itself is well designed, with great battery life and durability.

I would, however, recommend purchasing extra RAM, as 256 just isn't enough for tasks beyond basic internet/emailing/word processing.I just order the extra RAM preinstalled, but if you'd like to save money, it is not difficult to install more yourself.

I would especially recommend this system to students or anyone who needs a dependable and easy to use portable that is stylish and functional.It is, by far, the best computer I've ever used.

5 Star Dream Machine, but could use a bit more Ram
I have a friend of a friend who works at an Apple store and just recenlty he let me play with all the new stuff, some old stuff too and here is my impression of the new, improved 14 inch iBook. First off, and I feel like shouting this, but I won't, how come Apple is still putting out iBooks without enough ram to run them properly? After all these years of releasing underpowered machines, they finally came 'round right with the PowerBooks by bumping up the ram to 512 megs instead of the lousy 256 they're pushing the iBooks out the door with. So add another 75 bucks to the price. Which is still a pretty good deal, considering now that Apple has built in Airport Extreme. This machine comes with the superdrive and is plenty fast enough to record video. Add that ram, I can't say it enough, and this would be dream machine. Heck, just order it with the ram installed.

This G4 is way speedier than the old iBook 700 I'm still using. That old G3 processor just does not measure up to the G4. However the screen seems brighter and crisper.

I'd just love to give this computer a five star rating, but shame on you Apple for not bumping up the ram. You have made a darn fine machine, otherwise, and the ram required to run System X right would have made it the perfect dream machine.

Jack Priest, Sailor Home from the Sea

Not As Good As Apple PowerBook
This is the cheaper and less packed notebook from the Apple product line. 1.33GHz PowerPC G4 processor is really slow and it's still using the G4 processor and it hasn't gone to the G5. 256MB RAM is not good at all because most notebooks now come standard 512MB. I think you should upgrade to atleast 1GB. 60GB Hard Drive isn't too bad but Apple could have done better. Super Drive which is always a plus. This has the wireless capability built in to it so you can take it on the go. The battery life is extremely good on Apple laptops. The styling isn't as good as the PowerBook but it really isn't that bad. Here are the specifications of the Apple iBook.

Processor| PowerPC G4
Screen Size (Inches/Diagonal)| 14.1
Optical Disc Drive| DVD-R / CDRW
Hard Drive (GB)| 60
Memory - Processing RAM included| 256MB
Memory - Processing RAM Maximum| 1.256GB
Memory - Video RAM| 32MB Dedicated
Connection - USB| 2
Connection - IEEE1394 Firewire| 1
Wireless Capability| Capable - Optional Card Required
Connection - For External Display Analog| 1
Connection - For External Display TV| 1
Connection - Wireless Network 802.11| Airport (available as option)
Connection - Sound| In/Out
Connection - RJ11| Yes
Connection - RJ45| Yes
Connection - Video| Out
Operating System| Apple Macintosh OS X
Software| Pre-Installed by Manufacturer
Unit Dimensions - High| 1.50
Unit Dimensions - Long / Wide| 13
Unit Dimensions - Deep| 10
Unit Weight - Approximate with Battery| 6.0
Manufacturer's Warranty - Hardware| 1 Year
Manufacturer's Warranty - Software| 1 Year

Source: www.jr.com

ibook review
2 weeks after receiving the ibook, the optical drive stopped working.sending it to apple for repairs, they promptly lost my ibook for 2 weeks.on receiving the notebook i had still had problems with the optical drive, but am unwilling to be without my ibook for 2 weeks again.And to be able to use the optical drive, i cannot store any cd's or dvd's in the drive on putting the notebook to sleep or shutting it down which is time consuming and just silly.Also, on return, the different components of the ibook are not flush anymore and creaks.also one of the rubber "feet"on the bottom that the ibook rests on fell off and was lost since it covers a screw which the service dept. would have needed to access.

on the positive, i like the os, but in the future am unwilling to pay extra for the supposed superior apple quality and service. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Read - Important !!!
There are a few major drawbacks in this notebook:

1. The battery lasts for only 1.5 hour configured with the highest battery
saving option (Lowest Screen Brightness etc.) while using only internet (no heavy apps) !!!
I have tested it with many options but you don't go above 1.5 hours.
The life span for these type of batteries are 500 cycles charge/dishcharge.

2. The Intel 2200BG Wireless Card which comes with this laptop and also other laptops
such as DELL, have a major problem of a "Lost connection" where you get disconnected
every 1 minute for a 10-30 seconds. You can search for this problem on GOOGLE and see
that lots of people have this unsolved issue !!!
Sony support was unable to solve this issue, Intel and Sony blame each other.
I managed somehow to solve this problem after 3 Days, non-stop sitting with the laptop.
The only way is to uninsatll the 9.0 version and download the 8.0 version from Intel
and install both Software and Drivers from Intel and let Intel's software manage your
Wireless instead of Windows XP.

3. The maximum RAM which can be installed is up to 1GB.

The bottom line, we are paying a lot of money for Mobile computing when we don't
actually get it in this notebook (both battery life and wireless).

Although I like very much the Design and the Display I have decided
I am returning this notebook !!!

Awesome Laptop!
Fantastic screen, weighs just over 6 pounds, good keyboard and fast!The usual crappy touch pad (sorry, but I prefer a mouse) but any wireless mouse makes this the perfect desktop replacement machine. The only complaint I have is that all of the connections (USB, ethernet, etc) are on the sides of the machine. I would have preferred them in the back of the machine. All in all though - an excellent laptop for people who need high performance! ... Read more

Product Description

The Sony VGN-T250P/L helps you stay productive while on the go with lightweight, portable features - an upgraded processor, DVD burner, long battery life, integrated wireless LAN and bluetooth and a unique, compact design.The T250P/L is the perfect companion for people on the go. With Intel Centrino Mobile Technology, integrated wireless LAN, integrated bluetooth and enhanced performance, this T250P/L is a small, light, yet powerful notebook. Stay connected through any of the thousands of HotSpots around the country. Burn and watch DVDs like never before with the 10.6" widescreen display with XBRITE Technology. Images and graphics will be sharp and crisp. ... Read more

Product Description

The Satellite A75 Series combines a host of multimedia features with a series of productivity applications to create a complete mobile computing experience perfect for PC digital media enthusiasts, young adults, and families. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How to buy your Item??
Hello My name is Smith, I live in Ny city, Please i will like to know if you still have this Toshiba Satellite A75-S231 15.4" Notebook PC for sale i will $1,580 for it and i will be happy to pay for it Via Western Union Auction Payment BidPay for your money Order, I would have prefer Paypal but am behind paypal farewell and its port has been block by my ISP provider Also i will like the item to be ship Via Speed Post {Royal mail/Ups} once you you agree to the payment term and condition i will need these information for the payment Name, Contact address,City,State,Zipcode, Country including your contact number in case of any need. if you still have this phone for sale please reply me

Good so far
I went and did my research and wasn't so concerned on price as long as the laptop had some of the latest and greatest.I went and did my reads in PC mag, consumer reports (membership req) as well as Amazon reviews of similar models.I was sorry to read the other guy who rated this computer and had such issues, and hope that your follow up will have some good news for you as well as giving us other Toshiba users some faith in the support group of that company!

I purchased my Toshiba from an online reseller and so far no major issues and I am adding more RAM as 512 should be the min.I had some driver issues when upgrading to XP pro but again a little patience and time and web site downloads from Toshiba and MS windows and all seems to be fine.

I have yet to do anything major with it and I have not loaded on some space hogging software I use, that will be the test. Wireless worked fine and I am pleased with the screen. Cooling fans are loud but not a big deal but it heats up hot and fast so it needs to be cooled!

Being at 3.3 gig it is one of the largest laps or desktops out there at the moment, however, in no time 3.3 will be small! All I can say is do you research, ask others, read reviews, make sure you get warranty/support and hell if it isn't working, fight to return it, get another or get your money back and go after another, you the consumer have rights look for return/exchange policies within the quickest time frames, ABC or Fox news consumers hotlines to help if needed too, just don't allow them to walk on you especially if it's the product that is the problem!I must admit from past experience going through a Best Buy or Circuit City, I have NOT been pleased with the "I don't care attitude" once you have purchased from them. Just think, research, no impulse and if it's real new technology wait, as it needs to be tested and or competition formed and prices drop as well as bugs fixed.

Will advise if I come up against anything out of the ordinary or that I read has happened to others hence being a common product flaw, which Toshiba would address if enough people report the issue or issues.More to come.

Never buy this computer, or TOSHIBA
This is the worst experience I have ever had in buying a computer.
I ordered this through amazon.com with fastest shipping option. And I got it 2 days later. OK. so far so good.

First, I turned on the computer and everything worked well.
But after I uninstalled Norton Untivirus ( 90 days trial which is pre-installed to this computer) in order to install the newest version of it. After the uninstallation, it asked me to restart the computer and I clicked "OK". and..... it never reboots.
Just its fans are screaming out loud and the power lit is on, but there is nothing on the screen. What the hell is going on?

I immediately called the customer service. First time I told them this situation, he said he would pass this matter to "level 2". and He said they were gonna call me back soon. But, as you imagine, NO CALL.

So, I call them again and the other guy picked up the phone. and asked me to bring it to UPS or ask them to send me a box, which I have to pay $25.

Tomorrow, I will bring my laptop to UPS and send this to TOSHIBA repair center. I have no idea when the hell I can get this back, with perfectly repaired.

I will write what happened later.
... Read more

Product Description

Slim, light & packed with features for your mobile survival.

Loaded With FeaturesFor Your EverydayComputing Needs
Wide display and generouskeyboard, yet weighs justaround 4 pounds. Long batterylife and integrated wirelessgive you the essentials youneed for mobile survival.

Innovative Sony®Technologies DeliverSuperior Performance
High resolution 13.3 widescreen lets you see more of your pages and spreadsheets. XBRITE™ technologydelivers ultra-sharpgraphics to enjoy dynamicvideo. Smart Display Sensorinstantly adjusts resolutionwhen connecting to a compatible display or projector.

Put Your VAIO®Notebook To Work
Create exciting multimediapresentations, training, orvideo reports for work orschool. Use digital photos,graphics, music and videoclips for websites, email,presentations and DVD.

Stay Connected WithYour VAIO® Notebook
Sony® VAIO® notebookswith Intel® Centrino™ MobileTechnology with integratedwireless LAN enables longerbattery life in light, easy to carry designs. Wireless LAN support lets you connect to thousands of Hotspots across the country to checkemail, surf the web and stayconnected.

VAIO® S Series notebooksare packed with uniqueand powerful featuresdesigned to enhance yourproductivity and entertainment while on the road and beyond. Generous screen and keyboard won’t cramp your style whether on aplane or at a hotspot. Slim,light and just the right sizefor those always on the go.

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.
• 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

Keep productive on the road,--but don't forget to have fun--with the HP Pavilion ZV6010US, which features a large 15.4-inch display and built-in 54g wireless connectivity. The dual layer DVD-/+RW drive makes it easy to burn presentations to disc as well as back up critical files to double-layer DVD discs (with 8.5 GB of storage). It's also handy for watching movies as you fly the friendly skies to your next appointment. This notebook also features a spacious 100 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M processor, multi-format memory card reader, and the memory efficient, fast AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is above average in size, and is befitting of such an entertainment-centric laptop. You'll be able to store a hefty digital audio library.
• Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 3500+ processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. This 2.2 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to a blazing 2200 MHz and 512 KB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.) It includes such AMD features as HyperTransport Technology (which increases the communication between integrated circuits) and Cool'n'Quiet Technology that conserves power while also keeping the PC nicely quiet.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, DDR SDRAM, 266 MHz) 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: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the ZV6010US multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The ZV6010US 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 IR (infrared) port
• 1 Expansion Port 2 connector
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 6-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia, and XD Picture Cards)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Norton Internet Security 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Money 2005, Sonic RecordNow, Apple iTunes, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Intervideo WinDVD, Intervideo Home Theater, MuVee Autoproducer, and MSN Encarta Plus.

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
This notebook measures 14.25 x 11.2 x 1.88 inches and weighs 8 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 8-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 3 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the ZV6010US 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