Product Description

Averatec (AV3270-EE1) Mobile AMD Sempron 2800+ 60GB ... Read more

Reviews (5)

5 stars for the price, 4 overall
Great notebook! I had been hesitant given varied posted experience with Averatec, but this thing is solid.I get about 3 hours battery life with wireless on, so the AMD Sempron processor does a great job with power management.Speed is no problem for general use such as web browsing, Word, Excel, etc.Case is magnesium alloy, solid and nice looking.Wireless range is excellent with built in 802.11b/g NIC.Overall, very happy.

no 60 gb hard drive!!,no recoverydiscs !!
this is my second averatec,after the 3150.
screen brightness is improved,built in wireless is fine.
but be warned ,although it is advertised as 60 gb hard disk,
it only has a lousy 43 available.the rest is on an invisible
and unremovable hard drive partition,where the recovery software resides.this takes up almost a THIRD of valuable diskspace.and CANNOT be changed. There is also NO
recovery disk,and you cannot make one,because you cannot access the hidden partition.

i think this sucks.as i ,like many of you like my machine lean and mean!and want to make a clean install every couple of months
so be warned.
the rest works fine.

Works well--as expected
I just purchased this not too long ago, so this is an interim report.It seems like a great machine for the budget buyer, though--which is how it is advertised.PC Mag gives it a "very good" rating and made it an editor's choice, and that was one of the things that helped me make my decision.Case doesn't seem to scratch...but these are laptops, and they're going move and get some wear and tear.The wireless worked immediately...it even picked up a signal my neighbor didn't intend for me to pick up.Dial-up connectivity was a snap, too.The DVD player works well, so does the music... it's not $2000 sound, but you're buying a laptop that's less than $1K.It beats the sound on my 1997 HP clone by miles.Works smoothly, shifts from program to program and no problems.Have not tried to burn a CD or DVD but have worked with everything else.I even like the "updated" version of Works, which is not a program I ever preferred to Word before (as a writer). My major point of contention is the screen quality, but I can play with that.Just haven't yet, because I've been spending too much time working, surfing the Net, and watching movies.

I think it is fine
Have it 1 week. Looks and feels well made. Battery life 2.5 hrs.
Good value. No problems

Not Worth The Money
I hoped for a lot more from this laptop. It looks decent on paper but it's a very poor performing machine. It is so fragile I am afraid to pick it up. It performs all the basics like surfing and basic apps but can't run too many processes at the same time. The video and audio quality are poor. It came with no recovery disks or instructions. I can't get a decent wireless signal no matter how close I get. The plastic case scratches easily. Maybe for $500 I would give it 3 stars. I am returning it before the 2 week trial period expires. ... Read more

Product Description

Toshiba Satellite M45-S331 Notebook PC State-of-the-Art Computing At 6.2 lbs., the Satellite M45 is highly mobile, outperforming many desktops with technology designed specifically for mobile PCs. All systems include a 15.4" wide-screen TruBrite display to make images brighter and more vivid.Push this machine as far as you want; it can take it! Enjoy notebook-optimized Intel Centrino Mobile Technology, Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, hard drives to 100GB hard drive¹, and integrated high speed wireless LAN, all in one sleek chassis. The DVD-SuperMulti optical drive reads and writes to the most popular CD and DVD formats, making it perfect for movie making, or file archiving and exchange.At only 6.2 lbs., this system offers high-performance Intel Centrino Mobile Technology, Windows XP Home, an 80GB HDD, an IEEE 1394 port, and integrated high speed wireless LAN. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Returned it after 18 hours
I brought the Toshiba M45-S331 and promptly returned it within 18 hours.

The wireless connection is way to erratic. If you go from battery to AC while you are on wireless then the system simply freezes.

I noticed the DVD drive made a horrible loud sound when it was reading data.

After keeping the system on for about 5 hours I noticed that the laptop was beginning to get quite hot. I had placed the laptop on a desk so I doubt very much if I was blocking any vents.

The only saving grace for this system is the fantastic LCD display, though I doubt any one would want to pay for just that on a system that is inherently so faulty (I believe the system freezing up problem described above is well known - I am curious as to why Toshiba has not fixed that problem and if it is unable to rectify the problem then why does it continue to ship faulty systems).

I now have a dv4030us from HP. This does seem to be a more reliable and sturdy system.

All said and done, I doubt very much if I will ever buy another Toshiba product let alone a laptop.

Nice for the money, but Tech Support is the pits!
I purchased this notebook for my daughter less than a month ago.She was very happy with it, and I was pleased with what we got for the money.Then the DVD drive began having problems.To make a long story short, after several calls to Toshiba it was finally determined that the drive must be replaced.The closest authorized service center is almost 40 miles away, so we must send it off to Toshiba and be without it for up to 2 weeks.I have dealt with other computer manufacturers who have sent out a technician to correct a problem covered under warranty.Why can't Toshiba do this?Or at least have a few more authorized service providers.I'm not exactly out in the sticks.There are several businesses in my area who could provide this service for Toshiba's customers.
Edit on June 6, 2005:
Sent the notebook to Toshiba's service depot on May 24th.Was informed today that it is on hold for parts and that if I'm lucky it'll be finished by June 15th.Toshiba's own repair center doesn't keep their DVD drives in stock?When I asked them this question I was told that they usually do, but they're out of stock now.So someone didn't notice they were getting low on drives and should order some?I'd like to change my rating from 4 stars to 1.While I still think it's a great little computer for the money I don't think it's worth the aggravation we've went through trying to get it fixed and back to us.DON'T BUY TOSHIBA UNLESS YOU'RE ABSOLULTELY, POSTIVELY SURE IT ISN'T GOING TO NEED TO BE REPAIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!

A HORRIBLE Experience

Sleek notebook, but that’s the only positive.My absolute worst fears all came true only three weeks after I bought it.

Within three weeks the screen had died on me.Called the warranty service who advised me to send it to the Toshiba depot for repair, as opposed to taking it to a local service center.They assured me that the depot would have all the necessary parts, whereas a service center will have to order them and wait.They also assured me that I’ll have my notebook back in about a week.

Three weeks later, after countless phone calls, and many promises of delivery “next week”, they finally told me that parts are still not available and that it would take two additional weeks before they get them.

I called customer relations several times (get used to 45 minutes on hold, don’t bother leaving messages, they never return calls despite the promise of “within the hour”).Every time I was assured that this time they’ll get it right and that I’ll get my notebook within days.

Needless to say, two weeks passed, and the assurances turned to be meaningless.Customer relations’ only job is to get you off the phone, not to solve your problem.So here I am with a brand new notebook that spent twice as much time in the repair shop than on my desk.I called customer relations again, and asked to speak to someone who will actually do something to solve my problem, perhaps send me a replacement unit.I bought the notebook because I needed it, and I just can’t defer using it indefinitely.Guess what they told me?There’s not such thing as someone who could do something.There is no replacement policy.I’ll just have to wait for the part until it arrives – whenever that is.

A new notebook is not supposed to break right out of the box, but if it does, a respectable manufacturer should stand by their product and make up for the inconvenience to the customer. Toshiba has been utterly disappointing on all counts.

Poor Battery + Lots of Junk.....
Hi,

The Batter Performance is Poor. The salesman at Circuity City will BS to get their product sold. It hardly lasts more than 80 minutes. The Laptop is loaded with JUNK. It sux!!!!

I installed Red Hat Linux 9.0 and XP Pro with SP2.
Their are no Network Card Drivers for Linux, so I can easily say forget about your wireless working on Linux. Shame on both Toshiba and Intel for not supporting the same.

The system cannot hibernate nor turn itself off even after installing battry saver options that accompanied the CD.

So I have had a horrible experience. Pretty much whatever I want I don't get.I will never ever BUY Toshiba.

Love my Toshiba M45-S331!!
After some research, I was down to Toshiba M45-S331 and Dell 6000. Finally got Toshiba although it was more expensive(especially considering Dell online deals). So far am very satisfied and love its built quality and feel as compared to others in the same price & specs range.

PROS:
1. Great specs for the price
2. TruBrite screen
3. Harman/Kardon speakers
4. Keyboard Layout
5. Bridge-Media Aapter

CONS:
1. PC2700 RAM instead of a DDR2
2. Relatively less Battery Life. (< 3 hrs on a full-charge)

I experienced the FREEZING/LOCK-UP problem on plugging the AC Power Cord and have seen numerous such topics online. Toshiba Support insisted its a hardware problem but was not convinced.

Was finally able to solve this problem by tweaking the Power settings of the Laptop...

1. Go to "Power Management Icon" from your system-icon-tray on bottom-right corner of the screen. (It gives information about Current Power Source, Remaining Battery and Power Profile)

2. Right-click it and select "TOSHIBA POWER SAVER SETTINGS".

3. Click "SETUP OPTIONS" button on bottom-left of the window

4. "UNCHECK" the box marked "Change Power Source Profile Automatically".

Once you have done this....you should hopefully no longer have the freezing or locking problem when you switch to AC Power. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Blending affordability with productivity power, the HP Pavilion dv4030us notebook PC is a great choice for both business road warriors and multimedia enthusiasts on the go. The 15.4-inch BrightView display looks good even in direct sunlight, and movies and games will look clear thanks to the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (with 128 MB of shared memory). And you'll stay productive with the battery-sipping 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M (Centrino) processor. This notebook also features a 100 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, built-in 54g wireless connectivity, dual layer DVD+/-RW drive, and multiformat memory card reader. For a step up in price, the DV4040US offers a faster Pentium M processor and 1 GB of installed RAM.

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: The 1.6 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) Processor 730 is at the lower end of the speed spectrum for this processor class (March, 2005). It is well equipped for office productivity software tasks, from complex spreadsheets to databases. The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has a large 2 MB L2 cache--which will help speed up your system's performance--and a 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The 512 MB of installed RAM is a good start, but you'll want to take advantage of the roomy 2 GB of total RAM capacity (2 x 1 GB)for such multimedia needs as video editing and immersive 3D gaming.
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the dv4030us 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 dv4030us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. 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 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot
• 1 Expansion Port 2 connector
• 1 IR receiver
• 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, 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 14.1 x 10.16 x 1.67 inches and weighs 6.5 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-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 dv4030us 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 (3)

good for a first notebook
i got this noteboob a couple days ago and all i can say is this is an excellent machine! key's are in the right position, it's responsive and easy to work with. touchpad's nice, sounds are nice too. and unlike what the other dude said, the fans are quiet unlike those vaio and satellite laptops. its a really quiet machine. the screen's bright and display's crisp. the only thing i don't like about this laptop is that it only lasts for 3 hours or less. but then again u can always buy extra battery. for a centrino laptop, it's kinda heavy too but not that heavy like p4 tops. the preloaded softwares suck so just un-install it. overall, this is pretty neat.
so far no problems. it doesnt hang or crash when u change from ac to battery and the wireless connection's easy to set up. gotta recommend this ;)

Great laptop but rip-off on the software
I bought this hard-to-find-in-stock laptop after doing some research and talking to friends who have HP products.I love the laptop itself--great screen and the widescreen aspect is wonderful.The keyboard has the usual laptop downfalls--i.e. likely to give you carpal tunnel syndrome with too much usage. I love the remote control and the DVD and CD burner. The 100GB hardrive is great as is the 512MB RAM and the fast processor.

I have two problems with the dv4030:

1. It comes loaded with Norton, which I have had nothing but problems with in the past.When I removed the software it took 4 reboots before the system finally stopped prompting me to accept the license agreement and to remove the software already removed. The laptop runs fine with McAfee.

2.Despite the fact that it comes with Windows XP loaded on it, it does not include rights to use Microsoft Office 2003 for more than 60 days.You get a 60 day free-trial and after that you have to buy a full copy.If you don't you cannot create new documents, etc. This is beyond ridiculous, particularly in light of the fact that Microsoft is debuting a new OS next year.

I did not bother to check the price of a full license of Microsoft Office 2003 but the fact that you will need to make this additional purchase is something to be considered when making the decision to buy this laptop.Any check of the HP website product listing for the dv4030 (or any other product listing on any other website, including Amazon) fails to mention this little fact.Had I known this I would have seriously reconsider purchasing this laptop.

Not perfect, but a very solid laptop.
Received this very quickly using Amazon Prime. The most notable thing to say about this laptop is that the screen is widescreen in order to play DVDs. But this is also useful if you use certain software where a wide display is important (for example, certain spreadsheets or programming tools). However, be warned that this is not a dainty little laptop. It will fit inside my briefcase all right, but it is above average in size and weight for PC laptops. On the other hand, it is somewhat reminicent of many Mac laptops I see at Starbucks.

The very first thing I wanted to do with this laptop was use the included Norton AntiVirus. That was not to be. With absolutely nothing else on this computer, the NAV failed to update properly. After wasting half an hour of my life on this, I uninstalled Norton and downloaded Macafee. No problem whatsoever; if your experience is like mine -- and I see no reason it wouldn't be -- ignore the "benefit" of the included Norton AntiVirus.

The laptop is pretty solid. In fact, that was the reason I chose HP this time around. (That and a very mediocre track record with multiple Sony VAIOs.) The other reason is that this laptop has a lot of connnectivity. But yes, I do have a wee bit of envy over those sexy skinny laptops.

Other than that, the screen is very legible; the keys seem to be in the right place (including the Control key, which is in the wrong place on some earlier HPs).

The WiFi just worked. No setup. No hassles. It seems to work quite well even when reading "Low".

(...)

Finally, I'll mention that this is a pretty quiet machine. The fan activates only occasionally, though that will depend on what you use it for.

... Read more

Product Description

The Satellite P35 is the ultimate gaming machine, loaded with the latest in everything, including a 17" WXGA display with TruBrite for the best in graphics. The 16: 9 aspect ratio makes it perfect for viewing wide-screen format movies!The Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor supports Hyper-Threading Technology, improving the performance of many applications. The ATI discreet graphics optimizes visuals without compromising system performance. The 17" diagonal wide-screen display is intensified with TruBrite technology, producing images so sharp they are mesmerizing from across the room. Harman Kardon speakers and SRS TruSurround XT technology create a rich, more immersive audio experience. And the sleek, ultra-cool chassis contains a massive hard drive that has plenty of room for your applications and files. With razor-sharp images, robust sound and intense power it all adds up to the ultimate gaming machine. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Backlight for LCD died after 6 months
At first I was fairly happy with the p35 Toshiba laptop.It does have a short battery life, that is for sure.About 2 hours.A little more if you are generous with the battery saving settings.My backlight has just gone out however.After checking reviews all day on the web, I can see now I'm in big trouble.It appears Toshiba doesn't offer much in customer service or servicing of their computer products.Hopefully they won't take months to repair my backlight with lots of hassles and repeated returns as I have seen many people write about.I'll update here later on my experience.Other than the backlight going out and the short battery life, the amount of software provided was nice and I liked the design.For the moment it is mostly acting as a paperweight on my desk until I get Toshiba to repair it.

Toshiba P35-6011 automatic Shutdown
I agree with William McMullin's review. Within the FIRST WEEK this computer began shutting down for NO reason. The battery and plug were fine. It was not the heat. The laptop was off ALL day and we turned it on and it immediately turned off. Interestingly it would only work when we switched the plug from one outlet to another.It would not work if it was not plugged in. As if switching the outlet was a reset. Not sure why this should matter. I am not sure if it is an adapter thing.

Very frustrating. If the problem is resolved I will pull write another review and let buyers on amazon know.

Power Problem
I bought 2 Toshiba laptops the last couple of months.The P35-S611 will just shut down periodically for no reason when plugged in to an A/C outlet with battery intact.It will reboot for a few seconds and then shut down again.

The other Toshiba, the Tecra A4, freezes up everytime you switch it from battery to power cord.Toshiba gave me a refund on this one.I'm still fighting for a refund on the P35.

Dont be fooled again from amazon geeks
I love this laptop!! I listened to other reviews regarding a Averatech tablet. I am stuck with that piece of junk!!I was dumb enough to read posts regarding how awesome that trash Averatech was..I use my laptop for work every day and night. I LOVE THIS TOSHIBA P35S611 LAPTOP! Yes its heavy but when you start using it the weight will overcome all of the other factors.If you have ever felt like you can trust someones post please take my advice ....Dont listen to the geek idiots who have nothing better to do than place posts regarding the items that mom and dad bought them. I am surprising myself that I am writing this now to tell other hard working over 40 people that really need a great laptop to buy this one. Try one at a local store you will see what I am talking about.... I use the blue tooth card along with my Treo 650 and my hp 450 cbi potable printer 10-15 hours a day..Good luck, dont get burned from any other child game playing idiots out there :)

What's next?
With in the first 3 weeks of owning my Toshiba, the performance was reduced to waiting 15 to 20 seconds for any program to open. With a gig of ram, it should have been zipping along. Durring the next week, the backlight on the LCD went out and had to be used via a external monitor. I was informed that it should take 5 to 10 business days for turn around. As it turned out, I was waiting 35 days for it to be returned. Upon recieving the computer from repair, the sound did not work. After installing the sound drivers with the help of the tech support, it was determined that it had to be shipped back for another repair. I was informed that Toshiba DOES NOT have a replacement or refund policy. I bought what I thought was a reliable computer. Not something that had to be sent back for repaires constantly.
I love the looks and layout of this unit but the performance leaves a lot to be desired. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Blending affordability with productivity power, the HP Pavilion dv4040us notebook PC is a great choice for both business road warriors and multimedia enthusiasts on the go. The 15.4-inch BrightView display looks good even in direct sunlight, and movies and games will look clear thanks to the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (with 128 MB of shared memory). And you'll stay productive with the battery-sipping 1.73 GHz Intel Pentium M (Centrino) processor. This notebook also features a 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, built-in 54g wireless connectivity, dual layer DVD+/-RW drive, and multiformat memory card reader.

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: The 1.73 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) Processor 740 is in the middle of the speed spectrum for this processor class (March, 2005). It is well equipped for office productivity software tasks, from complex spreadsheets to databases. The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has a large 2 MB L2 cache--which will help speed up your system's performance--and a 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The 1024 MB (1 GB) of installed RAM is a great start, providing enough power for today's demanding multimedia and business productivity software. For immersive gaming and video editing, you'll want to take advantage of the roomy 2 GB of total RAM capacity (2 x 1 GB) .
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the dv4030us 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 dv4040us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. 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 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot
• 1 Expansion Port 2 connector
• 1 IR receiver
• 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, 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 14.1 x 10.16 x 1.67 inches and weighs 6.5 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-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 dv4040us 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 (1)

Really solid laptop!
Just got the HP Pavilion dv4040us a few days ago. Notebook looks sleek, had no dead pixels on the screen. Plus, it is fully loaded with all hardware capabilities one might need, including cool remote control that sticks into PCMCIA slot!
It is my second laptop of all (had Satellite 2805-S202, real great helper of mine).

Pros:
- Quickview capability (watch DVDs and listen to MP3s, plus control everything with remote at a distance of at least 15 feet)
- Large and bright screen with no dead pixels (at least on my machine)
- Nice software package coming with the computer
- 1Gb of RAM
- Great wireless (setting up a new connection with in-home WLAN was a breeze, once I had set up MAC permission on the router!)
- Holds over 3hrs with 6 cell battery. Get 12 cells for 6+ hrs
- Single push-forward, centrally located latch button (now that is a biased convenience thing that came from Satellite)
- Cool blue lighting
- All connections on the sides, none in the back
- Great CD/DVD drive that finally reads all CDs! My former computer could not (somehow it would not recognize) some CDs, including some National Geographic collection
- Delete button is placed in upper right corner of keyboard! No more need to look at the keyboard to find a Del. Before Del buttons were placed more to the left of the corner, thus making me uneasy getting an HP. This one is purr-fect!
- Thinner and lighter than zv5000 notebooks
- Very quiet

Cons:
- Quickplay feature would not recognize VCDs, DivX and other non-DVD movie CDs. It would also not play movies from your hard drive
- No AccuPoint (or similar) device, only touchpad.
- Touchpad's scroll area sometimes would let-the-scroll-loose
- Very little functionality could be added to the touchpad (I would like to see tapping on the corner open some program or maximize the window)


Overall, it seems to be a great notebook (I will use it for Office programs, some strategic games, movie watching, etc) for my purpose, and will update the info if something else comes up. ... Read more

Product Description

Toshiba Satellite A75-S211 Notebook PC 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.Select models (A75-S231, A75-S2311) come standard with a 5-in-1 bridge media adapter which accepts various digital media including Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Stick Pro, SmartMedia, Multi Media Card, and xD-Picture cards to quickly transfer digital files. Rounding out the media transfer sources, an onboard i.Link (IEEE 1394) port is also included. Get the productivity edge: CPU power, memory for multitasking, unlimited storage, and a TruBrite, wide-screen display for viewing documents side-by-side! Enhanced high speed Wi-Fi (802.11g) for improved throughput. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

No original operating system disks provided
Toshiba does not supply the original Microsoft operating system disks with their computers. This is a huge negative! They only supply recovery disks from which you can only revert your system to the way it was on day one.

Full featured Laptop with Excellent Display
This is a fantastic laptop with a amazing screen.It comes with just about everything one would need.The build quality seems to be much better than Gateway, HP, Compaq on a side to side comparison, and about the same as Dell and Sony laptops.The computer runs fairly cool (much cooler than my old Sony P3 750) and also very quiet (much quieter than old Sony).So far, there are no problems.I have left it on for a week with no problems.The computer is well configured and runs very smoothly.

Now the negatives... The fixed 512mb memory is really annoying.This limits you to 1.5 gig instead of 2 gig of memory.Then, there is the mouse pad... the buttons are extremely small, and feel the same as its surrounding plastic (small, no height difference, no texture difference).This makes it hard to locate, even for an experienced mouse pad user.The mouse pad buttons are also not sensitive around the sides and feel really cheaply made on top of being tiny.For a well designed computer, this is inexcusable.I have never seen a laptop with a less ergonomic mouse pad!My third complaint with this laptop is that the chip seem to have a hard time hitting 100% performance no matter what I throw at it.This is rather different from a desktop computer where the chip seem to reach 100% performance easily.

The negatives are annoying quirks rather than performance issues.All in all, this is a nice computer at a competitive price. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your productivity to the next level wherever you roam with the Compaq Presario R4025US notebook PC. With a powerful AMD Athlon 64-bit processor and large 15.4-inch screen, you'll be able to effortlessly multitask. It also features a strong ATI Radeon Xpress video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM--great for multimedia presentations. It has a Firewire port for connecting an iPod and video camcorders, dual-layer DVD-/+RW drive (which also burns CDs)--wlhich can burn up to 8.5 GB of data to compatible DVDs--and a multi-format memory card reader. The R4010US also offers a large 80 GB hard drive, 1 GBof installed RAM, and 54g wireless connectivity with 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is a bit above average in size for notebook PCs, providing more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
• Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 3200+ processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. This 2.0 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to 2000 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 notebook's decibels to a minimum.
• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (2 x 512 MB, DDR SDRAM) is well suited to today's demanding multimedia and business productivity software, and it features a faster than average speed (333 MHz). 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 V2220US 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 R4025US 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 very good 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 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Expansion Port 2 connector
• 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 AntiVirus 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Money 2005, MSN Encarta Plus, Sonic RecordNow, Apple iTunes, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Intervideo WinDVD, and MuVee Autoproducer.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.25 x 11.2 x 1.88 inches and weighs 7.85 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 Compaq R4025US notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty, 1-year technical phone support, and 30-day free software support. ... Read more

Product Description

Toshiba Satellite M35X-S161 Notebook PC Mobile Multimedia Now get maximum mobile performance and an intense multimedia experience from a notebook that's lighter, thinner and more powerful! The Satellite M35X is the ideal notebook for savvy professionals and students who want outstanding performance and advanced capabilities at an affordable price. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

piece of junk
Purchased M35x at Christmastime for my daughter to use for school - and we LOVED it for 6 weeks... just received back after being in the repair shop waiting for parts(motherboard) for 2 months (along with 60 other laptops) - Telephone customer support is outside of US and completely unhelpful and unwilling to move calls forward. VERY UNHAPPY with Toshiba - if you buy this buy the extended coverage so you can get a replacement immediately!

A Good Notebook for Everyday use
I bought this notebook primarily for web surfing, music management and for school. It has been sufficient in facilitating those needs. I have enjoyed its large wide screen. I don't play computer games, so I don't know how it does with that. I use it a lot for burning cd's and for the most part it does great. Occasionally it can be slow and can get hung up during the copying of music, but I think that is more due to Windows Media Player.

My one complaint about this notebook is its battery life. It seems to drain rather quickly. If I am to use it at school, I have to plug it into the wall to assure it won't cut off. It seems to drain dead in a couple of hours with regular internet use, and a lot less if you are using many programs, such as music copying, etc.

I find that is notebook is affordable and sufficient for the user who plans on using it primarily for office and internet use.Just make sure you keep it plugged in when you are using it at home to keep the battery from cutting off. Overall, its fast and worth the money. You can find them at BestBuy and Circuit City. I reccomend buying the extended warranty plan to ensure some sort of coverage should something happen to it.

Toshiba M35X-S161 is a great buy!
I was looking for a quality laptop for wireless surfing, office applications, and music management.This Toshiba fits the bill perfectly.The ONLY complaint I have is battery life.It is terrible!However, when you register the laptop with Toshiba they provide you with a coupon code.You can order the better 8-cell battery direct from them for a reasonable price.Heck, with the hundreds of dollars you saved by buying the M35X-S161 buying a better battery will still keep you well ahead!

Not bad if you don't need battery life
This is not a very "mobile" notebook computer because of the under whelming 4 cell battery (read the complaints below).If you are *sure* this is mostly going to be plugged in and only occasionally be used on battery power then you may consider this model (the price is great and other major components are first rate).If you need reasonable battery life and similar features at this price point I would suggest the HP4900 series or the Compaq 2100 series which have 6 cell batteries (FYI - HP/Compaq is the same company and these are same notebook platforms with mostly cosmetic differences).If you really like this model but don't mind spending a little more look at the Toshiba M35X-S3__ series (such as the M35X-S309 sold by Amazon) which have 8 cell batteries (the M45-S3__ series is just up the ladder from the M35 and comes in 6 and 8 cell variants).

One other small point that I don't like: no scroll bar on this (and many other) Toshiba's.If you aren't sure if this is important check it out in a store first.If you use the touch pad to do a lot of web surfing or document reading you will miss that scroll bar.On the other hand if you usually use a mouse with it this won't be an issue.(A small optical mouse will do the trick - you can set it on just about anything and mouse away.)

inadequate battery
I agree completely with the 2 previous reviewers.The included battery only lasts a little over an hour.I feel duped by Toshiba.One would naturally believe that a Pentium M or Celeron M laptop would give good battery life.I never imagined that Toshiba would include a dinky 4 cell battery.This laptop is not the bargain that it appears to be, because you need to spend another $90 to get the 12 cell battery, pa3332u, if you want your notebook to last over 1.5 hours on a charge.

Other than this glaring deficiency, the laptop is fine.It has a farely nice LCD (but mine had a dead pixel).The fan is farely quiet if you set it to the quiet option, but not as quiet as an HP notebook with Celeron M. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatec (AV3250PX-01) Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+ ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great Notebook PC
I ordered the Averatec AV3250PX from Amazon on Saturday and received it on the following Thursday with free UPS service. I was impressed. As for the machine, it has everything I wanted. I think the display is very clear, the hard drive more than ample at 80 gigs, and with Win XP Pro, the final $876.00 cost after rebates from Amazon and Averatec made the deal unbeatable. The keyboard works fine. There is no serial or parallel port, but the three USB 2.0 ports work well for attaching perhiperals. The built in 802.11g wireless LAN was easy to configure by adding on an access point to my wired router. I used the Microsoft MN-700, which set up in about 10 minutes with 128 bit WEP encryption. The built in DVD RW worked well, especially when I upgraded to SP2 with the MS CD. Adding software such as MS Office was fast and trouble free. The computer comes with sparse software, but who needs all the usual bundled junk anyhow?

I like both the look and feel of the machine. The lights for different functions are colored and well placed. Overall, the machine runs cool and quiet. If there were problems before,they have been corrected. Averatec also offers free 24/7 phone support. The touchpad is very sensitive, but can be adjusted in the Control Panel. No written manual, but it is included in a PDF file of 59 pages.

This is my first notebook or laptop, and from my initial experience, I would not hesitate to get another Averatec down the road.

Great value for a small, powerful laptop

I've been shopping around for months for a full-featured compact laptop and it seemed like I was always trading off weight and size for features.

After comparing laptops from the big boys (Dell, Compaq, HP, Sony), I decided on an Averatec laptop because it had the best price for the size and all the features I wanted.

It's so light that it's a breeze to carry around between work, school, home and on the plane. My only wish would be for a better battery life. It lasts for about 2 hours.

Best thin & light laptop for mobile professionals
I had never heard of Averatec, and had originally decided to go with a 12.1" Apple ibook for build quality and portability(and feeling hesitant about learning a new OS), but after stopping at Circuit City on the way I saw the Averatec 3250. It sat side-by-side with a Gateway that had all of the same features except for a 15.4" sxga screen and 4+lbs of weight. It also had a $350 higher price sticker.

After comparing the Averatec with the stats for the apple and the Gateway I was sold on the 3250. DVD burner, CD-RW; built in 802.11 'G' and only 4.5lbs. Most features you will find in the sub-$1000 category.

Despite some reviews the keyboard is tactile and solid. The battery performance wasn't quite up to spec, but with the wireless feature turned on and the screen at a nominal brightness level the battery lasted for approx 1 hour 55 min. before placing the computer in stand-by mode. Without the wireless turned on I'm sure this would be signifigantly increased. The included software is minimal, but it does have cyberlink DVD/CD burning software and itunes. It comes with a 3 mo. subscription to Norton Anti-virus 2004 and SP2 pre-installed.

The Only problem I experienced was with the touchpad freezing sometimes. The vertical scroll area on the right side would stop functioning. I downloaded a driver update and it fixed the problem. Also, the 3 usb ports on the side are close together, so either get a hub or get a skinny usb jump drive like the cruzer mini. Most others will take up 2 ports worth of space.

Overall I am very pleased with this product and would upgrade to an Averatec laptop again in the future.

... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Combining powerful mobility features with an affordable price tag, the Averatec AV6128H1-01 notebook PC will keep you productive when away from the office. Featuring a large, widescreen 15.4-inch screen, the AV6128H1-01 also offers an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 with 64 MB of video memory for crisp rendering of graphics and DVD movies. Other features include a 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, a combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and 54g wireless connectivity.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is smaller in comparison to other business-oriented notebooks. However, it will offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--though not much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor offers the speed you'll need for today's demanding office productivity software and multimedia presentations. It features a 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB), which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate, and a 256 KB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, PC2700, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: This notebook includes a combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, with 24x write/read and 10x rewrite speed for CDs and 8x read speed for DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The AV6128H1-01 has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including both super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 Parallel port
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II)
• 1 headphone jack
• 1 microphone jack
• Multiformat memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia Card (MMC), and Memory Stick

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.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.1 x 10.6 x 1.4 inches and weighs 7.7 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 2 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the AV6128H1-01 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

So much to offer
I shopped for a (under $1000) notebook for my wife basically for her digital photos and her Girl Scout files, I was very disappointed in what the local stores had to offer.

PROS:

This laptop looks great, has a nice large keyboard, and the 15 inch XGA display is beautiful with up to 128MB shared memory!

The front 4-in-1 Media Card Reader is impressive and works flawlessly.

It comes with only 512MB ram, but is easily upgraded with PC2700 type (333mhz) 200-pin DDR memory.

The AMD Processor is quick and pushes this laptop to achieve the desired results (photo editing and word processing).

I turned it the first time and within a few minutes I was already surfing the web as it easily found my router, and my network.

The sound on this laptop is much better than all of the other similarly (and some higher) priced laptops I looked at.

We watched a DVD the first night and had absolutely no complaints (and this was still using only the original 256MB of memory)!

Comes loaded with Roxio CD burning software and Microsoft Works 7.0, and PowerDVD.

CONS:

A bit larger/heavier than what I was originally shopping for, but I couldn't pass up on the great deal. And at 6.8 lbs, it's really not that heavy.

The video is NOT for gaming! But like I said, you'll have no problems watching movies and if you use the S-Video (TV Out) Port on a flat screen... WOW!


SUMMARY:

We have nothing to complain about.

All around great "budget" laptop.

This laptop will do everything except render the latest games.

What a Bargain!

... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Averatec's uniquely designed, ultraportable AV3500T60 tablet PC delivers advanced handwriting and speech recognition technologies and a powerful computing platform at an affordable price. This 4.5-pound tablet PC is powered by the low-voltage AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+ processor, which helps conserve battery power for more productivity on the road. It also features a 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, integated 54g wireless networking, and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive. It also offers a 12.1-inch display and TV-out connection.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive is an average size for notebook PCs--and better than average for tablet PCs. It offers enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software for road warriors.
• Processor: AMD's Athlon XP-M 2200+ is powerful enough to ably run demanding business and multimedia applications. And with AMD's low-voltage PowerNow technology, you'll experience extended battery life for more productivity when out and about. It features a 640 KB L2 cache.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, 333 MHz, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read CDs at 24x and rewrite at 10x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The AV3500T60 features an 85-key keyboard that offers the functionality of a full-sized 101-key keyboard and a two-button touchpad pointing device.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The AV3500T60 has an integrated wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b and the faster 802.11g networks. You get a limited offering of external connectivity options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system, and it also features the following preloaded applications: Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, PowerDVD, Norton AntiVirus 2004, and Roxio Easy CD Creator 6.0.

Dimensions and Weight
This tablet PC measures 11.6 x 9.8 x 1.57 inches and (WxDxH) and weighs just 4.5 pounds.

Power
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery has an average battery life of 3 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the AV3500T60-01 tablet PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty and 6 months warranty for the battery. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Beautifully designed, not well-made
Buy this Tablet PC at your own risk and make sure you know about the store's return policy before you buy. I lost a $180.00 restocking fee at Circuit City because I didn't want to exchange for another same model or anything else they had in stock on the day I brought the computer back.

What I liked:
1) LOVED the Tablet PC software, can draw and write and talk into this computer. Sex? I dunno, it did get very hot.
2) LOVED the design, got compliments but no dates
3) LOVED the solid casing and bright display
4) LOVED the processor speed and wireless

What I didn't like:
1) Battery life: between 1 and 1 1/2 hours. Computer turns off after 2 second warning.
2) Runs very hot, smells like a hot iron, will press your pants for free.
3) DVD player useless, very bad quality.
4) Keyboard very uncomfortable to type on. Touchpad keys really strained my thumb.
5) Broke after I had it for 12 days.
6) Made with very bad latches, parts. It looks like the company ran out of money halfway through building the computers. What a shame.

I'm not happy with it so far
I noticed that the tablet cursor jumps away when it gets close to the edges. So I exchanged it with a new one.With the new one, the clock was not very accurate.It slows down by hours overnight, plus BIOS options kept resetting.Unfortunately the return period is over.So I called customer support and told them I suspected it's a bad CMOS battery.They said there is no way I can change the battery myself without voiding the warrenty and I have to send it back for warrenty repair.They said it'd take about a week.My laptop got to them on 5/9.Now 3 weeks later and I'm still waiting.I called them and they said it's not the battery but it needs a new motherboard. They're still waiting for the parts.

Weakness:
- Heavy
- Short battery life
- Very few things you can control in BIOS options
- Tablet not very responsive (I have a Fujitsu Lifebook which has touch screen and is excellent)
- Not very reliable

Strength:
- Price

**Updated**It's been over a month and "they're still waiting for the motherboard".They don't even know when they'll get the parts. Every time I contact them, the response is they *might* have more info next week.I asked them to send me a replacement, but they refused.Note their Warrenty Policy says "Timeframes for service repairs:" is "allow 3 business days for repair and return shippment of 1 day".

The rating should really be 1 star.

Pretty good deal! But you get what you pay for!
I picked up my C3500 this week,and so far so good.I really enjoy using this product, and can't wait to spend more time with it.I didn't have any problems setting the Tablet up, and it's worked flawlessly so far. The digital ink is awesome (this is my first Tablet PC) and I can't believe how well the recognition works (I have very sloppy handwriting, yet I am handwriting this review with relative ease)! MS Onenote 2003 is great as well and is going to make organizing my school and work projects much easier!

However, not everything is perfect. The battery life is horrible. I used my C3500 to take notes during a history lecture (w/ some voice recording), and the battery almost completely drained after a little over an hour. If you need extended battery life, either purchase an extra battery or stay away (or near an outlet)!

This laptop gets HOT!! This might affect the unit's longevity, so it is a major issue. I suggest propping it up or using a cooling pad to increase airflow to the unit.

In summation, this is a really good buy. It has so many good features, but a couple of glaring issues as well. I would recommend the unit for purchase, but be aware of its shortcomings beforehand. This a great buy for a user on a budget or someone looking to add a full-featured Tablet PC to their computer fleet. Given the price point (around $1000 after rebates) and the myriad of good features it boasts, I would give the C3500 a 4 out of 5.

Very poor software performance
I purchase the Averatec Tablet PC specifically to use the fetures of filling out forms then saving them as attachments in client records.Unfortunatly, every time I try to perform this task it frezzes up.I took it in to Compusa where I purchased it they sent it to averatec when I got the computer back three weeks later there is no change in the way it performs.These programs do work fine on other computers including tablets.For me I have a $1300 lemon.It also runs very hot and the battery may last 1.5 hr. if your are lucky and not realy using it.I feel like I am still always attached to a chord.

Very simply put, do not buy this computer and don't expect Compusa to help out even if you paid another $300 for there service plan.

Very good
This is my first tablet and it also functions as my desktop at work. The best thing about this tablet of course is the built in DVD-rom/CD-RW drive. Why no other tablet has one is beyond me. The screen is nice, and the VGA and TV out options complete the package. It also comes with a protective cover so some of you may not even need a case for it. The 4 USB 2.0 ports and PCMCIA slot are also a nice touch. Handwriting recognition software is good and gets better as you get the hang of it. The speakers aren't loud but overall sound is good. While the laptop heats up quite a bit, it is limited to a specific corner so you can rotate the screen accordingly to avoid getting burned.

Now some advice, if you want to use a tablet primarily for gaming, buy a Toshiba M200 instead, if you only need ocassional gaming this will do. Warcraft 3 plays fine, but MOH:AA doesn't even load. The stylus is responsive enough for games, so the graphics chip is what is holding it back.

If you want a tablet primarily as a web browser this is perfect. The battery only last 2 hours at best, but the 12" screen is perfect for browsing.

For on the go note taking I would suggest something smaller, about 8" diagonally. Oddly enough the screen seems to be too big to use on something other than a desk. This is where it helps to be able to switch to laptop mode and still use the pen. But there is a corner that gets quite hot, so you need to keep that in mind, especially in landscape mode because it becomes the front right corner. Note taking is best done in portrait mode, easy to get to with the push of a button.

As a portable movie player the DVD drive, 60GB HDD and big screen shine. But the built in DVD player refuses to output copyrighted DVDs to a TV, so keep in mind that you will need to get another program or change the DVDs to another format for TV watching.

Besides the TV out thing, there are other anoying things. The power button is hidden in tablet mode, so in order to turn the PC on, or come back from standby or hibernation you need to open it up and bring the keyboard out. Also, when using an external display you can't close the lid all the way, or you'll get weird mouse behaviour.

Overall I like it. For their next model I would like Averatec to use a real graphics chip, include an external power button and a joypad, and fix the lid/mouse thing. I commend them for using a DVD combo drive when nobody did and for keeping their price when nobody did as well. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
If portability is paramount but you need enough power for the majority of typical mobile computing tasks, the Averatec AV3250HX-01 12.1-inch Notebook PC represents a sensible and affordable solution. It certainly isn’t built to be the fastest notebook in town or a high-end gaming rig, and its 12.1-inch viewing screen may be too small for those who prefer desktop-size displays. Nonetheless, the surprisingly competent, extremely compact and definitely cost-effective Averatec AV3250HX-01 features several impressive and forward-looking amenities and capabilities such as CD and DVD burning, wireless connectivity and a large hard drive, and is thusly a great match for demanding frequent travelers on a budget.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Averatec AV3250HX-01 features a Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+ processor running at 1.66 GHz. Featuring AMD’s latest PowerNow and 3Dnow Professional technologies, this notebook-specific CPU conserves power and maximizes battery longevity while offering enough raw power for standard mobile situations.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Averatec AV3250HX-01 incorporates 512 megabytes of RAM, a generous allotment for an ultra-compact notebook and certainly enough to permit satisfactory multitasking.

Video
CPUs are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output, particularly 3D graphics, to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" built-in video memory is preferable to one with "shared" video memory wherein the graphics controller borrows a portion of the all-important main system memory. The Averatec AV3250HX-01 utilizes an S3 Unichrome graphics controller with up to 32 MB of shared video memory. Though low-cost and certainly satisfactory for 2D applications such as word processing and Internet surfing and some 3D apps, this graphics controller is definitely not ideal for anyone who deals with visually taxing applications such as the latest 3D games or 3D graphics design.

Display
At 12.1 inches, the system’s XGA TFT display is smaller than that of a standard-size notebook but equal to that of other ultra-compacts. The system’s maximum resolution of 1024 by 768 is average for notebooks in this price range.

Hard Disk
If storage space is a priority, the system’s 80 GB hard drive will come as a pleasant surprise. You’ll have more than enough room for a broad range of applications and also a library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD burning, so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can record home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Most drives support several of these functions. This system boasts a versatile Dual DVD +/- burner through which you can do all of the above. Moreover, the "Dual" designation refers to the unit's ability to handle double layer DVDs, each of which offers nearly twice the capacity of traditional DVDs (8.5 GB vs. 4.4 GB).

Audio
The Averatec AV3250HX-01 offers adequate mobile sound via a standard AC ’97 sound card and built-in stereo speakers.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via a standard size keyboard and a large touch pad.

Connectivity and Expansion
The Averatec AV3250HX-01 doesn’t brandish ultra-upscale technologies such as Bluetooth or Infrared, both of which provide wireless interaction with other high-tech devices and peripherals. Nor is it equipped with a FireWire port (typically used for data uploads from digital camcorders) or a memory card reader. The unit does feature a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100 Mbit LAN for high-speed wired network and Internet communication, and 802.11g wireless technology for super-fast cord-free communication in public hot spots or other wireless networked locations. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an audio-out and microphone-in port, and one Type II PC Card slot.

Operating System and Software
Averatec will pre-install a copy of Microsoft's Windows Home Edition operating system and a small assortment of useful applications including Microsoft's Works productivity package and CyberLink’s PowerDVD XP 5.0 DVD software player.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and too cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two or three lbs. and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Averatec AV3250HX-01 is very small and exceedingly portable at a mere 4.5 lbs (with standard battery) and just 10.9 by 9.6 by 1 inches.

Power
The Averatec AV3250HX-01 sports a smart Lithium-Ion battery capable of three-plus hours between charges. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

law school life-saver
After spending the first two years of law school lugging around an incredibly heavy (~8 lb.) laptop and too many ridiculously heavy case books, I started looking for a lighter alternative. I stumbled upon the Averatec and tried it because I was impressed by the specs and the price. I could buy three Averatecs for the price of one Sony Vaio.

I LOVE this computer. It is light and the perfect size to tuck into any briefcase or bag. I have gotten as much as 4 hours from a fully charged battery, and have gone two days without plugging it back in by putting it in sleep mode.

It does have some drawbacks. The speakers are pretty bad, but since I only use them to play "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies for my daughter, I can live with them. Lectures and tutorials sound fine on them.

It also does get pretty hot, but my techno-nerd husband has instilled in me the habit of always setting my notebook on a book or wooden tray (never directly on my lap or a pillow), so the fan can work pretty efficiently. I have never burned myself on this computer.

There are a few rub marks on the inside plastic around the screen, but they are really easy to remove with a pencil eraser.

I am thrilled with my purchase and have used it every day for nearly a year. It is exactly what I wanted and cost much less than I expected. I plan to continue using it when I practice, perhaps with a universal docking station. I LOVE this computer!

Good value for money(...)
For the price offered, it's hard to beat. The XP-M processor is the counterpart to the Pentium-M and saves battery power. Plus, with 802.11g and an 80GB drive, it fulfills all my needs as amedia desktop as well. Great functions for a low price. [...]

Two thumbs up for Averatec.

worst laptop ever
I'm using my mother's account for this. I just wanted to say that this is the worst laptop ever. The video card is really crappy. 32mb!! it's impossible to play games like the sims 2, etc. on this thing.

AMD processors: fast but hot
I purchased this notebook due to four main features:
AMD processor
Weight/size
Cost
Comes with a CD backup of Windows XP (Compaq & HP systems often don't)

I had been shopping for a notebook for some time, but to purchase one with the features I wanted ( 80G hard drive, DVD/CD burner, wireless card, 512MB RAM) the cost was going to be double this price.At first I thought the 12" screen would be too small, but it is fine.I now prefer it to the 15.4" lcds.
Yes, the system runs a bit hot, but that is an inherent trait of AMD processors.It also is very fast... just a side effect of the warmth...
The best part is that the hard drive is not loaded to bloating with useless software.This system basically comes with Windows XP SP2, MS Works, Norton Antivirus (which I removed for Panda AV)
and Power DVD.I had at first considered removing Power DVD and adding Nero but Power DVD is very easy to use and basic.
I'm glad I purchased this system.

Light, Functional, Perfect
This computer is EXACTLY what I was looking for in a notebook: it's lightweight (only about 4 pounds) so I can carry it easily to class, it has a dvd burner/player, and an 80gig hard drive with plenty of ram. What I like best about it though is what it DOESN'T come with: there is almost no software included with this computer, so it's perfect for somebody who is going to uninstall windows or use open-source software (Firefox, OpenOffice, ClamWin, etc). The only things I had to uninstall were Norton Anti-virus (which I replaced with ClamAV) and a few random MS programs like frontpage. You really get what you pay for with this computer: great performance with no BS software.

Some more things I like about this computer: soft, quiet keyboard, sleek silver color, small but high resolution screen, great wireless card, easy-access USB ports on the right side, contrary to some reviews I read, the fan is NOT horribly loud, the power adapter is tiny, and the touchpad is by Synaptics (so it's great).

I would not recommend this computer for anyone who doesn't already know their way around a computer, or someone who needs fancy word processing software (because all this has is MS Works).

I hope my review was helpful! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your productivity to the next level wherever you roam with the Compaq Presario R4010US notebook PC. With a powerful AMD Sempron processor and large 15.4-inch screen, you'll be able to effortlessly multitask. It also features a strong ATI Radeon Xpress video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM--great for multimedia presentations. It has a Firewire port for connecting an iPod and video camcorders, dual-layer DVD-/+RW drive (which also burns CDs)--wlhich can burn up to 8.5 GB of data to compatible DVDs--and a multi-format memory card reader. The R4010US also offers a large 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and 54g wireless connectivity with 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support. For a step up in price, the R4025US offers a more powerful AMD Athlon 64 processor and 1 GB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is a bit above average in size for notebook PCs, providing more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
• Processor: A lower-end cousin to AMD's XP processor line, the 1.8 GHz AMD Sempron 3200+ found in this desktop is compatible in speed with Intel's 2.6 GHz Celeron processor. It's speedy enough for everyday computing needs and running office productivity software, but won't be quite enough for higher-end video editing or 3D gaming. This processor features AMD's Cool'n'Quiet Technology, which conserves power while also keeping the notebook's decibels to a minimum. It also features up to an 1800 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a 256 KB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users, and it features a faster than average speed (333 MHz). 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 V2220US 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 R4010US 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 very good 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 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Expansion Port 2 connector
• 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 AntiVirus 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Money 2005, MSN Encarta Plus, Sonic RecordNow, Apple iTunes, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Intervideo WinDVD, and MuVee Autoproducer.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.25 x 11.2 x 1.88 inches and weighs 7.85 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 Compaq R4010US notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty, 1-year technical phone support, and 30-day free software support. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatecs 12.1 XGA (1024x768) 1 thin super slim Combo Notebook wieghing just 4.6 lbs., with Intel Celeron M 360, 80GB, Dual DVD +/- Burner, 512MB DDR, Wireless LAN 802.11g , USB (3x) 2.0 and Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring mobile computing to your life without breaking the bank with the no-nonsense, yet powerful Compaq Presario M2010US notebook PC. It's powered by an Intel Celeron M 350 processor, which provides up to 3 hours of battery life. And you'll be able to work while on the go with the built-in 54g wi-fi LAN with 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support. This notebook features a 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB of installed RAM, 15-inch display, and combo DVD/CD-RW drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Since the focus is on affordability, the M2010US comes with just a 40 GB hard drive (4200 RPM)--small compared with other notebooks, but in line with the price of this notebook. It's still enough room for home office productivity software, storing family photos, and a decent-sized digital audio library.
• Processor: The Intel Celeron M processor is designed specifically for mobile computing, offering a balanced level of mobile-optimized processor technology, good mobile performance, and exceptional value. The 1.3 GHz speed resides in the middle of the spectrum for this processor (as of March, 2005). It also features a 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and large 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.)
• Memory: The installed 256 MB (266 MHz) is underpowered for today's demanding office productivity and multimedia applications and immersive 3D games. You'll want to take advantage of the 1 GB total RAM capability (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can read CDs at 24x, write at 24x,and rewrite at 24x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x.
• 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 M2010US 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 basic offering of connectivity options, which does include super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:

• 2 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 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition 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
This notebook measures 13.15 x 10.8 x 1.78 inches and weighs 6.27 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-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 M2010US 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)

HP makes bad products
HP products are horrible. After about 2 months since purchasing the laptop, something broke and I couldn't use it without the battery in it. So the battery was depleted quickly. Then the power connector on the back went loose, so I had to put up with constant interruptions because I had to always jiggle the power connector in the back for the power to get back on. After a while nothing was working. So I sent it for repair just before the warranty expired. They sent it back and they didn't do anything to fix it. I called customer service again and they told me to send it back. I also purchase a new extended warranty to keep them working on it. I wasted about a month on their incompetence and deception before they called me and said I have to pay for the motherboard because the motherboard is not under warranty. That was the first time I ever heard this. So now I am trying to get the money back for the extended warranty I paid for nothing. Customer service wasn't rude. But the company engages in deceptive practices and makes bad products. Too bad I couldn't give a 0 star.

Very Good Laptop & You Just Can't Beat The Price!
I got this at CompUSA for 500+tax AR. This was bought for my parents, so the majority of the usage will be for web surfing and e-mailing. I also have a Toshiba M35 that i paid over 1800 a year or so ago, the majority of this review will be a comparison between the two, yes i know that it is unfair to put this against that other one, but i was surprised at how this laptop can hld its own. I use the benchmark portion that is in a utility program called batteryeater to give you a reference between the two.

First off, as many people will tell you, the 256MB RAM (224MB because the video takes a minimum of 32MB and can be set up to 64MB) isn't enough, the laptop has two slots for RAM (1 is already occupied by the 256MB PC2100), so it would be a good investment to purchase another 256MB stick (~$30) or a 512MB (~$50) if you plan to do more than office work. Since i had an extra 256MB stick laying around, i did not have to spend the extra money for one, so i have 480MB or system RAM on this, whereas my M35 has 512MB of RAM because it has dedicated video ram. The score where 4012 for the 2010us and 4024 for the M35

The CPU is a 1.3GHz Celeron M 350, which has its ups and down, the up is that it has 1MB of L2 cache and 400MHz FSB, which is a bit stronger than the normal Celerons. The downside is that it does not support any type of power savings features such as SpeedStep on the Centrino line of CPU from Intel. The M35 has a 1.5GHz Centrino processor. The 2010us scored a 1470 where as the M35 had 1943 for the CPU benchmark.

The batter is a 53wHr Lithium-Ion, which lasts for a little under 2hours in the benchmark, Whereas the M35 had almost 3hrs with the speedstep on.

The LCD has a resolution of 1024x768, which is the lowest resolution for a 15" LCD by today's standards, and the LCD isn't high quality, the screen is bright...but that's only if you look at it directly on, from the side, the screen becomes dim and color reproduction is inaccurate. But considering that this is again for Office-type work this not so much a problem. my M35 a ultility that turns down the brightness of the LCD based on the amount of battery left, but i think a program of such can be found on the internet, but i just want to mention that because it would help to conserve the battery.

The mouse pad is an odd dimension, it is about 1.5"H x 3"W, which is a little short and wide compared to other laptops, it is made by synaptics, which makes touchpads for like 95% of the laptops out there. The one thing i didn't like is this mouse, the buttons are very slender and flushed with the palm rest and doesn't have a textured surface, so with my medium sized hand, i find it a little difficult to use without looking at it and having my finder directly on it, otherwise, i would have to use more pressure than on any other laptops because my thumb is about twice the width of the button.

Another thing that i would like to mention is that he power cord connection to the laptop seems very "fragile" it is thin and plugs into the left side, what makes is fragile is the fact that is plugs in perpendicular to the side so if you had this on your lap, and it happened to slip on the left side, i think there is a good chance that the plug would break. If it had a 90 degree plug, it would be a little better, a thicker plug, or having plugging into the back would help even more.

The hard drive is a 40GB @ 4200rpm, which is more than enough for office works, and some music and videos. The included DVD-Rom/CDRW drive is very nice addition on a budget laptop such as this, it doesn't come with a floppy drive, but all laptops today do not either. It scored a 2207 on the HDD bench, versus 3156 for the M35 which has a 60GB 5400RPM.

It has JBL pro speakers, which is better than most laptops i have used over the year and pretty much surpasses most of Dells laptop speakers. And it is placed on the front, facing you, so the sound is not pointed way out in space with some laptops. Though it is good, it cannot compare to the Harman/Kardon speakers on the M35.

This laptop has the intel extreme graphics2, with 32MB (can go upto 64MB) of ram, whereas the M35 has a 32MB GForceGo, so in the bench this only scored a 1912 whereas the M35 scored a 3441.

It does have 10/100 LAN as well as 54G wireless and 56K modem, 2 USB2.0 ports and a firewire port. These are all very nice addition with a budgets laptop such as this, the wireless get excellent reception from my wireless router, and is better than the intel 2200G that is on the Toshiba M35.

All in all, I think this is the best bang for the buck anyone can buy if you can get it for the 500 price, there just isn't anything else out there that I am aware of that can match this laptop in terms of features and price. But even at 700, it is still a very very good buy.

A Very good Budget PC
I received my computer yesterday and it was a pleasant surprise for me to open the box and take it out. Before ordering this one, I personally did not like the appearance of non-widescreen computers but this computer changed my view.

256MB RAM is a bit less and with shared video memory, XP crawls on this. Adding extra RAM is highly recommended, which I did by adding 512 module separately. After this small modification, this computer works wonderfully.

Beware of one small feature of HP's default system settings while you install the drivers. They set Clear type setting for smooth screen fonts, which make them blurred (display settings->Advanced->Effects). It took a while for me to figure that out.

In Summary, VERY happy with this purchase. Could not have expected more from a computer of this price (got it for $499.99AR from CUSA)!

Good Bang for the Buck
I got this for $599 on sale and after a rebate at Staples. It is what it is: An economy laptop with some unexpected bells and whistles.

The built in wireless internet is wonderful. The sound is terrific for a laptop. The screen is a nice size and produces a nice picture. I love having a burner and a dvd. It comes with the usual software that most preconfigured laptops come with. Has ilink/firewire hick is nice for us iPod users.

Negatives....not much to mention. I'm going to upgrade the Ram because 256 doesn't cut it nowadays. I'd like more than 2 usb ports.

If you're a gamer, buy an Alienware laptop for 4 times the price.This laptop should be more than enough for most people. The price is fantastic for a laptop that is a little more than basic. ... Read more

Product Description

The VAIO GRT Series Notebook provides advanced productivity and multimedia power for the mobile professional. It is the ultimate, stylish solution with all the power, speed, and efficiency of a bigger machine. With a large, high-resolution screen, dual battery capability, and integrated wireless connectivity, the GRT Series not only gives you the power to work efficiently for long periods of time away from your office - it also provides you the opportunity to exhibit your hard work. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics:
Sporting virtually no weak links apart from its average 3D graphics performance yet priced comparably to notebooks that aren't as well equipped, the Acer TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi (LX.T5106.112) Notebook PC is an ideal choice for the savvy road warrior. Equally at home in the office or on the road, the unit features plenty of processing speed and oodles of memory while at the same time delivering admirable battery efficiency and easy portability. Acer hasn't skimped on the options either, equipping the unit with a massive hard drive, a state-of-the-art optical drive, and today's most popular connections and communication facilities. At this price point, the commanding yet efficient TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi is hard to beat.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi is driven by an Intel Pentium M processor 745 running at 1.8 GHz. This is one of three components comprising Intel's efficient Centrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless support). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller, easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts. Moreover, the new, upgraded Pentium M roster features an amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for lightning fast access to recently opened files and applications. This particular 1.8 GHz model is one of Intel's faster Pentium M chips, far from the stunning speed of a high-end Pentium 4 but definitely competent enough to breeze through most common notebook tasks while going easy on the batteries.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they also keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi incorporates a whopping 1 GB of memory. This is double the current standard notebook allotment, thus ensuring you won't need to upgrade your memory for many years down the road.

Video:
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A standalone graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to an "integrated" controller that's permanently mounted to the mainboard and shares the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures without borrowing resources and delivering slow or jumpy images. This system's graphics controller is an Intel Extreme Graphics with 64 MB of shared memory. Though not as efficient as a standalone card for the reasons explained above, this controller nevertheless is part of Intel's recently upgraded Extreme Graphics technology, which more efficiently appropriates main memory than preceding models. As such, the unit will deliver top-notch images and smooth frame rates to virtually any 2D and some 3D applications, but is not recommended for serious 3D gaming or high-end 3D animation.

Display
You'll love the way your images look on the system's 15.4-inch WXGA display. Not only does it sport super-clean resolutions of 1280 by 800, but it also offers a 16:10 "widescreen" viewing ratio -- the same panoramic dimensions favored by Hollywood movie-makers and DVD producers.

Hard Disk:
One of the most surprising -- and welcome -- perks of the TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi is its storage capacity. At 100 GB, the system's hard drive is one of the largest found in any current notebook and will easily handle a massive selection of applications and user files and an extensive photo/multimedia/music library too.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. The TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi features a modular DVD-Dual drive that supports all of the above and is also compatible with double layer DVDs, each of which delivers nearly twice the capacity of traditional DVDs (8.5 GB vs. 4.4 GB). Moreover, its modular format allows you to quickly detach it and thus reduce weight for those extra-long road trips.

Audio:
The unit features two integrated stereo speakers, a stereo headphones/speakers/line out port and a stereo microphone/line-in ports.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 88-key Acer FineTouch keyboard with an embedded numeric keypad and numerous hotkey controls, and a convenient touchpad with two mouse buttons and four-way integrated scroll button.

Connectivity and Expansion:
Whether you prefer wireless or corded connections, the TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi is ready. The unit offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a standard dial-up 56K data/fax modem for low-speed communication, a 10/100 LAN for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or remotely via local public hotspots. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, a FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), an S-Video TV-out for high-quality digital feeds to a monitor or television, and an infrared port for interaction with cordless peripherals.

Operating System and Software:
Acer has equipped the unit with Microsoft's top-of-the-line version of the Windows XP operating system, Windows XP Professional Edition, CyberLink's respected PowerDVD DVD software player, and a small selection of multimedia and operational utilities.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. At 14.2 by 10.7 by 1.3 - 1.5 inches and 6.5 lbs with optical drive installed, the TravelMate 4500 TM4504LMi is slightly under the current notebook average.

Power:
The unit is equipped with an eight-cell lithium ion battery that delivers an admirable 5 hours of use under ideal conditions. Average recharge time is 1.5 hours with power off and 3.5 hours with power on. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Best Value with no Sacrifices!
I purchased this based on three reasons.

- 4.5 star LaptopMag.com Review (of the older 4500)
- Tons of positive User Reviews
- After extensive research, it was by far the Best Value


You simply cannot get a laptop for around $1200 that has all this:
- 100G HDD
- 1G of RAM
- Windows XP Professional (Not Home Edition!)
- A decent Processor (Non Celeron!)
- DVD±R/RW

I am impressed by the quality of the material of this laptop.It is sturdy and you can tell it is well put together.I've heard negative reviews about Acer support.However, this was not a big factor in my purchasing decision.I contacted them via email about the laptop and they got back to me in about 3 business days.Their response was very professional and they answered my question to my satisfaction.I was surprised the hard drive came partitioned already.That shows that they really pay attention to the little things too.

I bought a TDK Bluetooth PC card for $15 and got a Bluetooth mouse up and running instantly.I was thinking I had to change a lot of the software and configuration when I got it but I didn't.It was ready out of the box.Wireless 54g was a breeze.

The only cons about it for me (and I'm knit-picking here) is the slow hard drive (sub 7200 RPM) which means slow boot times.UT2004 played well 1 on 1 but not multiplayer.If that bothers you, you will have to spend A LOT more money.

This is an awesome machine for people who are not sure what they want, or if they want the best of all worlds.The laptop looks sharp, battery life is good, it's not too heavy, and 15 inches of screen was adequate for me.

Highly Recommended!!!

I am very satisfied.
I own this for 2 months and I am very satisfied. I had no problems and dvd runs and burns very well.

Battery runs up to 7 hours (no kidding, at low brightness)

Fast enough to do anything, 1gb ram is fantastic and 100 gig hard drive is awesome.

Stay Away from Acer
I bought a laptop from Acer, repeatedly had problems with the DVD drive.They told me to mail it back to them for repair.Then, they mailed it back to me untouched.Then, when I called them on it, they told me to mail it back again and be without it for yet another week.This is ridiculous.I'm filing charges in small claims court for the cost of the laptop. ... Read more