Product Description

Whether sitting on your couch or in your office, the Satellite M35 Series with Intel Centrino mobile technology incorporates convenient productivity features ready for any business or home. Combined with an enhanced battery life and increased performance packaged in an eye-catching silver design, the Satellite M35 Series is the notebook you want for both work and play. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Laptop for a Great Price, but...
The keyboard has a very weird layout.So weird, in fact, that I decided to return mine and pay a 15% restocking fee at Best Buy (Amazon doesn't have a restocking fee for laptops as far as I know).The biggest issue I had with the keyboard is that there is no Ctrl key on the right side of the keyboard.If you use computers throughout the day you would likely use this key with the arrow keys and your right hand to jump around text and spreadsheets, among other things (pasting, copying, etc).Also, the Windows button is on the top - for me not as big of a deal but other reviewers had an issue with that.

However this laptop is a very good laptop other than this, and at a very good price...lots of memory and hard drive space, DVD burner, awesome widescreen screen, and Toshiba is one of the most reliable laptop brands according to Consumer Reports (Apple is by far the most reliable, followed by both Sony and Toshiba).

After returning the product I purchased the Sony VAIO VGN-A250 from Amazon.Almost identical features - the only differences are that the Sony DVD burner is a double layer drive (not super important for the majority of the public), and the Sony memory card reader only accepts Memory Sticks (which Sony cameras use) whereas Toshiba's memory card reader accepts 5 different types of cards (including SD, the most popular).Additionally the Sony turns out to be $100-200 more.

Lastly, Toshiba appears to be replacing their M35X line with M45 at the moment, which at a first glance is even cheaper, so keep a lookout for those.

Amazing Bright Screen with Excellent Performace!
I've just bought M35X-S349 after i saw SONY, HP & DELL and i'm quite impressed with the performance of Toshiba, surely the screen is amazingly crisp and bright. I'm not fond of only Toshiba as a brand but they are serious notebook makers for a long time now, and the type of quality and performance they give in such a price tag is simply awesome. Although the performance is excellent still i'll go for the memory upgrade to 1GB.

No negetive points i have noticed so far except that it takes longer time to load windows at the starup and the Windows button is very oddly placed on the right hand top side.

The battery backup is really good.

I'm happy with the 5 in 1 card reader as i have camcorder and a digital camera so it makes lot easier to transfer the images to the computer, i would strongly suggest that look for a multi card reader in your notebook as it is truly helpful.

If you are looking for a great performer with light weight mobility then you must go for this one.

mobile and yet powerful with bright 15" screen
I looked at several notebooks from Sony, HP, Dell, and Apple, and this Toshiba was the best. First, the screen is very bright and sharp. 1.7 centrino is fast enough for most video, web surfing, and regular application. You can easily increase the memory to 2GB ( comes with 1x 512MB) which I updated by additional 512MB. DVD multidrive was better than others except Sony which had the dual layer. However, the real lightweight mobile notebooks have small screens (most 13"), and the desktop replacement notebooks such as the Sony K series or Toshiba's bigger version are too heavy and have very short battery life.
So, if you want a laptop, you want to carry and still use like desktop, this Toshiba is a very nice alternative. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatec (AV3360-EH1) Intel Pentium M Processor 72 ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Best balance of speed, HD capacity, and form!
I originally saw this product advertised on ComputerShopper and fell in love.Circuit City seems to have the lowest price but there are a few availability issues depending on where you live.I bought mine from Amazon and it was delivered in less than 2 days with standard shipping!This is perfect for office/student use, NOT for the hard-core gamer.I travel a lot and take lots of digital pictures, so this is perfect in terms of portability and performance.

Pros:
Small form factor
Huge hard drive
Great battery life (avg. 3 hrs)
DVD burner
SD/MMC card reader
External monitor support

Cons:
No floppy drive
No manual or support documentation
No original discs for installed software (for backup)
No IEEE 1394 ports (FireWire)

Great value!
Like the previous reviewer, this is my first notebook/laptop as well. I bought it as an alternative to the Epson P2000 40GB photo storage unit (that's been sold out everywhere) to download pictures for an upcoming two-week vacation to France. I haven't regretted this decision and think it's even better solution for me overall in the long run.

Not only does this unit have twice the storage (80GB), but being a notebook computer I've also installed Adobe Photoshop CS2 which will enable me to process my images during the vacation instead of doing it all when I get back.My only extended use has been a three-day trip to Yosemite which was a great opportunity to see how this concept was going to work out.Being able to download 2+ GB of photo's per day using a Sandisk USB CF reader, see them on the 12.1" screen and also process the RAW files in CS2 was in a word... sweet!Even the memory hungry CS2 was responsive with the standard 512MB ram - although I'll probably upgrade to a 1GB at some point.

Important factors to me in considering which notebook to buy where screen quality, battery life and weight.The screen resolution and quality is quite "good", but not as great as the VAIO and some others.Battery life seems to run a little over 3hrs with continuous use and weighing a little over 4 lbs, it is light!The wifi works like a champ and connected easily with my D-Link unit at home.The built-in ethernet port is significantly faster as you'd expect. Although the touchpad and its software work well, I'm too used to using a mouse and also bought a USB mouse.This system seems to be well made and has a nice quality feel to it. The feel of the keyboard as far as notebooks/laptops go is more than adequate and easy to use.

Oh, and the iGO charger unit that I bought for auto/air/wall charging is also a great convenience factor to think about - one charger does it all.Finding a nice "sleeve" to simply protect the surface when it's being carried in a suitcase or backpack has been a challenge, but it looks like the 12" Apple iBook dimensions are close enough.We'll see...

Great Notebook.
This is my first laptop. I got it at Circuit City for less than here at Amazon.

Battery life is good. The Intel Wireless-G adapter works fine with my Linksys WRT54G -- 48-54Mbps. WRT54GS was no faster. The 80GB hard drive is responsive. Loaded software was adequate. Has two video adapters so you can display on another monitor. Lacks a microphone (has a jack) and FireWire. Speakers are adequate but not great. Touchpad has some good features, but I added a Logitech USB notebook mouse. I have MS Office Pro, Visual Studio 2003 and SQL Server Personal installed and performance is fast.

Keyboard is small but usable. This is a nice small-footprint machine. ... Read more

Product Description

Toshiba Satellite A75-S209 Refurbished Notebook PC Digital Centerpiece 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. Classroom or business presentation? Get the TruBrite advantage - high brightness, high contrast, wide viewing angle! ... Read more

Features

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home
• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 532 (HT) 3.06GHz
• Memory: 512MB DDR
• Optical Drive: CD-RW/DVD Combo
• Viewable Screen Size: 15.4-inch WXGA - TruBrite

Reviews (3)

Buyer Beware!
I just got this laptop back from the repair shop. Thank God I bought the warranty because the system board and the DVD drive needed replacement. It no longer overheats, but the DVD drive still does not open. The screen is beautiful and the machine is fast. The headaches regarding this laptop are more than you'd like. Do yourself a favor and shop around. I thought Toshiba was top of the line. I still think highly of Toshiba, just not this model. Good luck!

Best laptop ever
This laptop is so fast with the Pent.4. It does overheat when you buy it because of a defect, but once you get the toshiba depot to fix it the problem goes away. I would recommend this laptop to everyone

HOT, in more ways than one
The display is beautiful!The speed is fast.The wireless is flawless.

And it heats up when gaming and SHUTS OFF!Often.The cooling fans are:One on the right side (right where you'd have your trackball/mouse, and two on the bottom of the machine."Do not block the fans" they say.Well, um, I don't possess the skills to levitate the machine off a flat surface, so that's out.I bought some fancy laptop cooler thing to set the machine on.It does not help.

After a few months of owning this laptop, this problem seems to be getting worse.The only thing I could do to stop the overheating was to buy a small 6 inch fan with a clamp on it, clamp it to my desk, and point it directly at the rear of the laptop.

This is poorly designed in my opinion.From reading other reviews around the world, I understand this model has been discontinued, Toshiba customer service is an abomination, and the speakers are made of metal and there is a shock/reboot problem on some machines.0_o

And if that is not enough for ya, it periodically boots with the sound disabled.Only way to get it working again is to unplug the power, take out the battery, and hold the power button for one minute.FUN!

Oh yeah, and no internal mic.

AVOID. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Multimedia just got mobile with the AV6210HX60-01 notebook PC, featuring a large 15.4-inch screen with a 1280 x 800-pixel resolution--great for watching DVDs. The 2.4 GHz Athlon XP-M 2400+ features AMD's battery-saving PowerNow technology, enabling you to watch up to three DVDs on a single battery charge. It also features a 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 54g wi-fi connectivity, and a DVD-ROM drive for playing DVD movies.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive is an average size for notebook PCs, offering enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software for road warriors.
• Processor: AMD's 2.4 GHz Athlon XP-M 2400+ processor is powerful enough to handle multimedia applications and immersive PC games as well as run demanding business productivity 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 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB). We recommend upgrading to take advantage of this notebook's multimedia capabilities.
• CD/DVD Drive: The CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can play DVD movies and burn music and data to CDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The AV6210HX60-01 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 AV6210HX60-01 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 notebook comes with the Windows XP Home Edition, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents) and PowerDVD.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 14 x 10 x 1.2 inches and weighing 6.2 pounds, the AV6210HX60-01 offers easily portable multimedia.

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

What's in the Box
This package contains the AV6210HX60-01 notebook 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 (2)

A Satisfying Purchase
I bought this about a month ago (at a warehouse club) and it has been everything I expected from a first laptop.I wanted something I could carry out on the deck with me and after setting up my wireless network, it has worked great and I haven't noticed any speed reduction from my usual broadband connection in regular wireless G mode.I'm not sure what the other reviewer's complaint is about DVDs as I haven't had the problems watching DVDs as they suggested and, though it takes some figuring out, you can get back to the menu while watching DVDs (a mouse helps).The battery life when using the computer has been about 2 hours.I haven't tried it in just DVD to time the battery life in that mode.I'm not a heavy gamer (Scrabble, Backgammon) so I can't speak for it's response in that area though other reviews I've read have vouched for it in that area.I will state that after reading laptop reviews on the net I was worried about the LCD screen and dead pixels, but I've not noticed any on this laptop.If fact, I prefer surfing the net on the laptop's wide 15" LCD screen over my desktop's regular 17" CRT screen.All in all, I find this to be a purchase I have not regretted.

Good NoteBook; Bad Portable DVD Player
I bought it because it said it's the biggest screen Dvd player in the world/ notebook computer. AS a notebook it's works great and has good screen size except DVD burner[it comes with one even though not advertise ] needs firmware upgrade [ not found].
As a DVD player it's a joke. it plays DVDs but widescreen shows one inch taller as it suppose to be and no way to watch full screen movie since it straches it as widescrren regardless of settings. once movie start playing noway to get back to manu screen. [ No help there either.] ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

It's easy to keep within your budget but get everything you need in a notebook for home, school or home office with the Acer Aspire LX.A5505.107. Affordable and nicely portable at 6.2 pounds, the LX.A5505.107 is powered by AMD's Sempron 2800+ processor and has a large 15-inch LCD screen. It also offers a 40 GB hard drive, up to 2 GB of RAM (256 MB installed), a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, and 54g wireless network connectivity.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Since the focus is on affordability, this Acer Aspire comes with just a 40 GB hard drive. While this may have sounded gigantic at one time, it is one of the smallest hard drives you'll find in a desktop computer. That said, it offers more than enough room for home office productivity software, storing family photos, and a decent-sized digital audio library.
• Processor: A lower-end cousin to AMD's XP processor line, the 1.6 GHz AMD Sempron 2800+ 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 a 1600 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.)
• Memory: The 256 MB of installed RAM (DDR333) will get you started, but you'll want to add more to handle any kind of multimedia application and most business productivity suites. This notebook has a 2 GB maximum RAM capacity.
• 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
This Acer Aspire has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. It also includes a basic offering of external connections:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA for external monitor
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system. It also comes loaded with Acer Arcade, eManager, and Launch Manager; CyberLink PowerProducer, and Norton AntiVirus.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.3 x 11 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.2 pounds.

Power
It comes with a fiyr-cell lithium ion battery with up to 1.5 hours life depending on usage (2.5 hours recharge time with system off, 3.5 hours with system in use).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire LX.A5505.107 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Product Description

The name of this Dell laptop--Latitude C600.Equipped with a 750 Mhz Pentium III processor, which uses SpeedStep technology. This means the C600 can switch between battery-optimized mode or maximum-performance mode.Condition: These laptops are off lease refurbished in good working condition.Please note they are used computers and will have signs of use; including minor cosmetic flaws that do not impact it's operation.The 14.1" display is crisp and bright.It also has 256MBof memory, a 20Ghard drive. It will handle most of your computing needs including internet, email, word processing, graphics, or gaming. This laptop originally sold for more than $3000 when it was brand new. All hardware is complete and guaranteed.Battery is also guaranteed to hold a good charge.Specifications: MODEL NO C600, CPU TYPE Intel Pentium III 750 mHz w/ Speedstep, MEMORY INSTALLED 256MB (Maximum 512MB), HARD DRIVE 20GB, DISPLAY 14.1" TFT Bright Active Matrix , 24XCD Drive, FLOPPY 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy, MODEM 56K V.90 Modem, NETWORK 10/100 LAN, VIDEO CHIPSET 2X AGP ATI Mobility M3 Video Accelerator w/ 8MB, PRINTER PORT (1) IEEE 1284 Compliant - connect to printers, scanners, MP3 players, UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) (1) USB - connect to digital cameras, printers, scanners, INFRARED PORT (1) IR - convenient for wireless printing, SERIAL PORT (1) 9 pin - sync up with Palm pilots, PS2 MOUSE PORT (1) - hook up an external mouse, PCMCIA SLOTS (2) Type I, Type II, or 32-bit cardbus, AUDIO CHIPSET ESS Maestro 3I Sound System, SPEAKERS Internal stereo speakers, AUDIO INPUTS/OUTPUTS Stereo Line In, Out, Headphone, EXTERNAL VIDEO PORT (1) SVGA - connect to any desktop monitor or projector, OTHER I/O PORTS (1) S-Video Out (Connect to TVs or VCR's for presentations), Docking Port, AC ADAPTER, BATTERY (1) Lithium Battery that is guaranteed to hold charge, OPERATING SYSTEM-Comes with Windows 2000 Professional installed.WEIGHT / HEIGHT 5.7 lbs / 1.5". ... Read more

Features

• Dell Latitude C600 Laptop
• Highlights: 750 Mhz Pentium III processor, 14.1 display, 256MB RAM, 20GB hard drive, 24X CD optical drive, 3.5 floppy drive, 56K V.90 modem, 10/100 Ethernet Connection, battery that is guaranteed to hold a good charge, Windows 2000 Professional installed
• This laptop originally sold for more than $3000 when it was brand new. WEIGHT / HEIGHT 5.7 lbs / 1.5"
• Comes with a 90 Day Replacement Warranty

Product Description

In the office, on the road and anywhere in between, IBM ThinkPad T Series notebooks are the perfect solution for frequent travelers requiring big functionality without a heavy load. Protected by a Titanium Composite cover, a high-resolution TFT display provides comfortable viewing and keeps spreadsheets and presentations looking great.IBM ThinkPad T30 notebooks pack even more power with Intel processor and, starting at just 2.2kg, mean you don't have to sacrifice performance for portability. With migration and uptime solutions, integrated wireless and security technologies and global IBM service and support, ThinkPad T30 notebooks make computing simpler and easier to manage. ... Read more

Product Description

Averatec (AV3270-EH1) AMD SEM/2800+ 512MB 80GB DVD ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Highly Unreliable Computer
This laptop computer may be sleek and thin, but I have had some serious problems with it.For one, there is a major problem with the keyboard design.After a couple of months, the spacebar imprints onto the computer screen- a complete design default.I bought this computer with a couple of friends for college, and the same thing happened to every friend who owned this Averatec computer.It surprises me that a major computer company can't even design the laptop without a major defect such as this.The large imprint on the screen was distracting and completely inacceptable.

In addition, my wireless card times out every so often.Sometimes it works and other days it will cut off the internet every 10 minutes.It is impossible to work when the wireless card is having a bad day.We sent the computer in to the warranty service and they "repaired" it.Two weeks later, the wireless card won't work again, which makes me question if the repair center worked on the computer at all.

The most unacceptable thing to me about Averatec is the willingness of the customer service to help.The warranty service seems like they want to give you as much trouble as they can if you want your computer fixed.They were unwilling to help or compromise, and even refused to fix some of the other problems I had with this computer and insisted that I pay them shipping and $40 for the trouble they spent on a problem that they determined was the "user's fault." (They didn't solve the problem, either.)To me, customer service is not service at all if the company has an attitude of not wanting to help at all.If anything goes wrong with your Averatec computer, don't expect the warranty service to give you an easy time about getting it fixed.

Absolutely a WONDERFUL computer.
I couldn't be happier with my new Averatec AV3270 EH1.Hard Drive is huge at 80 mg, if I need more I will just move the hidden partition to a DVD that I burned on the included DVD burner.The Batteries have run for 3.5 hours before giving up with no problems whatsoever.The monitor is great and the 4.5 lbs makes this my best purchase ever.Beats my 15.1" Toshiba all to heck.The sempron is just as fast to me as the Toshibas P4 and runs MUCH COOLER.I have had no problems with my Wireless Connections and it is running great.SOund is mediocre, but what do you expect.Keyboard is tight, but again, what do you expect?

(...)

Here today,gone tomorrow
Got the laptop on Thu.Turned it on Friday,CPU fan failed in a few hours,called tech support,their suggestion;return it to amazon!packed it up Friday, got return authorization and took it to the UPS Store on Saturday.I'm 69 and still haven't learned;"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"Ordered an HP DV1000 from HP today.GVC ... Read more

Product Description

Toshiba Satellite M35x-S311 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.The Satellite M35X, built on Intel Centrino Mobile Technology, delivers exceptional performance and up to 4hrs. battery life. This model includes a 5-in-1 bridge media adapter to make data exchange a snap and today's most popular features, such as an IEEE-1394 port and high-speed wireless LAN.Starting at only 6.6 lbs., this system has 512MB memory, a 60GB hard drive, CD burner, Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 to enhance productivity, and Windows XP Pro to keep you up and running. ... Read more

Features

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Processor: Intel Centrino 1.5GHz
• Memory: 512MB DDR
• Optical Drive: CD-RW/DVD Combo
• Viewable Screen Size: 15.4-inch WXGA

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Striking a smart balance between today's most desirable notebook attributes--versatility, size, price, and battery life--the Sony VAIO VGN-A250 notebook PC is a sophisticated solution for computer users on the go. Like Sony's state-of-the-art VAIO VGN-A290 but with slightly downgraded power, a smaller display, and a more appealing price tag, the VAIO VGN-A250 is so compact and battery-efficient that you can take it virtually anywhere, yet it features top-end amenities such as double-layer DVD burning, smooth 3-D graphics, and a spacious 80 GB hard drive. If you generally work in an unplugged environment but need more resources and features than you'll find in most ultralightweight notebooks, the VAIO VGN-A250 may well be in your future.

Sony Series A Display Sizes The VGN-A290 features a 17-inch screen.

Processor At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collectionof miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entireunit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPUs on parwith those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quickenough only for basic duties such as word processing, e-mail, and the like.The VAIO VGN-A250 is equipped with an Intel Pentium M 725 processor operatingat 1.6 GHz. This is one of three components that comprise Intel's efficientCentrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integratedwireless support). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller,easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts.This particular CPU is part of Intel's upgraded Pentium M lineup, featuringan amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast access to recentlyopened data and a fast 400 MHz front side bus to help reduce data-streamingbottlenecks. Though its raw clock speed is not on par with that of a high-endIntel Pentium or AMD Athlon, this CPU will easily handle most every mobiletask while at the same time improving battery life. Moreover, Sony hasequipped the system with solid graphics support and adequate memory--two components vital to overall performance. Memory Computers typically store information on their hard drives, but they keepfrequently and recently accessed data in random access memory (RAM) forfaster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking,and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VGN-A250 incorporates 512MB of RAM. This is considered a standard allotment for high-end notebooks,delivering solid multitasking and few slowdowns during ultracomplex tasks.

The VGN-A250 features a 15.4-inch screen.

Video
CPUs are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translatingvisual output to the screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (orgraphics controller). This system's graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon9200 with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. Dedicated video memory is far preferableto shared video memory (where the graphics controller appropriates a portionof the main system memory), and this 64 MB allotment is considered plenty for3-D graphics, midlevel 3-D animation packages, and even some of the latest 3-D games.

Display The VAIO VGN-A250's 15.4-inch WXGA display may be smaller than the 17-inchmonsters found in today's top-of-the-line notebook displays, yet it'slarger than that of most notebooks and even some desktops. Furthermore,its widescreen format is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favoredby DVD movies. It's highly sophisticated, too, sporting Sony's new XBRITEtechnology for better contrast and a brighter picture, and a crisp 1,280x 800 maximum resolution. Hard Disk At a spacious 80 GB, the enclosed hard drive is a welcome perk for thosewho need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a largelibrary of space-gobbling music or multimedia files. Audio The unit is equipped with integrated stereo speakers and an audio amplifier.	  Dimensions When Closed Other Series A Computers
	SonyVAIO VGN-A290 1.70 GHz Pentium M 1 GB RAM 100 GB HD	Sony VAIO VGN-A250 1.6 GHz Pentium M 512 MB RAM 80 GB HD

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A CD-ROM driveallows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A CD-RW driveadds CD burning, so you can also back up your important files to long-lastingdiscs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watchDVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can write home movies to durablediscs and archive files to DVDs, which boast more than seven times the storagecapacity of CDs. Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of thesetasks. This system features a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW Drive, with whichyou can do all of the above. The drive also supports today's hot new double-layer DVD format that effectively doubles the capacity of typical DVDs.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 82-key keyboard and a standard electrostatictouchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion
The VAIO VGN-A250 features a bevy of connectivity facilities, including a 56Kmodem for low-speed dialup Internet and e-mail access, a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TXEthernet port for high-speed wired networking and Internet, and an integrated IntelPRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection (802.11b/g) for cord-free e-communicationat home, at the office, or on the road at a public hotspot. Other keyamenities include high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug-and-play devices such asexternal drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly usedfor quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and the usual impressive Sonyroster of audio and video ins and outs.

Operating System and Software
Sony will install Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, a varietyof productivity and business applications, and a broad range of digital photo,audio, and video utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten ortwelve pounds or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuoustraveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements".On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultraportables",super-miniaturized units that are typically less powerful than their largerbrethren but weigh as little as two pounds and often fit comfortably insidea large purse. The VAIO VGN-A250 is just below today's median at 7.3 pounds and14.7 by 10.9 by 1.7 inches. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

some regretful shortcomings
bought this goodie a week ago. this is a very good computer in general but still got some unsatisfactory letdowns:
1)very heavy;
2)512mb memory is definitely not enough and fast enough, very slow to change window pages, leaving white square blanks and almost like frozen windows need couple of seconds to disappear;
3)the 4200rpm hard drive is way too slow compare to 7200rpm one;
4)the cd-rom/dvd-rom drive is also too slow to read, the reading time and respond time will drive you nuts. also, it's very user-unfriendly; you have to insert the cd-rom one side first since it's not fully opened wide enough for you to just put down the cd. when push the eject button, it only spring out a little bit, and you have to pull the whole out; you have to accurately press down the cd-rom into the center round clip by force and it's so fragilely hanging out, sometimes you'd just imagine you'll break it sooner or later.
5)there're some weird problems to get connected to some websites,like google's gmail site and many other websites; my sony desktop never experienced such weird problems; have tried everything, change browser's options.... but still won't get to those websites.
6)very weird outcomes when tried to install some software programs; this too, never happened to my sony desktop.

other than these, this laptop is pretty cute and lovely.

One Of The Best I've Ever Seen
This is it. It is the ultimate for those very busy businessmen who never seem to have enough space to store stuff and/or constantly find that stuff is too slow. It's even good for presentations as it connects easily to projectors. Hence it is the best in its class. If there is anything better it's the
Sony VAIO VGN-A290 17" Notebook PC ... Read more

Product Description

High-end mobile computing at a value price

The Satellite® M35X-S163 is a great value for those who are trying a notebook for the first time, with features not usually offered at such a great price. It features a widescreen 15.4" diagonal display, integrated 802.11bg wireless and an IEEE 1394 port in a small, light chassis. You don’t have to sacrifice performance for price, either, as its Intel® Celeron® M Processor is designed specifically for notebooks, maximizing mobile performance and battery life. The Satellite® M35X-S163 is a great way to experience for yourself the advanced engineering and innovations that Toshiba is known for pioneering.

Notes:

• This model features an integrated Wireless 802.11b/g LAN connection.
• This model is pre-loaded with Service Pack 2 for the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.
• The manufacturer states that both memory slots may be occupied.
• A 1.44MB Internal 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive is not included. An optional 1.44MB External 3.5-inch USB Floppy Disk Drive is available.

Product Description

Refurbished, W/ 6 MONTH WARRANTY!! DON'T MISS OUT! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Decent and stylish but not very hardy!
I got my vaio about a year back to replace an aging desktop. In about 6 months, a couple of keys came off but sony support replaced those immediately.

I'e had some problems wiht the operating system- for instance, internet explorer will not show some images on websites. Its irritating (is it SP2? I dont know). ALso, the beautiful case gets scratched easily adn the screen seems very delicate- I dont carry it around too much and I am afraid to.

But otherwise it is a great little machine which I can take around and use anywhere in the house. Very pretty, very smart only thing is needs more strength.

Near Perfection!
I bought my SONY VAIO V505EX to write my disertation.

The good news:It is FAST and reliable. I can easily sync with my home and work computers using Briefcase so my data on all three computers is always up to date. As mentioned in other reviews, downloads from sites such as iTunes are speedy and accurate. I love that the connections are on the sides instead of the back. This allows me to keep my "baby" in a zippered sleeve that I don't have to remove to plug it in or use the USB ports. Most other brands have their connections on the back and it is awkward to hook up if you prefer to keep a cover or sleeve on the machine. The screen resolution is brilliant if tilted at just the right angle. I have never been a fan of touch pads, and in fact purchased a small portable USB mouse when I purchsed the computer. The touch pad is so "true" and easy to use, that the mouse now stays in my briefcase unused.

The "not so good" news:My machine came with a multimedia package that included a partitioned hard drive. This was NOT workable for me as my data and research (including a library of PDF files) needed to be easily accessbile. I did not like having to switch drives or go to special lengths to make sure I was not overloading the smaller partition (20 GB). When I contacted Sony, they told me that if I remove the partitions, I could no longer use their support. I stewed over this for awhile and then opted to reformat the entire drive and take the risk. I am much happier with one 60GB hard drive. The only other problem I have is with the keyboard. I have read in other reviews that the keyboard is great so I am not sure if this is just "me" or if others have this problem. They keys are nice and tight, but have edges that help you make sure you are not "drifting" to a neighboring key...however, the shift key is only one key instead of a double key. Thus I am constantly hitting "Page Up" when I mean to shift and typing in the wrong place. Additionally, if I accidentally touch the key pad when this happens (a sleeve brushes it, etc.), I end up selecting (and often deleting) a whole page of data. I have caught this each time and am able to use the "undo" function to retrieve my info, but it is annoying. I have been trying to review and revise my own keyboarding habits to overcome this problem, but so far without much luck. For now, I make sure I glance at the screen (not as easy when taking notes in a class or meeting) to make sure I am in the right place.

Overall, I couldn't be happier (with minor exceptions) with this tiny, light, and efficient machine. I recommend it to anyone who needs portability, speed and reliability. Perhaps an external keyboard when not on the road would make it almost perfect!

Don't Add RAM and Watch for Heat Stress
This is my third Vaio laptop since 1999 and my wife has one also, plus two Vaio desktops, so you can tell we like this brand. I like my PCG-V505 for several things, like the speed and the built in DVD writer, which seems very fast. It is great to use data DVDs for backup and ripping music CDs into iTunes is very swift.

But thePCG-V505 series has two minor issues for me--the keyboard keys have tight edges that can catch on fingernails and the case scrathes easily as one other reviewer indicated--and a major problem for anyone with XP and anything over 512MB of RAM. There is a known bug in XP that can prevent hibernation in machines with 1 gigabyte or more of RAM.

Hibernation is essential for a laptop because the hard drives in laptops are susceptible to heat damage. The longer they run in a high temeprature laptopn case, the sooner they die (I think I have replaced enough hard drives in laptops, including Vaois to make this claim, and if you read the tech lit, this is a well-documented phenomemon). So if the laptop won't hibernate you either have to shutdown as you travel between locations or it is liable to come on, in your bag, during travel, resulting in damaging 'hot briefcase' syndrome.

I treated myself to 2 gigabytes of factory-installed RAM in my machine and boy am I regretting it. Performance is great, I can run a ton of apps at once, which is how I like to work, but no hibernation. Sony support told me XP SP 2 would fix this (it is listed on the fixes that Microsoft claimed). But SP2 did not fix it and the thing that bothers me is Sony knew of the problem when they sold me the machine. Tech support at Sony was not at all helpful -- "rebuild the machine from scratch then add one app at a time, test, and then add another." Since the problem only appears after about 24 hours of use, and I can't go without some apps for several days, this was not a good fix.

Microsoft support was more helpful and is still working with me on it. But I am now inclined to take out the extra RAM and sell it (at a loss) defaulting back to the standard 512MB. My advice to buyers, test the keyboard yourself, and skip the extra RAM.

Stephen

In love with Vaio
I've had my Vaio PCG-V505EX for a year now, and I haven't had any problems yet.It's light so I can carry it under one arm easily.It withstands light shaking and bumping, so it's not too fragile. I bring it everywhere!
Keyboard feels great, screen is nice and bright.Only thing is I found out about Giga Pocket, which this particular model doesn't have.I would love to be able to watch TV from my laptop and record TV shows...

Its great
I love sony vaio's. I have had this v505ex for a couple of weeks and love it. It is so fast, light. The screen is huge and the keyboard is great. It has a great warranty and sony backs everything. ... Read more

Product Description

The 5500 Series notebook offers the power of a desktop without all the bulk! The power of the Mobile AMD Sempron Processor brings solid performance and real mobility at home, at work or on the go! Packed with superb digital features like IEEE 1394 Firewire, TV-Out and a 4-in-1 Media Card Reader, you won't lose a step when switching from your current desktop to this notebook. With this notebook it provides the option to go mobile, and you can't do that with a desktop. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

great for the money!!
this computer is great!! Upgraded to 512, for 40 bucks! this does everything I need it to do in a laptop. Only negative is that the keyboard spacings isn't comfortable, but I use a mouse anyway so it is great!!

Breaking Apart - Customer service = 0
I do like Averatec, I also love AMD processor, as far as My concern AMD is the best one and for a real decent price. I got this computer and a week after the leds cover just jumped out its position, I glued back several times, until I got tired, and finally the cover get lost. Some days after, the lock button also disappear, so mi pain began. I placed a service request trough the Averatec Page, no answer so far, I called several times just to hear music, I faxed a request and up to now SILENCE is the
answer I have. I opened the unit and rebuild the lost parts my self, but that is not the general idea of Customer Service .....

Great Bargain
I've had this laptop for about a week now, and i am very happy with it.I was looking for a budget priced computer for word processing and web surfing.I have been more than satisfied with both.

I have some visual problems, so I needed a large screen.the 15" here is generous, with enough brightness even for my poor peepers.The keys are also larger than most laptops I've seen. The white on grey is high contrast, and easy to see.

No, it's not lightening fast, but anyone who wants to play high end games and the like aren't looking at budget laptops anyway.As it is, I can play SimCity 4 and Warcraft III with no problem.

There are only two drawbacks.one, i have upgraded to 512mb.This was only $100.Second, It's stingy on the software. I would like to have seen some bells and whistles included.But for the price, I cannot complain.

I recommend this to those who want a glorified typewriter, or a student on a budget who would still like to watch DVDs or burn CDs.

Totally Pleased Averatec Owner
I purchased this laptop having never owned nor used one before. I am totally pleased both with Amazon's purchasing process as well as my new laptop. I never knew computing could be so much fun :). The many ways in which it hooks up to the internet are amazing. I added powered speakers to my truck and enjoy music and multimedia all day long. Thanks Amazon and Averatec.

Look out for these guys!
I bought this laptop.Less than a month later the sound stopped working because of a hardware failure.Tech support was an absolute nightmare.For 3 days I argued with the company because they could not find my laptop and claimed I never sent it, despite being given the tracking number proclaiming its delivery.The RMA status on the website has been broken for the entire month ordeal, and the company takes on average a week and a half to return a phone call requesting warranty status and tracking numbers.When they finally shipped out my computer, the customer service representative sent the package to HIS name, not mine, so the dormitory I lived at would not release the package.The company refused to do anything at first, saying it was the dorms choice what to do with the laptop, but after 2 hours on the phone, twice, they decided to ship the laptop back to California from Illinois to ship it back, which was going to add another 2 and a half weeks to the 3 already past.I'm still waiting.Do not buy from these people! ... Read more

Product Description

Roam where you want to with the Toshiba Satellite M35X-S161, built for today's demanding mobile professional. It features a fast 1.30 GHz Intel Centrino processor, known for its smart, power-saving battery for long life on the road and built-in 54g Wi-Fi connectivity. It also offers a large 15.4-inch screen, 60 GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, and 512 MB of installed RAM (with expansion up to 2 GB). The Basics Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive is larger than the average notebook's, enabling road warriors more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software. Processor: The 1.30 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor approaches the higher end of speed for this processor class. 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 2 MB L2 cache and 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB). Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is becoming the standard for notebooks, and the M35X-S161 can be expanded to 2 GB of memory--necessary for running complex spreadsheets and multimedia applications. CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive has 40x read, 16x write, and rewrite at 10x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x. Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad. ... Read more

Features

• 1.3 GHz Mobile Intel Celeron Processor
• 5121 MB DDR SDRAM
• 60 GB Hard Disk ' ONLY 6.6 pounds '
• CD-RW: 40x (read), 16x (write), 10x (rewrite); DVD-ROM: 8x;
• Windows XP Home Edition - 15.4 inch display

Product Description

More than a PC. The VAIO A Series is a feature-packed notebook that performs like an entertainment center. Enjoy watching DVDs or listening to CDs. Burn professional quality DVDs and CDs. Store up to 8.5GB of data, music, photos or movies on a single DVD. Plug in and access Sony's impressive Giga Pocket TV tuner/MPEG-2 Encoder, personal video recorder, high-end S-Master digital audio amplifier and premium Sony speakers. Your notebook just turned into a digital studio. Powerful combination of Sony technologies combine to give you truly incredible image quality. 15.4" Wide XGA display with XBRITE Technology delivers ultra crisp, bright graphics. ErgoBright Technology automatically adjusts the brightness of your LCD, giving you reliable resolution in just about any lighting environment. Smart Display Sensor automatically adjusts to any projector or display resolution. Intel Centrino Mobile Technology runs cool and quiet, while keeping the profile slim and light, with enhanced performance and battery life. A remarkable blend of full-size power and portability. Wireless capabilities let you connect wire free around your home or on the road. The VAIO A Series Digital Studio PC delivers high performance and incredible Audio / Video capabilities. Unlike other full-size notebooks, it connects to an AV dock that enables a TV tuner, personal video recorder; S-Master digital amplifier and premium speakers. ... Read more

Product Description

You expect the best from Sony, now you have it - the best in portability, the best in style, and the best in ultra-light performance. The award winning TR line of notebooks delivers it all: head turning design, unbelievable battery life, a beautifully detailed XBRITE screen with a 16: 9 aspect ratio, a built-in digital camera and uncompromising computing power. All this at just over three pounds. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The Good: it's *very* sexy, light, compact and fast.
The Bad: Month 4 of use -- hard drive dies but Sony replaces.
Month 11 of use -- no power -- totally dead. Sony fixes.

The Ugly: at month 12, my warranty is expired; the system runs hot ALL THE TIME. It's a simple matter of time before something blows again.

Net-Net: Owning this laptop is like owning a Lambo -- you don't know if it's going to start when you turn the key -- but when it's working -- you're the coolest kid in town. Better have a regular computer; keep this as your 'toy'.

Screen prone to damage w/the slightest touch - $$$ repair!
I've had this unit since April 2004, and it currently is at Sony for repair.The brilliant crystal clear screen is being replaced for $726.73 even though it is still under the first year of warranty.I dropped a pen on the screen, it barely tapped the surface, and the screen burst forth with white and rainbow, wiping out all readable text and display.

Again, THE PEN BARELY TAPPED THE SURFACE, AND THE SCREEN WENT OUT!I remember the salesman telling me to buy the warranty for just that reason, however Sony tells me that the warranty does not cover physical damage.So I am screwed, and must treat this notebook like a fragile (and expensive) carton of eggs.Beware of the XBrite screen if you are looking for a notebook that needs to stand up to the road, or any sensitive contact with the outside world.

Outside of the costly penalty to enjoy the screen on the product, it is a great machine.I'm just sick to my stomach that such a fine item has such a sensitive and expensive screen to repair.It hurt enough to cough up $2300 for this baby, but when you have to pay hundreds more for repairs, or the accidental damage warranty, it's time to think again.

Looks 10 reliability 0
I have had this expensive machine for a little over two years and have not gone six months without major problems.This includes two trips to the service center in San Diego.I love the size, its features and it's eye catching looks.However it's lack of an internal fan leads to overheating which I am sure is contributing to the poor performance--including the need to replace the hard drive after less than 6 months of light home use by my wife.I noticed that Sony produced an early micro similar for the Japenese market which was pulled due to over heating problems and have wondered if the TR3A is a relative.I have anorther VAIO desktop that runs Media Center XP and it is outstanding.I also believe Sony's technical support is one of the best---I just wish I wasn't on a first name basis with them.I would strongly recommend against anyone purchasing this machine.

the manufacturer's warranty sucks... well Duh it's a laptop!
I sell this and many other laptops and I have to tell those who are interested in it that you should buy some sort of extended coverage plan if you are going to buy any laptop. I know there are plenty of people out there that thing they are smarter than that but in reality they aren't. It's a laptop folks, if your gonna own one chances are VERY good that your gonna have to get it fixed from time to time, as the person who payed $700+ can attest.

About the laptop itself it is a very handy unit but one that is best used as a companion pc to a large notebook or desktop because trying to type on it is a pain, both because of the small keyboard and the small screen.

As to battery life if you don't charge the battery for a good 12 hours the first time you use it you'll get poor performance. If you do charge it right the first time and still get less than 4-5 hours of time per charge then you prbly have a faulty machine (if so I hope you weren't too "smart" to get a third party warranty from a reputable company).

This computer is great!
The keyboard is very small, and since I have extra-small hands, it's the most comfortable keyboard I have ever used.

Everyone oohs and ahhs over my stylish little computer. I use it to take notes in class - I don't miss a beat!

I carry it in a cool Guatemalan bag. It's so small, no-one even knows I have a computer in there until I take it out. It's lighter than any of my textbooks.

It has been surprisingly durable. It's taken a few knocks in the backpack and been OK.

The important thing to do is to make the backup disks *right away* when you get the computer. I had an IT friend do it since I wasn't sure how.

My computer was recently hosed by a virus, and I would have been S.O.L. if I hadn't had those backup disks.

I decided on the version *without* Office/Photoshop/EndNote etc., since I can get that stuff at the student bookstore. ... Read more

Product Description

Acer TravelMate TM2304LCi-XPP Notebook PC Mainstream Value Notebook with Intel Celeron Processor For those who prefer an all-in-one design, the versatile TravelMate 2300 is a great value, providing all the basic computing and multimedia functions you need. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Built specifically for business road warriors, the corporate class IBM ThinkPad T30 is a thin, light notebook that will help you get the job done, wherever you roam. And because it's been factory reconditioned, it's a great value. It features a battery-sipping 1.6 GHz Pentium 4-M (Mobile) for long battery life while away from the office and the robust Windows XP Professional operating system. Weighing just under 6 pounds and measuring 1.5 inches thin, this notebook also features a 30 GB hard drive, 256 MB of installed RAM, a bright 14.1-inch screen, and a removable DVD-ROM drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 30 GB hard drive is quite small in comparison to contemporary business-oriented notebooks (where 60 GB is becoming more the standard). However, it's still more than enough room for loading a business productivity suite and storing a wealth of spreadsheets, documents, and presentations.
• Processor: The 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4-M (Mobile) processor offers enough speed for your work today, though it's speed lags behind what is available in contemporary notebooks with this processor (May 2005). Thanks to its Mobile features, the processor can save power when its not needed, thus conserving battery life.
• Memory: The 256 MB of installed RAM will get you started, but you'll want to add more to handle any kind of multimedia application and most business productivity suites. This notebook has a 1 GB maximum RAM capacity.
• CD/DVD Drive: The DVD-ROM drive enables you to access CDs and DVD movies while on the road. It's also removable, so you can travel even lighter.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The T30 is loaded with just the basics (i.e., no wi-fi) for external connectivity:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 Serial port
• 1 Parallel port
• 1 infrared port
• 1 S-Video out
• 2 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack
• 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Professional Edition (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features) with Service Pack 2 featuring Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web.

Dimensions and Weight
Perfect for portability, the T30 weighs 5.7 pounds and measures 12 x 9.8 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH).

Power
It's powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that has up to a 3.2-hour battery life.

What's in the Box
This package contains the IBM T30 236661U factory reconditioned notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a 6-month limited hardware warranty. ... Read more

Product Description

Our WinBook C Series is specially designed to offer superior performance for today's mobile professional. It easily handles the durability, flexibility and productivity needs of today's road warriors! ... Read more

Product Description

Sharp's newest desktop replacement notebook includes the latest in computing technologies. Based on the powerful AMD Athlon 64 processor 2700+, the Actius AL27 features a Double Bright 15-inch LCD display, rewritable DVD Dual drive, integrated IEEE802.11g wireless LAN capability, an ergonomically curved keyboard, and a convenient data security solution. With Sharp's exclusive DirectHD technology, this sleek notebook can be used as an external hard drive when connected to another PC, providing a seamless way to transfer files. The Actius AL27 offers everything you want in a sleek notebook in a design that is certain to turn heads. ... Read more