New XPS Coupon from Dell Home!

Today's XPS Offer!

Limited time offer beginning 12/15/05 8:00am CST through 12/21/05 6:00 am CST or after 4000 redemptions (whichever occurs first)

ONLINE ONLY: Save 10% on SELECT Dimension� XPS desktop purchases $999 or more (before tax and shipping)! May not be combinable with Deals of the Week, mail in rebates, dollars off, percentages off, or select other promotions. Only one coupon may be applied per cart at checkout. Coupon code expires after first 4000 uses, or earlier if offer is terminated earlier.

Coupon Code: 5SXLWGN42DD20M



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HP Compaq Presario V2000Z notebook computer

It's unattractive and its battery life isn't much to laud, but otherwise the V2000Z is a lot of notebook for little money. Available with a midrange AMD Turion processor or a budget-priced Sempron, it packs a surprising amount of RAM, decent hard drive capacity, and plenty of power for most computing tasks that don't involve gaming, graphic design or defeating high-ranked chess masters.

Weighing in at a relatively light 5.4 pounds, the V2000Z features a 14-inch BrightView display that's crisp and, well, bright. With its DVD/CD-RW combo drive, it lets you watch movies with decent performance, but don't expect to do much with 3-D graphics despite its ATI Mobility Radeon GPU. Also, you'll probably want the enhanced battery, available for around $25, to get almost five hours of battery life; the standard included battery doesn't quite make it to two and a half hours.

What this notebook has in spades is ports; that is, it sports ports. With three USB ports, a FireWire port, and an S-Video port for piping hot TV display, you'd think it would be happy, but HP also threw in a 6-in-1 card reader that deals with SD, MMC, XD, and other initials.

Specifications:

MS Windows XP Home, Mobile AMD Turion 64 ML-34 1.8 GHz, 512MB DDRRAM, 60GB HardDrive, Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon XPRESS 200, DVD-ROM/CD-RW, Wireless: 802.11g , 14.1" wwidescreen display, weight 5.4lbs.

Customer Review:
There are a few things you need to understand about the Compaq Presario V2000Z in order to appreciate its value. The V2000Z comes in two flavors: One can be configured with a Sempron processor, which is typically found in budget laptops, and the other with a Turion processor, which is typically seen in midrange models. As recently as three months ago, any laptop in HP's line that integrated a Sempron processor cost less than $1,000 and was part of the value segment, and any notebook with the more powerful Turion processor was more expensive. Today, you can get the more powerful V2000Z Turion model for less than $1,000—not a bad deal.
Price: $699.

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Tags:hp compaq v2000z, v2000z laptop review

Averatec 3715-EH1 Notebook review

Averatec packs many features into its systems, giving customers the best bang for their buck. The company's latest product, the Averatec 3715-EH1, offers an AMD-based, travel-friendly laptop with decent amenities at a reasonable price.

Measuring 10.8 x 8.8 x 1.3 in., the 4.2-pound notebook sports a 12.1-inch antiglare screen and a comfortable, full-size keyboard with touchpad. Reminiscent of the Apple iBook, the 3715 is enclosed in a silver and white case, but lacks the glossy finish most iBooks feature. A convenient switch is on hand to toggle the integrated Wi-Fi on and off.

Features
An AMD Sempron 3000+ processor powers the notebook, along with 512 MB of memory and an 80-GB hard drive. A DVD-RW drive and integrated Wi-Fi add to the rich hardware set of the 3715. In addition to three USB 2.0 ports located on the right side for easy access, Averatec also threw in a Firewire port and a 4-in-1 memory card reader to please multimedia enthusiasts.

Although the hardware is on pace with competitors, the software bundle included with the 3715 leaves much to be desired. Running on Microsoft Relevant Products/Services from Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, the 3715 lacks productivity applications and strong multimedia software.

Performance
Hardware features and stylish looks aside, the notebook isn't worth much without adequate performance. Running BAPCo MobileMark 2005 on Averatec's notebook produced an unspectacular battery life of 149 minutes, on par with the comparably priced, albeit larger, $999 HP Compaq Presario V2000Z and holding its own against the more expensive Dell Inspiron 700m's 150 minutes of juice.

Additionally, the Averatec garnered a performance score of only 152, far lower than the 200+ scores of the Dell but comparable to the 160 score of the Turion-based HP. Although both battery life and performance are typical of sub-$1,000 notebooks, power users will find the 3715 lacking. With that said, however, the notebook easily handles all your basic tasks, such as Web browsing and word processing.

Perfect for those on a budget, the $899 Averatec offers a load of hardware features in a sleek, attractive, and highly portable casing. But power users looking for an ultraportable notebook who can manage to spend a few hundred dollars more will find better options, such as the Dell Inspiron 700m.

Averatec 3715-EH1 specifications

Specs: AMD Sempron 3000+ processor; 512 MB of memory; 80-GB hard drive; DVD-RW; 12.1-inch XGA-TFT display; Wi-Fi.

Pros: Decent price; nicely designed case; portable; integrated DVD burner.

Cons: Subpar performance and battery life.

Verdict: The affordable, travel-friendly Averatec 3715 offers a sleek white design and handles basic tasks well. It is perfect for those on a budget, but it can't compare in power and performance to slightly pricier laptops.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Customer Review [via-circuit city]:

I bought this computer about 4 years ago when it was Sotec..since then they changed the name. I sell insurance in HOT Florida an COLD Colorado and basically keep the lap top in the car under extreme weather conditions ... i use it to navigate to homes...well. after all the abuse i gave it, it finally started gyrating on the screen( i abused this workhorse of a computer) ..HANDS DOWN this is the BEST computer for this category (or any laptop category) for the power, durability and price you will find ANYWHERE. Did you know that the Tourag has the same engine that the Porche Cheyenne has...but why is the cheyenne more expensive? Well you know.

If you want to gloat and say you own a Sony, go ahead and spend another $1000. I'll invest my money in this laptop and save $1000.

24/7 support...They still take my calls with questions even 4-5 years after the initial purchase. unbelievable.

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Tags:averatec 3715, laptop review

Google Safe browsing Beta- New Firefox Extension

Google today new firefox extensions for browsing safely. Google Safe browsing Beta: Google Safe Browsing is an extension to Firefox that alerts you if a web page that you visit appears to be asking for your personal or financial information under false pretences. This type of attack, known as phishing or spoofing, is becoming more sophisticated, widespread and dangerous. That's why it's important to browse safely with Google Safe Browsing. By combining advanced algorithms with reports about misleading pages from a number of sources, Safe Browsing is often able to automatically warn you when you encounter a page that's trying to trick you into disclosing personal information.

Use This extension while surfing the web for protecting from malicious sites.


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Intel touts power of new laptop chip

Intel has said its next-generation platform for laptop computers will use 25 percent less power while boosting performance, helping it stay on top of the fast-growing market.

The overhaul of Intel's Centrino technology, code-named "Napa," comes as the world's largest chipmaker is getting a boost from laptop sales, which are growing faster than the overall computer market.

At the heart of Napa is Intel's new Yonah microprocessor, which will be its first mobile chip to have two cores and will be built with the latest technology that etches circuitry more than 100 times thinner than a human hair.

That means the Napa system -- covering the Yonah processor, its attendant chipset and a new wireless chip -- will use 28 percent less power while performing 68 percent better than its predecessor, Keith Kressin, Intel's marketing chief for mobile platforms, told reporters.

Napa comes as Intel's chief rival, Advanced Micro Devices Inc, makes inroads in laptop computers with its line of Turion chips and is looking to one-up Intel next year by being the first to launch a 64-bit mobile processor.

A 64-bit processor is able to process chunks of data twice as large as a standard 32-bit chip. That will be important when Microsoft launches the next version of its Windows operating system, which will be optimized for 64-bit.
[via-yahooNews]

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How Much RAM Do You Really Need?

I found this article over at Tomshardware quite interesting. They have tested a lot of different games, video rendering, mp3 encoding and other benchmarkt tests to see how much difference there is in performance between a 512 MB, a 1GB and a 2GB machine.

How much RAM does your PC have? If you run Windows XP, it is probably in the range of 512 MB to 1 GB. Older Windows versions will do the job with less than that, but as soon as you execute demanding applications or more than one application at a time, anything below 512 MB will likely translate into performance bottlenecks.


Of course, the more RAM you have, the better off you are - but how much memory do you really need?

Multiple software threads that run all at once every time you boot up your PC continue to proliferate. Multitasking software includes what we really need, such as anti-virus tools or firewall software, or useful programs to which we have all grown accustomed that permanently run in the background until they need our direct attention. Most users, for example, have their email client and browser permanently available. Instant messengers such as AIM, ICQ MSN or YIM increasingly pop up on a growing number of desktops, while a media player plays music while you work. And all of these consume some memory, leaving fewer resources available for applications that you want to launch. read more

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Tags: ram,notebook

Google Donates $2 million to the One Laptop Per Child program

With Google.org, we’ll also support entities with strong social missions which use market-based solutions for sustainable economic development. One example is our recent donation of $2 million to the One Laptop Per Child program.

The MIT Media Lab has launched a new research initiative to develop a $100 laptop—a technology that could revolutionize how we educate the world's children. To achieve this goal, a new, non-profit association, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has been created. The initiative was first announced by Nicholas Negroponte, Lab chairman and co-founder, at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland in January 2005.

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Averatec 4265 notebook review

Designed for highly mobile students and cost-conscious business travellers, the Averatec 4265 thin-and-light laptop offers plenty of features, including a DVD burner. While the system demonstrated great battery life, if you have your heart set on a machine with screaming performance, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Design:
At first glance, the Averatec 4265's white interior looks uncannily like that of an iBook. The lid of the Averatec 4265, however, is a solid shade of navy blue. Measuring 312mm wide, 224mm deep and 31mm thick, this notebook weighs in at a manageable 2.1kg. The 4265 will slide easily into most bags, and even with its 0.3kg AC adaptor, it won't cause undue shoulder strain. An unusual size for a thin-and-light, the Averatec 4265's 13.3-inch wide-aspect display features a sharp 1,200x800 native resolution, but it is not as bright as we would like, even at the highest setting.

Features:
As far as connections go, the Averatec 4265 is adequately equipped for a thin-and-light. You'll find VGA, four-pin FireWire, S-video-out and three USB 2.0 ports, as well as headphone and microphone jacks. The laptop also includes a Type II PC Card slot and a four-in-one flash memory slot that supports Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and MultiMediaCard formats. The Averatec 4200 gets online via Ethernet, modem, or 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Our test unit also included a multiformat DVD burner. The system comes preloaded with Windows XP Home Edition, in addition to the Microsoft Works 8.0 mini productivity suite, CyberLink PowerDVD 5.0 for disc playback, and CyberLink Power2Go 4.0 for burning CDs and DVDs.

For a low-priced laptop, our Averatec 4265 test unit came packed with some impressive components. Equipped with a 1.6GHz Pentium M 730 processor, it also has 512MB of moderately slow 333MHz DDR RAM, an 80GB hard drive that spins at a swift 5,400rpm and an Intel integrated graphics chip that steals 64MB of memory from the main system RAM.

Specifications:
Windows XP Home; 1.6GHz Intel Pentium M 730; 512MB PC3200 DDR2 SDRAM 400MHz; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 64MB; WDScorpio WD800UE 75GB 5,400rpm, Built-in Multi-Format DVD +/- RW Drive, 80Gb Hard Drive,4-in-1 Media Reader supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro,IEEE-1394a/FireWire port, Microsoft Works 8.0, Cyberlink DVD Solution, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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Which kind of laptop is right for Students

Students and others on a tight budget should look for a cheap laptop computer that delivers the most bang for the buck. In particular, students need a notebook that is small and light enough to lug back and forth across campus, but rugged enough to withstand bouncing around in a rucksack.

It has to be small enough to fit comfortable in a backpack or in your arms. Yet, the student notebook or laptop must have great battery life and performance. Depending on your budget, student laptops also have to be inexpensive.

In other words, the ideal student notebook must have great portability, performance and battery life, yet be lightweight and relatively inexpensive.

key features:

Mobile Celeron, Pentium 4-M, desktop Pentium 4 or PowerPC G4 processor

At least 256MB of memory

Expansive hard drive to hold all those MP3s

CD-RW drive for burning audio CDs( DVD RW for Quality video's)

Wired and wireless networking for network-equipped classrooms

Microsoft Windows XP Home or Apple Mac OS X

Microsoft Office XP Standard Edition or Office X for Mac OS

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Pcmag's top ten Laptop Computer buying tips

PcMag's top ten laptop buying tips

1. Be clear about what you expect your desktop system to do now and in the future. For example, if you plan to edit video or audio clips, you'll want a high-capacity hard drive (at least 160 GB), and both a CD-RW and DVD+, - or multiformat drive for back-ups, as these file types usually eat up lots of storage space. And in this day and age, in which a broadband connection is a must for faster downloads, make sure your system comes with integrated Ethernet. For notebooks, high-end desktop replacements are usually your best bet for multimedia tasks.
2. Manage your budget. Even though you know how much you can afford, getting carried away with optional features is easy. The costs can add up quickly. Buying a system with 1GB of memory is overkill if you typically run one application at a time, but 256MB is a reasonable amount of memory in a budget system. Note, however, that we recommend at least 512MB of memory in order to ensure that the Microsoft Windows XP operating system will run properly. Also, if you opt for a high-end video card, realize that you'll have to spend more for a display that can accommodate the card's highest resolution modes.
3. Look for bundled extras when comparing prices. Free software, printers, and other peripherals can add hundreds of dollars to the value of your desktop package. Check the cost of consumables, though, especially for printers. The cost of ink for some "free" inkjets, for example, can quickly outstrip the total expense for an equivalent printer from another manufacturer. For software, check if you are getting a full version, instead of a trial version that expires in 30 days.
4. Don't skimp on mass storage. The difference between a 40GB and a 60GB hard drive may be as little as $50 when you order your desktop, so configure your system with as big a drive as your budget allows. Upgrading to a larger drive later on will cost more and can be a difficult task for a novice, particularly if the PC is a notebook.
5. Some desktops and notebooks (particularly the lighter ones) don't offer support for legacy devices such as parallel printers, serial modems, and PS/2 pointing devices. If you own one or more legacy peripherals, be sure your desktop includes ports your old equipment can connect to. Otherwise, you'll have to purchase new peripherals that connect via USB or FireWire ports. Some notebook models offer optional docking stations that include all the legacy ports.
6. Read the fine print for hidden costs, especially where warranty options or "free" services are concerned. Some offer limited warranties, which last less than a year. You may want to invest in an extended warranty for your machine. Some system builders limit you to initial tech support only; you may have to pay for additional service calls.
7. If you're on a strict budget, make sure your desktop price includes a monitor. For those angling for a value notebook, look for a built-in wireless solution and hot-swappable optical drives.
8. Find out if there's an actual cost to those "free" technical support hotlines. Look for a toll-free number; otherwise you'll take a hit on your phone bill, especially since hold times for tech support are notoriously long. And beware of a "limited warranty." This may mean only 90 days of toll-free technical support, after which you may have to pay a premium just to call for help.
9. As with any sizable purchase, buy your desktop from an established, reputable company. There are plenty out there. If you're hankering for a more customized desktop or notebook setup, consider some of the better-known boutique vendors. Just be prepared to pay for it.
10. Consider the size of your workspace. If you have limited desk space at home, a tower or mid-size desktop could leave you with little or no room to work. Slim desktops and small-form-factor systems can free up some space, as can a flat-panel display. Realize, though, that small systems are often less expandable than larger ones and that flat-panel displays are more expensive than monitors. A desktop replacement notebook might be more ideal space saver, as many come with desktop processors and ample storage and optical drives.

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Acer Ferrari 3000LMi-Best Gaming laptop

Cnet Reviews the Acer Ferrari 3000LMi and gives a rating of 8/10.

Acer marked its recent IT partnership with the Ferrari Formula One team by rolling out the Ferrari 3000LMi notebook earlier this year. Like Ferrari's flashy fast cars, the 3000LMi arrests with its chilli-red exterior and sleek, streamlined design. But as attractive as the laptop looks, it's what under its hood that the real appeal is--a feature lineup that's revved up with onboard Bluetooth connectivity, a dedicated 128MB graphics card, 802.11b/g wireless LAN and a dual-format DVD writer. Unfortunately, performance and battery life take a backseat for the Ferrari.

The good: Flashy red Ferrari design; DVD dual-format drive; good range of connectivity options; fast 128MB graphics processor; bright, sharp LCD screen.

The bad: Poor battery life; middling performance; non-swappable optical drives; comes with only one-year warranty.

The bottom line: Despite its middling battery life and performance, the Ferrari 3000LMi will appeal to those looking for a thin-and-light notebook with powerful features and distinctive design. Read more from Cnet

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Dell Inspiron B130 Discount notebook

Hot Deal!.($100 Rebate). Dell Inspiron notebooks meet the wide-ranging needs of business and institutional customers - needs that include powerful performance, portability, and flexibility. Commonality of components, modules and docking solutions are designed to help lower total cost of ownership.

Display: 15.4 inch Flat Panel (1280x800, integrated)
This display is 15.4 inches on the diagonal. "1280x800" is the display's native resolution, in pixels. (The industry term associated with this resolution is "WXGA.") These "wide aspect" dimensions allow for a little extra left-to-right space on screen. "Integrated" means the display is integrated with the case of the computer, in the typical fold-open style of notebooks. The manufacturer did not provide information on this display's sharpness.

Lithium Ion Battery(4 cells, 28 Watt-hours)
This battery is light weight and, as a result, stores less power than the average. Its type, lithium ion, is recent technology that packs a large amount of energy into a small volume. "4 cells" refers to the number of charge-storing components within the battery. "28 Watt-hours" is a measure of how much energy it can store. You cannot translate these numbers into how long a battery charge will last unless you make detailed assumptions about how exactly the computer will be used. However, you can use these numbers to compare different batteries (higher Watt-hours is better).

Specifications:
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, 15.4in WXGA Display, 256MB DDR2 SDRAM 1 Dimm, Integrated Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics, 40GB Hard Drive, Internal 56K Modem, Integrated Network Card, 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive, 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (29 WHr), 6 Months America Online Internet Access, PC Restore recovery system by Symantec, Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience.
Price: $549 (after rebate).

related review: Apple iBook G4 notebook review

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