Dell Latitude D610

Dell Latitude D610“Dude, get a Dell”.
Pretty much everyone knows that commercial, and if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be glad that the Dell Latitude D610 starts at $1,029. It includes a 1.6-GHz Pentium M, 256MB of RAM, integrated graphics, a 4,200-rpm 30GB hard drive, and a CD-ROM drive. A pretty basic machine, but decent enough for heading back to school and typing up reports. The Latitude D610 also features a 14.1-inch screen, integrated 802.11b/g adapter, and a three-year warranty. Some of the better features of the laptop is that its screen shows very good contrast and it has excellent wireless performance. Another big thumbs up is that it is said to have a near four hour battery, and with more than one class in a day, students should be able to make it through their day on close to one charge.

The Dell Latitude D610 measures just 12.3 x 10.3 x 1.4 inches and weighs in at a not very back wrenching 4.7 pounds. The D610 features four USB 2.0 ports, but lacks a FireWire port.

This is a nice machine from Dell, and no doubt with the multiple specials and deals they have coming and going, you might even be able to get it for a few dollars cheaper. Check out Dell.com for details.

August 31st, 2005 Posted by David in Dell at 6:40 pm Comment Now! »

Toshiba Portege R200

Toshiba Portege R200The Toshiba Portege R200 makes me excited, as it is a 2.7-pound laptop with a great battery life, and a slick look. The price tag of $2,099 USD is a little hefty for the specifications, but the security, support, and the three year warranty help justify the cost.

The hard-shelled silver case is a tiny 0.8-inches thick at its fattest edge. Nevertheless, it does not feel flimsy and is pretty evenly balanced. The R200 has a 1.2-GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB of RAM, and a relatively spacious 4,200-rpm 60GB hard drive.

The R200 takes forty seconds or so to boot, but once up and running, programs load up quickly. The Toshiba Portege R200 is said to blow past the four hour mark as long as the Wi-Fi is turned off, but is able to perform over three hours with wireless on. Unlike many notebooks in this weight class, the machine remained cool to the touch, with little to no noise.

The 12.1-inch LCD is underwhelming, especially for a system that costs more than two grand. It suffers from narrow viewing angles, and just does not have the brightness to withstand direct sunlight.

This laptop is great for business use, though its processor is a little underpowered when compared to other machines at the same pricepoint. I see this becoming a favorite for travellers due to its light weight, compact design, and long battery life.

August 31st, 2005 Posted by David in Toshiba at 5:51 pm Comment Now! »

Dell Inspiron 6000

Dell Inspiron 6000For only $1,289, the 6000QS configuration of the Dell’s Inspiron 6000 packs a terrific complement of features. With a very bright 15.4-inch widescreen display, and a 64MB ATI X300 graphics processor, it’s definitely a step above the 15-inch screens and embedded Intel 915GM graphics of most mainstream laptops.

The processor is a bit slower than you would expect for the price, but the 1.5-GHz Intel Pentium M 715 operates well. The real turn in performance power comes from 256MB of DDR memory, which at 533 MHz offers much better memory throughput than the 333-MHz DDR memory used in many notebooks.

Other features include a 8X DVD burner, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi adapter, four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, and SD card reader. At 6.7 pounds, the Inspiron 6000 is in the middle of the pack in terms of portability, but with a near four-hour battery it makes the Inspiron 6000 as an spectacular buy.

Of course, for a few hundred more you can customize your machine and get more memory and more hard drive space, but you begin to lose the bang for the buck ratio.

August 30th, 2005 Posted by David in Dell at 3:02 pm Comment Now! »

Sony VAIO BX Business Notebook

Sony VAIO BXSony has officially launched its first line of corporate notebooks with its VAIO BX line. The Sony VAIO BX is targeted at mobile professionals, focusing on security, portability, and communication.

The BX Series will offer an array of display sizes, including a 14-inch (VGN-BX540), 15.4-inch (VGN-BX560), and up to a 17-inch (VGN-BX570) widescreen. All sizes feature Sony’s multi-function bay. Users can swap out powerful peripherals, such as a DVD+/-RW, +R double layer drive or an 80GB hard drive bay unit. Each of these optional accessories is cross-compatible with all three size configurations of the BX Series.

Sony’s systems have lacked security standards, lagging behind vendors, such as HP and IBM. The BX line will be the first among Sony laptops to have built-in TPM (Trusted Platform module) and biometrics. Both security devices will be used in tandem for an added level of hardware security.

The model line also utilizes an advanced power-saving feature for mobile usage called VAIO Power Management Viewer(TM), for setting power modes to control the balance of stamina and performance required.

Prices will start around $1,350 for VGN-BX540 (14-inch), $1,300 for the VGN-BX560 (15.4-inch widescreen), and $1,580 for the VGN-BX570 (17-inch widescreen).

August 30th, 2005 Posted by David in Sony at 2:50 pm 1 Comment »

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