Apple PowerBook Laptop 15.2" M8981LL/A (1.25-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW Drive)
from Apple Computer
Though Apple's new 17-inch PowerBook G4 rates as its finest notebook ever and one of the most sophisticated portable computers in history, this model, the considerably more affordable 15-inch PowerBook G4 M8981LL/A, is not far off the pace of its big brother. While it sports a smaller display, a slightly slower processor, and a more compact profile, this 15-inch PowerBook nevertheless incorporates all the other amenities that make its 17-inch sibling so desirable.
Driving the 15-inch PowerBook G4 M8981LL/A is a fast PowerPC G4 processor running at 1.33 GHz and featuring 512 KB Level 2 cache for rapid retrieval of recently accessed data. Apple has added 512 MB of ultra-fast PC2700 (333 MHz) DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 2 full GB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 64 MB dedicated video memory, thus ensuring smooth operation during high-demand tasks such as 3-D games, 3-D drawing and multitasking.
This high-speed architecture continues throughout the unit, where you'll find connectivity options such a standard FireWire interface, an ultra-fast Apple-designed FireWire 800 port, two 480 Mbps USB 2.0 ports, integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, and built-in Bluetooth for the new breed of cordless digital peripherals. Storage facilities include a spacious ATA/100 80 GB hard disk and a versatile DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive through which you can burn audio CDs, backup critical and write DVD-R discs at 2X speed.
Visually, the aluminum alloy-clad 15-inch PowerBook G4 M8981LL/A is as dramatic as it is functional. Sporting a 15.2-inch (diagonal) display capable of 1280 by 854 resolution, the unit is nevertheless surprisingly thin and lightweight at 13.7 by 9.5 by 1 inch and just 5.6 pounds. Other unique perks include a tap/double tap/drag trackpad, a convenient backlit keyboard for low-light situations, and a DVI output for efficient digital interfacing with LCD monitors. Battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.5 hours under ideal conditions.
If you're one of those people who simply want it all, look no further than the new 15-inch PowerBook G4. Just over an inch thin, weighing only 5.6 pounds, and sporting a 15.2-inch (diagonal) widescreen display, this system incorporates all the best performance features of the PowerBook line tucked neatly into a sleek aluminum design.Built-in antennas make wireless networking a snap. With an AirPort Extreme Card, you can connect to an 802.11g wireless network at speeds up to five times faster than conventional Wi-Fi networks. Integrated Bluetooth technology extends your wireless capabilities with cable-free connections to the ever-growing roster of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including Apple's new wireless mouse and keyboard. The wired world is easily accommodated by a suite of high-speed digital connections, including Gigabit Ethernet, DVI, FireWire 800, and USB 2.0.With its intelligent combination of features, the 15-inch PowerBook gives you the freedom to edit video, deliver presentations, or analyze data on the go - in short, to get your work done, anywhere.
Apple PowerBook Laptop 17" M9110LL/A (1.33-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW Drive)
from Apple Computer
The new PowerBook family gives you power in a choice of three ultrafast portables. Whether you prefer the ultra-compact 12-inch model, the coveted 15-inch powerhouse, or the stunning 17-inch beauty, every new PowerBook G4 is loaded with advanced capabilities. Housed in a sleek, lightweight aluminum alloy enclosure, the PowerBook G4 is resistant to stains and scratches. It's also perfectly smooth on all surfaces, with no doors, protruding latches or levers to break, and no sharp edges to catch on your clothing. And whatever your notebook needs or desires are, you can be sure there's a PowerBook G4 that's perfect for you.Starting at just 4.6 pounds, the three new PowerBook G4 models are light enough to carry around all day. And thanks to the PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, every PowerBook packs a tremendous punch for doing everything from crunching numbers to editing video and designing show-stopping presentations. You'll marvel at the way Apple has fitted the supersharp high-resolution TFT XGA active-matrix display into such a remarkably compact frame. To see it is to feel the strong stirrings of technolust.
Faster and far more capable than any other Apple notebook to date, the freshly unveiled 17-inch PowerBook G4 may be the most sophisticated portable computer ever released. Featuring an enormous display, an unrivalled feature set and virtually no performance bottlenecks, the stunning yet undeniably pricey 17-inch PowerBook G4 is ready to satisfy even the most discriminating professional or personal user.
Don't let the clock speed fool you. The system's PowerPC G4 processor is a real step up from last year's 1 GHz G4 chip, running at 1.33 GHz and featuring 512 KB Level 2 cache for rapid retrieval of recently accessed data. Apple has added 512 MB of ultra-fast PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 2 full GB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 64 MB dedicated video memory, thus ensuring smooth operation during high-demand tasks such as 3-D games, 3-D drawing and multitasking.
This high-speed architecture continues throughout the unit, where you'll find connectivity options such a standard FireWire interface, an ultra-fast Apple-designed FireWire 800 port, two 480 Mbps USB 2.0 ports, integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, and built-in Bluetooth for the new breed of cordless digital peripherals. Storage facilities include a spacious ATA/100 80 GB hard disk and a versatile DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive through which you can burn audio CDs, backup critical and write DVD-R discs at 2X speed.
Visually, the aluminum alloy-clad 17-inch PowerBook G4 is as dramatic as it is functional. Sporting the largest widescreen display of any notebook and the same screen dimensions as a 19-inch CRT monitor, the unit is nevertheless surprisingly thin and lightweight at 15.4 by 10.2 by 1 inches and 6.8 pounds. Other unique perks include a tap/double tap/drag trackpad, a convenient backlit keyboard for low-light situations, and a DVI output for the efficient digital connection of LCD monitors. Battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.5 hours under ideal conditions.
Apple PowerBook Laptop 12.1" M9007LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive)
As the most affordable member of Apple's new PowerBook lineup, the PowerBook G4 12.1-inch M9007LL/A is reasonably powerful, super-portable and extremely well connected. You may want to check one of Apple's larger, faster PowerBooks if you need a big display or a notebook that efficiently handles demanding applications such as CAD-type drawing or advanced 3-D gaming, but the average user should find all they need inside this model's sleek aluminum alloy enclosure.
Surprisingly, the PowerBook G4 M9007LL/A is driven by the same processor used in last year's top-of-the-line 17-inch PowerBook, the 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with 512 KB Level 2 cache for rapid retrieval of recently accessed data. Apple has added 256 MB of medium speed PC2100 (266 MHz) DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 1.25 GB) and an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics chipset with 32 MB of dedicated video memory, thus ensuring smooth operation during standard tasks. Some performance degradation may be evident when running complex professional applications and high-end games or while multitasking.
At just 10.9 by 8.6 by 1.2 inches and a scant 4.6 pounds (with battery and optical drive attached), the PowerBook G4 M9007LL/A is extraordinarily compact. Yet it's packed with amenities. Standard features include a 12.1-inch TFT display capable of detailed 1024x768 resolution, a 78-key keyboard with solid-state track pad, a digital DVI output for flat-screen displays, two high-speed USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port for connecting plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, and integrated Bluetooth 1.1 technology for cordless peripherals. A reasonably sized 40 GB hard disk and DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive are standard, as are a high-speed 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection and low-speed 56K V.92 modem.
DVD burning is not supported in this stock configuration, and wireless communications are available only with the purchase of an AirPort Extreme card. Battery life is estimated at five hours in ideal conditions.
The new PowerBook family gives you power in a choice of three ultrafast portables. Whether you prefer the ultra-compact 12-inch model, the coveted 15-inch powerhouse, or the stunning 17-inch beauty, every new PowerBook G4 is loaded with advanced capabilities. Housed in a sleek, lightweight aluminum alloy enclosure, the PowerBook G4 is resistant to stains and scratches. It's also perfectly smooth on all surfaces, with no doors, protruding latches or levers to break, and no sharp edges to catch on your clothing. And whatever your notebook needs or desires are, you can be sure there's a PowerBook G4 that's perfect for you.Starting at just 4.6 pounds, the three new PowerBook G4 models are light enough to carry around all day. And thanks to the PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, every PowerBook packs a tremendous punch for doing everything from crunching numbers to editing video and designing show-stopping presentations. You'll marvel at the way Apple has fitted the supersharp high-resolution TFT XGA active-matrix display into such a remarkably compact frame. To see it is to feel the strong stirrings of technolust.
Apple PowerBook Laptop 12.1" M9008LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive)
from Apple Computer
The new PowerBook family gives you power in a choice of three ultrafast portables. Whether you prefer the ultra-compact 12-inch model, the coveted 15-inch powerhouse, or the stunning 17-inch beauty, every new PowerBook G4 is loaded with advanced capabilities. Housed in a sleek, lightweight aluminum alloy enclosure, the PowerBook G4 is resistant to stains and scratches. It's also perfectly smooth on all surfaces, with no doors, protruding latches or levers to break, and no sharp edges to catch on your clothing. And whatever your notebook needs or desires are, you can be sure there's a PowerBook G4 that's perfect for you.Starting at just 4.6 pounds, the three new PowerBook G4 models are light enough to carry around all day. And thanks to the PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, every PowerBook packs a tremendous punch for doing everything from crunching numbers to editing video and designing show-stopping presentations. You'll marvel at the way Apple has fitted the supersharp high-resolution TFT XGA active-matrix display into such a remarkably compact frame. To see it is to feel the strong stirrings of technolust.
Amazingly portable, extremely well connected and equipped with DVD burning capability, Apple's freshly released PowerBook G4 12.1-inch M9008LL/A is a great choice for those who enjoy Apple connectivity and convenience but don't need the larger, pricier 15-inch or 17-inch PowerBook models.
Surprisingly, the PowerBook G4 M9008LL/A is driven by the same CPU used in last year's top-of-the-line 17-inch PowerBook, the 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with 512 KB Level 2 cache for rapid retrieval of recently accessed data. Apple has added 256 MB of medium speed PC2100 (266 MHz) DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 1.25 GB) and an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics chipset with 32 MB of dedicated video memory, thus ensuring smooth operation during standard mobile tasks. Some performance degradation may be evident when running complex professional applications and high-end 3-D games or while multitasking.
At just 10.9 by 8.6 by 1.2 inches and a scant 4.6 pounds (with battery and optical drive attached), the brushed aluminum PowerBook G4 M9008LL/A is extraordinarily compact. Yet it's packed with amenities. Standard features include a 12.1-inch TFT display capable of high-detail 1024x768 resolution, a 78-key keyboard with accurate solid-state track pad, a digital DVI output for flat-screen displays, integrated Bluetooth 1.1 technology for cordless peripherals, and two high-speed USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port for connecting plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras.
To help you handle your data, Apple has outfitted the system with a reasonably sized 40 GB hard disk and a versatile DVD-RW/CD-RW drive through which you can play and listen to audio CDs, archive files, enjoy the latest movie releases, and burn home video to long-lasting DVD media. A high-speed 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection and low-speed 56K V.92 modem are standard, but wireless communications are available only with the purchase of an AirPort Extreme card. In ideal conditions, battery life is estimated at an impressive five hours.
Acer TravelMate 290 Laptop (1.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, 802.11 b/g, DVD/CD-RW Combo)
from Acer
The breakthrough Acer TravelMate 290 series is the notebook you've been waiting for if you're on a budget but want the latest and greatest technology. The 290 features Intel Centrino mobile technology. That means you get the wireless connectivity and extended battery life you need to work just about anywhere as well as an Intel Pentium M processor to speed you through power-hungry applications.
Hit the road without feeling weighed down with the 6.2-pound Acer TravelMate 290 notebook PC. The Travelmate 290 features Intel Centrino mobile technology to give you the 54g wireless connectivity and extended battery life you need to work just about anywhere as well as a 1.4 GHz Intel Pentium M processor. Other features include a 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, a combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and Windows XP Professional.
The Basics
- Hard Drive: The 40 GB ATA/100 hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
- Processor: The 1.4 Ghz Pentium M processor is considered at the middle of speed range compared with other Centrino notebooks (with current speed topping out at 1.7 GHz). Because of its design, the Intel Pentium M gets more done per clock tick than a Mobile Intel Pentium 4, thus providing the discrepency in GHz measurement (i.e., 1.7 versus 3.2). 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 has a front-side bus (FSB) of 400 MHz and a 1 MB L2 cache.
- Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (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: It is equipped with a combo drive that is capable of reading and writing of both DVDs and CDs. It uses the DVD+RW format, one of two formats for rewriteable DVDs.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 109-key key keyboard with 6 launch keys (1 for power button, 1 for wireless on/off switch, 1 for Internet browser, 1 for e-mail, 2 programmable buttons) and a touchpad with 4-way scroll button.
The Travelmate 290 features a large 15.1-inch XGA TFT display with a native resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. Video is powered by an Intel Extreme Graphics 2 card with 64 MB of video RAM. It also has an sound card that's integrated into the main board, and offers built-in stereo speakers.
Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This Travelmate 290 model has an integrated 802.11g (or 54g) wireless LAN, which is quickly becoming the most popular wireless standard and is compatible with 802.11b connections as well. You get a good range of external connections, including:
- 3 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) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- 1 VGA monitor port
- 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV
- 1 fast infrared (FIR) port
- 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II)
- 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
Preloaded System and Software
The Aspire 1700 comes with the Windows XP Professional operating system (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features). Other preloaded software includes Norton AntiVirus 2003, Adobe Acrobat Reader, CyberLink PowerDVD, and NTI CD Maker 6.
Dimensions and Weight
The Travelmate 290 is nicely portable, measuring 10.9 x 13.1 x 1.3 inches (L x W x H) and weighing 6.2 pounds--though this is a bit heavier than other Centrino-based notebook PCs.
Power
It is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that has 2.5 hours of battery life (depending on usage), 2 hours of rapid charge, and 3.5 hours of in-use charge time.
What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Travelmate 290 notebook PC, AC power adapter, and printed operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor as well as a 1-year International Traveller's warranty (ITW).
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