I Review Electronics

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Design
Features
Performance

Alienware Area51 M5500 Introduction

When you hear about an Alienware notebook you figure you’re dealing with a high-end gaming laptop that costs upward of $2,000+. But Alienware is trying to get a different segment of budget and mainstream notebook buyers now. The m5500i starts at $1,000 with a 15.4″ widescreen and Pentium M or Celeron M processor and an integrated Intel graphics solution. To get the price down to $999 you’ll have to be ordering a Celeron processor though.

Alienware Area51 M5500 Design

The dimension of this M5500 is sleek and thin and lightweight. Here’s the dimensions: 1.36″ x 14.25″ x 10.75″ The weight starts off at a light 6 lbs.

Alienware Area51 M5500 Features

15.4″ WUXGA LCD Display
Pentium M 760 2.0GHZ 2MB 533FSB processor
2GB DDR2 PC4200 SO-DIMM memory installed
100GB 7200RPM hard drive
256MB NVIDIA G0 6600 video card
8X DVD+/-RW Lite-On Optical Drive (Dual Layer DVD’s for
a maximum capacity of 8.28GB)
A/B/G wireless network card
Windows XP Professional

Alienware Area51 M5500 Extras

Alienautopsy: Automated technical support request system to send a signal to alienware if there is anything wrong with your system and an Alienware Respawn disc.

Alienware Area51 M5500 Conclusion

With a high level look at the Alienware Area-51 m5500, it is hard to not be pleased with its combination of portability and performance. On one hand, traveling with this notebook is nowhere near as effortless as carrying a 12″ ultra-portable. However, the Alienware system is still very portable, easy to manage on the run and brings with it a level of performance that is touch to match with a smaller system. On the other hand, the Area-51 m5500 is far from delivering the level of performance brought by the bulkier desktop replacement notebooks. Despite this fact, the system is certainly capable of handling any game at lower resolutions and can be a solid LAN platform thanks to its combination of size, weight, and performance.

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Dell Inspiron E1705 Introduction

Dell’s Inspiron E1705 is a 17″ widescreen notebook full of power and the very first Dell Inspiron to be released with the new Intel Core Duo processor. The E in E1705 stands for “Entertainment”. With various media features available, fast Core Duo processor, a 6 USB ports and the option for a high-end graphics card in the form of the nVidia Go 7800 the Dell Inspiron E-1705 sounds like lots of fun. Lets get down to the review.

Dell Inspiron E1705 Design

The Inspiron E1705′s design is nearly identical to the Dell Inspiron 9300 design. Crafted out of sturdy and stylish magnesium alloy and measuring 15.5 inches wide, 11.3 inches deep, and 1.6 inches thick. The weight comes in at a hefty 8.2 pounds. The outside cover is brushed aluminum, with a white border, the same design as Dell’s 700M. It has a good solid build, no flexing of the body and magnesium alloy material for lid and bottom for extra durability.

Dell Inspiron E1705 Features

Dells’ Inspiron E1705 comes pre-installed with Windows XP Media Center Edition, which offers enhanced multimedia handling and management versus XP Home Edition, letting you take control of your home and mobile entertainment experience. The E1705 has “Media Direct” for quick boot and access to media file viewing is great, allows you to access files on DVD, media card reader, hard drive and any USB connected storage device.

Dell Inspiron E1705 Performance

The E1705 comes with a 2.0GHz Dual Core processor, meant for multi-tasking. Combined with nVidia Go 7800 graphics
card you’ve got a pretty serious gaming machine

Conclusion

The e1705′s speed boost from the Core Duo processor is what makes this a good buy. The high-end graphics card option is a must for a serious gamer. This is most likely the best 17″ gaming laptop around, considering Dell’s low pricing. Prices start at under $1,000.

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Gateway Tablet PC Introduction

The Tablet PC line offers a broad range of features and accessories that enable you to work without boundaries on the road or at your desk. The large display with wide viewing angles delivers a peak viewing experience, allowing you to clearly view the display on flat surfaces in both portrait and landscape mode or to share presentations with others more effectively.

Gateway Tablet PC Design

The CX200 series brings handwriting to the world of wide-screen laptops, with a 14-inch, 1,280×768 native resolution display that swivels 180 degrees and folds flat over the keyboard to create a tablet. Like other Gateway notebooks, the CX200-series tablets can be ordered with a wide variety of components and accessories.

Gateway Tablet PC Features

Gateway is selling the same laptops under different names depending on who’s buying. There are now four sets of names, each targeting a different market segment. Aside from the included software packages and warranty terms, the laptops are essentially the same from line to line.

Gateway Tablet PC Performance

You’ve got options! Customize your convertible notebook just the way you want it. Choose from a variety of processor speeds, batteries, modular bay options, hard disk drives, wireless LAN solutions and advanced graphics options. Gear a
convertible notebook toward your inner artist, your inner professional or even your inner gamer.

Whats included in the package

Every Gateway CX200 comes with an industry-standard one-year ship-in warranty; the rotating hinge (the most fragile part on the machine), is covered for three years. During the warranty period, technicians are available 24/7 via a toll-free phone number. The company also promises to reply to e-mail support questions within 24 hours. Gateway’s support site has a lot of downloads, spec sheets, and setup suggestions.

Conclusion

This notebook transforms into a tablet, so you can switch from keyboard to stylus in a flash. The innovative pen with Continuous Sensing Technology lets you take notes, edit and draw directly onscreen. You can even capture and paste images right into your own documents. Gateways tradition of building interactive customer relationships and selling innovative, high-value computing products and services continues with this product. Gateway’s Tablet PC brings mobility,
versatility and power to everywhere you work today.

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Apple Powerbook G4 Introduction

Light weight and yet powerful, these models continue to astonish even the die-hard fans. After you finish admiring their stunning displays and marveling at their fit and finish, take a good look at the number of ports each PowerBook provides. These models ship with an astonishing lineup of built-in professional capabilities.

Apple Powerbook G4 Design

In keeping with the clean lines of the system, the PowerBook has a slot-loading CD-RW/DVD drive. It has a flip cover that hides its various ports and connections, including an IEEE 1394 port and two 12-Mbps USB ports. It also has a built-in 56K modem and a 10/100Base-T Ethernet connection, and it offers 802.11b wireless networking via an internal AirPort card.

Apple Powerbook G4 Features

A study in power and functionality, packaged in a thin and light enclosure that’s a pleasure to open in public. The entire family of PowerBook G4 notebooks incorporates higher-resolution displays, longer battery life and a host of features that keep it high on the wish list of every pro. And with new low prices, your wish is more affordable than ever before.

Apple Powerbook G4 Performance

The PowerBook G4 line boasts high-performance PowerPC G4 processors up to 1.67GHz, 512MB of DDR SDRAM and 5400-rpm hard drives up to 100GB. You can even order your PowerBook model with the phenomenal 8x SuperDrive (DVDRW/CD-RW) that lets you listen to CDs, watch DVDs, or burn CDs and DVDs of your own. Apple engineers put this power at your fingertips, all the while maintaining a light, thin, durable notebook design complete with Sudden Motion Sensor technology that helps protect your data in the event of a drop or fall.

Whats included in the package

The PowerBook G4 comes loaded with software so easy to use, you’ll find yourself accomplishing things you had only dreamed of. Included with every PowerBook are QuickBooks for Mac New User Edition, Art Directors Toolkit, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, GraphicConverter, Zinio Reader, FileMaker Pro Trial, and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive.

Conclusion

The PowerBook G4 has all the style and performance you have come to expect from Apple’s machines.

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HP Pavilion DV1000 Introduction

The perfect blend of mobility, style, and performance. This notebook PC will become the center of your digital entertainment universe, whether you’re home, at school, working, or on the road.

HP Pavilion DV1000 Design

Overall, the HP Pavilion DV1000 is a striking compact multimedia notebook with an impressive emphasis on design. And though performance is not as impressive as other comparable systems, the unit will do just fine running your everyday applications. The big draw here is playing your DVDs and MP3s on the road without having to boot up and watching them on that gorgeous widescreen.

HP Pavilion DV1000 Features

Weighing in at 5.5 pounds, the laptop runs 13.2 inches wide, 9.3 inches deep, and 1.5 inches high. The Pavilion dv1000′s 14.1-inch wide-aspect panel, with a 1,280×768 native resolution and the BrightView technology makes for an especially vivid picture. The standard configuration is loaded with Windows XP Home, the system features a Pentium M processor running at 1.5GHz, 512MB DDR SDRAM 266MHz, a big 40GB hard drive spinning at 4,200rpm, and an Intel 855GME graphics chip that uses up to 64MB of the system’s main memory.

HP Pavilion DV1000 Performance

There’s a lot to like about the HP Pavilion dv1000. Including, its attractive and lightweight 5.5-pound case, an abundance of handy buttons with soothing blue backlights, and an acceptable (if not stunning) overall performance.

Whats included in the package

HP Image Zone Plus
HP QuickPlay: Enjoy movies and music without standard boot up!
Symantec Norton Antivirus 2006 (includes 60 days of complimentary live updates)
Sonic RecordNow 7.x
InterVideo WinDVD
InterVideo WinDVD Creator (when configured with a DVD+/-RW)
Apple iTunes for Window
Muvee AutoProducer DVD Edition 3.5
Microsoft Works 8.0
Microsoft Money 2005
Microsoft Office Trial 2003

Conclusion

The HP Pavilion dv1000 is a solid and sensibly priced system for students, families, and small-business users who want to work and play on the road. You may not even notice that you’re carrying this lightweight, thin machine as you zip around town.

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Dell 700M Laptop Review Introduction

The Dell 700M Laptop is a little beast boasting a powerful processor and a 12.1″ widescreen monitor. It’s best features are it’s light weight (5 lb’s) and it’s small size.

Dell 700M Laptop Design

The Dell Inspiron 700m is unlike any other Inspiron. The 700m’s top is a very pale silver and almost white in color. There are some white trimmings on this mini laptop so it has a clean look and borrows the styling of Apple’s PowerBook.

Dell 700M Laptop Features

As far as the heat/noise factor, this laptop does not heat up as bad as others do and it’s fan is very quiet. The built-in laptop speakers don’t provide much base and don’t sound good at high volumes, so expect to use earphones when listening to music on this machine.

Dell 700M Laptop Performance

Pentium M 745(1.8Ghz); Windows XP Home Edition; 512MB DDR SDRAM; 60GB Hard Drive; 4200rpm; 12.1″ WXGA, 1280×800; DVD+RW; Travel Weight: 5 lbs.; System Weight: 4 lbs.; Dell 802.11g; Intel 82855 GME, 64MB; S-Video, VGA, USB 2.0, Firewire.

What’s included in the package

Included with the Dell Inspiron 700M laptop is some start-up CD’s, user manual, laptop, remote control (for music / DVD play), A/C adapter.

Conclusion

The Dell 700M Laptop is not the ideal laptop if you’re looking for a traveling notebook, as it’s battery can die out at just over 2 hours. The best part is the SD memory card reader, perfect for viewing & transferring your digital camera pictures. The nice design, clean look and crisp & clear 12.1″ screen makes the Dell Inspiron 700M laptop a good overall buy.

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Sony Vaio Laptop Review Introduction

The VAIO notebook has a thin, lightweight body that makes it simple to carry around from one place to the next. Sometimes the best mobile solution is one that just makes it easier to transport. The energy efficient Sony VAIO notebook stuns the competition with long-lasting battery power.

Sony Vaio Laptop Design

It’s small and light (4.4lbs), but it stands out due to its cool purplish-grey case color. It’s a uniquely shaped notebook, almost square in dimensions. All of the input and output ports lie on the right and left sides of this notebook, there are no ports whatsoever on the back. The 11.1-inch display with a 1,024 x 768 native resolution on the VAIO is bright and text is crisp and easy to read.

Sony Vaio Laptop Features

Sony VAIO’s long list of available specs (some fixed, some configurable) speaks to everyone from speed fiends to budget hounds. You can buy the system with a Pentium M, Pentium 4-M, or mobile Celeron processor rated anywhere from 1.2GHz to 2.4GHz. Main DDR SDRAM memory runs at a fast 333MHz and comes in increments ranging from 256MB to 2GB. Hard drives measure 40GB, 60GB, or 80GB, but all offer the same 4,200 rpm speed. Two secondary storage drives are available: a DVD/CD-RW combo or a DVD-RW.

Sony Vaio Laptop Performance

Sony VAIOs are stylish and powerful with good battery life. The hard drive for this machine is the rather slow standard of 4,200rpm speed, the advantage of a slower drive is of course longer battery life though. All V505 notebooks come
with a standard 11.1 inch XGA display, ATI 9200 32MB graphics card and if you order internal wireless it will be the Intel Pro/wireless 802.11b/g mini-PCI card.

What’s included in the package

The Sony VAIO comes with various music, photo, and video applications. Highlights include several Sony apps, such as DVGate Plus, for importing video from a digital video (DV) camera, then editing and saving the streams to your system or to a disc; PictureGear Studio, for arranging pictures in online photo albums, on digital postcards, and more; and SonicStage, for splicing together music clips. For more cash, Sony will preinstall Adobe Photoshop and Premiere.
You can choose either Windows XP Home or XP Professional as the operating system, and office suite options include Microsoft Office Small Business and Standard Editions, as well as the pared-down Works 7.0 minisuite.

Conclusion

The VAIO is a nice notebook in that it’s light, stylish and offers excellent performance. It comes with many of the input and output ports you’ll need. A great screen and decent graphics performance for such a small notebook are big pluses.

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