Great Price Apple MC371LL/A for Too low to display

Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Review

For summary skip to the bottom. Video to come soon...

I already wrote a review and posted a video on the 13", so I'll spare you the pre-story. The 15" MacBook Pro (Summer 2010 version) is a step up for me. I want to go on record by saying that I did NOT opt for the high res screen, and I'll tell you why in a moment. I'm still an MCSA and an MCTS, and Microsoft is still primary in my world, but I access these resources via Apple.

First, I want to clarify why I chose to buy the 15" when I had a 13" that was sufficient. Because I run VMs a lot (I have reviews of Parallels and VMWare), the real estate of the screen was very important. The 13" handled everything I threw at it like a champ, but I needed more screen area. I also needed a stronger multitask processor to keep up with the demands I put upon it. The 2010 version of the MacBooks achieve gains in three key areas: The processor, which on the 15" and 17" models is the Core i5 and i7 models; the video cards, which again, on the 15" and 17" models are improved with newer technology; and the power management.

The previous processor was the Core 2 Duo - an older technology but not a slouch by any means. It was and is a very powerful processor, all things considered, and the 13" was able to deal with everything I threw at it, including multiple VMs at the same time and video encoding processes. Where the Core 2 Duo struggles is with multi-tasking speed; while it can handle multiple processes, it allocates resources towards the most intensive of what's running at the detriment of everything else. In other words, if you encode a video at a medium resolution, you would find that the machine was nearly unusable otherwise; not frozen or dirt slow, but slow enough to be annoying. The fan would come on and the heat would multiply, and you often would fear for the poor MacBook's life. Not so with the i5. It also does get hot - hotter, in fact, than the Core 2 Duo - but even though it's dealing with intensive processes, it never breaks stride with other applications that might be running. You could encode video, then jump over to your email and work as if nothing were going on. The laptop's fan would be going nearly full blast and the heat would be expunged at an exponential rate, but the laptop would not slow down. I consider that impressive, especially given the fact that battery life did not suffer from older years. The i7 is even more powerful than the i5; but the primary reason I could not consider that version has to do with the heat. It's so extreme it's got people online worried about cooking eggs. I know they're not exaggerating; the i5 can get quite hot, so if the i7 is as strong as I know it is, I can only imagine how hot it must get.

The video cards have been improved in the new MacBooks. They are newer versions of the NVidia cards that were released, and some of the MacBooks have the higher end Intel integrated chips. If you don't understand some of the video card technology, there are dedicated video cards and then there are integrated cards. The dedicated cards mean simply that they have their own memory and don't share the RAM of the computer. Integrated, as evident by the name, uses shared RAM to function, either in whole or in part. The integrated chips are lower cost, obviously, at the trade of a performance hit - the RAM it's sharing is inaccessible to the OS and applications, and because the RAM is always a chunk of other RAM, there is an effective tug-of-war going on when using the integrated card. It's really popular in lower end laptops because of the price point - if you paid less than 0 for your laptop chances are it's got an integrated card. All of the lower priced 13" Apples (MacBook, 99 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air) have integrated chips. The Air might have gotten bumped to NVidia, not sure. In any case, Apple has mixed some models with integrated and dedicated chips, so that less intense processes use the integrated and higher processes switch automatically to dedicated, which is more powerful. Most casual users will think this a pointless feature; but it's good to have for battery life.

Speaking of which, the new MacBooks feature a newer version of the MagSafe power adapter. Due to fraying and melting issues with the previous models, Apple has seen fit to redesign this adapter to address the issue. It now holds a lot more solidly than before, and is partially cylindrical instead of rectangular (you can see images above, of course). The cylinder part is where the fraying most commonly occurred, so it makes sense why they did this change. The actual cable itself also feels more solid; kudos to Apple for improving this. It's also retroactively compatible, so if you buy a new adapter you'll probably get the newer version, and it should work fine for your model (assuming it's a MagSafe version and not the plug-in style from old times). The new 13" MacBook Pro claims a battery life of up to 10 hours due in part to the newer video card; the 15" that I'm reviewing here has already shown improved battery life over the older 13", even at maximum screen brightness. The usual activities will of course kill the battery: VMs, video encoding, audio recording, anything where there is a constant stream of data going one way or the other, basically.

One area of disappointment coming from the 13": The speakers. Because the 15" sports actual speaker grills instead of the embedded speaker of the 13", I somewhat expected at least slightly better audio quality. To my surprise and dismay, I did not receive it. I do a lot of audio records of songs and I use Sennheiser HD-280 Professional Headphones...but the problem is, a song can sound perfect in the headphones, but then I listen to it on the MacBook's speakers and the same song sounds absolutely terrible. I know it can't be the song that's bad, because the headphones are spot on with the way it should sound; but the MacBook's speakers just separate sound streams too much. It's hard to describe, but it's like the treble is cranked and I can't adjust with an equalizer or something. Movies are fine, but again, no appreciable improvement over the 13", where I would watch DVDs frequently with great effect.

So...do I recommend it? Well...it depends. I don't recommend it if you're just a casual user, even if you like the larger screen. Go for the 13" and if you absolutely have to have screens of a larger size get an external. I just can't justify the 0 premium for a larger MacBook unless you are actually going to use it for gaming, audio/video, or VMs. Then it makes sense. As far as the high resolution 1680 screen, recommended only if you're gaming, really. I would like to emphasize DO NOT get the antiglare from Apple. It's nice looking, it really is. It will shock you; it will tempt you; it will compel you to fork over the extra . Don't do it; the quality of that screen is not as good as the glossy, because the antiglare is not the full glass. Get one of the Green Onions Supply Anti-Glare AG2 Screen Protector for 15-Inch Aluminum Unibody Apple MacBook Pro and do it yourself. You'll thank me later.

Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Feature

2.4GHz Intel Core i5
320 GB Hard Drive, 8x DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4GB DDR3 RAM
15.4 inch LED-backlit display, 1440-by-900 resolution
Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with automatic graphics switching and 256 MB dedicated graphics memory
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Overview

The new MacBook Pro 15-inch models set all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. The 15-inch MacBook Pro feature Intel Core i5 processors, which boost performance up to 50 percent(1) and reach Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.33GHz. Next-generation NVIDIA graphics bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. And the built-in battery lasts up to 10 hours (8 to 9 hours on the 15-inch models).(2) (1) Up to 50 percent faster compared with previous-generation MacBook Pro. (2) Testing conducted by Apple in March 2010 using preproduction 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo–based 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.66GHz Intel Core i7–based 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 2.53GHz Intel Core i5–based 17-inch MacBook Pro. Battery life depends on configuration and use. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. The wireless productivity test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%.

Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Specifications

Updated with Intel's Core i5 processor and next-generation NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro is faster than ever and will keep you working longer away from power cords with an enhanced battery life of up to 9 hours of battery life. As with previous models, the new MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, creating a thin and light mobile computing workhorse (less than 1 inch thin and just 5.6 pounds) that's also highly durable. And it includes a 15.4-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) as well as a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) that features Apple's Multi-Touch technology.

The 15-inch unibody MacBook Pro (see larger image).

Now faster than ever with a Core i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics, and automatic graphics switching (see larger image).

The MacBook Pro also offers excellent graphics flexibility with two video processors--the discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M processor (with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for heavier workloads and an integrated Intel HD Graphics processor for better battery life on the go. And the new automatic graphics switching feature determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between the processors.

It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--an operating system custom-designed for the advanced technology inside--and it also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and iTunes.

Specification Highlights

15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1440 x 900-pixel resolution).
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor for smart performance with a Turbo Boost maximizing speed when you need it the most for demanding applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro (3 MB shared L3 cache).
Dual graphics processors with automatic switching between NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M (with 512 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for demanding applications and integrated Intel HD Graphics (with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for power savings.
320 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB installed RAM (1066 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in iSight camera for video chatting
Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
SD card slot
Mini DisplayPort video output with optional adapters for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output
Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
Full-size backlit keyboard
Stereo speakers with subwoofers
Dimensions: 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 5.6 pounds
Up to 8-9 hours of battery life
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements

What's in the Box
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, software DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

The ports on the left side of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.

Key Features

Enjoy a processor Turbo Boost and automatic switching to the fast NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor when using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro.

New Intel Core i5 Processor

The new Intel Core i5 processor boosts performance up to 50 percent over the previous generation. Based on Intel's latest 32-nanometer process technology, the Core i5 also offers Intel's Turbo Boost feature. If you're using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro that would benefit from an extra performance kick, Turbo Boost dynamically increases the speed of one or both cores.

Built-in Hyper-Threading allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so Mac OS X recognizes four virtual cores instead of just two. When you're running multiple applications at once, the Core i5 processor spreads tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores--so you can get more done, faster.

And unlike systems that connect memory to the processor through a separate controller, the new MacBook Pro uses an integrated memory controller to connect memory directly to the processor. With faster access to memory, each core gets right to work on your data, rather than waiting for it to arrive.

Next-Generation Graphics

The latest MacBook Pro features the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics processor--the fastest graphics ever in a Mac notebook. With 48 processing cores and 256 MB of dedicated video memory, this graphics processor delivers even more horsepower than the previous generation. And you don't have to sacrifice efficiency for speed: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M is up to 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. For even greater power savings, the MacBook Pro also includes integrated Intel HD Graphics.

Also new is the MacBook Pro's breakthrough automatic graphics switching technology, enabling you to switch graphics processors on the fly to give you performance when you need it (when you're playing the latest 3D game, for example) and better battery efficiency when you don't (such as when you're reading email). Whether you're using applications like Aperture, Motion, or Final Cut Pro or just surfing the web, your MacBook Pro always knows which processor to use. You don't have to log out, shut down, or change your preferences.

The beginning of every MacBook Pro--a precisely machined, single block of aluminum.

Unibody Design

Traditionally, notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the MacBook Pro all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.

LED-Backlit Display

LCD displays typically use cold cathode fluorescent lamps, or CCFLs, to create light and project a picture onto a screen, and this creates two problems--the lamps require more space and they take more time to warm up to full brightness. The MacBook Pro uses LED backlight technology to create the same amount of brightness in less space. And unlike fluorescent lamps, an LED backlight reaches maximum brightness instantly. Finally, a new, smaller iSight camera is concealed behind the display for quick access to video chats and snapping pics for uploading to social networks.

The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click anywhere.

Additionally, conventional CCFL displays use mercury to create a backlight and arsenic to prevent irregularities in the glass. The LED-backlit display on the MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is both mercury- and arsenic-free. LED backlight technology also conserves energy: This display requires up to 30 percent less power than a CCFL display.

Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad

With no button on the durable glass trackpad, there's more room to track and click--left, right, center, and everywhere in between. Without a separate button, the spacious trackpad gives your hands plenty of room to move on the large, silky glass surface. It also incorporates Multi-Touch gestures--including swipe, pinch, rotate, and four-finger swipe--and even more natural inertial scrolling--an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. If you're coming from a right-click world, you can right-click with two fingers or configure a right-click area on the trackpad.

Long-Lasting Battery

The new energy-efficient architecture in every MacBook Pro, along with automatic graphics switching, gives you dramatically longer battery life. On a single charge, the battery in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 8 to 9 hours. And you'll get up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles--that's nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. Advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging allow the battery to maintain charging capabilities longer and determine the optimal way to charge the battery's cells. Because the battery lasts up to five years, MacBook Pro uses just one battery in the same time a typical notebook uses three. That makes for less waste. And that, in turn, makes for one environmentally friendly battery.

Environmental Considerations

Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of computer manufacturing. Apple engineers removed the majority of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and more in the MacBook Pro.

Because Apple makes both the hardware and the software for the MacBook, they're designed to work together to produce a smarter product that uses less electricity. For instance, to reduce energy consumption, the hard drive spins down automatically when inactive. MacBook Air also decides which processor--CPU or GPU--is best suited to efficiently perform a task. The LED-backlit display in the MacBook Pro is another feature that plays an important part in conserving energy, consuming 30 percent less power than conventional LCD displays. And the display is designed to dim when you enter a darkened room.

The MacBook Pro meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR qualification. ENERGY STAR 5.0 sets significantly higher efficiency limits for power supplies and aggressive limits for the computer's typical annual power consumption.

Also, every MacBook Pro model has earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.

Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09

Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.

Installed software

Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)

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Customer Reviews

MacBook Pro 15 - Comprehensive Review - Artemaria - New York City
Have been using computers for nearly two decades and have owned both PCs and Macs. Use a PC laptop for work, which is great for that. But this is my first Mac laptop and I have to say, while I was grumbling at the price, you get what you pay for. Here are my thoughts.

PROS -

Trackpad --- this may be the best thing about this computer. While I read the review on CNET and they said the trackpad is great, you really have to experience it to understand. It is a transformational way of communicating with the computer. After having the computer for about a week, I am already much faster on this trackpad than I ever was on a mouse. You have to experience this to understand. The size and the functionality built into the trackpad are nothing short of astonishing.

Included software --- the included software on iLife is really useful. It has a rather full featured movie editing software for free, as well as iPhoto, iTunes, etc.

Not included bloatware --- it is nice not to have to delete all that crap from the desktop and windows system.

Fast --- very fast, especially in OSX. We got this with zero options, just the base 15" model. It is very quick with anything you throw at it.

Build quality --- you can grab this laptop from any corner and carry it. There is no flex in the casing. You can really feel the difference that building these things out of a solid block of aluminum makes.

Looks --- this is really a beautiful machine. You'll be as happy looking at is when it is off as when it is on.

Lighted keyboard --- bright enough to see, but not too bright to be distracting. Excellent view of all the keys in any lighting.

Display --- we have the base display and it is crystal clear. My brother-in-law got the resolution upgrade, and while you can tell a difference, if you don't have both the computers next to each other, you won't know what you are missing. If you do intensive graphics work, I would recommend the display resolution upgrade, otherwise, it is just bragging rights, for which I don't need to pay extra.

Battery life --- basically it goes all day with light use on one charge. There are not too many 15" laptops, if any, that can do this.

Spyware and Viruses --- yes there are none now, and that is good. Hopeuflly, there will be none for a long time.

Discounts and Rebates --- while most people would not associate discounts and rebates with Apple, this is a pretty good time to buy a new Mac. We got 0 towards an iPod Touch (making it free) and 0 towards a wireless printer (making it free). Thus, in the end, we got a wireless printer and an iPod Touch for the cost of the tax on these products alone. Also, if you are a teacher or work for the government, Apple will knock another 0 off the price. These are some nice discounts when you buy this laptop.

NEUTRAL -

OSX --- about two years ago, this would have been a tremendous positive as Vista was an unmitigated disaster. However, with Windows 7 being pretty good (and shamelessly ripping off many of OSX's features), this is less of an advantage than it sued to be. It is really a matter of taste. We happen to like OSX, especially Snow Leopard, but others may like Windows. This computer can run both.

Only two USB ports --- this is at least USB port less than the competition in this price range. However, because the track pad is so good, I don't need to fill up a USB port with a mouse like all my friends do. Also, since a wireless printer is about 0 (which Apple gives you towards the price of a new printer), that frees up another USB port. Thus, I only need a USB port for the iPod or the camera. Neither of which is connected to the laptop at all times,

Only 4GB RAM --- while it is plenty for now, I can see this not being enough in a few years.

No user replaceable RAM --- RAM is the cheapest way to make your computer go faster. Hopefully the computer will still go fast after the warranty expires so that I can take this apart and add more RAM. But it is annoying that there is no easy way to replace the RAM.

No user replaceable battery --- I don't know how long the battery will last, but if a problem develops, it would be nice to be able to change the battery.

CONS -

No Blu-Ray --- this was the biggest drawback for me, as I would have liked to have a Blu-Ray player in the house. However, since I don't own any Blu-Rays, it is not that big of a drawback. Also, since you can download most movies these days, this missing player is not a deal breaker.

No HDMI output --- this is another potential problem. I don't have an HDTV, so this is not a big deal, but if I get one, it is annoying to have to buy a special adapter PLUS an HDMI cable to play video from my laptop's mini-display port on my TV.

CONCLUSION -

All in all, I've liked this machine alot more than I thought I would. It feels good in the hand and great when using. The display is terrific and the machine is quite responsive. While it is tempting to look at a computer based exclusively on specifications, if you only do that, you may lose sight of what you need in a computer and how you use it. All the specifications in thw world achieve nothing if they are for features that you don't use. This computer hits a nice combination of features that people will actually use without including features and complications that they won't. For what we need, it just works.

While we looked at many laptops, we are happy we ended up with this one.

Hopefully this review helped you in your computer shopping. Best of luck.

The best of the best. - Joseph Sudano - Dix Hills, NY United States
I had been a Dell laptop fan since 1998 when I purchased my first Inspiron 7000 for over $ 4,800.00 with options. I have had 5 laptops since then. Two more Dell's that cost over $ 2,200.00 each, one being an XPS. I also had two Toshiba's. All my laptops were considered high performance models. Until I bought the Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro w/ the new i5 processor I have never been satisfied with the performance of any of my laptops. To start with the MacBook Pro is stunning to look at. The all aluminum case is flawless and lets you know this is a high quality piece of engineering. Everything about the MacBook Pro is what you would expect from a top of the line laptop. The performance is just fabulous. It is very fast, easy to use, and very intuitive. If you are looking for a laptop that will exceed your expectations, this is the one to get if you can afford it.

A reluctant gaming machine - S. Kydd -
My goal was to buy a Mac that was capable of playing any current generation game (as of 2010). I owned an Acer TravelMate 4011 prior, that was only good for surfing, microsoft office stuff and watching low resolution movies. It was ok at first but eventually its limitations got to me. I decided to go with a mac because I have always been a mac fan. I only bought the Acer for college and to try out Windows and boy was that a nightmare. My boot ups took me 5 minutes... Five. Whole. Minutes... and no I am not exaggerating. Performance wise, it felt like there was sludge inside my computer. I would often have to re-install windows at least twice a year.

It took me 3 years (I'm patient) before I was willing to buy a Macbook Pro (early 2010) as I was unsatisfied with the prior model's specs and prices. I chose the base model i5 because I did not believe that the minuscule increase in performance was worth the price.

As a mac, it's damn near perfect. Everything runs silky smooth with rarely any slow downs. I do occasionally experience an unresponsive track pad that leaves me tapping in vain though. I don't know if it's the track pad's fault or this Adobe Flash problem I keep hearing about (it usually happens when I'm surfing) or if it's just the computer "thinking", but it gets very annoying. The battery usually last about 7 hours or so but this varies depending on what you are doing. Watching movies with the brightness turned all the way up can get you about 4 to 5 hours. Reading with the brightness turned down halfway can get you roughly 9 hours, a huge improvement from my old computer's 1.5 hours. I also love that the computer is smart enough to stop charging the batteries when they are full, so you can leave it plugged in for as long as you want (though they still recommend you give the batteries some exercise and also that you calibrate it once a month).

Using this as a PC (via Bootcamp) reveals a flaw unfortunately. I installed Windows 7 to allow me to play PC games which this computer does quite well. I've only played Dragon age and Modern Warfare 1 so far with all settings except AA set to max and they both run very smoothly. However, the laptop gets really, really hot underneath and in the upper left corner next to the power cord. The computer is very thin which is cool, but I think this may give it poor ventilation. Because of the heat, the fans activate very loudly (I use headphone though so it doesn't bother me). Also, the track pad is not quite as nice in Windows as it is in Mac OS so I would suggest getting a mouse.

Now to be fair, I cannot blame this computer for these problems. The Macbook Pro has never claimed itself to be a gaming laptop and it isn't. Neither has it ever claimed to be a PC, it's not. The fact that it can still do both, however, should be looked on as a free bonus to an already outstanding laptop.

EDIT: I've read somewhere that the Macbook Pro uses its aluminum unibody as a heat conductor to keep the chips cool, which would explain why it feels so hot. This is good for the computer but bad for your lap. An excellent way of keeping both you and your lap top cool is to not play games on it while it's on your lap. Instead, place it on a flat surface. Better yet, place 2 objects under the laptop so that there is space for air to move freely underneath. You don't really need to buy an expensive laptop cooler (I use 2 books). I would love to get the xpad but bucks for a flat, fancy looking piece of plastic is a bit much to me.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 23, 2010 20:51:52

Tags: iPod, product, word processing, machine, Picture, Web, Leopard, www.apple.com/batteries, speaker, Core 2, Snow Leopard, Power, dual-core processor, i5 processor, Sports, Mac OS, 330M processor, Core, Notebook, wireless productivity

July 25, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

Toshiba Satellite L505-LS5014 Notebook PC

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Toshiba Satellite L505-LS5014 Notebook PC

Product By Toshiba

(1 customers reviews)

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Customer Reviews

"Exactly what I expected" 2010-04-09
By Brittany Holmes
As an avid purchaser of computers over the years, I've been very pleased with this selection. No surprises whatsoever. Exactly what I had ordered. Does everything you expect in a laptop. The battery time is a little lower than I would have liked, but consistent with other reviewers who bought the same item. Overall, very pleased.

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Technical Details

Built-in webcams and microphones let you chat face-to-face
Enjoy faster typing, smoother data entry and more convenient gaming commands with a full-size keyboard
Transfer files easily from our your digital camera, camcorder, MP3 player etc
Quickly adjust the settings and power plan of your laptop and monitor your ongoing power usage with just a click
Enjoy the ability to pinch, swipe, rotate or scroll through images on the display screen with a simple brush of your fingers

Product Description

The Toshiba Satellite L505-LS5014 Notebook PC has an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4400 2.2GHz processor, 4GB of ultra fast DDR3 memory, and Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Operating System. This provides plenty of juice to tear through difficult software, graphics, and multitasking. Store your digital pictures, multimedia, programs (and anything else) on the 250GB SATA hard drive. The Toshiba Satellite L505-LS5014 Notebook PC has a 15.6-inch HD-capable widescreen LCD display featuring a 1366 x 768 (720p native) resolution. Connectivity options include integrated wireless 802.11b/g, memory card reader, and USB 2.0 and eSATA ports. You can also take your DVDs with you (or burn them on the run) with the DVD SuperMulti Optical Drive.

Tags: LCD, Notebook, Laptop, toshiba satellite, Monitor, Windows, Toshiba, Technical Details, FREE Shipping, Power, Windows 7, product, PC, Player, Intel, MP3

July 21, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

Toshiba Satellite U505-S2020 TruBrite 13.3-Inch Touch Screen Laptop – Black Review

Toshiba Satellite U505-S2020 TruBrite 13.3-Inch Touch Screen Laptop – Black

Texture Finish Keen to the eye. Cool to the touch. You?ve got a style all your own. And your laptop should too. That?s why the latest collection of Toshiba models features unique embossed surfaces; and its matte finish is less prone to fingerprinting.
Intel Core i3 Power up – without battering your battery. Part of the new family of Intel CPUs, the Intel Core i3 processor puts smart performance well within your reach.
Toshiba ReelTime Save time searching for your files – for Reel. A free and easy-to-use app, Toshiba ReelTime takes traditional text-based file structures one step further to help you find what you?re looking for more quickly.
DVD SuperMulti Drive with Labelflash: Play your favorite music CDs. Watch the latest DVD movies. Load programs and do back-ups in a flash. Or personalize your discs and keep them looking attractive and organized.
Because Wi-Fi can be your key to staying engaged and in touch, Toshiba has you covered. Thanks to draft N wireless on your Toshiba laptop, you?ll enjoy more solid connections at the thousands of hotspots across the country.

Discover full-featured performance, portability and multimedia power with the Satellite U505 laptop. It’s a portable touch screen PC with great versatility, plus a healthy battery life rating to keep you going while on the move. It offers a 13.3-Inch diagonal HD touch screen, offering a whole new way to navigate your digital world, or enjoy media on the run. Plus, it comes built-in DVD drive for watching flicks, jamming to your top tunes or sharing work. Compact and portable, it’s set off by a textured finish, which makes it easy to use in cramped quarters while making for some well-deserved compliments too. New Intel Core i5 processors offer smart performance for major multitasking and intense visuals. And extras like a Toshiba ReelTime and Bulletin Board let you do more with less effort. Want to touch the future? Grab hold of this smart, eco-chic touch screen laptop.

Toshiba Satellite U505: Travel Light with Exceptional Style and Touchscreen Display Capabilities

Weighing less than 5 pounds, the ultra-portable Toshiba Satellite U505-S2020 notebook PC packs in an extraordinary amount of power and productivity into its elegant, compact package. The 13.3-inch widescreen display offers TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity and a 1280 x 800 resolution for extra desktop working space and a widescreen aspect ratio for watching letterboxed movies. The display also offers touchscreen capabilities for easy navigation through your digital life (learn more below).

Enjoy full-featured performance, portability and multimedia power with the Satellite U505 (see larger image).

Set off by a textured finish, making it easy to use in cramped quarters (see larger image).

The 13.3-inch touchscreen offers a whole new way to navigate your digital world (see larger image).

Burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i3 processor–with 4-way multitasking processor power to work on four tasks simultaneously.

Thanks to the built-in webcam and Toshiba Face Recognition software on this machine, you’ll enjoy a more convenient way to communicate, log on or share your laptop among the family. Other high-tech features include a touchpad with multi-touch control, power-saving Eco Button to help reduce power consumption based on your needs, USB Sleep-and-Charge port, a hard drive impact sensor that protects your data, and a dual-layer DVD±RW drive that burns CDs and offers Labelflash print functionality.

This Satellite comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features

13.3-inch touchscreen-enabled, high-definition TruBrite display for amazing color depth and clarity with 1280 x 800 resolution with 16:10 aspect ratio (see more touchscreen details below)
2.26 GHz Intel Core i3-350M dual-core processor for a fast, responsive PC experience (3 MB L3 cache). It comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics, an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing. Intel’s Hyper-Threading Technology enables each core of your processor to work on two tasks at the same time, delivering the performance you need for smart multitasking.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 8 GB)
Intel HD Graphics with 64 MB – 1696 MB dynamically allocated shared graphic memory.
8x SuperMulti DVD drive with double layer support and Labelflash printing, which enables you to personalize your discs and keep them looking attractive and organized with direct-to-disc laser printing.
Wireless Connectivity
- With its integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities, this laptop provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It’s also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers.
Built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Sound Room, which combines a suite of technologies to deliver truly stunning virtual surround listening from your two laptop speakers, or on headphones for a more immersive private performance. You’ll savor super-realistic dialogue and explosions, along with deeper, fatter bass and brighter treble tones.
Included Toshiba Software:
- Toshiba Media Controller offers simplified media sharing. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, it lets you share videos, music and pictures from the media library on your laptop with compatible devices in your home entertainment network, or with other compatible laptops and devices, like an Xbox 360 game console. And you can do it all without moving equipment, burning discs or fumbling with cables.
- Toshiba Bulletin Board is an easy-to-use organizational and productivity app that lets you build your own personalized space on your desktop. With Toshiba Bulletin Board, you can quickly and easily manage your to-do lists and calendars, plus create your own custom work area by pinning your favorite photos, documents, links and more.
- Toshiba ReelTime helps you cut down the time it takes to search for files. The easy-to-use app takes traditional text-based file structures one step further to help you find what you’re looking for more quickly. Accessible from your taskbar, it shows you a visual timeline of your recently accessed files–using graphical thumbnails–so you can easily identify and get to your files faster.
Included Toshiba Utilities:
- Toshiba eco Utility makes it easy to go green as you go mobile. Hit the Eco Button and you’ll launch the Toshiba Eco Utility, which puts all sorts of easy-to-read information on your screen, and gives you the ability to adjust the power settings on your laptop. It also activates a light showing you’re in the Eco Mode. The Toshiba Eco Utility lets you pick the optimal power plan for your situation. Choose High-Performance when you need every watt you can get, Power Saver for the least energy consumption, or Balanced as a perfect blend of the two.
- USB Sleep and Charge offers a great way to keep your portable electronics powered up without requiring your laptop to be on. With this laptop’s Sleep and Charge USB port, you’ll be able to charge your smart phone, MP3 player, and other portable electronics–all without having to keep your laptop awake.
- Hard Drive Impact Sensor takes the worry out of taking your most important files and multimedia on the go. Able to detect sudden movement along three different dimensions, the impact sensor (a complex system of hardware and software) helps safeguard your data by “parking” the hard drive heads in the event of a drop or sudden movement. And it works faster than you can blink to help protect your laptop and all-important data.
Up to 3.5 hours of battery life (6-cell battery; 4800 mAH)
Dimensions & Weight: 12.5 x 9.08 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH); 4.74 pounds

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion

3 total USB ports with 1 eSATA/USB combo port that also features Sleep and Charge capabilities. The combo eSATA/USB port enables you to connect to compatible external hard drives for lightning fast transfers of large multimedia files–up to 5 times faster than via a standard USB port.
HDMI-CEC high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your compatible digital TV or external monitor. The HDMI-CEC connection also allows you to control additional media players with just a single remote as well as scale up movies and games to 1080p high-definition video.
VGA video output (analog, RGB)
Combo headphone S/PDIF digital audio output plus microphone/line-in jack
Multi-format memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Multi Media Card, xD Picture Card
ExpressCard (34/54) slot lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features.
Fast Ethernet (10/100)

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you’ll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you’ll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you’ll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

What’s in the box

This package contains the Toshiba Satellite U505-S2020 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.

It also comes with the following software:

Norton Internet Security 2010 (30-day trial); Microsoft Works 9; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Edition (60-day trial); Google Toolbar; Microsoft Windows Media Player 12; Microsoft Silverlight; Toshiba PC Health Monitor; Toshiba Online Backup (30-day trial)

This laptop is backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty.

Environmental Specifications

Energy Star 5.0 certified
Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact.
RoHS compliant effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances

Learn more about Toshiba’s environmental commitment.

Learn More

25th Anniversary of Toshiba Laptops

This year, Toshiba celebrates its 25th anniversary of innovations and quality in the notebook PC business. Beginning with the launch of the Toshiba T1100, the world’s first clamshell-type, fully functional laptop PC, Toshiba has led the with such innovations as the first laptop with a color monitor in 1991 and a laptop with integrated CD-ROM drive in 1995 (followed by the addition of a DVD drive in 1998). And in 2009, Toshiba unveiled the world’s first ultraportable laptop with 512GB solid state drive.

Today, Toshiba continues to be a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing, with virtually all of its consumer laptops earning EPEAT Gold status for meeting standards that help reduce overall environmental impact.

Touchscreen-Enabled Laptop

This model of the Toshiba Satellite U505 offers a whole new way to navigate your digital world via touchscreen display technology. And with the new touchscreen capabilities of Windows 7, you’ll discover easy and exciting new ways to have fun and get things done with your PC.

Browse
If you’re the type who likes to go digital and read a lot online, you’ll love having a laptop with a touch screen. Browse through newspapers and Web pages with ease, or flick through photo albums fast. It makes going paperless a real possibility.

Scroll, Drag and Drop
Easily sift through long lists and files with a natural swirling motion. Then point, drag and drop those files wherever you want them. You’ve never sorted things out quite so quickly.

Rotate
Sometimes you want to adjust the onscreen image clockwise or counter-clockwise–for a presentation, a photo album, or simply to enjoy better viewing. The touch screen makes it a cinch–using just the tip of your finger.

Zoom In and Out
Study the details of a picture. Read the fine print. Or simply punctuate your latest point. The touchscreen lets you zoom in and out with a simple two-finger motion. You’ll save time and keystrokes–and have some fun in the process.

Tags: Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, model, Create, USB Sleep-and-Charge port, Web, Monitor, graphics solution, media, ReelTime, RAM, Networking, TV, Digital TV, Wireless-N, Windows 7, Microsoft, dual-core processor, S/PDIF, toshiba satellite, Total

June 30, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

HP Pavilion dv7-4070us 17.3-Inch Laptop

Best Price for HP Pavilion dv7-4070us 17.3-Inch Laptop!!

Review of HP Pavilion dv7-4070us 17.3-Inch Laptop

The New HP Pavilion dv7-4070us 17.3-Inch Laptop!Watch Blu-ray DVDs at home and on the go. It’s simple with the Blu-ray player and large 17.3-inch diagonal High-Definition LED display on the HP Pavilion dv7-4070us Entertainment Notebook PC. Enjoy music in superior sound and count on fast data entry using the backlit keyboard with numeric keypad. You can also manage your passwords effortlessly on this HP laptop using the integrated fingerprint reader and exclusive HP SimplePass software. Count on a notebook that has everything you want, including style and substance. The HP Pavilion dv7-4070us looks great thanks to a brushed aluminum finish with the stream design in argento. Use the integrated HP webcam to video chat in low-light environments, burn custom labels onto CDs and DVDs using LightScribe Technology and transfer photos from a digital camera to your HP laptop using the digital media reader. Browse the Web from any room using built-in Wi-Fi, plus work and play for up to 5.5 hours per battery charge. This notebook helps you do it all and is a great choice to replace your desktop PC.

Technical Details

Intel Core i5-450M processor 2.40GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.66 GHz; 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM) - Max supported = 8GB
17.3 inch diagonal HP BrightView HD+ LED Display (1600 x 900)
Brushed aluminum finish with the stream design in argento; HP TrueVision Webcam with integrated digital microphone
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector); Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN
4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA; 1 HDMI; 1 eSATA + USB 2.0; 1 VGA (15-pin) ; 1 RJ -45 (LAN)

› Click Here to Read Full Reviews

Tags: WLAN, Core, digital media, RJ-45, Ethernet, LAN, wireless LAN, Player, media, Notebook, Turbo Boost Technology, digital media reader, Universal Serial Bus, digital camera, Blu-Ray player, Photos, HP, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, Click

June 30, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

Asus A626 3.5-inch PDA Windows Mobile 5.0, Wi-fi (802.11 B+g), Bluetooth 2.0 (edr),

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Asus A626 3.5-inch PDA Windows Mobile 5.0, Wi-fi (802.11 B+g), Bluetooth 2.0 (edr),

Product By Asus

(63 customers reviews)

Lowest Price : See Price & Free Shipping Now!

Available From 1 Sellers

Customer Reviews

"Disappointing" 2010-05-10
By Charles W. Clark (Wheaton, MD USA)
I've used a number of PDAs since the late 1990s - HP 620 (as I recall), REX, iPaq, Axim X30 and A626. How I'd like to see the REX come back on to the market! Anyway, all of these seem to have offered increasing functionality, until the A626. I bought it because my Axim X30 developed a screen fault after several years of use, and I thought that was the begining of the end - I'd had to replace a previous Axim because of another failure. I have to, or think I have to, cart around a PDA because of work/life divisions, keeping common calendar/contacts functions on the PDA. This worked fine on all models until A626. But A626 took much longer to start cold than e.g. Axim -literally several minutes vs than a second or two on Axim - pretty frustrating when I was just looking up a contact, or recording an appointment at the dentist's office. Whether this was due to A626 hardware, or the bloated Windows Mobile software (vs. CE) that came with it, I cannot say. Within the past month, Calendar and Contacts functions became inoperable on the A626. These seem to have been corrected by a hard reset - but what a hassle - my labor costs in dealing with deficiencies of A626 now easily exceed the cost of the device itself.

"The only contender to replace my Dell Axim X30" 2010-03-05
By jeremy spencer (Luton, Bedfordshire United Kingdom)
After many years, and being a sold-on-pda man who doesn't like to have all his eggs in one basket, I needed to upgrade. This was the one I chose after much research and I do not regret it. It's an upgraded to WM 6 model, built almost as solid as any dedicated high end pda such as Socket Mobile, (and a third the price) and I have no complaints. The audio is a little weak, but I had wanted to get a Sanza Fuze anyway to cover that base. Highly recommended.

"It's ok, but I would stick with an itouch" 2010-03-02
By D. Bowring (Cumming, GA)
I bought this product about 6 mos. ago and its been good so far but the only major problem is the battery. On wifi the battery lasts for maybe and hour and a half. With no wifi on, maybe 3-4 hours. The RAM is pretty low so running multiple applications isn't the best idea. It can;t play most pocket pc 3-D games, I just got a black screen when ever I anted to play a game I didn't download from the marketplace. All in all, it's not too bad, but I recommend download a pocket pc program that plays any video file and download a music player, the windows media player it comes with is pretty bad.

All Reviews

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Technical Details

CPU - Marvell XScale processor, 312MHz
Operating System - Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 ( Pocket PC )
Display - 3.5" Brilliant TFT LCD 65k full-colors, 16-bit display QVGA, 240x320 resolution with touch screen (anti-glare)
Memory - 128MB Flash ROM and 64 MB SDRAM
Expansion Slot - 1 x SD slot (SDIO/SD/MMC ) up to 4GB

Product Description

ASUS has launched the A626 ultra-slim PDA to answer the increasing demand of users who require a highly practical yet versatile PDA. This palm-sized marvel matches high quality with an impeccable standard of design and caters to the users expectations for personal handheld accessories.Exceptionally slim at only 1.57 cm, the ASUS A626 really stands out from most of the other PDAs on the market. The casing is made of stainless steel and the whole PDA is less than 158g in weight. The 3.5" anti-glare touch screen completes the outlook of the A626 and provides the feeling of a solid and high quality luxury accessory.

Amazon.com Product Description

A great productivity companion that will keep you connected to email and the Internet, the ultra-slim, palm-sized ASUS A626 PDA stands out from other PDAs on the market. Weighing just over 5.5 ounces, it features a brightly colorful 3.5-inch anti-glare touchscreen LCD and durable, fashionable stainless steel case. In situations where utilizing a notebook is more hassle than convenience, the A626 will help you stay productive and connected with its Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system and 54g Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g) for downloading email and surfing the Web in both corporate and coffeehouse environments.

With ASUS's user-friendly Remote Presenter application, the A626 can also be easily utilized to remotely link and control presentations on a computer via Bluetooth. And since all data is stored in flash memory (128 MB ROM with 64 MB SDRAM), your most important data remains saved even if all battery power in the handheld has drained away. You can expand the A626's memory vie optional Secure Digital (SD) memory cards.

The Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC operating system includes the Microsoft Office Mobile suite, which features Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile. Meanwhile, the File Explorer application makes it easy to browse the files. It also supports Windows Media playback right out of the box. With Windows Media Player, you can play streaming and downloaded video and audio content in a variety of formats. You can also keep favorite tunes loaded on a memory card and listen to your music wherever you roam. With its front-mounted speakers, it plays a variety of popular video and audio formats (MP3, WMA).

With the integrated Bluetooth technology, you can connect wirelessly to peripherals such as your cell phone and make cable clutter a thing of the past. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR is up to three times faster than its predecessors, offering a maximum data rate of 3Mbps, and is also backwards-compatible with Bluetooth 1.x devices.

Specifications

312 MHz Marvell XScale processor
3.5-inch TFT LCD touchscreen with 65k colors, 240 x 320-pixel resolution (QVGA)
128 MB Flash ROM and 64 MB SDRAM
3.5mm earphone jack
Integrated microphone and speakers
Full duplex recording and playback
1200 mAh removable/rechargeable battery
Dimensions: 2.8 x 0.6 x 4.6 inches
Weight: 5.57 ounces

What's in the Box
ASUS A626, rechargeable battery, AC adapter/charger, carrying case, mini-USB cable, CD with software and drivers, printed user guide

Tags: FREE Shipping, Wi-Fi, Power, Bluetooth, SDRAM, product, Flash memory, Player, HP, Windows Mobile, Microsoft, Asus, control, media playback, PC, LCD, operating system, Amazon.com, Major, Notebook

June 16, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

ASUS UL30A-A2 Thin and Light 13-3-Inch Silver Laptop – 12 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium)

ASUS UL30A-A2 Thin and Light 13-3-Inch Silver Laptop - 12 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium)

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ASUS UL30A-A2 Thin and Light 13-3-Inch Silver Laptop - 12 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium)

Product By ASUS Computer International Direct

(54 customers reviews)

Lowest Price : See Price & Free Shipping Now!

Available From 36 Sellers

Customer Reviews

"Worthwhile" 2010-05-20
By Ralph Engel (Larchmont, New York)
Light, reasonably quick, good keyboard, at least if you use a mouse. Maybe not wonderful for your primary computer, but fine for a backup, to take on trips, etc.

"Best laptop ever used!" 2010-05-17
By Kelly
I was suggested this laptop by a friend saying it was a good machine, and sure enough, I love it! The battery so far has given me 9 hours of use after being fully charged, of course display settings had to be altered. The chick-let keys are a bonus to easy usage/typing.

"Best Laptop Ever" 2010-05-17
By Matthew Kachur (Norfolk, VA)
I have owned this laptop for 5 months now and I love it. It is small and light enough to make it enjoyable to carry around and use wherever you want. The battery really does last 12 hours, more or less depending on what you are using it for, I don't time how long it lasts but I use it everyday and only have to plug it in once or twice a week. It has a nice customizable power savings plan that makes it easy to set up profiles for your different needs. The touchpad is very responsive and the multitouch features work well. It can play HD videos and output them over the HDMI output to a TV with no problem keeping up. Even with the processing power restricted to save power it easily can handle multiple browser pages, music playing, office documents open, and still blaze through all the aesthetically pleasing features of Windows 7 to switch between open programs. I highly recommend this laptop to anyone who wants an ultra portable that can still handle more intensive operations when needed.

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Technical Details

1.3GHz Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo Processor
4GB of DDR3 RAM, 2 slots, 4GB Max
500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
13.3" HD LED LCD Display, Intel GMA 4500MHD, 0.3M Webcam, Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn
Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System (64 bit), *12 Hours of Battery Life

Product Description

Weighing less than 4lbs and measuring less than an inch thin, the new ASUS UL30A is a harmonious blend of form and function. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo ultra-low voltage processor, it boasts an impressive 16-hour battery life for all-day computing. It also sports user-centric features such as a multi-gesture touchpad and provides an impressive multimedia entertainment experience with Altec Lansing speakers and SRS Premium Sound. All of these features and more are shrouded in a robust brushed aluminum lid that not only looks magnificent, but also helps in maintaining the notebook’s stylish exterior day after day. ASUS notebooks come with ASUS’ 360 service program that includes a 2 year global warranty, one month zero bright dot guaranty, free two-way shipping and twenty-four hour tech support seven days a week. Plus it comes with a FREE One Year Accidental Damage Warranty protecting your notebook from drops, fire, spills and surges.

Amazon.com Product Description

Free yourself from power cords and start exploring with up to an amazing 12 hours of all-day battery life with the ASUS UL30A-A2, thanks to its Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor and 13.3-inch LED-backlit display, which combines vibrant visuals with advanced energy efficiency. This stylish, ultra-portable notebook features a brushed aluminum lid that not only looks magnificent, but also helps in maintaining its stylish exterior day after day. The UL30A also features a multi-gesture touchpad, which enables you to intuitively zoom in or out of pictures via pinching, or navigate up and down pages by sliding your finger.

Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.

13.3-inch LED-backlit HD high definition display with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

An all-day computing companion, the ASUS UL30A provides up to 12 hours of battery life.

The chiclet style keyboard and spacious keys allow for a comfortable typing experience and also prevents dust buildup.

Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to. (Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.)

Experience FastBoot, the unique performance boost for Windows 7 made possible by ASUS's close partnership with Microsoft. With ASUS exclusive FastBoot technology, this Windows 7-enabled ASUS notebook starts up in a staggering 30 seconds.

Compact and under 1-inch thin, you can fit the UL30A virtually anywhere--freeing space for books, files, or whatever else you need to enjoy a spacious workspace. The UL30A includes Altec Lansing speakers plus SRS surround for a virtual home theater experience on the go, as well as an HDMI port for connecting to an HDTV at home. You'll be able to store all of your favorite applications, most important documents, and large video and audio libraries with the generous 500 GB hard drive. Other features include 4 GB of DDR3 RAM (maximum capacity), integrated webcam, Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated video graphics, and multi-format memory card reader.

Now there is an even bigger reason to get the UL Series by ASUS. Adding to a whole trophy case of awards is the latest 2009 Editor's Choice Award by Engadget. Voted by Engadget's editorial staff as LAPTOP OF THE YEAR, the UL series is the ultimate companion for your mobile computing needs.

And where some PC manufacturers only offer 1 year of warranty service, the ASUS UL30A comes standard with a 2-year global ASUS 360 warranty as well as 1 year of Accidental Damage Warranty (ADW).

Key Features

High-gloss 13.3-inch LED-backlit HD high definition display with 1366 x 768 resolution (16:9 aspect ratio) that uses less energy and still gives you an immersive cinematic experience (Learn more)
Up to 12 hours of battery life from 8-cell battery (5600mAh)
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium. (Learn more)
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
Chiclet style keyboard and multi-touch trackpad for comfortable and intuitive use (Learn more)
ASUS IceCool Technology for cool-to-the-touch palm rest
Exclusive Express Gate feature enables ultra-fast boot so you can connect to the web in just 10 seconds
Energy efficient, dual core 1.3 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor with ultra-low voltage for extended battery life (Learn more)
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; 2 x SODIMM slots; 4 GB maximum capacity)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD integrated video processing
0.3-megapixel webcam for connecting with friends and family over video chats
ASUS SmartLogon facial recognition system detects your face and logs on automatically
Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n)
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD
Altec Lansing speakers enhanced with SRS Premium Sound for home theatre quality acoustics (Learn more)
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine for extended battery life
Dimensions: 12.9 x 9.28 x 0.98 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 3.74 pounds (with battery
Warranty: 2 year global warranty and 1 year accidental damage warranty (Learn more)

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
With its integrated Draft-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities, this laptop provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This notebook also provides Fast (10/100) Ethernet networking.

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 HDMI output for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable
Analog video output: 1 VGA
5-in-1 memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia Card (MMC), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and xD Picture Card
1 headphone jack (S/PDIF digital audio output), 1 microphone jack
10/100 Fast Ethernet

What's in the box
This package contains the ASUS UL30A-A2 notebook PC, AC adapter, rechargeable 8-cell battery, and user manual

Learn More

High Definition That Doesn't Break the Bank

The 13.3-inch LED-backlit display offers bright, vibrant visuals and advanced energy efficiency, and it has a high-definition resolution (1366 x 768) and 16:9 ratio display for watching movies and HDTV programming without annoying black bars. It's supported by an integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics processor for cinematic visual quality. Equipped with HDMI connectivity, you can easily stream media whether you're on the move or through an external display at home or in the office.

The UL30A is complemented with Altec Lansing speakers--30 percent more powerful compared to those found on conventional notebooks--and SRS premium surround sound, providing high-quality audio playback without the need to connect to external speakers. The angle of the speakers also allows audio to be "bounced" upwards from any surface to provide better amplification, delivering a wider frequency range, which in turn produces lower pitches that allow users to hear every reverberation of the drums, as well as every note in pitch perfect quality.

Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Simplify everyday tasks	Work the way you want	Make new things possible

Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap. Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs. Setting up a home network and connecting to printers and devices is easier than ever. Windows 7 Home Premium supports the latest hardware and software.	Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker. Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory. Connecting to wireless networks is fast and easy.	Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center. Watch your favorite DVD movies. Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.

Jump Lists
New in Windows 7, Jump Lists take you right to the documents, pictures, songs, or websites you turn to each day. To open a Jump List, just right-click a program icon on the Windows 7 taskbar. (You'll also find them on the Start menu.) What you see in a Jump List depends entirely on the program. The Jump List for Internet Explorer 8 shows frequently-viewed websites. Windows Media Player 12 lists commonly-played tunes. Your Jump List missing a favorite? You can "pin" whatever files you like there. Jump Lists don't just show shortcuts to files. Sometimes they also provide quick access to commands for things like composing new e?mail messages or playing music.

Improved Windows Taskbar
In Windows 7 you can "pin" favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar for easy access. Not crazy about the icon lineup? Now you can rearrange them any way you like by clicking and dragging. Finally, there are new ways to preview windows. Point to a taskbar icon to see a thumbnail preview of open files or programs. Then, move your mouse over a thumbnail to preview the window full-screen. You can even close windows from the thumbnail previews--a big time saver.

Snap
Ever need to cut through a cluttered desktop and quickly focus on a single window? Just click a pane and give your mouse a shake. Every open window except that one instantly disappears. Jiggle again--and your windows are back.

Which version of Windows 7 is Best for You?

Energy Efficient Intel Core 2 Duo ULV Processor

Offering the latest in ultra-low voltage processing power, the dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 has a has a power consumption rating of just 10 watts and a 1.3 GHz speed that's paired with a fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor: The Dual-Core that Delivers Impressive Power While Saving Energy
Featuring dual cores that power through the most intensive tasks, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor lets you surf the web, download content, connect with friends--and do it all with ease. Intel Advanced Smart Cache technology minimizes wait times by allocating more access to frequently used data to the processing core that needs it most. Intel's power-saving capabilities enable fast, cool-running performance even in a compact form factor.

Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology: Breakthrough Technology for Mobile Creativity
With dual-core processing, ultra-fast wireless and exclusive energy conservation features, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology lets you achieve more, aspire higher, and log many more miles between battery charges. Optimized wireless capabilities provide up to 2x greater range and up to 5x better Wi-Fi performance1. Intel Clear Video Technology combines hardware- and software-based video processing features to deliver sharper image quality, improved clarity and customizable color control.

Eye-Catching Sophistication

Impress onlookers or complement any setting with the UL30A's brushed aluminum finish and high-class appeal. Simply opening the notebook you notice the interior casing around the display that brings the color to life so that time-after-time the UL30A shines with a brilliant, high-gloss finish. Plus, the chiclet style keyboard and spacious keys not only allow for a comfortable typing experience but also prevents dust buildup keeping it nice and clean every time you use it. Inspired by the light grace of a butterfly, the UL30A carries the hallmark contours and slim elegance that separate it from the typical cookie-cutter notebook with a true style of its own.

With ASUS IceCool Technology, you're ensured extended battery life and a cool-to-touch surface, so even after the longest computer sessions there's limited heat for optimized comfort. The palm rest area also makes your experience more enjoyable so you have plenty of space to place your hands while typing on the keyboard.

Industry Leading Customer Warranty

The industry's most complete notebook care package offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing laptops:

2-year Asus 360 global warranty (estimated $200 value)

1-year ADW (estimated $100 value)

30-day flawless display guarantee

Free 2-way standard overnight shipping

24/7 tech support

Accidents Happen
You have extra protection when they happen to your ASUS notebook purchased in the US or Canada. ASUS will fix it or replace it for you at no charge during the first year after purchase in the event of damage from accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire.

Warranty covering accidental drops, spills, power surges, and fire damage
Target 3-business-day turnaround time for repair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
One-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at no additional cost
24-hour toll-free phone support
One incident covered per notebook

Tags: operating system, Picture, RAM, Duo processor, Sports, Core 2, FREE Shipping, wireless networks, bright dot, TV, Fix, integrated graphics processor, video processing, ASUS IceCool technology, all-day computing, Intel, Power, Multi-Touch, facial recognition, HDTV

June 2, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive) Review

Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)

Redesigned MacBook with thin, strong aluminum unibody frame and 15-inch LED-backlit glass display
New glass trackpad with 40 percent more tracking area and supports more Multi-Touch gestures
2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM (max), DVD/CD SuperDrive
Dual NVIDIA graphics (integraed and discrete); Draft-N Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 2.1; Gigabit Ethernet; Mini DisplayPort video output
Preloaded with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system and iLife ‘08 suite of applications

Machined from a single piece of aluminum, the new 15-inch MacBook Pro is thinner, more powerful, and years ahead of its time. The stunning, ultrathin LED-backlit display gives you instant full screen brightness. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics processors provide the perfect combination of power and efficiency for everyday tasks as well as 3D games and graphics-intensive applications like Aperture and Motion. And the all-new Multi-Touch trackpad has no separate button. The entire smooth glass surface is the button, so it’s clickable everywhere. This larger trackpad brings more room, more functionality, and more Multi-Touch gestures to fingers. At less than an inch thin and 5.5 pounds, it isn’t just the next-generation MacBook Pro, it’s the next generation of notebooks. Actual weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. 21GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.Redesigned with a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, the MacBook Pro is thinner and lighter than its predecessor as well as stronger and more durable. But Apple didn’t stop innovating with the body’s design. The MacBook Pro also includes a new 15-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) and a glass trackpad that doesn’t include a button (for larger tracking area) and features includes Apple’s Multi-Touch technology.

The redesigned MacBook Pro (see larger version).

Under the hood, the MacBook Pro is powered by a powerful 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (with 6 MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus), which runs applications faster and more efficiently as well as helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. And the MacBook Pro includes two video processors for ultimate flexibility: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics for great everyday performance and NVIDIA 9600M GT discrete graphics for fast, smooth video–perfect for 3D gaming.

It’s pre-loaded with Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications–including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes–and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (maximum capacity), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 800 port, Mini DisplayPort video output (for DVI and VGA connections), and an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking.

The New MacBook Pro Design
Traditionally notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the new MacBook all of those parts with just one part–the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable–perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.

The standard aluminum electro-static trackpad has been replaced with a new glass Multi-Touch trackpad, which provides 40 percent more tracking area than before. Use two fingers to scroll up and down a page. Pinch to zoom in and out. Rotate an image with your fingertips. Swipe with three fingers to flip through your photo libraries. Swipe with four fingers to show your desktop, view all open windows, or switch applications. The entire trackpad surface is also a button, allowing you to both track and click virtually anywhere on the trackpad. And you can easily enable multiple virtual buttons in software, such as right-clicking.

The keyboard has also been improved, with the rigid aluminum keyboard webbing cut precisely to hold the keys, which are curved to perfectly fit fingers. And it’s illuminated, so when you’re in low-light settings, such as airplanes or conference rooms, you can always see what you’re typing.

The 15-inch display is made of edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass for a smooth, seamless surface and features LED backlighting for brilliant instant-on performance that uses up to 30 percent less energy than its predecessor. The ultra-thin displays provide crisp images and vivid colors which are ideal for viewing photos and movies

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which has a super-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an extra-large 6 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

The new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With 6 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.

Video Processing & Output
The new MacBook Pro combines the efficiency of an integrated graphics processor with the desktop-class performance of a discrete graphics processor thanks to the inclusion of both. Out of the box, it runs the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M processor, which provides plenty of performance for everyday use with up to 5 hours of battery life. But when you need turbocharged performance for the most graphically intensive tasks, the discrete NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT processor delivers–such as for demanding 3D games like Quake, Call of Duty, and Spore. And thanks to a new graphics architecture, it’s easy to switch between these two processors. The 9400M graphics processor shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory, while the 9600M provides 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory.

The MacBook Pro includes a next generation Mini DisplayPort, which delivers a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30-inch widescreen display. The Mini DisplayPort is ultra-compact at just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector, and is compatible with Apple’s 24-inch Cinema Display. Adapters are also available for using VGA, DVI/HDMI and Dual-Link DVI displays

Hard Drive and Memory
The 320 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 4 GB of PC3-8500 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) has an industry-leading 1066 MHz speed, and it maximizes capacity for this notebook.

Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it’s also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.

Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the glass display is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.

Other Features

Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800, ExpressCard/34 slot
Mini DisplayPort compatible with DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI connectors (all optional)
8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL (double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
50-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery providing up to 5 hours of battery life using 9400M graphics (up to 4 hours using 9600M graphics)
Kensington lock slot
Measures 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.5 pounds (including battery)

Environtmental Considerations
The entire new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0, EPEAT Gold and RoHS environmental standards, and leads the industry in the elimination of toxic chemicals by containing no brominated flame retardants, using only PVC-free internal cables and components, and using energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass.

Preloaded with Leopard and iLife ‘08
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:

Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
Major enhancements to Mail and iChat

Preloaded with Leopard, you’ll enjoy enhanced productivity and a clutter-free desktop (thanks to the the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks).

Leopard’s new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network.

Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file.

The MacBook also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who’s got an email address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.

Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)

iLife ‘08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)

Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
Amazon.com has certified this product is Frustration Free. A Frustration-Free Package is easy-to-open and comes without hard plastic “clamshell” casings, plastic bindings, and wire ties. It’s designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging during shipping. Products with Frustration-Free Packaging can frequently be shipped in their own boxes, without the need for an additional shipping box. Learn more about Frustration-Free Packaging.

What’s in the Box
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, lithium-polymer battery, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Review by R. Layne for Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)
Rating:
I’m not a gamer so this review may not be helpful to those who want a computer to play games.

I have worked as a professional software developer/architect for 17 years. I started with MSDOS 2.0 and have ridden the Microsoft wave all the way through Vista 64 and I had a few years with UNIX. I have personally owned or worked with computers from Dell, HP, Compaq, IBM. I have heard of Apple products but for the most part dismissed them as more toy than tool. (I was not alone in this perspective.) I like Microsoft but after working with it for the better part of 20 year I decided to look at something different.

I never thought I would purchase an Apple yet here it is. I am impressed to say the least and I see Apple as a serious tool that also makes a cool toy.

Pros:

Lightweight – Probably the lightest laptop I’ve ever worked with or owned

Solid – Normally when you get laptops at 15.4 or larger, chassis flex becomes evident as you can see them bend and they creak. Yet because of its single piece construction and light weight aluminum the MacBook feels good when you need to move it. I doesn’t creak and there is no noticeable bend when lifted.

Battery Life – It just keeps going, and going, and going… Actually I am seeing up to 4 hours life on the fully charged battery. My previous computer never surpassed 1.75 hours.

Size – It is very thin and carrying it around is very comfortable. I had a 17″ and while I like the large display its uncomfortable to carry like a book.

Magnetic Clasp – When closing the lid the owner is rewarded with a very solid thump instead of a “creak” “clack” that you hear from so many other laptops that use a plastic display and mechanical clasp. Opening the monitor is equally a pleasing. You place you thumb under the lip and lift. The laptop may slide a little on smooth surfaces but the lid comes up smooth and controlled.

Keyboard – This is a great piece of work. Does it have “Home”, “Page Up”, “Page Down”, the legendary “Any” key? No. Doesn’t need it. A little research and practice and you will find that these “missing” keys are functions of the keyboard and I don’t miss them at all. Secondly the keyboard “key-float” (that rattle you hear when you lightly stroke your finger back and forth over a laptop keyboard) is almost completely non-existent. So when you’re typing it doesn’t sound like your wadding up crinkly plastic and you don’t annoy your neighbors. The key throw is short but very pleasant. Another thing I like about the keyboard is that you don’t feel like you will break the keyboard if your touch is a little heavy.

Display – The display is a work of art. No only does it look good, but flex has been reduced to almost nothing. It feels very solid and you don’t feel you need to worry about tilting the screen from the corner. The glass cover over the LED lit LCD display is awesome. You can actually clean the screen without LCD screen colors distorting. Not to mention that is automatically dims in low light and the key board lights up in the same low light conditions. that’s a nice touch. The display brightness is every bit as bright as my desktop LCD display in strong light.

Touch Pad – Any who has tried to use the touch pads on other computers (I hate them generally) will love this touch pad. It works like the iPhone (except scrolling is reversed for obvious reasons – you’re not actually touching the screen). The touch is light and very smooth. Making the entire touch pad the button is brilliant, it took me almost no time to get use to it and now I nearly push a hole through the Dell touch pad before I realize I have to click the buttons. I have no trouble with inadvertent touch that moves my cursor away from where I’m typing.

Quiet – I have yet to hear the fans. It makes me wonder if they ever work.

DVD Superdrive – Finally! No cup holder comes sliding out of the side of my laptop. Just simply slide the disc in and your done. It operates like the CD player in a car. It is easy to eject from the screen or a key on the keyboard.

Fit and Finish – The best I’ve ever seen. The only thing I’ve seen is a very slight misalignment of the Express Card/34 slot door. But you really have to look close to see it.

Operating System – WOW. Fast, no anti-virus, stable: it just works. I won’t get too much into the OS but I will say that once I understood how Apple likes things done OS X is very appealing. Not to mention that it sleeps and wakes up faster than anything I have ever worked with. Open the monitor and it’s sitting there saying “come on, I’m tired of waiting for you”.

Built-in Accelerometers – Not sure what they’re good for, but they’re cool. Like the iPhone the MacBook Pro has three accelerometers. There is an Stanford Laptop Orchestra uses MacBook Pros to make music using these accelerometers.

No Fresh Air Openings – I really dislike fresh air ports on the bottom of laptops. They are easily plugged and they suck fuzz and dust into the heat sinks. With my previous computers the fresh air ports were placed underneath the computer right where it sets on your legs. The result was you ran a big risk overheating the computer. The MacBook Pro pulls the cooling air through the keyboard and therefore has a smooth bottom making it far better to place on you lap.

CONS:

Chassis – While it is a brilliant piece of engineering there are a couple very minor issues.

One: Always pick the computer up with both hands. While this is true of all laptops you want to last, it’s a little more important with this one. The metal around the ethernet port has been machined very thin which was necessary to fit the large jack in the rather narrow side of the laptop. So if you have the monitor open and grab the laptop with you left hand and your thumb over that jack you could dent the metal around it. It doesn’t warp or twist the whole chassis, it’s too strong but you could see a small indention in a otherwise straight piece of metal.

Two: The metal in the Battery/Hard Drive Cover is very thin and sometime appears to hang below lip of the chassis. You really have to look to see it and it isn’t all the time. I don’t think is is warped or bent, but just the natural flexibility of aluminum.

Touch Pad Click – While I absolutely love the touch pad (in fact I only use a mouse anymore when I am programming on it because of the nature of the software). If you try to click at the top of the pad (nearest the screen) the force required to click goes up quite a bit.

Price? – Not really a Con. Some have complained about the price. Three and half years ago I paid 00 for a Dell 9100 laptop (All the bells and whistles, Window XP Pro, Office Pro, the works). It has been a great computer that has been put to pasture and my family uses it. I’ve only had two problems with it. The dreaded mexican jumping keys (a key flies off the keyboard after you press it down while typing; AKA broken key) Dell replaced the keyboard without any trouble and the hard drive crashed and needed to be replaced. The Dell computer when new cost more than twice the MacBook Pro does today and the only thing it has over the Mac (old age and technology not withstanding) is it’s 1920 x 1200 pixel display compared to the Mac’s 1440 x 900 display. If I were to order the most power 15.4 laptop Apple sells today, I would still pay half the price of the Dell and the Apple does much more and has better quality overall.

To summarize this is an accomplishment that the engineers, designers, and developers should feel proud. There is some room for improvement but these improvements are at a level that other laptops have to improve a great deal just to achieve Apple’s shortcomings.

I could go on further but I think this is enough. Apple has truly developed a great product in both hardware and software and I recommend it highly.

Review by Charles for Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)
Rating:
Apple’s site and other reviews provide the essential information on what was upgraded in this new MacBook Pro (two graphics systems; machined from solid aluminum; new industry-standard DisplayPort video out; new trackpad; other minor changes/upgrades).

But why get this computer rather than the much less expensive MacBook that appears almost identical?

1. The MacBook LCD display is poor. It is not just a smaller version of the MacBook Pro LCD display. It has washed-out blacks, poor contrast, limited viewing angles, and less vibrant colors. This is a huge difference. I confirmed this with a side by side comparison in the Apple Store (and the store staff member agreed), and you can find further discussion at gizmodo dot com (gizmodo.com/5063492/macbook-and-macbook-pro-dual-review).

2. The MacBook Pro’s excellent new graphics chip (NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT) can be used to speed up all operations (not just graphics) when the new Apple operating system (Snow Leopard) is released in January. This is not confirmed, but there is substantial discussion online suggesting this is the case. The 9600M is essentially a 32 processor computer (running at 120 gigaflops). So, a MacBook Pro will actually gain in speed over time. The MacBook does not have a separate graphics card that can work this way.

3. MacBook Pro graphics are twice as fast as MacBook graphics, so if you do anything visual with your computer (digital photography, video, games, etc.) then everything will run much more quickly and smoothly. Some games that are just barely playable on the MacBook become fun and seemless on the MacBook Pro.

4. The MacBook Pro has a firewire port (omitted from the new MacBook).

5. The MacBook Pro has an expansion card slot (really handy for adding a memory card reader or 3G roaming internet).

So, for the extra 0 (MacBook 2.4 GHz vs. MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz) you get a lot of extras that you will notice and use. And you will avoid the poor LCD on the MacBook. You are still stuck with the highly-reflective glass screen (if my eyeglasses can get anti-reflective coating, then why not this computer screen?), however, so it’s only four stars until they solve that problem.

Review by D. Perkins for Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)
Rating:
Apple is notorious for constantly updating their products, more or less to keep up the status quo on their products. The new Macbook Pro is no exception. This beautifully constructed laptop is a work of art in many ways in which i will detail.

SCREEN

The MBP has had a beautiful screen for as long as i can remember and this new model is no exception. LED lit means that it is “instant on”. when you open the lid, there is no warm up time like there is with other screens like LCD ect. The colors pop and are extremely vibrant and true. If you have seen an older MBP screen, you’ve seen them both, kind of. The new screen is all glass. The glass extends to the very outer edge of the lid, leaving no empty space. Simply put, you can’t find a better screen, not even on a Sony machine (and i love sony also).

KEYBOARD

The new MBP has an updated keyboard. The first thing you will notice is that the keys are black as apposed to the old silver. The black adds a nice touch because it accents the silver case. If you ask me, the old MBP had too much silver. EVERYTHING on the machine was silver aluminum. Don’t get me wrong, i loved the old MBP, but this is just one step up. The Keyboard is also backlit so when you are in a darker environment, the keys light up, helping you see anything and everything on the keyboard. The Keyboard is absolutely beautiful on the machine and adds a nice touch overall to the look.

TRACKPAD

I find it weird that i can put an entire section on a review about a laptops trackpad, but this is undoubtedly necessary. The new trackpad is ALL glass and there is no button—per say. In reality the entire trackpad is the button. They took off the button on the bottom and extended the trackpad down to give you more real estate. Apple spent months designing this trackpad and i have to give them major credit for that. recently me and my friend were looking at laptops at Circuit City, and one thing we did was go through every single laptop and look at it’s trackpad. It is absolutely amazing how much time and effort company’s DON’T put into designing their trackpad, when in my book, it is a HUGE factor. The coefficient of friction on this trackpad is exactly what it needs to be. not too rough, not too smooth, just right. I absolutely love the MBP trackpad and think it is something apple needs to be commended for.

GRAPHICS

Apple and NVIDIA joined up and came up with a new video card for this MBP. The MBP actually has 2 graphics cards in it. One that is integrated, and one that is dedicated. The integrated graphics is NVIDIA instead of the old intel, so it is immensely better. The dedicated card (which can be easily switched on) is a powerhouse and almost puts a MBP in line with other gaming machines, almost. Needless to say, this notebook will do just about whatever you want it to do graphics wise, gaming, video editing, photo editing, you name it, it will do it pretty easily. no worries here.

OVERALL

overall this laptop is at the top of it’s class and you might be wondering why i gave it 4 stars and not 5…..first and foremost, money. I have to say that this is still overpriced. You are paying for a collection of things like the operating system, graphics card, high end components and things like that, but come on apple, 2000 dollars is a lot to drop on any laptop, no matter what it is. Is it worth it? without a doubt yes, and that is why apple can jack up their prices, but at the same time, it seems like they are kind of taking advantage of us, especially in the economic slum we’re in right now. Maybe i am just cheap (which i don’t think most people would classify me as that) but that seems a little high to me. And another thing. what is up with the new display port? i have a 46 inch samsung tv and i will be hooking it up to my MBP but the cable is 100 dollars!!!! and that is just to dual link dvi—-i still have to buy a dual link dvi to HDMI adapter after that. Ugh. apple (along with other company’s…cough cough monster cables) is completely ripping us off on their cables and that makes a difference in my outlook on the big picture.

CONCLUSION

The new MBP is absolutely stunning in every aspect of its design. Apple continues to wow us, and they will also continue to prosper and grow. I will be enjoying my new Macbook pro and i hope this review helped you in any questions you might have had. It is an investment that will live for a long time and will be greatly enjoyed every day. good job apple.

Rating: (out of 128 reviews)

Tags: XP, IBM, Garageband, products, TV, Ethernet port, Ethernet, Compaq, Snow Leopard, Dock Major, Intel, Mac OS X, touch pad, Wi-Fi, energy efficiency, VOIP, Computer, media, expansion solutions, Apple

May 26, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

HP iPAQ hx2795 Pocket PC (FA676B#ABA) (Electronics)

HP iPAQ hx2795 Pocket PC (FA676B#ABA) (Electronics)
By Hewlett-Packard

14 used and new from $245.00
Customer Rating: 3.8

Customer tags: pocket pc(17), ipaq(15), pda(8), handheld(7), hx2795(6), windows mobile(3), organizer(3), bios, froze 3 times in 2 hours, finger print scanner, active sync, dead pixel

Review & Description

The versatile HP iPAQ HX2795 Pocket PC delivers performance, connectivity, and enhanced security to suit your business and personal needs. It features wireless connectivity integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b and Bluetooth and an expansion slot compatible with Secure Digital, multiMediaCard, secure Digital input/output, and CompactFlash media cards. Plus, its built-in fingerprint reader provides convenient security for all your documents and data. The iPAQ HX2795 Pocket PC also offers 3.5 in diagonal transflective TFT LCD screen, with 320 x 240 resolution and 16-bit color (for more than 65,000 colors), intel PXA270 processor operating at 624MHz,192MB total memory (includes 128MB ROM and 64MB SDRAM), with up to 256MB user-available persistent memory available, wireless connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth, and serial infrared, integrated biometric fingerprint reader, activeSync 4.0 support for improved synchronization with a desktop PC, including synchronization via Bluetooth wireless, expansion slot compatible with SD, MMC, SDIO, and CF Type II cards, integrated microphone, speaker, and one 3.5mm stereo headphone jack.Amazon.com Product Description The versatile HP Ipaq HX2795B Pocket PC delivers performance, connectivity, and enhanced security to suit your business and personal needs. This compact and portable computer lets you surf the web, download images and videos, send and receive emails, and view a variety of documents and presentations using Microsoft Office. This portable PC also lets you protect your information using your fingerprint (or fingerprint combined with a personal information number, or PIN). Versatile and easy to operate, the Ipaq offers optimal configurations for performance, connectivity and expandability. With the Ipaq, you'll always be up to date and in touch.

Compact and versatile, the HP Ipaq Pocket PC lets you take your favorite songs, videos, and Web sites everywhere you go. View larger.

Equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology for reliable connectivity.

HP ProtectTools lets you use a PIN or password to control access to your Ipaq.

USB 2.0 desktop synchronization cradle makes it easy to transfer files to your PC.

Special Features
The Ipaq features wireless connectivity integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b and Bluetooth, as well as an expansion slot compatible with Secure Digital (SD) cards. Plus, its built-in, serial-infrared, integrated, biometric fingerprint reader provides convenient security for all your documents and data. To ensure optimum enjoyment of videos and other images, the Ipaq also offers a backlit, 3.5-inch, LCD screen, with power-save mode. It also features a user-available memory of up to 144 MB, which means there's plenty of room to store all your important data. The integrated microphone, speaker, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, and MP3 stereo (through audio jack and speaker) ensure a high-quality audio experience.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Ipaq
Ipaq offers a world of personal, professional, and entertainment options at your fingertips. View Microsoft Office documents like Excel charts and Powerpoint presentations, including custom animations and slide transitions. The Premium edition of Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PCs, specifically designed for handheld devices, helps ensure that your system runs smoothly. Save time and remain immediately up to date by using the USB 2.0 desktop synchronization cradle, which enhances file transfer speeds and synchronization of information between your PC and Windows Mobile-based device. The persistent store feature lets you protect data when your device runs out of battery power, while the HP ProtectTools (in collaboration with Credant Technologies) lets you use a PIN or password to control access to your Ipaq with encryption so that your data is protected should your Ipaq get misplaced or stolen. Enjoy images and slide shows using the HP Image Zone software for Pocket PC, and wirelessly print documents, e-mail, brochures, and photos to a Bluetooth-enabled printer. You can also easily transfer files to your Ipaq by communicating with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, and create personal area networks using peer-to-peer communication.

Additional Benefits
The Ipaq, with its soft, rubber sides and slip-free grip, is easy to carry. You also will appreciate the faster, more flexible playback with enhanced audio and video file formats using Windows Media Player 10. While surfing the Web, get where you want to go fast with the five-way navigation button and four application launch buttons. Expand your capabilities as your needs grow using the Secure Digital (SD) card slot and keep the display clear and free of scratches with the included plastic flip cover.

Warranty and Customer Service
The Ipaq comes with a one-year limited warranty. You can also rely on HP's renowned total care service and support, which J.D. Power and Associates has recognized as consistently providing "an outstanding customer service experience."

What's in the Box
HP iPAQ hx2795 Pocket PC, USB desktop synchronization cradle, removable/rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, charger adapter, stylus, protective plastic flip cover, product information guide, and getting started disc. Read more

Find out More for the best price

Tags: Windows, PC, Player, software, Bluetooth, wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi, date, encryption, MP3, Photos, SDRAM, product, media, Hewlett-Packard, control, HP, Web, Intel, Total

May 25, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 32-bit for System Builders – 1 pack (CD-ROM)

Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 32-bit for System Builders - 1 pack (CD-ROM)
By Microsoft Software

Buy new: $191.99
8 used and new from $85.00
Customer Rating: 4.2

First tagged by Ronald Jurek
Customer tags: microsoft

Review & Description

SFT Vista Ultimate SP1 32bit 1pk oem DVD, English.Please note: This OEM software is intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred to another PC once it is installed. The purchaser of this software is required to comply with the terms of the System Builder license, including the responsibility of providing all end-user support for the software.

Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 is the choice for those who want to have it all. Easily shift between the worlds of productivity and play with the most complete edition of Windows Vista. Ultimate provides the power, security, and mobility features needed for work, and all the entertainment features that you want for fun.

Compare Windows Vista editions.

Use Instant Search to quickly find the information you need. View larger.

Windows Vista Aero provides spectacular visual effects such as glass-like interface elements that you can see through.

The redesigned Windows Media Center in Windows Vista lets you enjoy your media throughout your home, even on your Xbox 360. View larger.

Improved Reliability and Performance
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 and improvements delivered by hardware and software partners increase the reliability, performance, and compatibility of Windows Vista-based PCs.

With Windows Vista with SP1, many of the most common causes of operating system crashes and hangs have been addressed. Windows Vista includes new, innovative technologies that help pinpoint and diagnose issues reported anonymously by Windows Vista-based PCs from millions of users who have elected to have their PC send us system information.

Windows Vista with SP1 supports a number of important new technology standards, so it will keep making your PC easier and more enjoyable to use for years to come.

The most complete edition of Windows Vista--with the power, security, and mobility features that you need for work, and all of the entertainment features that you want for fun
When you want to have it all, including the ability to shift smoothly between the worlds of play and productivity, there's Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1. You'll never have to worry about having the most advanced capabilitiesÑthey're all here. This edition of Windows Vista offers an advanced, business-focused infrastructure, mobile productivity, and a premium home digital entertainment experience, all in a single offering.

Specifically, Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. It also offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features. And Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 has all of the new security and data protection features that help take Windows Vista to a whole new level of dependability.

In addition, Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 includes support for all of the new mobility features in Windows Vista, including Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, Windows SideShow, Windows Mobility Center, and other new, advanced mobility features.

Exclusive to Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 are Windows Ultimate Extras. Windows Ultimate Extras are add-ons that extend certain capabilities of your operating system or just make using your PC more fun. Windows Ultimate Extras currently available include:

Windows DreamScene, an Extra that enables you to use looped, full-motion video as your desktop wallpaper instead of a static image
Windows Hold'em, a poker game for players of all skill levels
Language packs for Windows multi-language interface, where users can install and use multiple languages on a single PC. Great for multi-lingual households or if you are learning a new language.
Secure Online Key Backup, where Ultimate users can store their BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System certificate on Windows Marketplace's Digital Locker website for access to the key anytime, anyplace, and from any computer that has an Internet connection
BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool, an automated tool which removes the complexity of setting up your PC to use this exclusive data security feature.

Whenever a new Windows Ultimate Extra is ready for distribution by Microsoft, you will see the Ultimate Extra control panel inform you that there are new extras to download. Simply download and install the Extras and begin enjoying these exclusive software and services that give your Windows Vista experience an extra lift!

If you want a single PC that fulfills all of your work, travel, and entertainment needs, or if you simply want to be confident that you have the very best, Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 is the no-compromise edition for you.

Windows Sidebar gives you quick access to gadgets like picture slide shows, Windows Media Player controls, or news headlines. You pick the gadgets you want to see in Windows Sidebar. View larger.

Use Flip 3D to navigate through open windows using the scroll wheel on your mouse. V iew larger.

Safety
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 helps protect your family and your personal information from threats from malicious software and phishing scams and helps you keep your PC backed-up and running smoothly.

Parental Controls help parents keep children safer while using PCs through convenient tools to manage and monitor children's computer use, access to websites, and ability to play certain games and use certain applications.

PCs running Windows Vista are 60% less likely to be infected with viruses, worms and rootkits than PCs running Windows XP SP2.

Windows Internet Explorer 7 helps protect your PC and your personal information against malicious software, fraudulent websites, and online phishing scams. New phishing attacks are more than 25 times as common as new viruses, and over 20,000 fraudulent phishing websites are created every month. Internet Explorer 7 is now blocking nearly one million inadvertent attempts to access fake phishing sites per week.

Help defend your PC against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software with Windows Defender. Windows Defender in Windows Vista automatically scans Internet Explorer 7 downloads to help bring spyware to your attention before it can infect your computer.

More easily back-up the content on your PC--including digital photos, music, movies, and documents--with Scheduled and Network Backup.

If you have serious PC problems, Complete PC Backup and Restore makes it easier to restore your PC by not only backing up all your files, but also the entire operating system and all of your applications.

Help ensure that the data on your computer stays confidential, even if your PC is lost or stolen. windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides full-volume encryption and boot integrity monitoring (alerting you if someone has tampered with your PC).

Entertainment
Windows Vista with SP1 is more entertaining. With Windows Media Center, you can enjoy your digital photos and music on your TV as well as on your PC. And it can turn your PC into a digital video recorder, so you can record TV and watch it on your schedule, not theirs.

Sit back and enjoy recorded TV, photos, music, home videos, games and DVDs from the comfort of your couch with Windows Media Center.

Access and project your TV, music, photos, and movies to any room in your house using an Xbox 360 console connected to your wired or wireless home network. It's like having your Media Center PC wherever you have an Xbox 360!

Author and burn movies, photos, and music to DVDs you can play on your PC or a DVD player with Windows DVD Maker.

Live the game! It's easier for you to find, play, and manage your games with GAMES EXPLORER. Games Explorer provides detailed information including when you last played, game genre, and rating of your games. With DirectX 10, play vivid and engaging games with unrivalled realism. Also, use the same game controller with both your PC and your Xbox 360 system.

Ease
It's easier and faster than ever to find, use, manage and share the information on your PC or on the Web with Windows Vista with SP1.

Most Windows Vista-based PCs boot in less than a minute, which can be an improvement over Windows XP boot times.

The Windows Vista sleep and resume features can bring your PC to life in a snap. The vast majority of Windows Vista-based PCs resume from sleep in less than six seconds.

See everything you're working on more clearly with Windows Aero and quickly switch between windows or tasks using Windows Flip 3D.

Find it fast! Simply type something about a file, picture, or song, such as a word contained in a document or e-mail message, the artist of a song, or the date a picture was taken, and Instant Search will bring back any matches instantly.

Organize a lifetime of photos and movies with ease using Windows Photo Gallery. Tag your photos by date, keyword, star rating or any identifying label you choose--so you can find them anytime you want them.

Display live information, like weather, stocks, and news, directly on your desktop with easy-to-use Gadgets and Windows Sidebar.

View multiple web pages simultaneously with Quick Tabs in Windows Internet Explorer 7.

Get up and running faster than ever with Windows Easy Transfer that automatically copies your files and settings from your old PC.

Mobility
With special features to help you go mobile, Windows Vista with SP1 makes computing and connecting away from home or the office easier than ever.

Work the way you want with touch and digital input and handwriting. Tablet and Touch Technology makes your notebook PC experience truly personal.

Set up a wireless network at home with Network and Sharing Center--so you can experience the freedom of working virtually anywhere in your home. Then easily find and join a wireless network at your favorite hotspot--so you can stay productive wherever you go.

Optimize your power and mobil settings centrally with Windows Mobility Center.

Easily sync and manage your music, contacts and pictures across your devices and other PCs with Sync Center.

Share your desktop or any program with Windows Meeting Space. Co-edit documents, and pass notes in class, a favorite hotspot, or where no network exists. Read more

Find out More for the best price

Tags: TV, Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft, Photos, Windows Media Center, Computer, home network, date, Organize, Media Center, computing, Monitor, control, controller, Windows Vista Business, Internet Connection, XP, Windows Vista, Having, Microsoft Windows

May 20, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

Toshiba Satellite L505D-S5994 TruBrite 15.6-Inch Black Laptop – 2 Hours 20 Minutes of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) (Personal Computers)

Toshiba Satellite L505D-S5994 TruBrite 15.6-Inch Black Laptop - 2 Hours 20 Minutes of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) (Personal Computers)
By Toshiba

Buy new: $799.60
3 used and new from $650.00
Customer Rating: 5.0

First tagged by MadJoe
Customer tags: toshiba laptop(2), laptop, good deal, laptops, windows 7, crappy speakers, notebooks, toshiba windows 7

Product Images

Review & Description

Offering solid performance and impressive affordability, the Satellite L505 laptop is tailor made for handling life’s essentials at home, school or work. Surfing the Net, downloading video, checking email, managing household finances or studying for finals, this easy-to-use, all-purpose, eco-conscious machine makes an excellent first-time or secondary laptop. It gives you ample processing power, memory and storage for getting things done. It also offers convenient connectivity options for staying in touch, along with ports for enjoying and sharing pictures and playlists. A stunning high-def display lends a new visual dimension to whatever you’re doing. While an all-new Fusion Finish design means you’ll be multitasking in style.Offering solid performance and impressive affordability, the Toshiba Satellite L505D-S5994 laptop is a great choice for handling computing essentials at home, school or work--from surfing the web and downloading video to managing household finances or studying for finals. This all-purpose, eco-smart machine features a stunning 15.6-inch display with 720p native high-definition resolution. And thanks to the built-in webcam and Toshiba Face Recognition software on this machine, you'll enjoy a more convenient way to communicate, log on or share your laptop among the family. To top it off, the L505 features a brilliant high-gloss Fusion Finish design with a Midnight Breeze pattern that's sure to turn heads.

Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.

The Toshiba Satellite L505 laptop is tailor made for handling life's essentials at home, school or work.

A brilliant high-gloss Fusion Finish design with a Midnight Breeze pattern means you'll be multitasking in style.

Spacious 104-key keyboard with 10-key input (see larger image).

It comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), supporting office applications and all the software programs routinely found in full-size notebooks. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to. (Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.)

This notebook offers dual-core productivity from its 2.2 GHz AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile M500 processor. Other features include a 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (upgradeable to 8 GB), 5-in-1 memory card reader, 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), full-size keyboard and 10-key pad, and dual-layer DVD±RW drive that burns CDs with Labelflash printing capabilities.

This Toshiba notebook is Energy Star 5.0 certified, and has received a Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact. Additionally, it is RoHS-compliant, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

Key Features

15.6-inch high-definition TruBrite display for amazing color depth and clarity (Learn more)
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium. (Learn more)
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
2.2 GHz AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile M500 processor with 1 MB L2 cache for excellent multi-tasking. And it's designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance.
320 GB Serial ATA hard drive
4 GB of RAM (800 MHz; upgradeable to 8 GB)
Integrated ATI Radeon 4100 graphics
8x SuperMulti DVD drive with double layer support and Labelflash printing (See speeds)
1.3 megapixel with Face Recognition capabilities for added security (Learn more)
104-key keyboard with 10-key pad
Enjoy proactive PC health--without the worry. For your peace mind, this laptop comes with an innovative PC Health Monitor that constantly keeps tabs on things like your machine's power usage, temperature and hard drive--so you won't have to.
Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for greater speed and range
Fast Ethernet (10/100)
Built-in stereo speakers
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
6-cell (4000 mAh) battery
Dimensions: 15.1 x 10.2 x 1.55 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 6 pounds
Warranty: One-year limited hardware warranty

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. This notebook also provides Fast (10/100) Ethernet networking.

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
- Includes 1 eSATA/USB combo port
Analog video output: 1 VGA
5-in-1 memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Multi Media Card, xD Picture Card
1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
RJ-45 port for 10/100 Fast Ethernet
RJ-11 port for 56K modem

What's in the box
This package contains the Toshiba Satellite L505D-S5994 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.

It also comes with the following software: Norton Internet Security 2009 (30-day trial), Toshiba PC Health Monitor, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Edition (60-day trial), Windows Media Player, Ulead Label@Once, Google Toolbar, WildTangent Orb Game Console

Learn More

15.6-Inch High-Definition Display

This notebook has a 15.6-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). It also provides TruBrite technology, which makes images brighter and more vivid thanks to its anti-glare feature. Video is powered by the ATI Radeon 4100 graphics chip which uses shared video memory.

Simplify everyday tasks	Work the way you want	Make new things possible

Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap. Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs. Setting up a home network and connecting to printers and devices is easier than ever. Windows 7 Home Premium supports the latest hardware and software.	Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker. Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory. Connecting to wireless networks is fast and easy.	Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center. Watch your favorite DVD movies. Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.

8x DVD-SuperMulti Drive

This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It offers the following read/write speeds:

Write: 24x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+R, 6x DVD-R DL (double-layer), 6x DVD+R DL (double-layer), 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 5x DVD-RAM

With the Labelflash functionality, you can burn high-resolution, high-contrast pictures on the label side of DVD discs using the same laser used for data recording. Enjoy transparency and high-quality not found in traditional printable media. All you need is a Labelflash DVD disc to start labeling without a printer.

Integrated Webcam with Face Recognition Capabilities

A 1.3 megapixel digital web camera built into the LCD's bezel lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats. The integrated webcam does more than just video chats. It includes Toshiba Face Recognition capabilities--the ultimate hands-free, hassle-free way to log onto your laptop. Just show your face to the webcam--no keeping track of hard-to-remember passwords and no unnecessary typing. And if you're using one laptop for several users--say for the whole family or for a small business--Toshiba Face Recognition lets you switch profiles with one simple look.

Read more

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Tags: Internet TV, Fast Ethernet, key, Internet Security, PC, printing, toshiba satellite, Click, Internet Explorer, Create, megapixel digital web camera, windows media player, ample processing power, Toshiba, Networking, software, home network, energy, digital cameras, Web

May 20, 2010 | Filed Under Laptops & Notebooks | Leave a Comment

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New Intel Core i5 Processor

Next-Generation Graphics

Unibody Design

LED-Backlit Display

Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad

Long-Lasting Battery

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Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09

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