Computer Shopper articles from February 2008

Computer Shopper archives from February 2008

AMD Phenom (finally) arrives to challenge Intel's quad-core CPUs.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... AMD HAS AT LAST released its quad-core processors. Debuting last November, the new Phenom processors are AMD's first direct challenge to Intel's Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme line of four-core powerhouse CPUs. The processors now available...

DisplayPort interface could disconnect DVI, VGA.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... CONSUMERS WILL SEE a new display interface, DisplayPort, emerge this year that could eventually replace DVI and VGA for connecting monitors to computers. Open and free to use, the standard is governed by the Video Electronics Standards...

Dell breathes life into tablet-based notebooks.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... PEN-BASED tablet notebooks haven't enjoyed much popularity in their first years on the market. Windows Vista--with its integrated tablet functionality, streamlined features, and improved pen-and touch-screen technology--was supposed to bring...

First Vista service pack is on the horizon.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Microsoft Corp. to add some features in Windows Vista pack)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... IT'S BEEN a frequently heard refrain since the beginning of 2007: "I'll upgrade to Vista as soon as the first service pack comes out." For those who've been singing that tune, it's almost time. Microsoft has detailed some new features in...

CompUSA closes for good.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(CompUSA to shut down)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Computer retailer CompUSA has announced that it is closing shop after more than 20 years in business. The company was sold to a liquidation firm and is in the process of shuttering all of its 103 retail stores. The liquidation firm, Gordon...

Blast off.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(Shuttle Inc. to release new processors)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shuttle, well-known for its ability to pack big computing capabilities into tiny packages, has just released its latest mini marvel: the P2 3800. Based on Intel's new X38 chipset, the system is aimed at the...

Micro media.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(Hewlett-Packard's new computers)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you're looking to revamp your home-entertainment center without sacrificing a lot of cash or space, check out HP's Pavilion Slimline s3330f. With Windows Vista Home Premium, 2GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and a...

Substance, style, speed: U got it.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(Asustek Computer Inc's new notebook computers)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you care as much about how your laptop looks as how it performs, don't miss the new U6 notebook from Asus. Built around the newest Intel Centrino Duo processors and a dedicated graphics engine, the U6 has the...

Gateway's got game.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(Gateway's new FX7020 desktop )(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You don't need to pay a premium for great gaming performance--Gateway's new FX7020 desktop offers it starting at just $1,099. The system blends AMD's new quadcore processors and an impressive 3GB of DDR2 RAM with the...

At light speed.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(Alienware Corp. to offer new laptops)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Alienware has never needed help proving that it gives its computers more than just pretty faces--its systems are typically among the fastest we see. But the company says its new notebooks, the Area-51 m15x and m17x, could well be the fastest...

XPS? Yes!(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(Dell Inc. to offer new laptop computers)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Want big Dell performance in a medium-size laptop at a small price? Then check out the $999 XPS 1530. Its 15.4-inch display gives you plenty of screen real estate, and its light weight (under six pounds) means you...

Dell XPS One: attractive all-in-one falls just short of competitors.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... HAS THE IMAC BEEN A BOON or a bane to the all-in-one-PC market? On one hand, it has single-handedly revitalized the category. But on the other, it seems to have set the bar too high for others to reach. And, try as we might, it's hard to see...

Asus C90s: upgradable laptop will please the DIY set.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... THE $1,599 ASUS C90s should appeal to tinkerers who will take advantage of its easy upgradability and overclocking support, but its short battery life and hot operation make it a less-than-optimal choice for average users looking for a...

Gateway GM5632E: refined, but not boring, entertainment PC.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... AT SOME POINT we might actually see a clear distinction among media, business, gaming, and Internet systems. For right now, Gateway's $1,179 GM5632E desktop does a good job of all-terrain computing, with an emphasis on media handling. ...

Solaris Photon XLX: good performance at a DIY price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... SOLARIS IS THE NEW BOUTIQUE-BUILDER kid on the block, and the Photon XLX is one of the first in the company's lineup of totally customizable computers. Unless you're a fanatical gamer, you might find that the $1,130 configuration we received...

Sony VAIO VGN-NR160E: budget laptop falls short on design, features.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... THE $829.99 SONY VAIO VGN-NR160E delivers the entry-level performance you'd expect for the price, but its design and feature set are lacking compared with low-cost systems we've seen from other mainstream vendors. Our 6.2-pound review unit...

Dell XPS M1730: Hefty SLI gaming notebook simply screams.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... IT'S NOT THE FASTEST gaming notebook we've ever tested, but the Scalable Link Interface-equipped Dell XPS M1730 is still a very worthy choice for forward-looking gamers who value design, features, component options, and DirectX 10 (DX10)...

Gateway P-6825: good-looking budget laptop is a solid performer.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [EDITORS' CHOICE] THOUGH NOT A MULTIMEDIA champ, the retail-only Gateway P-6825 scores with its attractive design, mammoth screen, well-rounded feature set, and amazingly low price. A glossy black looker with...

Fujitsu LifeBook S6510: thin-and-light boasts a spacious screen.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] IF YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING for a thin-and-light portable but find a 13.3-inch screen a bit cramped, Fujitsu's LifeBook S6510 is your answer. With a starting price of $1,529 (our test configuration costs $2,039), the $6510 isn't...

ATI Radeon HD 3850: a card for great graphics on a budget.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] ATI'S RADEON HD 3850 won't win any benchmarking contests, but it's still one of the most exciting video cards we've seen lately. While it's far from the fastest card on the block, it offers incredibly good performance for its...

XFX GeForce 8800 GT Alpha Dog Edition: top-end graphics at a midrange price.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] GIVEN HOW NVIDIA has named its graphics cards in the past, you'd think that the GeForce 8800 GT would be a slower, less-expensive version of the $400 8800 GTS. Well, it is less expensive, with cards arriving on the shelves at...

Microsoft SideWinder Mouse: a (right-handed) gamer's excellent companion.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [EDITORS' CHOICE] WITH ITS MYRIAD customization options, the $79.95 Microsoft SideWinder Mouse is a tool worth trying out for any serious gamer. This arrow-shaped pointer and its substantial palm rest take some...

Kensington SlimBlade Media Notebook Set: a desktop keyboard with a notebook feel.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... KENSINGTON'S SlimBlade Media Notebook Set is a stylish and sturdy keyboard-and-mouse combo, featuring an attractive graphite finish and a slim, sleek body. You get the feel of a notebook keyboard but the quick keys of a desktop set. The $129.99...

Griffin Evolve: speakers give a new take on wireless.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... FEW SPEAKER SYSTEMS offer the simplicity and performance of Griffin's Evolve sound system. The $299.99 unit works straight out of the box, and, unlike many models in the hordes of iPod speaker systems available, this one is actually worth...

Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000: feature-rich, but awkward to use.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MICROSOFT'S Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 comes with 1GB of memory, two forms of wireless connectivity, and a unique recharging method. All of those features, however, couldn't get us to overlook the mouse's high price and odd shape. The $99.95...

ViewSonic Diamani NX1932w: add HDTV to your desktop.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(high definition television)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... VIEWSONIC'S $349 DIAMANI NX1932W 19-inch display includes a host of inputs: High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) with High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and audio support, as well as composite-video, component-video, and...

Gateway HD2200: an affordable big screen for the budget-conscious.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... AT FIRST GLANCE, the 22-inch Gateway HD2200 looks to be an inexpensive, media-savvy wide-screen monitor. It has a low price Oust $349.99), four video inputs, a fast response time, and a sleek appearance. The downside? Its color performance is...

Trendnet 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router (TEW-633GR): easy-to-use, low-cost 802.11n router.(REVIEWS: HOME NETWORKING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AT $125, the Trendnet 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router (TEW-633GR) is proof that you don't have to spend lots of money to set up an 802.11n Wi-Fi network. While it may not be the best choice for long-range use, it...

Iogear Wireless USB Hub and Adapter: Wireless USB isn't ready for prime time.(REVIEWS: HOME NETWORKING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... IN THEORY, Iogear's $199.95 Wireless USB Hub and Adapter would be the ideal solution for anyone looking to untangle his or her workspace. It lets you attach up to four different USB-based peripherals to a tiny hub that communicates wirelessly...

Nikon Coolpix S51c: wireless uploads distinguish humdrum shooter.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... THE $329.95 NIKON COOLPIX $51c is a competent, if unexceptional, point-and-shoot camera with a handful of interesting features. Its small size and built-in Wi-Fi make it a tempting option for travelers who want to pack light. The S51c is...

HP Photosmart R742: inexpensive camera shows muscle.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... THE $129.99 HP PHOTOSMART R742 proves that a budget-price camera doesn't necessarily have to demand lots of compromises. It delivers 7-megapixel resolution, image stabilization, a 3x optical zoom lens, handy shooting modes, and rugged...

Nokia N95: a pricey smartphone that's jam-packed with features.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... ONE OF THE MOST versatile smartphones available, the Nokia N95 is a must-have for gadget lovers and road warriors who can afford its high price. Dominated by a clear, bright 2.6-inch display, the N95 is attractive and easy to use. The...

Shure SE310 sound isolating earphones: top-performing earbuds need longer cord, lower price.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... THE $299.99 SHURE SE310s deliver superior sound quality and effective noise reduction for a set of earbuds, but a too-short cord and warranty take much of the gloss off these pricey 'phones. Our biggest beef with the SE310s was evident...

Delphi XpressRC: this satellite-radio receiver delivers.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OUT OF THE BOX, Delphi's XpressRC looks unexceptional. Like many other XM satellite-radio receivers, it has 10 preset buttons, a five-way control knob, and all the accessories you'll need to install it in your ear....

RIM BlackBerry 8820: feature-packed smartphone lacks 3G support.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... THE RIM BLACKBERRY 8820 adds Wi-Fi to the mix while retaining everything good about its predecessor, the 8800, including its slim design, built-in GPS functionality, and walkie-talkie-style push-to-talk capabilities. Some business users will be...

System Suite 8 Professional: broad hard drive maintenance functionality, but so-so security.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... ALTHOUGH AVANQUEST'S $59.95 System Suite 8 Professional (SS8P) contains solid core tools befitting a standard security package (antivirus, antispyware, antispam, and firewall), its Windows and hard drive tools are its superior offerings. ...

Netscape Navigator 9: classic web browser returns--with features competitors lack.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... THE ONE-TIME KING of Web browsers is once again a contender. The latest release of the Netscape Navigator browser loads quickly, runs smoothly, and blends excellent new features with useful old ones. One of our favorite new features is Tab...

Genie Backup Manager Home 8.0: hassle-free-but expensive--backup app.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MOST COMPUTER USERS know the importance of backing up their PCs regularly, but far fewer make the effort. The $69.95 Genie Backup Manager (GBM) Home 8.0 promises to take the hassle out of the job, and for the most...

CyberLink DVD Suite 6 Ultra: first-class playing, second-rate creation.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... IF A MEDIA-CREATION SUITE features best-in-class built-in support for HD discs but merely average CD and DVD authoring, do you opt for the whole enchilada, or just the cheese? That's the dilemma buyers face with CyberLink DVD Suite 6 Ultra. ...

Norton Ghost 12.0: powerful backup and recovery features for advanced users.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... NORTON GHOST 12.0, Symantec's latest version of its venerable system-recovery software, is loaded with useful new features to keep crisis calls to a minimum, allowing system admins to do a lot more to rescue computers from far away. The...

McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008: sharp security tools dulled by a muddled interface.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... IN TERMS OF FUNCTIONALITY McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008 has a lot going for it. It delivers all the PC protection you would expect from one of the oldest names in the business, as well as a collection of additional tools some might find...

These well-configured machines won't smash your budget.(TOP 5 MIDRANGE DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... 1 Apple iMac www.apple.com $1,499 (as tested) Editors' Rating: (8.5) [check] Specs * 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo * 1GB DDR2 memory * 320GB hard drive * Double-layer DVD [+ or -] RW * ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics...

Play on the go with these mobile powerhouses.(TOP 5 GAMING LAPTOPS)(Alienware Area-51 m9750)(Asus G1)(Dell XPS M1710 (Blu-ray Edition))(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... 1 Alienware Area-51 m9750 www.alienware.com $4,209 (as tested) Editors' Rating: (8.1) Specs * 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo T7600 * 2GB DDR2 memory * Two 160GB hard drives * Double-layer DVD [+ or -] RW * Two nVidia...

Improve your view with these media-worthy wide-screen displays.(TOP 5 24-INCH LCD MONITORS)(Gateway FPD2485W )(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... 1 Gateway FPD2485W www.gateway.com $499.99 Editors' Rating: (8.5) Specs * 1,920x1,200 native resolution * 6-millisecond pixel-response rate * DVI, D-Sub, two component-video, S-Video, composite-video inputs *...

Sharp shooters for avid photographers who are serious about their images.(TOP 5 DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS)(Nikon D80)(Canon Digital Rebel XTi)(Nikon D40x)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... 1 Nikon D80 www.nikonusa.com $999.95 (body only); $1,095 (with 18mm-to-55mm lens) Editors' Rating: (8.0) [check] Specs * 10.2 megapixels * 2.5-inch LCD * 1 pound, 5 ounces * SD/SDHC memory card Bottom Line ...

These powerful apps make burning DVDs and editing video a snap.(TOP 5 DVD & VIDEO-EDITING PROGRAMS)(Sony Vegas Pro 8)(Ulead VideoStudio 11)(Roxio Easy Media Creator 10)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... Sony Vegas Pro 8 sonycreativesoftware.com $599.95 (boxed version); $584.95 (download) Editors' Rating: (8.2) System Requirements * 1GHz or faster CPU * 1GB RAM * 200MB hard drive space * Windows XP SP2 or Vista ...

22nd Annual Shoppers' Choice Awards: our readers choose the top tech from the past year.
February 1, 2008... While people pick up magazines like Computer Shopper to read editors' reviews of the latest products to better inform their buying decisions, there's an equally important source of information that consumers are turning to more and more...

Penryn: mightier than the sword: Intel's powerful new line of processors makes these four PCs the fastest desktop machines we've seen.(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q: How do you make a huge computing innovation even bigger? A: Easy. Make it smaller Intel improved on its own quad-core processors by changing from a 65-nanometer (nm) manufacturing process to one that crams...

Case in point: these six new desktop enclosures make a striking starting point for your next PC build.(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... Ready to build out your next PC on your own--or transfer your current one out of its boring beige box? Case makers are churning out a wider variety of distinctive-looking--and feature-rich--enclosures than ever. Some provide loads of space for...

Computer cures.(HELP & HOW-TO: TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER)
February 1, 2008... REBOOT CONUNDRUM I have a desktop computer that's rebooting itself every 10 to 20 minutes. What could be the cause, and how to fix it? I've attempted to rebuild the PC by reinstalling Windows 2000 and wiping out all data files....

Tip of the month: a matter of fax.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Keeping a record of personal paperwork is a hassle. I have an eFax account. I fax all my documents (bank statements, bills, receipts, invitations, report cards--anything and everything) to my eFax account, and the documents get e-mailed to me...

Dual-boot your PC: can't decide between running Windows Vista and XP (or Windows and Linux) on your PC? No problem--run both.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU BOUGHT A NEW PC in the last year or so, it probably came with Windows Vista. But what if you've got software that doesn't get along with it? Or maybe you've tried Vista and decided it's not your cup of tea....

Dual-boot Vista and Linux.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... With all the fuss about the Linux operating system these days--the huge library of open-source software, the freedom from viruses and spyware--it's only natural to be curious about it. You can set up a dual-boot configuration with Linux instead...

Quad copper.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Silent Knight II)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Every month here at Shopper, it seems like a flesh dozen or so CPU coolers sprout up like a strange species of copper-coated daisy. But this one has a twist--a twist of 90 degrees, to be precise. The $54.99 Silent Knight II from Asus is an AMD-...

Brute power.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Power supplies tend to be prosaic, but Kingwin's $149 Math 1 ABT-800MA1S flaunts just about every attractive checklist feature that a power supply can have. Massive wattage potential for several graphics cards? 800 watts: Check. Four 12-volt...

Space maker.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Wherever PCI Rack)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fresh out of bays or mounting space inside your PC's crowded case? There's always more room with Sunbeam's innovative Wherever PCI Rack. This bracket attaches to the PCI-slot backplane inside your PC, allowing you to...

A case fit for a pharaoh.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... If you're going to name your PC case after a deity, it had better be something special. We think component-maker High Performance Group (also known as "Hiper") succeeded with its rugged Anubis ATX case. Made of 3mm-thick aluminum alloy and...

Tilt-a-whirl.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Gigabyte Technology's Volar)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From motherboard stalwart Gigabyte comes the $45 Volar, which brings a few CPU-cooler design innovations. A 45-degree tilted mounting scheme and spiral-arranged aluminum fins help the cooler's oversize 120mm fan blow...

Water monster.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Thermaltake Technology's Big Water 760i)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... If you have two unused 5.25-inch bays in your PC tower--and a need for extreme cooling, thanks to some over-the-top overclocking--Thermal-take's Big Water 760i could be your answer-in-a-box. This ready-to-go watercooling system combines the...

Thin-and-light laptops (4 to 6 pounds).(NEED TO KNOW)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... PROCESSOR Look for a model powered by Intel's Core 2 Duo processor, which provides long battery life, strong performance, and cool running temperatures. Save a little money by opting for lower clock speeds, such as 1.6GHz, which still offer...

Home and small-office laser printers.(NEED TO KNOW)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... RESOLUTION Print resolution refers to the maximum number of dots per inch (dpi) a printer creates, measured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a 600x600dpi laser printer lays down a 1-inch square comprising 600 dots across by 600...

The best recently reviewed home and small-office laser printers.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Dell Color Laser Printer 1320c * $299 * Editors' Rating: (8.0) Not only is this color laser affordable, but you also can share it on a network using an optional $50 network adapter. Brother HL-4040CN 8 $399.99 * Editors' Rating: (7.7)...

Mainstream flat-panel displays (17 to 19 inches).(NEED TO KNOW)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... ASPECT RATIO The standard proportion of width to height for a computer monitor is 4-to-3, although most new monitors are shifting to the wider format of 16-to-9, designed for viewing movies or high-definition television (HDTV). RESOLUTION...

The best buy recently reviewed mainstream flat-panel displays (17 to 19 inches).(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... HP w1907 * $230 * Editors' Rating: (8.1) HP's stylish display is an immediate eye-catcher. It's an all-around champ at handling colors and gray scale, and it has one of the best sets of built-in speakers we've heard. Gateway FPD1975W *...

The right thin-and-light notebook.(HELP & HOW TO: BUYING BASICS: HOW TO BUY)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Powerful enough to handle most computing tasks, but not heavy enough to weigh you down on a cross-country business trip, thin-and-light notebooks occupy the sweet spot in portable computing, giving you the best of...