Acer Computer AOA110-1722 Aspire One 8.9-Inch Notebook PC Review

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(More customer reviews)UPDATE 08/29/2008: Received my new Acer Aspire One today. Wow, one day shipping from J&R rocks! The blue AAO with Win XP looks just like the Linux version: there is the SD "Storage Expansion" slot on the left side and a multi-format card reader on the right, 3 USB ports, etc. It boots up pretty fast and runs the so familiar WIN XP OS. I liked the Linux graphics, but to be honest, as a Windows user, I felt lost. So far, I haven't had any problems with the wireless (knock on wood) that I have experienced when I used the Linux version. Yes, you can hear the fan, as some of the reviewers have mentioned, BUT, it is not nearly as annoying as they claim. I can live with that. The Hard Drive is listed as 120GB, however, it shows up as 105 GB. The windows XP version comes with a 60-day trial of MS Office 2007 and McAfee Security Suite. Curiously, it also comes with InterVideo WinDVD, although, as you are aware, there is no DVD drive. Other programs included are: MS Works, Adober Reader 8, IE, MSN, Windows Media Player, Windows Messenger, Windows Movie Maker, Acer eRecovery Manager. I installed Firefox without a glitch. So far, I am very pleased with the laptop. It's not a $2,000 Sony or Mac, but it's a great value. It does what it is supposed to do. I am glad I returned the Linux and ordered the Windows. It works better for my needs.
UPDATE 8/28/2008: So, Amazon dropped the price on Acer Aspire One with Linux OS. However, the Win XP version continues to be overpriced compared to other online retailers. I've decided to order the blue Win XP machine directly from J&R for $369.99 and will get an additional 15% off via Live Search Cashback (total price after cashback excluding shipping: $314.41). I decided to go back to the familiar XP configuration simply because I believe that learning Linux will involve too much effort to justify the cost. In addition, the Linux version of Acer Aspire One appears to have more wireless bugs than Windows. We'll see how the Win XP netbook performs.
UPDATE 8/25/2008. So far I haven't seen any price reductions by online retailers. I think they are waiting to purge their inventory. Best Buy, however, does have the blue Acer Aspire One with 1gb Ram, 120 gb HD and Win XP Home for $349.99. So far they are the first ones to jump on the Acer price drop bandwagon.
UPDATE 8/20/08. Acer just (4 hrs ago) made the announcement on Market Watch that it will slash the prices for Acer Aspire One to $349 for Win XP and $329 for Linux. I miss my Acer One and will order one again as soon as retailers update their prices. I thought it was a great deal for $379 but for $50 less it's an absolute bargain. I do hope that I won't have anymore wireless problems with this one.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: I had purchased this laptop from J&R in blue with Linux and it was in my hands the very next day. I really liked Acer Aspire One from the moment I pulled it out of the box. It's very compact, light, elegant, boots in no time (20 sec). I am a first-time Linux user and was actually pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use. I followed the instructions from one of the Amazon reviews here to unlock the full OS and was able to add Skype (Fedora version) without a problem. OpenOffice is very straightforward and easy to use, email setup was a breeze. I plugged it into my cable modem and loved the very fast web page loading times. All in all, it's a great little laptop alternative, the screen is easy to read, the keyboard size is adequate for error-free typing, the trackpad took some getting used to but it was fine within a couple of hours.
Now to the negatives:
-the surface is very prone to fingerprint smudges
-the screen is very glossy and reflective, but the brightness compensated for the fact that I could always see my reflection on the screen
-the left and right mouse buttons are oddly positioned on either side of the keyboard, so that takes some getting used to
-now last but not least - wireless connectivity problems. I've had the Acer Aspire One for over a week and have tried every single approach out there to get the wireless connection on it. the wireless networks would show up on the connection manager, but when I would attempt to connect to a particular network I would get an error message saying connection was terminated. One of the networks I tried to connect to was my own home wireless network which successfully worked for all of my other laptops. I tried the WEP protocol - no success, I changed the router settings to WPA - tried to connect - no success, I changed it to the open network - no success although I am sure my neighbors appreciated the open net access they could steal from me in the interim. I've searched the web for a solution and found out that this wireless problem seems to be an issue for a number of Acer Aspire One users out there. Some were able to fix it by running Live Update on a wired connection (I did it, but it didn't fix the problem), some played with sleep modes, reboots, etc. None of that worked for me. I tried to look up this issue on the Acer website, but their customer support is not very user friendly. So, I gave up, called customer service for an RMA# and am returning the Acer Aspire One today. I wish it had worked as I liked it so much, but it's no use to me without wireless connections and I believe that if I purchase a brand new item, it has to be fully operational straight out of the box. So, goodbye my dear sapphire blue Acer Aspire One, you will be missed, I hope your maker solves the wireless problem and I will buy you again when that happens. I would recommend this product without reservation if only the wireless problem is resolved.


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Weighing in at just over 2 pounds, the Aspire one mobile Internet device is the ideal traveling companion that lets you take the Internet on the road without the heavy load. Good things come in small packages, just like the Acer Aspire one mobile Internet device providing ultra-portable performance to enjoy full Internet browsing, communicate with friends and family and enjoy a variety of entertainment in a small portable design that keeps you connected on-the-go. The Intel Atom Processor combines performance, power and efficiency to explore the Internet and stay connected while on the go. Enjoy reliable on-line access with 802.11b/g Wireless to explore the Internet and view photos or video clips and listen to music in a comfortable browsing environment on the Acer CrystalBrite display. Linpus Linux Lite lets you surf the Internet, edit documents and photos, read email, and enjoy the webcam to chat online with or take still photos smoothly and reliably right out-of-the-box at a great price. Whether you are a first time user or just want a second computing device to easily check e-mail and surf the Internet, the Aspire one was designed for simplicity with a intuitive desktop design, widescreen display and easy-typing keyboard.8.9diagonal WSVGA (1024 x 600) CrystalBrite TFT LCD DisplayIntegrated 0.3 Crystal Eye Webcam Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Built-in Stereo Speakers Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wireless 10/100 Ethernet LAN Multi-in-1 Card Reader SD, MMC, RS-MMC, MS, MS Pro, xD 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone/Speaker/Line-Out, Microphone-in, VGA, RJ-45 (LAN) Approximate Unit Dimensions -9.8(W) x 6.7(D) x 1.14(H) Approximate Unit Weight -2.19 Pounds

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Asrock Intel Dual Core Atom Wireless LAN Barebone ION 330-HT (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this nettop with the intention of using the open-source XBMC software as the hub of my home theater. With one notable exception, this computer has worked very well for that purpose.
Installing XBMC to the hard drive using the 9.10 Live CD went very well - everything installed without a hitch, and connecting the 330HT to my flatscreen using the HDMI output on the back worked beautifully. All the drivers necessary to use this nettop with XBMC were included on the Live CD, including the VDPAU library that allows the GPU to handle hardware video decoding. Playing 1080p blu-ray rips over the gigabit network is flawless and hiccup free, and uses around 5% of the CPU power. The spdif optical output allows me to pass DTS audio tracks directly to my receiver, and I'm loving life.
The drawback:
The 330HT differs from the 330Pro in the inclusion of an infrared receiver and a Windows MCE compatible remote. The infrared receiver is not on the USB bus, and ASRock has been remiss in providing functional Linux drivers for the receiver. This may not be a problem for you if you intend to run a Windows OS on the nettop, but if you want to use the Ubuntu-based XBMC live CD, as I did, you'll find that the current iteration of drivers (version 1.0.1 as of 01/25/2010) provide functionality, but include a number of bugs. First, the receiver will not acknowledge the first command from the remote - it seems to "wake up" in response to a button press (e.g., play, stop, etc.), but not to accept the command. So you're forced to press the button twice to get the nettop to respond. Subsequent button presses, if done soon enough, are usually acknowledged (although it seems to miss a few here and there sometimes). After a few minutes without remote control input, however, the IR receiver seems to go back to "sleep" again.
Even more problematic is the inability of the system to properly initialize (right term?) the IR driver when resuming from a suspend state. You can successfully put the nettop into a suspended state using the remote, and can even wake it out of sleep using the remote, but once awakened using the remote, the IR receiver will not recognize any further remote control input until you restart the system (by plugging in a keyboard, for example, since your remote is now useless).
Many people that have experienced these problems have broken down and purchased a USB IR receiver (the kind Microsoft sells, for example), since the drivers for those receivers are far more polished and problem-free. Doing so negates the whole advantage of the 330HT over the 330 Pro, however, so bear in mind the incremental cost of the only-partially-functional IR receiver when deciding between the two models. You can get the IR-receiver-free ASRock 330Pro (Black) and a USB recevier / remote control combo like this one for about the same price, and guarantee yourself Linux compatibility.
If you want the cleaner look of an integrated IR receiver and plan to use a Microsoft Windows OS, or if you're optimistic about ASRock's development of Linux drivers (I don't know enough about the company to know if they'll respond to consumer demand for improved drivers or not), then go for the 330HT.

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Asrock ION 330-HT Intel Dual Core Atom 330/ 2DDR2-800/ Nvidia ION/ 320GB/ 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN Black Barebone

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HP G60-530US 15.6-Inch Black/Silver Laptop - Up to 3.75 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the HP G60-237NR notebook PC in February for less than 550.00. This laptop has all the features and ports I needed. I have had good customer service from HP when I had questions. I have Vista and we bought this same laptop for my Mom last month at Amazon with the new Windows7. I would recommend this laptop for the average user. I use it for email, shopping the web, MS application software, Skype, LinkedIn, DVD play, and watching Hulu tv over the web. The volume was not loud enough to watch a DVD movie while on vacation in our RV so I bought small external speakers to plug in at a cost of less than $30.00.

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For those who want to connect and manage everyday computing tasks with an elegantly minimalist notebook, the HP G60 series Notebook PC delivers balanced mainstream performance at a great value. Powered by Intel processor and graphics technologies, the G60 includes essential features to enhance your PC experience and life.Watch full-screen HD TV and movies with the 15.6-Inch diagonal display\'s 16:9 aspect ratio.Enjoy your photos and videos on HD TVs with the HDMI port (cable sold separately).Enter data quickly with the numeric keypad.Look good on the go with award-winning, high-gloss HP Imprint finish.Get online more quickly with Windows 7 and high-speed wireless LAN.Create personalized, silkscreen-quality DVD and CD labels with LightScribe.Chat face to face with the HP Webcam and mix it up with YouCam\'s fun special effects.

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Belkin Bluetooth USB Adapter (F8T012-1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am wondering how long it takes to get in the mindset of looking to see if devices are compatible with Vista BEFORE I buy them and try to install them??
Yes, I just recently got a Vista computer and am not used to it. Most of the programs play nice with Vista, but this one didn't... I tried installing it and ran into errors...it wasn't compatible. The installation finished anyway and I thought maybe it actually did work. I tried to connect to my bluetooth device (cell phone) and it did connect, but then it tried to install the drivers again (it must have bypassed them the first time) and it was pointless. I checked the website and, nope, no Vista drivers.
So now I have a useless $30 dongle and have to try and find one that will work with Vista.

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Bluetooth USB Adapter, 100 meter

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Plextor PX-TV402U-NA ConvertX PVR Personal Video Recorder for PC Review

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(More customer reviews)I was nervous about getting any converter after reading reviews of quite a few of them here. I have never done any video conversion or editing before, and I had about 2 days to transfer an analog videotape and clean it up for a work project.
The Plextor installed and ran perfectly under XP with absolutely no problems. Since I had the unit, I also took the opportunity to convert about 15 VHS tapes I had to DVD :) with no problems on any of them, even older ones. Specifically, I had no video or audio sync problems with anything, commercial or non-commercial origin. If I could give a separate rating to hardware, I'd give it a 5 and give the included software a 3.
Intervideo's WinDVD comes with the product and is generally usable, but has installation issues, at least one persistant bug even with the current update, and a generally non-intuitive interface (YMMV). Please note that, contrary to common practice, the product serial number contains the letter "O" and alphas *must* be in upper case. I couldn't get font size changes on title screens to stick--they looked right on author playback, but reverted to the default (huge) size when the DVD was actually recorded. Otherwise, most basic stuff appears to be there if you click around, and the help isn't bad.
Completely met my needs. Thanks to prior reviewers for the info I needed to make my decision.

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The Plextor ConvertX PX-TV402U is the ultimate personal video recorder (PVR) for the PC. You can use it to connect a satellite TV, cable TV, or broadcast TV signal and to record programs to your PC. You can then watch the video from the PC or burn it for playback on a DVD player. You can also connect a camcorder, VCR, or DVD player to record home videos to the PC. Use the built-in multi-format encoder chip to convert video to DivX, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, and MPEG-1 formats as it is being recorded to the PC.
DivX Certified The PX-TV402U is the world's first DivX Certified PVR. The DivX format can record up to three times more video than other formats without sacrificing quality. It also gives you the ability to record video into resolutions perfectly suited for playback on portable and handheld devices. In addition to DivX, video can also be captured in MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 formats for compatibility with all computers and players.
Pause Live TV and Easily Record Shows for Later The integrated TV tuner is of outstanding quality to assure the highest quality video. After connecting it to a satellite, cable, or broadcast TV signal, you can watch TV shows, pause them, and record them to your computer. The integrated programming guide makes it easy to schedule recordings for shows at any hour of the day or night. After they are recorded, you can watch your shows whenever you want to.
Home Video and DVD Authoring If you have a camcorder, you can connect it to the ConvertX and record your home videos to the PC, cut out unwanted scenes, add titles and transitions, and then add special effects. Everything you need for home video editing is supplied.
When burning a DVD, you can choose between menus and background clips for a professional-looking DVD.
Easy to Install and Use with Exceptional Software Setup is as simple as loading the software and then plugging the PX-TV402U into a computer and connecting a video source. For a limited time only, Plextor is bundling, free of charge, Ulead VideoStudio 8 SE DVD video editing and DVD creation software, a versatile application for people of all skill levels. For people wanting a nicely edited movie without putting in the work, VideoStudio has a Movie Wizard. Just select a video, select a style template, and VideoStudio will automatically edit your video complete with titles, transitions, and special effects. For users who want to create a masterpiece from scratch, the VideoStudio Editor has all the high end video editing features you could want, including titles, transitions, special effects, automatic background music generation, picture-in-picture, and video overlays, as well as DivX and MPEG-2 smart rendering. For people wanting to record their video directly to a DVD disc, VideoStudio's Direct to Disc feature will record directly from any camcorder, VCR, TV, or DVD player to a recordable disc in the VCD, SVCD, DVD, or DivX format.
The ConvertX PX-TV402U is backed by Plextor's industry leading service and support program. Plextor offers a 1-year full warranty (parts, labor, or replacement).
What's in the Box PX-TV402U-NA ConvertX personal video recorder, AC adapter and power cable, USB cable, S-Video cable, Composite Video cable, Composite Audio cable, software CD-ROM (Ulead Video Studio, Intervideo WinDVD Creator, InterVideo WinDVR), device driver installation manual, and user's manual.

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HP Pavilion dm3-2010us 13.3-Inch Laptop (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)This size computer has become popular because it hits a sweet spot between portability and functionality. I first purchased an Asus ultralight 13.3 inch notebook last fall, and it has been terrific. When my daugher needed a new notebook, she wanted one like mine due to its portablity, light weight, full web-page-sized 1366x768 screen, low power use, and higher processing power when compared to a netbook. (Netbooks, with their smaller 1366x600 screens and single core processors, are less functional in my opinion, although they can weigh a pound-or-so less.)
As compared with my Asus UL30a-X5, this notebook is similarly priced and has nearly identical specs. I purchsed the DM3 due to a local sale, and with a trade in on an old notebook it ran 450. The differences between the Asus and this notebook are as follows. The Asus is a square, flat, brushed metal finish while the HP has an elegant curved style with a design etched into it...win: HP. The Asus weighs 3.75lbs and has slightly longer battery life, the HP weighs 4.2lbs....win: Asus. Both with 1.3 Ghz dual core processors (although Asus is Intel C2D, HP is AMD X2 K325), both have 4ghz RAM, both have full versions of Win7 Home 64-bit, both have 13.3" LED LCDs...tie. Unexpectedly, the HP has a marginally faster 320gb 7200rpm HDD, the Asus a larger 5400rpm 500gb...winner=your choice.
Functionality of the notebook is great, as long as you're not trying to do processor-intensive tasks. Nice clear, bright screen. Boots up quickly, and the initial screen gives you a choice of a proprietary Linux-like web browser-email-picture viewer-music-video player OR Win7. The 4gb ram allows quite a bit of multitasking without a noticable decline in performance. I notice no difference in speed between the two notebooks, and they both work great for word processing, web brousing, and playing video and music. I've loaded the FREE Microsoft Security Essentials, and it does not seem to slow down the machine at all. (Unlike some other resource hungry anti-virus-spyware program suites.) Chicklet keyboard is typical of this style (I prefer a regular keyboard) and the touchpad is easy to use. None of these UltraLights have DVD drives, so if you need one figure that into the price if you need one. It is helpful to have one because you should either make a set of restore DVDs from the factory HDD, or you can use a (very large) USB drive.
Overall a fine computer with exceptional design and finish. Recommended.

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HP Pavilion dm3-2010us Notebook - Athlon II Neo K325 1.30 GHz - 13.3" - Brushed Aluminum WQ600UA#ABA Laptops & Notebooks

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Acer Aspire AS7551G-5056 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well so far it is a really nice machine.
Pros: Nice Graphics, Very very nice display, keyboard is solid.
Cons: Onboard graphics drivers are terrible, the speakers could be better, the mouse pad could be better.
Based on what I have seen so far I would say its worth getting. At first I was really annoyed because I was having display issues with Call of Duty 4 and Civilization IV would crash frequently. Eventually I installed ATI's drivers and it solved those problems. The screen is gorgeous though, its nicer then my monitor on my desktop and that thing is really sweet. The keyboard responds well and I especially like the number pad. It runs rather hot but most laptops do. I have just been setting it up so it is off the surface about half an inch and it runs much cooler now (cooling pad would also work). Oh right and the HDMI port is handy too. The battery lasts about half an hour to 45 minutes while playing Call of Duty on high settings, which is better then I would have expected from a 6-cell laptop battery.
On the other hand it runs into the same problems that all Acer's have rather bad speakers. I mean don't get me wrong laptop speakers are not the best around but these things are very loud and on the loudest setting they distort the sound a little. But I was expecting that from an Acer. Also the customer support for it is TERRIBLE!!! Again that is a problem with Acer though. Luckily I really haven't had any really issue to call Acer about. The mouse pad on it feels a little cheap. I mean I haven't had any problems with it but the pad on an HP or Dell are much better.
Overall its a very nice laptop once you install ATI's drivers. And since it is about $100 cheaper (when I got it) then a different company's essential identical twin it does make it worth it. Just be warned it is an Acer.
Oh right I think it says it comes with Windows 7 Pro. It lies it is Windows 7 Home. Still 64 bit though so not a big deal I guess. I'll try to check back later on after I have played with it more.

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Acer Aspire 7551G: Mobile Cinematic Entertainment
Enjoy a portable theater experience with the Acer Aspire 7551G (AS7551G-5056) PC laptop, which features a 17.3-inch CineCrystal display with a fast response time so that fast action moves seamlessly across the screen and a 16:9 aspect ratio--perfect for viewing content created for the widescreen. The two built-in speakers produce vividly realistic audio, and you can connect the laptop to your own home theater receiver for 5.1-channel surround sound. You'll also be able to connect this laptop to your HDTV via the HDMI port.

The notebook's rounded edges and smooth lines bring a slenderized look while the mesh-patterned cover brings a rich appearance. The keyboard also extends to a dedicated numeric keypad, making number key-ins quick and streamlining productivity.

It's powered by a triple-core AMD Phenom II processor and the ATI Radeon HD 5650 graphics processor, which combines multi-core processing and powerful graphics for a superior digital entertainment experience. A Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. Other features include ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, an integrated webcam for video chats, and a SuperMulti optical drive that's compatible with double-layer DVD discs.

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

Key Features
17.3-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1600 x 900-pixel resolution (native 720p for high-definition viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight.
2.10 GHz AMD Phenom II Triple-Core N830 processor with 1 MB L2 cache and 1333 MHz front-side bus for excellent multi-tasking. You'll enjoy movies, music and games like you never have before, with amazing detail, clarity and color. Plus, you can experience Microsoft Windows 7 the way it was intended. And with Vision Technology from AMD, you'll get a combination of cutting-edge processing and video power that allows you to experience vivid web and video content, sharp photos and crystal-clear music.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 8 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook.
8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive can also write to CD, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs--which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
1.3-megapixel Crystal Eye webcam with a built-in digital microphone that helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes. Acer Video Conference Manager software supports 1280 x 1024 resolution online video calls.
Built-in Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability 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 laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Three USB 2.0 ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
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.
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. (Learn more)
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.
Up to 3.0 hours of battery life (6-cell battery)
Dimensions: 16.3 x 10.8 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 7.3 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS7551G-5056 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

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The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

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

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Acer Aspire 4810TZ-4011 Timeline 14.0-Inch Laptop Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using the Acer Timeline (14 inch, Aspire 4810TZ-4011) since yesterday evening and so far so good. Here are my first impressions:
1. The delivery was quick and packaging was good.
2. The looks of the laptop are fantastic. Love the isolation-type keyboard. The screen hinges could have been more solid but for a lightweight machine appear ok.
3. The eject button for the CD, various ports, the card reader, are all very suitably positioned.
4. The colours of the screen are beautiful. There are setup options to adjust those to taste, but I did not need to use them.
5. The laptop was easy to set up. I loaded the battery for about an hour before starting, perhaps an overkill, and was rewarded with a blue light coming from beneath the touchpad.
6. Setting up Vista for the first time was much quicker than my last XP setup on a netbook. Feels natural so far.
7. Soon after startup I was prompted to create recovery disks, and made two DVDs with the system and one with software.
8. There is (was) a lot of preloaded software. I spent a good deal of time finding out what it does (on Google) and cleaning most of it up.
9. People who have complained from performance issues maybe should take care to remove the redundant backup software (two or three of those pre-installed?!), the trial antivirus and other FUD nonsense.
10. I registerted for a FREE copy of Windows 7 for Timeline owners, to be shipped in October (woot!).
11. Set up Skype (after combating for a while with the firewall settings of Vista), and made a call -- the sound is good, the mic is well positioned, the camera works fine, even better after peeling off the protective plastic sheet :)
12. Tested a youtube video in HD and it did not play smooth, which was a disappointment.
Comparing this to my 4y old FS, the Acer Timeline feels about as solid, a lot more silent, cooler, lighter by more than 2 pounds, with 6 times the RAM, 4 times the battery time, and a newer processor -- clearly an upgrade in every aspect.


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The Aspire 4800, one of the Timeline models from Acer, earned the name "all-day" notebook because it provides up to 8.0 hours of battery life, allowing users to go unplugged throughout the workday. Adding to this notebook’s portability is its compact size and light weight. The Aspire 4800 with 14.0" LCD is only 4.2 lb. and just a fraction over one-inch high at its tallest point.Model # ACRNB48104011.UPC: 884483706464.Intel Pentium SU2700 1.30GHz Processor (2MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB).3GB DDR3 1066 SDRAM.320GB5400RPM Hard Drive.14.0" WXGA TFT LCD Display (1366 x 768) with CineCrystal technology (16:9).Integrated variable speed Super Multi Drive.5-in-1 Card reader.Crystal Eye Webcam.Intel Graphics Media accelerator 4500MHD.802.11b/g/Draft-N WLAN.Gigabit LAN.Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium.Optimized second-generation Dolby Sound Room audio enhancement.Kensington lock slot.6-Cell Lithium Ion battery: up to 8.0 hours life with Acer PowerSmart Manager enabled and depending on configuration and usage (may be reduced if Windows Vista Aero is enabled). Dimensions: 13.3""W x 9.4""D x 1.1"H .Weight: 4.2 lb"

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Asus K50I-RBBGR05 15.6-Inch Widescreen Titanium Notebook - Black (Manufacturer Refurbished) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought for husband as travel-laptop. Just got in today.
Let me say this laptop will be sufficient for some daily use. It is a good laptop for the price. Fast enough ( but not super speedy). Doesnt feel really heavy to me, but then again, I normally carry around a 17 inch dell. Very nice looking. Overall, very good for browsing and email. Probably really good for a student or light to medium usage. Im a heavy user and KILL laptops, so I dont think this one will last too long is you are rough on your laptops. Good specs. Started up out of the box. Would recommend though.
Cons:
-Installed software. There is A LOT of it! Slows down the computer on start up horribly.

-It was FILTHY! I know its refurbished, but at least you could take a can of air and blow out the cat hair and food crumbs (Im literally serious)! Come on, Amazon! If you buy this, purchase some canned air to blow out the keyboard and monitor as it was GROSS! Again as a heavy user, I know a gross laptop, and that one put mine to shame. Im going to have to pop the keys out and scrub with Qtips.
-Small scratches around the monitor. Nothing major, just figured I would mention it because some people are really picky.
-Packaging/Delivery. No bubble wrap or padding whatsoever. Came in a large box ( like a laptop normally would), but just had cardboard to hold in place and skrink wrap to prevent scratching. No padding between keyboard and monitor either. No protection at all (aside of the plastic bag on the outside incase it rained). The box wasnt dented, but if it had been, I worry about what could have happened. Speaking of which, FedEx left it outside on my porch ( in 95 degree heat) when I didnt answer my door (didnt even require a signature I guess), so make sure you are home for your delivery otherwise, someone might walk off with your new-to-you laptop. :/

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This Asus K50I-RBBGR05 notebook is designed to keep you computing on the move!While this Asus K50I-RBBGR05 notebook may not offer all the thrills of an expensive notebook,it has the muscle to provide cinematic audio and visual enjoyment to keep you entertained anytime, anywhere, and all without a hefty price-tag! Your multimedia comes alive on the 15.6-inch LED backlit LCD display powered by the integrated Intel graphics and SRS Premium sound with built-in Altec Lansing speakers. Chat face-to-face over the Internet using the built-in 1.3 MP web camera!A powerful Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4400 2.20 GHz processor and 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM help you breeze through your work and play-related commands. Access CD and DVD media, backup data and burn DVDs and CDs using the DVD RW drive.Store your growing media library on the roomy 320 GB hard drive which also plays host to Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium! Another great feature of this Asus K50I-RBBGR05 notebook is its IceCool design. The IceCool design boasts cleverly designed and positioned heat vents which keeps the palm rest cool so you can keep computing in comfort for hours.

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100m Wireless Bluetooth USB Dongle for PDA/PC/cellphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The packaging doesn't mention Mac OS at all, and the handful of inexpensive Bluetooth adapters that I looked at here on Amazon didn't either, so I took a chance. This one does indeed work with OS X Tiger. On our old dual G4 tower running 10.4.11, it was as simple as plugging this device into an available USB port and firing up the Bluetooth system preference pane. No drivers necessary as support was fully native. I was able to pair my phone with the computer and browse files instantly. I haven't tested it in Leopard because our newer Macs which run Leopard all have Bluetooth built-in, but I would expect no problems. If your Mac doesn't already have Bluetooth, this is a great deal.

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Why Bluetooth USB Dongle can make your life easier? Bluetooth USB Dongle can get your mobile phone seamlessly connected with your computer and you'll be-able to: Freely upload photos from computer to camera phone to within 100 metres (max) away. Use your mobile phone to transport files from computer to computer. Download free ringtones, games, screensavers and wallpaper from the Internet and upload them to your mobile phone. Connect wirelessly with up to lots of other bluetooth devices, i.e. laptops, keyboards, monitors, printers, mice, and any device that has Blueto!

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Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 PDA Review

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(More customer reviews)The Sharp Zaurus Linux-based PDA is both extremely powerful, and easy to use.
The Zaurus's fast CPU, high quality full-color LCD, and excellent headphone sound output makes for an impressive photo viewer, MP3 and MOD music player, and video-clip displayer.
The slide-out keyboard has completely weaned me from using the handwriting system, which is unfortunate, because a lot of work was obviously put into it. Not only does the handwriting system have a help mode where you can practice strokes, but you can actually train it new, or alternate strokes for each character. But when you can type so quickly, why bother writing?
The dual expansion slots are great, allowing me to use an SD card for software installation, and still have my CF slot free for a RAM card full of MP3s or a network adapter.
Honestly, I was impressed by the capabilities of the Java system. In my opinion, Java has always been too slow and cumbersome to use, and the thought of running it on a 206MHz PDA seemed ridiculous. But from what I've seen of Java applications (even games!) running on the Zaurus, I'm beginning to realize there's a lot of potential in Java.
As a desktop Linux user, I'm also tickled to have the power and stability of my favorite OS underneath the hood. For the extremely geeky, you can get Java, C and C++ compilers that run ON the Zaurus!
The "Qtopia" environment and applications are as intuitive as they are nice to look at. The PIM applications have all the functionality I'm used to from my Palm device, and then some.
Until I can afford a wireless modem to stick in one of my Zaurus' two expansion slots, I've been using a Compact Flash ethernet dongle to get online while watching TV.
After using offline browsers on the Palm, I was shocked to find a full-fledge, desktop-quality browser built right into my Zaurus: Opera.
Opera's zoom-out feature can't be lived without. Frustratingly, most websites assume you have a screen capable of at least 800x600. On a small PDA screen, this would mean constantly scrolling left and right as you try to read. Under Opera, you can zoom out to get a better overview of the page, and still be able to read all of the text!
I've only used the Sync software (Qtopiadesktop - I used the Linux version) a few times, since my pattern for PDA usage is to use them as stand-alone devices. It was quite intuitive, though, as it looked and felt just like a larger version of the PIM software built-into the Zaurus.
Finally, while there's obviously very little 3rd party software for the Zaurus so far, since it just came out, there's been what seems to be exponential growth. I've already installed almost 20 new applications, including games, a streaming Internet radio player, and an embedded version of the popular Linux browser, "Konqueror."
Software installation is usually a snap, too. Just as with Palm, all that's usually needed is one file downloaded off a website. Run the graphical installer, wait a few seconds, and the new app. is there, ready to run!
All in all, it's a great system. Powerful and slick hardware, in a beautiful form-factor, running powerful and slick software.

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Note: There is a software update available for download at: http://www.myzaurus.com/ROMupdate3.asp Combining the power of a PC with the fun of multimedia, the Zaurus SL-5500 boasts a powerful Intel StrongARM 206 MHz processor, 64 MB standard memory, an MP3 and MPEG-1 multimedia player, and a voice recorder. It also features a high-resolution color reflective LCD and an integrated keyboard with a sliding cover.
Because of its open-source Linux/Java-based platform (with Qt/Embedded GUI), applications can be easily customized to fit your personal and business needs.
Sharp's built-in QWERTY keyboard design allows easy data input without sacrificing space. In addition to the keyboard, you can use the stylus and touchscreen to navigate through applications with ease.
Incorporating Sharp's leading LCD technology, the Zaurus SL-5500 has a high-definition color reflective TFT screen with over 65,000 colors and a 240 x 320 resolution. You'll get bright, vivid color no matter what the lighting, making it simple to view a movie or pop in a video while on the move.
The two built-in slots for Secure Digital (SD) and CompactFlash (CF) cards provide dual expansion capabilities and simultaneous use of accessories such as optional modems, memory, LAN cards, and digital cameras. The Zaurus SL-5500 is compatible with a number of modem options for maximum flexibility in communication.
The Zaurus SL-5500 comes equipped with an extensive software application package including address book, calendar, calculator, text editor, to-do list, and Word and Excel viewing and editing capabilities. Its PC synchronization program for Microsoft Outlook makes it easy to keep all information up-to-date. The Zaurus also comes complete with a docking station that features an integrated USB cable and AC adapter for easy synchronization and battery recharging.
The Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 comes with an AC power adapter and cord, USB synchronization cradle, stylus, display-protection cover, and rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
What's in the box
Zaurus SL-5500
EA-70 AC Adaptor
Docking Station (USB)
AC Adapter and Power Cord
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Stylus
Display Protection Cover
CF Slot Protection Card

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HP Pavilion dv6-3160us 15.6-Inch Laptop PC - Up to 4 Hours of Battery Life (Argento) Review

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(More customer reviews)The specs on this laptop are really good. 4 Core AMD Processor will keep things moving at a pretty fast pace, although it ranks below Intel I7's, it still performs very well. Also a large hard drive and the light up keyboard is especially nice when working on things at night. However the best part about the laptop is the video card. The ATI Mobility Radeon(tm) HD 5650 was really the selling point for me. Standard video cards that come with lower end laptops are often the bare minimums and all too often hold the performance of a laptop back. Such is not the case with this laptop. The video card is phenomenal for the price of the laptop. Overall great laptop performance wise. It looks really sweet too. However there is one drawback with HP's and its the preloaded software. I don't know if other company's do it, but this one came loaded with stuff and really hinders the performance. I have a Windows 7 Ult disc purchased previously so I installed my own version after I played with the preloaded OS and software for a bit. Most of the drivers are on the HP website so there really wasn't any trouble finding them(if you choose to do this, make a recovery disc first!). But i know someone else said that if you press F11 on the start up and do the recovery option you can choose to reinstall windows with a minimal installation which will get rid of the preloaded software but still install all the drivers. Highly recommend though if your looking for an above average laptop with an excellent video card.

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Keep the HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Entertainment Notebook PC in sync with your smartphone and connect to a wireless printer using integrated Bluetooth. Watch DVDs on the 15.6-inch diagonal High-Definition LED display and video chat in low-light environments using the integrated HP webcam. The keyboard on this HP laptop is backlit, so you can control movie playback and type easily in the dark. Plus, log in to secure websites with the swipe of a finger using the integrated fingerprint reader. The sleek HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Entertainment Notebook PC suits your personal and professional style with a brushed aluminum finish with the stream design in argento. 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. Expect great performance with a powerful AMD Phenom quad-core processor and premium audio. Browse the Web from any room using built-in Wi-Fi, plus store thousands of files on the large hard drive. IDEAL FOR

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ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1215N-PU17-BK 12.1-Inch Netbook with 6 Hours of Battery Life - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I first reviewed the Asus 1201N in January 2010 (see my Amazon review for that netbook), I stated that it was the best netbook on the market. A lot of time (in the consumer electronics world) has passed since that review, and Asus has released the upgrade to the 1201N, in the form of the 1215N. Does the 1215N take the crown from the 1201N, and is the 1215N the best netbook available today (September 2010) on the market?
In a word, YES! The major gripe about the 1201N was of course the limited battery life, approximately 3.5 hours on average. Even though I primarily used my 1201N near an electrical outlet, there were times when I had to go portable with it, and the short battery life was painfully insufficient. Asus has upgraded both the processor and the graphics technology for the 1215N. The processor is the desktop grade Intel D525 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, a step-up from the dual core Atom 330s powering the initial 1201N. While I would've liked to see Intel's new N550 dual core Atom processors on the 1215N instead, the D525s are more than sufficient. I suspect that Asus will release their next version of the 12XXN series with some sort of new lower power dual core processor and graphics technology.
Note, the N550 processors are a new generation of 1.5 GHz low power dual core processors, and suffice it to say, the days of single core N450 type processors are quickly disappearing. Asus has announced a 1215P netbook, which is equipped with the N550 but NO Nvidia ION2 technology, and relies solely on Intel's GMA3150 integrated graphics solution, which is increasingly antiquated when used as a standalone. The 1215P is intended as an upgraded to the previously poorly received 1201PN, and while it will have an improved battery life, it will have difficulty handling games and high definition 1080P media.
CPU wise, the general variety of the dual core powered netbooks on the market presently are as follows; D525, N550, AMD Athlon II Neo K325.
Base on clockspeed only, the general order of CPU ranking is as follows;
D525 > N550 > K325
The Athlon IIs are powerful adversaries, but according to other online reviews, suffer from poor battery life, on par with that of the original 1201N, ~ 3.5 hours. Such Athlon II Neo equipped platforms include the 11.6" Dell Inspiron M101z (K325) and the Acer Aspire One (K125). But a Dell M101z with Neo K325, 4GB of RAM, and 320 GB HDD will cost you $579; $100 more than the 1215N, and with its poor battery performance, is really just a faster 1201N.
The N550s are found on platforms such as the HP Mini 5103 and are good low power competitors to the D525s, but are crippled because they appear to be bundled with the Intel GMA 3150s. A comparably optioned Mini 5103 and Crystal Broadcom HD Chip will likely run into the $500-$600 range. And the Mini 5103 only has a 10.1" screen.
Where does that leave the D525 then? While the desktop/nettop chip is quite powerful, Intel has intentionally embedded some features which limit the maximum potential of the 1215N. The D525's embedded memory controller limits usable RAM to 2.8 GB, meaning that it is probably NOT advisable to purchase the 4 GB version of the 1215N. The RAM runs in single channel mode only, and the D525 is limited to 32-bit addressing, which may render installation of 64-bit Windows 7 moot. However, don't let these nitpicks drag you down; they are limitations you might want to consider if you're extremely critical about your netbook, but for the average user like myself, they don't bother me, since I'm not interested in using the 1215N as a 64 bit powerhouse.
Asus has paired the D525s with the Nvidia Ion 2 graphics solution, which gives the 1215N comparable battery performance to the lower power N550 matched with integrated solutions, an incredible feat. The Ion 2 used in the 1215N comprises the G210 GPU with integrated GMA3150, and when combined with Nvidia's Optimus switching technology, allows use of the G210 for intensive gaming sessions, while using the low power GMA 3150 for more mundane tasks. The result is a battery life nearly double that of the 1201N. The Ion2 uses all 16 cores of the GT2XX chip and is clocked at 475 MHz. The original Nvidia Ion is comparable to a 9400M, and the Ion 2 is roughly 60% faster than the Ion. However, there is a potential bottleneck, again due to intentional limitations from Intel. The Ion 2's potential is hindered by Intel refusing to share its DMI interface with Nvidia, forcing the Ion 2 to operate on the PCI-e 1x lane, where it cannot operate at full bandwidth. Again, like the caveats with the D525s, this is a limitation you might want to consider if you're extremely critical about your netbook, but for the average user like myself, they don't bother me and the effects aren't noticeable. Make sure you use the latest Nvidia drivers, otherwise the Optimus switching may not turn on correctly.Enough about the history and theoretical considerations of the 1215N. How does the 1215N look, operate, and compare to the 1201N?INITIAL THOUGHTS/DIFFERENCES WITH 1201N: The biggest and most welcome change from the 1201N is the new matte top lid. This helps tremendously in preventing your netbook from becoming a fingerprint magnet. The black matte lid still acquires some fingerprints, and I'd recommend the silver color as the way to go. Amazon does not appear to sell the brown and red colored variations at this time, and I assume those also have a matte finish. The wrist rest has a semi-glossy appearance, and picks up some grease, albeit much less than the 1201N. The SD card reader has been moved from the right side (1201N) to the left side (1215N).
The keyboard appears to have the same layout as the 1201N; some users complained of keyboard flexing, but I didn't notice any flexing. In fact, it seems to have much less flex than the 1201N and seems quite rigid. The 1215N's keyboard is a pure chiclet style; whereas the 1201N's keyboard was contained in a plastic well, the 1215N's keys are raised above the base surface of the netbook. This does not appear to cause any functional differences, but the visual difference is apparent when compared with the 1201N. The 1215N also features a sturdier power button, which feels of higher quality.
The trackpad is no longer dimpled, and this makes the mouse cursor significantly easier to move around. The same one-bar button selector is used (as found on the 1201N, which I actually liked), but the one-bar could've benefited from a matte finish as it picks up fingerprints easily. I strongly prefer the new trackpad on 1215N; navigation is significantly easier now.
The hard drive is only a 5400 rpm spec model, but I found it to be as quiet as the one on the 1201N.
Lastly, the web-camera has a shutter that protects it when not in use; the resolution is the same as that of the 1201N.
I was disappointed to find that the package did not come with a Windows 7 Home Premium installation CD. Didn't I pay for the CD?!BLOATWARE: Unfortunately, like the 1201N, the 1215N also comes pre-installed with a lot of bloatware. It seems a bunch of random wireless card software programs are installed, even though some of those wireless cards aren't even installed into the machine! The bloatware is easy enough to remove though; just remove them under the remove programs tab in Control Panel.GRAPHICAL PERFORMANCE: I tested the 1215N against my 1201N. I achieved a 3DMark06 benchmark score of 1583 (CPU Score 811) on my stock 1201N. By comparison, 3DMark06 on the 1215N achieve a score 1100 points higher, 2692! Playing a 1080P media file on the 1201N using the CoreAVC codec required 60% CPU utilization. Playing the same 1080P media file on the 1215N using the CoreAVC 2.0 codec required just 16-20% CPU utilization!!
BATTERY LIFE: So far, I'm eking out around 5-6 hours of battery life on light to moderate usage.GAMING: I haven't had a chance yet to extensively test gaming capabilities of the 1215N, but from what I've read, the 1215N can handle the following games;
Starcraft 2 @ 15-20 fps, 1280 x 720 pixels, medium settings (various youtube videos confirming this)
FIFA 2010 @ 20 fps, lowest resolution and details
Call of Duty: Modern Wafare 2 @ 30 fps, provided there aren't a lot of scripted scenes/characters.
World of Warcraft @ 45 fps, 1366 x 768 pixels, low details
Left 4 Dead @ 20 fps, 1366 x 768 pixels, low details
Half-Life Episode 2 @ 28 fps, 1280 x 720 pixels
Also, bear in mind that since the Ion 2 is relatively new, not many games are supported yet. Make sure the drivers are up-to-date. If you overclock the 1215N, assuming it is overclockable, then higher framerates and performance may be possible. Note, I am not suggesting or advising anyone to overclock their machine.PROS/CONS: PROS
-Great performance for the price
-Ion 2 battery saving graphics
-Fast processors
-12.1" size with 1366 x 768 resolution
-Solid build quality
-New matte lids minimize fingerprint collection
-Comes with Windows Home Premium (rather than Windows Starter)CONS
-2.8 GB usable RAM limit
-RAM runs in single channel mode only.
-No USB 3.0 capability on US models for now (though this doesn't bother me since I don't have any USB 3.0 devices anyway, and by the time 3.0 devices become mainstream, Asus will have released another netbook by then).
-No Bluetooth (though this doesn't bother me since I don't use BT with my netbooks,...Read more›

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HD-enhanced Entertainment with NVIDIA Optimus Technology With more HD content available now than ever before, you need a netbook that can keep up with the pace. The Eee PC 1215N has both the performance and mobility to meet the call. It features the new Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor, Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics, and a stunning 12.1-inch HD display to give you all the power needed for on-the-go HD enjoyment. And with NVIDIA Optimus Technology, the Eee PC 1215N intelligently switches between NVIDIA ION graphics and embedded graphics to optimize battery life without compromising performance. Add in the LED-backlit display and ASUS Super Hybrid Engine, you can stay unplugged up to 7 hours between charges.1 Along with long-lasting mobility, it has a compact, scratch-resistant design that fits nicely in carrying cases and backpacks – ideal for both long trips or day-to-day errands. The Eee PC 1215N is also one of the select few with HDMI connectivity. So when you feel like super-sizing your HD movies, simply connect to an HDTV and enjoy Full 1080p HD visuals and up to 8 channel sound. What's more, you get a total of 750GB of hybrid storage – 500GB of ASUS WebStorage2 and a spacious 250GB hard drive – to store, share, and back up your music, videos, and other valuable data. The Eee PC 1215N comes with full-size chiclet keyboard, stereo speakers, high-speed wireless N, 2GB of DDR2 memory, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Awards Received Editor's Choice – Laptop Magazine 9 out of 10 – Maximum PC 92%, Must Have Best Features Award – Tweak Town 4 out 5 editor's rating – PCMag.com 4 out of 5 stars – CNET editor's rating

Key Features
12.1-inch LED-backlit HD display for HD-quality visuals wherever, whenever (Learn more)
Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor for energy-efficient multitasking (Learn more)
Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics for a premium mobile HD experience (Learn more)
NVIDIA Optimus Technology instantly switches between powerful NVIDIA and energy-efficient Intel graphics to save battery life without compromising performance (Learn more)
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine maximizes battery life up to 7 hours between charges1 (Learn more)
HDMI connectivity for streaming Full HD video and digital sound to HDTVs and compatible external displays (Learn more)
High-speed wireless N for unplugged surfing (Learn more)
750GB Hybrid Storage: 250GB hard drive plus 500GB ASUS WebStorage2 (Learn more)

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Power with Enhanced Battery Life
Immersive Multimedia
Comfort On-the-Go
Your Portable Internet Companion
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources,3 readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. We tirelessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. We also back our commitment with the industry's most comprehensive warranty.
1 Year ASUS Global Warranty4
Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing netbooks:

1 year global warranty
6 month battery warranty
24/7 tech support
Free 1-way standard shipping

What's in the Box
Eee PC 1215N
Power Adapter
User Manual
Warranty Card

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Display: 12.1-inch LED-Backlit WXGA display (1366 x 768)
CPU: Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor (1.8 GHz)
GPU: Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics with NVIDIA Optimus Technology
Wireless Data Network: WLAN 802.11b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz)
Memory: 2GB DDR3, 1 x SODIMM slot (expandable to 4GB)
Storage: 250GB 5400RPm hard drive + 500GB ASUS WebStorage2
Camera: 0.3 megapixel with security lens cover
Audio: Hi-definition stereo speakers, high-definition audio CODEC, Microphone
Storage Cards: 2-in-1 MMC, SD(SDHC) flash card slot
Input / Output: 1 x VGA port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor), 1 x HDMI, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x audio jacks (Headphone & Mic-in)
Battery Pack: 6 cell battery (up to 7 hours2)
Dimensions: 11.54 (W) x 8.11 (D) x 1.06~ 1.30 (H) inches
Weight: 3.22 lbs
Color: Silver, Black

All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in images. 1 Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations. The estimated maximum battery life in Windows 7 is measured with MobileMark 2007 in reader mode. 2 Complimentary one-year 500GB ASUS WebStorage trial. Please visit www.asuswebstorage.com for more details. 3 Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2009. Rate number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Spring 2009's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/RESCUECOM269.html 4 ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. For complete details, please visit: usa.asus.com/event/ASUS360.

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IBM Numeric Keypad For Thinkpad USB Review

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(More customer reviews)Unfortunately, Lenovo has not yet seen fit to release a Vista-compatible driver, so the laptop's keyboard and the numeric keypad's number lock feature are in sync under Vista. In other words, if you want to type numbers on the numeric keypad (why else would you buy it?) using Windows Vista, the portion of your laptop's keyboard that substitutes for a numeric keypad will also type numbers. Obviously, for quick data entry, it quickly becomes annoying to have to constantly toggle the "Num Lock" key.
Targus makes a similar keypad that does include a Vista driver to avoid this annoying behavior, so that you can input text on your laptop keyboard and numbers on your numeric keypad. It does not, however, have the standard 10-key layout, which is the feature I like most about this model.
Updated (Sept. 2007): Lenovo has released a Vista driver for this keypad, so it now works as it should. You can activate Num Lock on the keypad and still type properly on the laptop keyboard.

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Lenovo ThinkPad X201 12.1" (2985F4U) Tablet PC i7-620LM 2G DDR3 320G HDD Docking Station (Windows 7 Professional) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Long story short: this is an amazing computer with very few, forgivable, flaws
I spent a lot of time looking into the X201T because I'm someone who likes to buy computers rarely. The last computer I bought was a Thinkpad R61 in 2004, it did me well for six years and my wife uses it to this day. I have little doubt that the X201T will do the same.
The X201T is less a computer and more a collection of functions, which are made possible by the many ways to provide the computer with input. You have two mice (a red dot and a touchpad), two keyboards (a fantastic real one and one on the touch screen), a stylus (which is both a mouse and a keyboard), and your finger (the most intuitive way to operate Windows or use the internet, even if you're using the built-in keyboard). If you get a set of Bluetooth headphones/microphone you can even do a lot of things with your voice (the pre-installed speech recognition software works better than I expected), and you can control music from your ear. With such a wide range of options, interacting with the computer is smooth and natural.
Good thing too, because it can do so much. My work requires me to read and write, all the time, and the X201T is perfect for that. It is a great word processor - all the more so because editing Word documents with the stylus is quicker and easier than the mouse/keyboard combination. Instead of keeping a pad of scratch paper around for ideas, I just run OneNote in tablet mode. If you work with pdf's, the X201T will become your library and your filing cabinet. Having used the tablet to surf the internet, I am now convinced that the web was not meant to be accessed with a mouse. The X201T has all the same functions as an iPad, which makes it an extraordinary media player - I hook up my Bluetooth headphones and play the thing from my bag. If you want a television, the widescreen is actually pretty big and very bright (even without the extra brightness upgrade), and you can always hook it up to an external monitor. Of course, this thing destroys email, spreadsheets, and other normal computing tasks.
The computer isn't cheap and without a few accessories and upgrades it's not worth having. The docking station is a must, and Lenovo's tablet bag is critical if you want to work on the go. The multitouch option is a necessity; the 8-cell battery provides a little less power than I'd like (~ 5 hours of full functionality and about two more without internet or Bluetooth) but it's a heck of a lot better than the 4-cell battery; you'll want 4 GB of RAM (expandable to 8); and the 2.13 GHz processor is worth the investment. The upgraded warranty (the one that covers accidents) makes sense for me. That said, I was able to get all of this for about 2K in August 2010 - sellers on eBay buy these packages in bulk and undercut the manufacturer.
A couple of relatively minor downsides: forget about gaming (though Halo 2 works well on an external monitor), Windows Media player sometimes skips when I have the computer in the tablet bag and I go up or down stairs, it sometimes gets hot on the bottom when it runs for a long time in tablet mode, and multitouch capability is not built seamlessly into Windows. (You can zoom in Word, but only in 10% increments, and many Windows options are too small to touch with your finger. That said, Windows 7 is very well suited for a touchscreen on the whole.)Overall, I'm looking forward to the next six years with my new computer. I have no idea what we'll have by then, but I do know that the transition from notebook to tablet has reaffirmed my admiration of technological progress. The experience was similar to the one I had in 2004 when I moved from a desktop to a laptop. If you want to invest in a serious (and seriously fun) piece of technology, dump the iPad and pick up an X201T.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lenovo ThinkPad X201 12.1" (2985F4U) Tablet PC i7-620LM 2G DDR3 320G HDD Docking Station (Windows 7 Professional)

Lenovo ThinkPad X201 2985F4U Tablet PC 2985F4U Tablet PCs

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IOGEAR 4-Port MiniView USB KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS634U Review

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(More customer reviews)I liked the handsome unit, solid build quality, rubber non-stick base, etc. but I had problems using this switch with USB keyboards. In the end, I either used a PS2 keyboard or monkeyed around with PS2->USB converters to plug in a USB keyboard. I had no problems with my USB mouse.
But because this unit can only switch ports via the keyboard, it made it difficult to use a new USB keyboard that I liked (Logitech Dinovo Edge). Either the keyboard switching worked or the keyboard's driver worked, and I needed the driver to support the volume and touchpad controls of this fancy keyboard. So in the end, I had to buy a simpler USB switch that had a physical button to switch ports (and found that the other switch, the Belkin Flip, even supported the fancy USB keyboard drivers *and* keyboard switching).

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Introducing the four port MiniView Micro USB KVM switch from IOGEAR the simplest way to simultaneously run and share audio among four computers with a single USB keyboard, monitor and USB mouse. This self-powered KVM switch features the unique USB sniffing technology for USB mouse and keyboard emulation to ensure smooth operation, as well as support for Plug-n-Play monitors and most wheel mice. Our patented VSE Video Signal Enhancement technology provides rich, 32-bit color at resolutions up to 2048 x 1536.Another big plus is the MiniView capability to provide audio support, it allows you to share your multimedia speakers among the connected computers.

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Logitech Cordless Mini Optical Mouse (931396-0403) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great little wireless USB mouse. Although it's featured as a mini, I have one each for my laptop AND desktop systems - one PC and one Mac - and it works great with both. Nice response, no delay, and the battery lasts for several months. I'm a huge fan of the scroll wheel; I really miss it when I have to use a non-scroll mouse. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for performance at a value price.

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MODEL- 931396 VENDOR- LOGITECH INCFEATURES- Cordless Mini Optical Mouse - SilverPC Mac Cordless Optical USB Scroll wheel Notebook-size Wireless Mini-Receiver. Say goodbye to your touchpad! The Logitech Cordless Mini Optical Mouse is small enough to fit in your bag and is designed for your comfort--at home or on the road. The plug-and-play mini-receiver snaps right into the mouse for easy transport and shuts your mouse off to save power. A battery indicator light tells you when it is time for a change. And the tilt wheel provides side-to-side scrolling plus zoom for easy viewing of large photos or web pages.Includes Cordless Mini Optical Mouse Wireless mini-receiver One AAbattery and Installation guide.* Compact comfort Light and durable for home or travel. * Storable wireless mini-receiver Snaps into mouse for easy transport. * Battery indicator light Alerts you when it is time for a change. * Tilt-wheel scolling and zoomLets you scroll side-to-side and zoom in on page details. -- SPECIFICATIONs -----------------------------------CONNECTORs - USB portREQUIREMENTS - PC : Windows 98SE 2000 Me XP USB port Mac: Mac OS X 10.1.2+ USB port For Macintosh users download mouse software drivers at www.logitech.com/downloads

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