Sony VAIO PCG-TR1AP Notebook PC (900-MHz Pentium-M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 30 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers

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Editorial Review

Built for notebook users whose situations and requirements dictate extreme portability, Sony's TR series of mobile computers are amazingly petite yet satisfactorily powered. Demanding folks who need top-end speed and all the capabilities of a desktop should look elsewhere, but those who consistently work in remote environments or simply appreciate the convenience of extreme miniaturization would do well with this, the Sony VAIO PCG-TR1AP Notebook PC.

At the heart of the VAIO PCG-TR1AP resides a 900 MHz ultra-low voltage Pentium M processor with an amazing one MB Level 2 cache. Sony has matched this processor with 512 MB DDR SDRAM memory and an integrated Intel 855GM graphics chipset with 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) video memory. Though this setup won't effectively drive the latest 3-D-based games or keep up with the current crop of desktops, the unit features advanced Intel Centrino mobile technology for improved performance and reduced power consumption over similar speed non-Centrino units, and as such will easily handle lengthy sessions with typical mobile applications.

The VAIO PCG-TR1AP features an adequate 30 GB hard disk for your files and applications and a versatile CD-RW/DVD-RW combo drive through which you can archive data, burn and play audio CDs and enjoy the latest movies. You'll monitor your work through a crystal clear 10.6-inch wide (1280x768) TFT display with XBRITE technology, and enter data via an integrated 83-key keyboard and electro-static touchpad.

At a mere 10.6 by 7.4 by 1.4 inches and just 3.1 pounds., the VAIO PCG-TR1AP is extraordinarily compact. Yet it's packed with useful amenities, including two high-speed USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire port, a high-speed RJ-45 Ethernet connection, and wireless LAN. Shutterbugs will appreciate the built-in low-resolution 640x480 swivel camera, while businesspeople will welcome the bundled version of Microsoft's high-end Windows XP Professional operating system.

Battery life is estimated at an impressive 2.5 to 7 hours with the enclosed standard cell and 3.5 to 11 hours with a separately available large capacity battery. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Must Have for the Mobile Professional
I have owned this computer for the past month and have found it versatile and able to handle the rigors of office, travel, and home applications.The beauty of this smart machine is that with the 512 MEG RAM upgrade, the memory easily allows for a variety of applications to be handled with ease.As an attorney, I often have many e-mails with attachments, large documents and pages of research material that I must review and this computer has become an essential tool of my daily activities.The benefit of the TR1AP, Windows XP Professional along with Office XP Professional, makes this a tool that I cannot be without!

Awesome, perfect for a truly mobile person
I was originally considering a Dell D800 but decided that was not what I needed. I only spend a short amount of time at clients and this has been perfect. I have the extended battery on order and expect to work a full day without charging. Only problem is that Bluetooth is not included. The on/off switch for the wireless is great. I highly recommend this for anybody who is on the move and doesn't want a lot of weight on their backs.

Good small laptop, but too expansive!!!
The Fujitsu has a simular product, and it is about $300~$500 less than this SONY TR1AP (of course not as stylish).I really like SONY TR1AP's small and stylish design, but this laptop is way too expansive for it's feature.

I think I will wait for a little while for the price to drop then I will change it to a 5 stars. ... Read more

Asin: B00009MJDJ
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)   

Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M8793LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-R/CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $3,294.99
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Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: February 2003. The world’s first laptop computer with a full 17-inch display and widescreen dimensions.

With the stunning PowerBook 17-inch G4, Apple merges incredible power, a 17-inch widescreen display (the largest display of any notebook and the same screen dimensions as a 19-inch CRT monitor), and an impressive array of conveniences into a state-of-the-art aluminum alloy enclosure. A true desktop replacement in every sense except in its remarkably space-efficient, 6.8-pound, 15.4-by-10.2-by-1-inch stature, the PowerBook 17-inch G4 is ready for anyone who appreciates and can afford the cutting edge of mobile computing technology.

The PowerBook 17-inch G4 ensures you’ll stay connected in any environment. For wireless situations, the unit features integrated 802.11g AirPort Extreme--the fastest wireless connection available on a Mac--and new Bluetooth support. For traditional setups you’ll find a host of wired connections, including high-speed 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet facilities, a low-speed 56K modem, one IEEE 1394 FireWire and two USB 1.1 ports, and a variety of audio and video ins and outs. System controls include a unique fiber-optic backlit keyboard with laser-etched keys that’s right out of the future. It even features a light sensor that automatically adjusts the keyboard and screen brightness based on the available ambient light. Average battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.5 hours.

The unit is built for speed from the ground up. Driven by Apple’s dynamic 1 GHz PowerPC G4 CPU (256 K of DDR SRAM Level 2 cache, 1 MB of DDR SRAM Level 3 cache), a generous 512 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM (expandable to one full GB), and a powerful 64 MB nVidia GeForce4 440 Go graphics processor, the PowerBook 17-inch G4 is ready to handle virtually any application you can throw its way. To help you load, store, and transfer all your important programs and data, Apple has included a monstrous 60 GB hard disk and a versatile DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive optical drive through which you can record home movies and video, burn audio CDs, and back up critical information. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great machine with it's limits
Very nice screan is the first thing you'll notice here. The side to side angle of view is pretty wide, while the top to bottom isn't. You'll need to have the screan angled directly at you for optemimal viewing. The promised battery life is a joke of course. Without using the optical drive at all you might get 2.5 hours from it. I suspect the promised 4.5 hours happens only if the hard drive never moves and backlighting is off. It does seem to sleep for a good long time on battery though. As others have mentioned, the cooling system is a bit awkward. You have to keep the machine on a hard flat surface or it will overheat. The track pad is really awkward and I really dislike it. You cannot tap the pad instead of clicking the button the way i can on my addesso keyboard. That means mouse chores are two handed. The last down-side i can think of are the built in speakers. Don't expect much here, they're only basic speakers not loud enough or full frequency. You'll need to hook up something external to get a decent sound.

On the up side; This a nice slim design and the machine seems very stable. I have not problem putting it to sleep and taking to and from my office. (Be prepared to pay extra dough for the 17 inch carry case. I payed $... for mine!!!) It comes loaded with OS 10.2 which is a solid dependable OS. Among other things i use it for Final Cut Pro and deffinately adding the extra 512 ram is a good idea. The 1ghz speed is nice, handles big jobs smoothly. The reason I got this one instead of the 15 inch was because i thought i'd like extra screan realestate. I do think it's worth the extra $... Finally I can goof off and watch a dvd on this thing in my office. That's pretty cool;)

Bottom line is this an expensive machine with lots of plusses and several minuses. I'm glad i got it and would get it again. Just, don't expect too too much.

Best computer I ever had
This is the best computer I ever bought. I stopped using Macs after buying the Apple IIc (a long, long time ago in a galaxy far away) but when I saw the 17" I thought it was perfect.
I runs great and is perfect for business when you want a desktop replacement product.
The only problem with it is the weight which sometimes is exhausting when carrying around for a complete day or on business trips. But that's a small price to pay when compared with the incredible benefits it provides.

Great, but not good for portability
Ive had my powerbook for 1 1/2 years now and I there are two unignorable problems I have.Otherwise the powerbook is a great purchase.

My first problem is that the computer cools itself by conduction through the bottom.As a result, the bottom gets really hot, which is a total bummer when you're literally using the computer on your lap.Also, because of the design, this computer will overheat when placed on a carpet, or bed.If you want to keep the computer quiet and working efficiently, you got to put it on a flat table.

Second problem for me was the hinge which connects the screen to the rest of the computer is weak and snapped.It was hyperextended accidentally because my little brother was throwing pillows around.The old clamshell iBooks could have taken the beating.

Finally, the monopoly Apple has on replacement parts (such as power adapters) can be counted as a negative. ... Read more

Asin: B000087BHX
Subjects:  1. PowerBook    2. (Power Book)    3. Notebooks (Note Books)    4. Notebook Computers    5. Laptops (Lap Tops)    6. Apple    7. (Mac)    8. (Macintosh)   

Sony VAIO PCV-RS420 Desktop (2.80-GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW Drive )
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $1,099.99
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Editorial Review

As the midlevel model in Sony’s "RS" series of Digital Studio Desktops, the Sony VAIO PCV-RS420 delivers everything a multimedia fan could want, including CD and DVD burning capabilities and enough power for virtually any application. Gamers playing the most recent and most demanding 3-D titles may want to upgrade the graphics card, but most users should find the VAIO PCV-RS420 more than satisfactory.

Anchoring the unit is a powerful 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading is a new Intel-developed process that allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thus boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking). Sony has added 512 MB of fast PC2700 333 MHz DDR RAM and an ATI Radeon 9200 graphics card with 64 MB dedicated video memory and a DVI output for optimum connection with flat-panel LCD displays.

The VAIO PCV-RS420 features several data storage options, including a massive 120 GB 7200 RPM hard disk, a handy 3.5-inch diskette drive for smaller backups and older programs, and an extremely versatile DVD-RW/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive information, watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters and turn your home movies into DVDs. To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders and cameras, scanners and external drives, Sony has added eight high-speed USB 2.0 ports and two i.Link FireWire ports, one on the rear and another at the front.

Other desirable amenities include a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet connection, a low-speed v.90 modem, a pair of small desktop speakers, a user-friendly VAIO keyboard, and a PS/2 wheel mouse. A display screen is not enclosed, thus allowing you to utilize your current monitor or select from the many alternatives currently available. Bundled software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works 7.0, Intuit Quicken 2003, and oodles of Sony’s own multimedia utilities. ... Read more

Features

• Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• 512MB RAM Memory
• 120GB Hard Disk Drive
• DVD+/-RW Drive

Reviews (4)

Still rocking after almost 2 yrs
An excellent hardware platform, easily upgradeable in nearly every aspect.

Hardware: 4.25

The p4 HT 2.8GHz dual-core processor still rocks at higher-end of 32-bit platforms.Still is really no app it can't handle.Even the infamous "super" PCversion of "T2"ran easily and smoothly.

The graphics card, despite the complaints of some, is still rocking, though this long after intro, gaming fanatics will want an upgrade for latest games.For occasional gamers the 64MBG 9200 Radeon is more than adequate.Recently purchased HALO runs and sounds awesome; benchmarking standard QIII also runs without flawlessly.

The Pioneer 106 DVD-/+RW is long since obsolescent--and replaced with a Memorex True 8 and a Plextor 716A, the later a blazing fast 16x writing speed.A minor complaint: the second optical drive included as stock was a mere CD-ROM.Sony should have made this a CDRW w/DVD-ROM for those us into movie processor and archiving.So the CD-ROM went as soon as the 8x DVD burners were available.

Despite the reivews, the machine has only 4 USB 2.0 with 8 connectors, therefore when using 2, 3 or 4 USB devices, make sure to plug them into only ONE connector on USB port, otherwise you'll split the bandwidth, not so important for digi-camera downloads, but for external hdds or burners, this is a MUST.The FireWire ports include a 400 6-pin port on the back and 4-pin.One could really have wished for two 6-pin ports, especially since devices like my iPod require the 6-pinner and this requires manuerving 'round to the back to plug it in.A bit of a pain if, like me, you're cramped for space.

The ethernet card is of high-quality and I've had no problems with it since I've been on the cable modem again.

The built in soundcard, surprisingly, is really quite excellent.It's able to support SPDIF and 32-bit out-put (such as that generated by the IN-MAD plug-in for Winamp); but is devoid of both high-end inputs and tape/record conversion capabilities.I've replaced it with an external, USB 2.0 Creative Sound Blaster that's absolute brilliant (esp for $50!).

The config that allows so much hardware into a small space does have one medium drawback: if you've got hands bigger than gnome's, it's difficult to work with.It requires patience and care when swapping out cables or adding new internal devices.Impatience could easily result in a bent pin.One wishes the packaging engineers had taken this into consideration.

It also includes the dinosaurian 3.5in floppy that Apple and Dell have long since done away with.A better alternative, and clearly worth a few extra dollars, would have been a "smart" card of flash memory reader built in.The software's built in for the smart card reader, but is of little use withOUT the hardware!Disable in Services if you don't buy one.

Memory, nicely configured four DIMM slots; only drawback is the maximum capacity is 2GB (a little paltry considering XP's 4 Tera-byte limit).I've added a GB to the 512MB stock 2700 DDR.Even while burning a DVD, running Word, Photoshop, playing audio files and surfing the net, the machine works flawlessly with no problems burning the DVD.

Hardware Overall: the port connectors are high-quality and solidly hold your your cables.Though cable extenders are recommended to avoid the potential disaster of the Bent Pin(!).There is generous expansion space for both a second hdd and the optical drive bays can accomodate any size internal device easily and quickly.The fans are also quiet and barely noticeable, keeping the machine quite cool.

One MAJOR minus--though hardly a problem with operation--is the almost perversly difficult case for the tower.Fiendishly difficult to remove and, especially to replace, this will cost you more time (and profanity) than it should.This is perhaps the only area where Dell actually beats anyone with their hinged cases making internal access a breeze.

The keyboard is cluttered with the usual useless "one-touch" buttons and includes no USB ports.The standard mouse is stardardly tossable.Replace both with an optical mouse and the MSFT ergo-keyboard.Tinny, .5 watt speakers are insulting considering Sony's deserved reputation for high quality audio equipment.This and the worthless software pkg--see below--are the only major fouls.

Software: 1.5

Nothing useful--beyond standard Win-ware--is included in the pre-installed package excepting the reinstall disk.This easily created and quickly reloads the OS and incl. apps. One major problem is that you are given no choice as to what's installed.So some time will be spent uninstalling the mostly useless apps.The utterly useless Works package also leaves behind some 400MBs of useless junk after isntall that has to be manually removed.The "Click-to-DVD" software is worse than useless, having almost no robustness and 50% coaster rate.This was removed almost immediately.there are also several other useless applications for which there are much superior third-party equivalents.

The MAJOR problem with the entire OS/Applications pkg didn't show up until the release of SP2.Three attempts to install SP2 led to major problems and finally crashville.I was obliged to ditch the entire OS/App package and purchase a full version of XP Sp2.This worked flawlessly.And since the incl. apps are mostly junk, you lose nothing by flushing them.In place of Nero's bloatware, Vso-soft's Copy2DVD is highly reccomended, esp. its $40 price vs. the $100-$150 price of Nero's bloatware (and major problems with the recently releases).

Bottom-line: a solid hardware platform easily upgrades to higher-end system; For the price, excellent deal.As used or a gift, highly recommended.Fully expect to get another 18 to 24 months out of it..

Summary: 4

A machine to last for years once the software package is dumped. Processor upgrade should make it more than a contender in its market segment.

Recommended is 8X DVD ROM/ 16X DVD ROM.
I notice this machine has a '64MB dedicated video memory' card,and everything else is great,except the 'DVD ROM' speed. This machine operates at '2X DVD ROM',which is way to slow,that probably accounts for the bad performance with 'high-end software'. '8X DVD ROM' speed should always be the minimal,'16X DVD ROM' speed being your fastest. Ideal minimal set-up: P4 2.6 w/400 MHz FSB,512MB RAM Memory,ATI Radeon 64MB(dedicated video memory),8X DVD ROM,'Windows XP Home Edition'. This is the bare minimum to operate 'high-end software'. Oh yes,remember to stay away from 'Shared(Integrated) video memory' cards,they come in both 'ATI Radeon' and 'G-Force'. The problem with 'shared' is they 'crash' your computer after 2 minutes,whether your playing a 'DVD movie' or 'high-end software',no problems with 'Dedicated(Allocated) video memory',runs like the 'Energizer Bunny',keeps on going. Another thing is to remain at '512MB Ram memory',if your 'RAM Memory' is higher or lower than '512MB RAM Memory',your computer will 'crash' after 2 minutes! This goes for any brand of computer you buy,buyer,beware!

Great for on-line or work -- Gamers should stay away
Clarification of how this product was rated...
+ One star for gamers or heavy media users
+ Four stars for home office applications

I usually start out with the pro's, but given the seriousness (or even worse, silliness) of the cons, I am going to start with those...

Cons...
1) Virtually no software *of value* is delivered with this machine.Except those items that are automatically bundled with Windows XP (MS Works, Explorer, Windows Media Player, etc), you're on your own when it comes to software.As a matter of fact, there was so little software, I originally thought someone forgot to load it.A brief call to the Sony help line (22 minute wait for a rep) quickly cleared this up.
2) The cabling for the mouse, speakers, and keyboard is uncommonly short.Fully eighteen inches shorter than the cables that came with the PC that the Sony is replacing.I really have to question the decision making process that Sony used here.
3) The speakers that came with the machine are not even worth plugging in.The thin sound delivered is accompanied by noticeable crackles (on new CDs) and they even distort the music.This is especially disappointing given Sony's heritage of excellence in audio products.
4) The issue with the sound, coupled with a weak video card, is why I suggest gamers stay away.Although for a little more money, you can pick up some decent speakers and a video card that would make this PC rock

Pros...
1) The tightest boxing and packaging of a PC that I have ever seen (this is my 7th or 8th PC).Gives me a warm and fuzzy that this thing is built to last.
2) When I checked under the hood, with the exception of the weak video card, everything looked to be of very high quality.
3) Great form factor -- the box looks great and they have packed a lot of power into a surprisingly small space -- great for those with limited desk space
4) USB slots to spare (I have found 6, the documentation suggests there are 8)
5) I am unfortunately still only able to get dial-up service, but the v.92 compatible modem coupled with the 512 MB of RAM and 2.8 Ghz CPU clock speed (with hyperthreading) make it seem like the internet is loading much, much faster
6) Easy set-up (important if you're a first time buyer!)
7) Buttery smooth operation for both the DVD recorder and CD-RW drives -- and both are wicked fast
8) Lightening fast handling of word processor and spreadsheet applications

Net/net: questionable cost savings decisions by Sony turned what could have been an awesome PC-for-the-home product into a sometimes silly, sometimes smoking solution for all but gamers. ... Read more

Asin: B0000CEYX3
Subjects:  1. Desktops (Desk Tops)    2. Desktop Computers   

HP Pavilion a300n Desktop PC (2.60-GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers

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Editorial Review

If you're looking for the ultimate gaming or business rig, you've come to the wrong place. But if you need a solid home, home office or second computer that'll allow you or your family to run general applications such as word processing and spreadsheets, do their homework or burn a music DVD, the HP Pavilion a300n Desktop PC is ready to accommodate. As a bonus, it is one of the most affordable desktops currently on the market.

For the Pavilion a300n Desktop, HP has obviously worked hard to keep the price down while at the same time maintaining reasonable performance. Driving the unit is a cost-effective Intel Celeron processor rated at 2.6 GHz and an adequate 256 MB of DDR SDRAM memory. The system's graphics controller, an integrated Intel Extreme chipset with just 32 MB of video memory, is certainly the weak link. Though you'll be just fine with 2D applications, you'll need to upgrade to a better chipset with external memory if you wish to play the latest games or engage in sophisticated 3-D graphics. Furthermore, power users who need a business workhorse would be far better of if they double the RAM memory or, better still, explore one of HP's more upscale systems.

Data handling tools include a smallish 40 GB hard drive, a convenient 3.5-inch diskette drive, and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive through which you can archive data to long-lasting digital media, play and burn audio CDs and enjoy the latest movies. DVD burning is not supported.

The system features satisfactory connectivity, including five high-speed USB 2.0 ports for exchanging information with external devices such as digital cameras and scanners, a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up surfing and a 10-/100-Mbps Ethernet card for high-speed e-communications. HP has added a two-button PS/2 scrolling mouse and convenient HP Multimedia keyboard but has not enclosed a display or speakers, thus allowing you to select from the wide variety of choices available today. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great system
On a budget?Need a good computer?You found it.I just bought one and it is a major improvement over my old computer.This system has been great for surfing the web and it handles my games (mostly flight sims) just fine.Setup was a snap (and I'm not a computer person).It looks a lot better than my old system too. ... Read more

Asin: B0000CNUK3
Subjects:  1. Intel    2. (Intell)    3. Celeron    4. Desktops (Desk Tops)    5. Desktop Computers    6. Hewlett-Packard    7. (HP)    8. (Hewlet Packart)   

HP 450Ci Mobile DeskJet Printer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (03 October, 2002)
list price: $353.00 -- our price: Too Low To Display
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Combining rugged design with a lightweight casing, Hewlett-Packard's 450Ci Mobile DeskJet is an ideal printer to take on the road. Offering convenient USB and parallel connectivity, plus infrared, CompactFlash, and Bluetooth, you can produce documents from your laptop, cell phone, digital camera, or handheld device in just seconds. Print resolution is a sharp 1,200 x 1,200 dpi in black. Optimized photo-quality resolution is an outstanding 4,800 x 1,20 dpi when using premium photo paper and 1,200 x 1,200 dpi input, and the print cartridge is capable of producing up to 400 color (450 monochrome) sheets in its lifetime. An optional photo cartridge (HP 58) makes available HP's exclusive PhotoRet IV color layering technology. HP rates the printer speed at up to 9 ppm black, 8 ppm color in draft mode.

An optional long-life lithium-ion battery (HP model C8222A) supplies power for 350 pages per charge; with the battery installed, the printer still weighs just 4.5 pounds. HP provides a one-year hardware warranty, and full online and phone technical support for 12 months.

What's in the Box
HP Deskjet 450ci mobile printer, parallel printer cable, power cord, AC adapter, HP 56 black inkjet print cartridge 19 ml (C6656AN), HP 57 tri-color inkjet print cartridge 17 ml (C6657AN), reference guide, setup poster, printer software on CD-ROM ... Read more

Features

• 1,200 x 1,200 dpi black resolution, 4,800 x 1,200 optimized color dpi on premium photo paper
• Weighs only 4.5 pounds even with optional battery C8222A
• Includes foldable sheet feeder and parallel printer cable
• PhotoRet IV color layering technology with optional HP 58 photo cartridge
• USB, parallel, infrared, CompactFlash, and optional Bluetooth interfaces

Reviews (10)

terrible service
My wife and I wasted hours and hours trying to get HP service. HP has outsourced customer service to several developing countries, and each time we called, the representatives were unable to locate the record of our previous call. We were told time and again that we would be contacted by a "case manager" but that never happened. After weeks of trying, it became obvious that we need to discard the product (still under warrantee) and buy a new (non-HP) product ourselves.

Paper Feed
I can echo the comments re the paper feed. I've been using the 450 since December 2004, and it worked great at first. Especially pleasing was the wireless bluetooth connection to my iPAQ. But, as others have indicated there is a problem with paper jams and feed in general. Sometimes it thinks it's out of paper when there are 4-5 sheets still in the tray. Lately, even though I've cleaned the cartridges, it has been dropping large ink blotches on the print-outs that I can get to feed. Frustrating! Had real possibilities...

PAPER WON'T FEED
I have now owned 2 of these printers and I thought they were very good at first.However, after a couple of months I started experiencing paper feed problems.The printer just won't grab the paper.You have to try all sorts of paper amounts in the feeder before you come up with a proper thickness where it grabs.My patience has run out on this second printer and I will go back to the Canon.
... Read more

Asin: B00006LLJ7
Subjects:  1. Inkjet Printer (Ink Jet Printers, Printing)    2. Portable Printer (Personal Printers, Printing)    3. Hewlett Packard (Hewlett-Packard)    4. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple    5. Hewlett-Packard    6. (HP)    7. (Hewlet Packart)   

Apple iMac Desktop with 15" M9285LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The iMac has come a long way. No longer a wedge-shaped conversation piece, the latest versions of Apple's mid-level desktop series retain the sleek new suspended-display design introduced in late 2001 and add even more firepower than ever before. This model, the iMac Desktop M9285LL/A, features a slightly smaller viewing screen and hard disk and somewhat slower performance than its just-launched sibling, the pricier iMac Desktop M9168LL/A, but is still a step up on the previous entry-level iMac and therefore fits well in any home and home office environment.

Driven by a powerful 1 GHz PowerPC G4 CPU and 256 MB of high-speed 333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1 full GB), the iMac Desktop iMac Desktop M9285LL/A is ready for most any standard computer task. In fact, Apple claims its PowerPC G4 processor's 'Velocity Engine' handles data far more efficiently than traditional processors, thus giving it a significant edge in digital video, music, graphics and 3-D gaming performance. Nevertheless, serious gamers and 3-D artists may need more 3-D graphics rendering speed than this unit's 32 MB nVidia GeForce 4 MX chipset can deliver. For them, the iMac Desktop M9168LL/A and its 64 MB NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 video card may be a more suitable choice.

To store and transfer your data, the iMac Desktop M9285LL/A features a large 80 GB hard disk and a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW SuperDrive through which you can backup files, burn and enjoy audio CDs, and watch the latest movies. Apple has added two ultra-high speed FireWire 400 ports for fast interaction with external devices such as video camcorders, five USB ports (three USB 2.0 ports on the computer and two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard), an integrated speaker, headphone jack, and built-in microphone. Connectivity options include an integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port, a 56K modem, and wireless support (with the addition of an Apple AirPort card).

An Apple Mouse and Apple Keyboard and a set of tabletop Harman/Kardon-developed Apple Pro Speakers complete the hardware picture. Bundled software includes the Mac OS X operating system, Quicken 2003 Deluxe, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, and an impressive assortment of multimedia utilities. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The new personality: Different AND compatible
So you thought Macs were still those computers that Apple produced where you would never be able to send files that your friend on a PC could open. Well, welcome to the new world of Macs, in this case the iMac. This piece of technology is the sleekest and cutest personal computer around, in my opinion, and the value for money is just great. Whilst other PC's claim to be cheap, they quickly become costlier than the iMac when you compare the processing power, harddrive and RAM. And why would you want an ugly, humungous thing in your living room, when you can have a computer that has a personality?

The trouble with entering a Mac store is not that it looks light and airy and full of designer fun, but that it's difficult to exit the store. It's almost equally difficult to choose which model to buy, once you're finally convinced that Apple's are no longer so different that they're incompatible with the rest of the world. The store is full of fun models and choices, ranging from the budget to the massively expensive. In terms of buying a perfectly servable computer that has all the bells and whistles you need, is affordable and has a little bit of a personality, the iMac is the way to go.

I love this computer. It has a 15 inch flat screen, that conveniently tilts in any direction you want it to, and comes attached to a small base which contains all your hardware (yes! no more huge lumps of iron under your desk that you knock your knees against). It even contains a DVD/CD-RW drive - and if you want to go for a DVD writer, you just go up one model. In truth, this computer does everything I've ever wanted from a computer and more. I've never been one to get sucked into technology, but the iMac has adorable features, like iTUNES (I've completely stopped buying music on CD's and even bought an iPOD to replace my minidisk), iMOVIE (for editing film clips you made of your new puppy), and other fun programs.

If you are smart, you will by the mac.com package that costs only $70. This deal has given me more free software than I care to recall, and provides me with online support (not that I need it often in this user friendly environment), my own webpage and much more. For traditionalists, you can buy the Windows for Mac package, which has all the software you know and understand, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Entourage (equivalent to Outlook). The advantage of this is that you can open the same files as everyone else, and send them the files as they are, without having to convert them first. This was a huge selling point for me on the new operation system OS X.

So what, if it takes you 10 minutes to figure out the little oddities that you're not used to, like clicking on the top left instead of the top right to minimize a window, or holding the control key in order to left click. All in all, the iMac software is MUCH easier to navigate than Windows once you spend 10 minutes on the Mac.

If you're fed up with the Bill Gates monopoly and the viruses Windows seems prone to, and wish for a little bit of umph in your life, the iMac is for you. I wish I could convert the whole world, but then ... the iMac wouldn't be special anymore.

Great Computer, Old OS X
I paid $50 less then if I'd bought it from APPLE direct but the one from Amazon has OS X Jaguar not the newer OS X Panther if purchased direct from APPLE. The upgrade to Panther costs $129 after Jan 30 2004.I just barley made the free "$19.95 for shipping" offer through APPLE.I would have much rather bought a computer with Panther on it instead of having to go through the whole process of upgrading. ... Read more

Asin: B0000CEUFE
Subjects:  1. Desktops (Desk Tops)    2. Desktop Computers    3. Apple    4. (Mac)    5. (Macintosh)   

Compaq Presario 2575US Notebook PC (2.66-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $1,750.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you haven't upgraded your portable computer for some time, Compaq's Presario 2575us Notebook PC is ample proof of just how much the price vs. performance ratio has changed in the last couple of years. Sporting such desirable features as wireless communications and a massive hard disk, the Presario 2575 is also far more powerful than comparably priced notebooks of just a year or two ago and quite ready to handle many of today's most demanding applications.

Measuring 12.9 by 10.72 by 1.79 inches and weighing 7.5 pounds, the Presario 2575us is comfortably portable. Compaq has loaded the unit with a fast 2.66 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory (upgradeable to 1024 MB) and an ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chipset with 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) video memory. As such, the system should suffice for all 2-D and many 3-D applications, though it may have frame rate troubles when rendering ultra-complex 3-D games and animation/drawing packages.

The Presario 2575us features several welcome amenities, including a handy 3.5-inch diskette drive, an oversized 15-inch XGA TFT display screen (maximum resolution 1024x768), an 88-key keyboard, a TouchPad with scroll bar and on/off switch and a pair of JBL Pro speakers. The 80 GB integrated hard disk delivers exceptionally spacious portable storage, and the system's optical drive permits CD and DVD playing and CD recording but does not facilitate the burning of DVDs.

With the Presario 2575us, your communication options are virtually limitless. In environments with wired connections, you may select from a low-speed 56K modem or high-speed 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN. When hardwiring is a problem, you can stay in touch via integrated 54g wireless LAN. Other key components include three fast USB 2.0 ports, a single IEEE 1394 port for interaction with devices such as digital camcorders, a single PC Card slot, and a standard array of interfaces. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Another disappointing computer from Compaq
I full-heartedly agree w/ Jim G's previous review.I purchased a Compaq Presario 1.5 years ago and had several problems within weeks.I wouldn't wish their customer service on my worst enemy - they are abysmal, incompetent, and have zero bargaining power in terms of trying to fix problems.I had to ship my previous computer 5 times to Compaq until finally (and after at least 30 hours of my personal time making phone calls and writing letters) I received a new computer: the 2575.While it is better than the previous version, the battery life is atrocious, booting speed is circa-1997, and the noise from the fans must hit several thousand decibels.

I am usually an easy customer to satisfy, but this is one company I am staying far away from (after numerous incidents).

Poor case design means possible damage to LCD
The 2575US is a capable desktop replacement for doing just that - using on a desktop only. The many features such as a CD-RW drive and a nice large screen make it a worthy upgrade from an old pokey desktop.

However, the processor and perihperals use entirely too much battery power to be practical portable (to be expected in a fast Pentium IV). Plus the cooling fans (at least three that I can account for) make a tremendous amount of use, which is distracting in quiet office or meeting settings.

The biggest strike against this laptop is its physical design. The 2575US has a large plastic 'bulge' in the design of the top case where the Compaq logo sits. This roughly 3" diameter round 'bulge' sticks out from the surrounding surface of the lid about 1/4" to 5/16" or so. When the laptop is in a shoulder-carried or roller briefcase with anything else flat snug against the laptop's lid (like a large book or another laptop), the plastic 'bulge' presses inward on the back of the LCD. This stress against the display caused it to crack on my laptop.

This defect in design, allowing FLAT objects resting against the laptop case to BREAK the screen, is definitely something that would have caused me NOT to purchase this model laptop, or any similar models from Compaq/HP, if I had recognized the problem at the store.

Of course, Compaq/HP are completely denying warranty coverage for such "damage". They say that a broken LCD is absolutely not covered under warranty, no matter what the cause.

This after spending 2 hours on the phone with three different offshore support center operators that were beyond difficult to understand. It's painful to have to take *20* minutes just to get through the identifying information of who I am and what model I am calling about - I kid you not.

HP bills their support as "Total Support", but I would rate it as anything *but*.

Do yourself a favor - closely check the support availability and warranty policies before buying any computer. The offshoring of support for US-based buyers is completely abysmal, so find a company with local support if you can.

I would hesitate to buy another Compaq or HP laptop given this experience.

Powerful machine but a bit heavy
This is a power-packed machine with P4 2.6GHz processor and 512MB DDR RAM. The performance of the machine is just awesome. There are however, a few negative aspects about this machine. It is a bit too bulky. Also the processor fans make more noise than many other laptops. If you like to play games on your laptop then this machine is really good for you. But with power comes the bulk. The display is good. The CD writing is a bit slow though. Most of the times I'm able to get only 4x write speeds on my CD-Rs. ... Read more

Asin: B0000A55EN
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)    4. Compaq   

Toshiba Satellite P25-S507 17" Notebook PC (2.80-GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $1,999.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Considerably larger than the average portable computer yet packed with more high-end amenities than most desktops, Toshiba's new Satellite P25-507 17" Notebook PC is a stunningly capable and exceedingly powerful system designed for discriminating individuals who won't accept anything less than the very best.

Those who can't live without the benefits of a full-featured stationary PC will find plenty to like in the Satellite P25-507. For starters, Toshiba has fitted the unit with a whopping 17-inch display screen capable of a dazzling 1440 by 900 resolution. It has added a pair of high-quality Harman/Kardon stereo speakers and enclosed a versatile DVD-R/RW drive through which you can not only watch the latest Hollywood releases, but also burn your own home movies to DVD media. Thusly, the Satellite P25-507 is one of very few notebooks to deliver a true high-end desktop multimedia experience to your mobile world.

Moreover, the unit is blazingly fast. Driving the Satellite P25-507 is a potent 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology for more efficient CPU usage and a scorching 800 MHz processor system bus clock speed. Matched with this speedy CPU are a generous 512 MB allotment of PC2100 DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to an extraordinary 2048 MB) and an NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics chipset with 32 MB of dedicated video memory.

Other critical features include a 60 GB hard disk, four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals such as scanners or external drives, an IEEE 1394 Fire Wire port for fast interaction with devices such as digital camcorders, two memory slots (both of which may be simultaneously occupied), two PC Card slots, and an impressive variety of interior and exterior one-touch controls. Communication facilities include 802.11wireless networking, 10/100 Ethernet LAN and an integrated 56K modem. Average battery life expectancy is two hours. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Super Freak
I love it!!!highly recommend it.I keep reading the reviews about lacking customer service, but I cut my charging cord by accident and had to get a new one and the customer service was awesome.they over nighted a new one to me free of charge.But for those who had problems with them, that sucks and Im sorry to hear that.Overall, I'd buy it

Great Computer except...
I purchased the P25-S507 in 2003.I shopped for a 17 inch monitor and was very attracted to the looks of this Toshiba.I checked several reviews and found that it compared well to the 17 inch Mac.

My only real disappointment with it is the sound.I set it up to play a DVD for friends and couldn't get the sound high enough.My friend's Sony laptop was loud.Mine was pitiful in comparison.I visited all the screens having anything to do with sound, but no luck.

Several months ago it became infected with Adware/Spyware and I used several products to try to get rid of it.I noticed the machine was SLOWING down and blamed it on the spyware.Early in December the machine gave me the blue screen of death and indicated a serious critical error had occurred.It then went into hybernation.When I rebooted, it ran incredibly slow and the hard drive was making noise.I ran Norton with no luck.Finally reformatted using the provided CD and still slow.Wouldn't go into safe mode.I got to use my extended warranty and had a new hard drive installed.Now, runs GREAT.I've stopped taking it with me back and forth to work just in case the problem might have been caused by movement or vibration in my auto and RV.

Highly recommend the extended warranty as I see others have had hard drive problems.Got my machine back in just one week, so I am pretty happy with the machine regardless.Love the 17 inch screen and wireless capabilities.I'd give it 5 stars except for the sound and hard drive problems.

Oustanding performer!WOW!
I'm a professional cartoonist/illustrator and needed something portable, but with enough power to really push my graphics programs around.This thing MORE than fits the bill!And the 17" screen?Supoib!

Don't hesitate!Wonderful computer from head to toe! ... Read more

Asin: B00009XZX0
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)    4. Toshiba   

Norton Personal Firewall 2004
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (26 September, 2003)
list price: $49.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Hides your PCs on the Internet so hackers can¿t see them
• Norton Intrusion Detection automatically blocks Internet attacks
• Norton Privacy Control prevents data from being sent without your knowledge
• Program Control determines which applications can safely connect to the Internet
• LiveUpdate automatically checks for new protection updates when you¿re online

Reviews (25)

8-months of Great Experiences ( Unlike Most Others)
Unlike everyone else on Amazon.com I've thankfully (knock on desk) only had good experiences with both Norton Personal Firewall 2004 & Noron AntiVirus 2004.

It does take PERSISTANCE to train the Firewall properly and to get comfortable with the IE security and Cookie settings, but after about 2 weeks of teaching the software its been gravy... and I thankfully haven't had any major intrusions, file corruptions or viruses that I'm aware of in the past 8-months.

Downloading updates is seamless, I don't have memory hog issues on my AMD 3200+ w/512 MB Ram, Windows XP SP2 and my high speed DSL connection that's always on.I've turned off Symantec's Popup Blocker and configured the built in one with XP SP2.I set IE to prompt each time a website asks to install cookies.I've set the Firewall security setting to "High-Block Everything Until I approve it".Other than that, I manage Java Applet & Active X security within IE.I did try setting these to "Medium - ask me each time" and it worked as well.Really, the first 2-weeks in which you visit most of your key banking, finance, news, gaming and other websites is the important period which REQUIRES PATIENCE.The trick again is teaching the firewall which sites you approve and which you don't.According to various studies, the average internet user spends 80% of their online time on less than 10 websites.After the first 2-weeks, its the 20% you just have to teach yourself and other users of your computer to be smart about.

If you're not very comfortable with computers and are only a basic user of e-mail, news & regular websites... this is a great program as long as you have a techno-savvy son/daughter, friend or colleague who can help you set it up the first time.If you're a pretty advanced technology buff you'll appreciate the integrated management console between all Norton Programs and will like most of the features.Overall.. it's 4 stars in my book.

Windows 95 and NT are not supported....read the directions!
Read the directions.Read the "before installation" page to prepare your computer.If you installed this in windows 95 or NT or if you didn't disable the Windows XP firewall first you need to go to control panel and add or remove programs and remove Norton Firewall 2004.It doesn't support Windows 95 or NT.Now follow the rest of the directions and include the product key.If you don't follow the directions, don't expect success with software.

Doesn't work
I upgraded from Norton Personal Firewall 2003, which was working fine.Now I cannot access the Internet without disabling my firewall.

Zone Alarm is free, and Windows XP comes with a firewall.I'm tired of having my computer corrupted by Norton Utilities and my Internet disabled by Norton Personal Firewall.I will not purchase any more Symantec products. ... Read more

Asin: B0000C8Y0S
Sales Rank: 2180
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Networking Network    3. Personal firewall   

Linksys WUSB11 Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $59.99 -- our price: $44.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If good things come in small packages, the WUSB11 from Linksys makes a great addition to a wireless network. Measuring about the size of a deck of cards and weighing just shy of 3 ounces, this little device fits nearly anywhere and is easily stowed in a notebook computer case. Simple USB connectivity makes it compatible with any modern PC, and also makes it easy to swap from one computer to another.

Provided you already have a wireless router or Internet gateway set up, installing the WUSB11 is a snap. We plugged it into a USB port on a test PC, executed the installation program on the included PC, and once the system rebooted we were connected to the network without being tethered to any wires. The unit draws its power directly from the USB port, leaving users with one less cord to lug around and one less device to plug into a wall outlet. We tested the device on a PC located 40 feet laterally and one floor above the wireless router and didn't even need to extend the tiny antenna to get good reception. Should you need to use the antenna, it extends at either 90 degrees or 180 degrees, meaning it will work whether the unit is sitting flat on a desk or mounted vertically on a wall using the included Velcro strips.

Performance was impressive. As an 802.11b product the WUSB11 supports a maximum speed of 11 Mbps and real-world speeds hovered around that mark in our tests. The signal was strong and consistent, making it great for gaming or transferring large files without worrying about a disconnect halfway through. There are only two indicator lights on the unit itself that tell you it's working--a power light and another light that blinks when data is transmitting--but the included software tools allow for a much more detailed picture. Using these utilities we were able to keep an eye on the signal strength (it never dipped below 95 percent), configure the built-in encryption settings, and perform other security and monitoring tasks.

The device is designed to fall back to lower speeds instead of cutting off trans missions completely when it reaches the limits of its range or experiences signal problems. In a normal-size home you should have no trouble maintaining the 11 Mbps signal, but if you wander outdoors with a notebook or are plagued by signal interference, overall transmission speed can step down to 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps, or even 1 Mbps depending on conditions. Even at the lowest speed the device is fast enough for speedy Internet browsing (most users won't see any slowdown at all in that area, even for downloads), although transferring files across the network is painfully slow at the lower speeds.

No matter what, if you plan mainly to transfer large files over your network, you'll probably want the extra speed 802.11a or 802.11g devices offer. Of course, you'll also have to absorb the extra cost associated with those products. The WUSB11 is a fantastic 802.11b device for the money, working perfectly straight out of the box, and its low weight and small size make it a viable alternative to a PCMCIA wireless network card for notebook users. Just make sure the computer you want to connect it to doesn't use Windows 95 or NT, because the unit is incompatible with those two operating systems. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Simple installation and configuration
• Mounts either horizontally or vertically
• Included software provides useful details without overwhelming users with mi nutia

Cons:

• So light that the weight of the USB cord can pull it off a desk
• Maximum 11 Mbps transmission speed may be too slow for some users

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

... Read more

Features

• Easy plug-and-play installation
• Connects desktop or laptop computers to your wireless network
• High-speed transfer rate of up to 11 Mbps
• Operating range of up to 300 feet indoors and 1,500 feet outdoors
• Compatible with Windows 98 SE, Me, and 2000

Reviews (265)

This is a good product..........but
I ordered the WUSB11 to connect a TIVO system to my internet.I was sent version 4 of the WUSB11, which isn't compatible with any TIVO service number.How about telling us what version of these products you're selling?

Good News Bad News
The Linksys Wireless-B router is a handy little device who's time has in many ways passed.

In terms of setup and software it is a cinch, run the software and plug it in and presto it found my wireless network and had me surfing in no time, much to the delight of my wife who didn't want more wires running through the house.

The downside of this device is security.The only security available currently on this device is WEP which although was good at the time of the initial release of the device doesn't cut it today.Linksys has not offered a firmware upgrade to allow WPA-PSK and from two conversations I've had with them doesn't seem to have plans to do so.

This means your system will be hackable by even the sloppiest hacker.You would be much better off going with a later model that includes native or upgradable WPA-PSK support.

Of course if you don't mind people hacking your system then this will certainly do the job.If you are doing any kind of home business or keeping financial records on the PC I'd give it a miss.

Warning TIVO users
Make sure you are purchasing the 2.6 or 2.8 version, 3.0 and 4.0 will not work with TIVO units.Amazon does not clearly list the different versions. ... Read more

Asin: B00005AW1H
Subjects:  1. Linksys   

Iomega 31310 Zip 250 MB USB-Powered Drive
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $179.99 -- our price: $123.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Nothing beats a Zip drive for transporting large files or makingbackups, as it combines proven speed and reliability with the most widespreadcompatibility. In our tests, we found that this extremely versatile 250 MB USB-powered Zip drive makes it child's play to add this capability to your PC orMac. And its small, lightweight design makes an excellent travel companion,especially since it doesn't even need batteries or an external power source.

The drive comes with detailed, easy-to-follow installation instructions, but youprobably won't even need them. Just run the setup program and plug the driveinto your USB port; your PC will automatically assign a drive letter to it andrecognize it as a removable disk drive. There aren't any jumpers or switches toset; in fact, the drive has only one button, which ejects the disk. Once it'sinstalled, you use it just like a floppy drive to save or copy files.

Physically, the drive sports a very thin, light plastic case, measuring 169 by117 by 26 millimeters and weighing only 1.5 pounds. It draws all its power fromthe USB port, so there's no need for batteries or an external power supply. And,like any USB device, it's hot swappable: you can plug or unplug it withoutrestarting your computer. It can sit flat on a table or stand upright with theincluded plastic stand.

Once we started playing with the USB-powered Zip 250, we immediately saw manysituations in which it would come in handy. For example, say you wanted to dosome work at home. You could easily copy the files to a Zip disk, take the drivehome with you, and then just plug it into your PC and be ready to go. Since it'scompatible with both PC and Macs, it's perfect for sharing files acrossoperating systems. And of course, its compact shape makes it ideal for taking onthe road.

The drive performed well in both our read and write testing; we didn't encounterany glitches, and it took just a little over 2 minutes to copy 100 MB of MP3files to the drive. That's fast enough for most uses, and much faster than a Zipdrive hooked up to a standard parallel or serial port, but not as fast as aninternal IDE or SCSI Zip drive.

Iomega includes some valuable backup utilities with the Zip drive, as well assome other useful applications. Iomega Backup lets you create and schedulecompressed backups of specific folders or entire drives. MusicMatch Jukebox isan excellent utility for ripping CDs and organizing your digital music files.And Adobe's ActiveShare offers a slick interface for manipulating photos andsharing them on the Web.

The USB-powered 250 MB Zip drive offers an inexpensive and simple way to addremovable storage to your PC or Mac. Its slim, light design makes it absolutelyinvaluable for road warriors who needs to take their data with them. --KenFeinstein

Pros:

• Slim and lightweight
• Very simple installation
• Works with PCs and Macs
• Gets all its power from the USB port

Cons:

• Not as fast as internal drives

... Read more

Features

• PC and Mac compatible
• Powered through your computer's USB connection
• One 250 MB Zip disk (not included) holds the equivalent of 170 floppy disks
• Data transfer rate of 0.9 MB/sec
• Uses either 250 MB or 100 MB Zip disks

Reviews (51)

What is Iomega thinking??
I have been a long-time user of Iomega Zip drives...the internal type.They have worked great and are convenient for quick access, transfer and back-up of daily computer files.I have some 60 Zip disks filled with an assortment of important files.

Since my internal Zip drive is on the same ribbon cable as my hard drive, and I wanted to add another hard drive to my computer, I had to give up the internal Zip drive (only two devices per ribbon cable).Therefore, I purchased the external Iomega 250MB USB Zip drive.

It is a plug-and-play device, so installation is instant.I put in my first disk and presto...it came alive...with a clunk, a grind and an assortment of other strange noises...it started working.First task...transfer about 24MB of info on to a disk.I waited and waited and waited some more.12 minutes later it was finished.With the internal Zip drive this task would have taken about 12 seconds.I could have gone out and washed the car during the time I waited.My computer has USB2.0 but the device is only a USB1.1, so that might have something to do with it.

Not only did this drive take forever to complete its task, it was uncomfortably noisy.It makes all kinds of grinding noises, sometimes slowing down to a crawl then speeding up again.My internal drive made a little noise, but nothing like this.Forget about doing anything else on your computer while the Zip drive is chugging along.

I cannot recommend this product at all.It is slow and noisy and leaves me the general feeling of...well, being ripped off...because it is basically a cheap piece of junk!

At one time Zip drives were the best way to archive files simply because there were no other convenient options available.But, I think it is time to toss out all those old Zip disks and go to USB2.0 flash drives for easily accessible back-up and storage.For the big, more permanent archiving I burn files to CD's or DVD's.For daily back-ups and quick access, flash drives appear now to be the way to go.

Iomega had better consider producing other storage products because if they keep making junk like this, they won't be in business much longer.

garbage
This is a piece of garbage.I bought this drive in September 03, along with a new iMac with flat screen.The drive wouldn't read many of my Zip disks, rarely loaded, and frequently froze my iMac.After numerous, frustrating communications with Iomega they agreed to replace it.They sent me a reconditioned model that fell apart before I could even insert a disk.They sent me another one.Which also froze my iMac and ate my disks.They sent me another one, mid-December.Worked fine until last month; same problems.
I've been talking with them and the only "solution" they can offer is to send me another one (!) or offer me a 15% discount on a higher priced model.Obviously, we're not on the same page about this.
Don't waste your money on this model; it's garbage.

A keeper
It makes a hell of a racket when you fire up your computer, but the IOMEGA 31310 Zip 250 is well-worth the momentary ruckus. We have had ours for over two years now and have not a single problem. I use it for storing my novels and for my teaching purposes; my wife uses it to store hundreds upon hundreds of her photographic works. Neither one of us are computer savvy but this drive was easy to set up and brainless to use. I plan on keeping this for a long while, although, as another reviewer has mentioned, CD storage is going to be the way of the future. So be it. Until then, the IOMEGA 31310 Zip 250 will be our storage facility of choice. ... Read more

Asin: B000058EGT
Subjects:  1. Removable Storage Drives    2. Universal Serial Bus (USB)    3. Mac - Macintosh - Apple    4. zip100    5. Disk Cartridge Drive (Drives)    6. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Olympus 128 MB xD Picture Card
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $109.99 -- our price: $25.76
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Olympus xD-Picture Card is compact for smaller and more stylish digital devices. It's powerful for amazing memory capacity now, and increased memory capacity in the future. It's durable, making it a media you can trust with your most valuable data. And it's versatile, for unprecedented device flexibility. Olympus xD-Picture Cards--the most advanced digital media cards ever for the best digital images yet. Nothing's impossible.

Quickly and easily transferring images and data to a computer is a cinch when the Olympus xD-Picture Card is used with any xD-compatible product. And it's just as easy using non-xD devices as well, thanks to a number of groundbreaking adapters that will be available, including a CompactFlash Adapter, SmartMedia USB Reader/Writer, and PCMCIA/PC Card Adapter.

Designed with the most advanced storage technology available, the Olympus xD-Picture Card system meets the memory capacity needs of today, while also being readily available to fulfill the increased memory capacity needs of tomorrow.

Olympus xD-Picture Cards are the only xD cards that support the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras. ... Read more

Features

• Compatible with most products that use xD cards
• Supports the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras
• 128 MB storage capacity
• Ultra-compact 0.97" by 0.98" by 0.67" size
• Designed for maximum durability

Reviews (12)

Good quality memory.
I got this for my Fuji S7000 simply because it comes with a very handy holder for six clips of memory, as compared with Fuji’s own branded option This now lets me take eighty-four shots at the 6 MP size, which is a welcome improvement over the ten allowed with the 16 MB clip that came with the camera.

This is a lot of memory for very few dollars,in comparison to only a couple of years ago, when 8 MB cost about as much as this. How times change.

a good one
it is a good one...i can now take 200+ pictures of high resolution without any problems. it' worth!!! :-)

Cheaper than Ebay
I almost bought this item on Ebay from one of those sellers that jack up the shipping costs to compensate for the low cost ot the item.One person out bids you and then your up the creek.This item is cheaper from amazon with the free shipping and you have a reliable known vendor your buying from.Don't be fooled by Ebay... ... Read more

Asin: B00006RHOD

Video AV340 with Dvr 100 MODULEMPEG4 Video & MP3 Play/rec 40GB
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (16 June, 2003)
list price: $549.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Enjoy your entire collection of videos, photos, music and data on a device that fits in the palm of your hand
• Store up to 80 hours of your favorite movies in near DVD quality and view them on the high resolution 3.8" color LCD or on a TV
• Record directly from VCR, DVD or camcorder or from TV thru VCR or DVD connection
• Store up to 600 hours of MP3 music
• Store up 400,000 digital photos

Reviews (19)

All wrong
Listen to this, I am an old amazon customer, I send the request for buying the product and a week later the company sends me an email telling me that the product is out of stock and they dont sell it anymore!!! Bad for you Amazon for still showing it in your place!!!

A versatile tool for the electronic age
I've had mine now for about six months.I never read the instructions have had no problems getting it to do what I want. I have around 100 CD's stored on it for listening to music with headphones or by plugging into a stereo or a stereo TV.I also have my own movies from my camcorder on it for easy sharing.Lately, I've figured out how to rip DVDs and store them on the unit for watching on the road or by plugging into a television.The quality is quite impressive.It took some time to learn how to convert DVDs into a useable format, but it is quite satisfying, now that I can do it.Don't ask me how, figure it out yourself; it's part of the fun.

Not Everything Can be Perfect (apart from me)!
Im a kid so i had to save for ages to buy the light of my life, my archos av340!I'd read looooads of reviews on the thing and it all seemed fab!
Getting music on to it is a piece of cake, and so is movies, providing you are doing it via your tv- I am still clueless as to how to use all that software to digitally convert your dvds.???????
Movie quality is really really good- all my mates are really chuffed- and the sound is perfect. Mp3 player is fantastic too- dont go wasting your money on a common, mere ipod!! everyone has one of those! stand out from the crowd and impress those people who havent heard of an mp4 player! (really good to flash about at school! every one gets jealous!!!)
My one and only complaint about it is the battery. 8 hours????!!!! i do not think so!!!!! im lucky to get an hour out of mine!!! reaally peeving when you are watching a good movie, eg.(lord of the rings)
Enjoy!!! i am!!!!!!!!
... Read more

Asin: B0000A3KY4
Sales Rank: 25305
Subjects:  1. Portable Audio    2. MP3 MP 3 Player    3. Jukebox    4. MP3 Player (MP 3)    5. Gigabyte    6. 10GB    7. 10 GB   

Logitech Keyboard Elite Black (967234-0403)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $39.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Logitech Elite keyboard provides expert controls to optimize what you do, when you want to do it. The enhanced function key commands bring new efficiency to the things you do all of the time, allowing you to instantly access your e-mail, instant messenger program, favorite files, pictures, music, and Web sites. Plus, you can quickly navigate around the Web and your applications, media files, and documents, and installation and setup are easy. In addition, the stylish Zero Degree Tilt flat-angle design feels good on your hands as you type. Simplify your life and go Elite. ... Read more

Features

• Ultra-flat, "Zero Degree Tilt" keyboard design for increased comfort
• Nine customizable keys for one-touch access to favorite web sites and applications
• iNav buttons and scroll wheel for keyboard-based web navigation
• Multimedia keys to control audio and video directly from the keyboard
• Windows and Macintosh compatible

Reviews (49)

MAC users, beware!
This keyboard has been buggy for me on two separate computers (both Macs) both running OSX. On both I experienced a weird glitch: If I hit the right command (apple) key and the shift button at the same time it would lock up my keyboard permanently until I un-installed and reinstalled the keyboard driver using an old, functional keyboard.

What makes this especially weird is that the keys work fine independently from one another in combination with any other keys. Likewise the left command+shift key combo works just fine. What's the big deal? Well as a professional artist, I use photoshop which includes tons of keyboard shortcuts including such common uses such as "print preview". I had to goout of my way to unlearn the reflexsive key combo.I probablylocked up my keyboard 10 times before it finally unlearned to use those keys (on the right only).

Tech support was absolutely no help. The told me they couldn't help me because I was running an OS they didn't yet support (10.3).
Fine... I'll suffer along till they catch up.

Months later when they finally updated their driver to match Mac's current OS, it did nothing to remedy the problem.
I call tech support again and they tell me it's my computers' fault- both of them.
What a strange coincidence that their keyboard supposedly works on ever other mac in the world accept the last two I've owned...

Fast forward a few more months and I have an unrelated computer glitch which requires me to reinstall my system folder (unfortunately eliminating the keyboard driver as well) I go to their site to download the latest driver and now Macs are no longer supported for this keyboard! No driver, whatsoever.

I call support and I get an equallyconfused and rude gentlemen who suggests (no lie) that I try unplugging the keyboard and typing on it for thirty seconds. No idea how he thinks this will fix the lack of software but I play along, if only for the sake of a memorable anecdote.

Surprise, surprise- it still doesn't work when I plug it back in. After 10 minutes of haggling with the guy trying to explain the simple concept of needing mac-specific software for his computer product he tells me he will send me another, newer, elite keyboard. After giving all my information I try and ask for a little reassurance: "Will this one be supported for macs"?

Long pause...

He's "pretty sure", but he's--(get this) TURNED OFF HIS COMPUTER FOR THE DAY, SO HE CAN"T LOOK IT UP FOR ME. (?!) Mind you this was at 4:30pm in Logitech's Eastern time zone.

Great, thanks for your help. If you need me, I'll be out on my front steps holding my breath for this new, possibly-functional, keyboard to arrive.

Perhaps this keyboard works fine for PC users, but if you're a Mac person, RUN, do not walk away from these guys. Although I can't imagine their tech support is any better for PC folks.

So avoid this keyboard and moreso, this company. Unless, of course, you're a masochist for laughable customer service, in which case I can't recommend them highly enough.

Great Feel and Design
Pros: A large keyboard, but well worth it if you have the space.Very ergonomic, lots of extras, easy and utterly silent keystroke. Space bar is particularly well designed, as it slopes down to the edge of the keyboard, allowing your thumb to sit lower while still being on the buttom.Great looks as well.Attractive finish, and the black keys with white text are easier to read than other white ones.The keyboard is a lot thinner than my old one, and seems easier on the wrists when that is combined w/ the piece that you can attach to the front (which looks good too, usually the add-on wrist supports look stupid).

Cons:Bigger footprint than typical keybaords.Had to log onto logitech to get a new software update that fixed a bug w/ the stuff they gave me on the CD.(And the update software they gave me didn't catch this, oddly.)

Well constructed, easy to use.
I have to say the comparison between a Dell keyboard and this Logitech Elite is a sad comparison indeed. I've used Dell keyboards...I hate them, they always felt cheap and flimsy. The last one I had, well let's say it wasn't fun.

This keyboard is great, though it doesn't have support for applications like Firefox right off the bat, if you have some computer knowledge you can tell it to open Firefox as a Program, though it gets overly complex.

Had the keyboard not been so easy to work with, and so easy to type with, it'd be four stars due to the lack of third party program support. Logitechs software is rather crappy, in all honesty, but at least it offers options to manually extend support via the programs functionality.

I have heard keys stick later in its use, I've yet to have any sticky keys, but then again I keep my keyboard very clean, I hope that doesn't happen, but keep it in mind, as it happens to all keyboards eventually, some sooner than others.

I love the volume dial, it's easy, quick, and much more precise than it's Microsoft counterpart, which uses a plus and minus Button opposed to this more precise dial. The email, messenger, and song scrolling buttons are amazingly useful.

The default On setting for F-Lock, (or off) is annoying as hell, I have to turn the green light *on* to use the normal F# keys, and the light grows a tad annoying.

I have not seen any spyware, I keep my computer highly protected with the best scoring (Benchmarks, and not by whored out 'review' sites) Anti-Adware, Firewall, and Anti-Virus I could find, perhaps this fabled spyware was removed. I never saw anything like it in my Processes, which I watch obsessively, and nothing ever came out in scans relating to Logitech.

I highly recommend this to keyboard enthusiasts who love having a keyboard which has many functions and, ironically, tons of functionality. ... Read more

Asin: B00006FRUI
Subjects:  1. Keyboard (Keyboards)   

Nancy Drew: Danger on Deception Island
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (03 October, 2003)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (577)

My DDI review!
I have to applaud the creators for the greatest gaming experience I have ever known in my short life!If this was a movie and I was Epert and Roper I'd give it ''two thumbs up''.You as Nancy are vacationing on a tiny island in the San Juan Island chain.But before you can kick up your feet for a relaxing day,Katie,the woman you're staying with's boat is vandalized!Who did it,and how is it tied in with the baby Killer Whale who showed up in the channel?That's the mystery to solve in Nancy Drew:Danger on Deception Island.

Nancy Rocks!!!
Ok I've played and finished all the games and am awaiting the new one.These games are great!!!They are suspenseful and fun for girls 10 & up.The Final Scene is one of my favorites.I reccomend Ghost dogs of moon lake, Secret of Shadow Ranch and I also liked Danger on Deception Island.If you like puzzles and mysteries, you'll like Nancy Drew computer games.

NANCY DREW RULES!!!!!!
I love the Nancy Drew games!The first one I ever did was Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake. It was a challenge and so real it's frightening! I had to look up a few cheats for a few challenging parts but it was so hard to get away from the screen! The next Nancy Drew game I did (Treasure of the Royal Tower) was with a friend I had over. We were glued to the screen for hours! We solved it, and were very surprised to see who the culprit was!Now I started Secret in the Scarlet Hand, and I am probably halfway done with it. I suggest you get all three games, because they are addicting, and such a blast!I will be doing the Curse of Blackmoor Manor next. Oh one more thing, animation 5 stars, fun 5 stars, and customer happiness 5 stars! ... Read more

Asin: B0000CEM5O
Sales Rank: 71
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Kids (Children)    3. Computer Games    4. Action   

Webroot Spy Sweeper
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (17 March, 2003)
list price: $29.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

Reviews (31)

Spysweeper offers great protection
I am satisfied with spysweeper
today it's not enuff to have anti virus software and a firewall
need to also have Spy sweeper, easy to set up and use
webroot continues to makes quality products
I highly recommend this one for Windows users

Had A Problemo
A Webroot spyware cleaner/blocker came with my earthlink 2005 upgrade.Shortly after install I noticed my computer (XP/sp2)was hesitating every few seconds.Looked at the performance tab in the windows task manager (Ctrl Alt Del) and saw the CPU usage was surging to 100% several times a minute causing the hesitation.This seemed to be an interaction with McAfee virus auto protect as activity of McAfee in processes would jump with the CPU wave.Killed the webroot blocker and all was back to normal.This product may be good for cleaning, but avoid using the full time blocking feature as the system resources will suffer.

It caught the trojan horse Norton missed
My identity was stolen. I purchased this software because someone told me I may have spyware on my computer. I have Norton Anti-Virus on my computer but after I ran Spysweeper, it caught a trojan horse Norton missed. This is how they stole my identity using a key stroke copier trojan horse. If I had run this program (Spysweeper) it never would have happened.
Randy T. ... Read more

Asin: B000070MR0
Sales Rank: 941
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Utilities    3. Maintenance    4. Diagnostics (Diagnostic)    5. Internet security filter filtering    6. Internet   

Unreal Tournament 2003
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (01 October, 2002)
list price: $19.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Breath-taking graphics (using the latest Unreal engine) that go beyond the cutting edge
• 100-200X poly count increase over Unreal Tournament
• Incredible physics engine controlling weapon and characters taking skill and control to the next level
• 6 races, over 50 characters, over 30 maps
• Latest version of the Unreal Editor, making customization incredibly easy and intuitive

Reviews (192)

this game is good but it lags for some reason
I Have broadband connection with a 1.2 AMD pc powered bya radeon 9600 graphic card and the game sometimes lags. Others times when I enter a room a black screen shows up giving a percentage of how long it will take to enter a room and sometime its take up to 2o minutes. Thats a long time even with dsl. I am newly introduced to the series so it will take me a while to get the hang of the multiplayer experience and the game in general.Other than that the game is fun to play. I recommend your get unreal 2004, but you should have a descent computer with a powerful graphics card. oh yeah if you dont have dsl dont bother playing online.

Very innovative
Brand new game engine [for 2003], new gameplays [bombing run].
The game is fun, however it drifted away from the Unreal Tournament franchise. There is no assault, there are a lot of Unreal Tournament 1 characters missing and there are no vehicles, as the developers promised.
The game is not worth your money, you are better off purchasing the next title, Unreal Tournament 2004

One of the best frag fest that you can have online!
This game is great man. I just got it and I'm totally hooked on it. This is the first game ever to make me uninstall Counter Strike. My hard drive is sadly only 40gb for my newest gig and I had to uninstall Counter Strike to install this game. I first tried the demo which takes only about 200mb of my hard drive and I bought the full verision which was larger and forced me to uninstall CS. I won't say much because you probably tried the demo or already played the full version before so you know that it is good. some people said get Unreal Tournament 2004 instead but this game is about the same. UT2k4 only has few more maps, more vehicles, and the new Onslught mode. If you already have UT2K3, then you can stick to it for another year. Not only that, there are many great mods and you will definitly like it. Sorry if this review was waste of your time but you should still get this game. ... Read more

Asin: B000065SQJ
Sales Rank: 2212
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Action    3. Shooters (Shooter)    4. Havas   

Ultra WinCleaner One-Click
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $49.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Ultra WinCleaner 2002 software is a safe and easy way to eliminate hard drive clutter and restore your computer's performance. Ultra WinCleaner 2002 has been redesigned to accommodate both novice and advanced users. The novice user can now choose a complete, one-click cleanup. More advanced users can use each utility component independently to customize their system's cleanup.

Combined with the powerful WinUninstaller stubborn-program remover and the unique WinSmart Mover, Ultra WinCleaner 2002 successfully blends the power of a full system cleaning with the simplicity of one-click operation, to clean up and correct PC slowdowns for optimum computer performance. ... Read more

Features

Reviews (9)

This is the best utility I have used
Ultra WinCleaner One-Click cleaned up my system by removing all of the junk.It only took a few minutes to work and did not need to be installed on the system to be used.The only guy who had problems must have had a system full of spyware when he tried to use it.

Owned for years, needed to tell how great!
I confess, I