High-performance laptops.The ultimate processing power of portable computers is making them attractive alternatives to bulkier desktop models. Thanks to enhanced color screens, improved keyboards and growing memory capacity, many busy professionals are turning to notebooks as their primary computer. Yes, a high-powered notebook isn't cheap--in most cases, it costs more than a desktop computer. But with the ever-raging PC price war, costs are steadily dropping. But then, why would you want to pay for two systems--one for the office and one for the road--when one would do? The answer is that you wouldn't. That's why manufacturers are adding docking stations to their notebook PCs--a feature that lets them hook up directly to such peripherals as color monitors, laser printers and CD-ROM drives CD-ROM drives, which today typically means a CD-RW drive that is a combo CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW drive, come in a variety of speeds. The original drive (1x) transferred data at 150KB per second. . If you aren't already lugging a portable PC, then you're probably in the market for one. Here are four systems worth considering. Mac lovers adore Apple Computer's family of PowerBook computers, with prices starting at $1,599. The more popular models, the 145B and 180, are fast, lightweight systems with a 68030 microprocessor, 4MB of RAM (expandable to 14 MB), an 80MB or 120MB internal hard-disk drive and a center-placed trackball A stationary pointing device that contains a movable ball rotated with the fingers or palm. From one to three keys are located in various positions depending on the unit. Years ago, Kensington Microware popularized the trackball with its Turbo Mouse for the Macintosh. for both right- and left-handed users. The newest PowerBook duo, Models 210 and 230, offer the same fast performance and features as their predecessors, with two exceptions. You can hook Can´ hook` 1. A device consisting of a short rope with flat hooks at each end, for hoisting casks or barrels by the ends of the staves. these units to a docking station or mini-dock. Also, there's no floppy drive. Priced at just under $2,600, the Z-Note 425LN+ from Zenith Data Systems Zenith Data Systems (ZDS) was a division of Zenith founded in 1979 after Zenith acquired Heathkit, who had, at that time, recently entered the personal computer market. Zenith sold personal computers under both the Heath/Zenith and Zenith Data Systems names. Corp. is a good buy. The Model 200 has a ready-desk port replicator (docking station), 486SL-25 microprocessor, 200 MB hard disk and Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. (local area network) port. An added bonus: It's preinstalled with Windows for Workgroups A version of Windows 3.1 introduced in 1992 that added peer-to-peer networking. See Windows. (operating system) Windows for Workgroups - (WFW, WFWG) A version of Windows 3.1 which works with a network. Although stand-alone 3. , DOS and Windows. And if you are concerned about how much software you can run at once, check this out: The Z-Note can hold as much as 28MB of RAM. Texas Instrument's TravelMate 400 WinDX2/40 gives you a little more power for $3,899. This color notebook has a 40 MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. 486 DX2 processor, 8MB of RAM, 200 MB hard drive and a trackball from Microsoft. Gateway 2000 Inc. is strengthening its dominant position in the PC arena with its ColorBook line. These new, lightweight and powerful 486 notebooks are premium machines at prices ranging from $1,995 to $2,695. All ColorBook models feature a dual-scan STN (SuperTwisted Nematic) A passive matrix LCD technology that provides better contrast than twisted nematic (TN) by twisting the molecules from 180 to 270 degrees. See DSTN. color monitor, displaying 256 colors in VGA mode, 4MB of RAM (upgradeable to 20MB), 3.5-inch floppy drive, trackball and 80MB to 170MB removable hard drive. |
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