6 Tips to Save on Your Printer Ink Cartridges

Buying a printer is a one time cost, but since printer ink cartridges need to be bought on a regular basis, the cost of operating the printer and maintaining it in proper condition can add up. Each ‘print’ command, however small, makes your printer use ink, but with some easy tips, you can actually save a lot of ink and use a cartridge for a longer period than usual.

1) Print only what is necessary

Let’s begin with economising. Most often, we end up making unnecessary printouts and in the process waste precious ink. For instance, you might need to print only a small portion of a web page instead of the whole page. Instead of simply printing the whole page, complete with its heavy graphics etc, be specific on what you want to have in hard copy and print only that portion.

Text always consumes less ink compared to graphics or images. If textual information is all that you need then you can make sure that you don’t print the graphics and images. If it is a web page you need to save in a printed form, check for its print version. If there is no print version, you can copy and paste the text in a word document and take a printout of that.

Also try to do a bit of planning and double check what you are printing before hitting the print button.

2) Go for a quick print preview

Most branded printers such as HP, Canon, Dell, Epson or any other printer come with a printer driver which has a very useful print preview function. With this function, you can have a prior preview of the copy you want to take a print out of.

This function is especially handy when you are directly taking the print out from the Internet. At times, what you see on a site is totally different as compared to the printed version. A quick preview can help to get the printout of the material that you specifically want.

3) Make sure the power is turned off

Just as you never switch off your computer without properly shutting it down, the same rule applies to your printer too. If you don’t shut down the printer properly, the print heads will remain directly exposed to air causing the ink to dry in the nozzles which, in turn, could affect the quality of printing adversely. Make it a habit to check the position of the print heads before cutting off the power.

4) Use good software

There are various ink saving software options available online. These software applications are designed to reduce the consumption of your printer ink. With these applications, you can get good quality printout copies with less ink consumption even during high resolution printing.

5) Use printer ink cartridges smartly

If you don’t do printing regularly, run a small printing test at least once a week, to avoid the ink cartridges from drying up. This little precaution will help you to increase the life of the cartridge.

6) Never expose your printer to extreme temperatures

Too much variation in room temperature is bad for printer ink cartridges. You must avoid keeping your printer in too hot or too cold a temperature as the cartridges can dry up. For lasting printer performance, make sure the room has a normal and stable temperature.

With these small but important tips, your printer ink cartridges will get a longer life. It is easy to buy good quality printer ink cartridges at excellent prices from online shops.

5 Tips To Buying Ink Cartridges For Printers

$As a general rule, black ink cartridges are more affordable than color toner. When considering which to purchase, take a moment to think about how you will be using your printer. Will your printouts require color or will they work just as well in black & white? If the answer is ‘yes,’ you will save a considerable amount of money in purchasing the black ink cartridges.

$If you are cost conscious and also have a great concern for the environment, purchasing recycled ink cartridges may be your best bet. Not only are these more affordable, but they are also better for the environment as are other recycled products. One of the best places for purchasing quality recycled ink cartridges is Viking Office Products and Staples.

$When you purchase any type of ink cartridge, make sure that it is compatible with your printer. Many people are surprised to learn that ink cartridges are designed to be used with a specific model and manufacturer of printers, which should be clearly explained on the outside packaging. If you have trouble remembering the model number on your printer, simply write it down on a piece of paper and take it to the store with you. This will be the single most important information to have on hand when selecting ink cartridges for printers because without the right printer model number, you are not likely to get the right product.

$Because ink cartridges are sometimes very expensive, it is often possible to find a real bargain on a printer/ink cartridge combo. A recent visit to a local retail store revealed a single ink cartridge for $29.97. Just beside the ink cartridge selection were several boxed printers. Among them, a new printer and color ink cartridge combo, which was priced at just $34.95. When you consider the difference of only $5.00 and the fact that you could purchase a brand new printer and ink for almost the same price as a single ink cartridge, the better deal was obvious. In this scenario, you could simply resale your former printer on eBay and replace it with the new printer. This just goes to show that a little smart shopping can go a long way in terms of getting the best value for your dollar.

$The majority of ink cartridges for printers carry a manufacturer’s warranty guaranteeing your satisfaction. The only way to receive coverage as promised is to retain the original purchase receipt, ink cartridge packaging and warranty information. If your new ink cartridge should fail to work as promised, most manufacturer’s will either replace the cartridge at no cost to you or refund the original purchase price in it’s entirety.

Compaq CQ4010F Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)

Compaq CQ4010F Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

IDEAL FOR
Everyday value. Get all the essentials with an easy-to-use, affordable PC. Email, browse the Web, manage calendars and household finances, plus burn your favorite songs and photos onto CDs and DVDs.

SPECIFICATIONS

AMD Sempron LogoProcessor
2.30GHz AMD Sempron™ LE-1300 Processor
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Windows 7 Home LogoOperating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Learn More

Memory (RAM)
2GB PC2-6400 DDR2
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Hard Drive
250GB (7200RPM) SATA
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Optical Drive
SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology
Learn More

Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with 256GB integrated shared graphics memory. Up to 895MB Total Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows® 7
Learn More

CQ4000 Front

CQ4000 Front View

CQ4000 Side View



FEATURES


YESFront-access USB 2.0 Ports
Connect mp3 players, digital cameras and more with minimal fuss

YESLightScribe Technology
Burn labels directly onto CDs and DVDs

YES INCLUDED
Remote Control



Product Description

The Compaq CQ4010 delivers all the productivity of a traditional PC, in a sleek, streamlined design. It comes fully loaded with the essential features and applications you’ll use most for working and playing. When a computer looks this good and takes up so little space, you won’t want to hide it under your desk. It’s a perfect fit for any space and any budget. Together, Compaq and Windows 7 provide intuitive system control, powerful search and organization, and more security when you go online. HP Advisor PC Discovery gives you access to software and services you need to get the most out of your Windows 7 HP PC.

Apple MacBook Pro MB986LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

Apple MacBook Pro MB986LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

We are interested in Apple MacBook Pro MB986LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop from amazon website you can see now

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Real improvement5
Coming from a troubled Nvidia 8600M GT MacBook Pro - let me say that I was very skeptical buying another Apple Laptop with nVidia chip in it.

However, one weekend I decided to visit the nearest Apple Retail Store and check out the newly released models. My decision was mostly influenced by the reduced prices and increased battery life.

After some debating over buying the older model for same price or getting the latest one we settled on the newest mid end $1999 model with 2 GPUs. As is common I got a very nice resale price for my older MacBook Pro as it had AppleCare.

This generation is an all around improvement over the past generation unless you happen to be using ExpressCard on 15" model that is. In our case we never used the ExpressCard after attempting to use a eSATA card that did not work really well. And we have a few SD Cards that we figure we can easily use.

So on to the specific improvements over its predecessor -
1) Battery Life - I was very doubtful that the battery would last any longer than 4 hours at the maximum but was pleasantly surprised to find that for surfing/email type and the occasional CNN/Youtube flash videos getting 6+ hours was quite easy.

2) Prices - No doubt prices are the most reasonable Apple laptops have ever had. If you have no need for the dual GPU you can get the $1699 model which comes with a respectable 2.53Ghz Processor, 4GB RAM and a very capable 9400M GPU.

3) Operating Temperature - I have owned my share of laptops (Apple and non-Apple) and I have to say this one is the coolest - it never gets too warm and I can use it on my lap all the times - even encoding videos using the HandBrake application did not make it uncomfortably hot. However if I switch it to use the 9600M GPU it gets warmer even on regular use. It also runs very quiet - the fans may be coming on but I never notice.

Initially there was a lot of furor over Apple's downgrade of the Serial-ATA interface speed (used to transfer data to and from the hard disk) to 1.5Gbps but Apple quickly restored the speeds to 3Gbps - I do not however notice any difference with the 5400RPM hard disk.

About the display - it is gorgeous and colors are vibrant. I had the opportunity to use a calibrated color profile to make it look even better. However I find the display to be a little too much reflective but I am coming from almost always using matte display so I figure it's a matter of getting used to it.

Apple's use of Mini DisplayPort is ahead of its time - not many displays support it and so I had to buy a $30 DVI adapter - not a big problem but Apple should at the very least re-start bundling the adapter with the Pro machines. Also, another USB port in lieu of the SD Card Reader would be quite welcome - people can use the SD Card Reader for only SD Cards, but a USB port can be used for SD Cards as well as other peripherals.

That said, this generation is overall a very nice improvement - the great battery life itself is enough to convince one to upgrade.

[ Edited to add some findings after extensive use ]

After using it for a few months, I find a handful of things moderately annoying about this laptop -

1) The positioning of USB ports - both USB ports are on one side of the laptop and they are far too closely positioned to use both at once. For example I found I could not attach my Sandisk USB thumb drive and anything else at a time. And I don't have any irregular/unusual devices. They should really go back to having the ports on two sides or at least position them a bit more apart.

2) The Lid of the laptop is loose - this was known to me before but I never thought it would become annoying. I don't routinely use the laptop in bed but whenever I do it's annoying.

3) The amount of RAM Apple advertises (4GB) is not actually entirely usable - only 3.75GB is. So you lose 256Mb of RAM for the dual GPU.

Compelling alternative to PC4
After installing a Trend Micro update and bricking my PC (which I was later able to remedy after 8+ hours of system restores and firewall modifications), I had enough and decided I was done with Microsoft. I have been using the Macbook Pro 15 for a little under a week, and so far, I'm pleased that I made the switch. Obviously, there's a pretty steep premium on Macbook Pros, so I'll try to cover the items that make it worth the extra coin, as well as some annoyances I've encountered as a first time Mac user.

Here are some benefits:

+ Beautiful 15" widescreen display. I'm coming from a 17" PC, and since the display was a bit more squared, I don't feel that the screen size decrease is too noticeable

+ Much lighter than PC. At 5.5 lbs, it's easier to carry around than similarly sized PC's

+ Super fast power up and power off. I would say it takes between 30-40 seconds to power on, and less than 10 seconds to shut down- outstanding

+ Robust battery life. It's rated at 7 hours. This time will vary depending on your usage, but it's about right if you don't jack the brightness and surf too heavily

+ Refined, gestured trackpad. If you want to scroll, just swipe with two fingers- to select options or webpages, a single tap on the trackpad will accomplish this. Also nice is the ability to zoom webpages a la ipod touch/iphone pinching. I wish you could save a zoom setting to default on Safari though

+ No crashes, except for internet surfing (more on that later)

+ Love the preinstalled iPhoto application it comes with to view and edit photos

+ No problems with spyware, viruses, or crappy, obtrusive antispyware (i.e. Trend Micro) to combat it

+ Outstanding customer support (and I've used them a lot so far!)

And now for the not so good:

- If you want word processing/spreadsheet functionality, you're pretty much stuck with plunking down $100 for Microsoft Office. You could use alternatives like iWork, but with most people using the Office standard, it makes sense for compatibility purposes. No generic preinstalled word processing software, Apple?

- The learning curve (if you're a long-time PC user). The menus and interface that Macs use are pretty well laid out, but it's a pain to relearn where some items are. Example, you're in Mail and you'd like to add an email folder. The solution? Select "New Mailbox." I'm sure most PC users were scratching their heads with that solution

- There's no "maximize" function on the windows. It will save your settings once you resize everything, but if you want a window to take up the screen, you'll be doing some manual dragging to get them the way you want

- Not enough ports. Here's an example. Let's say you have a usb mouse, you're listening to iTunes from your iPod, and you're saving backup data to a USB drive as you're working in MS Word. Well, that's one too many usb apps, so you'll have to constantly unplug everything to accommodate your needs

- No number pad. Now I realize this does not affect a large percentage of users, but I'm a finance guy, and work in Excel a lot. Not putting a number pad on the keyboard is reasonable, but what is not reasonable, is offering no first/third party solutions for a USB/Bluetooth numpad. Props to anyone that can find such an accessory

- A bit tricky to port your iTunes media from PC to Mac. You'll be contacting support on this one, trust me

- Too many extra charges from Apple. $350 for 3 years of support, $99 per year of storage backup. Considering what we're paying for Macbooks, you'd think Apple would cut us a break on some of the "extras"

- Here's my biggest gripe. I have had SERIOUS stability issues with my Macbook and 2Wire DSL AT&T modem/router working together. I originally had a problem with Airport dropping my signal (fixed it with a Google search). Then, I had numerous problems with "Broadband Link Not Established Errors" from my 2Wire modem. Again, I was able to find a posting online which allowed my to turn 2Wire notification messages off, resolving this. So after numerous Google searches, and tech support from Apple and AT&T, my internet is pretty stable, but still not great. I'm still having issues where common websites will not load without stopping the request and clicking the reload button. Some users have had these stability issues resolved by purchasing the Airport Extreme Router, but at $179, this is not a cheap solution. I've had none of these internet problems running other devices from 2Wire. I'm not sure who is at fault, but my gut tells me that Apple did not go out of their way to make their Macbooks overly friendly with 2Wire's network. I feel like Apple should send me a partial rebate for all the hard research I've put in to get a stable connection

So is it worth it to switch to Mac? In a word, yes. Although they're certainly more expensive, 13" models are available at $1,200 which provide decent value. New Mac users will certainly notice an increased level of refinement and simplicity when they make the switch. Overall, a very nice laptop that would easily merit a 5 star rating, if not for the terrible 2Wire compatibility issues.

8/5/09 update:

My 2Wire modem continued to error out and reset itself while surfing webpages. The DSL and Internet lights would flash red, and my internet would disconnect for 20 seconds every time this happened. I finally found a solution to this problem. Not thrilled about the extra $89, but my internet experience is finally stable. The product I picked up is the D-Link ADSL2/2+ Modem/Wireless Router combo. I also reviewed this product on Amazon.

The D-Link is highly recommended for AT&T DSL users with Mac/2Wire compatibility issues.

Wow. Better in most ways than previous models5
Apple's latest version of the MacBook Pro combines a sleeker case, more GB of RAM, an SD slot, and longer battery life, all with a lowered price. The 15" LED backlit display (available on the previous models as well) is simply gorgeous, with crisp graphics and easy-on-the-eyes clarity.

Unlike older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro, this laptop runs fairly cool, even after hours of using a lot of processor power. The case, though not as thin as the Air, is slimmer than most (non-Apple) laptops I've seen, with an aluminum case that resists fingerprints better than the old MacBooks. The keyboard is comfortable, with responsive keys, and is lit from behind with blue light. The touch pad is a single square, without a visibly separate clicker, although it's there, at the bottom, under the pad, with right and left click functions; navigation using the touch pad and clicker is extremely easy, but most heavy users will want to purchase a separate mouse, as they would with any laptop.

The 4 GM RAM is twice what the lower end of the Pros offered previously. The battery life is now at seven hours. Naturally, the actual time depends on what you are doing, but the estimate comes pretty close. The SD slot is a nice touch. The GEForce NVIDIA integrated graphics has been in the Pros for at least a generation, with generally good reviews, although this newer entry-level Pro no longer has the dedicated graphics chip. If you want the best Mac graphics, you'll have to purchase one of the more expensive Pros that include the integrated graphics and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT chip. For most people, however, this version is enough.

The MacBook Pro comes bundled with the newest iLife Suite, a fantastic set of programs that keep getting better: iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, PhotoBooth, iDVD, etc. Users of older versions of these programs will be blown away. This MacBook should come with Snow Leopard, Apple's latest OS X, released in September 2009. (For more information about Snow Leopard, see Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard)

If you want to occasionally run Windows on this, you'll need to buy a copy of Windows, such as Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition FULL VERSION with SP2 or other version, and a program such as Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac or VMware Fusion 2. Keep in mind that if you plan to run most programs on a Windows platform, you should probably not get a Mac. Most programs these days will have versions for each platform, but there are exceptions.

Students and heavy word-processing/presentation users should consider purchasing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition.

The MacBook Pro is a fantastic machine. The debate between PCs and Macs will continue to rage, even as computers like this Pro win converts. Consumers who wish a small, budget desktop Mac instead of a laptop should look at the Apple Mac mini MB463LL/A Desktop.

NOTE: This review is for the 15.4 inch MacBook Pro. Amazon has pooled the reviews for all sizes. According to another customer, the 17 inch size does not have an SD slot and instead has an Express Card slot.

-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

About Apple MacBook Pro MB986LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #207 in Personal Computers
  • Brand: Apple
  • Model: MB986LL/A
  • Dimensions: 10.00 pounds
  • CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.8 GHz
  • Memory: 4000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 500GB
  • Processors: 2
  • Display size: 15.4

Features

  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
  • 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 500 GB hard drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4 GB DDR3 RAM
  • NVIDIA Geforce 9400M + 9600M GT Graphics, 15.4 inch LED Display
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Apple MacBook Pro MB986LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Description

MacBook Pro brings high performance and precision design to everyone. Every new MacBook Pro features a breakthrough, long-lasting battery that delivers up to 7 hours of wireless productivity on a single charge and can be recharged up to 1000 times—nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. The new LED-backlit display has a 60 percent greater color gamut than that of previous generations, giving you richer, more vibrant colors. Every MacBook Pro features the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor, which provides an outstanding graphics experience for everyday tasks. Power your way through the latest 3D games—including Call of Duty and Quake—and enjoy improved graphics performance with iWork, iLife, and everything you do in Mac OS X. Select 15-inch models have an advanced graphics architecture that employs both the integrated 9400M and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics processor. Experience the fastest, smoothest, and clearest graphics yet for pro applications like Aperture and Motion, productivity tools such as Keynote, and intensive 3D games. Depending on how much performance or battery life you need, it’s a snap to switch between the two processors. And with the latest 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, it’s the most powerful Mac notebook ever. All in a precision aluminum unibody enclosure that’s less than an inch thin.


Have a COOL !
Cheers
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Apple MacBook Air MC234LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop

Apple MacBook Air MC234LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop

To day I find introduce you this Apple MacBook Air MC234LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Yes, I think that interesting .

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Ultimate Ultra-Lite5
After owning and enjoying the first generation Macbook Air (1.6 MHz, 80GB drive), this unit is an unbelievable upgrade. For the same price as the original, this unit is incredibly faster. Programs start up about 3 times faster and the SSD drive is silent and extremely quick. Startups and shutdowns are noticeably quicker too. My initial experience has indicated that the battery life should be better as well. I was also impressed with the browser speed pickup as pages seem to render all at once without the typical lag the original unit had.

Possibly the best "Apple" investment I've made4
I don't think I'll go back to regular "full-size" laptops again. I didn't think that the weight difference between my 15.4" 2008 MacBook-Pro and the "AIR" would be so substantial, but it is. My back is thanking me. Even with the power supply and my average bring-to-work payload, I often forget that I'm wearing a bag.

As far as general computing goes, it has been -- by far -- the most pleasing computing experience I've had in over 17yrs working with computers... no doubt because of the SSD.

--Average applications load in one or two "bounces", tops.
--Web pages load faster
--No stuttering when displaying the contents of a a folder, scrolling through image galleries, etc.
--Startup/Shutdown times.

Other PROS:

--Screen is perfect. I was worried that the glossy screen may be a little bothersome, though I've yet to come across a situation where it was a problem and I've taken it everywhere with me.

--Its build seems "solid". Maybe it's a trait of the new unibodies, but, when the lid is closed; it feels like a solid piece of metal that would be very difficult to damage. Maybe im naive, but I no longer feel the need to wrap my laptop in 4 layers of protection to keep it from damage in my bag.

CONS:

--Today's laptops support up to 8GB, typically in 2x 4GB configurations. It would be nice to see support for a 4GB module in the future.

--Typical complaints: no firewire or eSATA, only 1x USB.

--Runs a little hot, and I'm not fond of the location of the exhaust vents.


OTHER:

Don't call it a netbook or a laptop. It's the best of both worlds. It deserves its own category.

Worth the wait5
After humming and ha-ing about this purchase, to replace my 17" macbook pro, I finally bit the bullet and am delighted with the results. The start up time is stunning, the graphics, keyboard etc are wonderful. The only drawback I have found is the USB slot. If you have a usb device which has large "shoulders" you will need an adapter. I don't miss the dvd drive, I can simply hook it up to my macbook pro and install from there. It's light and sexy, you know you want one ;)

About Apple MacBook Air MC234LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #117 in Personal Computers
  • Brand: Apple
  • Model: MC234LL/A
  • Dimensions: 8.00 pounds
  • CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.13 GHz
  • Memory: 2000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 128GB
  • Processors: 2
  • Display size: 13.3

Features

  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
  • 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 128 GB Solid State Drive, 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM
  • NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Integrated Graphics, 13.3 inch LED Display
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Apple MacBook Air MC234LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Description

MacBook Air continues to redefine what’s possible. Just 0.16 inch at its thinnest point, 0.76 inch at its thickest point, and a mere 3.0 pounds, it’s still ultrathin and ultraportable. And now, pushing the performance limits of ultraportable notebooks, it features a faster 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 1066MHz frontside bus, 2GB of DDR3 memory, and 6MB of L2 cache, so you can be as productive on the road as in the office. Offering ample storage, MacBook Air comes with either a 128GB solid-state drive that uses less power and provides enhanced durability. Its advanced NVIDIA processor brings you amazing, high-speed graphics, delivering a graphics performance boost up to 6x that of the original model. Unlike other ultraportables, MacBook Air doesn’t compromise on features users care most about: the display and the keyboard. It includes a bright, 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, a full-size backlit keyboard, a spacious Multi-Touch trackpad, and a built-in iSight camera. Engineered for the wireless world, MacBook Air also comes with 802.11n Wi-Fi,4 Bluetooth 2.1, and Remote Disc to deliver unparalleled wireless versatility.


Have a Nice Days!
Cheers
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Apple MacBook Pro MB985LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

Apple MacBook Pro MB985LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

This day I'll introduce you about Apple MacBook Pro MB985LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Coming Soon I find this from Amazon I will That interes, You that Agree?.

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Real improvement5
Coming from a troubled Nvidia 8600M GT MacBook Pro - let me say that I was very skeptical buying another Apple Laptop with nVidia chip in it.

However, one weekend I decided to visit the nearest Apple Retail Store and check out the newly released models. My decision was mostly influenced by the reduced prices and increased battery life.

After some debating over buying the older model for same price or getting the latest one we settled on the newest mid end $1999 model with 2 GPUs. As is common I got a very nice resale price for my older MacBook Pro as it had AppleCare.

This generation is an all around improvement over the past generation unless you happen to be using ExpressCard on 15" model that is. In our case we never used the ExpressCard after attempting to use a eSATA card that did not work really well. And we have a few SD Cards that we figure we can easily use.

So on to the specific improvements over its predecessor -
1) Battery Life - I was very doubtful that the battery would last any longer than 4 hours at the maximum but was pleasantly surprised to find that for surfing/email type and the occasional CNN/Youtube flash videos getting 6+ hours was quite easy.

2) Prices - No doubt prices are the most reasonable Apple laptops have ever had. If you have no need for the dual GPU you can get the $1699 model which comes with a respectable 2.53Ghz Processor, 4GB RAM and a very capable 9400M GPU.

3) Operating Temperature - I have owned my share of laptops (Apple and non-Apple) and I have to say this one is the coolest - it never gets too warm and I can use it on my lap all the times - even encoding videos using the HandBrake application did not make it uncomfortably hot. However if I switch it to use the 9600M GPU it gets warmer even on regular use. It also runs very quiet - the fans may be coming on but I never notice.

Initially there was a lot of furor over Apple's downgrade of the Serial-ATA interface speed (used to transfer data to and from the hard disk) to 1.5Gbps but Apple quickly restored the speeds to 3Gbps - I do not however notice any difference with the 5400RPM hard disk.

About the display - it is gorgeous and colors are vibrant. I had the opportunity to use a calibrated color profile to make it look even better. However I find the display to be a little too much reflective but I am coming from almost always using matte display so I figure it's a matter of getting used to it.

Apple's use of Mini DisplayPort is ahead of its time - not many displays support it and so I had to buy a $30 DVI adapter - not a big problem but Apple should at the very least re-start bundling the adapter with the Pro machines. Also, another USB port in lieu of the SD Card Reader would be quite welcome - people can use the SD Card Reader for only SD Cards, but a USB port can be used for SD Cards as well as other peripherals.

That said, this generation is overall a very nice improvement - the great battery life itself is enough to convince one to upgrade.

[ Edited to add some findings after extensive use ]

After using it for a few months, I find a handful of things moderately annoying about this laptop -

1) The positioning of USB ports - both USB ports are on one side of the laptop and they are far too closely positioned to use both at once. For example I found I could not attach my Sandisk USB thumb drive and anything else at a time. And I don't have any irregular/unusual devices. They should really go back to having the ports on two sides or at least position them a bit more apart.

2) The Lid of the laptop is loose - this was known to me before but I never thought it would become annoying. I don't routinely use the laptop in bed but whenever I do it's annoying.

3) The amount of RAM Apple advertises (4GB) is not actually entirely usable - only 3.75GB is. So you lose 256Mb of RAM for the dual GPU.

Compelling alternative to PC4
After installing a Trend Micro update and bricking my PC (which I was later able to remedy after 8+ hours of system restores and firewall modifications), I had enough and decided I was done with Microsoft. I have been using the Macbook Pro 15 for a little under a week, and so far, I'm pleased that I made the switch. Obviously, there's a pretty steep premium on Macbook Pros, so I'll try to cover the items that make it worth the extra coin, as well as some annoyances I've encountered as a first time Mac user.

Here are some benefits:

+ Beautiful 15" widescreen display. I'm coming from a 17" PC, and since the display was a bit more squared, I don't feel that the screen size decrease is too noticeable

+ Much lighter than PC. At 5.5 lbs, it's easier to carry around than similarly sized PC's

+ Super fast power up and power off. I would say it takes between 30-40 seconds to power on, and less than 10 seconds to shut down- outstanding

+ Robust battery life. It's rated at 7 hours. This time will vary depending on your usage, but it's about right if you don't jack the brightness and surf too heavily

+ Refined, gestured trackpad. If you want to scroll, just swipe with two fingers- to select options or webpages, a single tap on the trackpad will accomplish this. Also nice is the ability to zoom webpages a la ipod touch/iphone pinching. I wish you could save a zoom setting to default on Safari though

+ No crashes, except for internet surfing (more on that later)

+ Love the preinstalled iPhoto application it comes with to view and edit photos

+ No problems with spyware, viruses, or crappy, obtrusive antispyware (i.e. Trend Micro) to combat it

+ Outstanding customer support (and I've used them a lot so far!)

And now for the not so good:

- If you want word processing/spreadsheet functionality, you're pretty much stuck with plunking down $100 for Microsoft Office. You could use alternatives like iWork, but with most people using the Office standard, it makes sense for compatibility purposes. No generic preinstalled word processing software, Apple?

- The learning curve (if you're a long-time PC user). The menus and interface that Macs use are pretty well laid out, but it's a pain to relearn where some items are. Example, you're in Mail and you'd like to add an email folder. The solution? Select "New Mailbox." I'm sure most PC users were scratching their heads with that solution

- There's no "maximize" function on the windows. It will save your settings once you resize everything, but if you want a window to take up the screen, you'll be doing some manual dragging to get them the way you want

- Not enough ports. Here's an example. Let's say you have a usb mouse, you're listening to iTunes from your iPod, and you're saving backup data to a USB drive as you're working in MS Word. Well, that's one too many usb apps, so you'll have to constantly unplug everything to accommodate your needs

- No number pad. Now I realize this does not affect a large percentage of users, but I'm a finance guy, and work in Excel a lot. Not putting a number pad on the keyboard is reasonable, but what is not reasonable, is offering no first/third party solutions for a USB/Bluetooth numpad. Props to anyone that can find such an accessory

- A bit tricky to port your iTunes media from PC to Mac. You'll be contacting support on this one, trust me

- Too many extra charges from Apple. $350 for 3 years of support, $99 per year of storage backup. Considering what we're paying for Macbooks, you'd think Apple would cut us a break on some of the "extras"

- Here's my biggest gripe. I have had SERIOUS stability issues with my Macbook and 2Wire DSL AT&T modem/router working together. I originally had a problem with Airport dropping my signal (fixed it with a Google search). Then, I had numerous problems with "Broadband Link Not Established Errors" from my 2Wire modem. Again, I was able to find a posting online which allowed my to turn 2Wire notification messages off, resolving this. So after numerous Google searches, and tech support from Apple and AT&T, my internet is pretty stable, but still not great. I'm still having issues where common websites will not load without stopping the request and clicking the reload button. Some users have had these stability issues resolved by purchasing the Airport Extreme Router, but at $179, this is not a cheap solution. I've had none of these internet problems running other devices from 2Wire. I'm not sure who is at fault, but my gut tells me that Apple did not go out of their way to make their Macbooks overly friendly with 2Wire's network. I feel like Apple should send me a partial rebate for all the hard research I've put in to get a stable connection

So is it worth it to switch to Mac? In a word, yes. Although they're certainly more expensive, 13" models are available at $1,200 which provide decent value. New Mac users will certainly notice an increased level of refinement and simplicity when they make the switch. Overall, a very nice laptop that would easily merit a 5 star rating, if not for the terrible 2Wire compatibility issues.

8/5/09 update:

My 2Wire modem continued to error out and reset itself while surfing webpages. The DSL and Internet lights would flash red, and my internet would disconnect for 20 seconds every time this happened. I finally found a solution to this problem. Not thrilled about the extra $89, but my internet experience is finally stable. The product I picked up is the D-Link ADSL2/2+ Modem/Wireless Router combo. I also reviewed this product on Amazon.

The D-Link is highly recommended for AT&T DSL users with Mac/2Wire compatibility issues.

Wow. Better in most ways than previous models5
Apple's latest version of the MacBook Pro combines a sleeker case, more GB of RAM, an SD slot, and longer battery life, all with a lowered price. The 15" LED backlit display (available on the previous models as well) is simply gorgeous, with crisp graphics and easy-on-the-eyes clarity.

Unlike older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro, this laptop runs fairly cool, even after hours of using a lot of processor power. The case, though not as thin as the Air, is slimmer than most (non-Apple) laptops I've seen, with an aluminum case that resists fingerprints better than the old MacBooks. The keyboard is comfortable, with responsive keys, and is lit from behind with blue light. The touch pad is a single square, without a visibly separate clicker, although it's there, at the bottom, under the pad, with right and left click functions; navigation using the touch pad and clicker is extremely easy, but most heavy users will want to purchase a separate mouse, as they would with any laptop.

The 4 GM RAM is twice what the lower end of the Pros offered previously. The battery life is now at seven hours. Naturally, the actual time depends on what you are doing, but the estimate comes pretty close. The SD slot is a nice touch. The GEForce NVIDIA integrated graphics has been in the Pros for at least a generation, with generally good reviews, although this newer entry-level Pro no longer has the dedicated graphics chip. If you want the best Mac graphics, you'll have to purchase one of the more expensive Pros that include the integrated graphics and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT chip. For most people, however, this version is enough.

The MacBook Pro comes bundled with the newest iLife Suite, a fantastic set of programs that keep getting better: iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, PhotoBooth, iDVD, etc. Users of older versions of these programs will be blown away. This MacBook should come with Snow Leopard, Apple's latest OS X, released in September 2009. (For more information about Snow Leopard, see Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard)

If you want to occasionally run Windows on this, you'll need to buy a copy of Windows, such as Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition FULL VERSION with SP2 or other version, and a program such as Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac or VMware Fusion 2. Keep in mind that if you plan to run most programs on a Windows platform, you should probably not get a Mac. Most programs these days will have versions for each platform, but there are exceptions.

Students and heavy word-processing/presentation users should consider purchasing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition.

The MacBook Pro is a fantastic machine. The debate between PCs and Macs will continue to rage, even as computers like this Pro win converts. Consumers who wish a small, budget desktop Mac instead of a laptop should look at the Apple Mac mini MB463LL/A Desktop.

NOTE: This review is for the 15.4 inch MacBook Pro. Amazon has pooled the reviews for all sizes. According to another customer, the 17 inch size does not have an SD slot and instead has an Express Card slot.

-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

About Apple MacBook Pro MB985LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #254 in Personal Computers
  • Brand: Apple
  • Model: MB985LL/A
  • Dimensions: 10.04 pounds
  • CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.66 GHz
  • Memory: 4000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 320GB
  • Processors: 2
  • Display size: 15.4

Features

  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
  • 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 320 GB hard drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4 GB DDR3 RAM
  • NVIDIA Geforce 9400M + 9600M GT Graphics, 15.4 inch LED Display
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Apple MacBook Pro MB985LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Description

MacBook Pro brings high performance and precision design to everyone. Every new MacBook Pro features a breakthrough, long-lasting battery that delivers up to 7 hours of wireless productivity on a single charge and can be recharged up to 1000 times—nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. The new LED-backlit display has a 60 percent greater color gamut than that of previous generations, giving you richer, more vibrant colors. Every MacBook Pro features the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor, which provides an outstanding graphics experience for everyday tasks. Power your way through the latest 3D games—including Call of Duty and Quake—and enjoy improved graphics performance with iWork, iLife, and everything you do in Mac OS X. This 15-inch model has an advanced graphics architecture that employs both the integrated 9400M NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics processor. Experience the fastest, smoothest, and clearest graphics yet for pro applications like Aperture and Motion, productivity tools such as Keynote, and intensive 3D games. Depending on how much performance or battery life you need, it’s a snap to switch between the two processors. And with the latest 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, it’s the most powerful Mac notebook ever. All in a precision aluminum unibody enclosure that’s less than an inch thin.


Cheers and have a GREAT day!
Cheers
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Apple MacBook Pro MC226LL/A 17-Inch Laptop

Apple MacBook Pro MC226LL/A 17-Inch Laptop

Now I find Apple MacBook Pro MC226LL/A 17-Inch Laptop I will think This Interesting ,and you can see that

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Real improvement5
Coming from a troubled Nvidia 8600M GT MacBook Pro - let me say that I was very skeptical buying another Apple Laptop with nVidia chip in it.

However, one weekend I decided to visit the nearest Apple Retail Store and check out the newly released models. My decision was mostly influenced by the reduced prices and increased battery life.

After some debating over buying the older model for same price or getting the latest one we settled on the newest mid end $1999 model with 2 GPUs. As is common I got a very nice resale price for my older MacBook Pro as it had AppleCare.

This generation is an all around improvement over the past generation unless you happen to be using ExpressCard on 15" model that is. In our case we never used the ExpressCard after attempting to use a eSATA card that did not work really well. And we have a few SD Cards that we figure we can easily use.

So on to the specific improvements over its predecessor -
1) Battery Life - I was very doubtful that the battery would last any longer than 4 hours at the maximum but was pleasantly surprised to find that for surfing/email type and the occasional CNN/Youtube flash videos getting 6+ hours was quite easy.

2) Prices - No doubt prices are the most reasonable Apple laptops have ever had. If you have no need for the dual GPU you can get the $1699 model which comes with a respectable 2.53Ghz Processor, 4GB RAM and a very capable 9400M GPU.

3) Operating Temperature - I have owned my share of laptops (Apple and non-Apple) and I have to say this one is the coolest - it never gets too warm and I can use it on my lap all the times - even encoding videos using the HandBrake application did not make it uncomfortably hot. However if I switch it to use the 9600M GPU it gets warmer even on regular use. It also runs very quiet - the fans may be coming on but I never notice.

Initially there was a lot of furor over Apple's downgrade of the Serial-ATA interface speed (used to transfer data to and from the hard disk) to 1.5Gbps but Apple quickly restored the speeds to 3Gbps - I do not however notice any difference with the 5400RPM hard disk.

About the display - it is gorgeous and colors are vibrant. I had the opportunity to use a calibrated color profile to make it look even better. However I find the display to be a little too much reflective but I am coming from almost always using matte display so I figure it's a matter of getting used to it.

Apple's use of Mini DisplayPort is ahead of its time - not many displays support it and so I had to buy a $30 DVI adapter - not a big problem but Apple should at the very least re-start bundling the adapter with the Pro machines. Also, another USB port in lieu of the SD Card Reader would be quite welcome - people can use the SD Card Reader for only SD Cards, but a USB port can be used for SD Cards as well as other peripherals.

That said, this generation is overall a very nice improvement - the great battery life itself is enough to convince one to upgrade.

[ Edited to add some findings after extensive use ]

After using it for a few months, I find a handful of things moderately annoying about this laptop -

1) The positioning of USB ports - both USB ports are on one side of the laptop and they are far too closely positioned to use both at once. For example I found I could not attach my Sandisk USB thumb drive and anything else at a time. And I don't have any irregular/unusual devices. They should really go back to having the ports on two sides or at least position them a bit more apart.

2) The Lid of the laptop is loose - this was known to me before but I never thought it would become annoying. I don't routinely use the laptop in bed but whenever I do it's annoying.

3) The amount of RAM Apple advertises (4GB) is not actually entirely usable - only 3.75GB is. So you lose 256Mb of RAM for the dual GPU.

Compelling alternative to PC4
After installing a Trend Micro update and bricking my PC (which I was later able to remedy after 8+ hours of system restores and firewall modifications), I had enough and decided I was done with Microsoft. I have been using the Macbook Pro 15 for a little under a week, and so far, I'm pleased that I made the switch. Obviously, there's a pretty steep premium on Macbook Pros, so I'll try to cover the items that make it worth the extra coin, as well as some annoyances I've encountered as a first time Mac user.

Here are some benefits:

+ Beautiful 15" widescreen display. I'm coming from a 17" PC, and since the display was a bit more squared, I don't feel that the screen size decrease is too noticeable

+ Much lighter than PC. At 5.5 lbs, it's easier to carry around than similarly sized PC's

+ Super fast power up and power off. I would say it takes between 30-40 seconds to power on, and less than 10 seconds to shut down- outstanding

+ Robust battery life. It's rated at 7 hours. This time will vary depending on your usage, but it's about right if you don't jack the brightness and surf too heavily

+ Refined, gestured trackpad. If you want to scroll, just swipe with two fingers- to select options or webpages, a single tap on the trackpad will accomplish this. Also nice is the ability to zoom webpages a la ipod touch/iphone pinching. I wish you could save a zoom setting to default on Safari though

+ No crashes, except for internet surfing (more on that later)

+ Love the preinstalled iPhoto application it comes with to view and edit photos

+ No problems with spyware, viruses, or crappy, obtrusive antispyware (i.e. Trend Micro) to combat it

+ Outstanding customer support (and I've used them a lot so far!)

And now for the not so good:

- If you want word processing/spreadsheet functionality, you're pretty much stuck with plunking down $100 for Microsoft Office. You could use alternatives like iWork, but with most people using the Office standard, it makes sense for compatibility purposes. No generic preinstalled word processing software, Apple?

- The learning curve (if you're a long-time PC user). The menus and interface that Macs use are pretty well laid out, but it's a pain to relearn where some items are. Example, you're in Mail and you'd like to add an email folder. The solution? Select "New Mailbox." I'm sure most PC users were scratching their heads with that solution

- There's no "maximize" function on the windows. It will save your settings once you resize everything, but if you want a window to take up the screen, you'll be doing some manual dragging to get them the way you want

- Not enough ports. Here's an example. Let's say you have a usb mouse, you're listening to iTunes from your iPod, and you're saving backup data to a USB drive as you're working in MS Word. Well, that's one too many usb apps, so you'll have to constantly unplug everything to accommodate your needs

- No number pad. Now I realize this does not affect a large percentage of users, but I'm a finance guy, and work in Excel a lot. Not putting a number pad on the keyboard is reasonable, but what is not reasonable, is offering no first/third party solutions for a USB/Bluetooth numpad. Props to anyone that can find such an accessory

- A bit tricky to port your iTunes media from PC to Mac. You'll be contacting support on this one, trust me

- Too many extra charges from Apple. $350 for 3 years of support, $99 per year of storage backup. Considering what we're paying for Macbooks, you'd think Apple would cut us a break on some of the "extras"

- Here's my biggest gripe. I have had SERIOUS stability issues with my Macbook and 2Wire DSL AT&T modem/router working together. I originally had a problem with Airport dropping my signal (fixed it with a Google search). Then, I had numerous problems with "Broadband Link Not Established Errors" from my 2Wire modem. Again, I was able to find a posting online which allowed my to turn 2Wire notification messages off, resolving this. So after numerous Google searches, and tech support from Apple and AT&T, my internet is pretty stable, but still not great. I'm still having issues where common websites will not load without stopping the request and clicking the reload button. Some users have had these stability issues resolved by purchasing the Airport Extreme Router, but at $179, this is not a cheap solution. I've had none of these internet problems running other devices from 2Wire. I'm not sure who is at fault, but my gut tells me that Apple did not go out of their way to make their Macbooks overly friendly with 2Wire's network. I feel like Apple should send me a partial rebate for all the hard research I've put in to get a stable connection

So is it worth it to switch to Mac? In a word, yes. Although they're certainly more expensive, 13" models are available at $1,200 which provide decent value. New Mac users will certainly notice an increased level of refinement and simplicity when they make the switch. Overall, a very nice laptop that would easily merit a 5 star rating, if not for the terrible 2Wire compatibility issues.

8/5/09 update:

My 2Wire modem continued to error out and reset itself while surfing webpages. The DSL and Internet lights would flash red, and my internet would disconnect for 20 seconds every time this happened. I finally found a solution to this problem. Not thrilled about the extra $89, but my internet experience is finally stable. The product I picked up is the D-Link ADSL2/2+ Modem/Wireless Router combo. I also reviewed this product on Amazon.

The D-Link is highly recommended for AT&T DSL users with Mac/2Wire compatibility issues.

Wow. Better in most ways than previous models5
Apple's latest version of the MacBook Pro combines a sleeker case, more GB of RAM, an SD slot, and longer battery life, all with a lowered price. The 15" LED backlit display (available on the previous models as well) is simply gorgeous, with crisp graphics and easy-on-the-eyes clarity.

Unlike older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro, this laptop runs fairly cool, even after hours of using a lot of processor power. The case, though not as thin as the Air, is slimmer than most (non-Apple) laptops I've seen, with an aluminum case that resists fingerprints better than the old MacBooks. The keyboard is comfortable, with responsive keys, and is lit from behind with blue light. The touch pad is a single square, without a visibly separate clicker, although it's there, at the bottom, under the pad, with right and left click functions; navigation using the touch pad and clicker is extremely easy, but most heavy users will want to purchase a separate mouse, as they would with any laptop.

The 4 GM RAM is twice what the lower end of the Pros offered previously. The battery life is now at seven hours. Naturally, the actual time depends on what you are doing, but the estimate comes pretty close. The SD slot is a nice touch. The GEForce NVIDIA integrated graphics has been in the Pros for at least a generation, with generally good reviews, although this newer entry-level Pro no longer has the dedicated graphics chip. If you want the best Mac graphics, you'll have to purchase one of the more expensive Pros that include the integrated graphics and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT chip. For most people, however, this version is enough.

The MacBook Pro comes bundled with the newest iLife Suite, a fantastic set of programs that keep getting better: iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, PhotoBooth, iDVD, etc. Users of older versions of these programs will be blown away. This MacBook should come with Snow Leopard, Apple's latest OS X, released in September 2009. (For more information about Snow Leopard, see Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard)

If you want to occasionally run Windows on this, you'll need to buy a copy of Windows, such as Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition FULL VERSION with SP2 or other version, and a program such as Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac or VMware Fusion 2. Keep in mind that if you plan to run most programs on a Windows platform, you should probably not get a Mac. Most programs these days will have versions for each platform, but there are exceptions.

Students and heavy word-processing/presentation users should consider purchasing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition.

The MacBook Pro is a fantastic machine. The debate between PCs and Macs will continue to rage, even as computers like this Pro win converts. Consumers who wish a small, budget desktop Mac instead of a laptop should look at the Apple Mac mini MB463LL/A Desktop.

NOTE: This review is for the 15.4 inch MacBook Pro. Amazon has pooled the reviews for all sizes. According to another customer, the 17 inch size does not have an SD slot and instead has an Express Card slot.

-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

About Apple MacBook Pro MC226LL/A 17-Inch Laptop detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #43 in Personal Computers
  • Brand: Apple
  • Model: MC226LL/A
  • Dimensions: 13.00 pounds
  • CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.8 GHz
  • Memory: 4000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 500GB
  • Processors: 2
  • Display size: 17

Features

  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
  • 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 500 GB hard drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4 GB DDR3 RAM
  • NVIDIA Geforce 9400M + 9600M GT Graphics, 17 inch LED Display
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Apple MacBook Pro MC226LL/A 17-Inch Laptop Description

MacBook Pro brings high performance and precision design to everyone. Every new MacBook Pro features a breakthrough, long-lasting battery that delivers up to 7 hours of wireless productivity on a single charge (8 hours on the 17-inch MacBook Pro) and can be recharged up to 1000 times—nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. The new LED-backlit display has a 60 percent greater color gamut than that of previous generations, giving you richer, more vibrant colors. Every MacBook Pro features the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor, which provides an outstanding graphics experience for everyday tasks. Power your way through the latest 3D games—including Call of Duty and Quake—and enjoy improved graphics performance with iWork, iLife, and everything you do in Mac OS X. The 17-inch MacBook Pro has an advanced graphics architecture that employs both the integrated 9400M and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics processor. Experience the fastest, smoothest, and clearest graphics yet for pro applications like Aperture and Motion, productivity tools such as Keynote, and intensive 3D games. Depending on how much performance or battery life you need, it’s a snap to switch between the two processors. And with the latest 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, it’s the most powerful Mac notebook ever. All in a precision aluminum unibody enclosure that’s less than an inch thin.


I would be grateful if you would give me the Interview
Cheers !.
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Compaq Presario CQ5110F Desktop PC

Compaq Presario CQ5110F Desktop PC

This day I'll introduce you about Compaq Presario CQ5110F Desktop PC I will think This Interesting ,and you can see that

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Great Basic Computer5
I bought this computer as a gift for my mom when my old Laptop died. This computer is VERY fast. There is a LOT of bloatware that comes pre-installed (MS Office 2007 Trial, Norton Anti-Virus Trial, Various Games Trial, etc) and I recommend you remove these trials and install your own programs.
As a Computer Technician, I know my stuff. And I FULLY recommend this computer highly.
In short this is a good basic and inexpensive computer for that works wonders for Internet use, MS Office, etc.

Quick, Classy and Cool !!!!5
I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer *Paglia* who recommends this desktop as well. It is much lighter than my older desktop, yet it feels strong and well built. I mention this because some of the newer desktops look and feel flimsy, as if they could be blown over by a feather......not so, with this one. It doesn't get hot and bothered either.

It is extremely fast for my needs and I can open many windows without any delay in speed. It is also very quiet, one of the most quiet desktops I've ever owned. It comes pre-installed with lots of goop and all the essentials as well. I just remove the goop and add a few ingredients of my own... I don't do any *gaming* so I can't vouch for that, but there seems to be more than enough space for my needs.

The price is great and the machine is perfect. For everyday personal or business needs, this desktop is your best bet...... HAPPY COMPUTING !!!

Great computer for e-mail and browsing5
This computer is used for e-mail, browsing the internet and storing pictures. It is great for our needs especially at under $400 on our doorstep. We didn't need another monitor so why pay for one? I had all files and pictures transfered and the computer on-line in about an hour. No problems at all.

About Compaq Presario CQ5110F Desktop PC detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #457 in Personal Computers
  • Color: Black
  • Brand: Hewlett-Packard
  • Model: NP185AA#ABA
  • Dimensions: 15.11" h x 6.54" w x 16.87" l, 11.00 pounds
  • CPU: AMD Athlon 2.5 Hz
  • Memory: 3GB SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 320GB

Features

  • AMD Athlon X2 7550 Dual-Core Processor
  • 3GB PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM memory (1x2048MB and 1x1024MB for ultimate performance) (expandable to 4GB)
  • 320GB hard drive(7200 rpm) ¿ Save up to 64,000 of your favorite songs
  • Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
  • NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with 128MB intregrated shared graphics memory.

Compaq Presario CQ5110F Desktop PC Description

Get exactly the computing performance you need for home, school, and your essential computing needs. The Compaq Presario CQ5110F comes with the power and memory to handle a variety of tasks, efficiently and reliably. The Compaq Presario CQ5110F, with its stylish design, is backed by Compaq¿s award winning support and services. What's in the box: Presario cq510f desktop PC, Compaq USB keyboard, Compaq USB optical mouse, power cord, Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe software, muvee Reveal Basic, Microsoft Works 9, Adobe Reader 8 and Norton Internet Security 2009 with 60 days of complimentary live updates.


Bye Bye
Cheers and Care

Acer AspireRevo AR1600-U910H Black/White Desktop PC (Windows XP Home)

Acer AspireRevo AR1600-U910H Black/White Desktop PC (Windows XP Home)

Are You Interested in Acer AspireRevo AR1600-U910H Black/White Desktop PC (Windows XP Home) You can see Now!

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Great HTPC4
I know some people will use this aa a small form pc for everyday use, but I'm only reviewing this from a HTPC perspective. Right now its connected to my network wirelessly and Im streaming my movies to my flatscreen tv. Its great for viewing Hi def content, I thought theres no way a processor this slow could ossibly playback through HDMI clearly. I was pleasantly surprised, after a bit of setup it streams ANY format thrown at it through HDMI. I loaded windows vista on this because of windows media center wich really helps with managing all my movies, music and pictures. The only issue is viewing flash video online, dont get me wrong it plays the video reasonably well but you will notice the stuttering at times on the video. Flash currently is not configured to run on these new processors so viewing flash online will be an issue until flash 10.1 wich will be released some time early next year. The processor isnt strong enough to handle high end computing tasks like video editing or photoshop, but this isnt what this pc is made for. Coupple of notes about setup, it comes with windows xp home but that OS may not provide as much sophistication as most people would like, I installed vista on this pc pretty easily. You must have either an external dvd drive or a usb drive with at least 4 giggs of available space. If your using a usb drive you must load the OS dvd on a diferent pc and then copy the files over to the usb drive, afterwards connect to this pc and start setup while in windows xp. Also please remember to load all the drivers needed if you install a new OS. [...]

About Acer AspireRevo AR1600-U910H Black/White Desktop PC (Windows XP Home) detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #43 in Personal Computers
  • Color: Black/White
  • Brand: Acer
  • Model: AR1600-U910H
  • Dimensions: 7.10" h x 1.20" w x 7.10" l, 9.00 pounds
  • CPU: Intel Atom 230 1.6 GHz
  • Memory: 1000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 160GB
  • Processors: 1

Features

  • 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230 Processor
  • 1024 MB DDR2 Memory, Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
  • 160 GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, No Optical Drive included
  • Integrated NVIDIA ION LE Graphics, 6 USB 2.0 Ports, VGA & HDMI ports,
  • Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3, USB Keyboard & Mouse

Acer AspireRevo AR1600-U910H Black/White Desktop PC (Windows XP Home) Description

Ultra-Slim PC Perfect for Everyday Computing: The Portable AspireRevo is the perfect mini PC providing everywhere connectivity to surf the web, view/edit photos, watch HD movies, listen to music and more. Compact Design: Its compact 1L size makes it easy to stand discreetly on a desk or mount (mount sold separately) to the back of a monitor to save space. Grab it to go for remote entertainment with friends or for travel. Optimum Performance: Designed for low energy consumption, the Intel Atom Processor combines performance and efficiency to let you explore the Internet and enjoy entertainment and games. The AspireRevo keeps you in touch all day via Gigabit Ethernet LAN connectivity. Six USB ports and a Media Card Reader make transferring your photos and other files as fast and easy as ever.


Have a Nice Days!
Cheers

HP Pavilion DV7-1170US 17.0-Inch Laptop

HP Pavilion DV7-1170US 17.0-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray and DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Are You Interested in HP Pavilion DV7-1170US 17.0-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray and DVD Drive, Vista Premium) You can see Now!

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Great5
I was looking for a 17" screen computer and this one fit the bill. It is easy to operate, and the 64 bit operating system is working fine. I deleted the software that came with it and loaded AVG anti virus, Spybot spyware and also Open office instead of paying for the microsoft office system supplied. I have not had any problems but one annoying thing was the automatic update feature. I suggest you change the settings to ask if you want to download the update to keep the computer from re-starting when you are in the middle of a project.

I priced this at other stores and Amazon was cheapest. Free shipping and I got the computer in 3 days!

An extremely capable laptop4
I purchased this almost exact same model from Best Buy a little more than 3 weeks ago for $899. The only difference I can see between the two is that this one has bluetooth and the Best Buy model (dv7-1175nr) did not. The performance of this laptop is very good. Screen image is better than that of my aging dv8113cl that I purchased from Sam's Club 4 years ago. Bluray works well, but it will only work in Quick Play mode when the computer itself is shut down. It also sports one of the hottest graphics cards on the streets,... the 9600Gt is the same card HP shoves into their HDX series books in 256 and 512 flavors. The one in this model is the 512. Even at this relatively high price, it is a worthy purchase.

I'd advise you to see if you can get the Chrome theme though. I got the bronze theme and the keys are very hard to see unless you are in the best of lighting conditions. Not a lot of constrast between the white letters and the bronze (brown) keys. Backlit keys would have been nice.

Great value and performance4
Fast, powerful laptop with zippy wireless Internet performance. Acceptable battery life. Bluetooth wireless mouse is great accessory to add. Only nit is slightly washed out (low contrast) LCD monitor performance on web pages. Found notes on web on how to manually adjust video driver settings to optimize for crisper whites. But for the price, we are very happy with this purchase.

About HP Pavilion DV7-1170US 17.0-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray and DVD Drive, Vista Premium) detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #642 in Personal Computers
  • Color: Bronze
  • Brand: Hewlett-Packard
  • Model: DV7-1170US
  • Dimensions: 4.30" h x 15.59" w x 1.66" l,
  • CPU: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz
  • Memory: 4000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 320GB
  • Processors: 2
  • Display size: 17

Features

  • 17.0-inch Diagonal WXGA plus High-Definition HP Brightview Infinity Display, 1440 x 900 resolution
  • 2.00 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5800 with 2MB L2 Cache
  • 4096MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm), 320GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA), NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with up to 2302MB Total Available Graphics Memory with 512MB dedicated
  • Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer, Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth
  • Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium, dims in inches: 15.59 (W) x 11.22" (D) x 1.31 (min H) in approx., 7.64 lbs

HP Pavilion DV7-1170US 17.0-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray and DVD Drive, Vista Premium) Description

HP Pavilion DV7-1170US 17.0 Inch Laptop. Expanding on the sophisticated elegance of the current line, the new DV7-1170US is defined by fluid, modern lines and metalized finishes with surprising innovations inside and out. High-gloss HP Imprint finish in bronze and chrome now encases all surfaces visible during normal use for greater durability. The DV7-1170US Intersect Imprint features an argyle-like pattern for subtle contrast to the liquid appearance of the metallic finish. The streamlined look is enhanced with a color-matched keyboard and touchpad. And touch media controls light up and become visible only when the system is powered on further enhancing the clean appearance. Providing more choices than ever, QuickPlay enables access to DVDs, videos, photos, music, karaoke, games, and Internet TV. Built-in demos show you how to add music to your slide shows or videos with drag-and-drop functionality, and much more. An HDMI port enables you to watch films on an HD TV. Muvee autoProducer makes creating films complete with effects and transitions a snap! Extras include dual headphone jacks and an HP Mobile Remote Control. For those who want rich digital entertainment capability coupled with desktop-caliber performance in a stunning mobile design, the HP Pavilion DV7-1170US Entertainment Notebook PC delivers! Its elegant Intersect Imprint finish helps protect your system which includes a full-size keyboard and numeric keypad. The DV7-1170US ships with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5800, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with up to 2302MB Total Available Graphics Memory with 512MB dedicated, 4096MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm), 320GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA), Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer, and Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth. Dimensions: 15.59 (W) x 11.22" (D) x 1.31 (min H) in approx., weight: 7.64 lbs approx.


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Toshiba Satellite L515-S4925 14.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey

Toshiba Satellite L515-S4925 14.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey

Have a nice time i find Toshiba Satellite L515-S4925 14.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey from amazon and I read about that ,I think that wonderfull.

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Great display, not so great battery4
The Toshiba L515-S4925 is part of Toshiba's main consumer line: the L500 series of laptops. This version is the thin-and-light entry. It's a very good laptop for someone who values good video quality (where this model excels) above battery life (where it lags behind).

A good friend bought this model and had me come over to uninstall the junk software (it was no worse than the typical bloatware found on retail notebook computers) and get it setup on his home network. Overall I liked this model but it has rather strong pluses and minuses. This is a pretty competitive market segment and I think Toshiba took a risk that will appeal to the right buyer: cut back on some less valued features and deliver a very high quality display. It's aimed pretty squarely and HP's very popular DV4 line of 14" laptops and I think it competes well on most levels and (on Amazon at least) is priced about $150 less (depending on the exact DV4 model you compare it against).

Here a quick break down of the features:

CPU: Intel Pentium T4200 2.1 GHz (my friend's came with the T4300 which is just slightly better). This is a decent dual core CPU for home use and it's pretty typical for laptops in this price range. It's not for anyone serious about gaming but it will run typical home apps and "light" games with no troubles. Two cores mean your system won't slow to a crawl just because your anti-virus kicks in. While not as powerful at the Core2 line it's still a good CPU for home users.

RAM: 4 GB 800 MHz RAM. This is becoming the new norm and it's nice because this is lot of memory and provide some future proofing. This is plenty for home use.

HDD: 320 GB 5200 RPM. This is more than most home users will need (few exceed 100GB) and the speed is what I recommend for home users because it has a much lower failure rate than faster drives (and it's plenty fast enough for home use).

Graphics chip: Intel 4500HD. This is also pretty typical of notebooks in this price range. It's great for home use (including movie playback) and can run any non-3D game just fine. Older 3D games will run great too. Most new 3D games will run at dramatically reduced settings or not run at all.

Display: 14" 1366x768 resolution (natively supports 720P video playback). This is a very nice display and I don't know of any other laptop in this price range with a screen this nice. It's is much better than the display you will get on the HP DV4-1433 which only comes in at 1280 x 800. It's bright, has brilliant colors and good blacks. Toshiba clearly thought about the most important part of the laptop for most users and stepped it up a notch from the competition. Like most home systems it's glossy which is great indoors but can be hard to read outdoors.

DVD-RW: Has a nice combo DVD-RW drive, which means you can read and write to CD and DVD media. It also has "Labelflash" which lets you use the DVD laser to "burn" blue imagery onto special media that supports it. It's not great looking but it's easier than printing, pealing, and installing labels and looks a lot better than a label written on with a sharpie. I can be slow (up to 20 min for a complex image).

Battery: 6 cell 3700mAh. Here is one of the places Toshiba trimmed money back off. This is a fairly low end 6 cell and I wouldn't expect much more than 2.5 hours of real battery life (you'll get more keeping the screen dim and turning off the wireless but who does that?). A more typical 6 cell batter will come in at 4400mAh and high-end 6 cells will deliver over 5400mAh. For most home users this is fine, they tend to plug in wherever they go. Outside the home this could get old fast.

Ports: Comes with the typical port assortment (USB, eSata, RJ-45 Lan, RJ-11 modem, VGA) except for one important one - DVI. The lack of a DVI (or HDMI) port means you will get degraded video when outputting to an external LCD monitor (because instead of a direct digital connection the video has be converted to analog sent out from the laptop and re-converted to digital by the monitor). As a result I would not recommend this model to anyone who wants to hook it up to an external display. I should not that some other L500 models do have HDMI ports

Control layout: I found the control layout to be good but not earth shattering. The picture on Amazon doesn't show the front very well so let me describe it in detail: There are lights for the wireless, AC, on/off, battery, HDD activity and the media adapter. The memory card reader is also in the front but it only handle the smaller media like SD cards to make certain your digital camera media is supported (for example no compact flash support). Here's the list: Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD Card, Micro SD Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO. The volume control is also here (which is a little odd because the other controls are on the keyboard up by the display). On the sides are the usual USB, VGA, LAN, etc... Above the keyboard you will find the media controls, the on/off switch, and above the screen is the usual webcam and microphone.

Wireless: Supports older wireless specs "B" and "G" along with the newer "N" standard. You shouldn't have trouble connecting to wireless networks at home or traveling. This model does not support Blue Tooth.

Weight: At 5.02 lbs this feels pretty light and is a typical weight for 14" laptops.

Build quality: This one is always a little subjective but I found the build quality to be very good if a little boring. It's well made but there's not much trim or flash to it. There's a good side to boring: less stuff to break or scratch, and it lets Toshiba get that great display in this price range.

For the price anyone looking for a smaller and lighter laptop with a great display should be very happy here. As mentioned before serious gamers, travelers, and people planning on using an external display will probably want to keep shopping.

Linux Laptop5
I set this up with Ubuntu 64-bit and it works like a charm. It didn't have any silly driver issues (as I did with my previous (HP) laptop. It's solid, quiet and doesn't have the myriad of LED's glaring at you that seem to be so popular on other brands (HP). The keyboard has a good feel and spacing and clear (simple, legible). The touchpad buttons are a bit clicky but I only ever use an external mouse anyway.

I play World of Warcraft on it through wine over the wireless network and it works beautifully. Exactly what I wanted !

Toshiba Satellite L515-S49253
This is my third laptop which I like most is the size, the power is not on the side which you do not turn it off easily while you move it around. What I don't like is the sound that I have to add a speaker to make it a little bit louder while watching movies. Anyway, for entertaining, it is the best.

About Toshiba Satellite L515-S4925 14.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #21 in Personal Computers
  • Color: Black/Grey
  • Brand: Toshiba
  • Model: PSLF2U-00S00L
  • Dimensions: 1.50" h x 13.40" w x 9.13" l, 5.07 pounds
  • CPU: Intel Pentium M 2.1 GHz
  • Memory: 4000MB DDR2 SDRAM
  • Hard Disk: 320GB
  • Processors: 2
  • Native resolution: 14
  • Display size: 14

Features

  • 2.1GHz Intel Pentium T4200 Processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
  • 14" HD TruBrite Widescreen Display

Toshiba Satellite L515-S4925 14.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey Description

An affordable portable, the 14-inch Satellite L515 laptop gives you the essential tools for living life on the move, especially if you’re on a budget. Light enough to carry, but powerful enough to keep you going, it’s packed with innovative, eco-smart Toshiba advancementslike a brilliant HD TruBrite widescreen display and built-in Webcam with Face Recognitionto help you manage everyday tasks and have a great multimedia experience most anywhere. Perfect as a first laptop or portable addition for your busy lifestyle, it offers Intel dual-core processing power, great battery life and high-speed connectivity to make you more effective on the go. It’s also encased in a handsome high-gloss Fusion finished case with a Breeze pattern in Graphite Gray.


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Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop

Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop

We are interested in Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop Yes, I think that interesting .

BuZZ from Customer Shopping

Mac Mini low end model. A much better buy!5
So I got one of these little bad boys (the cheaper model) from the apple store the day after they came out. With a student discount it came out to be just under $600 after tax, so I figured why wait for it to be available on amazon for the same price.

I just ordered 4GB of ram for around $65 after tax and shipping. Just read on a few forums that once you put another gig of ram into the new lower end mac mini, the NVIDIA 9400M graphics card automatically allocates another 128MB of VRAM, making it have a total of 256MB VRAM (instead of 128MB in which it is originally configured with)!

For another $90 or so you can plop a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive into it. A faster drive then the higher end model comes with.

This makes it virtually pointless to pay another $200 for the $800 model, when you can pay a total of $760 for a model that is better:

- 4GBs of ram vs 2GB
- 320GB 7200RPM hard drive vs 320GB 5400RPM hard drive
- with the same NVIDIA 9400M 256VRAM

So whats the only draw back? You have to pop the baby open and install the ram and hard drive yourself.

Is that so bad? Not at all for me, but it may be for some. However there are already forums that contain detailed instructions with pictures and videos for doing so, and as long as you can follow instructions it should not be too difficult at all. It is also somewhat less difficult to deal with than previous models, in terms of installing ram and hard drive.

Oh, I forgot to mention that you can (at the moment, 3/9/09) also get a $6 rebate for sending the 1GB ram chip from your stock mac mini to OWC if you are planning to buy the 2x2GB modular set from them. Another good buy is a $30 USB2 sata enclosure to plop that extra 120GB hard drive into for a little extra storage.

Hope this helps in you purchasing decision.

Oh forgot to mention the computer itself. I upgraded from a 1.42 DP Powermac G4 (FW800) to give you a perspective. First off it is much, much quieter and runs very cool. I have now left it on for 3 days straight and it is still cool. Leaving it on all night while processing video and other processes no longer keeps me up due to the absence of loud oscillating fans. I also like the idea that it uses very low power for a desktop, since I'll keep it on most of the time.

The main reasons for jumping to the mac mini bandwagon for me was because of its FW800 and better video card (two things you will never be able to upgrade on a mac mini without swapping out the entire logic board, which is basically a new computer anyway).

Although it has FW800, I was a little leery to make the upgrade from my Powermac G4 because I have an external 16x DVD burner that uses FW400, an external hard drive with FW400, and a RAID drive with FW800. All of which I wanted to use with my mac mini.

Due to its only 1 FW800 port, I was left to speculate whether daisy chaining all of my external drives together via one FW800 port would actually work properly and efficiently. (FW400 HD to FW400 DVD-R to FW800 RAID HD to one Mac mini FW800 port?).

Seems like a stretch, but all the drives have their own power source, and I am not going to use the FW400 HD much, so I figured what the heck, if it didn't work, I'd have to shell out the extra cash to update my external drives to USB 2 if I wanted to keep the same configuration I'd been using for years.

Anyway to get to the point... It works! I can burn a DVD at 16x from the external burner with media from the RAID drive while watching video, editing photos, and swapping files all from the RAID drive in which the burner is daisy chained to with no hiccups. (Don't know that my old G4 would have been happy with this set up, but it had 2 FW400 ports along with a FW800, so I needn't try.)

For those of you I have lost... this means that the new mac mini is a solid performer and although it has less expandability than my previous mac (less ports, no PCI expansion slots, no upgradeable video cards and processors), it still gets the job done at a faster rate and at a lesser price than upgrades.

So far it has saved me processing time, space, and the utter sound of a power hungry loud fanned G4 buzzing in my ear!

One more thing. I use "PC only" software for work, so having a mac that can boot up in windows was a definite plus for me, and another large factor in my upgrading/buying decision.

Yet another great addition is dual display support for those of you who want to hook up a couple displays at once. And to comment on another review, the mac mini does support a VGA monitor (or 2!), you just have to pay an additional $20 for the adapter from apple (as it only comes with a Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter in the box). And although the quality is going to be better with a DVI monitor, you may want to hold onto your VGA until it poops out (especially if you are low on cash like me) because by that time DVI monitors will be even cheaper and better in quality. Just a thought! (Not to mention the difficulty and expense to recycle those old VGA's).


Update - April 12, 2009

Mac Mini is still great, I am just updating this review due to an important issue that was brought up by another reviewer in regards to upgrading Mac Minis.

Mac Minis have no user-serviceable parts inside according to apple, so upgrading it yourself may void the warranty. I did a little research on apple forums before I opened mine and found that the general consensus is if you break something, you void your warranty. If you don't break anything, it should not void your warranty, but ultimately depends on the apple authorized retailer's decision. If they can find that the defect was possibly caused from you opening it up, they may not uphold your warranty. For me the risk was worth it, as I have been working on macs for years, but definitely take this into consideration when installing yourself. I still recommend buying the low-end model as you can always upgrade it later if/when you want. If you are uneasy about upgrading yourself, you can always buy a larger hard drive and/or ram from OWC or another third party and have an authorized apple retailer install it for you. This will still save you a considerable amount of money and protect your warranty, as a money saving hassle free solution.

I would not like to be responsible in any way for people accidentally screwing up while installing their own ram/hard drive and possibly voiding their warranty. Sorry for not mentioning this issue previously in my review.

Awesome home system5
Just purchased am already very happy with the decision. This was a replacement system that I purchased for my wife - I am the home tech support resource and I was tired of constantly having to keep her system patched, updated and rebuilt (from XP to Vista SP1) in order to fight off ad/malware that was constantly infecting it.

Even though the hardware spec's for the Mini are lighter than the Vista system that it replaced, it is much snappier in browsing and using the included applications as compared to the Vista equivalents. One correction to the displayed specs on Amazon - the included adapter is a mini-DVI to full DVI adapter, not a DVI/VGA adapter as listed. If your old monitor does not support DVI, you will need to get a new monitor that supports it. Considering the graphics focus of Mac systems, this is a worthwhile investment in any case if you have an old VGA only monitor - the graphics will really "pop" when you convert to DVI.

Update will follow in a few weeks once I have the wife fully converted over to the new system.

A Powerful Machine For Many Things5
This Mac mini builds on the success of the last one. The biggest upgrade to the machine is the new graphics. With this change, movies and games perform much better.

Items of clarification: Currently the description on Amazon lists 4 USB ports, but there are actually five.

Also, the Mac mini no longer comes with an Apple Remote so if you're looking to use it as a media server, you may want to pick one of those up.

Our favorite upgrade in this new machine is the ability to handle more RAM. It can now address 4GB of RAM, and it is also DDR3 RAM so it performs much better.

Also, the upgrade to Firewire 800 allows for some very fast external drives if you're looking for increased storage.

We have a few hundred Mac minis performing as servers at macminicolo. According to our early benchmarks, this machine will be even better at for a server. No doubt this is due mainly to the faster, increased RAM.

About Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #250 in Personal Computers
  • Brand: Apple
  • Model: MB464LL/A
  • Dimensions: 10.00" h x 9.00" w x 7.00" l, 6.00 pounds

Features

  • Elegant, energy-efficient, compact desktop Mac measures 6.5 inches square, 2 inches tall--just add keyboard, mouse, and monitor
  • 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), 8x SuperDrive with dual-layer support
  • Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n); Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth 2.1; NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 256 MB of shared memory
  • Five USB 2.0 ports; one FireWire 800 port; Mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort video output
  • Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, iLife '09, and Front Row software included

Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop Description

The Mac Mini features the powerful 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. It has two cores, so it's like having two 2.0GHz processors in one! Another great feature is the suite of applications in iLife '09. Full-featured collections of programs that are designed to let you easily take control of your creative projects. iPhoto organizes your Digital pics, and has a cool feature that groups them by event. iWeb makes it easy to create your own website. iMovie & iDVD lets you Edit your videos and make your own DVD movies. GarageBand gives you the tools to make your own music, and even start your own virtual band! All of this and more are made from sleek, anodized aluminum with refined, rounded corners and a pearly white cover that can fit anywhere! NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB DDR3 Shared Video Memory Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+-RW DL/CD-RW) AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ports - 5 x USB 2.0, FireWire 800, Optical Digital Audio Output/Headphone out, Optical Digital Audio input/audio line in, Mini DisplayPort with support for DVI, and VGA, connections via Optional Adapter, RJ-45 (LAN) Approximate Unit Dimensions - 2 (H) x 6.5 (W) x 6.5 (D) Approximate Unit Weight - 2.9 Pounds


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