Dell Latitude D430 (Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM, 40GB HDD, XP Home)

Description: This configuration of the Dell D430 is a 3.1-pound, ultra portable notebook computer. Compared to other ultra portable notebooks on the market, it is very inexpensive at around $1,180. Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.

Pros: Has only a 3.1-pound weight, which is considerably lighter than some similarly priced notebooks. In fact, the typical cost of a product with this light a weight is $2,105. This notebook boasts a SmartMedia card slot, making it easy to swap digital images, audio files, and other files with your palmtop.

Cons: Has only a 40GB hard drive, which is considerably smaller than some similarly priced notebooks. For example, the ASUSTek ASUS U6E , a 3.5-pound notebook at around $1, 215, has a 160GB hard drive. Also, this notebook has a CD-RW/DVD removable disc drive, which is considerably less favorable than some similarly priced notebooks. The Dell D430 comes with basic word processing software – if you often need access to special character sets you will likely need to upgrade to a more powerful office suite . Shared video memory has an adverse effect on system performance which may be okay for users with more modest graphics needs. Users with more demanding needs should look to a graphics solution that brings its own muscle.

Suitability: A ultra portable notebook, suited for traveling light. Bring along your favorite movies and watch them on your notebook with the included DVD player. This notebook also has a CD writer, allowing you to compile your own music CDs or video CDs. If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.

Value: In view of its very inexpensive price, this notebook has great features for the money. Generally, this economy-class model lacks sex appeal, but budget-minded consumers will like the low price.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room. (2) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital videocameras and other equipment to rapidly upload data to the computer hard drive.