Amazon.com: Acer TravelMate 2301LC - Celeron M 320 / 1.3 GHz - RAM 256 MB - HDD 30 GB - CD-RW / DVD - Extreme Graphics 2 - Win XP Home - 15" TFT 1024 x 768 ( XGA ) - Microsoft Office Ready: Computers & Accessories

Technical Details

Product Description

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
A value-priced, entry-level portable computer for those who can't justify the cost of an upscale model, the Acer TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH Notebook PC is far from the most powerful or feature-laden notebook on the market. The system's CPU is not particularly strong, its 3D graphic capabilities are somewhat limited, and its hard drive isn't overly spacious. Hence it is not an ideal choice for graphic designers, gamers, or demanding business professionals. However, it does deliver desirable amenities as CD burning, DVD playback and wireless connectivity. Moreover, it's a comfortably lightweight unit that certainly won't break the bank. If you don't foresee going beyond basic notebook tasks such as contact management, word processing, photo organization and e-communication, and you don't want to drain your pocketbook, you may have found what you're looking for.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH features a Mobile Intel Celeron processor running at 1.3 GHz. Although this is a new and much improved version of the venerable Celeron chip, it remains a midlevel processor that is best suited to midlevel duties. If you intend to run ultra-high-end processor-intensive applications, you will encounter degraded performance.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH incorporates 256 MB of RAM. This is considered the minimum accepted allotment of RAM in the current notebook environment. You will need to upgrade to 512 MB or the unit's 1 GB maximum if you intend to engage in lots of multitasking or run sophisticated applications that rely upon memory to operate at full capability

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output, particularly that of 3D graphics, to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" built-in video memory is preferable to one with "shared" video memory wherein the graphics controller borrows a portion of the all-important main system memory. The cost-effective Intel Extreme Graphics 2 chipset installed inside the TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH is integrated to the mainboard and features 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) video memory. Thusly, the unit is not ideal for anyone who deals with visually demanding applications such as the latest 3D games or 3D graphics design.

Display
The integrated 15-inch display features a maximum resolution of 1024 by 768. These are standard figures for entry-level and mid-grade notebooks.

Hard Disk
Compared to the spacious 80 GB-plus hard drives found in some of today's pricier notebooks, the 30 GB model inside the TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH is most definitely small. Nevertheless, a drive of this size does save you money. Furthermore, 30 GB is enough space for many notebook users. Though it won't provide enough room for a large library of space-hogging multimedia files, it does offer sufficient space for a standard number of mobile apps and user-created files.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Most drives support several of these tasks. This system features a CD-RW/DVD drive, through which you can do all of the above except burn DVDs.

Audio
The TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH is equipped with stereo speakers, a built-in microphone, and a mono line in and out.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 88-key Acer FineTouch keyboard with embedded numeric keypad and hotkeys, a touchpad with two mouse buttons and a four-way integrated scroll button.

Connectivity and Expansion
The TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH is equipped with practical amenities such as a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras. The system does not include an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), a memory card reader, or wireless communication. Operating System and Software
Acer will pre-install a copy of Microsoft's Windows Home Edition operating system and a small assortment of multimedia utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and too cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that usually aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two or three lbs. and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH is slightly smaller than today's average at just 6.4 lbs and 14.3 by 11 by 1.5 inches.

Power
One of the most important aspects of a notebook computer is battery efficiency. The TravelMate TM2301LC-XPH delivers up to two hours of use between charges, an average amount in today's notebook world.