Mobile Computing: Ideal Notebook Alternative

NOTEBOOKS & ACCESSORIES

Reader Pick: HyperData

Have you ever heard of a HyperData notebook? Before receiving an e-mail from John Holland of San Ramon, California, neither had I. Holland writes: "I wanted to put in a good word for computers that are never mentioned anywhere: the laptops from HyperData."

Holland bought a notebook from the Taiwan-based manufacturer in May 1998 and says it's never given him a moment's trouble. HyperData sells notebooks with Windows, Linux, or no operating system at all--another selling point in Holland's eyes. The company also offers ruggedized notebooks. But read the fine print. Tech support is through a toll number, and the company's return policy is less than attractive: no returns after 15 days from purchase date, plus a 15 percent restocking fee and 6 percent processing fee.

News: Gateway Notebook Features Flash Memory Formats

Gateway appears to be the first to market with a notebook that supports all the leading removable flash memory standards. A new configuration of Gateway's 400L portable includes ports for CompactFlash, Secure Digital, Sony Memory Stick, SmartMedia, IBM Microdrive, and MultiMediaCard media. Aside from giving digital photographers an easy way to transfer files, the notebook's flash memory support means you can quickly back up data files on the road using one of several small storage card formats.

The $999 notebook has a 1.8-GHz Intel Celeron processor, 256MB of DDS SDRAM, a 30GB hard drive, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, and two USB 2.0 ports.

News: Fast, Flexible Storage From Addonics

While we're on the subject of storage, Addonics Technologies has come up with a multiformat flash memory reader/writer that connects to PCs and Macs via a FireWire or USB 2.0 port. The Mini DigiDrive can read and write to the same formats as the aforementioned Gateway notebook and is lightweight (5 ounces) and compact (4.53 inches wide by 1.2 inches deep by 3.0 inches high). Because many Windows notebooks have 4-pin FireWire ports instead of 6-pin ports, with the FireWire version Addonics includes an adapter cable that converts 6-pin to 4-pin. The FireWire model lists for $89; the USB 2.0 Mini DigiDrive is $42.

You can use the PCWorld.com Product Finder to shop for the best prices on the USB 2.0 model.