Notebooks & Accessories

Tip: How to Find Low-Cost Notebooks

PC World notebook expert Carla Thornton's recent article, "How to Buy a Laptop on a Budget," is full of advice. Among other tips, Carla lists the features and capabilities you're likely to compromise on if you buy a notebook costing $1000 or less.

Here's what you may not get in a budget portable: top performance, weight less than 6 pounds, a screen 15 inches or larger, sophisticated ports (for connecting to a TV and so on), media card slots, high-end multimedia features, and the Windows XP Professional operating system with its additional security features.

Review: MPC's Snoop-Free Notebook

The stylin' silver MPC TransPort T2200 ($2972) features a biometric fingerprint reader embedded in the wrist rest that's designed to thwart thieves, hooligans, and the occasional miscreant. Registering your fingerprint is easy, says PC World reviewer Carla Thornton, but the security software runs extremely slowly upon boot up. Carla's advice: Use the fingerprint reader just to re-enter your password. Otherwise, it's much faster to gain access to your system using a password. The notebook performed well and comes with a number of features, such as a MultiMediaCard/SD Card/Memory Stick card reader and lots of legacy connections (including a PS/2 splitter).

News: IBM Recalls Overheating Power Adapters

If you're using an IBM ThinkPad I Series notebook purchased between January 1999 and August 2000, you're way past due for an upgrade. But if you can't bear to part with your old pal, you should at least get its AC adapter replaced. Why? Because power adapters for those portables can overheat and melt, posing a fire and electrical shock hazard to users. IBM is recalling the power adapters. Customers in the U.S. and Canada can call 800/410-5629 for a replacement. International customers should go to their nearest IBM Support Center.