Mobile Computing: Vibrant Notebook Screens

By James A. Martin, PCWorld Dec 30, 2004 1:00 AM

Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips

Notebook First Look: HP's Media Center ZD8000

HP's new Pavilion ZD8000 is well equipped to entertain, with Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2005 operating system; 1GB of system memory; ATI's Mobility X600 graphics chip with 256MB of graphics memory; a 17-inch wide-screen display; a separate unit that contains two TV tuners, an FM tuner, an infrared port for use with the included remote control, and composite-in and S-Video-in ports; and guaranteed face time with Jessica Simpson. (I just wanted to make sure you're still reading.)

PC World's Kalpana Ettenson gives the system a thumbs up, except for one big problem: the notebook weighs 12.2 pounds with its huge AC adapter. It's not really designed for mobile professionals, though; it's more for consumers who want an entertainment computer they can move from room to room.

Pricing starts at $1400, but you'll spend about $2549 for a model with the specs I just described.

Notebook Accessories: Portable Speakers With Punch

Klipsch's new $100 ProMedia Ultra 2.0 packs desktop-sound quality into a portable speaker set, says PC World's Eric Dahl. Although they're a bit bulky, the speakers produce crisp and detailed high to midrange response and surprisingly good bass, especially when compared with other portable speaker sets.

PDA News: Treo 650 Storage Crunch

PalmOne's new Treo 650 smart phone uses flash memory instead of the dynamic RAM that the earlier Treo 600 uses. Problem is, the switch has unintentionally reduced the amount of memory available to Treo 650 users. The result: The files you had on a Treo 600 might not all fit on the 650. To help users get around this, PalmOne is offering a free 128MB expansion card to Treo 650 owners.

PalmOne switched to flash memory because it better protects data in the event of battery failure and because PalmOne handheld owners have been asking the company to switch to flash memory for years, according to a PalmOne spokesperson. For more details, read "New File System Constrains Treo 650 Storage Capacity."

Gadget First Look: An IPod for Music and Pictures

Apple's new IPod Photo makes it easy to look at your favorite photos and listen to your top tunes on one device. But the high price tag--$499 for a 40GB version and $599 for a 60GB model--isn't a pretty picture, says PC World reviewer Cathy Lu. The 2-inch, 65,000-color display is beautiful and crisp, but it's a bit small for viewing photos, Cathy adds.

You can check our Product Finder for the latest prices.

Travel Tech: Airlines May Offer Cell Phone Check-In

Beginning in 2005, you may be able to use your mobile phone to skip the airport check-in line. Air industry organization SITA and Siemens Business Services recently announced they'll be offering such a service by mid-2005. Many U.S.-based airlines are interested in beta testing it, says a SITA spokesperson.

In-Flight Entertainment: Movie Downloads vs. Netflix

Netflix, an online service that mails DVD rentals to your address, has long been popular with notebook-toting frequent flyers. For a flat monthly fee, you can rent DVDs to watch on your notebook in flight without fretting over late fees.

So how well do online movie download services such as Movielink and Starz Ticket on Real Movies compare to Netflix? PC World's Dan Tynan says the download sites are a good idea done poorly, with technical glitches and limited selections. For now, Netflix is still the way to go--and it could be even more appealing when the company launches its own download service next year in partnership with TiVo.