Panamax Elite 6033D

WHAT'S HOT: The Amax Elite 6033D provides both legacy and cutting-edge connections. In addition to a PS/2 mouse/ keyboard port and a parallel port for attaching older peripherals, it includes a FireWire port, three USB 2.0 ports (one more than usual), and both Secure Digital and Memory Stick slots. This is the first notebook we've tested to come with a 2.8-GHz desktop Pentium 4 processor. But judging from the PC WorldBench 4 scores earned by laptops with processors of similar speed, the 6033D's performance is on target. It pulled down a PC WorldBench 4 score of 115, a little over the average of 111 for notebooks with the 2.4-GHz chip. Many of the 6033D's best features are conveniently located on its front, including the optical drive (a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combination drive in our unit), an on/off button for wireless scanning, and audio buttons. When scanning is on, the wireless button glows with an orange color you can't miss.

WHAT'S NOT: The 2-hour battery life is below par, and the sound of the stereo speakers reminded us of a transistor radio.

WHAT ELSE: If you like offbeat notebook colors, you will admire the 6033D's purple case, offset by a black keyboard. At 1.8 inches thick, the 6033D looks heavy, but it weighs a reasonable 7.2 pounds (not including its power adapter). The 6033D's keyboard is pleasantly firm and comfortably slanted, thanks to two rubber feet on the bottom of the case.

Four programmable launch buttons provide handy shortcuts to frequently used files or programs; a four-way scroll button lets you move horizontally as well as vertically. You can upgrade the memory and storage yourself, and you can also swap out the optical drive for a floppy drive, available for an extra $28. A nicely detailed "getting started" flyer covers a lot of ground, including parts identification. Most of the product information, however, comes on CD. This electronic manual seemed complete, though we found a couple of broken links.