MPC (Micron PC) TransPort T2000

WHAT'S HOT: Slim and sleek, the blue-and-silver TransPort T2000 measures only 1.2 inches thick and has a minimum weight of just 5.2 pounds. When the notebook is closed, a flashy-looking cutout in the front center of the lid leaves exposed a status LCD and a set of audio controls, including volume buttons for using the machine as a stand-alone CD player without having to boot it up.

For the security-conscious, a biometric fingerprint reader is embedded in the palm rest. You can configure the reader, which runs at BIOS level, to control access at multiple points, including logging on, activating or deactivating the Windows screen saver, and opening files. We found it easy to set up: To "enroll" a fingerprint, you simply press your finger against the window three times, and the Touchchip Protector Suite software flashes the words good image and matched as it compares and merges the three impressions. Thereafter, pressing your finger once in the window, when prompted, allows access. You can enroll up to ten fingerprints.

WHAT'S NOT: The T2000 may look like a disco king with its fancy music controls, but the stereo sound--like that of most notebooks--is lacking in volume and high-frequency response.

WHAT ELSE: Well-equipped, the T2000 covers all your connection needs by offering both new and legacy notebook ports, including FireWire, S-Video TV-out, and two USB 2.0 ports, plus parallel, serial VGA, and PS/2 connections. In addition, MPC pushes it one step beyond most other legacy-equipped notebooks by throwing in a Y-cable for attaching both a PS/2 keyboard and a PS/2 mouse simultaneously. For offices that require legacy connections, the T2000 is the choice over MPC's T2100, an identical notebook with the newer Pentium M processor but lacking parallel, serial, and PS/2 ports.

One modular bay, located on the right side of the T2000, holds the optical drive (a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combination model in our case), the included floppy drive, or an optional secondary hard drive. Everything is contained in a fairly compact machine that weighs 6.8 pounds with the optical drive and AC power adapter, and only 5.2 pounds if you swap the drive out for the bundled weight-saving dummy module.

The T2000's memory slots and battery are easy to find, thanks to clear labels stamped on the bottom of the case. Our test machine's two memory slots were filled with dual 256MB RAM modules. Together they cost $75 less than a single 512MB module, but choosing the latter option allows you to upgrade later on without having to toss out RAM. Reaching the hard drive requires removing three screws on the bottom and pulling the front piece of the case off.

The keyboard has an intuitive layout, though the keys feel a bit loose. You can set the three shortcut buttons to launch frequently used applications or Web sites. Combination keystrokes turn the built-in 802.11b wireless scanning on or off, an arrangement that's not as convenient as a hardware switch, but better than software control. An all-too-rare external power gauge allows you to quickly check remaining battery life without having to power up.

One minor complaint: Trying to open the lid is confusing at first because the release appears to be in the cutout with the audio controls, but it's actually on the front of the notebook.

The T2000 is a good performer overall. Our 2.5-GHz Pentium 4-M, Windows XP Professional-equipped unit garnered a strong PC WorldBench 4 score of 121--significantly better than the score of 112 earned by the only other notebook we've tested with this processor, a Toshiba Satellite 1955-S803 with the same RAM allotment of 512MB but running XP Home.

The T2000's lithium ion battery lasted 2.9 hours on one charge. A bridge battery, another rare feature, allows you to hot-swap batteries (a second one costs $99 extra). The only printed user documentation is a getting-started poster with support phone numbers and a brief troubleshooting section; however, a slightly disorganized but overall useful manual comes on CD-ROM.

UPSHOT: The T2000 is a notebook with striking looks and solid performance, and it's easy on the shoulders when you're running for a plane.