Chem USA Chembook 3830

WHAT'S HOT: The ChemBook 3830 boasts a sloping dark case, a fixed CD-RW drive for creating audio and data discs, and a set of useful dual-purpose buttons at the bottom of the keyboard. When set to CD mode, the buttons can play, pause, stop, or eject music CDs, even when the notebook is turned off. The lower half of the case juts out farther than the lid, keeping the controls in view and the stereo speakers sounding clear when you close the laptop.

When the notebook is on, flipping a switch to shortcut mode lets you use the four audio buttons to launch your favorite files or Web sites. To prevent an accidental bump from starting a CD or launching a file, the mode switch slides into a third position that locks both functions.

WHAT'S NOT: The ChemBook 3830 uses a 1-GHz Pentium III desktop processor instead of a mobile chip designed for notebooks. We noticed no overheating--once a problem with laptops that used desktop chips. However, the ChemBook 3830's use of a desktop processor means it lacks Intel's SpeedStep technology, which automatically reduces the processor speed and saves battery life when you unplug the notebook from an electrical outlet.

The parts could also be easier to access. The battery almost requires two people to remove: You must push a button while simultaneously sliding a switch and then (in the case of our test machine) use a screwdriver or another tool to pry out the sticky power pack. You can upgrade the storage and memory yourself, but the small screws securing the panels that cover them are easily damaged or fumbled--a vexing problem if you accidentally drop a screw into the notebook while trying to access the memory slots, which share a compartment with the fan. The ChemBook's keyboard lacks the ubiquitous Windows shortcut keys, which some typists may miss, and it suffers from the same wobbly feel that has plagued other ChemBooks we've looked at.

WHAT ELSE: Need to plug in more than one USB peripheral? The ChemBook 3830 offers two USB ports, one more than most notebooks. It also includes an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port for speeding up downloads from IEEE 1394-equipped digital camcorders and other equipment; you can also use it with a portable IEEE 1394 hard drive. The ChemBook's all-in-one design counterpoises those cutting-edge features with an unremovable floppy drive built into the front of the case.

With its 1-GHz Pentium-III desktop processor, our test unit earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of 79--a fairly respectable score, though we have not tested any other laptops with the same configuration.

At just under 3 hours, the ChemBook's battery life was about average. The preproduction documentation that arrived with our test machine seemed thorough, but it lacked an index and instructions on how to remove the hard drive. No electronic manual was included.

UPSHOT: Despite mildly disappointing performance for its configuration and a somewhat flimsy keyboard, the ChemBook 3830's storage, speed, and sizable screen make it a remarkable deal for a sub-$1500 portable.

SUMMARY

Chem USA ChemBook 3830 PC WorldBench 4 score of 79, 1-GHz Pentium III CPU, 256MB of RAM, 256MB L2 cache, Windows Millennium Edition, 14.1-inch active-matrix screen, S3 Twister graphics chip with 32MB of SDRAM, 20GB hard drive, 8X/4X/32X CD-RW drive, built-in V.90 modem and network adapter, touchpad pointing device, 7.7 pounds (including AC adapter and phone cord). One-year parts warranty, three-year labor warranty, free unlimited toll-call tech support 9 hours daily. $1499 800/866-2436 www.chemusa.com