Technology
The Laptop of Luxury
Diana Forbes
11/10/07 - 10:07 AM EST
Check out this hot laptop and some add-ons.
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T-6815 GATEWAY LAPTOP $899.99 http://www.gateway.com |
Upside: Price and style
Downside: Weight Out of the box, one of the first things you'll notice are the front panel hook-ups for audio/video. Searching for them on the side can be a hassle, especially on a dark or crowded flight. Big news here is the slick style and the fantastic price. The black casing, larger-than-usual touchpad and great guts make this a laptop to consider for the road. The model we tried had the following specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 processor (1.5GHz)
14.1-inch WXGA display
1024 DDR2 memory
160GB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive
1.3 Megapixel Webcam
Multimedia panel/Windows Vista Hot-Start
Multiformat double-layer DVD-R/RW drive
5-in-1 Digital Media Reader
6-cell battery
Integrated 802.11n wireless
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Microsoft Works 8.5 The T-Series models start as low as $749, and at that price you could get two. My only tweak would be the 5 lb, 5 oz weight but that's what ultra portables are made for.
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USB MASSAGER $15 http://www.comfortbody.com |
Downside: Zingy hands Plug this into the USB plug and then slide your fingers through the holes of this device for a quick on-the-go, stress-relieving mini massage. There are rubber nodules that also address your palms, not to mention the muscles between the index finger and the thumb. This device is a must-have for all BlackBerry users. On the flipside, it should be noted that after use your hands may tingle a bit, so you might want to wait a few minutes before jumping back into action.
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FINGER MOUSE $17.99 http://www.usbfever.com |
Downside: Not for long-time use Attach this device to your index finger via a velcro strap and use it as a mouse. The left button, right button and scroll wheel are all activated by your thumb. While this is a great novelty and quite innovative, it's hard to imagine typing a legal brief with it. The Finger Mouse might be a great escape from the old mouse or touchpad, but it's probably best for general tasks like reading email or scanning the Web. Site to See: LiveMocha.com Learn a language from a native at this new social networking site. It's in beta, or testing mode, so now would be a good time to join. There are audio/videos that make it so much easier to pick up catch phrases or basics you might need to buy a beer or find the nearest bathroom.