Its Intel Celeron processor runs at 500 MHz, with an integrated 128 KB 12 cache. The laptop includes one Type II PC Card slot, built-in stereo speakers with 3D sound support, two USB ports, a VGA port, and a software suite that includes Windows Millennium, Microsoft Works Suite 2000, Norton AntiVirus 5.0, and Gateway GoBack restoration software. A 4MB Synchronous Graphics RAM (SGRAM), a Silicon Motion Graphics Controller, and 3D graphics capabilities make the computer a proficient machine for graphic design. Gateway, North Sioux City, SD, (800) GATEWAY, www.gateway.com.

From Acer, the TravelMate 520 series of laptops offers a three-spindled, all-in-one notebook at an affordable price. The TravelMate 520 weighs 6.1 lbs., and features a modular bay to accommodate a 20X CD-ROM or a 6X DVD along with ATI’s Mobility M1 video chipset with 8MB of VRAM for quality multimedia performance. The 520 series provides a 14.1” active matrix XGA screen, while a 2X AGP 3D graphics accelerator delivers fast graphics in 16.7 million colors. With additional support for video conferencing and video mail, the TravelMate 520 series can be purchased with an optional USB camera and Acer’s EasyAccess and EasyXpress software.

The laptop features two USB ports and a parallel/serial port adapter for connection to all input devices. Both 10/100 Ethernet and 56K modem connections are included. The series comes loaded with Windows 98 Second Edition, MS Works 2000 and Acer’s TimeMachine technology, which enables customers to restore system settings easily in the event of a crash. Acer America, San Jose, CA, (800) SEE-ACER, www.acer.com.

The iBook from Macintosh now offers twice the memory and twice the memory expandability of its previous model. A 6GB hard disk offers more data storage than ever before. All models come with 64MB of RAM, expandable to 320MB, and a built-in CD-ROM drive. For high graphics performance, an ATI RAGE Mobility graphics controller with 4MB of SDRAM video memory allows for 2D and 3D graphics acceleration and enhanced QuickTime movie playback.

Processor speeds range from 300 MHz to 366 MHz. Each model includes a 56K modem and a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port. Mac OS 9, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator come installed on the hard drive. The iBook also features a 12.1” TFT active-matrix display and a convenient carrying handle. The durable iBook has no latches to break, and can be safely thrown in a backpack.

Also from Apple, the PowerBook weighs just 5.7 lbs. and features speeds up to 500 MHz, with room for up to 512MB of RAM. Up to 18GB of hard disk space and a 14.1” TFT active matrix display make this an ideal machine for graphics and video presentations. It includes an ATI RAGE Mobility 128 video controller and 8MB of video memory. A DVD-ROM drive is included, and two built-in 400 Mbps FireWire ports allow for the transfer of large digital video and graphics files from a DV camcorder or external hard drive. Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA, (800) 538-9696, www.apple.com.

Dell’s Latitude CPt S is a customizable notebook computer designed for affordability and high performance. Customers can choose a processor speed of 450 or 500 MHz, with memory ranging from 32MB to 512MB using 100 MHz SDRAM. Storage space ranges from 4.8GB to 18GB. Other customizable features include a 24X/10X variable CD-ROM drive, an optional CD Read-Write drive, an optional 56K modem, an 8X DVD module, and a monitor size of either 12.1” or 14.1”.

The graphics component of the laptop includes 8MB of integrated video memory and an ATI Mobility M1 64-bit hardware accelerated 2X Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). The unit also includes one serial port, one parallel port, one video port, one PS/2 style port for keyboard and mouse, one infrared port, one audio port, one USB port, and one docking port. Customers can choose from Microsoft Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows 2000. The weight of the unit starts at 6.1 lbs. Dell Corp., Round Rock, TX, (800) WWW-DELL, www.dell.com.

This article originally appeared in the 09/01/2000 issue of THE Journal.