Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140 in Personal Computers
• Color: Black
• Brand: Sony
• Model: VGN-Z550N/B
• Dimensions: 1.30″ h x 12.40″ w x 8.30″ l, 3.31 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.4 GHz
• Memory: 3000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 13.1

Features

• Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor (2.40GHz), 3MB L2 cache
• Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1/XP downgrade
• 13.1″ widescreen LCD with XBRITE-DuraView technology & LED backlight
• 3GB of pre-installed RAM & a roomy 250GB Serial ATA hard drive
• Biometric fingerprint scanner & hybrid graphics system

Amazon.com Product Description
Built tough for business, the Sony VAIO VGN-Z550N/B blends easy portability with high-performance computing. Weighing just 3.31 pounds, this Z-series notebook offers a 13.1-inch screen featuring scratch-resistant XBRITE-DuraView LCD and a 250 GB hard drive with Sony’s G-Sensor Shock Protection technology. A multi-layer carbon-fiber casing covers the LCD panel and bottom of the chassis to help protect against knocks and bumps, and a seamless aluminum keyboard panel adds structural rigidity to help keep internal components protected. And with up to 9 hours of standard battery life, it has the stamina to power you through your most demanding applications.

The durable, business-ready VAIO Z notebook in black.

It’s powered by the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor–with Centrino 2 technology–which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. The 2.40 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 includes a quick 1066 MHz front-side bus and 3 MB of L2 cache, providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multimedia and multitasking performance. This VAIO Z notebook also features Sony’s Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you toggle between internal Intel GMA 4500MHD and external NVIDIA GeForce 9300M graphics chips, enabling you to choose lighter battery consumption or better performance depending on the situation.

With the integrated wireless WAN, you can access the national Sprint Mobile Broadband service (subscription required) to extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks and hotspots, giving you the freedom to go farther, do more, and stay connected. Communicate with pals all around with world via VoIP calling and video conferencing using the built-in microphone and Motion Eye camera (with zoom function). Other features include 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), quad-mode Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity (including stereo music streaming), ExpressCard 34 slot, both Memory Stick and SD card readers, and pre-installed Windows Vista Business with SP1 (available XP downgrade on Windows Vista Business only).

This Sony notebook is Energy Star 4.0 certified, and has received a Silver EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact. Additionally, it is RoHS-compliant, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

Security Enhancements
Sony’s VAIO Z-series notebooks take security seriously, employing a biometric fingerprint sensor and proprietary hard disk drive protection software to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use as well as accidental damage. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy–you only need your fingerprint. It also includes an integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver.1.2 compliant chip that enhances security by allowing you to control access on a specific client/user basis.

Spec Check 13.1-inch XBRITE-DuraView LCD screen 2.40 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor 250 GB hard drive 3 GB RAM (4 GB maximum) Dual-layer DVD±R drive Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth with stereo music streaming Hybrid Graphics System: Intel GMA 4500MHD & Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS Windows Vista Business with SP1 (XP downgrade available) Weighs 3.31 pounds

The Basics

• Processor: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology. This processor has a 2.40 GHz processor speed, super-sized 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology improves upon every facet of a laptop’s main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless, and new business-class manageability capabilities. The new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet.

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It’s optimized for multitasking and it can run multiple demanding applications–such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications–while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background.

   

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement like being dropped, the HDD-head will lock up to secure its position and protect the disc from scratching. An intelligent algorithm, unique to VAIO PCs, judges whether or not a movement is risky, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.

   

• Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC3-8500, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that’s shared with this notebook’s video card. It also offers a top-of-class 1066 MHz speed. This notebook has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed. 
• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data–great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD±R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD±R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x. 
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 82-key keyboard (2mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad.

The VAIO Z focuses in on the details.

Screen, Video & Audio
The 13.1-inch XBRITE-DuraView LCD has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels–perfect for added screen real estate as well as watching movies in 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Sony’s DuraView LCD technology utilizes a special hard coating on the LCD to help defend against scratching and general wear and tear. It also has an LED backlight, which provides lower power consumption for improved battery life as well as incredibly high brightness levels that amplify the color display.This notebook uses Sony’s exclusive Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you set your graphics performance with a simple flick of a switch, enabling you to toggle between an internal graphics chip for optimal power consumption with excellent performance or an external graphics chip for even more robust performance. You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (with up to 1300 MB of dynamically allocated video memory) or the installed Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics card (with up to 1370 MB of shared video RAM). This notebook also has an integrated Intel High Definition audio card.

Enabled by PureVideo HD, the Nvidia GeForce 9300M helps movies come to life with outstanding picture clarity, ultra-smooth video and vivid color. The lifelike images have up to six times the detail of standard DVD movies. Delivering state-of-the-art graphics performance, GeForce 9300M GS graphics card is sure to give you the power and performance you crave to play the hottest DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 titles.

This Intel GMA 4500MHD is built with Intel Clear Video technology, which delivers clearer, more detailed images by eliminating many of the jagged edges and video artifacts seen when viewing interlaced content and features powerful color control to ensure videos are not too dark, overly bright, or washed out.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Go beyond LAN networks and find the internet virtually anywhere with integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology via optional Sprint Mobile Broadband EV-DO service (software included, subscription required)–helping you to keep connected without having to hunt for a Wi-Fi coffee shop. Sony’s SmartWi technology seamlessly integrates your wireless Wide Area Network (WAN), office/home Wi-Fi LAN, and Bluetooth options, enabling you to toggle among your wireless connectivity options depending on your surroundings.

Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN LAN chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It’s also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range–great for closed office environments). You also get super-fast wired connectivity, with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).

With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones as well as enjoy wireless stereo music streaming (thanks to its embedded A2DP profile). This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (though no PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here’s the full list of connectivity options:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• Analog video output: 1 VGA
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
• Microphone/line-in
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90/V.92)
• Port replicator connector

The VAIO Z’s ports (see larger version).

Operating System
The Windows Vista Business (SP1) operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family’s use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare anti-virus and recovery (trial version), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student (60-day trial), Sony Click to Disk Editor (CD and DVD burning), VAIO Movie Story (video editing), VAIO MusicBox

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 12.4 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 3.3 pounds.

Power
It’s powered by the VGP-BPS12 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 3 and 6 hours (depending on usage). This laptop is compliant with Energy Star 4.0 specifications, meaning that it uses less power and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by meeting very strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

What’s in the Box
This package contains the VGN-Z550N/B notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.

Customer Reviews

Best 13″ laptop on the market!!
I researched and read endless reviews on many laptops before making my decision and overall I am very satisified with my purchase of the sony Z530N. It does everything I need and more. Apple although popular because of all the advertising is not that reliable. The hardware has many issues from bad screens, system shutdowns, battery life, etc. Apple is great at promoting thier product however, they need to invest more time in quality control. I am happy to be a PC and look forward to future sony purchases.

A great Machine at the end of the WindowsXP era
I bought this machine after a lot of research & consideration. Mine came with he option to “roll back” to WindowsXP Professional AND the two DVDs to roll it back were included. I would not have bought this machine without that option. VISTA is a terrible opporating system! But, still I had tons of crapware loaed up from SONY on their roll back DVDs to get rid of. I wish SONY would not load up all that software by default. However, the machine is very complicated and I like that SONY had the critical drivers on those XP roll back DVDs. Had a better equipped machine been available for XP I would have bought it. There is a lot to this little machine and it is FAST, at least with XP. But there is a lot to be desired. For one, the default SONY settings don;t even set up the software to address and take advantage of that huge 6 MB of L2 cache. For another, by default, the DDR3 RAM is set to run at a lower speed. Also, I find the instructions, guidelines and recommendations for battery charging & care to be confusing. Otherwise I would give this machine a 5-star rating. SONY has a very slow loading website and SONY does not allow users much in the way of options when configuring a notebook. If I didn’t need this fast processor with its huge L2 cache for voice recognition, I would have bought something at half the price with more standard warranty coverage, better support and a lot less crapware. SONY needs to listen to its customers and give us what we want rather than dictate to us, especially when they want so much money for on of these!

excellent all around laptop with some minor problem
When I first saw this laptop at local electronics store, I immediately knew that this is the laptop that I will be getting. Solid build, great look, light and powerful for such a small notebook. Although my laptop arrived with the express card slot flap messed up, it did not ruin my love for this lovely laptop. The monitor is super thin and covered in one material, the keyboard area is covered in a slippery albeit comfy metal feeling material, the bottom is composed of another kind of material and the battery is in its own kind. It sounds like a clump of non matching stuff, but they fit and the design is flawless. For such a small laptop, all the necessary ports are there (vga, 2 usb, ethernet, modem, express slot, wireless, sound i/o). The monitor is super bright if you turn it all the way up, which I doubt you will. It is clean and sharp, however it doesn’t glare as bad as some other types of monitor. For the keyboard, I don’t know if its my hand or what, but I tend to miss a few letters when typing which may come annoying but it happens rarely and most typing program catches typos for you.
My main complaint would be that Sony’s crapware really clogs up the system. For the more adventurous souls out there, if you have a stand alone copy of windows vista, WIPE THE SYSTEM AND REINSTALL! I guarantee you this beast will kill your average desktop. Sony’s driver website provides all the important drivers in which one should have no problem when reinstalling. Windows 7 users might have some problems as I have yet to be able to get the fn adjust brightness keys to work.
The hybrid graphic switch system is really great. It switches really fast and smooth. However as per the power that is saved.. I would say it only differs by about 30 to 50 minutes of work. I have yet to really get the battery to over 5 hours. Dont’ know how they adjusted it but I’ve only managed about 4 hours with bluetooth wireless dvd drive off, and screen to lowest. The laptop under prolonged use does not get hot. Unlike other brands of laptop that just heats up like a stove, sony did a surprisingly incredible job on heat control and truly deserves your attention.
My biggest gripe on this laptop will be on the battery however. The battery takes forever to charge from 80% to 100% and loses charge quickly from 100% to 80%. It took me 5 hours just to get from 90% to 100% one time, and while off, it lost 18% in 15 hours. So somehow, the battery likes to stay below.. 80% charge.
Regardless, it is an excellent laptop. Excellent build quality and great design. It is incredible !

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: DV7-1240US
• Dimensions: 1.31″ h x 11.22″ w x 15.59″ l, 11.00 pounds
• CPU: AMD Turion 64 2.1 GHz
• Memory: 4000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 320GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 17

Features

• Entertainment-centric notebook PC with fluid, modern lines in bronze and chrome with argyle-like patterning; widescreen 17-inch LCD
• 2.1 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 dual-core processor, 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM (8 GB max), LightScribe dual-layer DVD drive
• Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); Gigabit Ethernet; ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics (up to 1918 MB total)
• Connectivity: 4 USB (with 1 shared eSATA), 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (64-bit version); includes remote control

Amazon.com Product Description
Offering an eye-catching modern look, the entertainment-focused HP Pavilion dv7-1240us notebook PC makes it easy to enjoy your favorite music and videos while on the go, as well as keep you productive with a speedy dual-core processor and 64-bit Windows Home Vista Premium operating system. The 17-inch high-definition BrightView display looks good even in direct sunlight, and you’ll enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process). Control playback settings from up to 10 feet away with the included HP remote, then store it conveniently in the Express card slot. Turn your next instant message into a live video chat with the integrated webcam and omni-directional microphone. Optimized for low-light environments, it’s great for capturing short videos to share on your favorite social networking site.

It offers dual-core productivity from its 2.1 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 processor. HP’s ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection locks your 320 GB hard drive into place when it senses abrupt motion to help prevent data loss. The built-in eSATA/USB combo port enables fast backup to an external hard drive. Other features include 4 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics with up to 1918 MB of available memory, dual-layer Lightscribe DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 54 slot, quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), and 5-in-1 memory card reader.

High Style
Expanding on the sophisticated elegance of HP’s notebook design from the past few years, the new DV series is defined by fluid, modern lines and metalized finishes. The HP Intersect Imprint finish in bronze and chrome encases all surfaces visible during normal use for greater durability. And the Intersect Imprint features an argyle-like pattern for subtle contrast to the liquid appearance of the metallic finish. The streamlined look is enhanced with a color-matched keyboard and touchpad. And touch media controls light up and become visible only when the system is powered on further enhancing the clean appearance.

Spec Check 17-inch LCD screen 2.1 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 processor 320 GB hard drive 4 GB RAM (8 GB maximum) Dual-layer LightScribe DVD±R drive Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics (up to 1918 MB total) Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit, SP1) Weighs 7.64 pounds

The Basics

• Processor: The 2.1 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 processor offers a dual-core architecture, which delivers additional computing resources to help expand your PC’s capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing–increasing your performance by up to 80 percent. You’ll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly thanks to the innovative Direct Connect Architecture. And it’s designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance. You’ll enjoy long battery life thanks to the AMD PowerNow! power management technology, which delivers performance on demand and can extend system battery life up to 65 percent. And the AMD Digital Media XPress technology delivers stellar multimedia performance and playback on digital entertainment such as games, streaming video and audio, DVDs, and music.It has a 1 MB L2 cache, and this processor can deliver up to 4.0 GT/sec. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance.)

   

• Hard Drive: The large 320 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.You’ll enjoy enhanced hard drive protection with HP’s Protectsmart, which includes a 3D accelerometer that safeguards your data by parking your hard drive if your notebook detects any range of motion, such as being knocked off your desk, falling or taking abuse.

   

• Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM helps boost the amount of available video RAM that’s shared with this notebook’s video card. This notebook has an amazing 8 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 2 GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed. 
• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.This LightScribe DVD±RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label–anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.

   

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard (with integrated numeric keypad) and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).

Screen, Video & Audio
You’ll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 17-inch WXGA high-definition screen, which has a widescreen resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels–perfect for watching DVD movies the way they were meant to be seen. Video is powered by the ATI Radeon HD 3200 with RS780M chipset, which features 64 MB of DDR2 sideport memory and up to 1918 MB total graphics memory (as allocated by the operating system). The AMD 780 Chipset series lets you connect to a wide range of the latest HD panels by supporting numerous display technologies. Take advantage of ATI SurroundView to support up to four monitors. It also offers support for Microsoft DirectX 10, providing compatibility with today’s most advanced and graphic-intensive games and applications.The Altec Lansing speakers provide exceptional sound, and it also includes SRS Premium Sound. You’ll be able to privately share enjoyment of multimedia with a friend via the dual headphone jacks.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It’s also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range–great for closed office environments).

It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. It comes with the following external connectors:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players (with 1 eSATA + USB 2.0 combo port)
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• Analog video output: 1 VGA
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
• 2 headphone jacks
• 1 microphone jack
• 1 Expansion Port 3 connector (for use with the HP xb3000 Expansion Base or the HP Notebook QuickDock)
• 1 IR receiver
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
• 10/100 Fast Ethernet networking
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
The 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family’s use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software

• HP MediaSmart Software Suite: Your one-stop multimedia and entertainment center to create photo slideshows, share personal videos, listen to your favorite music playlists and watch DVD movies.
• muvee autoProducer Basic: Automatically create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD.
• Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe: Automatically fix and edit videos and create CDs and DVDs. Edit, burn and archive data to discs.
• Microsoft Works 9: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar.
• Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 (60-day trial version).
• Adobe Reader 8: Read and print PDF files.
• Norton Internet Security 2009 protects your PC and your identity when you email, bank and shop online; 60 days of protection updates included.

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook PC measures 15.6 x 11.22 x 1.31 inches and weighs 7.64 pounds.

Power
It’s powered by an 8-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 2 hours (depending on usage).

What’s in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion dv7-1240us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, IR remote control, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

Reduce your impact on the environment with this Energy Star-certified system and HP’s innovative take-back options, including trade-in, recycling and donation.

Customer Reviews

Excellent
Great Product!!!
Very pleased with seller! shipped on time and arrived very quickly in perfect condition with all accessories (power cables, manuals, etc.) Packed very well with air pockets all around for protection.

nice laptop
nice laptop for the money, couldn’t find a better one at this price, definitely worth it

Great laptop
this is a great laptop very fast i am curently in iraq and the internet over here isnt the best my old laptop couldnt even download updates but this one downloads them fast and for the key issue it is not even that bad you can see the keys fine you might have to shift your head a lil but for the price and what this laptop can do it is totaly worth it i recomend this laptop to everyone

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2413 in Camera & Photo
• Color: silver
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: SDR-S7S
• Dimensions: 2.47″ h x 1.22″ w x 4.50″ l, 4.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Capture video to flash memory
• 10x optical zoom
• 2.7-inch LCD screen
• Ultra lightweight, compact design
• Compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards

From the Manufacturer

The S7 is a camcorder you can take just about anywhere, as you would a small digital still camera. The S7 fits nicely in the palm of the hand. This outstanding mobility makes the S7 an ideal choice for business use. Just slip it in a suit pocket or handbag and carry it anywhere.

The power turns on or off as soon as the LCD is opened or closed, and Quick Start recording begins in only 0.6 seconds. This combines with the camera’s handy compact size to help catch those sudden and immediate shooting opportunities.

If your TV has an SD card slot and can play MPEG-2 files, just slip your card into the slot and get ready to watch beautiful motion or still images on a large screen.

Panasonic SDR-S7 Highlights

Small enough to fit in a pocket or bag

Compact Size and Cool Styling The SDR-S7 is small enough to slip in a pocket or bag. Cool enough to take everywhere you go. This is one stylish camcorder you’ll never want to be without.

Easy Shooting at High of Low Angles You can freely adjust the angle of the LCD monitor for comfortable viewing no matter how you’re holding the camera. The SUB REC button on the side makes it easy to shoot when you’re holding the camera low. The buttons are laid out simply and logically for easy one-hand operation.

High Picture Quality with a 2.7-inch Viewing Screen This model offers the High-Picture-Quality Wide Mode, which produces images that make for beautiful, dramatic viewing on a wide-screen TV. The image is processed on 16:9 area of the CCD. Because the image decoded has the same proportions as your wide-screen TV, there is virtually no picture quality degradation. You get beautiful images and all the excitement and dynamism on either a wide 16:9 screen TV or a conventional 4:3 TV. This model also features a wide 2.7-inch LCD, making it easier to frame shots when you’re shooting in 16:9 mode. You can enjoy shooting wide, and viewing wide.

Pure Color Engine The Pure Color Engine converts the CCD output signal from a complementary color signal into an RGB signal at an early stage and extracts the low-frequency luminance component from the RGB signal. This innovative engine also achieves truly superb color reproduction for high-zoomed pictures.

High-quality MPEG 2 Engine Panasonic’s MPEG2 engine is a wide-range, high-precision search engine that produces smooth, beautiful motion pictures. Because it precisely records the differences in each frame, it can render fast, complex motions - like those of athletes in the thick of the action - with exceptional precision. The MPEG2 engine also uses Variable Bit Rate technology that Panasonic developed for the high-end DIGA DVD recorder. Giving LP recordings nearly twice the resolution captured with previous Panasonic camcorders, this lets the camcorder record clear, smoothly flowing pictures.

10X Optical Zoom Distant subjects can be enlarged so they appear to be right up close. This allows dynamic shots of both motion and still pictures.

Shooting Functions

Pre-Record Function (Images are Recorded Before you Begin Shooting) This clever new function records three seconds of images even before you actually begin shooting. The images are held temporarily in the camcorder’s internal memory, before recording onto the SDHC/SD Memory Card begins. This helps ensure that you won’t miss the start of a moment you want to record, such as when an event begins all of a sudden. For example, if you’re waiting to snap a shot of a jumping dolphin, you can press the REC button after you’ve made sure that the dolphin has cleared the surface of the water. The camcorder will record the entire scene, from the instant of the dolphin’s jump until it disappears again into the sea.

Power LCD Simply press the Power LCD button and the LCD becomes brighter, making it easier to see outdoors or in other bright locations. Also, a new scanning technology allows the LCD to show diagonal lines more sharply.

Select the Recording Mode to Match your Needs This unit records in VBR. VBR is an abbreviation for Variable Bit Rate. VBR recording automatically varies the bit rate (amount of data in a fixed time) depending on the subject being recorded. This means if a subject with sharp movements is recorded, the recording time is reduced.

One Touch Navigation and Easy Operation The cursor makes the camera much easier to use. You can handle a number of operations quickly and easily.

• Easy to use Design You can do most operations with a single finger.
• Direct Mode Dial Just rotate the dial with your fingertip to select the icon that corresponds to the mode you want.
• Simple Cursor Operation Press the center of the cursor to display icons on the screen.

Quick Search and Access with Thumbnail View Unlike videotape, you don’t need to rewind or fast-forward to search for specific scenes. The camcorder LCD screen displays a list of the recorded scenes for quick and easy searching.

Easy On/Off reduces the time required for operating the camera. When you open the LCD, the power turns on. Shut it and the power turns off.

Quick Start mode helps shoot videos on the spur of the moment. This mode lets you shoot those not-to-be-missed scenes by turning on the power just 0.6 seconds from the time the LCD is opened.

Color Night View gives you smoothly flowing pictures even in dark places, where it’s normally difficult to capture good shots.

World Timer Handy for travelers, this function makes it easy to set the camcorder time when you cross time zones and again when you return home. Simply select your destination from the displayed map, and the camcorder is automatically set for that time zone. The time for two different places can be set — such as home and destination — and you can switch between the times by simply pressing a button.

Editing and Networking

Storing on a DIGA If you have an MPEG2-compatible DIGA DVD recorder with an internal hard disk and SDHC/SD memory card slot, saving your images on the hard disk is as easy as inserting an SDHC/SD memory card into the slot. This saves space you’d otherwise need for storing the recording media, and makes playback easier. And once the data is on the hard disk, it’s easy to copy it to a DVD disc.

Easy DVD Copying Connect the S7 directly to a DVD burner via a USB cable. You can then copy recordings from the SDHC/SD Memory Card to a DVD disc with easy operation. The disc you make can be played on DVD players, so playback is easy too.

Copy from your memory card to DVD

Includes USB 2.0 and Editing Software
USB 2.0 compatibility lets you upload a motion picture data to a PC at high speed over a single USB cable.

You never have to finalize an SDHC or SD Memory Card, so you can transfer data to a PC right after you shoot. Just slip the card into the slot on the PC, and you’re ready to upload and edit. The camera comes with MotionSD STUDIO software that lets you add music and words during editing or copy your recordings onto a DVD disc.

Optional Accessories and Products

• Panasonic DIGA DMR-EZ475VK - DVD recorder/ VCR combo - black Panasonic 16GB Memory Card Panasonic VW-BN1 DVD Burner

Customer Reviews

worth it for the price
THis is a very affordable item which serves my basic needs for capturing home footage!

Wish I’d never bought it! BAD customer service!
My computer would not recognize the files as movie files, and it took about 5 calls to customer service to get a straight answer. I have to purchase a converter now. I’m so frustrated that they couldn’t give us an answer sooner! At the time this camera was purchased, advertising was VERY misleading. They said it would work with either a pc or a mac. It does not work with a mac. I would like to throw this camera at panasonic’s head. The birth of my children is on this camera!!!!! Argh!!!!! I HATE THIS STUPID CAMERA!!!!!

Video camera
This is one sweet camera. It literally fits in your pocket. Consumer Reports rates it as one of it’s top picks for value, as well.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #133 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Blue
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-TZ5A
• Released on: 2008-03-07
• Dimensions: 4.07″ h x 1.44″ w x 2.33″ l, .47 pounds
• Display size: 3
• Included Software: Yes

Features

• 9-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
• 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens; Face Detection
• New Panasonic Venus Engine IV improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects
• 3.0-inch LCD; Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO
• Captures images to SD memory cards (not included)

Manufacturer Description

The 9.1-megapixel Panasonic DMC-TZ5 packs a 28mm wide-angle, 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens in a compact design, ideal for the active photographer who needs a versatile camera. By combining a 28mm wide-angle lens, which lets you capture a wider-framed shot when compared to a traditional 35mm camera, with the TZ-Series 10x optical zoom, you’re empowered to take expanded shots, both wide and far. Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto technologies are also expanded, with new Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction.

With the addition of Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction, Panasonic’s Advanced Intelligent Auto mode consists of seven intuitive technologies, all which are specifically designed to help make photo-taking an enjoyable and seamless process unnoticed by the consumer — helping them to take clear photos. When in Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the following technologies all operate automatically; no settings need to be manually changed.

Also new to the TZ5 is the Venus Engine IV, Panasonic’s new high-performance image processing LSI. The Venus Engine IV produces higher-quality pictures than its predecessor, the Venus Engine III, by using a more advanced signal processing system. The new Venus Engine IV also improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects in both Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO and reduces the shutter release time lag. Both models also incorporate Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors. With a newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution in the TZ5’s 3.0-inch LCD, photos can be easily viewed on the display, regardless of the shooting environment.

The TZ5 is also capable of recording 720p high-definition motion pictures, and because of its support of SD memory cards, is easily compatible with Panasonic Viera plasma HDTVs that have an integrated SD memory card slot, so viewing photos is simple. Also, with the newly added HD component output capability, users can also connect the TZ5 to an HDTV and watch a slideshow complete with mood-appropriate music, choosing from natural, slow, urban and swing.

Lumix DMC-TZ5A Highlights

Intelligent Exposure With this new feature, photos will no longer be under- or over-exposed. Instead, the TZ5 instantly analyzes the framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.

Digital Red-eye Correction This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night. Incorporated into the built-in flash, the camera emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.

Mega O.I.S. Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.

Intelligent ISO With Intelligent ISO, the TZ5 can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.

Intelligent Scene Selector Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology, helps you use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.

Face Detection Panasonic’s Face Detection detects faces anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Detecting up to 15 faces, Panasonic’s Face Detection can even track a face if the subject is moving.

Continuous AF The Continuous AF (auto focus) system maintains focus on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, thus minimizing the AF time.

Customer Reviews

Lumix- great zoom, easy to use
I bought this mainly for the flexibility of having a (35mm equivalent) 28-280 zoom. The Leica made lens does not disappoint.
As a multi-Canon owner I was unsure of learning new menu icons but the Lumix is fairly easy to adapt to. Love the ‘quick menu’ guide.
Only downside is I do occasionally miss having an optical viewfinder and why can you only use certain IS and Aspect Ratios settings with video?

With the close-outs deals the TZ5 is a No-Brainer
All the leading camera makers offer outstanding products for family photograhy, but after cutting through all the gadgety stuff and arcane settings that I’ll never used, but the TZ5 was the only contender with a real Leica lens, 10X zoom, 28mm wide-angle, and 3″ screen. When prices were reduced because a new TZ7 model was being introduced, it reached no-brainer level.

I’m not a highly skilled photographer but I’m getting exceptionally high quality pictures effortlessly. I took some test shots in problem lighting and the subjects were consistently well exposed. The controls are simple, the 10X zoom rocks, the flash brightens the whole room, and the LCD screen is big and bright. And its easier to grip than the slightly smaller ultra-compacts. I look forward to becoming familiar with the manual settings to get even more out of it.

Another thing…camera reviews usually give little space to video performance. TZ5 video is simply SPECTACULAR in daylight use. I haven’t done any vids in artificial light so can’t comment on that. Though limited by the software to 15 minutes per shoot (EU import issues?), the 16:9 high quality setting produces home video as good as any I’ve seen. Its supposed to be even better in full HD if the $35 optional “component” cable is used, but really I can’t imagine how. And it zooms while videoing, though the autofocus might not keep up in large changes.

I bought my TZ5 for $[...]at Costco but would have no issues spending more and am very satisfied.

Panasonic Lumix TZ5 Awesome Camera!
I bought this camera for the wide angle lens. It sole purpose was for a vacation pictures and then new baby photos.
So far it has only been used for the V action shots. It has worked flawlessly. It takes great pictures. The camera is a tiny pit heavy compared to others in its size, but in its class it is small light weight and excellent.
I would recommend this camera to all friends and family.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Apple
• Model: MB134LL/A
• Dimensions: 1.00″ h x 14.10″ w x 9.60″ l, 5.40 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.5 GHz
• Memory: 2000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 1
• Native resolution: 15.4
• Display size: 15.4

Features

• 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6 MB on-chip shared L2 cache, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
• 2 GB RAM (two SO-DIMM) 677 MHz DDR2 SD-RAM (PC2-5300), 250 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, slot load 8x Super Drive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• One FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, two USB 2.0 ports, and ExpressCard/34 slot
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit); built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme (802.11n); built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• 15.4-inch (diagonal), 1440 by 900 resolution, matte TFT LED widescreen display with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM and dual-link DVI

Amazon.com Product Description
Stylishly and intelligently designed for mobile professionals, Apple’s MacBook Pro now includes Apple’s Multi-Touch technology (which debuted with the MacBook Air), allowing you to pinch, swipe, or rotate to enlarge text, advance through photos, or adjust an image. And it gets a serious speed bump from Intel’s latest 2.5 GHz 45-nanometer Penryn series Core 2 Duo processor (with 6 MB L2 cache), which also helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. This model (MB134LL/A ) also has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display measuring 15.4 inches and a state-of-the art NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT video card with 512 MB of GDDR3 video RAM.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro offers a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display with an antiglare finish that’s perfect for color-minded professionals.

Meticulously designed and encased in sleek and sturdy aluminum, the MacBook Pro measures just 1 inch thin and weighs 5.4 pounds. Your hands have room to spread out on the full-size keyboard with crisp, responsive keys, and the MacBook Pro has a built-in ambient light sensor that adjusts the keyboard and display brightness so it’s easy to work in low-light settings. Other standard Apple “extras” includes a built-in iSight video camera and Apple’s magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter, which safely disconnects when under strain.

It’s pre-loaded with Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications–including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes–and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 400 and 800 ports, DVI video output, and an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking.

Apple Innovations
The MacBook Pro is the culmination of years of refining hardware and software design to an integrated art, and Apple’s Multi-Touch technology is just the latest innovation to be added to it. The advanced trackpad now allows you to flip through photos, enlarge text, and adjust an image using just your fingers. It also comes with a MagSafe power adapter connector, which offers a magnetic connection instead of a physical one. So, if you happen to trip over a power cord, you won’t send MacBook Pro flying off a table or desk–the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system.

The magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter breaks cleanly away, without damage to either the cord or the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Pro has battery life that rivals most notebooks in its class. If you’d like to make that battery last even longer, Mac OS X has a few tricks up its sleeve. Go to System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and change battery optimization from Normal to Better Battery Life. Or tell MacBook Pro to reduce its screen brightness and give yourself a little more time untethered.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, which has a 2.50 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a super-sized 6 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

The new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With a whopping 6 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.

Your hands have room to spread out on the full-size keyboard with crisp, responsive keys.

Hard Drive and Memory
The 250 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC5300 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) have an industry-leading 667 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.

Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it’s also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.

Display and Graphics
The 15.4-inch widescreen TFT display offers a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels and an antiglare widescreen display that’s perfect for color-minded professionals. The display is backlit by light emitting diodes (LEDs), which gives it a lighter weight and more power efficiency than the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) which most notebooks employ. It’s also better for the environment, thanks to its new mercury-free display.

Video and graphics are powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card, which is boosted by 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM. GDDR3 (Graphics Double Data Rate, version 3) is a graphics card-specific memory technology that’s better able to deliver fluid frame rates for even the most advanced games and applications. The GeForce 8600M GT brings a new level of realism to the MacBook Pro with its 16-lane PCI Express architecture, 16x full screen anti-aliasing, 128-bit High Dynamic Range rendering, and a texture fill rate of up to 8.2 billion per second.

Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the display bezel is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.

Connect to your network, a desktop monitor and all your peripherals with two USB 2.0, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, one DVI video output, and one Gigabit Ethernet.

Other Features

• Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, ExpressCard/34 slot
• DVI output port; VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL (double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
• Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors for automatic adjustment of keyboard illumination and screen brightness
• Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
• Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
• Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
• 60-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery (with integrated charge indicator LEDs) providing up to 6 hours of battery life
• Kensington cable lock slot
• Measures 14.1 x 9.6 x 1 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.4 pounds (including battery)

Preloaded with Leopard, you’ll enjoy enhanced productivity and a clutter-free desktop (thanks to the redesigned 3-D Dock with Stacks).

Preloaded with Leopard and iLife ‘08
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:

• Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
• A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
• Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
• Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
• A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
• Major enhancements to Mail and iChat

Leopard’s new desktop includes the redesigned 3-D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, e-mail and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network.Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file.

The MacBook also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who’s got an e-mail address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.

Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools); iLife ‘08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand); Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive; iWork ‘08 (30-day trial)

What’s in the Box
MacBook Pro, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord, lithium-polymer battery, DVI to VGA adapter, display cleaning cloth, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Customer Reviews

Awesome.
I am so completely satified with this Mac its awesome! Im so glad I have a first generation too, it has fire wire ports and i can plug it into a different monitor for presentations or a larger work space! The new ones dont have these features! Mac removed a lot of features from the new ones because they realized they could get people to buy one with less for the same or a higher price! Do your reaserch!

Pro in every sense…
This is my first MacBook. I have been saving and calculating a lot since the last few weeks (since I decided it’s TIME to buy one…done with the waiting), but unfortunately could get to only the 13.3″ version of MacBook according to my budget. Unfortunately coz I wanted a Pro (15.4″). Put a little here and there and luckily Amazon was giving one at price for which i could try. So I pushed my budget a couple hundred dollars more…and bought the MacBook Pro MB134LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop.
It’s pro in every sense…250GB hard disk, 2.53 GHz Intel core 2 duo, 2GB RAM (you might say 4GB would have been greater, but with 6MB L2 cache,who needs that 2GB more)…and there is 512MB of NVIDIA GeForce DDR3 dedicated graphics card to help you run almost anything…

Great machine, one very tiny problem!
My Windows XP desktop has really been showing its age lately, and as a college student I’ve been increasingly frustrated by not having a laptop. The computer labs at school are always packed, and professors are increasingly assigning online activities and posting lecture notes online — all of which it is very helpful to be able to access during class, without having to print out a ton of materials from the web at home. Besides school, I also planned to migrate all my photo processing and video editing tasks over from the XP machine to this one.

I have generally had to reinstall Windows XP on a fairly regular basis to keep my desktop running like new, and I’d been hearing a lot of things about how macs don’t have a lot of the problems associated with windows. Ultimately, I decided to definitely go mac after trying Vista on a few different PC’s and hating it.

I started doing my research. The new macbook pros had recently come out (the ones with the “unibody”), but after reading myriad complaints about the super-glossy screen just being obnoxious, I hastily bought this previous generation of Macbook pro with the matte screen option. If you look at it, the specs are nearly the same. OK, the RAM speed is 667 instead of 1066. The video card was the previous model from nvidia, although with 512 mb of dedicated RAM. To get comparable specs in the latest generation, you’d have to pay a LOT more (over half of a thousand dollars, *since amazon is so good at censoring dollar figures*)

Anyway, I’ve been using my mac for about two weeks now, and here are my thoughts:

This machine runs great. It’s fast. I really like OS X so far. The touchpad is great, and HUGE compared to others I’ve seen. AND it still has a button, which I prefer to the new MB pro’s giant buttonless pad. Scrolling with two fingers is SO much better than a mouse wheel or clicking the scroll on-screen. I purchased 4 gigs of RAM to upgrade this (it comes with 2). It’s a cheap upgrade, and I definitely noticed a difference right away. I’d recommend it. Someday I plan on upgrading the hard drive to a 500gb 7200rpm — again, not much money for a huge upgrade. The factory drive is just fine for now though.

Anyway, there was one little problem. After using the machine for a couple of days, I noticed a dead pixel on the screen! It’s about a quarter of the way from the left side, in the middle of the screen. I really had to think about sending the unit back for another one. If I hadn’t already installed a whole bunch of software and pretty much “moved in”, I probably would have exchanged it. I read about the problem online, and it’s not uncommon. Apple doesn’t even consider it a warranty issue unless there are 5 or more bad pixels. I thought about it, and after using the machine for a couple more days, I realized that in practice I simply did not notice the dead pixel. I generally only see it if I look for it — and unless the screen is all white, it’s pretty much invisible the rest of the time. I decided just to keep the unit, and the pixel really hasn’t bugged me since, although I subtracted a star because for the price, I really feel the screen ought to be flawless.

Anyway, at the end of the day this is a fine machine — I’d highly recommend it — especially if you think the high gloss screen of the new model will be a problem, or if you are faced with having to get a Vista machine. I’d definitely recommend OS X over Vista or XP. Hope that helps!!

PS, I’ve noticed that the price on these has gone up appreciably. If you think you want the older model, you might be running out of time! All glossy screen haters are gonna be snatching ‘em up!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-TZ5K
• Released on: 2008-03-07
• Dimensions: 4.13″ h x 1.44″ w x 2.34″ l, .70 pounds
• Display size: 3

Features

• 9-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
• 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens; Face Detection
• New Panasonic Venus Engine IV improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects
• 3.0-inch LCD; Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO
• Captures images to SD memory cards (not included)

Manufacturer Description

The 9.1-megapixel Panasonic DMC-TZ5 packs a 28mm wide-angle, 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens in a compact design, ideal for the active photographer who needs a versatile camera. By combining a 28mm wide-angle lens, which lets you capture a wider-framed shot when compared to a traditional 35mm camera, with the TZ-Series 10x optical zoom, you’re empowered to take expanded shots, both wide and far. Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto technologies are also expanded, with new Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction.

With the addition of Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction, Panasonic’s Advanced Intelligent Auto mode consists of seven intuitive technologies, all which are specifically designed to help make photo-taking an enjoyable and seamless process unnoticed by the consumer — helping them to take clear photos. When in Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the following technologies all operate automatically; no settings need to be manually changed.

Also new to the TZ5 is the Venus Engine IV, Panasonic’s new high-performance image processing LSI. The Venus Engine IV produces higher-quality pictures than its predecessor, the Venus Engine III, by using a more advanced signal processing system. The new Venus Engine IV also improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects in both Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO and reduces the shutter release time lag. Both models also incorporate Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors. With a newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution in the TZ5’s 3.0-inch LCD, photos can be easily viewed on the display, regardless of the shooting environment.

The TZ5 is also capable of recording 720p high-definition motion pictures, and because of its support of SD memory cards, is easily compatible with Panasonic Viera plasma HDTVs that have an integrated SD memory card slot, so viewing photos is simple. Also, with the newly added HD component output capability, users can also connect the TZ5 to an HDTV and watch a slideshow complete with mood-appropriate music, choosing from natural, slow, urban and swing.

Lumix DMC-TZ5A Highlights

Intelligent Exposure With this new feature, photos will no longer be under- or over-exposed. Instead, the TZ5 instantly analyzes the framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.

Digital Red-eye Correction This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night. Incorporated into the built-in flash, the camera emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.

Mega O.I.S. Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.

Intelligent ISO With Intelligent ISO, the TZ5 can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.

Intelligent Scene Selector Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology, helps you use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.

Face Detection Panasonic’s Face Detection detects faces anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Detecting up to 15 faces, Panasonic’s Face Detection can even track a face if the subject is moving.

Continuous AF The Continuous AF (auto focus) system maintains focus on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, thus minimizing the AF time.

Customer Reviews

Ideal Camera for Travel and Daily Use
This is a great camera for daily use, and travel. The picture quality is superb, as long as you have the right settings. The histogram feauture is real time when selected. Basically by checking your histogram you can make sure, you have the right lightning before pushing the shutter. The only big surprise with this camera is the “High sens.” feature. I made some of the best night time shootings with this feature, and I do not think it was meant for that purpose also.

The flaws are very annoying…
The camera has some great features for the price. I bought this for the wide angle lens (an absolute must for me) and the 10x optical zoom. The picture quality is respectable. The fill flash works better than expected. The light reaches beyond 12 feet, which is all you can expect from a camera like this. The 3″ LCD is larger than most, but still too small to really get a true feeling of the picture quality. You really do not see the picture quality until you upload to a PC or print it out. The picture stabilization feature is okay but does not work all that great or at least as good as it is hyped up to be.

There are a few shortcomings:
1. The lack of a viewfinder makes it more difficult to frame pictures. I would gladly have sacrificed the LCD size to have a viewfinder.
2. The USB connection does not charge the battery. This seems to be the norm, probably due to the required charging current.
3. The charger that came with the camera requires the proprietary Li-ion battery to be removed from the camera. What were they thinking?
4. The camera is a bit heavy for its size. I guess I could attribute that to the 10x optical zoom and the extra metal to make it happen.

I have only had the camera a very short time. I have not completely explored all of its capabilities. However, I am contemplating returning the camera and getting one that has been designed the way I want to use it. I am also considering getting one that uses AA batteries. If I have to remove the battery to recharge, why not have a phone that uses standard batteries? That way, I can at least use AA alkalines while recharging NiMH batteries.

I like this camera
I’m a SONY guy, always have been, so it was with some trepidation that I bought this camera. Haven’t completely put it through its paces yet, but one feature has really made this purchase worth it. The 28mm/10x Leica lens. The fact that I can film HD video is a plus as well, although the quailty is just OK IMO so far. I just wasn’t happy with my last SONY and I’m quite pleased with this camera so far.