Compaq Presario 2190us Laptop (2.40-GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive)

Designed to appeal to users who can’t afford or don’t require cutting-edge components but need a reasonably capable machine, Compaq’s Presario 2100US series of notebooks features budget-conscious processors such as AMD’s Athlon and Intel’s Celeron. This model, the Presario 2190US Notebook PC, lacks popular modern amenities such as DVD burning and wireless communication yet will efficiently run common mid-level home, home office and leisure applications.

Driving the Presario 2190us Notebook is a 2.4 GHz Intel Celeron processor. While not a super-speedy Pentium or a super-efficient Pentium M, a Celeron running at this speed is nevertheless an effective processor. Compaq has added 256 MB RAM memory (upgradeable to 1024 MB -- a good idea if you plan to multitask or run complex applications) and an ATI Mobility Radeon 4X AGP graphics chipset with 64 MB shared (not dedicated) memory. Sharing the data storage duties is an adequate 40 GB hard disk and a DVD/CD-RW combo drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive data and watch your favorite movies.

At 12.96 by 10.72 by 1.79 inches and 7.5 pounds, the Presario 2190US Notebook is of average size, midway between a desktop replacement and an ultralight. The unit is equipped with a large XGA TFT 15-inch display screen capable of crystal clear 1024 by 768 resolution. Other features include two conventional USB 1.1 ports for plug and play peripheral connections, an 88-key keyboard, a Touch Pad with on/off and dedicated up/down scroll surface, and a pair of internal stereo speakers. Communication options include a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access and a high-speed RJ-45 LAN network connector. High-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire ports are not included.