Toshiba Satellite (A45-S1301) Notebook PC

Toshiba Satellite (A45-S1301) Notebook PC
Manufacturer: Toshiba
Product Type: Personal Computer

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Why let things grind to a halt whenever you leave your desk? Choose a Satellite A40/45 model with built-in Wi-Fi (802.11g) and take the Internet or network with you! Models offer a choice of Intel Celeron or robust Mobile Pentium 4 processor, CD or DVD burner, and hard drive capacity to 60GB. All models come with Microsoft Office OneNote for enhanced productivity.
Amazon.com Product Description
The Toshiba Satellite A45-S1301 is an entry level notebook that will appeal to small businesses on a budget who crave mobility. The A45-S1301 resides at the lower, more affordable end of Toshiba's Satellite business A45 lineup, and it features Windows XP Professional, a 2.8 GHz Celeron processor, 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB installed RAM, a 15-inch TFT display, and a DVD player/CD writer combo drive. Stepping up to the next level with the A45-S1501 adds a faster Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor, integrated wireless card, and larger RAM and hard drive, while the A45-S2501 adds an even faster Pentium 4 processor and a DVD writer.

The Basics

Hard Drive: The 40 GB enhanced IDE hard drive (4200 RPM) will suffice for storing the majority of your software applications and document files, but it is on the low side compared with other models in this Toshiba Satellite line.
Processor: While not as powerful as a Pentium 4, the 2.8 GHz Intel Celeron processor is speedy enough for everyday computing tasks and CD burning. It also has a 128 KB L2 cache and a 400 MHz FSB (front-side bus).
Memory: The A45-S1301 comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (2 x 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 266 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB). It has two slots that can be expanded to 2 GB (2048 MB).
CD/DVD Drive: It comes equipped with a combo DVD/CD-RW drive, which enables you to play DVD-ROM discs and DVD movies as well as burn data and record music to CD discs. The CD writer has the following speeds: 24x write/10x rewrite/24x read.
Keyboard & Mouse: The A45-S1301 has an 85-key keyboard with 12 function keys and a two-button touchpad.

Sound and Graphics
It features an integrated Intel 852GME graphics controller with 32 MB of shared video memory. The 15-inch TFT active matrix display has a native resolution of 1024 x 768 and supports up to 16 million colors. The integrated audio card provides good sound while keeping the cost of this package down; the A45-S1301 has two internal speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The A45-S1301 offers a basic amount of connectivity options:

4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
1 RGB monitor port
1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II)
1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The A45-S1301 comes with the Windows XP Professional operating system (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features), and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Norton Antivirus 2003 (with 90 days of complimentary live updates), Quicken New User Edition 2004, and ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD 1.3.

Dimensions and Weight
Definitely not the smallest on the block, the A45-S1301 notebook measures 13.2 x 11.7 x 1.9 inches (L x W x H) and weighs a comfortable 7.7 pounds.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery has 12 cells (which refers to the number of charge-storing components within the battery) and offers a standard amount of power for a notebook PC (around 2.9 hours of typical use).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Toshiba Satellite A45-S130 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.

Average customer rating: 5.0

Nice improvement over 1st generation smart watches

Abacus Smart Watch 2006 Black Leather

Manufacturer: Microsoft
Product Group: Watch
Binding: Watch
ASIN: B000FW38FM

Related Categories:

Watches

Specialty Stores

Watch Band Material

Backlight & Electroluminescent

Stopwatch

Stopwatches

All Electronic Watches

| Electronic Watches | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics

Product Description

Abacus® Smart Watch 2006 delivers the MSN® Direct content you depend on and is designed with the fashion-conscious person in mind. The Abacus includes a 12-month complimentary MSN Direct Smart Plan subscription*, as well as six new exclusive watch faces designed to fit your mood and style. Includes an AC adapter and charging cord with a unique magnetic connector. *This is a one-time-use-only subscription activation code. Subscription code only valid within the US. You will need a subscription to the MSN Direct service to take full advantage of all watch features. Subscribing to MSN Internet Software or MSN Dial-up is not required to access MSN Direct. MSN Direct is available to residents in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada. To receive MSN Direct on an MSN Direct-ready device, you must be within an MSN Direct coverage area; check the current coverage maps available at http://www.direct.msn.com/about/coverage.aspx. Internet access is required for the on-line activation of your MSN Direct account. A major credit card or debit card is required. Activation and service charges will apply. Prices are subject to change. Regular charging of watch is required for use. SAFETY FIRST: Watches can be worn anywhere so use the service sensibly and safely. Synchronization may be affected by reception limitations of the FM network as well as other factors, which may affect the ability to receive FM broadcasts. Separate download required. © 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, MSN, and the MSN logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Customer Reviews:

Nice improvement over 1st generation smart watches.......2007-01-14

Pros:better battery life, more storage, now cheaper

Cons:still a bitt bulky

Full user opinion
I've owned a Suunto N3i smart watch since December 2004 and have enjoyed the MSN Direct service. The only complaints were the bulkiness off the watch, the need to recharge every three days (which means you have to take the clumsy charger on every business trip) and the limited storage.

The Abacus doubles both the storage and the battery life. The watch cost $100 less than my Suunto. Plus the $60 annual service fee has now been waived for the first year.

The Abacus is pretty light, but still a little big. OK if you're a fairly big guy with thick wrists, but I wouldn't suggest it for a woman.

A lot of people wonder why you'd need a smart watch given that the info it provides can be sourced from a smartphone or web enabled PDA.

The issue is convenience. I have a Treo 700p, but to check the weather or the latest news headlines, I have to fetch it out of my pocket or messenger bag, turn it on, log on to the web, and then make 3 or 4 key strokes or clicks.

With the smart watch your info is always just a glance and a click away. This makes a difference if you're standing on a subway, driving a car, or riding a bike, like is often the case for me here in New York City.

It's also a much more discrete way to check a baseball score in the middle of a business dinner than pulling out your Treo.

Think of a smart watch vs a smartphone the way you think of a smartphone vs. a laptop. Doesn't do as much, but does it much more conveniently.

The Abacus isn't intended to replace a smartphone or PDA, it's a perfect complement to those devices.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics

Consumer Electronics

HP OfficeJet 7140xi All-in-One

Peepless Indus Peerless ACC 800 - mounting component

Fujitsu LifeBook N6110 - Pentium M 750 / 1.86 GHz - Centrino - RAM : 512 MB - HD : 80 GB - CD-RW / D

Compaq Armada 7400 - PII 366 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 10 GB - DVD - NT 4.0 - 14.1" TFT 1024 x 768

2GB Mobile Vault Flash Drive USB with 256BIT Aes Sw Encryption

HP OmniBook 7150 - PII 300 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 8.1 GB - DVD - Win98 - 14.1" TFT 1024 x 768

HP Compaq Business Desktop dx5150 - Athlon 64 2 GHz

Toshiba Satellite 320CDT - P MMX 233 MHz - RAM : 32 MB - HD : 4 GB - CD - Win95 - 12.1" TFT 800 x 60