Acer TM2303WLCI-XPH 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Celeron M 340, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CR-RW Drive)

Acer TM2303WLCI-XPH 15.4

Acer TM2303WLCI-XPH 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Celeron M 340, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CR-RW Drive)
Manufacturer: Acer Computer
Product Type: Personal Computer

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The TravelMate 2300 notebook series introduces a new range of mobile work companions for self-employed professionals and users from small and medium-sized enterprises looking to address the growing need to stay connected to vital business resources when working from locations outside the office. The highly efficient and flexible TravelMate 2300 provides the right multimedia tools and an integrated set of communication facilities that liberates corporate sales and service professionals from the limitations and restrictions of traditional office environments.
Amazon Product Description
The Basics
A value-priced portable computer for those who can't financially justify the cost of an upscale model, the Acer TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH Notebook PC is a comfortably lightweight unit that delivers such desirable amenities as an oversized 15.4-inch display, DVD capabilities and wireless connectivity. The system's CPU is not particularly strong and its 3D graphic capabilities are somewhat limited, hence it is not an ideal choice for users such as graphic designers, gamers, and demanding business professionals. However, if you don't foresee going beyond basic notebook tasks such as contact management, word processing, photo organization and e-communication, and you don't want to drain your pocketbook, you may have found what you're looking for.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH features a Mobile Intel Celeron processor running at 1.4 GHz. Although this is a new and much improved version of the venerable Celeron chip, it remains a midlevel processor that is best suited to midlevel duties. If you intend to run ultra-high-end processor-intensive applications, you will encounter degraded performance.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH incorporates 512 MB of RAM, a surprisingly generous allotment for an entry-level machine and certainly enough to support multitasking situations. Moreover, the unit supports memory upgrades to a whopping one GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output, particularly that of 3D graphics, to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" built-in video memory is preferable to one with "shared" video memory wherein the graphics controller borrows a portion of the all-important main system memory. The cost-effective Intel Extreme Graphics 2 chipset installed inside the TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH is integrated to the mainboard and features 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) video memory. Thusly, the unit is not ideal for anyone who deals with visually demanding applications such as the latest 3D games or 3D graphics design.

Display
Featuring a DVD-friendly widescreen format and supporting crystal clear 1280 by 800 resolution, the system's spacious 15.4-inch display is great for everything from DVD movies to spreadsheets.

Hard Disk
In a time when some notebooks offer hard drives of 100 GB and more, the 40 GB hard drive inside the TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH may seem a tad small. Nevertheless, a drive of this size does save you money. Furthermore, 40 GB is more than enough space for most notebook users. Though you may not have enough room for a large library of massive multimedia files, you will have sufficient space for a typical number of mobile apps and user-created files.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Most drives support several of these tasks. This system features a CD-RW/DVD drive, through which you can do all of the above except burn DVDs.

Audio
The TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH is equipped with stereo speakers, a built-in microphone, and a mono line in and out.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 88-key Acer FineTouch keyboard with embedded numeric keypad and hotkeys, a touchpad with two mouse buttons and a four-way integrated scroll button.

Connectivity and Expansion
The TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH is better connected than many of its entry-level peers. The unit features a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and 802.11b/g wireless technology for cord-free communication. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, and a PC Card slot for one Type II card. An IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders) is not enclosed. Operating System and Software
Acer will pre-install a copy of Microsoft's Windows Home Edition operating system and a small assortment of multimedia utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and too cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two or three lbs. and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH is slightly smaller than today's average at just 6.4 lbs and 14.3 by 11 by 1.5 inches.

Power
One of the most important aspects of a notebook computer is battery efficiency. The TravelMate TM2303WLCI-XPH is not particularly strong in this regard, delivering up to two hours of use between charges.