Yule Countdown Special: US value laptops

IF YOU know of any good value IT sales (auctions, rebates, one-off, clearance, surplus, classified ads) going around in the United Kingdom, France, USA or Singapore, don't hesitate to contact me, at least 24 hours before the sales end.

Computergeeks has a refurbished Gateway Celeron-M Laptop for only $699. The Gateway's Solo M305 series notebook blends price, performance and portability, providing an outstanding mobile computing solution.

It is powered by the 2.4GHz flavour of the chip and comes with 256MB DDR memory as well as a 30GB hard disk drive. The large 14.1-inch TFT XGA display is powered by an onboard Intel 852GM video module. Nothing really differentiates the M305 from many other laptops. It has the same 87-key keyboard, the same type of screen and the same feel. It is the price which will make it a winner. It has a CDRW/DVD Combo as storage device but no floppy disk drive. Other specs include a v.92 modem, an Ethernet controller, integrated audio and speakers. The M305 also provides with basic expansivity - Type II PCMCIA slot, two USB 1.1 ports, composite video out and Audio I/O.

Compugeeks sells the laptop in its retail cow box complete with MS Works Suite CD. Windows XP home CD, Intervideo Win DVD, Power supply and restore CD. It might not be the prettiest and most wired but it will do the job nicely. Expect it to perform in the same ballpark as P4 2GHz or P-M 1.6GHz according to Hardwarecentral. it might be dull and noisy but according to Cnet, the M305 is one of the best mainstream notebooks for the home user around.

At $686 after an instant rebate of $100 and a mail in rebate of $100, the Dell Inspiron 1150 provides exciting value for money. Build around a Celeron 2.6GHz - not the mobile version mind you - it has 256MB memory minus 8MB for the video and comes with a large 40GB hard disk. A CDRW/DVD combo also comes handy should you want to burn music CDs or watch some movie DVDs. As usual, you're flanked with the Intel's 852GME chipset integrated graphics and can say bye, bye to most if not all recent games on the mundane 14.1-inch TFT display.

You should definitely avoid it if you're a budget gamer but the Inspiron 1150 is destined to Wireless Business Class or the cash strapped student. The laptop offers excellent connectivity thanks to a 56K modem - send faxes - wired 10/100MBps Ethernet and even at this price, a 802-11b/g wireless networking via a PCMCIA slot. You also get a limited warranty of only 90 days, a 65W Li-Ion battery, Windows XP Home, a Wordperfect based productivity pack and RecordNow burning package. But as usual, the floppy disk drive is left out.

If your needs are even more basic, then jump for the Inspiron 1000 which sells for only $549 and comes with a powerful mobile Intel Celeron processor clocked at 2.2GHz, you do get the same package as the Inspiron 1150 except for the smaller 30GB hard drive and the lack of Wireless connectivity. Moreover, there is no Recordnow software and you are stuck with a 8-cell 43W NiMH battery - not the best choice. But you do get Paint Ship pro and Photo Album Premium as well as Dell Jukebox and Media experience for free.

If you do not fear buying second hand, then there is an Inspiron 1100 on sale on Ebay for a Buy it Now price of $500. You get an Intel Celeron 2GHz processor, 256MB memory and a 30GB hard disk. The machine is in excellent condition, with only a few cosmetic scratches on the outside of the case. This laptop was well looked after.

There are no dead pixels on the 15-inch TFT screen. It comes with recovery disks and the following original software disks: WordPerfect 10 Productivity Pack 2002 , Microsoft Windows XP (Home) w/SP 1a, Dell Tools System, and Intervideo WinDVD. The only reason that the guy is getting rid of this machine is that he has upgraded to another laptop. He is the the registered owner of this machine and successful purchasers can have the ownership transferred to them. The laptop comes with the following ports: 1 PCMCIA slot, 1 integrated 10/100 network connection, 1 external video, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Dell proprietary TV Output (S-Video), 1 integrated Modem, 1 sound out, and 1 microphone in. It was originally purchased in December of 2003, so is only just over 1 year old. This machine only includes the software listed above and Does not include a wireless connection, although a PCMCIA or USB wireless adaptor can be easily installed. µ

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