Product/Link: Dell's Inspiron 1000/1200 Notebook Computer Synopsis: An inexpensive notebook that's great around the house. Requirements: None. But wireless Internet access would free you up. Price: $599.00 at Dell. Keep an eye out for Dell rebates and limited time sales. Rating: For basic computer work and portability, you can't beat the price. In the old days this notebook would cost thousands. Comment: I've avoided buying notebook computers in the past because of their expense. I don't travel much and sitting at a desktop wasn't much of a burden. But a few years ago we set up a wireless system for our home. Then my daughter needed a notebook for college. When she'd return home on vacations I noticed how much fun it was to use her notebook in the kitchen/family room. I could check out the online weather forecast while sitting in front of the fireplace. Still, I thought, notebooks cost way too much. Left side, right side, back of notebook Then I spied an advertisement for the Dell Inspiron 1000. (It appears to have been replaced with the Inspiron 1200) $599.00 after a $100.00 rebate. Wow! I can afford that. Admittedly, this is the bottom of the line notebook. It's probably not very good at 3D action games or doing heavy graphic work. But I just wanted Internet browsing, email and word processing at my fingertips. The version I ended up with has a beautiful 15" screen and it handles all the applications mentioned above just as fast as my desktop system. Check out these review sites to read some other opinions: Epinion reviews or C/net reviews or Consumer Guide You can pickup all the details about the Inspiron at the Dell Web site. Let me just mention a few items. Memory is 256MB, storage is 30GB and the combination drive is a 24X CD-RW/DVD. The keyboard and touch pad feel fine. On the left side are receptacles for a headphone set and a microphone. Along the back you have three USB ports, an outlet for a second monitor, plus networking and telephone access. On the right side is your CD/DVD player. There are some downsides: The battery only lasts a couple of hours and the tiny speakers won't cut it for listening to music. Dell's been reliable for me. Check Out Last Month's Newsletter Copyright © 1996- thepocket.com