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The popularity of notebook computers has reached the point where people are buying them as a realistic alternative to desktop PCs. Not only has their relative power increased greatly over the past few years, but the kind of complicated tasks that were normally reserved for high-powered desktops can now be performed on many notebooks.
Of course, you're going to pay more money for your portable buddy, but their compact size means that they don't have to be the main feature of any room - great if you're tight for space.
The Cybercom MD42792 matches most desktop PCs for performance but it has a TV tuner card so you can watch television as well. It's built around an AMD Athlon 2600+ processor with 512Mb of memory. Although 64Mb of this is shared with the ATi Radeon IGP 320M graphics, it doesn't have a noticeable effect on day-to-day Windows tasks.
The hard disk is a generous 60Gb, although half of this is taken up by pre-loaded software, software drivers and system backups. It's handy if Windows or other programs become corrupted, but using up half the hard disk seems excessive.
However, a recovery CD is supplied so you can safely delete the backups. The combination DVD drive can write to plus and minus discs and CDs, although it doesn't support DVD-RAM. For the price, this is a great feature.
To watch TV, a separate card with an aerial attachment, S-Video and composite inputs plugs into the PC Card slot. It works with the CyberLink PowerCinema software and can pause and record live television. You can access Teletext and download electronic programme guides so that you can plan your viewing.
Although you'll still need a reasonably good aerial to pick up a signal, it's not a bad feature to fall back on if the TV goes on the blink. Everything is viewed on a 15.4in widescreen TFT, which is good for watching TV and DVDs.
The rest of the software supplied with the MD42792 will get you up and running as soon as you get the notebook home. Microsoft Works 7 covers all the office tasks you'll ever need. Trial versions of AOL 9 and eTrust Antivirus are also supplied. Nero Burning ROM 6 covers all manner of CD and DVD creation and Musicmatch Jukebox gives you an alternative to Windows Media Player.
There are three USB 2 ports, a mini FireWire socket and Wi-Fi. Next to the power button are shortcut keys for the internet, email, media player and volume controls. There's also a separate trackpad for scrolling through documents or web pages.
Some portability is lost due to the size of the notebook and its 3kg weight but, if you don't plan to be computing on the move all the time, this is an excellent buy. Like many Medion computers, though, it's only available through Staples stores.
Contact: Staples 0800 692 9292
www.medion.co.uk
Also consider Evesham Voyager X5 PM18
See also:
An attractive combination of power and portability, whether you're working or watching movies 17 Jan 2005
All Notebooks & Tablets PCs
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