Laptop Pug-Ugly? TigerDirect has the Cure!
I have a confession to make. I am a fan of Apple Inc. and their iconic line of Mac computers. Some people who read the last sentence will have already started penning their hate mail, but hold on. If we ignore the Mac/PC advertisements that we are by now all too familiar with, it can still be said that Mac has a good, firm handle on making a beautiful and functional machine.
Some people might immediately respond “PCs are beautiful, too!” Those people probably think that the Pontiac Aztec was a well thought out, function-over-form automotive design. Let’s face it: PCs are traditionally rectangular in shape. Add a few lights here and there, a whirly fan, and (gasp!) a clear side panel if you’re lucky. Now, there’s hope for all of you out there who are secretly ashamed of your Notebook’s thick waist, hefty weight, and complete lack of curves. I’ve got two Laptop PCs here in the TigerTV labs that are in a word, beautiful.
Gateway MX6960 Refurbished Laptop PC
The Gateway MX6960 Refurbished Laptop PC is a recertified notebook from veteran manufacturer Gateway Computers. Far from being a case of cosmetic improvements to an old pig, the MX6960 is a sleek, stylish mobile PC that won’t break your heart, eyes, or wallet. First the specs: Equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83Ghz processor (yes, this is a dual-core laptop) and 1GB of DDR2 memory, the MX6960 will handle tough applications easily. And it is ready for the 64-bit software architecture soon to be prevalent in the near future. There’s a 160GB hard drive for your storage needs. It comes running Windows XP, but you can upgrade to vista any time you want, right?
Seriously, this laptop is designed really well. There’s almost no connection ports on the back of the laptop—I like this because who really enjoyed leaning over your display or turning the computer around every time you wanted to plug something in? The lack of
connections on the back doesn’t mean a computer with no connectivity, either. There’s a flash media reader, DVD burner, S-Video, VGA, USB modem and RJ-45 connection, even a FireWire port! Combine these with a sleek design and clean external paneling, and you’ve got a winner that won’t cost you too much money—not to mention personal pride when you pull it out in front of the Librarian.
Sony VAIO N330NB Notebook PC
If that Gateway was still too “Laptop” for you, check out the Sony VAIO N330NB Notebook PC. Sony revamped their VAIO line to set it apart from the sea of mobile PC competitors out there, and they’ve succeeded. Far from being dismissible before, now the Sony VAIO is thinner, sleeker, and packed with even more features. Built intentionally for Windows Vista operating system (and comes running it. This bears saying.), it comes with 1GB of DDR2 memory and an Intel 1.6GHz Dual Core processor. And the optical drive on the N330NB isn’t a weak little DVD player. It can burn Dual Layer DVD discs fast and quietly.
The design of this Laptop is clean, clean, clean! Unlike a lot of mobiles out there that seem to be thrown together wherever you can fit another USB port, this laptop gives the impression it was supposed to look this way—definitely a good thing. A hardwired security switch on the side of the laptop allows you to manually shut wireless access off when you feel privacy or security is an issue. These ports are also located on the side of the laptop, a huge plus for me. USB 2.0 ports, VGA connection for extra monitors or presentations, Microphone and Headphone ports, even a FireWire connection for a speedy external hard drive. There’s even SD and Memory Stick Duo card slots mounted flush on the front of the Laptop. Once again, these ports all look like they were planned rather than added as last second afterthoughts.
You don’t have to buy an Apple to have an attractive personal computer anymore. And with some of these PC manufacturers offering such great deals on Refurbished and recertified computers, you won’t spend a fortune to get one. So stop loitering around the Apple Store and get over to TigerDirect.com. You’ll be glad you did!
Related Links: Gateway MX6960 Refurbished Laptop, Sony VAIO N330NB Laptop PC
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