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One thing has always been true about computers: as soon as you buy the latest model, it’s obsolete. There’s a constant stream of product marketing constantly telling us our processor is old or that the newest operating system (ahem, Windows Vista) won’t run without a large amount of RAM. Since performance usually relies much more on RAM (memory) than anything else, that’s how I buy a computer: by the price, loaded with RAM. In this case, I’m in the market for a new laptop.

What are the available laptops with 4GB of system RAM pre-installed? Here’s a quick list of the best priced alternatives from multiple manufacturers:

Sony comes out strong with the Sony VAIO VGN-Z591U – a 13.1″ ultra-portable that prices around $3000.00 ouch.

Lenovo (formerly known as Thinkpad) usually comes out with at least 2GB of RAM on each of their new laptops. The Lenovo ThinkPad X300 6477 is available for just under $3000. It too is a 13.1″ ultra portable loaded with features.

HP enters the fray with two entries from the Pavilion family: the beefy HDX 20″ Entertainment Laptop and the HP Pavilion DV6700T Entertainment Notebook. At $2300 and $1200 each, respectively, these are high value options. I do have a personal prejudice against HPs with large displays, though; they tend to produce a lot of heat.

Finally, Toshiba Qosmio enters the picture with what I feel is the best choice from our inventory. The Toshiba Qosmio F55-Q503 has a 15.4″ screen, a healthy 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 Processor, a 320 GB hard drive, Vista Premium and, of course, 4 GB RAM. Take a look.

Hope this helps someone in the market for a high-power, low cost laptop with at least 4 GB of RAM.

Thanks,
FeaturedSystems.com

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Tech guys and girls are always on the lookout for cool, cheap new computer systems to play with. As with the $299 Asus Laptop, manufacturers are finding one of the easiest ways to decrease the cost of a PC is to unbundle the windows operating system or strip other features. After all, you don’t think M’Soft lets the OEM manufacturers distribute the OS for free, do you?

Enter the $99.99 Shuttle KPC K45 barebones computer…
*yours may not look exactly like this

At just 190 x 280 x 170 mm, it’s just a bit bigger than the Mac Mini. The system does not ship with an operating system, hard drive, processor, RAM, keyboard or mouse. (It’s a “barebones” system) Buyers will likely plug in their own processor, RAM and hard drive, then install some flavor of Linux or Windows. Beyond that, it’s all “pros” when it comes to features:

• Processors Supported (not included): Intel Core 2 Duo; Intel Celeron D 4XX; Intel Pentium Dual Core
• 2, 1GB RAM slots (2GB max RAM, not included)
• 4 USB 2.0 ports
• Includes Audio (Realtek ALC662), Video (Intel GMA 950), Gigabit LAN
• Claimed 1/3 power consumption from its 100 watt power supply
• Under 4kg (8.7 lbs)
• Produces less than 28dBs
• Using the system’s MyKover app, it takes just 1-minute to get started

For a more information on the KPC K45’s fully-appointed counterpart, the KPC K4500, you can take a look at the recent CNET review. But if you’ve got $99 to burn and a desire to fiddle with a barebones box, the Shuttle KPC K45 is one of a new breed of ultra low cost options the buyer should consider.

More info: Shuttle Computers

We’ve found another hidden gem – the refurbished HP D530. At just $172.79, this is a perfect kids’ computer. Sure, it’s a refurb but take a look at the features:

• Microsoft Windows XP pre-installed w/COA
• Pentium 4 2.66 GHz processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 40 GB Hard Drive
• CD-ROM & 1.44 MB floppy drive

A little work “on the Google machine” yields the official HP info page on the D530. It seems as if drivers are readily available, if needed. Some models of the original d530 shipped with a monitor (which was problematic) but this one is just the box.

HP has solved my wife’s problem. She likes to keep one eye on the stove (figuratively) and one on her email. The laptops that we’ve used in the past just take up counterspace… plus, it’s just not as user friendly as it could be. My thought has always been to set up an LCD with some hack machine under the counter but, recently, a “touch screen” PC by HP caught my eye – the $1799 TouchSmart Desktop PC.

Let’s just get the specs out of the way because, although this machine is powerful, the unique value of the TouchSmart isn’t in the nuts and bolts. Features:

• 1.9GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL58 Sockets S1 Processor
• 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 8x DVD DL Slim Drive
• 802.11g Wireless
• 500GB/ 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
• 19 Inch LCD Panel with Touchscreen Overlay and Stylus
• NVidia GeForce 6100

But it’s when you read the 5 star reviews that the TouchSmart PC shines. Three points in particular stand out:

• “the touch screen adds a new dimension which can make games more interesting and increases ones overall level of interactivity with the machine” – the ease of use brought by having a touch-based interface is obvious. Many people rave about how addictive it can be, saying “You will soon find that you are trying to touch every screen that you come to ”
• “We… love the option of being able to watch and record tv with our computer.” – the built in NTSC TV Tuner puts the equivalent of a DVR on your countertop.
• “If you want a computer that doesn’t take up alot of space and is very fun to use, I couldn’t recommend this one higher.” – the small footprint is a big plus, since the TouchSmart Desktop PC only takes up a bit more space than the 19″ monitor itself. One reviewer adds “Not only did this machine get rid of my CPU, it replaced an external DVD burner, an external bluetooth USB hub as well as a card reader and speakers. I ended up with a lot of extra space at my desk.”

It’s clear that this is a computer that is far more focused on the tasks of entertainment and usability than the usual beige box. I will say that, in today’s market of $399 laptops and $299 desktops, the price of just under $1800 is a hard pill to swallow. What more can you say, though, than what one commenter contributed, “Best Computer out there for your money”. So take a look and think about this one for the person in your life with far too many things going on to be clutching at a mouse all day.