From...

May 5, 1999
Web posted at: 8:40 a.m. EDT (1240 GMT)

by Tom Spring and Christian McIntosh

(IDG) -- PC makers are cranking out new notebooks at a breakneck pace, trying to offset shrinking margins on desktop systems. Notebook shoppers now have seven new laptops to scrutinize, thanks to Micron and Hewlett-Packard.

HP on Monday unveils a new line of OmniBook XE2 notebooks, the upgrade to the OmniBook XE. Micron is updating its TransPort Trek line of notebooks with both budget and power models.

HP grows XE line

The OmniBook XE2 models are available in five configurations, with a choice of CPUs ranging from the Intel Celeron-300 to the Pentium II-366. Estimated street price for the line starts at $1549 for a Celeron-300 system with 32MB of memory, a 4GB hard drive, and a 12-inch monitor. A PII-366 powers the $2599 high-end model, which comes with 64MB of memory, a 6GB hard drive, and a 13-inch monitor. All five XE2 models feature a dual-display mode to facilitate presentations.

HP configured the XE2 notebooks with the MyYahoo business Web site, so you can quickly establish a free e-mail account, a Web-based calendar, and scheduling services. MyYahoo also lets you personalize relevant news feeds, stock quotes, and e-commerce destinations.

All the XE2 systems come with Windows 95 or 98--or, for the higher-performance models, you can choose Windows NT Workstation 4.0.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE
	IDG.net home page
PC World home page
FileWorld find free software fast
Make your PC work harder with these tips
Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net
		IDG.net's desktop PC page
		IDG.net's portable PC page
IDG.net's Windows software page
IDG.net's personal news page
Year 2000 World
Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you
Subscribe to IDG.net's free daily newsletter for computer geniuses (& newbies)
Search IDG.net in 12 languages
News Radio
	Fusion audio primers
	Computerworld Minute

"The NT operating system was added as an option in response to the surprising demand for NT from our notebook customers," says Glen Kuo, product manager for HP's XE product line.

Tipping the scales at 6.38 pounds, all models in the XE2 line also come with a built-in 56-kbps modem, a 128-bit graphic controller, and a 24X CD-ROM drive. External CD-ROM control buttons, similar to those found on a home stereo component, let you play CDs without booting up your system. HP is emphasizing ease of use and a streamlined industrial design with the XE2.

With the XE2 notebooks, HP also plans a next-business-day repair program scheduled to be available in June. Repair tracking, electronic product registration, and 24-hour customer support are included.

Micron expands TransPort line

Workers on the notebook warpath have a new weapon to consider from Micron as well.

Micron has updated its year-old TransPort Trek line of notebooks with the budget TransPort Trek2 and the power TransPort NX. Both have a unique stick pointing device placed between the G and H keys, and on both notebooks the touchpad is deactivated while you type.

The line starts at $1899 for the Trek2 running a Celeron-333 and sporting 32MB of memory, an 8MB video card, a 4.3GB hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, and a 12-inch display. The high-end TransPort NX, running on a PII-366, hits $3699.

Also not to be overlooked is Micron's "toolless" snap-open access to the notebook's innards. With a couple of snaps, you can pry off the top easily, making memory upgrades and servicing easy. Micron also boosted the portable's storage capacity with an LS-120 storage option that lets you add an Imation 120MB SuperDisk to your system.

Ditch your desktop

Micron asks why you should settle for less speed and fewer options to get portability. But if you choose this weighty notebook option, be prepared to pay up and work on your biceps.

The TransPort NX 8.4-pound portable comes with a beefed-up multibay chassis that can swap out any number of various add-ons. Micron describes the notebook's versatility as "intelligent expansion."

But adaptable they are. Three bays let you lose the floppy drive and substitute a second battery so you can watch DVD movies on that next agonizing cross-country flight.

A less expensive TransPort NX is available for $2899 with a base configuration of a PII-333, 64MB of memory (upgradable to 384MB), a 6.4GB hard drive (upgradable to 14GB), a 15-inch screen, and a CD-ROM drive. To save a little money, opt for Micron's 7.2-pound TransPort Trek2.