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The sub-$600 notebook is a rare beast, and the few Windows Vista models we've seen at or around this price have been acceptable, if less-than-stellar, performers. In much the same mold, Acer offers five slightly different fixed-configuration versions of the 14.1-inch Acer TravelMate 2480, the company's entry-level business laptop. The models all sell for around $550 and--if the model we tested is any indication--should be suitable for Web surfing, basic office productivity, and light multitasking.
The Acer TravelMate 2480 models all have an ergonomically curved keyboard that help them stand out from other inexpensive systems, like the Gateway NX270S and the Everex Stepnote VA4101M. Still, the Gateway NX270S's strong battery life makes it our current favorite for budget laptops.
All five TravelMate 2480 models are substantially similar to the one we reviewed, the Acer TravelMate 2480-2153. That system featured Windows Vista Basic, a 1.7GHz Intel Celeron M 430 CPU, 512MB of DDR2 RAM (which is barely acceptable, even for Vista Basic), integrated Intel 950 graphics, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, and an 80GB hard drive.
