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CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Laptop computer memory size
To maximize battery life, notebook computer processors are often designed to save more energy and run cooler than desktop processors. The drawback is slower performance, but more memory can help, which it won't consume energy or radiate heat. Even better, up to 4GB of RAM can now be found in budget configurations. If you want more memory later, expansion is often a simple procedure.
See more Notebook computer RAM products
Notebook computer processors
The central processor (CPU) is the heart of any computer system and an excellent litmus test as to whether a desktop computer or notebook fits your needs. The trouble is, processor names like Athlon and Celeron are as cryptic as system names like Latitude and Pavilion. Here's a quick guide to see which chip is a fit:
| Manufacturer | Processor name | Processing power | Designed use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | Core 2 Extreme Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| Intel | Core 2 Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| AMD | Turion | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Athlon | High | Mainstream |
| Intel | Core 2 Duo | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Sempron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Celeron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Pentium Dual Core | Medium | Entry level |
| AMD | Athlon Neo | Low | Netbook |
| Intel | Atom | Low | Netbook |
| Via | C7-M | Low | Netbook |
| Via | Nano | Low | Netbook |
| Intel | Pentium | Low | Budget |
See more Notebook processor products
CNET product brief
Description: The Acer TravelMate 4730-6764 is a 5.3-pound, thin-and-light notebook computer.Compared to other thin-and-light notebooks on the market, it is very inexpensive at around $845.The 14.1 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1280 x 800, which is fairly standard among notebooks.Powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor.This configuration includes a 160GB hard disk and 2 GB of RAM.
Pros: Includes an HDMI port so you can easily output the notebook's audio and video to a compatible TV or monitor.The built-in fingerprint reader will speed up the log in process while adding a strong layer of data protection.
Cons: Has a modest 2 GHz CPU speed, which is slower than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Dell Latitude E6500, a 5.1-pound notebook at around $805, has a 2.53 GHz CPU speed.Also, this notebook has only 3-hour estimated battery life, which is somewhat shorter than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Toshiba Satellite U505-S2940, a 5.3-pound notebook at around $895, has 7.9-hour estimated battery life.The poor battery performance of this notebook means it has to be recharged more often than other notebooks in its class.Graphics-intensive applications (such as texture-rich games, DVD playback, and video editing) will hinder performance on a system that relies on shared video RAM.
Suitability: A thin-and-light notebook, suited for business computing.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.Archive your digital videos using this notebook's DVD writer.
Value: In view of its very inexpensive price, this notebook has good features for the money.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.(2) The integrated camera, while it does not have the resolution of most handheld cameras, can be handy if you want to teleconference over the Internet.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
