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The Mobile Pentium III Processor
 The
new Intel Pentium III mobile processor from 600 to 650 features the new
0.18-micron technology. Resulting in faster computing speed and makes possible
the use of smaller chips to create the thinnest, lightest mobile PCs. Mobile
Pentium III processors featuring Intel Speed Step technology and Quick Start
features further extend PC portability with lower power consumption and
improved battery life.
The 500, 450 and 400 MHz mobile Pentium III processors deliver one of the
highest Intel-based mobile PC performances ever. The new 500-MHz version
is the first Intel processor available on the innovative 0.18 micron manufacturing
process. Today’s latest mobile attaching
CPU technique is the Micro PGA (Pin Grid Array). The latest 0.18 Micro PGA
is 19% smaller than the precedent 0.25 PGA. Another compact package is the
0.18 BGA (Ball Grid Array), it's 25% smaller than the 0.25 BGA.
The documentation
| OS
Preload: |
Microsoft®
Windows® 98 preloaded, Windows® NT/2000
compliant
|
| Software:
|
| BIOS
Set-up, Power-on and HDD passwords |
|
Acer
System Recovery CD |
| TimeMachine
by Acer |
|
Notebook
Manager |
| PC-cillin®
98 |
|
Sleep
Manager |
| PC
Doctor 3.0 for Windows |
|
Puma
Intellisync®
|
| AltaVista
free access† |
|
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Acer includes a 730 series user’s guide, covering
everything from software to hardware. Even a detailed guide on how to upgrade,
installing extra Random Access Memory (RAM), connecting PC Cards, etc. Whether
you’re a beginner or the advanced user, the guide will come in handy.
There is also a little pocket card included, it’s
basically a simple plastic card with a number of different key sets, to
turn the touch pad off, turn the speaker off/on, adjust the brightness,
contrast, etc. Acer also
included a modem user’s guide in the package, in five different languages,
covering some troubleshooting, AT commands and some general information’s.
The other included guide in the bundle was
the Windows 98 SE, getting started manual, covering basically some of Windows
98 features, giving installation tips, and some general troubleshooting.
The last included documentation is warranty
related material. You get the 1-Year warranty passport with some questions
and answers in another document. And the warranty form it self.
Conclusion
 Acer
made it again, a new series of notebooks with different flavors to chose
from. Our lab tests justified that the 730 series are built under the high-end
terms with no exceptions. We didn’t find any big negatives, but we did manage
to find some improvements that could be done in their upcoming products.
First, it would be nice if they
could include an extra RCA video out, or simply include a dongle that could
do the job as an adapter, well actually, maybe this suggestion should go
to ATI directly. Second, the prices are somehow a little bit
too high cause of the several features built-in. Of course this is not bad,
but it might touch the ones that are not planning to use them. Our suggestion
is, maybe offer different models to chose from (No modem or no network adapter)
or simply let the user configure his own system as DELL
does.
We worked with several notebook computers in
the past years, the TravelMate series were always considered being the top.
And with their new 730 series knocking the door, they are not an exception
again. If you are currently looking for a new notebook, we highly recommend
you to take a look at the 730 series, they are by far one of today's most
attractive product money can buy.
Oleg Mitskaniouk
April 17, 2000
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