MacBook Air too pricey? Thin HP laptop hits $399

Hewlett-Packard is offering a good deal on a well-received ultraportable that is less than half the price of Apple's least expensive MacBook Air.

HP Pavilion dm1z is inexpensive and faster than a Netbook.
(Credit: Hewlett-Packard)

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Why the mention of Apple's MacBook Air? Apple's 2.3-pound laptop is the standard by which all other ultraportables are judged. Like it or not, that's the way things are.

But let's get to the topic at hand. The HP Pavilion dm1z can be had for as little as $399 direct from HP after inputting a coupon code. That's a pretty good deal for a laptop that is a cut above an Intel-based Netbook and offers fairly solid build quality. (See this thorough review of the dm1z here.)

The dm1z, like the smallest MacBook Air, has an 11.6-inch screen, though it weighs over a pound more at 3.5 pounds. That's still pretty light. But it won't match thinness of the Air, which is 0.11 inches at its thinnest point. The HP is 0.8 inches at its thinnest point.

But there are other goodies that compare favorably to the Air. A roomy 320GB hard disk drive (7200RPM), 3GB of memory, more ports, and the option for built-in 3G from Verizon, AT&T or Sprint.

But the comparison with the MBA falters a bit in some crucial areas. The dm1z is not constructed from aluminum like the Air and aesthetically doesn't offer the elegance of the MBA.

Inside the dm1z taps Advanced Micro Devices' latest dual-core E-350 processor (1.6GHz, 1MB L2 Cache with AMD Radeon HD 6310M graphics). These new AMD chips--replete with a solid graphics processor--handily beat Intel's Netbook-class Atom processors but are not necessarily faster than the silicon used in the MacBook Air. The Air pairs Intel's Core 2 Duo processor with an Nvidia chipset that also delivers good graphics performance for an ultraportable.

And returning to the $999 MacBook Air, in addition to the specs mentioned above, you get a 64GB solid-state drive and 2GB of memory.

Laptop Battery life between the two seems comparable. Of course, that depends on what you're doing with the devices, but both exceed five hours, according to most reviews.

No, it's not a MacBook Air. But then again you're saving $600 for a respectable ultraportable--while the coupons last.


Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20048565-64.html

Hybrids, electric cars provide different advantages

We're all trying to do more with less these days, and many families are examining their impact on the environment, both at home and on the road. • Electric and hybrid cars have been garnering much attention for having a smaller impact on the environment than traditional gas-powered vehicles, but how do you know whether an alternative energy vehicle is right for you?

Before choosing a new car, it's helpful to understand the differences between hybrid and electric vehicles.

Both types of vehicles are more efficient than traditional cars — incorporating energy-saving and emissions-reducing features, many of which are related to innovative uses of lighter-weight plastics and reinforced plastic composites.

Hybrid cars are dual-powered, featuring an electric motor and a gas-powered engine. The electric motor is powered by a battery, while the gas engine is, of course, powered by gasoline. Depending on how and where you are driving, the car switches between the motor and the engine to achieve maximum fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

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Electric cars, meanwhile, rely on only an electric motor powered by a battery. As battery technology advances, these batteries are getting more powerful and less bulky and are holding charges longer. The latest example of battery technology is the lithium-polymer (polymer means plastic) battery. These batteries are up to 10 percent more efficient than the nickel-metal hydride batteries currently in many hybrid cars.

Electric cars have come a long way, but so far they don't have the same long-range capabilities of gas-powered vehicles. With hybrids, consumers can get the reduced emissions of an electric motor, plus the long-range capabilities of a gas-powered engine.

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Automakers also are increasing the efficiency of hybrid and electric cars by investing in more efficient designs. They are using materials such as reinforced plastic composites that can be as strong as steel, yet lighter, to reduce vehicle weight and lighten the load on engines. Vehicles built using these materials tend to weigh less, while providing high performance.

And the green credentials don't stop at the engine. Some new models even have seat belts made from recycled plastic bottles. For more information about how plastics are fueling auto innovations, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

So which type of vehicle is right for you?

Today's hybrid car models are great for commuters and road trips, while electric cars are handy for short trips to the grocery store or to pick the kids up from school.