Compaq Laptop

Many good things do come in small packages, which is why Compaq's Presario 1800T-600 is so difficult to pigeonhole. Small compared to what?<br><br>This eloquent, sturdy, full-featured mobile computer

Monday, September 25th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Many good things do come in small packages, which is why Compaq's Presario 1800T-600 is so difficult to pigeonhole. Small compared to what?

This eloquent, sturdy, full-featured mobile computer with a 15-inch TFT active matrix screen is significantly smaller than a desktop system. Yet, at almost 8 pounds, it's huge by laptop standards. In fact, it's in a computer class called "desktop replacements." The model I tested, which can be ordered, has plenty of appeal: a Pentium III 600 MHz processor, 6-gigabyte hard drive, 64 megabytes of RAM and an 8X DVD-ROM/floppy disk drive. A TV-out connector allows users to watch DVDs on a television.

Music CDs can be played while the PC is off. Another neat feature lets users conserve the battery by reducing processor speed.

Compaq didn't skimp on software, either. The 1800 includes Windows 98 SE (upgradable to Windows ME), Works, Word, Money and McAfee VirusScan.

An extra set of six programmable buttons above the keyboard provides handy shortcuts to e-mail, Internet access and other online functions. Compaq's 1800 series starts at $1,849. As configured, the Presario 1800T-600 is a good value for a portable at $2,049, a bit pricey for a desktop. The question is whether portability is important. See www.compaq.com or dial 1-800-888-0220 to learn more.