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Laptop Computer Purchasing Guide Change History

Q4/2007:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight; no changes.
  • Lightweight; increased RAM specification from 1.0 GB to 1.5 GB.
  • Value; increased RAM specification from 1.0 GB to 1.5 GB.
    December 3rd update; changed price range.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight; no changes
  • Lightweight; increased RAM specification from 1.0 GB to 1.5 GB.
    November 1st introduction; increased processor speed from 1.8 GHz to 2.0 GHz.
  • Value; increased RAM specification from 1.0 GB to 1.5 GB.

Q1/2006:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; clarified video specification to discrete video card, added SXGA+ and WXGA specifications.
  • Mid-Weight ; upgraded RAM from 768 MB to 1.0 GB, clarified video specification to discrete video card, added WXGA specification.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; upgraded Celeron M chip from 1.3 GHz to 1.4 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; clarified video specification to discrete video card.
  • Mid-Weight; no changes
    January 9th introduction; changed microprocessor from PowerPC G4 to Core Duo, changed display from 15.2-inches to 15.4-inches, upgraded VRAM specification from 64 MB to 128 MB.
  • Lightweight; clarified video specification to discrete video card.
  • Value; no changes.

Q4/2005:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; clarified video specification to discrete video card, added SXGA+ and WXGA specifications.
  • Mid-Weight ; upgraded RAM from 768 MB to 1.0 GB, clarified video specification to discrete video card, added WXGA specification.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; upgraded Celeron M chip from 1.3 GHz to 1.4 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; clarified video specification to discrete video card.
  • Mid-Weight; upgraded RAM from 768 MB to 1.0 GB, upgraded VRAM specification from 32 MB to 64 MB, clarified video specification to discrete video card.
  • Lightweight; clarified video specification to discrete video card.
  • Value; no changes.

Q3/2005:

Windows

  • General; explicitly called out Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 as the preferred operating system, removed aged TFT specification.
  • Full-Size; changed Bluetooth from optional to internal.
  • Mid-Weight ; changed display specification from XGA to SXGA+, upgraded VRAM specification from 32 MB to 64 MB, changed Bluetooth from optional to internal.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.5 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General; added Mac OS X version 10.4.x, removed aged TFT specification.
  • Full-Size; clarified display specification as widescreen.
  • Mid-Weight; clarified display specification as widescreen.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; no changes.
    July 26th introduction; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.2 GHz to 1.33 GHz, added internal Bluetooth.

Q2/2005:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; changed optical drive specification from DVD-R/CD-RW to DVD±R/CD-RW.
  • Mid-Weight ; no changes.
  • Lightweight;
  • Value; no changes.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; changed optical drive specification from DVD-R/CD-RW to DVD±R/CD-RW.
  • Mid-Weight; no changes.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; no changes.

Q1/2005:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight ; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.7 GHz 735 to 1.8 GHz 745.
    February 1st introduction; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.8 GHz 745 to 1.86 GHz 750, upgraded hard drive from 60 GB to 80 GB.
  • Full-Size; no changes.
    February 1st introduction; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.8 GHz 745 to 2.0 GHz 760.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
    February 1st introduction; upgraded Pentium M ULV chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.1 GHz 713, upgraded Pentium M LV chip from 1.2 GHz to 1.4 GHz 738, upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.6 GHz 730, upgraded hard drive from 40 GB to 60 GB, added 802.11g.
  • Value; no changes.
    February 1st introduction; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.5 GHz to 1.6 GHz 725, upgraded hard drive from 30 GB to 40 GB, added 802.11g.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes
  • Mid-Weight; no changes.
    January 31st introduction; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.33 GHz to 1.5 GHz, upgraded hard drive from 60 GB to 80 GB.
  • Full-Size; no changes.
    January 31st introduction; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.5 GHz to 1.67 GHz.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
    January 31st introduction; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.33 GHz to 1.5 GHz.
  • Value; no changes.
    January 31st introduction; upgrade RAM from 384 MB to 512 MB, upgraded hard drive from 30 GB to 40 GB.

Q4/2004:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.7 GHz to 1.8 GHz 745, upgraded RAM from 768 MB to 1.0 GB, changed optical drive specification from DVD-ROM/CD-RW 'combo' drive to DVD-R/CD-RW.
  • Mid-Weight ; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.6 GHz to 1.7 GHz 735, upgraded RAM from 512 MB to 768 MB.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; upgraded Pentium M chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.5 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General;
  • Full-Size; changed optical drive specification from DVD-ROM/CD-RW 'combo' drive to DVD-R/CD-RW 'SuperDrive', upgraded RAM from 768 MB to 1.0 GB.
  • Mid-Weight; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.25 GHz to 1.33 GHz, upgraded RAM from 512 MB to 768 MB.
  • Lightweight; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.25 GHz to 1.33 GHz.
  • Value; no changes.

Q3/2004:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium-M chip from 1.6 GHz to 1.7 GHz.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Lightweight; upgraded Pentium-M ULV chip from 900 MHz to 1.0 GHz, upgraded Pentium-M LV chip from 1.1 GHz to 1.2 GHz, upgraded Pentium-M chip from 1.3 GHz to 1.4 GHz.
  • Value; added Celeron-M processor, removed Mobile Celeron processor, upgraded Pentium-M chip from 1.3 GHz to 1.4 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General;
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.25 GHz to 1.5 GHz, changed optical drive specification from DVD-ROM/CD-RW 'combo' drive to DVD-R/CD-RW 'SuperDrive'.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.25 GHz.
  • Lightweight; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.25 GHz, upgraded hard drive from 40 GB to 60 GB.
  • Value; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 800 MHz to 1.0 GHz.

Q2/2004:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium-M chip from 1.5 GHz to 1.6 GHz.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; added Pentium-M processor.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; no changes.

Q1/2004:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded RAM from 512 MB to 768 MB.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; no changes.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded RAM from 512 MB to 768 MB, added Mac OS X version 10.3.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; added Mac OS X version 10.3.
  • Lightweight; added Mac OS X version 10.3.
  • Value; no changes.

Q4/2003:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded hard drive from 40 GB to 60 GB.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded hard drive from 40 GB to 60 GB.
  • Lightweight; upgraded hard drive from 30 GB to 40 GB, upgraded RAM from 384 MB to 512 MB.
  • Value; no changes.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; changed full size baseline from PowerBook 17-inch to 15-inch, upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.25 GHz, upgraded hard drive from 40 GB to 80 GB.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded hard drive from 40 GB to 60 GB, added internal Bluetooth, added 802.11g.
  • Lightweight; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 867 MHz to 1.0 GHz, upgraded RAM from 384 MB to 512 MB.
  • Value; no changes.
    October 22nd introduction; upgraded chip from PowerPC G3 900 MHz to PowerPC G4 800 MHz, added 802.11g, added Mac OS X version 10.3.

Q3/2003:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium-M chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.6 GHz.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium-M chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.5 GHz.
  • Lightweight; added Pentium-M LV and Pentium-M ULV processors, removed Pentium III processors, upgraded upper video RAM specification to 16 MB.
  • Value; clarified Celeron specification to Mobile Celeron, upgraded Mobile Celeron chip from 1.2 GHz to 1.6 GHz, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 30 GB, added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, removed CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 867 MHz to 1.0 GHz, upgraded VRAM from 32 MB to 64 MB, added optional Bluetooth.
  • Lightweight; clarified Bluetooth specification to internal Bluetooth.
  • Value; upgraded PowerPC G3 chip from 700 MHz to 900 MHz, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 30 GB, upgraded VRAM from 16 MB to 32 MB, added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, removed CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives.

Q2/2003:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded VRAM from 16 MB to 32 MB.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; added 1.3 GHz Pentium-M chip, upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 384 MB, added 802.11b.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 384 MB, added 802.11b.

Q1/2003:

Windows

  • General; upgraded modem from V.90 to V.92.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; clarified chip specification to Mobile Pentium 4, upgraded VRAM from 32 MB to 64 MB, changed display specification from XGA to SXGA+ and raised lower specification from 14.1 inches to 15.0 inches, added optional Bluetooth.
    March 12th introduction; added 1.4 GHz Pentium-M chip.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; clarified chip specification to Mobile Pentium 4, upgraded Pentium 4 chip from 1.8 GHz to 2.0 GHz, upgraded RAM from 384 MB to 512 MB, added optional Bluetooth.
    March 12th introduction; upgraded chip from a 2.0 GHz Mobile Pentium 4 to a 1.4 GHz Pentium-M.
  • Lightweight; clarified chip specification to Mobile Pentium III, added Mobile Pentium III ULV specification, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 30 GB, added optional Bluetooth.
    March 12th introduction; added 1.3 GHz Pentium-M chip.
  • Value; no changes.

Mac OS

  • General; upgraded modem from V.90 to V.92.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; changed full size baseline from PowerBook 15-inch to 17-inch, upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 667 MHz to 1.0 GHz, upgraded VRAM from 32 MB to 64 MB, added Bluetooth, removed Mac OS 9.2.x, added 802.11g.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; changed mid-weight desktop equivelant baseline from iBook 14-inch to PowerBook G4 15-inch, upgraded chip from 700 MHz PowerPC G3 to 867 MHz PowerPC G4, upgraded RAM from 384 MB to 512 MB, upgraded VRAM from 16 MB to 32 MB.
  • Lightweight; changed lightweight baseline from iBook 12-inch to PowerBook G4 12-inch, upgraded chip from 700 MHz PowerPC G3 to 867 MHz PowerPC G4, upgraded VRAM from 16 MB to 32 MB, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 40 GB, added Bluetooth, removed Mac OS 9.2.x, added 802.11g.
  • Value; upgraded PowerPC G3 chip from 600 MHz to 700 MHz.

Q4/2002:

Windows

  • General; no general changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium 4 chip from 1.8 GHz to 2.0 GHz, made 802.11b standard.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; removed Pentium III chip, upgraded Pentium 4 chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.8 GHz, upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 384 MB, upgraded hard drive from 30 GB to 40 GB, made 802.11b standard.
  • Lightweight; upgraded Pentium III chip from 866 MHz to 1.0 GHz, upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 384 MB, made 802.11b standard.
  • Value; upgraded Celeron chip from 1.1 GHz to 1.2 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General; added Mac OS X version 10.2.x.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded hard drive from 30 GB to 40 GB.
  • Lightweight; upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 384 MB.
  • Value; no changes.

Q3/2002:

Windows

  • General; no general changes.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; removed Pentium III chip, upgraded Pentium 4 chip from 1.4 GHz to 1.8 GHz.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; added Pentium 4 chip.
  • Lightweight; upgraded Pentium III chip from 800 MHz to 866 MHz.
  • Value; upgraded Celeron chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.1 GHz.

Mac OS

  • General; added Mac OS X versions 10.1.4 and 10.1.5.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded hard drive from 30 GB to 40 GB.
  • Mid-Weight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded PowerPC G3 chip from 600 MHz to 700 MHz, upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 384 MB, upgraded VRAM from 8 MB to 16 MB.
  • Lightweight; upgraded PowerPC G3 chip from 600 MHz to 700 MHz, upgraded VRAM from 8 MB to 16 MB.
  • Value; upgraded PowerPC G3 chip from 500 MHz to 600 MHz, upgraded VRAM from 8 MB to 16 MB.

Q2/2002:

Windows

  • General; added Windows XP Professional, removed Windows 98 and Windows ME.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; added Pentium 4 chip, upgraded RAM from 256 MB to 512 MB, upgraded VRAM from 16 MB to 32 MB, added optional 802.11b.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; added optional 802.11b.
  • Lightweight; added optional 802.11b.
  • Value; upgraded Celeron chip from 900 MHz to 1.0 GHz, added DVD-ROM option upgraded hard drive from 15 GB to 20 GB.

Mac OS

  • General; moved PowerBook G4 to Full Size 'Desktop Equivalent' category, added 14-inch iBook to Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent' category, added Mac OS X version 10.1.2+.
  • Full-Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 550 MHz to 667 MHz, upgrade RAM from 256 MB to 512 MB, added 802.11b.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; added 802.11b.
  • Lightweight; added 802.11b.
  • Value; added DVD-ROM option, upgraded hard drive from 15 GB to 20 GB.

Q1/2002:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.1 GHz, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 30 GB, removed 24x CD-ROM and 6x DVD-ROM drives.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 1.0 GHz to 1.1 GHz, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 30 GB, removed 24x CD-ROM and 6x DVD-ROM drives.
  • Lightweight; upgraded Pentium III chip from 700 MHz to 800 MHz, added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, removed 24x CD-ROM and 6x DVD-ROM drives.
  • Value; upgraded Celeron chip from 700 MHz to 900 MHz, upgraded hard drive from 10 GB to 15 GB.

Mac OS

  • General; added Mac OS X version 10.1.x.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded PowerPC G4 chip from 400 MHz to 550 MHz, upgraded hard drive from 20 GB to 30 GB, added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, removed DVD-ROM drive.
  • Lightweight; upgraded PowerPC G3 chip from 500 MHz to 600 MHz, added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, removed DVD-ROM drive.
  • Value; upgraded RAM from 192 MB to 256 MB, upgraded hard drive from 10 GB to 15 GB.

Q4/2001: added change history link.

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 850 MHz to 1 GHz, added CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive.
  • Lightweight; upgraded Pentium III chip from 600 MHz to 700 MHz, changed display specification from SVGA to XGA
  • Value; upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB.

Mac OS

  • General; added Mac OS 9.2.x.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Lightweight; no changes.
  • Value; upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 192 MB.

Q3/2001:

Windows

  • General; no changes.
  • Full Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 850 MHz to 1 GHz, added 8x4x24 CD-RW drive, removed CD-ROM drive.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 750 MHz to 850 MHz.
  • Lightweight; upgraded hard drive from 10 GB to 20 GB.
  • Value; upgrade Celeron chip from 650 MHz to 700 MHz, changed 6-10 GB hard drive range to 10 GB.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; no changes.
  • Lightweight; upgraded hard drive from 10 GB to 20 GB.
  • Value; no changes.

Q2/2001: separated full size and lightweight 'desktop equivelant' specifications and added value specification.

Windows

  • General;
  • Full Size 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 700 MHz to 850 MHz, upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB, changed display specification from 13"-14" to 14"-15.7", added CD-ROM.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded Pentium III chip from 700 MHz to 750 MHz, upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB, added CD-ROM.
  • Lightweight; removed Celeron chip, upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB.
  • Value; new specification.

Mac OS

  • General; no changes.
  • Lightweight 'Desktop Equivalent'; upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB.
  • Lightweight; upgraded PowerPC G3 from 366 MHz to 500 MHz, upgraded RAM from 128 MB to 256 MB, changed display specification from SVGA to XGA, added DVD-ROM, removed CD-ROM, added Mac OS 9.1.
  • Value; new specification.
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