Cheap SHARP Actius AL27 Notebook PC REFURBISHED (Electronics) Price

The Basics:
A sensible notebook for budget-minded shoppers who have an eye on the future, the affordably priced Sharp Actius PC-AL27 delivers in the areas that count most and keeps costs under control elsewhere. The system's 3D graphics performance definitely won't excite gamers and its projected battery life is only so-so, but it's a solid computer most everywhere else and features a versatile AMD Athlon 64 processor that supports both 32-bit and 64-bit applications. Ultimately, the Actius PC-AL27 is a good bet for cost-conscious consumers who don't play the latest and greatest 3D games but otherwise require a notebook that will stand the test of time.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Actius PC-AL27 sports an AMD Athlon 64 processor 2700+ operating at 1.6 GHz. Though this clock speed doesn't compare favorably with even the lowest-rated Intel Pentium 4, the fact is that Intel and AMD build their CPUs differently, and a 1.6 GHz Athlon provides ample on-the-road power. Moreover, this Athlon supports both 32-bit applications (the vast majority of today's software) and 64-bit apps (the eventual future of software).

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they also keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Actius PC-AL27 incorporates 512 MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM. This is a typical allotment and typical speed in today's midlevel notebook world, and more than enough to deal with complex jobs and multitasking. Users may upgrade to 1280 MB, through most certainly won't need to.

Video:
CPUs are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The best and priciest graphics controllers feature on-board "dedicated" video memory rather than "sharing" portions of the system's all-important main memory. Moreover, graphics controllers with more dedicated or shared memory (such as 128 or 256 MB) deliver better performance than those with lesser amounts (i.e. 32 or 63 MB). This unit features a VIA/S3 Graphics UniChrome Pro with just 64 MB of shared, not dedicated, memory. Thusly, it cannot be seen as a prime machine for sophisticated 3D applications such as high-end games and animation packages, though it's perfectly sufficient for 2D tasks and simple 3D work.

Display:
Like the majority of notebooks in today's market, the Actius PC-AL27 is equipped with a 15-inch, non-widescreen display. It is perhaps most notable for incorporating Sharp's "Double Bright" technology, which Sharp says will deliver a picture two times brighter than that of typical notebooks.

Hard Disk:
A happy medium between capacity and price, the system's 60 GB hard disk is much more affordable than the 100 GB-plus drives found in upscale notebooks yet still allows you to store a broad range of applications and files and also keep a small library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system sports a DVD+/-R/RW/CD-RW drive through which you can do all of the above. It does not, however, support "double layer" DVDs (twice the storage space of standard DVDs).

Audio:
The unit is equipped with stereo speakers, a mini microphone jack and a stereo mini headphone jack.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an ergonomically-designed keyboard.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The Actius PC-AL27 offers a variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 LAN port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated 802.11b/g wireless technology for fast cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road in today's two most accepted wireless formats, Wireless-B and the far faster Wireless-G. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, and an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders). A memory card reader is not included, nor is Bluetooth or Infrared technologies.

Operating System and Software:
The bundled software package is not as comprehensive as that of most notebooks. It includes Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system and Corel's WordPerfect Office productivity suite.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements." On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. Measuring 12.8 by 10.7 by 1.17-1.57 and weighing 6.5 lbs, the Actius PC-AL27 is a wee bit below average size.

Power:
The unit is equipped with a rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that provides two hours between charges. Please note that some of today's more efficient (and generally more expensive) notebooks are currently breaking the four and five hour mark.

CATEGORY:	Electronics
MANUFACTURER:	SHARP
FEATURES:	Memory 512MB DDR SDRAM (PC2700) standard, expandable to 1280MB, Video Controller VIA/S3 Graphics UniChrome Pro (Integrated in chipset) - VRAM 64MB (default)/32MB/16MB (Shared with system memory), Display 15 XGA Advanced Super-V TFT LCD (400cd/m2, 1024x768), 16 Million Colors, Hard Drive Approx. 60GB (5.3GB reserved for recovery image), Optical Drive DVD+-R/+-RW&CD-R/RW
MPN:	PCAL27-R
UPC:	074000044227