ACi’s Profile Notebooks

ACi recently launched a Profile series of notebooks. We checked out the entry-level (Profile 5500) and lightweight (Profile 3220) notebooks. They are sleek, have enough hand-rest space, and come in attractive gray-silver color combinations.

You can choose between a Celeron 750 MHz or a PIII/850 MHz on the Profile 5550. The remaining specifications are the same for both–128 MB RAM, 10 GB hard drive, 24x CD-drive (upgradeable to DVD or CD-RW), 1.44” FDD, 12.1” TFT display, display memory up to 32 MB AGP 2x, 56K modem, 10/100 Mbps built-in LAN, and a Li-ion battery. The software includes Windows 98, McAfee AntiVirus, and StarOffice. They also have built-in speakers, microphone, jacks for a microphone and a headphone; one serial, one parallel, and one USB port; ports for external CRT, keyboard, and mouse; one DC-in port; and infrared transfer capability. The Celeron version is priced at Rs 66,990 while the PIII at

Rs 76,990.

The Profile 3220 is a lightweight machine, weighing 2.2 kg. Here too, you have a choice between a Celeron 750 or PIII/850. The specifications are the same as the 5500’s, with a few exceptions. The display here is 13.3” XGA TFT, display memory is 8 MB SGRAM AGP 2x, and you can choose between NiMh or Li-ion battery. You can also swap the floppy drive with a CD-RW or DVD drive, keeping the 24x CD-drive intact. With a NiMh battery, the Celeron version costs Rs 74,990 and the PIII one will set you back by

Rs 84,990.

You can upgrade up to 512 MB RAM, choose hard disks between 20 GB and 30 GB, and plug in a PCMCIA modem or Ethernet card (all machines have a PCMCIA port). You could also opt for Windows 2000 Professional. All this will cost you extra, of course.

Contact: Allied Computer Industries. Tel: 022-2814359, Fax: 2814360. 71-B, Mittal Court, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021. E-mail:

sales@aci-india.com

Pragya Madan in Mumbai