TOP VALUE

Hewlett-Packard's pitch for its new Compaq Presario M2000 series notebook computer is an old one: value for money. But the good news is that HP delivers. M2000 prices start at $7,280 and these machines sport features typically found in more expensive, high-end laptop models. Weighing about 2.91kg, the new Presario has an Intel Celeron M 1.4-gigahertz processor, Wi-fi connectivity, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, a 15-inch display, a 40-gigabyte hard drive, a combination DVD/CD rewriteable drive, an integrated six-in-one memory reader slot and 256 megabytes of memory that can be upgraded to two gigabytes. For work or play, those bells and whistles should be good enough.