Big sound has always been a big problem for a notebook computer. Now there is... almost big sound.

If you are interested in making DVD video presentations on-the-road, we can recommend the the Toshiba Satellite 5000 series notebook computer.

While the processing power and screen resolution are far in excess of what is required for playing DVDs, it has one feature we've not seen in any other portable- pretty good sound. Amazing, actually, for a notebook. What sets the Satellite 5000 apart from the others is the added Harmon Kardon sub-woofer built right into the machine.

Notebook audio quality can be greatly improved by connecting to a small speaker system. But for making nice, neat, uncomplicated - yet impressive - personal sales presentations, the 5000 can't be beat.

At 15 inches, its TFT UXGA screen is generally the largest you can purchase on a portable. And its "U"XGA high resolution image (1600 x 1200) is still rare technology. While such a screen is "over-kill" for DVD, it certainly is the best notebook quality you can find for viewing still photos. Bonus.

Other features of note: NVIDIA GeForce 4 3D graphics; S/P DIF-Dolby AC3 support; SD Card Slot; Smart Media Card Slot; i. Link (IEEE1394) port for video editing and the whole thing looks very design-impressive.

But they are going like hotcakes and entire chains can be sold out for months. Suggested price- $3,000 (Cdn). One alternative: A laptop costing more than $1,000 (Cdn) less with portable, self-powered plug-in speakers.