SHOOTOUT Business Notebooks

Continued from page: 1

Saturday, August 02, 2008

ASUS F5SL

The Asus F5SL is one of the two winners in this price segment. The laptop is a mixture of style and performance. The 15.4” LCD delivers sharper pictures, thereby making image and movie viewing a pleasant experience. On top of the screen you have a rotating webcam for video conferencing that lets you click pictures and shoot video clips both on the front and behind the screen easily. A Core 2 Duo processor and 2 GB RAM lie at the heart of this notebook, but its main attraction is the dedicated HD3470 graphics chipset from ATI, which gives a considerable lead over others in its class in graphics performance. However, the laptop sacrifices its battery backup for performance. It managed to stay alive for just 1 hr and 4 mins on battery, which was the lowest in the entire shootout. Despite that, the graphics performance makes its overall performance score just a hair below the top scorer in this category, the Dell Vostro 1200. The laptop has one touch buttons for opening a web browser, mute, etc. Both its keypad and touchpad are very comfy with adequate spacing amongst the keys. Overall, it's a good buy in its class for those needing more than basic productivity work.

ACER ASPIRE 2920

ACore 2 Duo 1.83 GHz processor is what powers the Acer Aspire 2920 along with a 2 GB RAM and 160GB HDD for storage. The notebook looks exactly like a smaller version of the Aspire 5920. But with a 12.1” screen and weight of around 2 kgs, its quite comfortable to lug around. The notebook scored decently in both features and pricing, and gave the second best performance for this category. Like the 5920 even this one has a Dolby certified sound system and two built-in speakers.

It also has a 5-in-1 card reader along with a DVD writer and webcam. One touch buttons have been provided on it for accessing email, switching on/off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi making this an easier and more comfortable notebook when it comes to usage.

Battery backup is decent at 2 hrs 45 mins. Overall, the Aspire 2920 is a good choice for people who are looking for a compact, feature rich notebook, which they need to carry around often.

ACER ASPIRE 5920

Only a few points behind the winners in this segment, this notebook gives decent performance and is high on entertainment features. Sporting a 15.4” LCD screen, loaded with Dolby certified surround sound system with a subwoofer, Acer MediaTouch keys and one touch Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Email buttons, the Aspire 5920 seems like a dream come true for professionals who want their notebooks to turn into entertainment powerhouses when they are not working. The notebook has packed inside a Core 2 duo processor, 2 GB RAM, and 160 GB HDD. Apart from this it has S-video and FireWire ports, along with 4 USB 2.0 ports, a webcam, a card reader, and a DVD writer. It weighs around 3 kg which makes it amongst the heavier ones in this category. Therefore when it comes to usage, due to its size and weight the notebook is not good for people who are looking for something more comfortable to carry. Battery backup stands at 2 hrs and 29 mins.

HCL Infinti Powerlite 9100 PL

This model has a 14.1” screen and weighs around 2.35 Kgs which is good for its price. It also gives a decent battery back up of around 2 hours 31 min. It does have a basic configuration in terms of features like webcam, USB ports, DVD writer and a card reader but there's no S- video or FireWire output, or security features like a biometric fingerprint reader which might be necessary for some. The DVD writer, memory card reader, USB, headphone and microphone ports have been intelligently placed on the sides leaving only the VGA and Kensington lock port at the back, making it comfortable to use even when you have devices plugged into these ports.

However, the notebook delivers decent performance and competes well with others in this category. Overall, the 9100 PL is a good laptop for the budget conscious who just need a laptop for running their basic productivity applications.

LG R 405-L

This notebook is amongst the good looking notebooks in this class, band has a compact and sturdy design. The keyboard of this notebook is easy to use having large keys with adequate space for placing your palms. Same goes for the touchpad, which is quite smooth. Most input and output ports on this notebook are provided on the sides which make it comfortable to use even while working with a few devices plugged in. It comes loaded with a massive 240 GB HDD as compared to 160 GB HDD present in most other notebooks. It also has standard features that are present on most laptops in this price range, including a webcam, S- video out, and a memory card reader. It misses out on a fingerprint reader and FireWire out. In performance, the R405L lags behind most other contenders in its category which can be due to the Pentium Dual core processor. Overall, a good notebook for basic productivity. Battery backup stands at 2 hrs 12 min.

SONY VAIO CR343N

ACore 2 Duo processor, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 200 GB hard disk drive and a DVD RW optical drive are all that this notebook comes with. Performance is nothing spectacular, despite the configuration. However, it has scored second highest on the features front. It has buttons around the keyboard that let you control AV applications and capture images with a single touch. Like almost all Vaio series notebooks, it has a beautiful design with 14.1” wide LCD display which gives you a relatively good picture quality.

What makes it pretty comfortable to use is its keyboard -the keys are quite big and well spaced. It comes loaded with Windows Vista Business Edition and a trial version of Microsoft Office 2007.

Overall this is a good looking, feature rich notebook having a sturdy design but is a little overpriced as compared to its competitors. Battery backup is just a little below 2 hours.

TOSHIBA Satellite L310

The Toshiba satellite L310 is a good looking business notebook. Even though it has a 14.1” LCD widescreen display it still looks quite compact and weighs only 2.39 kg. Based on the Centrino platform the L310 runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 2 GB RAM and 120 GB hard disk drive. Other features on this notebook include a webcam, gigabit Ethernet, fingerprint recognition, AV buttons, a FireWire out and a DVD writer.

Its keyboard was one of the most comfortable we came across in this category. The keys are large and very well labeled making it. But this is where the goodies end. The notebook's performance isn't average as compared to others in its class.

Overall, the L310 is a good looking notebook with a decent set of features but lags in performance as compared to others in this segment. Its battery backup is just a little below 2 hours. It's an average laptop, meant for basic productivity work.

Budget
Zenith Presidio

The Presidio is a lightweight and sturdy notebook, and quite professional looking with a compact and appealing design. Good looks aren't the only plus point of this beauty. It comes packed with an 'Intel Core 2 Duo processor' and one GB of RAM, which have perhaps helped it become the best performer in its class. In fact, one of the rasons for that is the superb battery backup of nearly two hours, which is again the highest in its class. Plus, it's also the lightest laptop we got in this category, weighing just 1.9 kg. Being a widescreen with just a 12.1” screen ensures that you can use it even in cramped places, such as a domestic flight. Besides that, the laptop has all the regular features required by a mobile professional--Bluetooth, 4 USB ports, SD card slot, and even a FireWire port. Plus, it also has a S-Video port. One thing that would take you sometime to get used to is the size of 'Shift' and 'Control' keys. They're half the normal size. Speakers are smartly placed on the front, and so are the LED indicators for HDD, WiFi, power, etc. Presidio has a decent touch pad that's quite comfortable to use. Plus, it has shortcut buttons to launch mail, browser, music, etc. Like most other laptops in its class, this one also didn't ship with an OS, so you'll have to pay separately for that. All in all, an excellent choice for frequent travellers, given its lightweight, good battery backup and excellent performance.

HCL Leaptop G-2827

This was the lowest priced laptop we received in the shootout, so obviously it's meant for people on a shoe-string budget. But the good part is that the laptop doesn't skimp on features because of the price. It has a roomy 15.4” widescreen that's a pleasure to work with, and comes packed with an ample 160 GB of HDD space. It has all the basic I/O ports that you would need to work with. These include 4 USB, VGA out, and the usual network, headphones, mic, etc. The speakers are very optimally placed on its front panel at the edges. Don't expect anything but regular productivity work out of it, because it houses a Celeron processor, and even the RAM is a lowly 512 MB. Even battery backup isn't too great at 1 hr 39 mins. Plus, while its shiny body looks attractive in the beginning, it is prone to smudging and scratches would be visible in the silvery part around the central lock of the LCD panel.

Working on it is quite comfortable though, even for people with large fingers, because of a full-sized keyboard and plenty of resting space for palms. Even the touch pad is quite comfortable to use. Overall, a good choice for regular office work.

Chirag CD18

This notebook is compact with a 12.1” screen, and quite sturdy and light, making it ideal for frequent travellers. However, we did observe a few minor nuances. When we powered it on, the screen kept going blank intermittently during the booting process, and we couldn't find any power or HDD LEDs to indicate any activity. Thankfully the machine booted fine. The notebok has an Intel Core Duo mobile processor with ATI Radeon Express graphics. It's not too impressive in performance, scoring the lowest in the group. It also heated up rather quickly, especially below the right palmrest. Interestingly, the notebook reached us preloaded with DOS, so you would have to spend extra for an OS. The 'Delete' key's placement is odd, and size of the 'Shift' key is also half, which would take time to get used to. Battery backup was decent at 2 hrs 21 min. Add to that the 1.91 kg weight and it's useful for frequent travellers.

HCL Leaptop 9200 GM

Leaptop 9200 looks like the third brother in its category of the HCL family of G2827, P2826 and 9200GM. What differentiates this from others is that this comes with Windows Vista Business which in turn makes this machine costlier than the other two. Most expensive in its category is obvious as Vista price is incorporated. All these models have three one touch keys for quick access. Using these keys one can access internet, mail. One key 'P1' is a programmable key that can be configured according to ones need. When we talk about overall score this is at the bottom, and on the performance front this one has managed position just above Chirag and G2827. Keypad and touch pad is exactly same as other two HCL notebooks in this category.

This again due to its size and weight is difficult to carry around. We don't recommend it for professionals on move. 9200 GM is a good option as a desktop replacement.

HCL Leaptop P2826

This one looks exactly similar to the other two Leaptops from HCL in this category. The difference is that this one comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, whereas the other two are Celeron based. Plus, it has more features, such as a built-in webcam. Plus, it comes with an ample 2 GB RAM, while the other two have 512 and 1 GB. It obviously outperforms the other two due to this.This notebook has all the regular ports needed by ordinary users, such as four USB ports, Ethernet, modem, VGA, etc. We did wish it also came with Bluetooth as well at this price. As the overall score suggests, this notebook is the second best performer in this category. The laptop can be used for daily office work and with added features it can be configured for more advanced apps like teleconferencing. However, owing to the large size and 2.73 kg weight, it's not for those who're perpetually on the move. Overall, go for this if you need performance and are an infrequent traveller.

LG XNOTE ED510-L

This is another large 15.4” widescreen laptop, like all HCL Leaptops in this category. But despite that, it's a little lighter than the Leaptops, weighing 2.68 kg as against 2.73 kg of the Leaptops. It also has a full size keyboard and plenty of space to rest your palms. This laptop comes with an Intel Celeron Processor and 1 GB RAM. The overall laptop is quite sturdy with two locks to safely close the LCD panel. A small problem, which might be with this piece was the battery, which is not tightly locked into its place. It has basic features that would be required by a standard user, save for one card reader. There are no quick launch buttons, like in the Zenith Presidio. The laptop's performance is pretty good, but battery back up is on the lower side at 1 hr and 37 mins. Overall, a good notebook for basic productivity work, and given the weight and size, it's not meant for frequent travelers.

Tablets
Fujitsu LifeBook T2010

The slim, light-weight LifeBook is a convertible tablet wiht a bi-directional swivel. A Tablet PC is ideal for designers or architects who're mostly on site and have to pen down a plan or design which they have to draw by hand. This tablet fits the purpose. It has a stylus that's sensitive to small taps and gives a feel of actually writing on a notepad. The stylus even has an eraser head. To be used as hand-held, it provides a good grip; if you are holding the tablet in your right hand you can change the orientation of display by 180 degree so that the grip is on your right hand. It houses a front mounted battery, because of which the touchpad has been replaced with a track-ball. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Gbe, VGA and 2 USB ports along with a FireWire port. All it lacks is an optical drive. For performance it gave a decent 2966 score in PCMark and 226 in 3DMark , which are good. Battery life lasted 3 minutes shy of two hours. It's sensibly designed.

HCL Leaptop 9100 PT

The first thing that catches eye in this tablet is its glossy finish and compact design. Though this machine is a tablet, it doesn't loose out its sturdiness.9100 PT comes with 'FireWire' port with speakers optimally placed on upper flap. 12.1-inch screen is well secured in all the positions. This machine comes loaded with Windows Vista Business. We carried out same tests as done on notebooks to check performance of this machine and this one faired very well in them. Keypad of this tablet is quite nice with convenient sized keys and a nice touch pad. One impressive aspect of this high performing tablet is the price that is quite attractive. 9100's small form factor with low weight makes it ideal for professionals on move, especially those who are in the field of designing like architectures, interior designers etc. The most attractive thing about this tablet is the price. At around 46K, it's a steal.

Sandeep Koul, Varun Jaitly, Swapnil Arora and Rahul Sah

Click here for Specs Table

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