X-bit labs

14" Widescreen: Most Optimal Solution? 10 Contemporary Notebooks Roundup (page 9)

Category: Mobile

by Vasily Melnik

[ 06/07/2006 | 10:56 PM ]

The notebook’s I/O connectors are all placed on its side panels:

On the left side, there are two closely placed USB 2.0 ports, an output for an external monitor, modem and LAN ports, and a DVD-burner.

In the middle of the right panel, there is a video output, one more USB 2.0 port, and a vent opening.

The right panel is more densely populated closer to the notebook’s front:

Headphones and microphone sockets (the former is combined with an SPDIF output), PCMCIA slot, card-reader, IrDA port, FireWire connector. Behind the vent gird there is a power adapter connector and a Power-On button.

The Power-On button is designed in an original way: it’s built into the screen hinge. Make sure you don’t press it accidentally while carrying the notebook.

The keyboard is ordinary:

This is a regular notebook keyboard with an addition of text navigation buttons on the right. The arrow keys are not very handy due to their smaller size.

There are two groups of extra keys on both sides of the keyboard.

The left group includes media player controls and an Instant-On mode button. The group on the right is comprised of two instant-launch keys, wireless adapters switches, and a button to disable the touchpad.

This solution is all right aesthetically, but not ergonomically. The buttons may be pressed accidentally when you’re moving the notebook around with the lid open.