X-bit labs

ASUS X51R Notebook Review: Excellent Budget Solution (page 5)

Category: Mobile

by Alexander Britvin

[ 11/11/2007 | 09:17 AM ]

The following components can be found on the notebook’s right panel (from left to right):

• Headphones output
• Microphone input
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• PC Card connector (for one card of type I or II) with an eject button

• 4-in-1 card-reader that supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, MultiMediaCard and Secure Digital

The notebook’s rear panel has most of its connectors (from left to right):

• 15-pin D-Sub connector for an external monitor
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• LAN port (RJ-45)
• Modem port (RJ-11)
• Power connector
• Kensington security slot

The following can be found on the notebook’s bottom: covers of CPU, memory, HDD and WLAN compartments (the latter is empty in our sample of the notebook), a battery module, an emergency shutdown/reset hole, and stickers with the model specs and the OS serial number.

Vent holes are placed closer to the center on the notebook’s bottom. This is a proper solution as the notebook is less likely to overheat if you place it on your laps.

The X51R has a 6-cell rectangular battery with a capacity of 4400mAh. The battery is located under the user’s right wrist, so this part of the case will always stay cool. The battery is fixed in its bay with two plastic juts that go out of the case.

The memory compartment contains two slots one of which is occupied by a 512MB module. The maximum memory amount supported by the notebook is 2048 megabytes.

Now the only thing left to note is the stereo speakers. These are placed on the beveled front panel. They are thus close to the user, but face downwards. The volume level is controlled by pressing Fn together with F10, F11 and F12, which is indicated on the screen like that: