At this average level of performance, all office work is well managed. No problems will be encountered with multitasking or multimedia applications. Older games as well as casual gaming e.g. “The Sims III” are supported. People looking for a primary laptop and who do not require high performance gaming will be satisfied.

• 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

  3078 #

• 3DMark Vantage

  5848.5 #

• Cinebench xCPU 64Bit

  18345 #

The design delighted the majority of all reviewers and they predicted it to be at the taste of most users. The notebook’s appearance walks a fine line between function and form.

The build quality provides for high standards to people requiring good protection for the laptop’s inner fragile parts. People on the move will find this laptop suited to handle both everyday life circumstances (putting it in and out of your bag/carrying it around) and significant challenges(falling from the desk to the hard floor, using it in a bus travelling on a bumpy road) very well.

• Base Unit Flex

   : 

  3.8/5

  The laptop chassis is quite resistant, however few imperfections with gaps and cracking sounds might annoy the user. The surface will suffer from some scratches if the computer is not protected during transportation.

• Hinge Stability

   : 

  1.5/5

  The lack of flexibility and tightness of the laptop hinge will cause some serious annoyances. The user will need to hold the laptop down with one hand for opening it. Moving around with the laptop will cause the monitor to shake disruptively, and when the screen is not fully opened, it might fall shut.

• Display Panel

   : 

  1.3/5

  Moving the display lid will cause color distortions on the screen. Gaps between the different parts of the display attest to inferior quality.

Generally the reviewers deemed this laptop to be above average. Users could expect this display to provide for average satisfaction with office work as well as multimedia use. Gamers and professional designers might however not find this display to their taste. To get a more comprehensive review of this display, users should check the ratings of the different attributes of this screen.

• Display Resolution

  1600 x 900

  This resolution allows the user to browse a website and skype at the same time, with the two windows open next to one another. High resolution video and picture editing might be problematic, while graphic design and low resolution editing are trouble-free. Gamers will need to afford a powerful graphic card to be able to support the native resolution. Most movies will be viewable with no black bars at the top and the bottom of the monitor.

• Color Reproduction

   : 

  2.8/5

  Though it would be manageable to watch movies with this color reproduction, the experience might not be enjoyable for visually acute users. The coverage of color spectrum is below average, making colors look far from authentic and incomparable to real life experience. High resolution gaming and HD movies viewing will not be pleasant.

• Contrast

   : 

  2.6/5

  The contrast between the darkest color -black- and the brightest color -white- is below average in this computer. This results in having the darkest areas being washed out resembling a dark shade of gray, while the brightest areas appear to be of a light grayish color. Movies can be enjoyed provided that the room is completely darkened. Most office workers will find the readability to be sufficient, while some might be annoyed by the close shades of gray characterizing both the dark text and the bright background. The needs of professional designers will surely not be met with this notebook.

• Contrast Value

  309.75 :1

• Brightness

   : 

  2.8/5

  The maximum brightness of this computer can be described as sufficient in most indoor settings. Under medium lighting conditions, this computer will provide for reading, watching movies and gaming with no annoyances. Bright ambient light will however not be favorable for any of the activities mentioned above. A positive point with this mediocre range of brightness is that it allows for energy saving. The battery lasts for longer hours compared to when used with a brighter screen.

• Average Brightness

  234.13 cd/m²

• Reflections

   : 

  1.4/5

  The reflections on this screen cause its usability to be close to minimal. Users will only be able to comfortably view the display in either dark environment or with the least possible amount of lighting. Outdoor use will prove to be absurd; patience and continuous focus will be required for any actual and efficient use of this laptop under medium lighting conditions.

• Viewing Angle

   : 

  2.6/5

  Looking at the screen from the side causes color distortions. Two people watching a movie have to sit close together for both of them to get a good picture. Even when you move in your chair color deviations will be noticeable. On the plus side, this display provides for some privacy in public spaces.

The sound quality of this laptop is average compared to other notebooks. Although these internal speakers are adequate for easy listening, you should not count on them for a fun movie night with friends. Gaming could still be fairly enjoyed, but the user should always account for external speakers or headphones for a better sound experience.

• Maximum Volume

   : 

  3.3/5

  The peak volume of this laptop is acceptably loud. If relying only on the maximum sound output of the internal speakers of this laptop, watching movies with a group of friends should be manageable. It will be as well quite challenging to clearly distinguish sounds at peak volume if you are at the other end of the room.

• Sound Clarity

   : 

  3.3/5

  The clarity of the sound is still ok at this level. While demanding audiophiles will think of it as a disaster, the rest of us will find the sound experience provided by this laptop satisfactory when watching movies or playing games.

• Lows

   : 

  3.3/5

  The bass in this laptop provides relative support for the overall sound experience. Most users might still find the bass acceptable, although this greatly depends on their expectations. Sound effects that depend on bass, like explosions in movies and games will not sound very convincing.

This keyboard will be valued by most users as convenient for frequent use. Be it for writing long emails, or surfing the net, most users will be satisfied with the comfort and the speed this keyboard provides for. If your professional life requires long typing hours, along with the highest levels of comfort, then you might want to consider a keyboard with higher rates.

• Layout

   : 

  2.7/5

  Many users will have a hard time readjusting to the layout of this keyboard. Some of the keys might be placed, shaped or sized differently compared to a conventional keyboard layout, leading to frequent typing mistakes and a decrease in typing speed. Overall users will not be satisfied with this layout, although with persistence it can still be manageable.

• Keyboard Size

   : 

  3.7/5

  Although the size of this keyboard is still decent, typos might be a bit more frequent as the keys might not be large enough, depending on the size of your hands. The palm resting area could be too small for some users, although it is generally suitable and comfortable. All in all, the keyboard is proportionate enough and should still fulfill the needs of most users, especially after some getting used to.

• Key Responsiveness

   : 

  3.4/5

  The responsiveness of this keyboard allows for most users to be satisfied with individual key feedback. The keys do require some pressure for efficient typing, without being either too soft or too stiff for manipulation. Most users will find this keyboard supportive for long typing hours as the keys can be pressed down without any difficulty and they respond back quite fast. Although this keyboard might not be responsive enough for some, the general feel of the keyboard should be within the ranges of satisfaction for most of us.

• Keyboard Flex

   : 

  2.3/5

  This keyboard may be for some users manageable, although for most it will be rated below average. The plastic below the keyboard sometimes flexes and the uncontrollable movement of the individual keys will throw you off your typing flow. Smooth typing is far from being an attainable reality, and will make users take some deep breaths to lower their levels of frustration and anger.

• Keys Clicking Sound

   : 

  2.0/5

  The keyboard will produce a sort of click-clack when typing which, although not exceedingly disturbing, might still make people around you uncomfortable. In quiet environment specifically, the contrast between the clicking noise and the silent surroundings might be quite annoying.

Most reviewers agreed that this touchpad should be to the liking of many users. The levels of accuracy, the size and the smoothness vs. resistance rates make this trackpad fairly above average. It is well suited for office work, browsing online and most other usage, although demanding users, designers and alike, might require a higher level of accuracy and would thus prefer an external mouse. The trackpad button quality was generally described as good and fitting the needs of most users.

• Touchpad Surface

   : 

  2.4/5

  The feeling of this touchpad will vary depending on the users and their preferences. For most reviewers, this touchpad was unsuitable for extensive use. Because of problems such as excessive roughness or a slippery surface, the users might not be satisfied quite yet with this touchpad.

• Sensitivity

   : 

  3.1/5

  Your expectations of an accurate touchpad should be generally satisfied. The levels of precision and speed provided by this touchpad are quite decent, and for most users, this touchpad will be just enough for daily use. Although the accuracy can be fine tuned in the Windows or Mac settings, the basic accuracy hardware wise is enough.

• Touchpad Size

   : 

  3.4/5

  The size of this touchpad is above average. You can browse through large displayed pages, although it might require frequent finger movement. Putting the sensitivity settings up on your computer should make your mouse move faster, and thus cover “more ground”, without much sacrifice of the accuracy of your pointer.

• Buttons

   : 

  3.4/5

  The reviewers considered the button quality of this touchpad to be satisfactory. Most users can rely on the accuracy and the smoothness of this button to carry out regular tasks. Very demanding users might find that the buttons fail to strike the right balance between being easy to click and giving clear feedback, making them a little too soft or too stiff. The button’s clicking sound will be acceptable for most, although sensitive users might prefer an even less noticeable auditive feedback.

• Buttons Noise

   : 

  1.7/5

  The sound while pressing the mouse buttons is an unpleasant clattering that delivers an impression of minor quality.

Picture quality could be better – videos end up being quite grainy.

This battery life should be enough for users planning to spend just a bit over a couple of hours away from a power source. If you want, for example, to check your emails in the garden, or during a short train ride, you should make sure that your display is set on low brightness. You should as well turn on your energy saving mode, and avoid running any other parallel programs other than the one you are using. With all these precautions, this battery might still not be enough for you, in this case you should have a second battery to secure longer working hours away from a power socket.

• Battery DVD/Video

  2:29 h

  This battery will only provide for 2 to 3 hours of work with energy demanding applications. You will probably be able to watch one movie or stream a couple of videos. Gaming will consume much more energy compared to watching videos, thus the battery will not last as long. For mobile use, an external battery is a good idea as it will double the time you are independent from power sockets.

This laptop will be considered by most users to be on the heavy side. You might find it best to only move this notebook under exceptional conditions and use it as a desktop replacement. You will definitely notice the heavy weight when putting the notebook on your lap. If you factor the extra weight of the charger, carrying around this computer will tire you, even if your praise yourself to be in good shape.

This laptop was rated by reviewers as rather noisy. In quiet environments such as libraries, lecture halls and the like, the laptop will make itself noticed. The noise of this laptop will challenge noise sensitive users, particularly in quiet environments.

• Noise Idle

   : 

  3.7/5

  You could hear some silent noise from the fans when the laptop is idle.

• Noise Normal Use

   : 

  3.7/5

  Noise emitted from this laptop will not cause any major inconveniences when doing office work or browsing the Internet. Although it might be be noticeable in a quite room, it should not be obstructing your concentration.

• Noise Full Load

   : 

  1.0/5

  Running high performance applications such watching movies, editing videos or gaming will make your laptop roar. Not very pleasant when in a quiet environment, or when trying to be discrete.

The laptop often gets too warm. Most reviewers found, at normal room temperature, it may be okay to keep the notebook on your lap when you are just surfing the net. The laptop will definitely get hot when you stress it, watching a movie or alike.

• Heat Top: Full Use

   : 

  5.0/5

  The laptop keeps quite cool at normal use. That’s very convenient.

• Heat Top: Normal Use

   : 

  5.0/5

  The temperature on top of the notebook is excellent. It never gets too warm.

• Heat Bottom: Normal Use

   : 

  3.0/5

  The bottom of the notebook warms up a little but is not getting too hot to place it on your lap.

• Heat Bottom: Full Load

   : 

  2.7/5

  There are some spots where the laptop gets a little hotter.