Laptops - Computing Became Easier

For many, a laptop is something to show off-flash an expensive one at an airport or at the odd boardroom discussion and you’re bound to get attention.

Such people belong to a soon-to-be extinct species. Most people who own a laptop will be in the first to tell you that it was functionality, utility and convenience that made them go for a notebook, rather than style, panache or even sex appeal.

The most obvious class of people to benefit from notebooks are, of course, the business class. As an owner of a company, you have to be constantly informed of changes both within and outside your organization.

What about the average BE or MBA student, who attends lectures during the day, studies during the night, and works on projects in between? You’ll need something to take down quick notes, quick access to the internet to verify facts and do some research. You’ll also probably want to unwind to a movie, or listen to some music while you work on your project. Then you may need to work on a report, during lunch hour.

For all of the above, a notebook would be necessity. Like caffeine, something that is needed to jump start one’s day, or at the least see them through it. So a luxury no more, a notebook has even gone so far as replacing a desktop in some homes, simply because, the family would rather be more flexible, and nobody has accused desktops of being that….

Traditionally, notebooks have lacked just two things – usability, which is important to everyone – and performance, which is important to most people. These comparisons are made with respect to a desktop PC, which in general, is more powerful, more general purpose, more comfortable and ergonomic to use, and can perform a few tasks beyond most laptops. While this chasm of shortcomings between notebooks and desktops still exists, (and may always exist), laptops today are more powerful processing machines than their predecessors that are just a year old.

We’ve tested 36 notebooks across all spheres of usage, and from all possible manufacturers. No matter what you need, if you’re shopping for a laptop solution you are going to find one in the following pages.

Sony Vaio VGN – AR69GU

This 17 – inch behemoth is definitely not meant to keep on your lap, unless you have a very large lap indeed, or need to keep it warm! What this is, however, is a desktop replacement and a powerful and good looking one at that. While the build, fit and finish are excellent, the AR-69GU feels solid to hold, you get the feeling that a device so large defeats the purpose of being a notebook. The screen is gorgeous and crisp, and the keypad wonderfully spaced out – a pity though, that the multimedia buttons are very clicky and tacky. The touchpad is also sensitive and imparts just the right amount of feedback. With 3 GB of system memory and a 256 MB GeForce 8600GT under the hood, you can expect this giant to be no longer no slouch.

There’s a fully functional Windows MCE remote bundled with this thing, and Sony also provide S-Video and TV antenna jacks, in addition to an HDMI port. Incidentally, the 17 – inch screen does 1920x1200 pixels, so native 1080p should be a wonderful experience. This notebook’s entertainment even before switching it on. You’ll find the shortcut keys very utilitarian – our only gripe being the typically soft Vaio Keypads, which lack key feedback – they’re too drives on board and a DVD Writer-cum-Blue-ray drive, this notebook has a configuration that should stand the test of time…at least for another couple of years.

We really enjoyed this notebook as far as home entertainment is concerned. It’s not for the discerning gamer, but it does most tasks with ease, while retaining functionality as a fully remote-controllable desktop replacement. At Rs 1,69,000, the largest Vaio in this test is very expensive. But that’s in keeping with its premium specifications, premium performance, premium features, and its premium heritage. It’s for those looking for an HTPC-cum-PC-cum-powerful notebook that is connectable to a large screen TV as well, but the crave the mobile flexibility of a notebook and do not want to waste space on a desktop.

Acer Aspire 8920G

If you though 17-inch notebooks were nicknamed “lap busters”, we wonder what name would be apt for this humongous freak. At 18.4 inches, the 8920G is the largest notebook we’ve seen, or held. If you’re looking to lug your notebook in anything less spacious than a limousine, then we suggest you forget owning this. With a piano black finish, and a rounded, a curvy posterior with a bright screen that does 1920x1080 pixels, this laptop isn’t unattractive at all.

With 3 GB of RAM, a snappy 2.2-GHz dual-core processor and a spanking new GeForce 9500GS graphics solution, the 8920G seems to be strong contender to replace your ageing desktop (actually, it would give any desktop a good run for its buck). For those looking for something to use as a home entertainment system, or a laptop for the entire family, you get 320 GB of HDD space, and an HDMI port to connect to your large screen TV. We’d have liked a Blue-ray optical drive, but all we got was a 20x DVD burner.

With a quirky keyboard, and touch buttons that look better than they work, the 8920G is still a formidable desktop replacement solution, and it’ll offer some portability to those who are muscular enough to heft its bulk around. If it loses out to the Vaio AR69GU in terms of features like a built in TV Tuner, S-Video connect and Blue-ray drive, it also wins big time in terms of price. At 79,999, it’s half the price of less bulky Sony VGN-AR69GU. Although it’s not as well built, and doesn’t sport the same designer tag, we reckon it’s a saner choice, unless you really want your notebook to grab all the attention.

Acer Aspire 6920

The smaller brother to the Aspire 8920G (by 2.4 screen inches, to be exact) looks identical to its larger, faster and costlier siblings. The quirky touch-type multimedia keys remain unchanged from its older brother. However, it’s a lot more portable, although these aren’t the type of notebooks anyone would want to cart around. It’s well built as its sibling but makes do without any without any discrete graphics powering its video subsystem. Once again 3 GB of system memory makes the 6920 snappy. Both Acers have a CPU in common.

In our collective opinion such a large, powerful notebook simply requires a graphics card and an X3100 video solution just doesn’t cut it for viewing HD content, or any kind of serious multimedia usage. And that’s the kind of user who will buy such a laptop - a person who wants a powerful notebook to replace his main desktop solution.

At Rs 49,999, the 6920 is a sturdy, large notebook meant to be plonked on to a desk and for the most part, kept there. We really wish for a discrete graphics solution on this one but if whishes were Acers, this one would be an unavoidable recommendation. As it stands, if you’re looking for a powerful desktop replacement notebook and you’re on a budget, it doesn’t get stringer than this.

HCL G28 CP

At Rs 22,490, the G28 CP is positioned as an entry level solution, and for this price we wouldn’t expect much. However, it’s got a solid, robust, (if bulky), feel. Thanks to a total lack of design attention, it also feels very clunky. The good thing about it is that if you’re ever going to get caught in an alley by a mugger, then this is the notebook you would probably wish you had. The keypad isn’t too bad, and the keys, although lacking any kind of comfort contouring, are rather well laid out, with acceptable levels of feedback.

An entry-level Core 2 Duo does duty here (T2310). In fact, these processors are little more than dual core Celerons, so don’t expect much performance from this notebook. The 1 GB of RAM is decent enough for the target audience who will mostly be using this at office or home for very basic tasks.

If you’re even remotely interested in multimedia or a fancy notebook, or even powerful desktop replacement, then you’d do well to steer clear of this. For someone looking for an entry level notebook, however, this one may be worth considering.

HCL P28 PDC

HCL next offering and basically identical to the cosh-like G28 CP, which isn’t bad if you intend to be setting at your desk with your notebook for most of the time. This one is just heavy, and shares the same keys and feedback. We didn’t like the very hard-to-press shortcut buttons on the front bezel. Other convenience issues were the lack of any type of buttons for activating and deactivating WLAN connectivity. Bluetooth is lacking (also on the G 28 CP).

Power by a Core 2 Duo T2330, a 2 GB of RAM, along with a 160 GB hard drive, this has a marginally better configuration, though battery life is down at an abysmal 81 minutes. For Rs 28,990, this notebook will have takers only from the lot who want a notebook and are graduating there from a desktop. Portability freaks, performance users and aficionados will give this a miss.

HCL B30 C2D

Sporting an identical look to both the earlier HCLs in this category, the B20 C2D offers nothing different to the earlier two expect in terms of configuration. This notebook comes with free DOS, so do remember that genuine copies of Windows will add to your price. Also no software is bundled, except for an HCL backup-restore suite.

The 2 GB of RAM and Core 2 Duo T5550 do make the B30 C2D a little faster, and this notebook will handle some multimedia content, (remember we said some). The 80 GB HDD is a backward step and considering the minimal difference in price of 80 and 160 GB notebook HDDs this is a travesty. For Rs 32,990, the B30 C2D is a decent solution for prices conscious buyers, though to be honest, if all you need is access to the Internet and basic office use, both the G28 and the P28 from HCL’s own stables would do the trick. You save pretty penny too!

HCL Z24 C2D

This is HCL’s first good notebook solution that we reviewed. A 14.1 – inch laptop is so much better than 15.4 inch, especially, when you need to heft it around, and when HCL designs their notebooks to be heavy duty.

At Rs 38,490, the Z24 C2D is good value for money. It’s reasonably powerful, reasonably compact, and reasonably functional. For the value conscious home user who wants some mobility, this is a good option.

Intex M722S

A 12.1-inch notebook that wasn’t as compact as we’d like and therefore finds itself in this category. It’s a little thick, and rather heavy for a 12.1 inch notebook, and aimed squarely at value buyers, which is no excuse for such a mediocre build. Also, one needs to take care when opening the notebook and extending the lid too far back, as the hinge is rather flimsy.

It’s got a very basic configuration, but if you are looking for something extremely portable for office use and something that can be lugged home with minimal fuss or energy consumption, then the Core 2 Duo T2450 (2.0 GHz), with 1 GB of RAM will suffice.

The clincher for Intex is the price – at Rs 30,900, the M722S is one of the cheapest compacts that money can buy, and makes sense for someone looking for frugal mobility.

Acer Aspire 5290

Acer reminisces with the Lego toys of yesteryear with a return to plastic with their Aspire 5290. The finish although cheap looking, and off white color, (the worst color for dirt prone touch pads), does seem to be of good quality, especially, after a week of regular use.

It’s the larger twin of the Aspire 2920, and for a 15.4-inch notebook, its heavy too (3 kg). The configuration is a Core 2 Duo T5550 (1.83 GHz) coupled with 2 GB of RAM is good enough for office work and the Internet on Windows Vista. A shame then, that Acer chooses to bundle Linux with this notebook, although frankly we were interested to see the difference this made in the pricing. At Rs 39,139 the Aspire 5290 aspire to be something it is not. Do not aspire to own this, you will find better options among the other contenders.

LG XNote R405

LG’s value offering, something for the person who wants quality and a good price sans hassles. All XNote’s are very well built, and the R405 looks like one of those notebooks that will outlast your desire to hold on to it. The color combination on the lid is attractive, white flecks ona smooth black background. The inside is finished in matte antiseptic white that looks well…a little too clean. It’s a rather thick notebook to be. The keypad is well laid out with good spacing between keys, and although not beveled in any way, it has a very responsive feedback. LG has done a decent job of shortcut keys, no complaints with either the WLAN switch or any of the multimedia keys.

The configuration is a (common) Core 2 Duo T5550 (1.83 GHz), which is coupled with 1 GB of RAM, and a Radeon Xpress 1250 solution. For Rs 40,000, the R405 is well built, and rugged, and offers a solid portable computing experience sans some of the performance. It’s not a high-end configuration or even a fast configuration so demanding mobile warriors will give this a miss.