What is the main criterion of the value of information? Timeliness. That is why many experts became as familiar a mobile computer as a mobile phone.
Let's look at today's college students. A growing number of disciplines, both in technical and humanitarian spheres, one way or another connected with computer technology. For young people, the laptop has long ceased to be a luxury – his appearance as a working tool is justified and necessary.
Of course, do not forget about the entertainment features of notebooks. But this time we otodvinem this factor into the background.
Will come from the real financial capacity, based on the fact that the laptop requires, first of all, to work or school. And the budget, managing the balance of the laptop configuration is well-defined priorities for distribution.
The main purpose of the review we put the search for an inexpensive workhorse, therefore, decided to limit the price of U.S. $ 1,000. This is a fundamental factor in determining the category within the tested laptops. Since we would like to receive feedback from each ruble invested, this item will also affect the price / performance ratio.
Here is our evaluation criteria:
Having a good widescreen display. When the laptop has to work for every day on the quality of the display depends on the degree of fatigue of your eyes. And to watch the films faded shades of gray instead of black-rich – it is no great pleasure. Widescreen resolution of benefit increases desktop space and makes work more comfortable.
A long battery life. While laptops in this price category are not always able to demonstrate outstanding battery life, this factor when choosing a solid. If the work involves frequent travel, then you know how to tend to discharge the battery at the most inopportune moment. A laptop with a solid "lead time" inspires confidence.
The rich connectivity options. Reliable communication with the outside world where it is needed. Also present in all models of network adapters, Fast Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11g), at this point, we include:
- Interfaces Bluetooth;
- Availability of DVD-RW, multikard reader (Yes! This is directly related to the communicative abilities.)
- Interfaces Firewire;
- The presence of other communication interfaces (IR, etc.).
Ergonomics. The work should not become a kind of "taming" laptop. The presence of a keyboard with keys and a clear course of convenient layout, with the understandable sensitivity of the touchpad, competent layout connectors USB – these options are very important in their daily work with a laptop.
Multimedia capabilities. These include: the quality of "acoustic" laptop, the presence or absence of an integrated web camera, the ability to view DVD-movie without booting the operating system, and so on.
Net performance. For this price factor is not decisive, but remember it is not necessary. We will evaluate the overall performance of key system components.
Completion. What was not pleased with the manufacturer customer. Price / performance ratio for us is certainly important, but from a licensed version of Windows Vista, we will not give up, as well as on the cover, portable mouse, or other useful accessories.
Also, we must take into account the factor of build quality and overall reliability of the laptop. Although this factor is "beyond category", with final assessments affix it will not play the latest role.
Before turning to the specific models, let's take a broad view of the current state of the market for mobile computers.
Mobile processors. In the category of "1000" is still popular outdated processors from Intel – Pentium M and Celeron M. This is understandable – the level of their performance lags behind the latest generation of chips is not on such a significant amount of interest on which are the most flagships are ahead of their cost. And the reliability of the platforms based on these time-tested.
But the newcomers make their way into this niche more and more, including: Core Solo / Duo (and occasionally you can watch their big brother – Core 2 Duo) and Turion 64/Turion 64 X2. It's safe to say that, even working at a low clock frequency, any of the above processors can provide a very high level of performance that competes with the average desktop system.
Memory. 512 MB was the basic configuration, and increasingly there is a tendency for the installation of 1 GB. Memory Type DDR or DDR2 has no fundamental difference, because the only significant upgrade laptop – buying a new laptop.
Mobile graphics. Unfortunately, at this price it is a graphics controller bottleneck link, preventing high-performance laptop for games and programs using 3D-graphics.
Most of the notebook has an integrated video card Intel chipset of various generations (depending on the chipset), but there are pleasant exceptions.
Displays. As in other price segments, budget laptops are also drawn to the "wide format". That's right, because the spectrum of a lateral view of the person an order of magnitude higher than the vertical. Large-matrix looks natural, and, thanks to an increase in the workspace, makes life easier for laptop users. In addition, the ratio of 16:10 is more appropriate to view DVD-Video.
Communication capabilities. The presence of interfaces, Fast Ethernet and Wi-Fi has become the standard modern laptop. And analog modems, however, gradually leaving the standard as a relic of the past. Bluetooth, if it is not necessary in the basic version, the vast majority of cases included in the list of options. With a universal card reader situation is similar. The full device reading and writing DVD (DVD-RW) has become the norm, and finally replaced the combo drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM. Built-in infrared gradually disappearing. All trends in this segment – for the better.
Multimedia capabilities. Features such as watching DVD-movies without booting the operating system, has long ceased to be a rarity. Sales began to appear in the budget laptops with web cameras. The quality of built-in speakers are still very varied.
The general situation is clear. Let's go!
Each laptop, according to the method of testing will be evaluated on seven parameters. The value will be set to ten rating system.
The quality of the display;
The battery life;
Communication capabilities;
Ergonomics;
Multimedia capabilities;
Performance;
Equipment;
The total score (arithmetical mean of seven points).
By unspoken tradition, our test provides an entry-level notebook from a company ASUS – ASUS A6R. Most manufacturers allow you to install on the same laptop model a variety of configuration options "iron." All manufacturers supplying to the market a variety of configurations of the same model. Accordingly, the variation in the level of performance and other capabilities of mobile computers within a single model can be quite significant. In the manufacturer's specifications, we mention this separately.
ASUS A6R
There is in this laptop is something special. It seems a simple design, and in the depths of his lies are not the richest "iron", but … slowly open the lid, press a button. Laptop wakes up slowly, reacting quiet hum fan control and turn on the indicator. The operating system loads, the first few minutes of work, and it becomes clear: to work with this laptop comfortably. All is left to chance, and sometimes, you do not notice this until not go to work with other laptop. This is an example of the correct approach to the convenience of using the product.
Series ASUS A6R. Table of technical specifications stated
The quality of the display
Picture of living, color saturation. The viewing angles are quite large, but the matrix is prone to distortion of the brightness level even with a small vertical displacement from the ideal position. Score: 8
The battery life
Individual time the laptop, according to the Battery Eater, was 2 hours and 36 minutes, and time to full charge to 92 minutes.
This result, we estimate by 5 points.
Communication capabilities
Here, the complete triumph of ASUSTek. Standard equipment includes laptop adapters, the presence of Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, as well as infrared and even 56K modem. Do not forget the card reader and DVD-RW.
Rating: 9
Ergonomics
In this notebook is not visible as a "mediator" between the user and the side of the screen. It shows beautifully thought out ergonomics. The keyboard is quiet and clear, in moderation. The touchpad is quite informative. There are several additional key: to start the browser, email client, switch between the notebook (the choice between maximum battery life and performance levels), and switching of Bluetooth / Wi-Fi adapters. In addition, the "hot" key combinations are responsible for the increase / decrease the brightness, volume, and so on.
The level of noise that makes the laptop under load, the average estimate.
Score: 8
Multimedia Features
Standard for a laptop of this class. The solution of Realtek HD Audio, stereo speakers rated at 2 watts each. Supported by a six-channel output to external speakers. Of the nice bonuses – high-quality microphone built into the top cover of the mobile computer.
Score: 7
Performance
PCMark 2005
Rating: 5
Completion
Opening the box we find:
A detailed user manual in Russian;
Windows XP Home Edition;
Nero Burning Rom;
Symantec Internet Protection;
Modem RJ-11 cable;
The power adapter from the network.
Unfortunately, that's all. Bag to safely transport your notebook or cover is missing. At least, in the presence of pre-licensed Windows XP Home Edition (distribution on the disk is attached), OEM version of Nero Burning Rom and Symantec Internet Protection.
Evaluation set: 6
Summing up
In the ASUS A6R has everything you need for daily work. High-quality screen will keep my eyes and will not without pleasure to watch movies in moments of leisure. Well thought-out keyboard and the location of the ports of interfaces – the key to the heart of the user. As a nice "bonus" there is a microphone that can be useful in VoIP-Telephone or Skype. Among the shortcomings can be seen not too high battery life and poor performance in 3D, which is normal for this price category.
As a result, ASUS A6R receives an overall score of 6.8.