Review HP Envy Spectre XT 13-2000eg Ultrabook, 685866-1B1 / HSTNN-IB3V computer battery

Battery Life

We use three different tests to determine the HP 685866-1B1 battery life of the systems we review. For the first one - the Battery Eater Classic Test - we turn the display brightness up all the way, activate wireless and bluetooth, and turn the keyboard backlight on. The Spectre lasted for 92 minutes before we had to plug it back in. The Reader’s Test (simulated reading of a text document) is quite the opposite: display brightness is all the way down and wireless turned off. The system lasted over 10 hours using the aforementioned settings. It has to be said though that this scenario is rather unrealistic, especially when we consider the glossy screen, which is almost impossible to read in bright environments when the screen is turned down all the way.

To find the medium ground between the two extremes, we run our WLAN-Surf Test. Here we have the screen brightness set to 150 cd/m2 and have an automated script visit a different website every 40 seconds. The Envy Spectre XT 13 shut down after 5 hours and 14 minutes - an acceptable result for the class and the size of the HSTNN-IB3V battery. HP claims a battery life of up to seven hours but doesn't explain how the test was conducted.

Case

The chassis of the HP Envy Spectre XT 13 is definitely an eye-catching design. Unlike Apple or Asus, HP does not use a one-piece aluminum unibody chassis, but rather combines brushed aluminum (keyboard area, display lid), soft-touch magnesium alloy (bottom), and glossy plastic (display bezel). The mix of black and silver is both timeless and modern. We rather like the visual impact of the notebook - which is accentuated by the angular design and the wedge-shaped chassis.

Build quality is also high: no uneven gaps and clean transition areas between the different parts of the chas sis. The notebook itself is pretty solid, although the base unit does deform somewhat when pressure is applied. We don't think that this is something we would notice while using the notebook day in and day out. The display lid is torsionally not very rigid - but doesn't creak when twisted. The hinges are stiff enough, although we noticed that the lid bounces a bit after an adjustment. A slight disadvantage: even though the battery is located in the front of the notebook, the base is not heavy enough to stay put - to open the lid, the base unit needs to be held down.

An important decision factor in this class is the weight including battery. The Spectre XT tips the scales at 1.41 kilogram (3.1 pounds) - pretty average. The Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A weighs about the same, while the Toshiba Satellite Z930 is much lighter at 1.09 kilogram (2.4 pounds) . At 1.35 kilogram (2.98 pounds), the Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2012 is only marginally lighter then our test system.

The 14.5-millimeter-thick Spectre XT looks and feels a lot like other ultrabooks we've seen, including Dell's XPS 13, HP's own Folio 13, and even Apple's MacBook Air. Like those models, it has a 13.3-inch screen. Its body tapers slightly toward the front and the lid has a brushed-metal finish that ties it in with the overall look of both Envy and Pavilion laptops from HP.

Connectivity

The left and right side of the Ultrabook house the most-needed ports. Included is a USB 3.0 port, a HDMI out for external monitors, and a RJ-45 network jack for wired communication. Not all notebooks in this class include the latter because of their slim designs. A card reader, audio-combo jack, and one additional USB port complete the selection. While we like both the distribution and the positioning of the ports, we would would have liked for HP to incorporate an additional USB port.

Communication

The communications options of the Envy Spectre XT 13 include what we've come to expect: aside from Gigabit Ethernet and WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n, there is Bluetooth 4.0 (the module is from Intel). An advantage: the XT supports Intel Wireless Display (WiDi). In conjunction with a receiver, this technology allows wireless streaming of media content to a TV. This consumer Ultrabook does not include an integrated UMTS module (nor is a slot for one available). The 720p webcam features an integrated microphone and offers decent quality. (HP TouchPad 10 batteries)

Keyboard

The keyboard features individual keys (chiclet type) and fits in well with the overall look of the notebook. Getting used to typing doesn't take long. The keys protrude slightly, feature decent travel, and have distinct feedback. The emitted sound is rather low in frequency and doesn't get annoying even while typing for extensive periods of time. The large right shift key and the pleasant labeling of the keys help ergonomics.
In the past, keyboards with backlight were only found on a few of the high-end laptops. Today, more and more offer this feature, including the HP Ultrabook. The illumination is quite pleasant, although there is only on/off - no brightness settings are offered. The backlight gets turned on via a function key (F5). Speaking of function keys: F1 through F12 require pressing of the Fn key. All in all we like the keyboard.

Touchpad

The touchpad sits slightly elevated in a recessed area (which is a bit larger than the touchpad itself) of the palm rest. Its size of 92 x 57 millimeter (3.82 x 2.24 inch) is sufficiently large. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures; sliding the fingers across the surface is easy. The integrated mouse buttons are separated from the main area through a line. On the upper left there is a switch to turn the touchpad on and off. It usually took us several times before the LED on the left indicated that we were successful. It might have been better to offer a shortcut on the keyboard instead. (HP HSTNN-DB0H batteries)

The touch pad is of the buttonless clickpad variety, but it has a unique look that stands out from similar pads on Dell, Apple, and other laptop brands, with the rectangular touch surface set in the middle of a larger depression in the wrist rest. It's a look you'll find on other current Envy laptops, as well as the Pavilion m6 (although the latter has separate left and right mouse buttons). The matte surface offers enough resistance without being sticky, and two-finger scrolling was smoother than I expected, likely because the multitouch sensitivity seems to be jacked up to the top of the scale.

Display

The Ultrabook is equipped with a glossy 13.3-inch screen (33 centimeter diagonal) which features a standard resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. There is no option for a higher resolution or a non-glare display. The HP Folio 13 Ultrabook offered a matte screen. Asus' Zenbook Prime UX31A is a 13.3-inch Ultrabook with a FullHD display (FHD, 1920 x 1080 resolution) and costs only slightly more. Since the Spectre has HDMI out, it's no problem to hook up an external monitor or a TV. We tested the output and found no issues with the signal quality.

To determine brightness, we use the Gossen Mavo-Monitor. We recorded an average brightness of only 190 cd/m2 for the panel (LGD0368) - middle of the road at best. Brightness distribution is pretty even at 88 percent. We don't think that the offered resolution and the brightness values are good enough for a premium Ultrabook.

The other measurements are not impressive, either. The black point value is high and doesn't allow for true blacks, the contrast is therefore low, and the display doesn't cover the color spaces adequately. Even though the latter won't matter to most users of this Ultrabook, professionals working with photos or videos depend on it. Both the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and the Asus UX31A are clearly better in that aspect. Overall color reproduction is OK, although for watching movies the black point value needs to be lower and contrast higher.
The Spectre XT 13 is not very suitable for outdoor use. With the display turned up to maximum brightness, working in the shade is possible, even though reflections are already visible. In direct sunlight, the screen becomes unreadable. Glossy screens can be used outside - but the measurements would need to be a lot better. (HSTNN-IB3F Battery)

Viewing angle stability is what we've come to expect from an inexpensive TN panel. Horizontally, even shallow angles don't have a real impact on picture quality, although brightness levels do decrease somewhat. Moving away from 90 degrees in the vertical plane results in an inverted picture very quickly. Color temperature also changes and brightness decreases rapidly.

Speakers

HP sources the audio components for this Ultrabook from sound specialist Beats Audio. The Spectre XT 13 has four speakers: two are located above the keyboard and covered with mesh; the other two are located on the right and left under the chassis. The supplied control panel software allows for almost limitless sound configurations. The sound is very good overall for this type and size of notebook, although we do think that the lower frequencies and bass are a tiny bit lacking. Those so inclined can either use the audio jack or the HDMI connector and hook up higher-end external speaker systems.

Verdict

After the conclusion of our review of the HP Envy Spectre XT 13-2000eg Ultrabook, we are left with mixed feelings. We are impressed with the sturdy and good-looking aluminum and magnesium alloy chassis, the well-designed input devices (including the keyboard backlight), as well as the performance of the components. On the other hand, the system has some negative attributes: a pretty mediocre display, an annoying cooling fan, and the tendency to run really hot. The up-to-date port selection and the speakers from Beats Audio are great features, but don't influence the final result very much.

Speaking of the port selection: we would have liked to see an additional USB 3.0 port or a Thunderbolt connector. Expansion is also a weak point: the user needs to remove the entire bottom of the chassis - only to be faced with RAM that is soldered onto the motherboard and a (rather exotic and expensive) mSATA SSD solution. Throttling was observed but is only an issue when the system is under full load. We didn't encounter any issues during daily use.

All in all, this is a not a bad Ultrabook. Because of the strong plus points, the overall rating is still good. We hope that HP will rectify the shortcomings - serious flaws are not really an option in this hotly contested segment. Two very strong competitors are the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A and the Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2012.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk , battery-store.eu

Review Lenovo ThinkPad T530 / T520 / W530 Notebook, FRU 42T4797/ 42T4790 computer batteries

Product ID:1002229 Battery Type:Li-ion Property:original computer batteries Battery Voltage:11.10V Battery Capacity:8400mAh Battery Color:Black

Battery Life

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As with other aspects of the ThinkPad’s configuration, several options are available for the battery. The 6 cell battery lays flush with the ThinkPad’s case. the 9 cell battery clearly extends out of the rear. There is also the option of using another FRU 42T47979 cell battery that connects to the ThinkPad’s underside via the docking port.Our test device uses a 9 cell battery with a rated capacity of 94 Wh. In the Battery Eater Reader test, with minimum screen brightness and Wi-Fi disabled, we achieved a maximum runtime of 10.5 hours.

The more realistic Wi-Fi surfing test, with a screen brightness of 150 cd/m2 and Wi-Fi enabled, uses Internet surfing as the load and our ThinkPad sample lasted a remarkable 8 hours in this test. We tested the ThinkPad’s endurance by watching DVD movies and measured a runtime of 5.5 hours, more than enough for even two extended cut movies.

In the Battery Eater Classic test, we rendered a moving 3D scene with Wi-Fi enabled and maximum screen brightness, representing a worst case scenario. In this test, our notebook only lasted about 2 hours. The processor’s performance remained at the same level as on AC power. The GPU was a bit weaker and only scored 9033 points in 3DMark06 as compared to the 9215 points on AC power.

The ThinkPad T530 demonstrated a 3 hour recharge time.

Design

Lenovo is nothing if not consistent. The LENOVO THINKPAD T530 features the tried-and-true ThinkPad design: Its black lid includes the classic ThinkPad logo in its top right corner and a slightly sunken silver Lenovo logo in the top left. The T530's chassis is made of reinforced carbon fiber to help it survive the abuses of frequent business trips. (LENOVO ASM 42T4792 batteries)

Pop open the LENOVO THINKPAD T530's lid and you'll see the standard ThinkPad layout. The top right corner of the system's deck features a mute button, volume rocker and microphone mute button, as well as Lenovo's ThinkVantage button. In the top right corner is the ThinkPad T530's green backlit power button.

The right side of the palm rest houses a fingerprint reader, which lights up green whenever you are prompted to swipe your finger over it. Two large speaker grills flank the LENOVO THINKPAD T530's island-style keyboard. The only design flourishes you'll find on the T530 are its two metal hinges, which open wide enough to lay the screen flat on a table.

Weighing 5.4 pounds and measuring 13.5 x 9.1 x 0.8 - 1.0 inches, the Lenovo ThinkPad T530 is lighter and thinner than the previous generation, the ThinkPad T520. That system weighed 6.2 pounds and measured 14.7 x 9.7 x 1.3 - 1.4 inches. The competing Dell Latitude E5530 measures a heftier 1.3 inches thick but has a smaller starting weight of 5.3 pounds.

Display

For the ThinkPad T530 family, one can choose between three 15.6-inch matte screens. The cheapest screen uses an HD WXGA resolution of 1366x768. The two more expensive screens offer higher 1600x900 HD+ and 1920x1080 Full HD resolutions. The latter has a higher brightness and larger reproducible color spectrum. A review of this brighter Full HD display will be included in the upcoming ThinkPad W530 review.

Our test sample uses the AU Optronics B156RW01 1600x900 HD+ screen. In the specification sheets, Lenovo specifies that this display has a screen brightness of 220 cd/m2. We measured an average brightness of 219.9 cd/m2, virtually identical to the advertised specification. The maximum measured brightness of 230 cd/m2 was found on the right. The darkest measured spot of 207 cd/m2 was found in the upper right corner. An overall illumination of 90 percent was measured and is far above average. Full brightness is available on battery power.

We measured a very low black value of 0.33 cd/m2, better than those of most competitors. Combined with the good measured brightness, we determined a contrast ratio of 673:1. This not only reproduces saturated, vivid pictures and movies but also increases the legibility of text. The previous ThinkPad T520‘s screen had a similar contrast but the illumination was much worse and the screen itself was overall darker.

We observed that neither the sRGB nor AdobeRGB color spectrum was close to being covered. For those seeking better color reproduction, we recommend the Full HD screen that is capable of significantly more color. More about this screen can be found in the review of the ThinkPad W530.

The matte screen serves the ThinkPad T530 well in outdoor situations. While glare-type screens typically reflect their surroundings in bright sunlight, the T530 avoids annoying reflections. With its sufficient brightness, the LENOVO THINKPAD T530 allows users to work well even in bright surroundings.

The observed viewing angles are close to the limit for the target price. Most content remains well-rendered at horizontal deviations from head-on albeit with significant brightness reduction. On the other hand, when viewing the display from below head-on, text remains legible but color distortion is significant and dark colors turn to black or dark gray. When viewing from above head-on, colors appear a bit worse and darker but the display’s contents remain recognizable.

Keyboard

The most noticeable change in the ThinkPad T530 is the keyboard. Both the design and layout have been adjusted. In terms of design, the keyboard is now a chiclet-style interface and the keys are separated by a crosspiece. According to Lenovo’s advertising information, this style is known as “island style”. The keys of the top row and the arrow keys are flat but the space bar is convex and curved outward. All other keys are concave and curved inward. As a result, fingers tend to hit key centers accurately. The color of the keyboard has also been changed to an extent. The blue that once highlighted special keys such as the Enter key has now been replaced by a consistent black and these keys no longer stand out.

The keyboard layout has also been revised. Although the Fn key and Ctrl key remain reversed when compared to other notebooks, the right front area has been significantly modified. The Print key has replaced the context menu key which has now been completely removed. The PgUp and PgDn keys are now above the left and right arrow keys. The Esc key is now only half-sized and the Del key has been moved to the upper right corner. The Ins, End, and Pos1 keys are located beside the Del key. The Scroll Lock and Pause keys have also been removed. Unfortunately, there is still no number pad, something that would be useful for data entry.

The ThinkLight, a small LED light beside the webcam, is again available. A backlit keyboard is also optionally available. The keyboard remains splash proof.

Touchpad and TrackPoint

The Touchpad and TrackPoint have remained unmodified since the ThinkPad T510. As a result, the Touchpad is no longer standard sized but is considerably smaller than other current notebooks. While it supports multi-finger gestures, the HP EliteBook 8570p features a much larger touchpad by comparison.

Ports

Need ports? The LENOVO THINKPAD T530 has got you covered. On its left side, you'll find two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, a mini Display Port, wireless switch, a SmartCard slot and a VGA port. On the right side are the LENOVO THINKPAD T530's DVD drive, Ethernet jack, 4-in-1 card reader, ExpressCard/34 slot and dual microphone/ headphone jack. Around back are the T530's power port and a powered USB 2.0 port.

Webcam

The ThinkPad T530's 720p webcam provided bright and colorful images, although overall image quality was a bit grainy. In low-light settings, images were a bit fuzzier. When used with a bright light source to our back, the camera still managed to provide a decent image, although fine facial details were hard to decipher. (LENOVO 0A36227 adapters)

Heat

Thanks to a redesigned fan, the Lenovo ThinkPad T530 is more than capable of keeping its cool. After streaming a full-screen Hulu video for 15 minutes, the temperature of LENOVO THINKPAD T530's touchpad reached just 78 degrees, while its keyboard hit 80 degrees. This machine's hottest point was its underside, which topped out at 90 degrees. We consider temperatures lower than 95 degrees to be comfortable.

Verdict

We probably sound like a broken record, but in the ThinkPad T530, Lenovo has once again created an excellent notebook that gives users more than enough power to meet their business needs in a durable design. Impressive battery life, a gold-standard keyboard and gorgeous display help round out a winning formula.

Some may prefer the Dell Latitude E5530, which offers slightly faster performance and longer endurance (with its 9-cell battery) along with a dedicated number pad. But we give the edge to the LENOVO THINKPAD T530 for its sharper screen, thinner design and better pointing stick. If you're in the market for a 15-inch business notebook, the Lenovo ThinkPad T530 is your best bet.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk , battery-store.eu

Review Sony Vaio SV-Z1311Z9EX / VPC Z23N9E-B Notebook, VGP-BPS27/B , VGP-BPS27/X computer batteries

Product ID:1003048 Battery Type:Li-ion Property:original computer batteries Battery Voltage:11.1V Battery Capacity:4400 mAh Battery Color:Black

Battery Life

Our SV-Z1311Z9EX is equipped with a VGP-BPS27/X 45Wh battery, which allows up to 7 hours battery runtime according to manufacturer. A bigger battery that can increase the battery runtime up to 14 hours, according to manufacturer, can be purchased in the online-shop.

Our ascertained maximum battery run time, tested with the Battery Eater Readers Test with minimum brightness, energy-saving profile and turned off Wi-Fi modules, is nearly 6 hours. This is noticeably underneath the manufacturer’s information we read off the configurable model. However, this information could apply for the equipment with Core i5 CPU.

The Classic Test of the Battery Eater Tools records a minimum runtime of 2.75 hours with maximum brightness, high-performance profile and turned on Wi-Fi modules. The practical oriented WLAN test with the energy-saving profile and a brightness of 150 cd/m² simulates 3.25 hours of web surfing with our standard script.

Case

For the elegant and timeless black casing Sony uses carbon fiber and aluminum. Since the materials are so light, the laptop weighs less than 1.2 kg. Fortunately, the matte surfaces are less sensitive to dust than high-gloss surfaces and feel fantastic. Fingerprints are only easily visible on the shiny touchpad buttons, which have a little bit of a sticky haptic.

While there is nothing wrong with the processing, the stability could be better. The casing creaks no matter if it is being held on one corner of the main unit or the screen. The area above the fan unit gives in considerably under pressure and the torsional stiffness of the screen case ought to be better as well. The weight reduction definitely comes at the expense of stability.

The hinges at the underside of the main unit do a good job. When opened the display lid pushes itself underneath the main unit and raises it at an opening angle of more than 90 degrees, which slightly tilts the keyboard. (SONY VGP-BPS27/B batteries)

Connectivity

In comparison to the predecessor, there have only been slight changes to the interface equipment. Unlike other slim subnotebooks, HDMI and VGA are available on the Notebook and useable without any adapters. The RJ-45-Port (LAN) is located behind a flap on the left side edge. The front edge not only accommodates a SD-card slot but also a Memory Stick PRO-HG compatible slot with Sony´s MagicGate function.

Unlike the predecessor, the notebook has two USB-3.0 interfaces now. The rear interface is simultaneously the plug for the provided Power Media Dock. The Media Dock offers a Blu-Ray burner and an AMD Radeon HD 7670M as external video card. Furthermore, the manufacturer expands the interface by two more USB-ports (1x USB-2.0, 1x USB-3.0), RJ-45 (LAN), HDMI and VGA. The VGA-signal is good via the docking station as well as when connected directly.

The array of the interfaces on the notebook works for left- as well as right-handers because Sony has consequently placed its ports towards the rear on both sides.

Communication

The communication equipment is excellent. Ethernet-connections can be done via Realtek RTL8168/8111 Gigabit-LAN (10/100/1000MBit) in gigabit speed. Due to Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 (abgn), internet surfing with standard-n via Wi-Fi Hotspot is possible. A broadband modem, which supports LTE, is also on board. The accompanying SIM-card slot is on the underside. Unlike the predecessor, the laptop has Bluetooth 4.0 + HS now. (SONY VGP-BPSC27 batteries)

Keyboard

The chiclet keyboard with standard layout offers background light. It can be configured in the Vaio Control Center when and if the background light is turned on. The three additional keys are typical for Vaio. “Assist” starts Vaio Care, “Web” the standard web browser. The functionality of “Vaio” can be configured. The keys itself have a short stroke distance and an imprecise pressure point. However the keyboard works relatively quietly.

Touchpad

The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures. The sensitive surface has a slightly rough comb texture with good gliding traits. The surface of the according keys is shiny and rather sticky. Their stroke distance is also short and the pressure point not very sharp. For that they also function quietly.

Display

Like the predecessor, the 13.1-inch screen offers a 1920x1080 pixel Full-HD resolution and therefore has a format of 16:9. The resolution is exceptionally fine for a 13 inch screen. Fortunately the surface is very free of reflections.

Sadly, the brightness of the screen has dropped further in comparison to the predecessor. While the VPC-Z23N9E/B still reached 241 cd/m² on average and its predecessor SONY VPC-Z21Q9E/B even scored above 284 cd/m², the new model not even reached 200 cd/m². By identification, the monitors of the Z23 and the Z13 are identical though. Maybe Sony has changed something on the display controller. Thanks to the low black level of 0.32 cd/m², the screen achieves an exceptional contrast ratio of 609:1.

Subjectively, the colors seem crisp and fresh and the writings sharp. Due to the high resolution, the screen offers a lot of overview.

But how about the color display? Same as the VPC-Z23N9E-B, the screen of our test model achieves a great coverage of the color space. sRGB as well as AdobeRGB are almost fully covered. A high coverage of the color space is especially important for professional graphics and photo editor. That way the SV-Z1311Z9EX would be suitable for them as second laptop, provided they do not prefer a laptop with a significantly bigger screen for their graphics, anyway.

The surface of the screen can be called free of reflections. Depending on the perspective and incidence of light, diffuse reflections can be observed in the everyday use. The contours, however, are blurry, which causes them to be a little bit annoying. As mentioned above, the screen is less bright than the one of the SONY VPC-Z23N9E-B. The wish for more brightness arises especially when using the laptop outside in direct sunlight.

In spite of its high price, our test candidate offers only a viewing angle stability that is typical for notebooks. While the stable operating range in horizontal direction can be considered generous, image manipulations can be observed in the vertical direction when being only slightly from the ideal vertical angle of view. When viewing from below the image darkens quickly. At rather flat angles the colors also invert. When viewing from above the picture seems outshined.

Speakers

Sadly, no improvements can be observed in comparison to the predecessor. The sound of both stereo loudspeakers is disappointing and the maximum volume is low. The test of the 3.5mm headphones socket was flawless.

Verdict

Light, high-quality materials, extensive communication equipment, broad band modem included, Full-HD resolution, and sheer unbelievable specifications: A Quad-Core processor, 8 GB main memory and even two SSDs in the RAID-0 system in a small 13 inch casing sounds quite amazing. Owing to the mass memory solution, the device achieves excellent values in the hard drive tests and good values in usage performance. Sadly, we also had to experience that the Quad-Core CPU of the Ivy-Bridge generation in our device stays permanently underclocked even in the high-performance profile.

Another point of criticism is that the screen is less bright than the predecessor’s one. Nevertheless, the high-resolution Full-HD display excels with its wide color space and good contrast. (ASUS A42-K56 Battery)

The Power Media Dock is also part of the scope of delivery, which not only expands the offer of interfaces and adds a Blu-Ray burner but also improves the graphics performance with the external Radeon HD 7670M. However, the video card cannot fully keep up with other HD 7670M systems.

The overall design of Sony is, despite its weaknesses, quite appealing and should interest business clients, also because of its integrated safety features. Due to its weight and size, it can be transported quite easily and the Power Media Dock is a welcome supplement.

However it is uncertain, if the mentioned underclocking of the processor only appears in this test model, is series specific, or even was intended to improve the battery runtime and lower emissions. We will try to get our hands on another test device for control measurements. The evaluation stays reserved until clearance.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk , battery-store.eu

Review Dell Vostro 3460 / Vostro 3450 Laptop, 8858X / RU485 / T54F3 computer batteries

Product ID:1002571 Battery Type:Li-ion Property:original computer batteries Battery Voltage:11.1 V Battery Capacity:60 Wh \ 5400 mAh Battery Color:Black

Battery Life

Buy new DELL Vostro 3460 Series Laptop Battery,11.1V 8700mAh 5400mAh computer batteries

The Vostro 3460 achieved a runtime of 5:44h while idling (DELL Vostro 3450: 3:52h; S430: 6:43h). We test the idle mode via BatteryEater Reader's test, where the screen is set to minimum brightness, the energy savings profile is enabled and the wireless modules (wifi, Bluetooth) are disabled. The Vostro 3460 managed a runtime of 1:15h during load (Vostro 3450: 1:00h; S430: 1:26h). BatteryEater's Classic test is used for the load test. Here, the screen is set to maximum brightness, the high-performance profile and wireless modules are enabled. (8858X computer batteries)

One battery charge lasted for 3:52h in the wifi test (Vostro 3450: 2:47h; S430: 3:51h). Websites are automatically opened every 40 seconds in this test via a script. The energy saving mode is enabled and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m2. The Vostro 3460 lasted for 3:22h in the DVD test (Vostro 3450: 2:38h; S430: 2:35 h). That is enough for two movies. The wireless modules (wifi, Bluetooth) are disabled and the screen is set to maximum brightness for the DVD test. We use the energy saving profile or a higher profile (should the DVD not be rendered smoothly) in this test.

Interestingly, the DELL Vostro 3460 exhibits much better run times than the Vostro 3450 although the batteries in both devices have the same capacity. The Vostro 3460 is thus much more energy-efficient although it consumes a lot more power at its peak than the Vostro 3450. The Thinkpad Edge S430's idle and load runtime are better than those of the DELL Vostro 3460. In return, the DELL Vostro 3460 has the lead in the practical wifi and DVD tests.

Case

The same feeling transmits its “look and feel outside.” With a chassis constructed entirely in lightweight plastic, immediately obvious that this is a team that is not prepared to withstand bumps, scratches and dirt, but that does not repeat is this your goal. Otherwise its design without being the ultimate, denotes a certain elegance that even escapes the excessive sobriety that tend to provide much of the equipment they have on their target audience SMEs.

Dell has not altered the case's basic design compared with the DELL Vostro 3450. The base unit's sides and the lid's back have the same color - copper brown in our case. Dell also has red and silver available. The base unit's top, front, back and the display bezel are gray. All surfaces on the laptop are matte - even the display bezel. The gap between the keys and the keyboard's silver rim however are the exception. The base unit's top and the display bezel feature a light rubber coating, which makes these areas largely resistant to fingerprints. Overall, the used materials have a high-end feel.

The Vostro 3460 is on a par with its precursor in terms of stability. The chassis hardly yields under pressure, not even above the optical drive. However, the Vostro 3460's keyboard yields a bit more to applied force, like in the Vostro 3450. The notebook hardly warps when it's lifted at opposite corners. The build is not quite as good as in the Vostro 3450. The gaps are not always completely even. The front right edge does not stand stably on the surface. This gets worse the further the display lid is opened. We cannot say whether this is a unique problem of our test device or whether it is a general problem of all Vostro 3460 laptops. (DELL P9TJ0 Battery)

The DELL Vostro 3460's lid warps easily. The hinges keep the lid firmly in position. Opening it with one hand is possible. However, the lid should be opened slowly because the laptop would otherwise lift from the surface.

As in many other midrange computers, the trackpad of this Dell Vostro 3460 is anything but smooth and precise. As with so many teams midrange appreciate hearing a mouse with which to direct our pointer. If instead we liked the size of your fingerprint. Escape all the attention you get at other teams and almost hidden, and that sensor is not unsightly but so little we like more of an accessory that we can dip into if we need it, without its presence is a problem.

Connectivity

Quite a few modifications have been made in the field of connectivity in contrast to the Vostro 3450. Both a VGA out and HDMI port are on the Vostro 3460's left. Moreover, you'll find two USB 3.0 ports and two audio jacks (headphone, microphone). The laptop's right provides a third and fourth USB 3.0 port. The Gigabit Ethernet socket is also here. The rear harbors the power socket and the slot for a Kensington lock. The card reader (SD, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro) is now on the front. An Express Card slot is no longer available, which is too bad because an expansion option is unnecessarily lost with that. (FUJITSU FPCBP316 Battery)

Communication

Dell's laptop builds up a cabled connection to the Internet via an Atheros AR8161/8165 Gigabit Ethernet chip. Intel's Centrino Wireless-N 2230 WLAN module connects to wireless networks. The module supports the 802.11 b/g/n standards, as well as Bluetooth standard 4.0. A webcam is also installed. As usual, the webcam is located in the display's bezel. Some Vostro 3460 models also sport a UMTS module, which our test device does not feature.

Keyboard

The keyboards in the Vostro 3450 and Vostro 3460 are virtually the identical. The Vostro 3460 features a chiclet keyboard. The main keys have a size of 14 x 14 mm and the gap between the keys is 4 mm. The key drop and stroke are on a par with the Vostro 3450. We are satisfied with both units. Overall, the Vostro 3460's keyboard enables pleasant typing. It also sports a key light, which is turned off automatically when not used for a short time. The light can be set to three levels: bright, dim and off. However, it does not feature automatic brightness control. According to Dell, the keyboard is spill-resistant.

Touchpad

The touchpad's size of 90 x 49 mm is bigger than in the DELL Vostro 3450 (84 x 41mm). Moreover, the Vostro 3460's metal rim is painted. Otherwise, both touchpads are similar. The Vostro 3460's roughened surface ensures good gliding traits and it is possible to easily navigate with the finger. We were disappointed about the poor click sensitivity. We had to tap the touchpad with a bit more force before the click was detected. The touchpad features multi-touch functions and thus allows gesture controls such as two-finger zoom. Both mouse keys are implemented below the touchpad and have a clearly palpable pressure point.

Display

As in the Vostro 3450, Dell again installs a matte 14 inch screen in the Vostro 3460. The screen features a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and an LED backlight. Regrettably, Dell uses a much darker screen in the Vostro 3460. We ascertained an average brightness of 149.8 cd/m2. The prior Vostro 3450 model achieved a rate of 224.1 cd/m2. Even the Thinkpad Edge S430 reached a better result with 215.9 cd/m2. The Vostro 3460's screen illumination of 89 percent is on a par with both the Vostro 3450 (87%) and Thinkpad Edge S430 (88%). Dell does not offer higher resolution displays for the Vostro 3460.

The Vostro 3460's black value of 0.97 cd/m2 is better than in the Vostro 3450 (1.6 cd/m2) and Thinkpad Edge S430 (1.33 cd/m2) and places it in the midfield. In addition to the average if not low black values, all three laptops do not supply breathtaking contrast rates either (Vostro 3460: 159:1; Vostro 3450: 147:1; LENOVO ThinkPad Edge S430: 169:1) and are not far apart. Thus, Dell's Vostro 3460 is not suitable for professional graphic design or image processing. The screen can neither reproduce the sRGB nor the Adobe RGB color space.

Despite the low brightness and poor contrast, the DELL Vostro 3460 makes a good impression in outdoor use. The screen's matte surface pays off here. Nevertheless, direct sunlight should be avoided because the screen cannot outshine the sun.

The Vostro 3460's viewing angle stability is on the expected level. The picture distorts quickly when the screen's vertical viewing angle is changed, unlike the horizontal viewing angle where the picture remains stable over the entire angle.

Speakers

The Vostro 3460's speakers are located on the laptop's bottom. There is an audible improvement compared with the Vostro 3450. The speakers produce a pleasant soundscape and even speech is intelligible. The speakers are more than sufficient considering that this is an office device. Should you not like its sound, it is always possible to connect external speakers or headphones to the laptop. (TOSHIBA PA3921U-1BRS Battery)

Verdict

Dell releases an office device that easily outdoes the Vostro 3450 precursor in terms of performance. It supplies more power and better battery run times. However, this takes its toll on noise and temperature development. The noise could actually be a make and break criterion for many buyers. The fan runs continuously and recurrently achieves annoying noise levels. If you are interested in this laptop you should compare it with a model devoid of an Nvidia GPU and / or weaker CPU. It is likely that laptops with this equipment will not produce as much noise. We also have to mention the fairly dark screen here. It can be strenuous to gaze on a dark screen over a longer period. If you can live with these drawbacks, the Vostro 3460 will be a solid office device for everyday use - like already the Vostro 3450.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk, battery-store.eu

Review HP Pavilion g7-2007sg Laptop, HSTNN-LB0W / HSTNN-UB0X / HSTNN-CB0X computer batteries

Product ID:1002123 Property:original computer batteries Battery Type:Li-ion Battery Voltage:10.8 V Battery Capacity:55 Wh Battery Color:Black

Battery Life

The 37 Wh battery does not provide the hoped-for record times. In idle the 11.6-inch notebook lasts 5:55 hours. Since this is possible only with minimum brightness and inactive WLAN, it is far from realistic. The WLAN surfing test is far more practical. After 3:22 hours the HSTNN-LB0W battery was empty, but then it needed almost three hours in order to recharge.

This is not good, under two hours charging time, considering the lower capacity, should be enough. The short runtime has the same cause: The battery capacity of 37 Wh is too weak. With 48 Wh, the 11.6-inch notebook could have managed five hours. And the customers would have surely tolerated a battery sticking out.

In comparison, the APU subnotebooks are better, mainly because their manufacturer has equipped them with batteries with larger capacity. The 8:45 hours of the Samsung 305U1A (11.6-inch, 66 Wh) in WLAN test now seem almost gigantic. A Lenovo ThinkPad X130e (62 Wh) is also very good with 7:07 hours. But a Sony Vaio VPC-YB3V1E/S with a lower capacity battery also manages 3:55 hours.

Due to the lack of a DVD drive, we played a low resolution AVI film, whereby the battery lasted for 3:44 hours. Under load, the runtime drops below two hours, especially under graphics load (Furmark 1:30 hours). Under CPU load (Prime95) the time was 1:52 hours (identical with the Battery Eater Classic).

Case

After evaluating two of the less expensive models with AMD's Trinity APU (g7-2053sg with A6-4400M and g7-2051sg with A10-4600M) in the last few weeks, we decided to take a look at the most powerful member of the series - the g7-2007sg. This model retails for over 700 Euro and features a speedy Intel Core i7-3612QM, 8 GB RAM, and a 750 GB hard drive. The Radeon HD 7670M should offer enough performance for gaming, although the card might have some issues with the native resolution of the 17-inch display (1600 x 900 pixels).

Of course, other manufacturers offer models competing in the same bracket. Possible alternatives are the Lenovo G780, Dell Inspiron 17R-SE , and the Acer Aspire V3-771G (depending on the configuration). Let's see if HP's model is able to differentiate itself from its competition.

The chassis of the Pavilion g7-2007sg is made of black plastic and is identical to the the AMD version. Unfortunately, that's not a plus point: the highly reflective and rather cheap looking piano finish is a dirt magnet and requires frequent cleaning. Rigidity and overall sturdiness could use some improvement as well: both the display and the base unit don't resist twisting forces well and protest with an occasional creaking sound. Two positive aspects are the fairly low weight of under 3 kilogram (6.61 pounds) and the - at least for our test sample - decent build quality.

Connectivity

The ACER Apire One 756 is, except for details such as Bluetooth 4.0 instead of 3.0, as well equipped as the Aspire One 752 subnotebook. In addition to the standard USB 2.0 ports, we find an HDMI and a VGA D-Sub port. The microphone jack had to suffer a cut back and it is now combined with the headphone jack. This is ideal for headsets with a multi-polar combo connector. If you want to use separate microphone and headphones, you must first get a hold of the clumsy Y-adapter.

Communication

The rest of the interfaces are the standard minimum and can also be found in a netbook. The Ethernet connector (RJ45, Gigabit LAN) is obligatory, despite the fact that most users have already forgotten that the Internet can be used via cable. The Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter supports Draft N and also incorporates the Bluetooth 4.0 module. For transfers of large data in the home network, we recommend the RJ45 cable and gigabit switch. 

Keyboard

We did not enjoy the keyboard at all. The feedback when typing and when gliding hands over it is vague and undifferentiated. The reasons are the unclear tactile feedback, soft stroke, and low key drop.

The keys are not tightly spaced any more (see Aspire One 722) and have a large gap, which should provide a comfortable typing experience. Practically, there is too much space, and the finger navigation seems difficult. The reason: Because the keys are completely flat and not concave, there is almost no tactile difference. The only truly positive aspect of the keyboard is the generous layout with a clear caption.

Touchpad

The cursor movement on the desktop is precise; the smooth and relatively large surface is sensitive up to the edges. The ClickPad V8.1 supports the usual multi-touch gestures (minimize, maximize, scroll, rotate). The two mouse buttons are located left and right at the front, under the surface.

Furthermore, a left click is registered even if the pad is pressed in the middle or top area. The higher up we go, the harder it is to click. The short stroke does take away some of the enjoyment from the really practical input concept. It took some getting used to, but after a short time we could click an object with one finger (press somewhere on the ClickPad and hold) and move it with another. When the hidden mouse button is used, the cursor can be moved to the bottom through the sensitive surface. The handling can be adjusted to the individual taste in the mouse settings. If you do not like too much multi-touch gestures, you can switch them off separately. (HP WD548AA Battery) 

Display

The 11.6-inch (29.46 cm) display made by the Taiwanese manufacturer CMO (Typ N116BGE-L41) has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. This HD resolution has been the standard for this form factor for many years and there are no alternatives. The 16:9 panel is not anti-glare. Acer has not given up the glossy type (see also One 722/725), despite the fact that most rivals come up with matte screens (Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E130/E135, Samsung 305U1A, ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A-K1010V and aslo TravelMate B113-M). Acer's CineCrystal ensures for visually contrasting colours. The measured contrast ratio, though, is only 208:1, which is normal for this price range.

The colour space, which we compare to the AdobeRGB, sRGB, and the premium panel of the Asus UX31A (FHD IPS, 13.3-inch), is very small. The rivals cannot offer anything better for under 1000 Euro, be it a sub-notebook or a laptop. The colour space reproduction is only important for professional image editing. But this target group would not choose the low-performance 11.6-inch notebook, but rather a workstation.

The brightness of 217 cd/m² suffices for indoor use, but is not enough to effectively counter the daylight reflections. Even with a matte panel, a minimum of 250 cd/m² are needed in order to easily read the desktop. But instead, we are disturbed by reflections, while we are checking our e-mails with coffee and cake. The desktop is cloaked in darkness under bright daylight, which makes reading a torture.

The LED panel distributes its brightness evenly, which gives an average illumination of 88%. On battery power, the brightness is not diminished, unless the user has specified so in the corresponding energy profiles. The Aspire One 756 does not have a light sensor for adaptive luminance adjustment.

The horizontal viewing angles are very tight. Only up to 45 degrees from the central position are the colours and structure unaltered. After that, the colours are inverted and we see the so-called ghost images. If we tilt our head back (vertically), things look even worse. Writing is readable only up to 30 degrees. But the colour inversion begins at 10 degrees. When multiple people gather in front of the Aspire One 756, then the top viewers have the worst position. The so-called IPS panels, which offer viewing angles of almost 90 degrees to each side, show that this can be improved (e.g. Asus UX31A). 

Loudspeakers

Our acoustic expectations of the 11.6-inch device were not very high. And they shouldn't be, since the two stereo loudspeakers, located under the palm rests, can only meet the minimum level of quality. The highs-heavy sound is painful to the ear. The highest volume can still be reached, without rasping sound from the small membranes. The connection of external speakers through either the 3.5 mm jack or the HDMI output is obligatory for music fans. (HP HSTNN-OB0X batteries) 

Verdict

Acer has ended the absolute domination of Accelerated Processing Units in the price range below 400 Euro . The statement of course exaggerates the situation, since it neglects the still existing devices with Intel Atom. In fact, with the Aspire One 756 Acer brings on the market, through the integrated low-voltage Pentium, a real alternative to the APU notebooks. Unfortunately, the more powerful Pentium is only an option using the AC adapter. Acer has installed a weak battery (37 Wh). Thus the E-450/E-1800 subnotebooks remain at the top in terms of battery life. 

As if this was not enough, the disadvantages continue with the flexible chassis and overall weak input devices. The high heat emission under load, the glossy and too dark display, and the charging time of nearly three hours, round everything up.

Overall the test shows: The Pentium 987 is a real alternative to the slow APUs and Atom processors in the low-cost range. Unless the potential customers care too much about the display or the battery life, a Pentium 11.6-inch notebook for 349 Euro is a better investment, than an Atom N2600 or N550 for 250 to 290 Euro. Before we actually test the Celeron 877, we can only recommend the Pentium 987. Overall the notebook is not for the casual gamers, who should take a look at an ultrabook with the HD Graphics 4000. APU notebooks are also a poor choice for the same target group.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk , battery-store.eu

Review Acer Aspire One 756 Subnotebook, AL12B32 computer batteries

Product ID:1003080 Battery Type:Li-ion Property:original computer batteries Battery Voltage:14.8V Battery Capacity:37 Wh \ 2600 mAh Battery Color:Black

Battery Life

Buy new ACER Aspire One 756 Series Laptop Battery, 14.8VV 37Wh 2600mAh computer batteries

The AL12B32 37Wh battery does not provide the hoped-for record times. In idle the 11.6-inch notebook lasts 5:55 hours. Since this is possible only with minimum brightness and inactive WLAN, it is far from realistic. The WLAN surfing test is far more practical. After 3:22 hours the battery was empty, but then it needed almost three hours in order to recharge.

This is not good, under two hours charging time, considering the lower capacity, should be enough. The short runtime has the same cause: The AL12B32 battery capacity of 37 Wh is too weak. With 48 Wh, the 11.6-inch notebook could have managed five hours. And the customers would have surely tolerated a battery sticking out. 

In comparison, the APU subnotebooks are better, mainly because their manufacturer has equipped them with batteries with larger capacity. The 8:45 hours of the Samsung 305U1A (11.6-inch, 66 Wh) in WLAN test now seem almost gigantic. A Lenovo ThinkPad X130e (62 Wh) is also very good with 7:07 hours. But a Sony Vaio VPC-YB3V1E/S with a lower capacity battery also manages 3:55 hours.

Due to the lack of a DVD drive, we played a low resolution AVI film, whereby the battery lasted for 3:44 hours. Under load, the runtime drops below two hours, especially under graphics load (Furmark 1:30 hours). Under CPU load the time was 1:52 hours (identical with the Battery Eater Classic).

Case

Our 756 bears no relation in terms of chassis to either the ACER Aspire One 722 or the ACER Aspire One 725. There are some optical similarities such as the round corners, the hinges, and the wedge profile. But the positioning of the ports is different, as well as the input devices, the shaping of the work area, and the bottom cover.

Our test unit comes in glittering blue paint and is a little chameleon. While in the sun it shines in bright blue, but in the dim, night-time office light it seems turquoise (as with a paint effect). 

The slim chassis narrows toward the front and is 24 mm (0.94 inches) high (without the feet) at its thickest point. The lid is relatively thin and correspondingly flexible. The surface is, however, pressure resistant. The display hinges are firmly attached to the base unit. Their visible cover is made of the same flexible plastic.

The case is fairly stable and can only be twisted slightly. Because of the tight hinges, the display lid does not wobble, but has an imprecise stop at the final position. The palm rests on the other hand, do not give in at all. The bottom cover also withstands point pressure. The keyboard is solid and the battery does not wobble. In short: The Aspire One 756 has an in-detail good workmanship, but an unstable base unit.

A possible cause is the large maintenance cover, which gives complete access to the interior, after removing a single screw. This is very convenient for the replacement of components, but takes away from the rigidity of the bottom cover (tensile force). 

The glossy lid, panel, and display bezel, make for always smudgy surfaces. Fortunately this is not the case with the work area. The dull plastic keys go well with the slightly shimmering surroundings.

The hinges allow a wide opening angle of 170 degrees. This is very practical when the mini computer is used in the bed or in very limited space (bus, plane, etc.). The force, with which the lid and the base unit are held together, is sufficient. When upside down, the lid opens by itself only two centimetres. This is exactly the space that the second hand needs to hold the base, when opening the lid. The hinges hold both the base and lid tightly together.

Connectivity

The Apire One 756 is, except for details such as Bluetooth 4.0 instead of 3.0, as well equipped as the Aspire One 752 subnotebook. In addition to the standard USB 2.0 ports, we find an HDMI and a VGA D-Sub port. The microphone jack had to suffer a cut back and it is now combined with the headphone jack. This is ideal for headsets with a multi-polar combo connector. If you want to use separate microphone and headphones, you must first get a hold of the clumsy Y-adapter.

Communication

The rest of the interfaces are the standard minimum and can also be found in a netbook. The Ethernet connector (RJ45, Gigabit LAN) is obligatory, despite the fact that most users have already forgotten that the Internet can be used via cable. The Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter supports Draft N and also incorporates the Bluetooth 4.0 module. For transfers of large data in the home network, we recommend the RJ45 cable and gigabit switch.

Keyboard

The keyboard fits with the typical requirement of the users. The space nicely meets what hand need when typing that makes the users feel comfortable. The performance is not disappointing at all. In fact, it is far faster than the others. Related to the portability, it is possible that this Acer Aspire One AO756 is to be the thinnest as well as the lightest among notebooks and netbooks ever.

We did not enjoy the keyboard at all. The feedback when typing and when gliding hands over it is vague and undifferentiated. The reasons are the unclear tactile feedback, soft stroke, and low key drop.

The keys are not tightly spaced any more (Aspire One 722) and have a large gap, which should provide a comfortable typing experience. 

Practically, there is too much space, and the finger navigation seems difficult. The reason: Because the keys are completely flat and not concave, there is almost no tactile difference. The only truly positive aspect of the keyboard is the generous layout with a clear caption.

Touchpad

Compared with the predecessors, the trackpad of the Acer Aspire one is more stable. If you love to use GoogleTalk or Skype for chatting, there is a single jack for input and output sounds (microphone and headphone). The hard drive outfitted is fairly slim profile thanks to 7.0 mm height. For sure, it is the greatest netbook where you should rely on to beat other devices which have the same great specifications because it comes with inexpensive cost.

The cursor movement on the desktop is precise; the smooth and relatively large surface is sensitive up to the edges. The ClickPad V8.1 supports the usual multi-touch gestures (minimize, maximize, scroll, rotate). The two mouse buttons are located left and right at the front, under the surface.

Furthermore, a left click is registered even if the pad is pressed in the middle or top area. The higher up we go, the harder it is to click. The short stroke does take away some of the enjoyment from the really practical input concept. It took some getting used to, but after a short time we could click an object with one finger (press somewhere on the ClickPad and hold) and move it with another. When the hidden mouse button is used, the cursor can be moved to the bottom through the sensitive surface. The handling can be adjusted to the individual taste in the mouse settings. If you do not like too much multi-touch gestures, you can switch them off separately. 

Display

The 11.6-inch (29.46 cm) display made by the Taiwanese manufacturer CMO has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. This HD resolution has been the standard for this form factor for many years and there are no alternatives. The 16:9 panel is not anti-glare. Acer has not given up the glossy type (see also One 722/725), despite the fact that most rivals come up with matte screens (Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E130/E135, Samsung 305U1A, ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A-K1010V and aslo TravelMate B113-M). Acer's CineCrystal ensures for visually contrasting colours. The measured contrast ratio, though, is only 208:1, which is normal for this price range.

The colour space, which we compare to the AdobeRGB, sRGB, and the premium panel of the Asus UX31A (FHD IPS, 13.3-inch), is very small. The rivals cannot offer anything better for under 1000 Euro, be it a sub-notebook or a laptop. The colour space reproduction is only important for professional image editing. But this target group would not choose the low-performance 11.6-inch notebook, but rather a workstation.

The brightness of 217 cd/m² suffices for indoor use, but is not enough to effectively counter the daylight reflections. Even with a matte panel, a minimum of 250 cd/m² are needed in order to easily read the desktop. But instead, we are disturbed by reflections, while we are checking our e-mails with coffee and cake. The desktop is cloaked in darkness under bright daylight, which makes reading a torture.

The LED panel distributes its brightness evenly, which gives an average illumination of 88%. On battery power, the brightness is not diminished, unless the user has specified so in the corresponding energy profiles. The ACER Aspire One 756 does not have a light sensor for adaptive luminance adjustment.

The horizontal viewing angles are very tight. Only up to 45 degrees from the central position are the colours and structure unaltered. After that, the colours are inverted and we see the so-called ghost images. If we tilt our head back, things look even worse. Writing is readable only up to 30 degrees. But the colour inversion begins at 10 degrees. When multiple people gather in front of the Aspire One 756, then the top viewers have the worst position. The so-called IPS panels, which offer viewing angles of almost 90 degrees to each side, show that this can be improved (e.g. Asus UX31A). 

Loudspeakers

Our acoustic expectations of the 11.6-inch device were not very high. And they shouldn't be, since the two stereo loudspeakers, located under the palm rests, can only meet the minimum level of quality. The highs-heavy sound is painful to the ear. The highest volume can still be reached, without rasping sound from the small membranes. The connection of external speakers through either the 3.5 mm jack or the HDMI output is obligatory for music fans.

Verdict

Acer has ended the absolute domination of Accelerated Processing Units in the price range below 400 Euro. The statement of course exaggerates the situation, since it neglects the still existing devices with Intel Atom. In fact, with the Aspire One 756 Acer brings on the market, through the integrated low-voltage Pentium, a real alternative to the APU notebooks. Unfortunately, the more powerful Pentium is only an option using the AC adapter. Acer has installed a weak battery (37Wh). Thus the E-450/E-1800 subnotebooks remain at the top in terms of battery life. 

As if this was not enough, the disadvantages continue with the flexible chassis and overall weak input devices. The high heat emission under load, the glossy and too dark display, and the charging time of nearly three hours, round everything up.

Overall the test shows: The Pentium 987 is a real alternative to the slow APUs and Atom processors in the low-cost range. Unless the potential customers care too much about the display or the battery life, a Pentium 11.6-inch notebook for 349 Euro is a better investment, than an Atom N2600 or N550 for 250 to 290 Euro. Before we actually test the Celeron 877, we can only recommend the Pentium 987. Overall the notebook is not for the casual gamers, who should take a look at an ultrabook with the HD Graphics 4000. APU notebooks are also a poor choice for the same target group.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk , battery-store.eu

Review Lenovo G585-M8325GE Laptop, L11S6Y01 / L11M6Y01 computer batteries

Product ID:1002989 Battery Type:Li-ion Property:original computer batteries Battery Voltage:11.1 V Battery Capacity:62 Wh \ 5600 mAh Battery Color:Black

Battery Life

In idle mode, the computer stops after 8:40 h. The Lenovo G575 has a battery life of 6:52 h. We are testing the idle mode with the Battery Eater Reader test. Here, the screen operates at minimum brightness, the energy saver profile is activated and the wireless modules (WLAN, Bluetooth) are deactivated.

Under load, the Lenovo G575 lasts for 2:19 h minutes, which is slightly better than the Lenovo G585 with a duration of 2:02 h. In the load test, the notebook completed the Battery Eater Classic test. Here, the screen is running at full brightness and the high performance profile and the wireless modules are activated.

A single battery charge held the practically relevant WLAN test running for 5:00 h. The Lenovo G575 yet squeezes another 13 minutes of running time out of a single L11S6Y01 battery charge and therefore reaches a total of 5:13 h. In this test, websites are automatically opened in 40-second intervals by a script. The energy-saver profile is activated and the display brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m2.

In the DVD test, the notebook reaches a running time of 4:01 h. That is enough to watch two long movies. In this test, the G585 again beats the G575, which offers a running time of 3:31 h. For the DVD test, the wireless modules are switched off and the screen is set to maximum brightness. The energy-saver profile or a higher profile (if the DVD does not play smoothly) is used.

For a computer in this price range, the battery life is excellent. Even many much more expensive laptops do not reach this battery life. Here, the low energy consumption of the components becomes noticeable.

Case

Lenovo puts all the technology into a black, shiny plastic casing. The notebook is predominantly designed in piano black finish. Only the lower part of the notebook is made of matt plastic. Lenovo G575 still has an entirely matt casing (only the display frame is shiny). The shiny surface appears quite valuable and spares the usual cheap charm. In an office device, however, one rather desires a matt appearance. The shiny finish is definitely an eye-catcher here. The design of the casing is simple. The surfaces are completely smooth and without decorations or the like.

The casing makes a sturdy impression, basically. Under pressure, it is bending slightly only. The area below the optical drive makes a good impression too. The casing of the G585 is stiffer than that of the G575. It can be twisted only a little bit when lifting up. This is an improvement compared to the G575. The clearances are not always completely tight. The hinges hold the screen stable in position. The lid bounces when the notebook is being shaken - for example, on the train or in the car. Altogether it can be said that the buyer does gets a satisfying casing, which is not always the case at a price of 339. (LENOVO L11P6R01 batteries)

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, Lenovo surprised with two USB 3.0 ports. Two connections of this type are currently rare in such low priced devices. The two connections are on the left-hand side. Those who want to use the device as a DVD player for the domestic flat-screen television will be delighted by the HDMI port. Besides the mentioned ports, a VGA slot and an Ethernet port are located on the left-hand site. On the right-hand side of the device is a third USB port, which only supports the USB 2.0 standard. In addition, there is a combo port for headphones and a microphone available. The memory card reader is located at the front of the notebook. This computer allows the use of SD and MMC cards.

Keyboard

The Lenovo G585 has a chic let-style keyboard (called AccuType keyboard by Lenovo) including a numeric keypad. Like the keyboard of the Lenovo G575, the G585 keyboard makes typing really pleasant. The keys have sufficient key stroke. The enter, backspace and the right shift key are smaller than usual. These keys can easily be missed but you get used to it after a while. People writing a lot get a good keyboard in an affordable notebook here.

Touchpad

The touchpad has a size of 9.7 cm x 4.7 cm and is part of the palm rest. Touchpad and palm rest overlap without edges. The touchpad's surface is slightly dimpled. The fingers can easily slide over the surface. The two mouse buttons sit beneath the touchpad. Both have a clear pressure point. The touchpad is from Synaptics and is multi-touch capable. Functions such as zooming-in with two-fingers gestures are therefore available.

Display

Lenovo launches the computer on the market with a 15.6-inch display, common and expected for this price range, which has a native resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels. The screen surface shines. LEDs illuminate the display. Lenovo does not offer other displays. For such a low-priced notebook, the Lenovo model has an unusually bright display (average 236 cd/m2). Even much more expensive computers will not reach this in most of the cases. The screen illumination is fine, too.

The situation is different for contrast and black level. Here you will notice again that the display is in a very low-cost notebook. The black level is relatively high with 1.61 cd/m. Black areas are shown in shades of gray. Also, the contrast ratio of 145:1 is not worth mentioning. It's not fun to watch movies on the screen. Dark colors blur into a gray mass. It works better with animated films, which offer many intense and bright colors. It is better to watch movies on this display in a darkened room.(LENOVO L1036F01 Battery)

Basically, the screen brightness is sufficient for outdoor use. Direct sunlight, however, should be avoided. Otherwise, the reflective surface would make using the computer difficult. The low contrast of the display makes is necessary to avoid direct sunlight as well. The Lenovo G585 feels rather comfortable in shadows. We should not forget about the shiny casing of the notebook. In direct sunlight, reflections of the casing may distract you. 

Changing the vertical viewing angle quickly makes the image collapse. The situation is different with the horizontal viewing angle. In this case, the image remains stable on a larger angle. All in all, this result is not surprising.

Speakers

The stereo speakers of the Lenovo G585 are - in contrast to the LENOVO G575 - at the bottom of the notebook. The speakers produce a perfectly acceptable sound. Language is easy to understand. We have tested many notebooks with way worse speakers so far. For an office device, the speakers are more than adequate.

Verdict

The question from the introduction can be easily answered at this point: with the LENOVO G585, Lenovo offers a persisting office notebook. The term netbook in XL hits the bull’s eye. The buyer gets a cheap notebook, which has a long battery life, is quiet and cool, and also consumes very little energy. For such features, one usually has to spend way more money. The good keyboard should be highlighted once more as well, something that should not betaken for granted in such a cheap Notebook.

The LENOVO G585 easily masters daily computing tasks like word processing, reading/ writing e-mails, chatting, skyping or watching DVDs and YouTube videos. But nothing more. The performance of the netbook APU is limited. Even the slowest Intel Celeron processor provides more computing power than the CPU part of AMD Vision E2-1800. Those, who want to play demanding computer games or do intensive photo editing or video editing, should not even think about buying the G585.

If someone is looking for a cheap typewriter, which handles all types of inter-communication and can play videos of all kinds in addition, he is making a good choice with the LENOVO G585. Users of conventional netbooks should take a look at the Lenovo G585 too. If you are tired of staring at a small netbook screen, you might do better with the G585. For a price of 339 euros, the buyer gets a sound offer.

More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk , battery-store.eu