In the past we have tested desktop replacement notebooks, and notebooks designed for mobile workers. This time we just wanted to test the best of the best. We invited vendors to submit their most outstanding, envy-inducing products.
These notebooks don't make up the larger part of the market mainly because they are very expensive and most people can do without a lot of the fancy features.
We tested some impressive LCD screen sizes, features such as integrated DVD burners and very quick processors translating to what users demand from the modern PC system.
We didn't want to end just there. We wanted to have a look at notebooks that take advantage of the latest technology such as wireless, biometrics, and whatever else makes life easier. We received submissions from Apple, Acer, AOpen, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, and Sony.
Sorry guys, but the reviewed x86 machines seem rather lame to me.
On 10th September 2004 I bought a Clevo M375E notebook that beats nearly every specification of the reviewed units.
This unit has a Fujitsu 100GB HDD, Intel Dothan 2GHz, 2GB of PC2700 SDRAM, Pioneer single layer 2x DVD-RW burner, 54MB WiFi, build-in camera, 3 format card reader, 15.6" wide-screen LCD @ 1680 x 1050, S-Video out, dual display support, FireWire, Gigabit LAN, v.92 modem, IR, 3 x USB2, 1 x Type 1 PCMCIA and serial port.
It is the fastest PC I have ever worked on, easily beating most P4 desktops in everything that is not hard drive or CDROM intensive.
The only thing it lacks is BlueTooth, which was available as an option.
The 2GB of RAM dent the battery life a little, as do the 2GHz Dothan and huge screen resolution, but I still get over three hours of practical work on a single charge with the WiFi turned off.
When I bought it, the RAM was very expensive, but this has come down considerably since.
This unit retail now for less than $4500.
For taxation reasons, I normally replace my notebook once every financial year. If this reviewed collection is exciting the "envy crowd" now, I may hold on to this unit for another year. I can't see that updating only to get dual-layer or BlueTooth is worth my while...