Thanks for the follow-up. How is the new notebook working out for
you so far? Since I can't check it out in person, could you answer
a couple of questions for me?
1. How is the touchpad? Is it centered under the spacebar / home
row of keys (rather than the width of the laptop: a mistake too
many make)? How is the vertical scrolling? I ask because I do NOT
plan on using an external mouse, so a good touchpad is important to
me.
The touchpad is centered right under the spacebar, yes. It's an
excellent one, too, with neat features such if you 'touch and
brush' from right to left along the top it will take you back a
page and same thing to go forward (great for web-browsing).
There's a nice scroll bar in between the left and right-click
buttons and you can adjust the scroll speed in the software. The
only thing I don't like is the ridge that runs smack through the
middle of all three buttons. Perhaps I'm just used to Vaios that
are pure-flat. Not a huge beef.
2. How is the keyboard? I think most are good enough these days.
The keyboard is the best I have ever used with one exception (but
note I'm only comparing it to the Vaio which is known for having
cheap-feeling keys): the Delete key is the second one over at the
top right when I'm used to it being the first. Again, something
I'll get used to.
3. Is text readable on the screen at the video's native resolution?
Text is very readable.
4. Does contrast and/or colors shift when you alter your viewing
angle to the screen?
Yes, but not very much. I'm always right in front of it, though.
5. Is the screen bright enough to produce a paper white?
Not sure because I don't know exactly what that means. I do know
that it's even brighter looking than Sony's Xbrite screens. I'd
wager money that you won't find a nicer screen on a 16-inch
notebook.
6. Does the fan run often? When it does, is it loud? How hot does
the notebook get in use?
Yes, actually, and it IS quite loud, louder than the Vaios. And it
blows out the left side of the laptop and does generate some heat.
I would have to say not MORE heat than my Vaios did (and I've had
two, the GRX670 and 700P). The sucker IS noisy, though!
7. What is the battery life?
Not sure but word in the web is it's not good especially if you're
running it at full brightness. I almost always have it plugged in
so it's not a huge issue for me. I would guess you'd be
hard-pressed to get more than 1.5-2 hours with it on full
brightness.
Many thanks in advance. I see PC Mall has this model for $2400
with 1GB ram and an 80 GB hard drive.
That's WAY too much moolah for it! Fry's has it on this weekend
for $1550 but it'll cost you another couple hundred to get the
extra RAM.
The only other quibble I have with it is the hinges on the screen
are not stiff enough for me. I use it on my lap a lot and when I
set it down and pick it back up again I have to be careful or the
screen won't stay up.
Hope that helps!
Dan
I love my Acer c300 tablet pc laptop, but the screen is simply
horrendous for reviewing photos. I need to find a laptop with a
much better screen to use for reviewing photos with clients when
I'm shooting.
Can anyone recommend a laptop with a great screen? I prefer less
than 17" but more that 12".
Thanks,
Dan
