Packard Bell’s Easynote is based on a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo processor, which
can’t match the 1.8GHz and 2GHz processors used by some of its rivals. Even so,
the Easynote’s performance is strong enough to cope with office software,
digital photography and video editing.
Where the Easynote really scores, though, is on its wide feature set. At just
£699.99, the Easynote is one of the cheapest products reviewed here, yet it
includes a 14in widescreen display that is matched only by the HP Compaq nc6400,
which is almost £200 more expensive.
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We would have liked the screen to be a bit brighter, but it’s adequate for
watching DVDs or working with big spreadsheets or presentations.
There’s also a little webcam built into the display and the Skype software is
pre-installed (Skype can now handle videoconferencing as well as internet phone
calls – hence the ‘Skype Edition’ in the model name).
Other video features include a Firewire port for connecting a DV camcorder
and a composite video output so that you can record your video projects onto VCR
or display them on a bigger TV screen.
The size of the screen pushes the weight close to our 2.5kg limit, but the
Easynote is still light enough to carry around without too much trouble.
Battery life is also respectable – almost four hours when running business
software and about two and a half hours for DVD playback – although this is one
area where it is beaten by several of its rivals.
Even so, the Easynote’s sheer value for money is hard to beat. There are more
powerful laptops available, but the Easynote provides both good performance and
versatile multimedia features at a very competitive price.
Pros 14in screen; built-in webcam and video output Cons Poor 3D performance; heavier than its 12in rivals Overall A versatile multimedia laptop at an attractive price
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