Intro
In this technology intensive, feature-rich world of electronics and consumer products, when the user manual (should they even include a paper version in the package) is an inch thick, six month life cycles, shrinking, pocket-sized devices of unimaginable performance even five years ago, it is nice sometimes to use a device that performs admirably, is easy to use and simply does a good job for you. This is way I feel about the Neutrino notebook from Ocz. And this is not a backhanded compliment; in the immortal words of Bill Belichick, the Neutrino is what it is: a small format computer that is very handy to have around.
Specs:
Do you have a spec sheet? Put the full specs in List form.
What's in the Box:
What was included with the system. List everything including the power block.
Design
The Neutrino’s frame is smaller than a sheet of paper, about 10 ½ inches wide x 7 3/8 deep x 1 1/3 inches thick, with a glossy black plastic cover, no troublesome latch and a nicely lit 10 inch screen. The unit screams portability; I grabbed the Neutrino off the table, yanked the power cord and headed for the deck, family room, bedroom and front steps any number of times.
Screen:
The screen is perfectly functional and bright enough to use out of doors, but of course in the direct sun of midday it was a bit of a struggle to use, but use it I did. There were no dead pixels to be found. A user may not be doing Photoshop editing on this unit, duh. Google Earth complained it wants a minimum of 1024x768 pixel resolution to run properly, (the Neutrino is 1024x600) but it still worked well as it turns out I wasn’t searching for nude sunbathers in Scandinavia. The screen is a serviceable display that suits the Neutrino just fine.
Keyboard
As one may expect, the qwerty keyboard is a tad tough on a touch typist, requiring more care and time and a few more quick glances at the keys to type the word correctly, but then again no one is writing their memoirs on this unit. (list them starting with F1)
Touchpad
The touchpad gave me the most trouble, it is a relatively small target and the mouse buttons are small, here is a case where practice makes perfect, and after a while of use one can become accustomed and proficient in its use.
Features:
Multimedia Keys
Are there any multimedia keys? What are they functions? Are they useful? Practical?
LEDS
Are there any LED indicators? Where are they and what are their
functions?
Wifi –
The Neutrino grabbed my wireless signal quickly and strongly – there was no spot in my house where I lost network access due to a weak signal, not a boast I can make with my Lenovo T60.
Speakers
There are two speakers above the keyboard and on each end of the unit. I had them cranked all the way to eleven most of the time to hear with any degree of ambient noise. I watched many a youtube video and some hulu clips and the sound was perfectly adequate, but not much fidelity or power for enjoying music.
One evening with friends over I grabbed the Neutrino off the kitchen counter and brought it out on the back deck to settle some arguments regarding the age of some actors and the origin of the tennis bracelet. This is exactly the kind of role the Neutrino plays perfectly. I looked up directions and drive time to Bethel, Maine, and located Piazza Santo Spirito in Florence on Google Earth. None of this data mining would have been accomplished that night if we didn’t have a handy, lightweight compact notebook to easily carry around, and we would still be arguing to this day.
Input and Output Ports
Front:
Webcam Pictures Is there a built in webcam? How are the quality of the pictures?
Right Side:
The only thing I ever plugged into the Neutrino was the power cord, but there are (2) USB ports, one each on the left and right sides of the unit with an RJ45 network connector also on the right. A VGA video connector is on the left rear corner, and a memory card slot on the front right side.
Bottom:
On the bottom of the unit there is a latch that prevents the battery from being removed, with this in the unlocked position, on the opposite side of the battery there is a spring-loaded latch that allows the battery to be removed.
many exhaust ports? Fans? Battery lock?
Benchmarks
Insert Benchmark Scores and Pictures Here
Please read the benchmark section above to run common benchmarks.
Size and Weight
There is no detectable sound generated by the Neutrino and at first I thought it had no fan, but there is micro exhaust fan on the left side pushing air out in the most quiet manner possible. The unit runs cool as a cucumber with the slightest hint of warmth on the lower left side.
Battery Life
I am impressed with the battery life. The unit was closed up on one Friday night and forgotten over the Memorial Day holiday, but when I grabbed it Tuesday morning it was still on running in stealth mode.
Pros: Small size, lightweight, good battery life, cool running good wireless signal capture, price
Cons:
Small speakers providing fairly low sound output
Conclusion: I love the Neutrino for what it is; it is a lightweight, easy to use computer that has some impressive processing power in a little package. It can perform 90%+ of the activities I normally do on a home computer. I would not want to watch a full length feature film on the small screen and marginal speakers, and I would probably not edit photos either, but everything else is fair game. I can balance it on my knee or lap with zero fatigue, bring out to the patio while enjoying a beautiful sunset, schlep it easily to Starbucks (but I won’t) It counts for something when you think twice about grabbing your notebook because of it is too big and heavy to perform a function. The Neutrino eliminates any second guessing because it is no trouble at all to grab and go.
In this technology intensive, feature-rich world of electronics and consumer products, when the user manual (should they even include a paper version in the package) is an inch thick, six month life cycles, shrinking, pocket-sized devices of unimaginable performance even five years ago, it is nice sometimes to use a device that performs admirably, is easy to use and simply does a good job for you. This is way I feel about the Neutrino notebook from Ocz. And this is not a backhanded compliment; in the immortal words of Bill Belichick, the Neutrino is what it is: a small format computer that is very handy to have around.
Specs:
Do you have a spec sheet? Put the full specs in List form.
What's in the Box:
What was included with the system. List everything including the power block.
Design
The Neutrino’s frame is smaller than a sheet of paper, about 10 ½ inches wide x 7 3/8 deep x 1 1/3 inches thick, with a glossy black plastic cover, no troublesome latch and a nicely lit 10 inch screen. The unit screams portability; I grabbed the Neutrino off the table, yanked the power cord and headed for the deck, family room, bedroom and front steps any number of times.
Screen:
The screen is perfectly functional and bright enough to use out of doors, but of course in the direct sun of midday it was a bit of a struggle to use, but use it I did. There were no dead pixels to be found. A user may not be doing Photoshop editing on this unit, duh. Google Earth complained it wants a minimum of 1024x768 pixel resolution to run properly, (the Neutrino is 1024x600) but it still worked well as it turns out I wasn’t searching for nude sunbathers in Scandinavia. The screen is a serviceable display that suits the Neutrino just fine.
Keyboard
As one may expect, the qwerty keyboard is a tad tough on a touch typist, requiring more care and time and a few more quick glances at the keys to type the word correctly, but then again no one is writing their memoirs on this unit. (list them starting with F1)
Touchpad
The touchpad gave me the most trouble, it is a relatively small target and the mouse buttons are small, here is a case where practice makes perfect, and after a while of use one can become accustomed and proficient in its use.
Features:
Multimedia Keys
Are there any multimedia keys? What are they functions? Are they useful? Practical?
LEDS
Are there any LED indicators? Where are they and what are their
functions?
Wifi –
The Neutrino grabbed my wireless signal quickly and strongly – there was no spot in my house where I lost network access due to a weak signal, not a boast I can make with my Lenovo T60.
Speakers
There are two speakers above the keyboard and on each end of the unit. I had them cranked all the way to eleven most of the time to hear with any degree of ambient noise. I watched many a youtube video and some hulu clips and the sound was perfectly adequate, but not much fidelity or power for enjoying music.
One evening with friends over I grabbed the Neutrino off the kitchen counter and brought it out on the back deck to settle some arguments regarding the age of some actors and the origin of the tennis bracelet. This is exactly the kind of role the Neutrino plays perfectly. I looked up directions and drive time to Bethel, Maine, and located Piazza Santo Spirito in Florence on Google Earth. None of this data mining would have been accomplished that night if we didn’t have a handy, lightweight compact notebook to easily carry around, and we would still be arguing to this day.
Input and Output Ports
Front:
Webcam Pictures Is there a built in webcam? How are the quality of the pictures?
Right Side:
The only thing I ever plugged into the Neutrino was the power cord, but there are (2) USB ports, one each on the left and right sides of the unit with an RJ45 network connector also on the right. A VGA video connector is on the left rear corner, and a memory card slot on the front right side.
Bottom:
On the bottom of the unit there is a latch that prevents the battery from being removed, with this in the unlocked position, on the opposite side of the battery there is a spring-loaded latch that allows the battery to be removed.
many exhaust ports? Fans? Battery lock?
Benchmarks
Insert Benchmark Scores and Pictures Here
Please read the benchmark section above to run common benchmarks.
Size and Weight
There is no detectable sound generated by the Neutrino and at first I thought it had no fan, but there is micro exhaust fan on the left side pushing air out in the most quiet manner possible. The unit runs cool as a cucumber with the slightest hint of warmth on the lower left side.
Battery Life
I am impressed with the battery life. The unit was closed up on one Friday night and forgotten over the Memorial Day holiday, but when I grabbed it Tuesday morning it was still on running in stealth mode.
Pros: Small size, lightweight, good battery life, cool running good wireless signal capture, price
Cons:
Small speakers providing fairly low sound output
Conclusion: I love the Neutrino for what it is; it is a lightweight, easy to use computer that has some impressive processing power in a little package. It can perform 90%+ of the activities I normally do on a home computer. I would not want to watch a full length feature film on the small screen and marginal speakers, and I would probably not edit photos either, but everything else is fair game. I can balance it on my knee or lap with zero fatigue, bring out to the patio while enjoying a beautiful sunset, schlep it easily to Starbucks (but I won’t) It counts for something when you think twice about grabbing your notebook because of it is too big and heavy to perform a function. The Neutrino eliminates any second guessing because it is no trouble at all to grab and go.
