nc6120 review

HP nc6120

Just received this laptop this morning, so this wont be an extensive review yet. Its just a 'first look' review.

Build quality is very good - good support behind the screen, and solid frame in around the keyboard and palm rest. No plasticy hollow noises if you tap the laptop anywhere. So overall, a good impression here.

Keyboard - its a bit 'clicky and sticky' but its not at all bad. Naturally, as you have come to expect by now, its no comparison with IBM, but its not a bad example either. I've been typing on it for the past 3 hours, and I dont feel uncomfortable or annoyed by it for any reason (such as key placement). The Keyboard is slightly recessed below the palm rest - this would be my only real negative point. After prolonged periods of typing Ive found recessed keyboards to be not very good at combating wrist fatigue. I guess it does have a functional role, and doeant rest up against the screen when the lid is closed.

Screen - Nothing to write home about. Standard, business quality notebook screen. Its not as sharp and bright as Sony, or Benq. Actually is fairly average and not really the best for watching movies. Viewing angles leave a lot to be desired.

Touchpad. Again recessed, like the keyboard. But I dont mind that quite as much, as it prevents accidently tapping the pad when typing. The onyl drawback could be in future when dirt and oil acumulate along the edges of the pad.

Looks and styling - its very good. Makes a good impression on me. not boring tacky budget silver, nor extravagant sony design, but a modest classy executive design that I like. Think Volvo.

noise - initially the fan was hardly ever on, but over the last hour or so, it has come on permanently I think (Im running off mains power). The hardrive doesnt make any noise.

Sound - well, its a laptop, not a stereo. the sound quality reflects this as well, but its not so bad that you would be disappointed.

Who is it for: Students, business people.



Nothing more I could elaborate on till I get more time to asses this notebook. I will keep updating this thread till complete, including some photos.

Well ZDNet did a review of this laptop not too long ago, and gave it pretty good marks. I guess you have probably seen that already huh.

My specs are almost the same as their test version -

Intel Pentium M 1.6Ghz, 533 FSB
512 DDR RAM 333Mhz (1 stick).
40 GB (5400) harddrive.
15" XGA screen
Intel Wireless b/g
Bluetooth
Intel Shared Graphics accelerator 900 (128MB)
XP Pro SP2
6 in 1 card reader
4x USB, firewire, Ethernet, modem, external display port, etc.

Battery life so far is very good indeed. On Max Battery settings, with wireless switched on, using it for playing mp3s, surfing the net, word processing, the laptop lasts for 4 1/2 hours. But the screen brightness is turned right down - no problem for these tasks, but not good if you are viewing images.
Same tasks, under 'max performance' mode, the battery goes for 3 1/2 hours.
If I watch one DVD of 2 hours, there is another 1 hour or so of battery left depending on settings.
Having wireless on or off seems to make only slight difference.

Sound - well as I mentioned above, dont expect super sound production from the laptop. Any cheap speaker box that has decent bass reproduction would be better. However, its better than many other laptops Ive heard - I'd say only high end desktop replacements give better quality sounds from their speakers (Im thinking of Toshiba Qosmio for example). Certainly not tinny sounding at all. When you plug in a pair of good headphones, the sound repro is much better. Very little electrical noise at all right now.

Overall, after one week use, I am very happy with the purchase. Build quality is great, system performance is great, battery life also equally as good.

Any more questions let me know. I had pics, but I've run out of trial period for my host. I can always email anyone interested.

Updates to my review of this laptop...

The Keyboard -

I take back the negative things I initially said about this keyboard in my first review. The keyboard is great for typing. Its very nice to use, especially if you are a medium-fast typer like me. Its a just the right size, anf has just the right 'key feedback' when typing. I still prefer my old IBM Thinkpad's keyboard, but I am very happy with this keyboard. Its very good for typing for long periods.

Heat/Noise

The notebook doesnt get hot on top at all - all areas are cool to the touch. The fan exhaust is on the left hand side (oriented as you type), and also underneath the notebook. It does get a little hot in those areas. Nothing too bad, but it does make you feel the need to make sure that nothing covers the exhaust.
The fan comes on very often, pretty much permanently, when the notebook is plugged in on mains, but its not that noisy. I would describe it as a 'whooshing' noise. When on battery power, the fan comes on every 10 mins or so for 15 seconds (depending on your usage).

My only gripe with the laptop is that its a touch on the heavy side. It is 2.7kgs, and its much lighter than many laptops on the market today, however, to people out there who travel with their laptop every day, or move around the office with it constantly, consider a lighter laptop. But I would describe this as an annoyance, only noticeable because everything else about the laptop is great.

Anyway, short of doing benchmarks (which are available online anyway), I cant think of anything else to review. If anyone has particular questions, please ask.

-Kiwi