Hi-Grade Notino C7000s-2000 review

Manufacturers of notebooks and graphics chipsets have recently agreed on the Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) standard, which gives notebooks a common upgradable graphics interface.

Hi-Grade's Notino C7000s is the second notebook we have seen with MXM upgradable graphics after Evesham's Voyager C520, which we reviewed in What's New, Shopper September 2005.

The C7000s incorporates a slim MXM I module containing the mid-range nVidia GeForce Go 6600 chipset. MXM is not really designed with user upgrades in mind, so accessing the card involves removing several screws, a heat sink and a fan.

The notebook is large but, at 2.9kg, is lighter than a desktop replacement. The base is slim, although the MXM module causes a bulge on the bottom. Three USB2.0 ports, FireWire, S-video and D-sub graphics outputs are all clustered at the rear. The internal DVD writer burns double-layer discs, but it's on the front of the chassis, so changing discs can be awkward while the notebook is on your lap. Battery life is mediocre at just over two hours.

The C7000s looks smart with its two-tone silver finish, but the plastic feels cheap and is very flexible, especially around the keyboard, which is comfortable to use despite its wobbly keys. The touch pad is accurate but its buttons are appallingly stiff. The C7000s has a 15" display with a high resolution of 1,400x1,050 pixels. The screen has impressive contrast and displays images superbly, due to its near-perfect distribution of colour and lack of any perceptible grain. Vertical viewing angles are very poor, though, as the picture fades quickly if the panel is in the wrong position. It comes with Windows XP Media Center Edition.

The C7000s performed well in our tests. A 2.0GHz Intel Pentium M processor and 512MB of RAM helped it to very strong scores in the Shopper benchmarks and PCMark04. Its 3D performance, while not as good as that of a dedicated gaming notebook, is impressive for one that costs less than £1,500, and you should be able to upgrade it later.

Hi-Grade's Notino C7000s is a powerful notebook with the advantage of upgradable graphics and a decent screen. Build quality is not the best, though, and unless you feel you will need a graphics upgrade in the future, Acer's Aspire 5014WLMi is just as powerful and £400 cheaper.