Packard Bell dot SE 10,1” netbook

Packard Bell dot SE 10,1” netbook (Model: dot SE-433NC)

Packard Bell’s dot SE netbook is a fantastically priced laptop for people on the move. Thanks to the long lasting battery and the unbeatable mobility, the Packard Bell dot SE has become a favourite amongst many.

Construction

The construction of this laptop computer is very solid, and when we tested it last week we “accidentally” dropped it a couple of times on the floor, but even that didn’t stop the dot SE.

Display

The hinges that hold the display in place are also quite sturdy; and the screen can be tilted back 180 degrees, which is a real advantage, when you’re using a mini pc. The consistency of the brightness and colors of the screen are sharp and precise from all angles, but the anti-glare coating on the screen makes it almost unusable in direct sunlight.

Keyboard & Touch pad

The keyboard is totally flat without any key definition, which might be a problem for users who rely on touch typing. We hammered on the keyboard for about 20 minutes and the results weren’t exactly impressive, but keep in mind that this laptop isn’t developed for typing novels. The keys are actually quite well proportioned and fill the whole area of the pc when opened.

The touch pad is really well proportioned, especially considering the limited space. There is an integrated scrolling function and a physical button for left and right clicking, which is really nice. There is however one annoying feature/mistake, ― when you have clicked on something, it takes about 1 second before you’re able to navigate with the mouse, it simply freezes for a moment, which is quite annoying.

Performance

The performance of this pc more or less corresponds with competing laptops in the market. There is an integrated Intel Atom processor N540, which unfortunately doesn’t reserve the possibility of playing HD movies or demanding computer games. The dot SE is however quite good for smaller Photoshop jobs, Office, general web browsing and You Tube videos.

The lifespan of the battery can’t compete with the Toshiba NB520-108, but it still sports an impressive 3 hours of work time, which is rather good considering the size of this netbook.

Specifications

The Packard Bell dot SE weighs 1,2 kg and measures 25,39 x 18,5 x 2,4 cm, which makes it one of the smallest netbooks in the business. It fits perfectly in a handbag, briefcase or backpack.

• Operating system: Windows 7 Starter
• Processor: Intel Atom N450; Single-core; 1,66 GHz
• Memory: 1 BG DDR2 SDRAM (DDR2-667/PC2-5300
• torage: 250 GB Serial ATA with 5400 rpm
• Display and graphics: 10,1” (25,7 cm) Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
• Webcam: Yes
• Software included: Microsoft Office Starter 2010 & Adobe Photoshop Elements 8
• Battery: 3-cell, 2200 mAh, 3 hours
• Color: Sort
• Pris: Approx. 250 $

Over all, the Packard Bell dot SE is quite a good netbook, especially considering the low price.