Hands-On Testing: 46 Powerful Portables

Our tests show which 486-based notebooks and subnotebooks are best for your applications

Anthony Lennon

Today's 486-based notebooks and subnotebooks give you the processing power to handle strenuous computing tasks while on the road. Many notebooks are also well suited for desktop use with their processing power and support of external resolutions of up to 1024 by 768 pixels. In the smaller subnotebook class, you can easily pack a Windows-capable system into an attachŽcase. To find the best model for a variety of business applications, we tested 38 notebooks and eight subnotebooks with 486 processors. These ranged from Intel's 25-MHz SX and SL CPUs to its clock-doubled 66-MHz DX2. We also tested three Cyrix 486SLC-CPU systems.

Our test sample shows that color notebooks are one of today's hottest products: 30 of these notebooks came with an active-matrix, dual-scan, or passive-matrix color display. These three technologies compete at clear price points, which lets you select the level of color quality and price that matches your needs. The average price of an active-matrix color notebook in our sample was over $4500. Passive-matrix systems sell for an average of only $2700, but their display quality is generally fair or poor. Dual-scan color notebooks average $3400, but we found their quality only slightly better than a passive display's.

Monochrome notebooks offer the lowest price (an average of about $2300). They are an obvious choice if you are on a budget and color isn't a necessity.

We tested 486-based notebooks with internal floppy drives and weights of less than 10 pounds (including an AC adapter and a battery). Subnotebooks also had to be based on the 486. They weigh under 7 pounds with a battery, an AC adapte r, and an external floppy drive.

Subnotebooks, which cost an average of $2200, make some ease-of-use trade-offs for a low weight, but they compete head-to-head with traditional notebooks in performance.

We also evaluated three notebooks that were designed for presentations. See "Mobile Multimedia" on page 172.

Our report last October separated monochrome notebooks into Windows and DOS categories, but performance scores this time showed little differentiation between Windows and DOS notebooks, leading us to eliminate the DOS category. Hewlett-Packard's 486-based OmniBook wasn't available in time for testing. Also, CompUSA Direct, Epson America, and IBM either declined or were unable to send portables for testing. Apple hasn't introduced new PowerBooks since the October report.

How to use this guide

We selected notebooks by choosing the ones with the best mix of performance, screen quality, battery life, price, features, and ease of use.

Scores are calculated from appropr iate Windows and DOS tests. Higher numbers mean better performance.

Rating clarity, reproduction of gray scales or color, and range of viewing angles.

Rating based on quality of keyboard design, pointing device, status lights, and other considerations.

Battery discharge under real-world conditions.

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Illustration: What to Look For LCD SCREEN Active-matrix color screens are best, but they cost up to $1200 more than dual-scan color screens. Monochrome displays are the most economical, costing about $400 less than passive-matrix color screens. POINTING DEVICE QuickPort mice located on the right side of the system can be troublesome for left-handed users. Centered trackballs or cabled mice that attach to either side of the system are better choices. HARD DRIVE Choose at least a 120-MB drive for Windows and general business applications. CD-ROM DRIVE Choose one with high-capacity data storage, especially if you run multimedia applications for presentations. MEMORY Most system s require proprietary memory chips, so you should consider added memory costs when you purchase your notebook. BATTERY The battery life of monochrome systems outlasts color models; nickel-metal-hydride batteries last longer than standard nickel-cadmium batteries. DATA/FAX MODEM A must if you need to communicate while on the road; an integrated modem means you'll have one less box to pack or forget. EXTERNAL VIDEO Most notebooks handle a resolution of only 640 by 480 pixels. Make sure your notebook's VGA controller can support a resolution of up to 1024 by 768 pixels on the external port if you want to use a desktop display. If you need an external monitor at higher resolutions, buy a notebook with 1 MB of VRAM (video RAM). Side View AUDIO JACKS Used for connecting headphones, small powered speakers, audio playback equipment (i.e., CD or cassette player), and a microphone.