Our exclusive benchmarks rank the highest-performing notebook and subnotebook computers for running Windows, DOS, and Macintosh applications
Anthony J. Lennon
Today's high-end notebooks, fueled by 50- to 100-MHz 486s or even Pentium processors, allow you to take processing power with you when you leave the office. We tested 24 high-performance notebooks and five 486-based subnotebooks and found them to be effective Windows and DOS workstations. We also looked at two of the latest high-end PowerBooks from Apple. To round out our portables coverage, we also evaluated eight printers that can run on battery power.
While some of these systems come standard with such trendy features as built-in audio, you'll still pay a relatively high price for state-of-the-art p
ortables. The average price for a color active-matrix notebook in this report is $4512. For an average of roughly $1270 less, you can buy a dual-scan color model offering less-brilliant colors. None of the notebook vendors (and only one subnotebook vendor) chose to submit for our review a color passive-matrix system, which has generally been supplanted by dual-scan as the low-cost alternative to active-matrix.
What's more, monochrome displays are almost nonexistent in high-end notebooks today: Only two vendors submitted monochrome notebooks, which sell for about $1000 less than dual-scan color models.
Fourteen of the notebooks (and all five subnotebooks) in this report use SL enhanced processors, which attests to the continuing drive by vendors to increase battery life. In addition, a majority of the notebooks use NiMH (nickel-metal-hydride) battery packs. The Toshiba T4800CT's use of this combination helped it to achieve the highest battery-life score among the notebook systems we tested: 5 hou
rs, 23 minutes. Toshiba's Portege T3400CT took top battery-life honors for subnotebooks (6 hours, 9 minutes) using a lithium-ion battery, the only system to do so in this roundup.
Our performance tests used actual Windows and DOS applications, as well as low-level tests that stress individual system components, such as video and storage. Our exclusive battery tester rates power life with a word processing session that simulates real-world usage.
To evaluate printers for the road (a category that we looked at in our May and November 1993 printer reports), we ran our full suite of text and graphics tests to measure speed and print quality. The two Mannesmann Tally units we looked at use thermal-wax-transfer technology, and they are the clear performance leaders. The other models use thermal or ink-jet technology and retail from $299 to $399.
It's important to note that IBM updated its ThinkPad line of notebooks with models that fit our test criteria, but the company chose not to submit any
for this evaluation. Hewlett-Packard offers a 486 version of its OmniBook subnotebook but couldn't supply us with a unit in time for testing. At press time, Ambra Computer announced that the company was being dissolved but that its notebooks reviewed here would continue to be available into the early fall.
How to use this guide
We selected the best notebooks and subnotebooks by evaluating speed, screen quality, battery life, price, features, and ease of use.
SPEED INDEX: Scores are calculated from the low-level benchmarks and the combined Windows and DOS application tests. Higher numbers indicate better performance.
BATTERY: The time required to discharge a fully charged battery under real-world conditions (shown in hours:minutes).
EASE OF USE: A subjective assessment of the keyboard, pointing device, status lights, and other considerations.
SCREEN QUALITY: Rates clarity, reproduction of gray scales or color, and range of viewing angles.
Illustration: Important
Notebook Components
LCD SCREEN
Color screens dominate high-performance-notebook designs. Choose active-matrix color displays for the best quality, although they command a premium of approximately $1270 over dual-scan color displays.
CPU
For flat-out speed, the 66-MHz Pentium processors scored highest, although their heat-dissipating system designs helped make Pentium-based notebooks among the largest we tested. Many 75-MHz 486DX4-based systems offered only marginally slower performance and longer battery life. However, prices were often higher than those for the Pentium systems we evaluated.
POINTING DEVICE
Although subject to individual tastes, trackballs centered below the keyboard generally provide the most comfort and are easiest to use for touch-typing.
AUDIO
For presentations, consider a notebook with on-board audio, as well as a built-in microphone and speaker.
EXTERNAL VIDEO
Make sure a notebook's VGA controller supports 1024 by 768 pixels on the external port if you want to use a
desktop display.
MEMORY
Proprietary memory chips are common for many systems, so consider the costs of RAM upgrades when choosing a notebook.
BATTERY
Notebooks with nickel-metal-hydride batteries generally outlasted notebooks with nickel-cadmium batteries. Our tests showed little difference in effect on battery life between active-matrix and dual-scan color displays.
31 No-Compromise Portables
