Not surprisingly, the two Pentium notebooks we tested ranked highest for flat-out speed. The Sager Midern NP3656D and the Micro-International HCP Pentium Series Model 3600D recorded overall performance scores that were about 25 percent higher than that of the Toshiba T4800CT, a DX4/75-based system that took best-overall honors. The two Pentium notebooks were also relatively inexpensive: the $3735 Sager Midern NP3656D had one of the lowest prices of the runners-up in the best-overall category. (Note that both Pentium notebooks use dual-scan rather than active-matrix screens.)
But superior Pentium performance comes with drawbacks: a large format and greater weight. Both tipped the scales at 9 pounds (with battery and AC adapter). The units' size helps accommodate a large heat
sink, with an attached fan unit, mounted on top of the Pentium processor. A second, smaller fan, located on the left side of each unit, draws heat out of the system. Another trade-off of these systems: Battery life, approximately 2 1/2 hours, was longer than that of only one other notebook in this category.
The 100-MHz 486DX4-based HyperData HB32Open, a low-cost runner-up, and the 75-MHz 486DX4 Texas Instruments TM4000E and TM4000M notebooks did not lag far behind the Pentium units in our speed tests. The TI systems fared especially well in tests that stressed processor and memory subsystems. However, the HyperData HB32Open features a 128-KB cache and an efficient 16-bit Cirrus GD6235 video subsystem that helped it perform on a par with the Pentium units in the disk-intensive tests.
The Austin Direct 466D and 466C systems were the fastest 66-MHz 486DX2-based systems we tested. Their superior video performance was aided by a 32-bit Western Digital 90C24A2-ZZ video subsystem.
On average, ba
ttery life for the notebooks in this report averaged close to 3 hours. The longest life we recorded was 5 hours, 23 minutes for the Toshiba T4800CT, the best-overall winner. By contrast, the HyperData HB32Open's battery lasted only 1 hour, 11 minutes. Seven of the nine systems that ran for over 3 hours used NiMH batteries, and five of these systems contained SL-enhanced 75-MHz 486DX4 processors.
The Mitsuba Ninja II DX4-75 ran the longest (3 hours, 34 minutes) among systems equipped with nickel-cadmium battery packs. In general, however, systems with nickel-cadmium battery packs ran for an average of only 2 1/2 hours.
Our tests found the three 100-MHz 486DX4 notebooks to be power hungry: HyperData's HB32Open and the two 100-MHz Micro-International systems ran for an average of only 1 1/2 hours.
All the systems support VGA. Cirrus Logic was the most used video-processor-chip manufacturer, followed by Western Digital and Chips & Technologies. Eleven of the notebooks feature 32-bit video bus
es. Resolutions of up to 1024 by 768 pixels are supported via an external monitor on all but the CAF Aqualite 2, Mitsuba Ninja II DX4-75, and NEC Versa V50 (which have maximum 800- by 600-pixel external resolutions).
After using each notebook for our day-to-day work, we gave the AST Ascentia 900N 4/75 CT10 particularly high ratings for the feel and response of its full-size keyboard; the keyboards that come with the Samsung NoteMaster 3945T and the TI TM4000E models are also noteworthy for their comfort.
Only six of the notebooks contain enhanced parallel ports (see the Roll Call on page 192), which provide the high throughput that's critical for certain devices, such as network adapters. Most of the systems have bidirectional parallel ports; the TI TM4000E models contain unidirectional, or standard, parallel ports.
Many manufacturers cut costs by not implementing 16550 UART chips; these were contained in only six of the reviewed systems. These chips ensure reliable data transmissions wit
h high-speed modems.
The TI TM4000M DX4/75 Active Color includes a fast SCSI-2 port. The other TI notebooks, the TM4000E models, were the only ones without any PCMCIA slot (the Amrel systems do not provide a Type I PCMCIA slot). The Ambra N75, CompuAdd 450 Colorpro, Micro-International HCP Pentium Series Model 3600D, Mitsuba Ninja II DX4-75, Sager Midern NP3656D, TI TM4000M DX4/75, and Toshiba T4800CT play and record sound via an internal microphone and speaker.
To rank the notebooks for the desktop replacement category, we limited the field to systems that had external resolutions of up to 1024 by 768 pixels, accepted hard drives of at least 500 MB, and supported an optional expansion chassis. This left us with 12 contenders.
Rankings
Ranking for Best and Low Cost Considered
WINDOWS AND DOS PERFORMANCE 30%
SCREEN QUALITY 20%
BATTERY LIFE 15%
FEATURES 15%
EASE OF USE 10%
HANDS-0
N USE 10%
Ranking for Desktop Replacement Considered
WINDOWS AND DOS PERFORMANCE 40%
SCREEN QUALITY 15%
FEATURES 15%
BATTERY LIFE 10%
EASE OF USE 10%
HANDS-0N USE 10%
Need a top-quality display and long battery life?
BEST OVERALL
Toshiba T4800CT
This is the system of choice if you are willing to pay a premium price for long battery life and superb display quality. The unit ran for nearly 5 1/2 hours on its NiMH battery pack (almost 2 hours longer than other 75-MHz 486DX4-based systems), and its 9 1/2-inch active-matrix display produces vibrant, fully saturated colors. Its large, full-size keyboard and clear documentation enhance its usability. You can record 16-bit sound and play back sound files via an internal microphone and speakers. If you place less value on battery life, consider the AST Ascentia 900N 4/75 CT10 or the TI TM4000M
DX4/75, which offer better performance and lower prices than the T4800CT.
BATTERY
SPEED (HOURS:
PRICE CPU INDEX MINUTES)
BEST Toshiba T4800CT $6499 DX4/75 7.0 5:23
RUNNER-UP AST Ascentia 900N
4/75 CT10 $5949 DX4/75 7.5 3:23
RUNNER-UP TI TM4000M DX4/75 $6178 DX4/75 8.5 3:13
RUNNER-UP TI TM4000E WinDX4/75 $5578 DX4/75 8.6 3:21
RUNNER-UP Sager Midern NP3656D $3735 Pentium/66 9.5 2:40
RUNNER-UP Micro-International
Model 3600D $3740 Pentium/66 9.3 2:20
RUNNER-UP Austin Direct 466C $3489 DX2/66 7.1 3:04
RUNNER-UP NEC Versa V50 $4029 DX2/50 5.6 3:19
TRAVELING
SCREEN EASE DISPLAY WEIGHT
QUALITY OF USE FEATURES TYPE (POUNDS)
BEST Toshiba T4800CT **** **** *** Color active 8.0
RUNNER-UP AST Ascentia 900N
4/75 CT10 **** **** **** Color active 7.5
RUNNER-UP TI TM4000M DX4/75 *** **** *** Color active 7.0
RUNNER-UP TI TM4000E WinDX4/75 *** **** *** Color active 7.5
RUNNER-UP Sager Midern NP3656D *** *** *** Color dual-scan 9.0
RUNNER-UP Micro-International
Model 3600D *** *** *** Color dual-scan 9.0
RUNNER-UP Austin Direct 466C **** *** *** Color active 8.0
RUNNER-UP NEC Versa V50 **** *** **** Color active 8.5
KEY
Excellent ****
Good ***
Fair **
Poor *
Cost-conscious?
LOW COST
Mitsuba Ninja II DX4-75
This under-$30
00 notebook's trackball is placed slightly off-center below the space bar, so your palms rest comfortably for touch-typing. The unit ran for over 3 1/2 hours on its nickel-cadmium battery, which is second-best in its processor class. The notebook uses a relatively large 10-inch Sharp dual-scan display that produces above-average colors. However, its overall performance is below average when compared to that of similarly configured units. The system documentation is subpar.
BATTERY
SPEED (HOURS:
PRICE CPU INDEX MINUTES)
BEST Mitsuba Ninja II DX4-75 $2795 DX4/75 6.9 3:34
RUNNER-UP Austin Direct 466D $2498 DX2/66 7.1 4:02
RUNNER-UP Micro-International Model 6500M $2960 DX4/100 7.9 1:36
RUNNER-UP HyperData HB32Open $2895 DX4/100 8.5 1:11
RUNNER-UP Samsung NoteMas
ter 3945T $3049 DX2/50 5.6 2:21
RUNNER-UP Gateway ColorBook DX4-75 $3499 DX4/75 7.3 3:15
TRAVELING
SCREEN EASE DISPLAY WEIGHT
QUALITY OF USE FEATURES TYPE (POUNDS)
BEST Mitsuba Ninja II DX4-75 *** ** *** Color dual-scan 8.0
RUNNER-UP Austin Direct 466D ** *** *** Color dual-scan 7.0
RUNNER-UP Micro-International
Model 6500M **** ** ** Mono passive 7.0
RUNNER-UP HyperData HB32Open ** *** *** Color dual-scan 8.5
RUNNER-UP Samsung NoteMaster 3945T **** **** *** Color active 7.0
RUNNER-UP Gateway ColorBook DX4-75 * **** *** Color dual-scan 7.0
KEY
Excellent ****
Good ***
Fair **
Poor *
Want one system for both the road and the office?
DESKTOP REPLACEMENT
Toshiba T4800CT
The T4800CT's expansion capabilities include support for up to 24 MB of RAM and a 500-MB hard drive. The Western Digital 90C24A local-bus video adapter provides external resolutions of up to 1024 by 768 pixels with 256 colors. You can simultaneously add one Type III and one Type II PCMCIA card.
BATTERY
SPEED (HOURS:
PRICE CPU INDEX MINUTES)
BEST Toshiba T4800CT $6499 DX4/75 7.0 5:23
RUNNER-UP AST Ascentia 900N
4/75 CT10 $5949 DX4/75 7.5 3:23
RUNNER-UP Sager Midern NP3656D $3735 Pentium/66 9.5 2:40
RUNNER-UP Micro-International
Model 3600D $3740 Pentium/66 9.3 2:20
RUNNER-UP Austin Direct 466C $3489 DX2/66 7.1 3:04
TRAVELING
SCREEN EASE DISPLAY WEIGHT
QUALITY OF USE FEATURES TYPE (POUNDS)
BEST Toshiba T4800CT **** **** *** Color active 8.0
RUNNER-UP AST Ascentia 900N
4/75 CT10 **** **** **** Color active 7.5
RUNNER-UP Sager Midern NP3656D *** *** *** Color dual-scan 9.0
RUNNER-UP Micro-International
Model 3600D *** *** *** Color dual-scan 9.0
RUNNER-UP Austin Direct 466C **** *** *** Color active 8.0
KEY
Excellent ****
Good ***
Fair **
Poor *
The Best High-Performance Notebooks
