Dave Andrews
AST Research's
Ascentia 950N
notebook provides 75-MHz Pentium performance in a package that lacks some features found in more expensive notebooks, such as an integrated CD-ROM drive. However, it offers solid performance and interesting full-motion video and graphics capabilities.
The Ascentia 950N's 10.4-inch active-matrix screen is outstanding, especially when running Windows at a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. If you want to run a DOS application that's not recommended to run from within Windows (e.g., Doom), the 950N's SVGA controller lets you do so in full-screen mode.
When you switch from a resolution of 800 by 600 to 640 by 480, some SVGA-capable notebooks shrink the screen image by about an inch on each side. The 950N's Cirrus Logic 7543 S
VGA controller can selectively replicate lines in a DOS application's 640 by 480 image so that the program uses the entire SVGA screen, which is a benefit. In addition, the controller's YUV-to-RGB-conversion capabilities provide full-motion video-playback assistance.
Other notable features include a Creative Labs' Vibra16 Sound Blaster chip set; a 36-mm speaker, which provides bigger sound than some built-in notebook stereo speakers we've heard; and lithium-ion batteries that should provide about 4 hours of battery life. (The preproduction unit that BYTE tested didn't have a final BIOS, so we couldn't test battery life.)
AST plans to release a docking station with a CD-ROM in June. The Ascentia 950N is a solid mainstream entry in the high-end PC notebook market.
PERFORMANCE
Integer index .829
Floating-Point index .939
(A 90-MHz Dell Pentium = 1)
photo_link (14 Kbytes)
With 510-MB hard drive and 10.4-inch dual-scan passive-matrix screen, about $3499; with 1.2-GB hard drive and 10.4-inch active-matrix screen, about $5499.
AST Research
Irvine, CA
(800) 876-4278
(714) 727-4141
go astforum@compuserve.com
SVGA and Full-Screen Doom to Go
