HCL notebooks and conclusions

HCL G28 CP computer notebook
At Rs.22,490 the G28 CP is positioned as an entry level solution, and for this price we wouldn't expect much.However,it's got a solid,robust,(if bulky),feel.Thanks to a total lack of design attention, it also feels very clunky.The good thing about it is that if you're ever going to get caught in an alley by a mugger, then this is the computer notebook you would probably wish you had.The keypad isn't too bad, and the keys, although lacking any kind of comfort contouring, are rather well laid out, with acceptable levels of feedback.
An entry level Core 2 Duo does duty here(T2310).In fact,these processors are little more than dual core Celerons, so don't expect much performance from this notebook.The 1 GB of RAM is decent enough for the target audience who will mostly by using this at office or home for very basic tasks.Even if you are remotely interested in multimedia or a fancy notebook ,or even a powerful desktop replacement, then you'd do well to steer clear of this.For someone looking for a entry level notebook,however, this one may be worth considering.
HCL P28 PDC
HCL next offering and basically identical to the cosh-like G28 CP,which isn't bad if you intend to be sitting at your desk with your notebook for most of the time.This one is just as heavy, and shares the same keys and feedback.We didn't like the very hard-to-press shortcut buttons on the front bezel.Other convenience issues were the lack of any type of buttons for activating and deactivating WLAN connectivity.Incidentally,Bluetooth is lacking(also on the G28CP).Powered by a Core 2 Duo T2330,and 2GB of RAM, along with a 160GB of hard drive,this has marginally better configuration,though battery life is down at an abysmal 81 minutes.For Rs28,990 this computer notebook will have takers only from the lot who want a notebook and are graduating there from a desktop.Probability freaks,performance users and aficionados will give this a miss.
HCL B30 C2D
Sporting an identical look to both the earlier HCLs in this category, the B30 C2D offers nothing different to the earlier two expect in terms of configuration.This notebook comes with freeDOS, so do remember that genuine copies of Windows will add to your purchase price.Also no software is bundled, expect for an HCl backup-restore suite. The 2GB of RAM and Core 2 Duo T5550 do make the B30 C2D a little faster, and this notebook will handle some multimedia content,(remember we said some).The 80GB HDD is a backward step and considering the minimal difference in price of 80 and 160 GB notebook HDDs this is a travesty.For Rs.32,990 the B30 C2D is a decent solution for price conscious buyers, though to be honest, if all you need is access to the internet and basic office use , both the G28 and the P28 from HCL's own stables would do the trick.You save pretty penny too!
HCL Z24C2D
This is HCL's first good notebook solution that we reviewed.A 14.1-inch computer laptops is so much better than a 15.4 inch,especially whwn you need to heft in around, and when HCL design their notebooks to be heavy duty.At Rs.38,490 the Z24C2D is good value for the money.It's reasonably powerful, compact and reasonably functional.For the value conscious home user who wants some mobility,this is a good option.To our delight,the Z24 C2D isn't as bulky as most of its siblings, although it isn't compact compared to the 14.1 inch models from other vendors.At 2.31 kg it's heavy for a 14.1 inch notebook, but the dimensions seem good.The keypad has been reworked from other HCL models, now imparting crisper feedback and a nice springy feel from the keys.The screen is quite good.We weren't expecting such a sharp display from HCL.
A good configuration under the hood(Core 2 Duo T7250,2 GHz), a whopping 3 GB of RAM,a nd a colossal 320GB HDD make the costlier avatar of the Z24C2D(there's a cheaper version with the same model number in our sub-40,000 category)a killer.Although a discrete graphics solution would have made this an even better notebook for multimedia aficionados,this wasn't to be.At Rs.57,740, the Z24C2D is a powerful solution .But if you compare specifications, the Dell XPS 1530 and the Sony Vaio VGN-FZ35GN knock it into orbit in nearly every benchmark.And they are priced very close as well, which makes it a notebook which due to no fault of its own,we cannot recommend.

HCL Z29 C2D-This is HCL's compact offering and while it doesn't claim to be in the same league as the ones before it,the Z29C2D is a Core 2 Duo T5550(1.83GHz) based 12.1 notebook.We couldn't figure out why HCL added the diamond cut patterns on the lid this brings back unpleasant memories of Nokia's prism.It is well built and except for its lid , which seems flimsy and doesn't tilt back, we couldn't find much to complain about.Oh!-Wait a minute, there was the issue with the keypad where the function key is placed to the extreme left where the {ctrl} key should be which causes lot of inconvenience when using the ctrl key for the purpose, especially shortcuts.It's also little too thick for a 12.1 inch.
HCL MiLeap MVO2
The name not withstanding, the MiLeap MV02 is a very large PDA or a compact notebook depending solely on how you look at it.It's for those who want something small,with touch screen functionality but cannot afford the price,size or both of a tablet PC.This is built sturdier than the Fujitsu U1010 but we wonder about the piano black finish which imparts the look of a designer handbag,rather than a notebook/giant PDA.The chrome buttons add some much unwanted garishness to an already non-acoustically loud device.
It's got an Intel A110 CPU running at a nominal 800 MHz and 1GB of RAM coupled with 80Gb of storage.The fact that it's significantly larger than the U1010 means that its keypad is more usable too.Keypad feedback is not good however and for the most(unless typing out a letter or something similar)you'll pretty want to stick to the touch screen/stylus duo.For someone who's really looking for the additional functionality of a touch screen and the portability of a tiny notebook the Mileap MVO2 is a decent soulution, with a killer price tag-Rs.34,900
Conclusion about notebooks use
Notebooks should ideally be oriented towards portability and performance/functionalilty in somewhat equal proportions.Bridging this set of requirements can be tricky, though not possible.Dell manages this with their XPSM1330 rather well. ASUS does an excellent job their U6SG-these notebooks well and truly bridge the divide.Just how bulky or powerful a notebook you want,or how important compactness is to you depends on your usage,and ultimately which parameter you are willing to compromise on more.Afterall you just can't get a fast processor ,4GB of RAM,320 GB hard drive an d a 256 MB graphics solution on a small screen, not yet anyways.Technology has shrunk enough.however,that tiny marvels like the Vaio VGN-TZ37GN/R exist, and thrive.However at 11.1 inches, it may be a bit too compact for most even on those on go.
A 15.4-inch form factor is too large a footprint for a portable machine.A screen size of 13.3 inches is more like what is acceptable,but we're not giving up an ounce of processing power, or functionality.For those who desire something even more mobile we recommend a 12.1 inch notebook.With new 'green' hard drives that run cooler,faster and more efficient,CPU's from Intel and AMD,and very watt-skimpy graphics solution from ATI and NVIDIA, the whole shrink in screen size is a revolution that has arrived now and not a distant vista we can drool over.