BenQ Joybook 8000

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are it is a duck. BenQ, however, is more likely to call it an amphibious chicken if the naming of its latest notebook PC is anything to go by. The company, you see, has decided that the notebook tag doesn't fit its portable range and has opted for 'Joybook' instead.

The idea is that this particular PC is more than just a portable computer designed for work but a complete box of entertainment. The more cynical among you might think that this means it is, quite simply, a notebook PC with some multimedia software installed - and you'd be right.

Naming and marketing aside, this is actually a good computer. A lot of work has gone into its appearance. The silver and copper-coloured case is an acquired taste but it certainly makes the Joybook 8000 stand out from the crowd.

The front edge of the case is decorated with a row of buttons which control music CD playback - the notebook can be used as a CD player, even while it is not in use as a computer. This is obviously good as it conserves battery life by not having to power up the screen or start up Windows to play music.

The rest of the case is standard and includes three USB 2, FireWire and network ports, and a CD-RW/DVD combination drive.

With a footprint slightly larger than an issue of Computeractive and a weight of 3.2kg, the Joybook would be uncomfortable to carry around and would therefore be suited as a replacement desktop computer, making only the occasional journey out of your house. It's a pity, therefore, that the processor is the mobile version of the 2GHz Pentium 4. Mobile processors, while more considerate of battery life, are less powerful than their desktop equivalents and are dearer. A desktop Pentium 4 processor would have been much better as the money saved could have been used to boost the Joybook's memory from 256Mb to 512Mb.

Opening the case goes a long way towards making up for some of the other niggles. The large case size means that the keyboard is big enough to type comfortably. The 15.2in widescreen display is one of the best we have seen on a notebook and gives a brilliant picture at a resolution of 1280 x 854. It is great for watching DVD movies on and thanks to the nVidia GeForce 4 MX420 graphics, games aren't out of the question either.

This isn't quite the fastest on the market but it can cope with the majority of games.

The software bundle that comes with the Joybook is pretty good compared with that supplied with many other notebooks. As well as Windows XP Home there's DVD playback, photo and video editing, and CD recording software packages. Unfortunately, you don't get any office software for word processing or any anti-virus software, so there is still some shopping to do. Although the 30Gb hard disk on offer looks stingy in a notebook at this price, there is plenty of it free for adding extra software.

We can't really knock the choice of hardware and software in this notebook but at the price BenQ is asking, the joy of the Joybook may only last until your credit card statement arrives. It is definitely more stylish than other notebook computers but beauty is only skin deep. At £1,700, the Joybook illustrates the point amply.

Contact: BenQ 01442 301000
www.benq.co.uk