AJP 8375

Notebook computers come in many shapes and sizes. They can be slim, sleek and even, to some eyes, sexy.

At the other extreme, notebook PCs can be as fat, angular and ugly as the latest model from AJP. Not to put too fine a point on it, the 8375 model is more slab than notebook. A 33 x 27cm x 4cm, 3.4kg slab, to be precise.

It's not unusual in that respect. Some notebook PCs are designed with power as a priority and portability further down the agenda; a category dubbed 'desktop replacement'.

It's intended to appeal to those who, though perhaps infrequent travellers, would like the freedom that a portable computer brings. If that's you, then don't walk on by: the 8375 might be worth a second look.

Aesthetics aside, the most interesting feature of the 8375 is not a key component like the processor or hard disk but a line-up of sockets, barely noticeable around the back.

AJP has prepared its latest machine for the latest in connectivity by fitting USB 2 ports. With four of these, the 8375 is unlikely to leave you short should you feel the need to connect multiple peripherals to your notebook.

Talking of connectivity, the 8375 tips a wink to another modern marrying technology: wireless networking, or Wi-Fi. Sadly, the acknowledgment extends only to a built-in Wi-Fi antenna, which is about as useful as a car without an engine.

If you want to connect the 8375 to a wireless network, you'll need an add-on module, which AJP will happily supply to you ... for an additional £81.

If you don't mind cables then the integrated network socket will network the machine at no extra cost; when you're out and about, the 56K modem can adequately handle communications.

Back to the primary parts. AJP has opted for an AMD XP 2000+ Mobile processor, which is good, given the price. The 512MB of memory is impressive too.

However, the 8375's graphics chip - the S3 Pro Savage DDR, if you're clued-up enough to care - commandeers 32MB of system memory. In other words, the 512MB headline specification is a little misleading.

In fact, the 8375 has 480MB of useable memory. This amount helped the machine score respectably in our benchmarking tests but the graphics performance is dreadful.

On a desktop PC these days, the inclusion of a 40GB hard disk drive might be viewed as stingy, but in a notebook it's verging on generous.

The 8375's other major drive is similarly impressive: the DVD-Rom/CD-RW drive isn't itself remarkable, but its slot-loading operation makes it stand out. There's something very satisfying about feeding discs into the drive opening to watch them be swallowed by the machine.

It also means there's zero possibility of breaking a disc tray; so often a notebook weak spot. For tradition's sake, a floppy disk drive makes an appearance.

Of course, there's plenty more to a machine like this but we're nearly out of space. Other noteworthy features include FireWire and S-Video connector, so you can output the display to a television set.

Nor should we overlook a final criticism: to include just one Type II PC Card slot in a notebook of this physical size is frankly daft.

The 8375 has good and bad points in roughly equal measure. We don't like the bulk, the cheap feel or the underhand graphics handling but we are rather partial to the large memory, nippy processor and slot-loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive.

If you're seeking an unwavering recommendation, look elsewhere.

DETAILS

Price: £1,127
Contact: AJP 020 8208 9744
www.ajp.co.uk