Advent 7030

Intel's new Centrino notebook technology is appearing all over the place at present. With lots of new models coming onto the market, manufacturers are doing everything they can to make their model distinct from everyone else's. Advent has chosen to go budget with its 7030, but some of aspects of the cost-cutting have been more successful than others.

Straight out of the box, the 7030 looks like a sensible, sombre notebook, rather than an interesting one. The dark blue and silver case is understated and, overall, the notebook is lightweight and small enough to carry about.

Inside the case, things are a little more exciting thanks to that Centrino technology. Essentially, this allows notebooks running at relatively low speeds to perform as quickly as those with faster processors. It also indicates that wireless networking is integrated.

The Advent uses the slowest of the Centrino processors, running at 1.3GHz, but according to our tests this offers performance on a par with a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 processor for a desktop PC. It comes with a 30Gb hard disk and 256Mb of memory.

Of this memory, only 224Mb is available, as the integrated Intel Extreme graphics use the other 32Mb. Our system tests showed the Advent to be a good performer on application software and suchlike but this is not a system suited to game players.

We're used to notebook computers coming with large screens these days so the 14in one with Advent looked decidedly pocket-sized. Neither is it very well supported - it flexes alarmingly in the plastic frame - although the image quality isn't too bad. If the notebook is handled carefully this won't be a problem, but if you are carrying it about you'll need to keep it safe from bumps and bangs. This is more of an issue with a Centrino notebook as they are specifically designed to be used on the move.

In line with its portable aspirations, the Advent's battery life is good, offering over two hours of computing on a single charge. The battery is fitted under the screen, above the keyboard. It does help keep the size down but it also contributes to the suspicion that the build quality isn't quite as robust as it could be. With the battery removed from the notebook, it feels very insubstantial and it's evident that the battery makes up a large part of the Advent's structural strength.

The keyboard is pleasant to use with chunky keys and the four-way direction controller near the trackpad is useful. Connection options are reasonably good, with three USB 2 and one mini-FireWire socket, a card reader for SmartMedia and SD cards, a PC Card slot and an infrared port. S-video and VGA connectors are present so you can plug into external monitors or televisions.

As you'd expect for a notebook at this price, the Advent comes with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combination drive. With no floppy disk drive, all your removable storage needs will need to be met by the CD drive and the integrated wireless networking that the Centrino system brings.

At £999, this is the cheapest Centrino-based notebook we have seen but it's not totally convincing. We recommend that if you want a new notebook, keep saving until something more compelling comes along unless you are on the tightest of budgets.

Contact: Advent 0800 056 5732
www.adventcomputers.co.uk