Review: Medion P6612 notebook computer

The Akoya P6612 notebook from Medion, exclusive to Aldi stores, is one of the new notebooks to come with a 16in screen. Such models replace older 15in and 17in notebooks (there are also even larger 18in models available).

The advantage of the 16in screen is that notebooks with it are still small and light enough to be carried around, but they're also big enough to make games playing and movie watching fun. The screen is sharp and clear, and being a matt model rather than gloss, it doesn't suffer too much from reflections in bright light.

Usefully, and enhancing its Hollywood credentials, it also comes with an HDMI output that allows it to be connected to newer flat-screen televisions and high-definition projectors for the very best quality pictures and sound.

It weighs 3kg, making it more of a desktop computer than a true portable, but it is fairly easy to pick up and carry, not being too bulky.

The notebook is powered by an Intel P7350 Core 2 Duo processor. This is roughly in the middle of the range of processors and it provides a reasonable amount of processing power while not producing too much heat (more power means more heat, which means more cooling equipment, which in turn increases the weight and bulk of the product).

It's backed up with 4GB of memory, the maximum Windows can deal with, so there are no problems on that front (memory is used by the computer for temporary storage, and more memory makes for faster, smoother operation). There's a capacious 320GB hard disk for permanent storage, as well as a DVD writer.

There's an Nvidia Geforce 9600M GS graphics card, with 256MB of its own memory, to provide processing power for video playback and editing as well as games. This is a powerful product as far as notebooks go and, between it and the processor, helped the computer to very respectable scores in our lab tests.

It will still struggle with recent games if you turn up all the quality levels but, in general, the computer will be happy running any kind of application, including new games.

In terms of connections, it can connect directly to wired and wireless networks of all kinds, including the newest wireless standard, as well as to Bluetooth devices such as phones and music players. It has three USB sockets, which is few even for a notebook, but there is an eSata port, which is used to connect newer external hard disks and is capable of very fast data transfer. There's also a memory card reader that can take SD and Memory Stick cards.

In addition to the HMDI connector the computer can be hooked up using its VGA port to a standard monitor, and it has sound outputs and inputs too, including for surround sound. Finally, there's an Express Card slot for connecting other peripherals.

To cap it off, the P6612 also comes with a TV tuner, which allows users to watch Freeview broadcasts, and a remote control. The keyboard is fine, but the mouse trackpad is a little plasticky, meaning that our fingers didn't flow smoothly over it. Medion offers a three-year warranty on this notebook, which is the icing on the cake of a very impressive notebook that will suit most home users who desire more power from their computers.