Review: Hi-Grade Ultinote D6000_1602 Core 2 Duo notebook

The Ultinote D6000_1602 is Hi-Grade’s first notebook based on Intel’s new mobile Core 2 Duo processor.

Unlike Rock and Evesham, Hi-Grade hasn’t used the new processor to create a gaming machine and is instead using it as the basis for a portable Media Center.

Few entertainment activities are as intensive in CPU usage as computer gaming, and this has influenced Hi-Grade’s decision to supply the Ultinote D6000_1602 with a T5500 processor running at 1.6GHz.

The T5500 has 2MB of level 2 (L2) cache as opposed to the meatier 4MB of the faster T7000 series of Core 2 Duo processors. The T5500 slots into the same Intel 945 chipset as was used with the previous incarnation of the D6000_1602 (which sported a Core Duo T2500).

When reinforced with 1GB of DDR2 Ram, this notebook scored 4,219 in our PCMark05 benchmark and 209 in Sysmark 2004 SE.

The Ultinote D6000_1602’s 15.4in widescreen TFT display is a visual treat, but for a notebook to be considered a true home theatre device it would need to have a 17in screen.

An ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card powers the display’s native resolution of 1,280x800.

This graphics card is more than adequate for video rendering and its 256MB of memory ensures it will be able to handle Aero, the 3D graphical interface for Windows Vista . In 3Dmark05, it achieved a score of 3,733.

Windows Media Center is the pre-loaded operating system and a remote control is supplied, which helps you to utilise the software’s full functionality.

The keyboard is well-designed with a sensible amount of space between the keys.

Although the touchpad is wide enough to have a scrolling facility on the right, there’s not much room vertically to actually use it. Both the left and right mouse buttons are firm and click solidly when depressed.

Sound quality is well above the average on the Ultinote D6000_1602. There are speakers on the sides and front of the chassis, along with a small subwoofer underneath. Sound is usually the Achilles heel of notebooks, so it’s great to see Hi-Grade address this issue.

The casing is attractive but it’s by no means the flashiest we’ve seen. The hinge movement when adjusting the screen or closing the notebook was particularly smooth. There is, however, no clasp to secure it shut; it closes under its own weight.

Indeed, weighing 3.45kg it’s not ideal for walking around with for extended periods but is fine for normal travelling and moving around the house.

The battery is located at the back, only leaving room for two of the four USB ports and the digital television tuner. Along the sides you'll find the other two USB ports, a four-pin Firewire connector, 3-in-1 card reader and a Type II PC Card slot.

The Ultinote D6000_1602 also has a digital TV tuner, an integrated 1.3 megapixel camera and a built-in microphone. For external media playback there’s also a TV out connection and S/PDIF audio output.

It’s worth noting however that the external monitor output is a regular VGA connection and not the newer DVI which is popular with flat panel monitors and projectors.

A number of extras sweeten the sub £1,000 price of the Ultinote D6000_1602. The price includes delivery and a carry-case, while the two year warranty has accidental damage cover.

The lack of a 17in monitor is our only reservation in wholeheartedly recommending this as an all-round entertainment platform.

Also consider:
Evesham Voyager C720 DC Core 2 Duo notebook
Next-generation dual-core processor debuts in this mobile gaming powerhouse

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