4. Display, Keyboard and Trackpad

Display

The Znote 6324W has a matte 14.1" screen with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. While this makes for a very detailed image, some users will find it too small. In games, for example, it can actually be difficult to make out the words in menus or the user interface at this resolution. Why Zepto chose to use a 14.1" screen in a notebook aimed at gamers is a bit of a mystery anyway. You’d think that performance and a large display would be more important than weight and size to the gaming audience (which tend to move far away from wall sockets for any length of time). On the other hand, there are very few other models as small, light and high on performance as the Znote 6324W.

The display isn’t the brightest we’ve tested, averaging only 150 candelas per meter squared, but it is sufficient for playing games. The non-reflective display means that you can also work and play outdoors. On it’s Product Page, Zepto states that it actually uses a (glossy)UltraCrisp Display with an anti-reflection coating. The idea behind this technology is to get the best of both worlds, but sadly, that attempt falls flat. Even though the colors are subjectively acceptable, they are not as brilliant as with a glossy display.

The black level on the screen is, unfortunately, very high, measuring 1.26 candelas per meter squared, with a black screen and the display brightness set to full. As a result, dark games (such as first-person shooters filled with dark passages) or films always seem to be covered by a gray veil. Other than that, image quality is very good, mainly thanks to the high resolution. As a result of the low brightness and the high black level, the contrast ratio of 119:1 is pretty unimpressive as well.

Viewed from the side, the image stays visible until about 50°, at which point the display starts to fade. Viewed from above, the colors fade quickly. Looking at the display from below quickly results in the colors bleeding into black.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard has a pleasant, if somewhat soft, pressure point. The distance between keys should be shorter. The keys in the right-hand quarter of the keyboard appear to be loose, resulting in a noisy clatter as you type. The keys depress all the way down to the base of the keyboard, creating a clicking sound as they hit the plastic base. As mentioned above, it’s possible, and even likely, that this is a defect in our review unit. After all, you’d hope that this kind of issue wouldn’t affect the entire model line. Otherwise, build quality is quite good, suggesting that Zepto’s quality control department would probably catch this issue before releasing the design to mass production.

We like the large number of function keys available. Key combinations can be used to regulate both the brightness and volume, deactivate the touchpad and the Bluetooth functions, put the notebook into sleep mode, or switch to an external display.

The trackpad works well and offers both horizontal and vertical scroll functions. It is square, relatively small, and is made of the same tough material as the remainder of the wrist rest. Visually, it is separated from its surroundings by a small border. At times, it was a little too sensitive, reacting too easily to an accidental brush of the hand. The trackpad keys have a relatively hard but clearly defined action point. Triggering is indicated by an audible click.

Heat output on the Zepto is a mixed bag. Even when idle, the left side of the case, where the fan outlet is located, gets so warm that resting the laptop on your bare legs, e.g. when you’re wearing shorts, is not possible. The wrist rest, however, only gets warm.

Under full load and when running a game, the Znote gets even warmer. Setting the Znote on a table or another similar surface is the only option. The airstream coming from the fan is hot as well. If you’re travelling and have someone sitting next to you, you’ll need to aim the airstream away from them or you’ll get a few unfriendly stares.