5. Technical Data and Configuration

The test sample of the Znote 6324W we received was pre-configured to Zepto’s specifications. It comes to about $2091, including Windows Vista Home Premium (32 Bit). We found Zepto’s chosen configuration to be appealing.

Our Znote 6324W came with a current-model Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 processor with a Penryn core and a clock frequency of 2.4 GHz, and used a GM965 chip set. 4096 MB memory is more than ample. Recently, a number of notebook manufacturers have begun equipping their machines with 3 GB, using one 1 GB and one 2 GB memory module.

The advantage of installing 4 GB (2 sticks of 2048 MB) is that it enables the memory interface to operate in dual channel mode. The downside is that the 32 Bit version of Vista can only handle up to 3.25 GB of RAM. Of course, there’s always the option of choosing the 64 Bit version for the same price, but you’re much more likely to encounter driver problems and program incompatibilities than using the 32 Bit version.

Zepto was generous with hard drive capacity, too. The Znote 6324W contains a 320 GB SATA model from Toshiba which spins at 5400 rpm. Access is quiet, and you never have the feeling that you are waiting for the drive to catch up.

Since the Znote 6324W is designed to be a gaming notebook, the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT is fitting. It comes with 512 MB of dedicated graphics memory and can borrow some extra VRAM from the main memory if required. The actual amount can be determined using BIOS settings. The graphics chip ensures good gaming performance. It doesn’t quite reach the 3550 3DMark06 points at 1440 x 900 promised by Zepto on their product page, but that is probably because the manufacturer was testing with the fastest processor version. Nonetheless, 3326 points is not far off, and is a perfectly respectable result. If you drop the resolution down to 1024 x 768, the Znote 6342W even scores 4217 points. If you’d like to see how that stacks up against some other graphics cards, take a look at our Tom’s Hardware VGA Charts.

The Znote 6324W is certainly not lacking in connectivity options. Zepto should be commended for equipping the Znote with 4 USB 2.0 ports. The first of those is located on the right-hand side of the case along with the CD/DVD burner and audio connections. The headphone jack doubles as an optical digital output. Two more USB ports are located on the rear, along with the S-Video port, a VGA output, and the Gigabit Ethernet port. The final USB port can be found on the left-hand side of the Znote 6324W. A Firewire 400 port, a 3-in-1 card reader and an Expresscard/54 slot are located here as well. This is also where the sliding switch for the Wifi module is located. Lastly, there is an infrared port on the front of the unit.

The Zepto can communicate wirelessly either via WLAN or Bluetooth. The latter can also handle the new, faster Draft-n standard.

To the right above the keyboard are four quick start buttons. Two of those are pre-assigned and start the email program and the browser. The other two quick-launch buttons can be assigned to an application of the user’s choice.

Neat detail: There is a combined status LED for WLAN and Bluetooth on the front of the Znote. If only Bluetooth is active, it is lit red-orange. If only the WLAN adapter is active, it lights up blue. If both are active, the lights combine to make purple. Unfortunately, you do have to look very closely as the blue tends to dominate.

It is a pity that Zepto decided not to equip the Znote 6324W with either a DVI or an HDMI output. That would have enabled you to use this snappy notebook as a primary work and games computer by connecting it to a larger monitor. It certainly packs enough performance to be your main machine. The Znote does not sport a webcam, either, although that’s not as much of a drawback.