4. Case And Connections, Continued

The optical drive is solidly mounted and can read and write most types of DVD discs. In fact, this drive can even read and write to seldom-seen DVD RAM media.

The right side of the LW60 Express, with its audio jacks, Firewire port, DVD drive, and two of the unit's four USB connectors.

LG deserves praise for its well-thought-out positioning of ports and connectors. Ports such as digital audio, network, modem, and S-Video - all of which are seldom needed but most likely to put cables in your way when they are used - are positioned on the back where they can't interfere with normal work or leisure activities.

The back side: Two USB ports, network, modem, and S-Video ports, and an audio-in jack.

The docking station connector is located on the underside of the LG LW60 Express. The contacts on this connector are quite small, so dirt and dust could quickly cause problems. LG protects against this with a loose and flexible rubber plug, but unfortunately, this cover is relatively easy to lose.

The docking station connector is on the underside of the LW60 Express

The port replicator (aka docking station) costs about $270. Among other things, it offers a DVI connector, a PS/2 port, and a 9-pin serial connector for the LW60 Express.

Connector layout for the LW60 Express port replicator

Though two different configurations are offered in Europe for the LW60, only one is currently available in North America (shown in italics in the following table).