Test Setup: FIC's MB02
By
Harald Thon,
published on December 2, 2003
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: notebook, vendors, seek
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: notebook, vendors, seek
Contents
3. Test Setup: FIC's MB02
For the test, we ordered a barebones MB02 with an Intel 855GM chipset including a boxed 1.7 GHz Pentium-M, a 512 MB SO-DIMM, a 20 GB hard drive and an Intel WLAN module.
| FIC MB02 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Two-Spindle |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 317mm x 31mm x 276mm / 12.5" x 1.2" x 10.9" |
| Weight of unit | 2430g / 5.35lbs |
| Weight of charger and cable | 452g / 0.99lbs |
| Display Size | TFT-15" |
| Display Resolution | 1024x786 / XGA |
| CPU | Intel Pentium-M 1700MHz |
| Memory Type | PC2100 DDR SDRAM CL2.5 |
| Amount of Memory | 512 MB |
| Chipset Northbridge | Intel 855GM/82855GM (GMCH) |
| Chipset Southbridge | Intel ICH4-M |
| Graphics Controller | 82852/82855 GM/GME up to 64 MB (DVMT) |
| Hard drive bay | 2.5", 9.5mm height |
| Ethernet/WLAN | Intel Pro/100 VE // Intel PRO/WLAN 2100 802.11b |
| Bluetooth-Radio | No |
| Modem | Agere Systems AC'97 |
| Audio | Realtek AC97 |
| Battery Capacity | 53 Wh |
| Battery Weight | 383 g / 13.5 ounces |
| Pointing Device(s) | Touchpad |
| DVD-/CD-R/RW-Drive | Panasonic UJDA745 8x//16x/10x 24x DVD//CD-R/-RW |
| Harddisc | IBM Travelstar 40GN IC25N020ATCS04-0 ATA-5 20 GB/4200rpm/2 MB |
| PCcard Slot(s) | 1x type II (L) |
| Floppy Drive | No |
| USB ports | 3x USB 2.0 (B) |
| 1394 ports | 1x (L) |
| IR port | No |
| Serial Ports | No |
| Parallel Ports | No |
| VGA out | Yes (B) |
| Keyboard/Mouse Connector | No |
| Headphone/Microphone/ Line In Connector | Yes/Yes/No (F) |
| Video-In/Out | No/No |
| B=Back side, F=Front, L=Left side, R=Right Side | |
As soon as we unpacked the MB02 we were taken aback by the strength of its aluminum chassis. The case also proved itself highly resilient to scratches.
The keyboard has a detectable key force, the drop could have been a little greater. We had no complaints about the layout, although the cursor keys are a tad on the small side.
The cursor keys could be a bit bigger
Maximum brightness on the 14.1" display was a good 123.8 cd/m². Relatively speaking, its white-black contrast 115:1 was disappointing. By comparison: top-end displays achieve contrast values of 250:1 and more.
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