5. Mobile Sempron Test System, Continued

The PC card slot contains an IR remote control, which also acts as a dust cover. The remote control allows users to work further away from the unit, as long as they have a line of sight to the IR sensor on the front of the case. The remote can also drive audio and video functions like those of Windows Mediaplayer or Cyberlink's DVD Suite (pre-installed on these units). In other words, it lets uses manage typical functions like play, and pause, and regulate volume up or down. Access to the DVD player menu is not supported (this is no Media Center PC).

Seldom seen but practical: An external monitor cable can be screwed into the MSI's video output.

In summary, the remote controls need some work. The device appears immature and hastily thrown together. The software and the equipment don't harmonize well. You wouldn't buy a TV set on which half the buttons didn't work. At least, the remote's buttons are big enough so that those with extra-large hands can still use them without making errors.

The MSI notebook's remote control.

The quality of the loudspeakers is pretty good. As is typically the case for many notebooks, the speakers lack a decent bass output. Mid-range and high-end sounds stand out best when the volume is turned up all the way. The right and left speakers are housed above the keyboard. Because the Realtek ALC648 sound chip drive makes an equalizer function available, you can compensate and jack up the bass a little. Those who appreciate good sound would do better to use the optical digital audio output to route sound through their multi-channel home entertainment systems. But this link didn't work in our test system.

The display in the MSI Megabook is hampered by the same special flat surface coating. These displays are often described in sales pitches as glare or glossy. In comparison with standard TFT displays with matte finish surfaces, glossy surface monitors show colors more brightly and with higher saturation. Such displays also manifest strong black-white contrast differences. Their downside is their susceptibility to dirt and dust. They attract dust particles with vigor and fingerprints are hard to remove. MSI recognizes this problem, and includes a special cleaning cloth, which makes keeping the surface clean and clear much easier.

Screen capture: The display's backlight illuminates the vendor logo on the display surface.

In comparison to the display in the Gigabyte W511A the monitor in the Megabook M635 comes off second best. The black-white contrast we measured from this device, at 466:1, is relatively bad for a glossy display. This stems from the display's minimum black value of 0.333 cd/m2, and its maximum brightness of only 155 cd/m2. As a consequence the colors aren't as strong from a distance as those on the W511A. In addition, the relatively low maximum brightness only accentuates the glare effect of a glossy display in bright environments or strong direct light. By comparison the W511A's display has a minimum black value of 0.242 cd/m2, and a maximum brightness of 191 cd/m2 for a contrast of 789:1. Nevertheless, the display characteristics of the Megabook M635 are sufficient to permit individuals to work in shaded areas outdoors, and in typical lighting situations indoors, and to watch videos on DVD.