5. Using The WinBook X610 Lightweight Laptop

The X610's compact case is made of tough plastic, with a dark gray and black color scheme. While slim and lightweight, it's also pretty tough, though the display deck is also thin enough to flex pretty easily causing the display to distort at the same time. We don't think people should drop this or any laptop on purpose, but it appears tough enough to survive being dropped once or twice, preferably onto something rather soft like carpet, rather than onto concrete or asphalt. The catch on the clamshell is firm and positive, and there's a spring built into the case hinge that makes the upper deck lift up about a quarter of an inch as soon as the catch is release - which makes it easy to open up with one hand, or your thumb if you prefer. You open the catch by pushing a large button centered on the upper edge of the lower deck: a single push is all it takes to release it. Pushing the lid closed causes the catch to engage with an audible click.

With the X610 closed the case is trim and compact, and the general fit and finish are nice. But the PC Card ejector on the left front sticks out more than 0.25" from the side of the case, and had a tendency to catch on the padding on that side wall in the computer carrying bag we used - a minor, but noticeable irritation. The unit also emits a noticeable waft of warm air on the right-hand side (next to where the mouse would sit for a right-handed person, for those not inclined to use a touchpad), particularly when running under sufficient load to get the fan moving.

As is common with smaller laptop computers, the keyboard layout is a bit cramped. A blue Function (Fn) key maps to blue special functions for all 12 function keys, plus the Insert and Delete keys at the upper right and the arrow keys at the lower right. There are no separate number keys, so habitual 10-key users are out of luck unless they find a USB 10-key pad to plug into this machine. The right-hand shift key is tiny: about the same size as the normal keys to its left, and the right-hand Windows and control (Ctrl) keys even smaller, just like the arrow keys. This required some adjustment and learning while using the unit. One of your authors was never able to match his normal typing speed on a full-size keyboard while using this unit. Keys are firm and have a pleasant feel, but are completely silent - a bit disconcerting to those of us used to the acoustic feedback from noisier conventional keyboards.

The WinBook X610's keyboard is a little cramped for space, with some smaller than normal keys, but pretty usable overall. The on-off switch at the upper left for wireless network access is a pretty nice touch; the power switch is at the upper right.