BenQ Joybook S42
Filed Under (BenQ, Laptops) by admin on 13-01-2009 >> 133 views
Tagged Under : BenQ, BenQ Joybook S42, Laptops
When we reviewed the JoyBook S41 17 months ago, it was one of the first to insert a high-end discrete graphics processor in a 14.1-inch laptop. Moreover, at just over S$2,000 (US$1,338.42), it was also very affordable considering that larger machines with the same video performance cost much more.
The Taiwan company is at it again and the latest update, the JoyBook S42, continues the tradition of equipping a thin-and-light with high-end video performance. Thanks to the latest Centrino 2 platform, this machine also has a new trick up its sleeve in the form of Hybrid Graphics. Surprisingly, BenQ also managed to make this S$1,888 (US$1,263.47) machine significantly cheaper than its predecessor.
Design
The S42 uses the same chassis as the JoyBook S41, and hence is a virtual twin of the latter, save for the top cover. While the attractiveness of the polka dot theme on the S41 was debatable, we had no issues with the new blue vein pattern on the S42. Though the cover sports a glossy surface, we were glad to see that it doesn’t pick up finger oils easily and is relatively scratch-resistant. We liked the fact that the machine is built to withstand 50kg of pressure as well as drop-tested at 30cm, making it a hardy machine suitable for the knocks and bumps of urban travel. The aluminum palm rest is a great way to finish off an aesthetically pleasing design.
However, there have been some compromises made to fit a high-end graphics card in a portable form factor. In order to ensure proper ventilation, the body is thicker at 38.7mm compared with most other 14.1-inch machines, though the carry weight was kept at a reasonable 2.05kg. The lack of multimedia and application shortcut keys also means that simple tasks like volume control and brightness settings require two buttons to be pressed. The latter omission is lamentable, it’s not a deal-breaker for most.
Features
Though it is almost identical to the S41 when it comes to feature set, there are some upgrades which deserve special mention. For one, the resolution of the integrated Webcam has been bumped up from 1.3 megapixels to 2 megapixels. The other notable change is in its display.
One of the main drawbacks in the early days of LCD technology was the ghosting effect. This occurred when the LCD pixels were unable to switch on and off fast enough for the video, hence creating a fuzzy image especially for fast-moving graphics. The minimum response time to eliminate ghosting is 12ms. The 14.1-inch screen on the JoyBook S42 has a response time of 8ms, making it suitable for action movies as well as intense gaming sessions. Moreover, the backlights are now powered by LED instead of the older CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) technology. This not only allows the display to save power, it’s also brighter at 220nits compared with the standard 200nits found on other CCFL-backlit machines.
However, a great screen is pointless if the underlying graphics engine (GPU) is powerful enough only for Word documents or Excel spreadsheets. Fortunately, this is one area where the S42 performs. Decked out with a 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT video processor, this thin-and-light has enough raw power for gaming and even high-definition movie viewing, though you might want to hook up to an external full-HD display via the VGA or HDMI port in the latter scenario as the built-in LCD is capable only of 1,280 x 800-pixel resolution. Blu-ray movies are a no-go, either, as the laptop comes with a DVD writer without the option to upgrade to the next-generation optical standard. Another caveat is that the laptop runs rather hot while the GPU is on full blast, though that is to be expected from fitting in a relatively high-end video chip inside a portable form factor.
Because this laptop is built on the new Centrino 2 platform with Hybrid Graphics technology, the machine automatically switches to the integrated Intel video processor when running on battery to conserve power. Simply hook up the notebook to AC power to activate the discrete GPU. If you need to use the discrete Nvidia GeForce chip while on battery, you’ll need to customize the power profiles.
Review Video:
