Packard Bell Dot M/A AMD Powered Netbook Review

Mobile/Laptops & Netbooks by jmke @ 2009-11-24

Packard Bell is back with a new DOT, the M/A version features a 1.2Ghz AMD CPU, integrated ATI graphics GPU and has a larger 11.6 inch screen with HD Ready resolution. With a 6-cell battery, bluetooth, wifi and card reader this small laptop aims to impress. We´ll find out if it is worth your money.

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Introduction & Specs

Introduction

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to test drive Packard Bell’s first netbook, the Dot.be. Their original config featured a 8.9” LED screen (1024x600) based on Intel Atom 1.6Ghz CPU, 1gb RAM and 160Gb HDD. There was a config available with 3G if you paid extra.

Today we have a brand new config from Packard Bell, dubbed the Dot M/A it features a larger screen, more memory, larger hard drive and is based on an AMD Athlon L110 CPU and ATI Radeon integrated GPU. One the few AMD netbooks around in Belgium.

Specifications

We received a test model, so no fancy packing, it also featured slightly less memory and HDD; the official specs are quite complete for a €399 (incl VAT) netbook:

Madshrimps (c)


  • OS: Windows Vista Home Basic (Includes Adobe Elements 6 and MS Works 9)
  • CPU: AMD Athlon L110 (1.2Ghz)
  • Memory: 2Gb
  • Storage: 250Gb HDD
  • Memory Card Reader: 5-in-1 (MMC/SD/XD/MS/MS-PRO)
  • Graphics : ATI Radeon Xpress 1270 128Mb
  • Screen : 11.6” LED (1366x768)
  • Integrated Webcam, Two Stereo Speakers and Microphone
  • 10/100 Lan UTP , 802.11 b/g Wireless, Bluetooth
  • 3x USB 2.0 ports, Headset/Microphone jack
  • Battery: 6 Cell Li-Ion (5200 mAh)
  • Weight: 1.35Kg
  • Warranty: 2 Years


    Packard Bell Netbook DOT Series

    The original Dot was launched with three different configurations, all Intel Atom based, all 8.9” screens, the cheapest had 3-cell battery, the middle one had 6-cell battery, the high end added 3G support. Packard Bell has refreshed their line-up completely this time around. And they are now using letters instead of numbers to differentiate between the product lines;

    The first two under Dot S come with Windows XP Home:

  • Dot S: 10.1” €299: Atom 1.6ghz – 1gb – 160Gb HDD – Wireless network – 3 Cell battery
  • Dot S: 10.1” €399: Atom 1.6ghz – 1gb – 160Gb HDD – Wireless network – 6 Cell battery - Bluetooth

    Then we have a larger, more power friendly Dot M, with XP home

  • Dot M: 11.6” €399: Atom 1.33ghz – 1gb – 160Gb HDD – Wireless network – 6 Cell battery - Bluetooth

    The fourth model is the one we’re testing, the Dot M/A, all of these Dots share the same color and design scheme, slick piano block finish with stylish logo:

    Madshrimps (c)


    Let’s have a closer look ->
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