Under PCMark Vantage, the EasyNote Butterfy XS returned 1622 overall, which is an odd mix as it beats, for example, the Turion version of the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge, packing a 1.6GHz dual-core chip, but is sat on by the 1.3GHz Pentium SU2700 in Toshiba’s Satellite T130.
Even so, screen playback of an HD clip is clean at 720p and 1080p, with no visible artefacts. There’s not a lot of point in playing 1080p video on the XS' screen, but don't forget that HDMI port.
Reg Hardware isn’t kind when specifying its battery life test: turn off all screen dimming and hibernation and run a looping standard definition video, full-screen, for as long as the machine has life. Under this regime, the XS lasted just over four hours, which is just about enough for two feature films. Under a more lenient regime, using the notebook for general office tasks, I don’t think Packard Bell’s claim of seven hours use is far-fetched.
There’s a better software bundle with this machine than you get with many of its rivals. There’s a full copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, as well as Microsoft Works 9, Nero 9 and PowerDVD 8. They may not light your fire, but they do provide basic tools for everyday use. They all sit on top of 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium.
Verdict
If you want a small notebook, but need more than a typical netbook can provide, particularly DVD and CD playback, the EasyNote Butterfly XS is a good all-rounder. While it’s not going to win any performance awards, it handles 2D entertainment better than the raw figures suggest. ®
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Packard Bell Butterfly XS 11.6in notebook
COMMENTS
Is the 3g version available in UK anywhere
Does anybody know if the 3G version is available in UK anywhere? The Packard Bell UK website only lists the black version without 3G or Bluetooth. And Currys, Comet, Amazon etc. all list only this model. The version with 3G would be way better then without - not having to carry the extra dongle.
I don't understand why so many models of netbooks and small laptops have 3G as an option in their spec - but they are never available with 3G in the UK - only somewhere else. Some agreement with the 3G network operators of some sort?
Also, has anybody noticed that this might be the only true sublaptop at the moment out-there? I mean, in the vein of legendary Sony TT/TZ/TX series - a tiny 11 inch machine, with everything integrated (including, crucially, optical drive) - and a non-Atom processor. I couldn't find anybody else doing this at the moment. The trend to drop optical drives out of small laptops seems to have truly taken over the industry. I still prefer an optical drive as I still use it a lot - and my main machine over past 3 years - with 11 inch screen, Intel SU2500 processor and an optical drive has served me very well so far.
Well, I'm done ranting now :-)
That is a pretty good price
The real question is - does it run Linux? 2G RAM and 250G is "diet" for Windows 7. It will be aplenty for something less resource hungry. However the question is what are the real peripherals here: what ethernet, what wifi, what 3G did Packard Bell use.
Packard Hell
nuff said
although i did get a free copy of descent with my packard bell desktop yaaay
Subtitle questions?
Are getting old? when they're on every single review? don't you think?
looks an ok machine.
Good price point as well... might be ideal for my parents.
