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The Hi-Grade Ultinote M6400 is the first notebook PC we've seen that includes Intel's Pentium 4 CPU. This is a 0.13-micron version of the desktop chip, not the soon to be launched mobile chip, so it doesn't have Intel's battery-conserving SpeedStep technology. However, it does run at 1.8GHz, faster than almost all other notebook PCs on the market and a less expensive desktop CPU is reflected in the price. It also uses 512KB Level 2 cache in the 845 chipset, accompanied by 512MB of PC133 SDRAM.
One of the reasons Pentium 4 CPUs haven't been used in notebook PCs before was the amount of heat that the CPU generates. To deal with this problem, architecture had to be designed to incorporate enough cooling, so the systems were larger. But the Ultinote M6400 isn't that big, although the underside does get noticeably warm if it's left on for a prolonged period of time.
The chassis is a two-spindle device. Available in two versions, our model came with a Matshita DVD/CD-RW combo drive that operates at 8/4/24/8-speed.
As the Ultinote comes with Windows XP Home Edition it doesn't need extra CD authoring software, as Windows XP has the requisite tools built-in.
For internal storage it has a 40GB Hitachi hard disk drive. For a notebook PC of this size it's unusual not to have a floppy disk drive built-in, though an external USB drive is included in the package.
Despite its powerful spec, the Ultinote is by no means the largest notebook PC on the market. Overall, it measures 31.3 by 26.3 by 3.8cm. For a two-spindle device though, it's heavy, at 2.95kg. The keyboard is a usable size and the keys are evenly spaced, but it does offer a fair degree of flex.
Another oddity is that the Ultinote has only one Type II PC Card slot, whereas most other notebook PCs have two. However, it does have a built-in Realtek 10/100Base-T NIC and a V.90 modem, so it shouldn't be too restrictive.
There's also a four-pin IEEE 1394 port on the front of the unit that can be used to connect to IEEE 1394 devices and for networking, as well as two USB ports and one PS/2 port.
As the Ultinote uses a non-mobile Pentium 4, it doesn't have Intel's battery-saving technology, so the amount of use you can get from its nine-cell Li-ion battery isn't great. But if you're looking for a system you need to only take out occasionally, this could be the answer.
Contact
Hi-Grade: Hi-Grade House, 43 Thames Road, Barking, Essex IG11 0HQ
Tel 020 8532 6100, Fax 020 8532 6101
www.higrade.com
See also:
This first 2GHz Pentium 4 notebook offers cutting-edge power and portability. 15 Mar 2002
Play digital music and access the internet in this genuine notebook innovation. 07 Feb 2002All Notebooks & Tablets PCs
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