eMachines eMD620-5777 Review

If you want a computer with the cost of a netbook but you find an 8”-10” screen too small to bear, then feast your eyes on the eMachines eMD620-5777. Previously these babies were on sale on Best Buy for the netbook-like cost of $329, but it comes with a laptop-like screen size measuring 14.1”. They are now sold out but can be found on sites like eBay. These laptops were first reported as being on sale about a month ago, and we’ve had time since then to take a closer look.

On a laptop at this price point one has to expect the good with the bad, and the bad in this computer lies primarily with performance and battery life. The notebook is loaded with an AMD 1.6GHz Athlon 2650e, which is a processor designed for PCs (and it isn’t very efficient). It also possesses a mere 1GB of RAM, and although this can be upgraded it’s a very weak start. The result is that you’ll see some possible sluggishness over a mere two to two and a half hour span of life.

The eMachines eMD620-5777 is quite usable for simple tasks though. Surfing the web or word processing won’t cause you any lag, and unlike a netbook the eMachine comes with a built in DVD+RW drive so that you can watch movies on your 14.1” glossy 1280×800 screen. Sure, the weight is nearly twice that of your average netbook (5.3lbs), but remember that the tradeoff is the larger screen. The graphics and performance are actually fairly similar to what you’d get in a netbook otherwise. Other specs include a 160GB HDD, only 2 USB ports, ATI Radeon X1200 graphics, 802.11b/g WiFi, and Vista preloaded.

Overall, if you’re weighing the choice between this computer and a netbook you should consider the following: Do you want a smaller screen, lighter weight, longer battery life, and no DVD drive of a netbook, or do you want the larger screen, heavier weight, shorter battery life and built in DVD drive of the eMachine? Prices are similar and both have pros and cons. As usual with computers, the true consideration boils down to your own needs as a user.

This review was provided by LaptopLogic.com – a well established source for laptop reviews. Head over to them to read more or find laptop computer news from all around the world.