Researching for Advent 4401 as a Hackbook - any UKers tried it?

[Loccy]

Due to leaving my job and probably having to hand back my MacBook, I am in the market for a Hackbook. It needs to be something in a similar form factor to a real white MacBook or smaller. I was looking at the MSI Wind for a long time, but I got my hands on one for the first time today and really didn't like it at all unfortunately.

 

So, I am now thinking about one of these, which are the UK-based PC World or Dixons' own brand:

 

http://www.dixons.co.uk/product.php?sku=701234

 

Having seen one in the flesh it's actually a damn good little unit for the money, it seems well put together in a good form factor.

 

As regards tech specs, here's what I can find:

 

CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz)

Chipset Intel® 965GM Express Chipset

Memory 2GB DDR2 533MHz PC2 4200 SODIMM (2x 1GB)

Hard Drive 160GB, Serial ATA (5400rpm) notebook Hard Drive

CD / DVD Drive Dual layer DVD±RW

Card Reader O2Micro OZ128 4-in-1 card reader

Video / Graphics Card Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (up to 256MB)

Monitor 12.1" WXGA TFT (native resolution 1280x800)

Sound Card Realtek High Definition Audio

Network Card Realtek 8169/8168/8101 PCI/PCIe

Network Card Intel® Pro 3945ABG wireless LAN

PC Card 1 x Type I / Type II PC Card

 

I'm already resigned to having to whip out the wireless card, and have a Dell 1390 ready to rock for that purpose. Searching around the boards and find contradicting reports of X3100 - lots of people having problems, lots of others having success. Unfortunately I don't know any more about the audio, but again, I would be happy getting a USB audio dongle if need be. Really and truly, all that needs to work out of the box is the graphics - I can work around anything else.

 

Apparently these machines are rebadged ECS S20II1 machines (www.ecs.com.tw), ECS being a cheapo Taiwanese make, if that helps anyone at all.

 

I am a little reluctant to buy blind - so can anyone give me any advice? Would this make a good enough HackBook, or should I steer clear?

[krrr]

you didnt like MSI Wind? i am surprised cause almost everyone is liking them, What exactly has turned you off from MSIWind? i would like to know cause i am looking for it, and i wish someone can ship me one to india cause i dont think they will be here soon.