With ever falling notebook prices, now days one can get a mainstream notebook at as low as (INR) Rs. 22000 / USD 350-400.

Over past few months, I have suggested model Acer 5315 to a lot of users with need of just basic office job and there is been a good amount of emails which I have received asking about my views / review on the configuration available on this segment as how good are they to run the mainstream software such as Windows Vista and playing HD movies.

So let us take a quick look at, most commonly available configuration for cheapest mainstream notebooks / laptops.

What configuration to expect in a lowest end mainstream notebook ?

Processor :- Celeron Mobile Family (Celeron M 520 / 530 / 550 / 575 / 585)
Chipset :- Intel Mobile GL960 / Intel Mobile GM965
Graphics Adapter :- Intel GMA x3100
RAM :- 1 GB DDR-II
HDD :- 80 GB to 160 GB depending on the brand and price.

Which is the notebook that I am testing ?

Today I would be taking a quick look at Toshiba L40, a very similar configuration to Acer 5315.

Product Name

Toshiba Satelite L40

Product URL

Toshiba L40 series.

Product Price

Rs. 23900/- (one may find the acer 5315 at Rs. 22100/- incl all tax)

Product Specifications

  • Intel Celeron Mobile 530 @ 1.73 GHz / 533 MHz FSB / 1 MB L2
  • Intel Mobile chipset GL960
  • Intel GMA x3100
  • 1 GB DDR-II PC5300 @ 667 MHz (512×2 dual channel mode)
  • 120 GB SATA Hard Drive
  • 15.1″ Widrescreen (1280×800)

Product at a glance

Test Setup

Windows XP SP3
Windows Vista x64 SP1
Windows Vista x86 SP1
Windows 7 Built M3

Nero 7.10
PC Wizard 2008
CPU Z
PhotoShop CS3
Adobe Premiere CS3
720p HD Video
1080p HD Video
VLC Player 0.9
k-Lite Codec Pack

ViewSonic VX1945wm
Krrish DVD9 / Hungama DVD9 (Movies)
Sony miniDV Handy Cam with Fireware support

Intel C2Q Q6600
Intel C2D E6600
Intel Dual Core T2310

The Intel Celeron M processor 530

There is a huge difference between the older celeron and the new 5xx series 65nm processors from Intel. The new Celeron mobile processors are made on same Core2 architecture as Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quads are.

How about running Vista ?

Along with x3100 and 1 GB DDR-II, vista gets index rating of 3.2 and runs smooth and without any hitch.

User wont feel any difference between a Core 2 processor or a Celeron 530 while working on basic vista tasks, such as browsing and printing and using MS Office (Word / PowerPoint), rest a sure Windows XP is lighting fast along with the 1GB RAM.

The processor is good enough for the up coming Windows 7 as well. I have installed the Windows 7 Built M3 (Milestone 3) and have found it to perform as good as Windows Vista it self.

This processor is not meant for heavy usage, this system config is for those who would be having basic computer application needs, and I have felt that Celeron M 530 is a great performer in terms of application such as Vista, Nero 7 DVD burning, Web browsing, EMailing (outlook), MS Office, little photoshop even with a real time AntiVirus protection turned on (I have tested with Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 / Symantec Endpoint protection).

However it would lag in terms of advance application which demands more processor power, for example video editing.

Nero 7 / Nero Vission 4 Test

I have tested the processor with Nero vission 4 (Nero 7.10) by converting a 80 mins of Xvid video file to VCD.

It takes around 34 mins to complete the conversion with Celeron Mobile 530 1.73GHz.

Where as it takes around 8 mins to complete the job with while with Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 and around 17 mins in a Intel Dual Core T2310.

It takes around 62 mins to convert a 98 min xvid file to 3GP format using ImTOO compare to 6 – 8 mins what it takes in an Intel C2Q Q6600.

The result directly suggests that this is not a processor for video editing for heavy ripping but then again , how many of us regularly do heavy conversion like this ? None of these would be a part of simple day to day computing for which this processor is made, but, if and when you do need to use these application, though a little slow but it would get your job done but with little extra time.

How about HD play back ?

Beside its own 15.1″ screen, I have used ViewSonic vx1945wm, 1440×900 external display to take output to play and test HD performance.

Straightway I find full HD is not playable, HD upto 720p is running smooth with VLC as well as windows media player but 1080p is not playable. GMA x3100 is certainly good enough to play HD as I have seen with T2310 of Lenovo 3000 N200 series hence it is evident that Cel M 530 can play upto 720p only.

Conclusion !!

Choose Celeron Mobile based notebook as a replacement for buying a desktop with the need of running basic office application and simple home entertainment. Performance of Celeron mobile on top of a GL960 chipset would never disappoint you for day to day home and office application.


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