Technology Tuesday on Empty Streets: LGX110

LG wants in on the netbook market with plans to roll out the X110 netbook in a couple months' time. This 3G-integrated device will come with the following specifications :-

• Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor
• 1GB RAM
• SDHC memory card slot
• VGA out
• Ethernet connectivity
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• 160GB hard drive

For €399, the LG X110 will ship with Windows XP SP3. Better find a decent data service provider that offers competitive rates for an unlimited access account if you plan to use the LG X110 at just about anywhere you are.

It has included integrated 3G, with an Ericsson F3507g mobile broadband module promising support for up to 7.2Mbits/sec.
Ergonomics

Aside from the styling, LG doesn't alter much of the recipe that has made MSI's Wind such a success. The keyboard is among the best you'll find on a netbook, and touch typists should find it possible to reach quite a pace. The only irritation is that the touchpad, placed very close to the spacebar, is easy to hit with an errant thumb, which can move the cursor when you don't want it to.

The screen is a mixed blessing. Measuring 10in diagonally, it's home to a netbook's typical 1,024 x 600 pixels, and its brightness counteracts the slightly mottled appearance. As with the Wind, this is only obvious when you're using an evenly coloured background - such as the white background of Microsoft Word - and you'll struggle to notice it when web browsing.

A disappointment was the X110's battery life, which measured a measly 2hrs 10mins under light use. Before you dismiss the X110 entirely, though, we should add a couple of caveats. For a start, you can already buy extended batteries, with a 7,200mAh unit costing £45 exc VAT. Also, our benchmarks suggest you'll obtain over one-and-a-half hours' life even if you push the processor at full belt. So while it's arguably a mistake not to include a larger battery as standard, it isn't fatal.

And we can understand why LG didn't want to spoil the X110's carefully crafted lines. This is a very nice-looking laptop, with smooth contours and slim dimensions - even at its thickest point, it measures just 35mm. It's light, too, tipping the PC Pro scales at 1.19kg.

Here is a video review of LG X110: