Our nx6125 test system, priced at a low $1,249 (as of June 2005), featured a collection of lower-end parts: an AMD Turion 64 ML-37 processor that runs at a speedy 2GHz; 512MB of slow 333MHz SDRAM; a big 15-inch display with an economical 1,024x768 native resolution; a low-cost version of the ATI Mobility Radeon X300 graphics chip that borrows a maximum 128MB of VRAM from main memory; and an average-size 60GB hard drive that spins at an above-average 5,400rpm. For comparison, the $1,099 Acer Aspire 5000 offers a Turion 64 ML-30 chip rated at a lower 1.6GHz, a slower 4,200rpm hard drive, and a slightly larger 15.4-inch screen. Both the ThinkPad T43 and the Dell Latitude D610 carry lots of expensive components, including current-generation Centrino Intel Pentium M processors, and cost nearly a thousand bucks more than the nx6125.
The small economies in components definitely show in the nx6125's performance. In CNET Labs' mobile benchmarks, the laptop ran 11 percent slower than the Acer Aspire 5000, which delivered a merely mediocre performance itself. The nx6125 fell 21 percent behind the Latitude D610, which has a 2GHz Pentium M processor but slower, 266MHz memory; and it ran 22 percent behind the 1.86GHz Pentium M-based ThinkPad T43. The nx6125 somewhat vindicated itself in our battery-drain tests, lasting 3 hours, 39 minutes--just about average for a thin-and-light with a 2GHz processor--compared to the Aspire 5000's short 2 hours, 52 minutes. Neither proved any match for the Latitude D610's 4 hours, 9 minutes or the ThinkPad T43's 5 hours, 6 minutes (we should note that the ThinkPad T43 includes a much larger and more expensive battery than its competitors).
Like the more expensive Dell Latitude D610 and ThinkPad T43, the HP Compaq nx6125 is covered by a three-year warranty. Unlike the Dell and ThinkPad warranties, which include onsite service, the HP plan comprises only mail-in service and toll-free, 24/7 phone support. You can always purchase one of HP's extended warranty options, which are available with varying prices and terms, such as accidental damage protection or onsite service. The HP support Web site offers one of our favorite help features, the ability to chat in real time with a tech support rep, in addition to the standard troubleshooting and downloads sections.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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BAPCo MobileMark 2002 performance rating |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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BAPCo MobileMark 2002 battery-life minutes |
System configurations:
Acer Aspire 5000
Windows XP Home; 1.6GHz AMD Turion 64 ML-30; 512MB DDR SDRAM 333MHz; SIS M760GX 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 60GN 60GB 4,200rpm
Dell Latitude D610
Windows XP Pro; 2GHz Intel Pentium M 760; 512MB DDR SDRAM 266MHz; ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 5K80 80GB 5,400rpm
HP Compaq nx6125
Windows XP Pro; 2GHz Turion 64 ML-37; 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM 333MHz; ATI Radeon Express 200 128MB; Fujitsu MHT2060AH 60GB 5,400rpm
ThinkPad T43
Windows XP Pro; 1.86GHz Intel Pentium M 750; 512MB DDR SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 60GB 7,200rpm
