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Home  Handhelds |
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Sotec 3120X
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Last update: 11-29-2003 |
Submitted by
Kenny Ngo |
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If you didn't think you could get a quality thin-and-light notebook for less than $1,000, think again. Sotec's stylish, new 3120X weighs less than 5 pounds, runs fast enough for the average user, and comes with just about everything you could ask for (with the exception of Wi-Fi)--including a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. Unfortunately, the 3120X has no floppy drive, its keyboard is cramped, and it leaves owners of legacy devices out in the cold. Considering its bargain-basement price, however, we're keeping our complaints quiet. Think seriously about this well-priced notebook for cheap portability, but beware the middling performance.
The first thing you'll notice about the 1.3-inch-thick Sotec 3120X is that, at 10.6 inches wide by 9.6 inches deep, it's squarer than the average notebook. The slightly odd shape gives you more room to rest your palms in front of the keyboard--a nice ergonomic touch. The keyboard itself is another matter; while the keys feel OK, even the most accurate touch-typists will have to hunt and peck for the tiny cursor and editing keys. The four-button touchpad is well placed and responsive, but the rather stiff feel of the left button makes double-clicking harder than it should be.
The handsomely styled, silver 3120X is sturdily built, judging by the lack of flex in the main or screen panels. The unit weighs 4.4 pounds in its stocking feet, but the AC adapter adds about 8 ounces to the traveling weight. If you're absolutely sure you won't be straying from a wall socket during your travels, you can leave the back-mounted battery at home and cut that total by about 10 ounces; you can run the 3120X without the cell.
Unfortunately, the keyboard's tiny cursor and editing keys cramped our style. | 
A well-placed four-button touchpad suffers from slight stiffness. |
Four programmable launch buttons adorn the front edge of the notebook and are preconfigured to start up your e-mail program and Web browser, as well as initiate an Internet search and jump to your favorite site. An additional button helpfully locks down the others to prevent accidental launches.
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