Zepto Znote 6224W First Impressions.

Well I recieved my Znote 6224 today by TNT courier
Well packed and all documentation.

Znote 6224
Microsoft® Windows® Vista Ultimate 32bit - UK
Socket xxx Processor: T7700 2.4Ghz
RAM: PC5300 2x 2048MB DDR2 (CL 5-5-5-5-15)
100GB 7200rpm SATA Harddisk Hitachi®
Graphics Card: nVidia 8600 GT 512Mb DDR2
Keyboard Znote 6x14W Black UK

3353 3D mark 1.02 std run @ 1280x800 (not the latest driver)



















With 4Gb onboard the nVidia 8600GT is listing 1279Mb available 512MB dedicated, 767 MB system shared.





Will update this thread as I do more, but one thing is for sure, it's dam sexy.
The lid is in a satin matt black, the silver inlay on the base is aluminium coloured but not metal. The overall feel is solid, the plastic feels good and tough.

The keyboard is flat and not cherry click click but a rubber membrain type but the feel is positive and good. I noticed no flex in the center of the keyboard when using G.H.J.

This machine is a little work horse and I love the overall feel and look, like others have said (re black 6224) photos don't really do it justice. I'm glad the surface is not piano key black as this only picks up finger prints (like my old tosh G20), instead it's matt finish goes well with the matt surface of the 14.1" screen.

The PSU is a single pin type with the input on the laptop from the left side near the rear. The power light and wiFi lights are Bi-colour (orange for Power on mains-Wifi off).

I've taken a few pictures but not the usual angle as you probably seen those on other threads.Noise, average to low, nothing high, nothing more that air flow, would not keep the wife up if it was in bed with me .

more latter, it's time to install some big apps.

viii


PS.

vents/ air flow. Air enters from the underside, as in the photo and exits on the left near the power cord.



Software I recieved from my order (because I ordered it)

 

good job! Maybe if you have time and want to put in some effort you could make a real review for the front page. Get the 6224W some spot light.

 

Nice specs, but the looks could be better

 

Ok Wave, I will try this weekend with CPU-Z, 3D Mark 1.10, Everest,etc....

 

Congrats!
At last, a real life 6224w (cf. 6324). The black does indeed look really good!

Can you comment at all on the quality stuff notebookreview talked about (keys raised up on the right side, etc) and the things mentioned in this post?

Oh wow, I never realised the screen was matte!

 

How much ram is being detected by Vista 32bit? Are you planing to get 64bit so you can use the full 4gb? Zepto installed your windows? Is it a clean install? no bloatware or shareware junk? Do you feel it is well setup?

 

Hey viiper,

I'm really glad that you got your 6224W and that you're so chuffed with it. Mine should arrive any day now, but its great to see some finally trickling through and the positive impressions people have of it.

Great photos by the way. I love the one of you removing the clear plastic - always a great moment....

 

I plan to put XP pro 32bit on first (dual boot). In the future (1yr) I intend to place 64bit os when software is better suited and drivers cover more apps.

Windows is clean , Zepto supplied DVD Vista 32bit ultimate.
To say, I have placed only Norton internet security Vista version on it and 3D mark 1.02, the whole thing worked out of the box, I switched it on and the vista pre installed setup ran and configured vista, took around 15min at a guess. Vista says 3Gb

Full size click link
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g244/viiiper/IMG_7264b.jpg







To be absolutly honest, I've had a few laptops and plastic does bend, so I really did not notice the warp in the case structure, my toshiba G20 had a similar bend but it was a 4Kg 17" monster. The deviation in plastic moulding does not really play on my mind, as it is within my acceptable limits. Here are some pics of the 6224 I have with a flat edge rule on it.

 

Oh man, this thread really wants me to buy right now . If only I could figure out once and for all what cards the card reader takes... And when the option for 160gb non-hybrid will be available...

 

I hope yours comes soon, I spoke with Ian B. (Zepto UK) great customer chap, He confirmed shipment to be Wednesday, said it should arrive by monday, came next day TNT, Airport X-ray sticker on it. I was surprised, got it out, loved how it felt, the overall weight is good, the overall look is good. I will post anything I don't like or find to be a problem, but so far, it's good.

I wanted a laptop, I wanted portability, I wanted power and good screen resolution, I got a 2.4Ghz T7700, 4Gb (3 under Vista, 4Gb under bios) 8600GT 512Mb, 667Mhz , 800Mhz FSB, Santa rosa laptop @1440x900. From the off it benches 3300+ with none of the latest drivers or fixes for Vista. I am happy as larry, (who ever he is )

I will post more and try to do all the benches for wave and post High res images, but I cut them back for this forum.

best regards... viiiper
john

 

Four in one reader: MMC/MS Pro/MS/SD (SD-HD supported)

Card in



Card out



Card LED on right (5th one)

 

Viiiper can you tell poeple at http://www.zeptoforum.com/index.php that you have your unit!

 

Ahhhh....why does the screen have to be matte?

 

The screen does not have to be matt, but there are reasons why you can get matt or gloss finishes.

Matt: The surface is covered with a of anti glare/ anti reflective coating, that helps visibility in bright light conditions.

Gloss: The surface is covered with a light enhancing coating which brings better definition of blacks and a higher contrast.

Some laptops, those primarily for media usually have a gloss coating, to enhance the picture quality during DVD movie playback etc. Others are anti reflective for use in bright light like in the field/ work.

Just tell them to come to NBR (NoteBookReview) or give me the direct link to the thread.... It's no secret here that Zepto have been shipping early placed orders and that inc. the UK.

 

HAHA...I understand that there are Matte and glossy screens. I also understand the differences between them. I was specifically questioning why the Zepto Znote 6224W had a matte screen.

 

OK my first little fault which I think I can sort out Looks like in there haste to get laptops out and ready, one technician assembled my laptop and did not fit the keyboard back in fully, so that the retaining tab is not under the case lip. Not a biggy, but just a note.

One thing I will say about the keyboard, the markings on the keys are nice and bold.




left side of keyboard is not in the correct place




Thats why my keyboard looked like it was turned up in an earlier shot

 

My 6224W has just arrived - I'll be off the forum for a little while.

 

Have fun

 

Oh it looks so nice I hope I get mine soon also, cant wait now. More info and more pics are always welcome, great jobb so far sharing with us.

 

I'm glad you got yours, I know when you get it out of the box, it feels solid but not heavy, when you open the lid and peal off all that protective film it looks good not beautiful but good . I wanted to get the OS & Apps on but I wanted too post aswell, looking forward to seeing your snapshots.

note the matt black finish on the outside of the lid, looks good.

 

Do you think you can fix it by yourself ?
After all, almost everytime I read a review about a notebook, the tester desassembles the keyboard to see what is under (and check things like the graphic card).
Maybe you can do the same and re-assemble it properly... ?

 

In another thread it was mentioned that the keyboard left marks on the screen, has anyone else noticed that? Also the lcd lights were shining through the back plastic, do you see it as well?

I'm on the verge of ordering one of these myself, just want to know all the details first...

 

assembling can be a problem with zepto

 

You, sir, are a legend .


Is the keyboard bending (the bottom right-most keys being raised above the chassis) on the 6324w also found on your 6224w?
(pic is here, thread is here)

For the keyboard miss-assembly: if you can't fix it yourself, perhaps you could resort to using your warranty to get it fixed? Sucks that you'd be out of a laptop for a few days (weeks?), but I guess the process is easy from your end (Zepto's warranty includes them [or courier] picking up the item, right?).

 

On the 6224 there is no shin through, I suppose because it's black and the ones that have shine through are the 6324 (white ones).

The keyboard, I will consult the manual to see if it explains how the keyboard is removed, if that does not give the answer I will PM/ email I.B. Zepto UK or tech in Zepto re info: but I don't believe it is a major job from all previous laptops, Well not one that I would send it back for.

The laptop is running 100%, I've noticed that the base does not get hot like my G20 toshiba, in fact it is very comfortable to rest on ones lap.

Vista Ultimate is running like a dream, I will install the tool, or utility that gives the performance index for Vista.

viii

p.s. I've now installed the drivers for the laptop

system drivers

OS:
Direct X version:
Graphic Drivers:
Main Board drivers:

CHIPSET Device driver
Intel 8.3.0.1013
05 March 2007

Audio
RealtekHD Audio driver Vista R1.64

Blue tooth driver
Bluesoleil 3.2.1.2 Release 070314

Cardbus
TIPCI
PCIXX12

Modem
Motorola SM56
Driver version 6.12.05 DF
Vista XP 2K

Wireless
Lisbon 11[1].1.0.0
135894
================
Display modes:
1440x900 16,32 bbp
1280x800 16,32 bbp
1280x768 16,32 bbp
1024x768 16,32 bbp
800x600 16,32 bbp

 

Thanx... now if only someone could get the 6625 and give some impressions of it also. I'm weighing between these two, I will mainly use it for programming (games) on... I do want the bigger screen and higher resolution, but I prefer Matte (I think... haven't owned one with glare but I think I'd get annoyed with the reflections)...

And of course it looks nicer with black keyboard than gray, but that's a minor issue.

noone else having problems with keyboard leaving marks on the screen?

Are there good opengl drivers for vista with 8600GT yet? (I hear Vista doesn't have support for opengl out of the box...)

 

I don't know about Open GL out of the box, I just installed:
XML Writer that requires MSXML to be installed as the required DLL files are not in Vista, but it went on ok.

What I forgot to say is I have a COWAN D2 media player taking the new SD-HD 4GB+ SD cards and they work too, so the card reader is SDHD compliant.

edit added 26 Jan 2008

apparently the Zepto SD reader is not SDHC but reads the larger 4GB SD cards as ref in this later post

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=211781

 

Just ran 3DMark06 and got 3870. Thats from a 2.2GHz 6224W with 2Gb RAM.

CPU temp seems to hover around 80 degrees during the test.

A few more observations:

Overall a very nice laptop. It looks great, lovely matt black effect plastic which does pick up fingerprints, but not too badly. I especially like the glossy strip above the keyboard - very classy.

The screen is evenly lit with no obvious dead pixels. It is a bit brighter towards the bottom,but that is only really noticeable on black screens at startup.

Any criticisms? Well, the blue power LED is pretty bright, distracting when playing in a darkened room. The trackpad is pretty small and is not recessed into the surface. This looks great, but can make it hard to find the edges.

I will try and put together a full review when I am stuck in my hotel room over the next few days.

 

My 3Dmark was out of the box, no extra drivers , no updated anything.
Cpu temp? what are you measuring with ? what program?

The LED is bright but you can stick a bit of black insulation tape on it... but I'm ok with it.

Problem with putting a full review together is there is so much to do & play with that it's getting harder. but needless to say, as you will be finding, it's a sexy little laptop. re heat, the fan does push out alot of warm air from the side but the base that rests on my lap stays very cool...I like it.

 

Do you think laptop coolers that blow fresh air on the base would be usefull and would help to keep the fan slow and quiet ?
I read here and there that these solutions work from very good to almost useless depending on laptops.

 

Yes a laptop cooler will help. However I dont think a laptop cooler + laptop fans running at slow speed will be quiter then a laptop fans running at a higher speed but no extra noise from the cooler.

 

I've just opened a thread with all my personal benchmarks and pictures!

I should say: 'Take a look' http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=137634

 

Viiiper - have you managed to sort out the keyboard problem yet? I have the same issue and the Fn key is poking up at an angle. I also didn't get a UK plug on my power adapter which I presume I'm meant to.

 

I got 2 power leads, but I did not post the original photo because it was a bit blurred, but here it is. The keyboard, I tried to push the peg under the plastic front but it's strong and will not go under, but by applying pressure it seems to of pushed it down, so all is good.

 

Viiiper (and anyone else), how's the battery life like? I read somewhere that someone got a little over 2 hours.

 

From my personal review:

Con’s:
-Hasn’t got a webcam
-Only has a VGA-out
-Charger is getting hot
-Batterytime during Word/ internet is +2 hours
-Batterytime during playing a game is 1 hour

 

I wouldn't say built-in webcam is a must (especially for USB webcam owners).
Battery time during Word/ internet is just enough. I travel a lot, and I haven't used the laptop in the airports (transition areas) for more than 1.5-2 hours.
Checking the battery time during game play is a complete nonsense (imho).

 

CLB is only happy with perfection read all CLB posts.

For me the 6224 has no loss because it has no built-in web cam. The PSU does not get any hotter than my previous Tosh. I get around 2.5 hrs with word in office 2007. I get around 1.25Hrs on a game like GRAW2. I run photoshop & 3D Max and get around 1.5Hrs but I normally close the lid and it hibernates and the battery lasts in real session terms around 4hrs.

Most places that I use the laptop have power outlets, unless I visit my desert island.

I use my Zepto every day or around 5 times a week min, I still love it, the 14.1" frame is a pleasure to carry around, the weight is great and the battery is good. If you need more, I recommend the extended bat or a second bat or pack the charger.

Like I said before, I never knew Zepto existed till I read an article in a magazine and since that I'm 100% happy to have made the move from Toshiba.

viii

 

What BIOS version are you running to get 2.5 hours with the 6224W? My 6024W struggles to reach 2.5 hours. I'm waiting for Zepto to release an updated BIOS with better CPU power management.

There are various aspects of the 6x24W which could be improved but the computer size / display resolution is very convenient. The Samsung PSUs appear to be more efficient with a lower power drain when the computer is off and, I think, a higher conversion efficiency (under light usage my 6024W is pulling more power from the mains socket than my old Samsung X60 plus with bigger screen and X1700 GPU).

John