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Grade Brand New Model NEC Generation NB180 Operating System MS Win XP Home Edn Processor / Type Pentium M Processor / Clock Speed 1.73 GHz RAM / Installed Size 512 MB RAM / Technology DDR II SDRAM Memory Clock Speed 533 MHz Storage Hard Drive / Capacity 60 GB Storage Hard Drive IDE Display/Diagonal Size (inches) 14 Screen Type WXGA Video Output / Max Resolution 1280 x 768 Optical Drive DVD±RW Optical Storage / Read Speed N/A Drive Type Integrated Audio On board Video Memory / Installed Size N/A Video Output / Interface Type TV-Out Graphics Shared on board Networking / Type Adapter On board Networking / Data Link Protocol Ethernet Networking / Data Link Protocol IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Networking / Data Link Protocol IrLAP Modem / Type Modem (analogue) USB 4 Warranty 1 Year Manufacturer's Collect and Return Warranty Insurance 3 years anti-theft insurance Security Finger Print Reader, Anti Tamper case Carry Case Includes purpose built Back Pack Backpack Purpose built backpack included
Packard Bell NEC Student Safe 1.73Ghz Review
Verdict: An ingenious education-oriented notebook. Nothing can touch the Generation when it comes to outright security - this is the high powered version with the Pentium 4, 1.73Ghz CPU.
Three years ago, the French education district of CG13 invited companies to tender for the supply of notebooks to each of its pupils. NEC Computers won the contract, and has since supplied more than 90,000 units. Now, NEC has decided to bring the same idea to the UK. This time, however, it's parents and schools that are being targeted. The result is a product that shows significant efforts to address the education market.
Naturally, making a notebook for this sector presents some specific challenges. The idea of a student carrying several hundred pounds worth of desirable equipment around with them will make many parents nervous, so NEC has ensured that the Generation should have no practical or monetary value outside of its intended environment.
That starts with the distinctive chassis, which has a large 'Generation' logo etched into a raised aluminium plate. The prominent identity sticker is recessed, making it all but impossible to remove. The word 'STOLEN' is stained into the plastic underneath and can't be scratched off. If that's not enough to secure its return, there's also the Oxygen Cubed tracking mechanism that will reveal the notebook's location to NEC as soon as it's connected to the Internet.
Access rights are defined at the first boot, and it's intended that these are set by a parent, teacher or school IT administrator. This sets privileges for the integrated, swipe-style fingerprint reader, which then governs access to the comprehensive security settings. This includes control of the optical and hard drives, as well as networking, USB and expansion ports. The fingerprint reader can be used in lieu of passwords in Windows too. Inevitably, this is backed up by a 'fail-safe', which can bypass the fingerprint reader to change administrator. The chassis itself is fixed using torque screws - not impossible to get round, but enough to prevent casual tampering.
NEC believes that publicity about this slew of security features will act as a deterrent in itself; a theory that appears to be vindicated in the French experience. NEC claims that only a handful of units have been stolen, with the majority of those soon recovered. If that isn't reassuring enough, there's three years' theft insurance included in the price, which can be upgraded to take in accidental damage too.
On a more mundane security level, NEC bundles a managed version of McAfee's anti-virus software. The 14in wide-aspect screens runs at a 1,280 x 768 resolution - a sensible compromise between providing lots of Desktop space and legibility. They lack a touch of brightness, but they're crisp, with viewing angles that strike just the right balance between privacy and visibility. We're pleased to see a healthy complement of ports - a Type II PC Card slot, mini-FireWire, two USB, 56K modem and Ethernet are all grouped along the left edge, with a further two USB ports, VGA and S-Video outputs on the back. The front edge sports infrared, audio and a media card reader supporting SD and Memory Stick formats. Inside, there's also high speed wireless networking. It's an impressive line-up for the price.
For a notebook designed for people who aren't paying for it, and so are less likely to look after it, the Generation isn't as solid as we'd like. However, there's no specific area of weakness, and a custom-designed rucksack is suplied as well. At 2.2kg, smaller shoulders shouldn't have too much trouble, and a battery life of four hours provides some flexibility to move about too. The keyboard is the only area we'd criticise outright, with a spongy feel that takes some getting used to, a single-height Enter key and slightly temperamental mouse buttons.
But our criticisms are very few. With the insurance, security and manageability features in place, the Generation addresses many of the concerns about supplying valuable kit to students. While you can certainly buy cheaper notebooks for home use, nothing else on the market can match the Generation's features.
