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User-Review Zepto Znote 6625WD Notebook

The Zepto Znote 6625WD is, because of a Core 2 Duo processor and 8600M GT video card with 512 MB video memory, a powerful 15.4" notebook by the Danish company Zepto. In the following review you can read how "maati" one of our forum user liked this notebook.

Zepto Znote 6625WD

Scope of Delivery

The scope of delivery of the Zepto Znote 6625WD is rather poor: An AC-adapter, a driver-CD for Windows Vista (x86 and x64) and Windows XP x86 and else... nothing.

A printed user guide is missing as well as the adapter for the TV-Tuner. Furthermore, the port of the TV-tuner was covered with a plastic part, which could not be removed. I was unable to prove, if a TV-tuner was actually built-in, because it was not possible to completely download the driver from Zepto's FTP server.

Case

The case was developed by the company Zepto itself. Zepto originates from Denmark and is similar popular there than Dell in Germany. Similar to Dell Zepto also uses the BTO (Built To Order) concept, i.e. each customer can completely configure the notebook according to his demands. One advantage is that each customer receives a notebook which is completely adapted to his demands, another one that also special hardware like hybrid hard disks, integrated TV tuner, or  800MHz DDR2-RAM can be offered. The notebook can even by upgraded by Intel's TurboMemory without loss of warranty. The guide describing how to do this can be found in the frequently visited Zepto forum. These  equipment properties are seldom found by other companies. Also the service (official forum, telephone) is alright.

The case is mostly of blacked coated, as it seems, high-quality plastics. The shape of the case is not special at all, even the bright-gray keyboard is standard. The top side is framed by a silver coated plastic molding, which fits more or less to the bright-gray keyboard. In total this three color design looks very decent and  convincing.

The LEDs of the round Power-switch and all of the status indicators are mostly blue, besides of the orange Bluetooth-LED and the orange charge status indicator.

The case is very robust, it can hardly be deflected by two hands and only yields by about half a centimeter by applying really big force. The same is true for the keyboard and the display cover.
So, display cover and case are very flexural rigid and can hardly be deflected in any way.
Its a waste of time to look for uneven gaps.
However, if you only slightly push the display cover in, you'll immediately see that the picture of upper display part completely blurs.

The display can easily be opened, and also very easily adapted to new positions. This property can be rather disturbing, when used while going by train. The position of the transport hook, and the slider at the right side of the display cover, are alright.

Zepto provides good, high resolution pictures of this notebook at: http://de.zepto.com/PageControls/Gallery.aspx?itemnumber=100308

Interfaces

The interface equipment is more or less standard:
VGA-port, 4x USB (two left and two right), S-Video, Firewire, ExpressCard, and two audio ports including optical out
DVI, HDMI, or gimmicks like eSATA are not provided.

Front Side:
WLAN switch, Consumer Infrared, Multimedia keys (Rewind, Play/Pause, Stop, Forward, Power), Transport hook

Left Side:
LAN, Modem, Vent holes, TV-tuner-port, 2x USB, FireWire400, ExpressCard, MMC/SD-CardReader

Right Side:
Volume Control, Microphone, Headphones/Line Out optical, Slot-In DVD-drive, 2x USB

Back Side:
Kensington-Lock, S-Video, Battery, VGA, A/C

Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD

Input Devices

The keyboard is a standard 15,4"-notebook keyboard with additional pos1, page up/down and end keys.
The keys clearly clatter during typing and also wobble.
The gaps of about one millimeter between the groups of four of the F-keys were not necessary.
Nevertheless, the point of pressure is comfortable and typing feels good.

The touch pad is colored the same way than the case and is only a little bit lower than the surrounding case without any gap. So, it looks really noble. It's surface is rather coarse, and, so, very user-friendly. Also the size of nearly  8,5x4,5cm is very spacious and user-friendly.

Furthermore, the Znote has four programmable hot keys next to the display, a camera hot key and five hot keys (rewind, forward, play/pause, stop, power) at the multimedia panel at the front of the case.

Display

Vergleichsbild zwischen dem Display eines Medion-Notebooks (136 cd/m2, links) und dem Zepto-Display (rechts).
For comparison: Display of a Medion notebook (136 cd/m2, left) and the Zepto display (right).

The 1680x1050 Pixel WSXGA+ UltraCrisp-display is not for nothing called "one of the best currently available displays at the market" by Zepto. The brightness is brilliant, during night, you'll might even need to dim the display, so, that it does not glare. This nearly completely qualifies the reflecting GlareType-display and does not disturb in any way. So, it is even possible to use this notebook outdoors.
The illumination is absolutely even, the brightness is, besides of the left upper edge completely evenly distributed through the whole display.

The viewing angles are subjectively very good.

At a resolution of 1680x1050 pixels everything seems pin sharp, but, for poor eyesight you should either reduce the resolution or choose a display with lower resolution.

Unfortunately the reviewed notebook had a bright green pixel error at the upper display edge, despite of Zepto's statement that usually no notebooks with pixel error are delivered.

Performance

The data sheet of the Zepto Znote 6625WD promises good performance.
This is proved by the benchmark results:

System (Windows Vista performance index):
Vista Performance Index: 4,5
Processor: 4,9
Main Memory: 4,7
Graphics (Desktop): 4,5
Graphics (Games) 5,1
Primary Hard disk: 4,8

Futuremark 3DMark Benchmarks:
3DMark06: 3901 points (1024x768, Vista)
3DMark06: 4113 points (1024x768, XP)
3DMark06: 3486 points (1280x800, Vista)
3DMark06: 3653 points (1280x800, XP)
Source: http://www.zeptoforum.com/QuickRev/#QuickReview_-_ZNOTE_6625W_

PCMark04: 6391 points

Aquamark 3:
@ 475MHz GPU- and 400MHz RAM clock rate
- total: 86093 points
- GFX: 17601 points
- CPU: 8430   points

@ 638MHz GPU- and 503MHz RAM clock rate
- total: 95776 points
- GFX: 19287 points
- CPU: 9513  points

160 GB - 5400 rpm
Transfer Rate Minimum: 2.6 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 47 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 34.1 MB/s
Access Time: 18.5 ms
Burst Rate: 57.2 MB/s
CPU Usage: 3.7 %

Emissions

In one word: First class! In idle mode it is nearly absolutely quiet. Only on running hard benchmark tests, the fan gets clearly audible, but in no way disturbing.

Even after running Aquamark multiple times the surface temperature did still not exceed blood heat. Only right beside the touch pad you can feel a very low temperature increase.

Speakers

Maximum volume and quality of sound are proper.

Battery Runtime

The maximum runtime of the 6-cells battery is in idle mode (without WLAN, Display at minimum brightness, CPU and GPU configured for energy saving) about three hours.
This is by no means outstanding, but sufficient for mobile use.
Soon, a 12-cells battery will also be available. It should be capable to nearly double the battery runtime.

DVD Brenner

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
3h 00min

Verdict

The Zepto Znote 6625WD convinces by its good display, the good workmanship, and its low emissions.
The runtime of the 6-cells battery is relatively low, but, soon a 12-battery will be available too. So, a longer mobile use should be possible. The good display should even make outdoor work possible.
However, if you need HDMI or eSATA ports, you should rather choose a notebook like the Asus G1S.
Generally, the Zepto Znote 6625WD is an absolute shopping tip!

Many thanks to the forum user "maati",  for this comprehensive user review. The according forum entry can be found here (German forum).

Zepto Notebook
Pictures partly from Zepto.com
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User-Review Zepto Znote 6625WD
User-Review Zepto Znote 6625WD

Specifications

Zepto Znote 6625WD
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT - 512 MB VRAM
Memory
2048 MB 
, 2 x 1024 DDR2 PC6400 800MHz, max 4096 MB, 1x2048 Riegel
Display
15.40 inch 16:10, 1680 x 1050 pixel, UltraCrisp WSXGA+, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel PM965
Storage
160 GB - 5400 rpm, 160 GB 
, 5400 rpm, Samsung Hybrid MH160 Hybridfestplatte: 160GB, 5400rpm
Connections
ExpressCard, Mikrofon, Headphones, Line-Out (S/PDIF), 4x USB 2.0, VGA-Out, S-Video, Firewire, LAN, Modem
Battery
, 6-Zellen Lithium-Ionen Akku (12-Zellen optional)
Additional features
HDD: 160GB, 5400rpm, Samsung Hybrid MH160 Hybridfestplatte, DVD+/-RW Brenner, bis zu 8x Brenngeschwindigkeit und mit Double LayerSamsung Slot-In DVD +/-R (DL),
Weight
2.7 kg ( = 95.24 oz / 5.95 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
1429 Euro

 

Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD
Zepto Znote 6625WD

Pro

  • Configurably by demand
  • Super display
  • Quiet
  • Relatively slim and light
  • Good performance
  • User-friendly keyboard
  • Good workmanship
  • Contra

  • Display's position can be changed too easily
  • Missing ports (DVI, HDMI, eSATA)
  • Keys clatter a little bit
  • Battery runtime could be better
  • Links

    Test Bibliothek

    • Externe Tests des Zepto Zetnote 6625WD
    • Weitere eigene Testberichte
    • Verfügbare externe Tests sortiert nach Displayformat
    • Verfügbare externe Tests sortiert nach Grafikkarte
    • Suche nach Testberichten auf notebookcheck.com
    Redaktion, 2007-09-14 (Update: 2013-05- 8)