The Advent 4211c is PC World’s in-house entry-level netbook that takes the best the format has to offer and delivers it at a great price. It’s not intended to replace your laptop, it simply isn’t powerful enough, but this netbook is perfect for surfing the web and writing on the move. The style is simple and understated, having a shiny silver finish with a black keyboard that is pleasing on the eye. The build quality is excellent, as the plastic used feels great to the touch but also reassuringly tough.
Weighing 1.2kg and measuring 260 x 166 x 37mm, this is a great machine for those who need to carry a computer around with them but don’t want the hassle of it taking up space in their bag. This is a 10.2-inch model, with a reasonable 1024 x 600-pixel resolution, so there is plenty of space to view documents and for watching the odd movie.
The screen sits on two recessed hinges that keep the screen neatly away from the keyboard. Netbooks have been accused in the past of being cramped and difficult to type on. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with the Advent 4211c as the keyboard is 93 per cent full-sized and the keys are well spaced so you can quickly get up to speed. When it comes to performance, this is on par with other netbooks.
Powered by an Intel Atom N270 processor that has been specially design for budget machines like this, you’ll find it will handle standard tasks with ease. The 120GB hard drive offers plenty of space to hold all your files. Running Windows XP Home Edition, it runs and acts like any other laptop but at a fraction of the price, it’s a great option for those who have basic needs.
Verdict
Portability and performance at an unbeatable price, neatly sums up the Advent 4211c. What’s more, using this machine is a real pleasure, the screen is sharp and the keyboard so comfortable that you’ll soon forget it’s such a compact mobile PC.
Best features
Great screen
Good sized keyboard
Fantastic spec for the price
Not so good
No optical drive
Not a media machine
Basic battery life
Matching the Advent on battery life, this netbook has a sharp 8.9-inch screen and compacy keyboard but only 20GB of storage space
OK, so it lacks design flair but this is a solid work machine that even offers the option of built-in mobile broadband
Packing in plenty of power and options into its 1.3kg chassis, this 10.2-incher comfortably trades blows with the Advent as the best netbook out there
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If you like awards this machine was ‘WHAT LAPTOP’ Editor’s choice, and is ‘recommended’ by PC PRO magazine.