Averatec Intros Low Cost Aluminum Notebook — N3400
Averatec has entered the aluminum notebook market with the introduction of the N3400. The N3400 is a 13-inch metal notebook that weighs less than 4 pounds and starts at $799. The specs of the N3400 are pretty respectable for the low price point:
- Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T3400 2.16GHz processor
- Screen: 13.3-inch WXGA
- Memory: 3GB DDR2, 800MHz, expandable to 8GB
- Hard Drive: 250GB SATA
- Optical Drive: External USB Super-Multi 8x dual-layer DVD/CD reader-burner
- Ports: Three high-speed USB 2.0 ports, microphone input jack, headphone/external output jack, D15 VGA external display output, 4-in-1 memory card reader (MS/MS PRO/MMC/SD)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 802.11n wireless, 10/100/1000 Mb/s wired Ethernet LAN
- Graphics: Intel GMA X4500HD
- Chipset: Intel GM45
- WebCam: Integrated 1.3 megapixel with microphone
- Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium
- Dimensions: 12.8″(w) x 9.0″(D) x .40″ ~ .98″(H)
- Weight: 3.8 lbs
The N3400 is not showing on the Averatec web site yet, but should be available there for purchase soon. It will also be available from Averatec’s retail partners.
Woah, the specs on this thing are pretty beefy. Kinda makes me regret buying my gateway nv52 at bestbuy…
To anyone interested, Avaratec has a similar model with a 12.1″ screen with the same specs (besides having 4GB RAM instead of 3). AVERATEC N2740TD1E-1 on newegg, $649.
What worries me is the battery. The aforementioned model only has 4 cells.
Which brings me to another concern, is aluminum really worth paying a $150 premium?
What worries me even more is that a notebook at this price point has Intel graphics. If it has to be integrated, at least make it a GeForce 9400M or something!
(No, I’m not asking for a GTX 280M here. That would suck down the battery very quickly and create a lot of heat, to say nothing of the price increase. However, something on the order of a 9600M would be nice, especially when I see other 800 US$ notebooks packing 9600Ms.)