Xeno-m

Computer Shopper (April 2003)

* * * * Rating

If you are interested in power on the move in a slightly smaller chassis, the Rock Direct offering is worth considering.

Presentation
The Rock Xeno-M is the smallest of this month’s notebooks, measuring just 1.4x12.1x10.7. It weighs 6.29lb, so it is easily the most portable notebook on test. The appealing metallic silver finish gives it a neat, tidy appearance. Its 14.1” screen has speakers below it. The touch pad has two standard control buttons and two scroll buttons, while the keyboard is divided into different shades to distinguish the character and function keys. Both the touch pad and keyboard are quality inclusions.

Four hotkeys are situated at the front, as is a volume control wheel, and headphone and microphone sockets. Other connectivity options include TV out, Ethernet, three USB ports, fourpin Firewire, one PC Card slot, PS/2, VGA and modem. A copy of Windows XP Professional Edition is installed and copies of Ability Office 2000 and Panda Antivirus are also included.

Configuration
The Xeno-M’s graphics performance is powered by the SiS 650 chipset. While this is adequate for most purposes, the lack of a top-drawer graphics chip prevents the system performing as well in the desktop arena as other, similarly specced systems such as the Asus. Core components include the Mobile Pentium 4 2GHz processor, a 40Gb hard disk and 512Mb Ram (which can be increased to 1Gb). A DVD/CD-RW drive compensates in part for the lack of a floppy drive.

Verdict
Portability is the main plus point of the Rock system. It is the lightest notebook on test and it has a very good battery performance, while maintaining good benchmark results. Graphics performance is where it falls down.

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