Similar to MSI’s S250-SCHC notebook, Hallmark has opted to take advantage of Intel’s Extreme Graphics 2 integrated shared graphics, taking up to 64MB of video memory from the on-board 512MB of PC2700 DDR to power the display. While not designed for gaming, it did manage to churn out almost 3000 points in 3DMark01SE with some help from its Pentium M 1.6GHz CPU. Given the form factor, we’re not surprised there’s no dedicated video memory as the chassis is a mere 292 x 31 x 230mm, only large enough to house the 12.1 WXGA display’s footprint. Hallmark includes a 60GB 5400rpm hard disk drive with 8MB cache, helping it achieve its 3012 PCMarks, quite good for a unit of this size and price.
Although this drive is above average for its size, should you find the 60GB hard disk is not large enough to hold your work and home files, the included DVD burner gives you the option of archiving your files and freeing up some disk space. Burning shouldn’t be a problem however, as Hallmark also includes Cyberlink Power Cinema, Cyberlink PowerDVD XP 4.0 and Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator 6.0.
Given a notebook of this form factor is targeted to road warriors and very mobile users rather than those who are mostly desk-bound, the three year on-site warranty should serve to offer great protection if things go wrong while you’re out and about.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Just as with the MSI unit; this notebook is legacy free, featuring only two USB ports, conveniently located at either side of the keyboard for easy external keyboard, mouse or digital camera plugging. Suffering the front mounted muffled speaker syndrome, the headphone jack is placed on the right hand side of the chassis along with s-video output.
<o:p></o:p>
Slightly more expensive than the MSI ‘book, it is a little better featured if you’re willing to spend additional money, although you’ll lose out on the widescreen aspect ratio, but you will pick up the entertainment optimisations found the Pentium M processor and twice the amount of RAM. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>