Gigabyte T1028 NoteBook

[SoftWore]

Brief Introduction :
Gigabyte T1028, the first netbook, a transformer caught up in our possession. Its hardware-filling is different from that in other netbooks, so the model in the first place is interesting due to the implementation of sensory turning display. This unit will be available in several configurations, depending on which can vary the CPU (Intel Atom N270 or N280), the amount of RAM, the maximum screen resolution (1024 x 600 or 1366 x 768 pixels), the presence of 3,5 G-module.


Appearance :
The netbook has a standard for its class size, but at the expense of a more capacious battery his weight increased. And does it feel when you hold the device in their hands.

[SoftWore]

The front panel and keyboard unit area are made of plastic brown shade. This color is rarely encountered in the design of mobile computers and have not yet had time to "become familiar", so looks interesting. Plastic that serves as a front panel, glossy, he successfully retains fingerprints and - potentially - scratches.

Hinge has a silver color that out of the picture with the main colors, the contrast in this case can hardly be called successful. The upper half of body slightly shorter than the bottom, but it does not cause any discomfort while using the device. Cover netbook called on the maximum possible 180 degrees. When you open the lid has a clear fix, and when the angle of greater than 120-130 degrees, it just falls. If the netbook will be an object, that is, the risk of accidentally spoiling the lid open so it should be accurate.

The cover turns in only one direction - from right to left. Under the joint marked an arrow pointing in which direction should rotate the screen. To rotate the panel to exert considerable effort is required. On the outer part of the upper halves of the body are hollow, and on the sides of the keyboard - the tabs. They allow you to fix the netbook form factor tablet. Structural blemishes in the implementation of this regime, fortunately, no. The display is clearly registered in the "rotated" position. The build quality can not be called ideal. Plastic border around the screen, with very little effort starts to squeak, that does not produce a pleasant impression.

In general, the exterior of this model loses that of individual competitors (Asus Eee, the new HP Mini). In appearance T1028 difficult to judge the integrity of the shell or expensive materials. However, this netbook has a tilting mechanism of the display, but also has ample opportunities for hardware upgrade. On the back side of the body visible bays for HDD and RAM strips that will easily replace these items.

[SoftWore]

Connectors, keyboard and touchpad :
The various ports and connectors occupy almost all the space on the side ends of the netbook. On the left put VGA-port (for connecting an external monitor), one USB-port, key, run the utility Smart Manager and inputs for headphones and a microphone near the edge.

Right side of the busy card reader slot for the ExpressCard, two USB-ports (the distance between them allows you to use both simultaneously), lever turn on the computer. A little further on there are LAN-port and a jack for connecting the charger.

The refusal of the traditional push buttons for netbook justified the possibility of using it as a tablet. The lever has a few provisions. Relegating it to the left, you can enable or disable the device. Moving the lever to the right blocks from the false bias. Indicators are divided into two parts. In the lower right corner of the icons placed activity modules Bluetooth and WLAN. Followed by systemic indicators (they light up when the hard drive during charging, indicating the netbook is turned on). The second block is located in the upper left corner above the keyboard. These indicators alert the inclusion of modes Scroll Lock, Caps Lock, and on the activity of WWAN-module. By the way, a slot for a SIM-card hidden behind the battery, which must be removed to install or replace the card.

The keyboard is almost the entire width of the shell. Like other manufacturers, Gigabyte claims that the physical size of the keyboard represent 92% of the standard layout. As so often occurs in netbooks, keys, responsible for entering characters ".", "W", "b", have reduced dimensions. It is with them and involve major inconvenience on the set: because of unusually small size of these buttons are often pressed neighboring key. For the rest, typing on this keyboard comfortable enough. The top row of keys traditionally "associated" with a function key. Using a combination of hot keys can be enabled wireless modules, block the touchpad to change the backlight level or loudness of sound, etc. By the way, speakers located on the front end, have a substantial margin volume. Perhaps, this netbook has the loudest speakers among the competitors. Touchpad left ambivalent impression. However, it is difficult to provide the perfect realization of this control in any of the netbooks, given the limited space available for the touchpad.

In this case, the touchpad is large enough in width, but its height was very small. The buttons are located on either side of the panel, not under it, which is not quite convenient. The advantage of the touchpad is to support multi-touch technology to them, which is increasingly found in new devices. Due to this using the touch panel can be zooming, scroll through pages in a browser and text editor to view images.

[SoftWore]

Display :
Of particular interest is, of course, the touch screen. With 10.1-inch diagonal matrix has a resolution of 1366 x 768 resolution, so the pixels are very small, the picture looks clear. With LED-backlight screen has a large supply of brightness, shades transmitted juicy and natural.

The display is made of resistive technology, so you can click any object. In particular, it provides and stylus. Pocket is located on the left of the screen, so pull out the stylus can be used either in the folded position, and in the standard form factor notebook. The accuracy of touch screen is lower than in mobile devices, and this is not corrected even calibration. Perhaps it's the larger physical size of the matrix is only necessary to get used to the peculiarities of recognition of depression. A single click on the screen is similar to clicking the left mouse button, long retention, a context menu (or performs an action assigned to the right mouse button). If you use a netbook as a tablet some discomfort is the lack of any function keys on either side of the display, which could prove useful in addition to the touch screen.


Hardware and software capabilities :
Netbook does not offer any innovation in components. Used CPU Intel Atom N280 with a frequency of 1.66 GHz in conjunction with the chipset Intel 945. Output device is no different from other members of the class of netbooks with a similar "filling". As a pre-default operating system offered Windows XP. For assurance of the manufacturer, some time after the official start of sales of Windows 7 model will be supplied with the latest OS.

Running Windows XP can not be called the best choice for a netbook with a touchscreen. We look forward to new models that will demonstrate to us the possibility of "Seven" in conjunction with touch screens. The main disadvantage of XP is probably the minimum number of available default programs designed to work specifically with touch screen. The manufacturer offers two additional tools. Egalax Touch fixes for gestures, inscribed on the display, a certain action (launch application, for example). The program can recognize a large number of different variants of gestures - a simple (say, the movement of the stylus to the left), and the more complex (moving diagonally down and then right). The application is active in the background, so to run a certain action need only draw the desired symbol.

Smart Manager is a "branded" utility to control the main setting device (activating wireless modules, the level of display brightness, speaker volume, image rotation, etc.). The program also allows you to switch between the power supply circuit, displays battery charge level. For additional download provides a package designed for handwriting recognition.

To control the WWAN-module program is Mobile Partner. It is identical to the one that comes with the modem "MTS Connect".


Battery :
In the reviewed copy was installed reinforced battery. It provides about 6-7 hours of "offline" mode (turn off your wireless modules, typed text and music) and 4 hours with the active module, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or WWAN, or at significant loads (games, for example). These results allow us to use the netbook for the whole day without the need to connect the charger.


Conclusion :
The presence of touch-screen effect on the way management Gigabyte T1028. Instead of the touchpad or mouse involuntarily "clicks" directly on the screen, in different situations it may be more or less convenient. And use the netbook comfortable not only in the folded position (tablet), but in the usual form factor.