LG LM60 Express (Pentium M Processor 760 2.0GHz, 1GB RAM)

Well-known for its household appliances, LG is not a brand one would associate with computing. The LG LM60 Express is a midrange machine from the Korean marque, yet contains components one would associate with high-end notebooks. Despite encasing the unit with the more expensive carbon-fiber material, the LM60 remains reasonably priced and received our editors' choice for its build quality and features.

Design
When we heard that our test unit came with a Pentium M 760 2.0GHz processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, serial ATA harddisk and dedicated graphics card, we expected something that was as heavy as a brick and as large as a table laptop. Usually, these specifications are found only in weighty desktop replacements. But the LG LM60 gave us a nice surprise with its thin-and-light form factor. Only 2.1mm thick, the LM60 tips the scales at just over 2kg. It's not too far off the mark to say that this is a desktop replacement in thin-and-light clothing.

	Powerful performance in a slim and light body.

The sleek silver with black accent exterior gives it a professional appeal, which is accentuated by the choice of carbon fiber for material. Much harder and more scratch-resistant than plastic, this portable is well protected from the elements and careless users. A blue LED nicely illuminates the power and volume control buttons. However, we found that the LED strip on the cover which blinks when the notebook is in use or during standby mode is annoying and detracts from the minimalist facade.

Features
Though the LM60 doesn't hold any surprises in terms of novel features, it impresses with the overall package by offering high-end components in a slim profile. Connectivity-wise, all the usual suspects such as USB 2.0, FireWire and PC card slots are present. Though it would have been nice to have more than the included three USB ports, we like the fact that the next-generation PCMCIA standard, the ExpressCard slot, is incorporated for future peripherals. Just under the PC slot is the memory card reader which is compatible with SD/MMC and Memory Stick flash cards. This mobile can also hook up with both b and g Wi-Fi networks.

Though the 14.1-inch screen does not use the newer transflective LCD, it is still bright enough for use under strong light without the distracting reflections associated with the latter. The compromise, unfortunately, is that the display uses significantly more power. The battery drain is not helped by the dedicated graphics card providing advanced video capability. Using the powerful ATI Mobility Radeon X600 chipset, 128MB of video memory had no problems multitasking between Half-Life 2 and background Internet downloads, with only a few instances of slowdown during intense firefights. The serial ATA harddisk also contributed greatly to overall performance with its faster transfer speed.

The connectivity ports are easily accessible.

Through the built-in stereo speakers, the audio software provides a host of options to optimize the sound output. At maximum decibel levels, the notebook can be heard in noisy environments without unacceptable distortions. Those who are particular when it comes to music quality can opt to link to their favorite speakers using the optical audio output. Known as the S/PDIF port, lossless transfer of sound is achieved by using light instead of electricity to transmit data.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Fitting all these parts into a thin-and-light profile means heat is a major problem. The LM60 uses a multisource cooling system, which is essentially a fan that takes all the thermal buildup and blows it through a vent on the left flank. Unfortunately, the fast processor and dedicated graphics card heat up during resource-intensive tasks so much that you can burn your finger if it touches the vent. Operating at maximum performance should not be done over long periods.

Performance And Battery Life
Our test unit came equipped with a Pentium M 760 2.0GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. Despite several attempts, MobileMark 2002 was unable to complete benchmark tests for the LG LM60. With the stated specifications, we expect the unit to be on par with the Dell Inspiron 9300.

The battery life claims to last 4 hours 18 minutes with the standard six-cell power pack. For longer unplugged time, an optional nine-cell Lithium-ion pack can be purchased separately.

Service And Support
LG notebooks come with a one-year international warranty. For an additional S$50 (US$36.81), the coverage can be extended for an additional two years of local support. The company also offers an interest-free loan of 36 months for all laptop purchases through its authorized retailers. On its support Web site, you can download user manuals and device drivers. However, there is no knowledge database or comprehensive FAQ for self-diagnosis. There is also no telephone technical support and only a hotline number is given for basic enquiries. In case of hardware failure, the unit should be brought to a service center for repair. It is unfortunate that the number of service centers, of which there's only one location in Singapore, is found lacking. Overall, there is much room for improvement when it comes to LG's technical support.