HCL Mileap L series leaptop

Low priced ultraportable notebooks targeted at beginners

Specs
Processor: Intel Celeron M ULV Processor 353 @ 900 MHz
Motherboard chipset: Mobile Intel 915GMS Express Chipset
Memory (RAM): 512MB DDR2
Storage: 30GB memory
Display: 7in WXGA with maximum resolution of 800 x 480
Graphics: Intel GMA 900 (8MB)
Audio: VIA Vinyl AC 97
Optical storage: None
Weight: 1.4 kg
Dimensions: WxDxH - 244 x 191.2 x 35.4 mm
Warranty: 1 year
Comes with Linux OS

Microsoft’s one laptop per child made some big waves in the news columns round the globe with its low-priced editions with features created specifically for children of the emerging world.  Asustek followed with its EEE series in the sub-notebook category. And now HCL too has dived in this Ultra-budget segment with it Mileap series notebooks. Make no mistakes, HCL repeatedly claims that Mileap series is a full fledged with optimal notebook features.

There are three variants in this series. The X series comes with 2GB flash based memory with options for 2.5GB solid state drive.  The X series flash based is the cheapest of the lot with a sub 14K price range. The two newly launched models, Mileap L series and Mileap S series features the same hardware configurations barring a few changes in the OS and hard disk capacity. The L series comes with a solid state 30GB hard disk and Linux OS, while the S series sports the same disk capacity, but runs on Microsoft Windows XP Starter Edition. It isn’t too bulky as well, as good as carrying a diary!

The ‘MiLeap’ L-Series Ultra-Portable laptop powered by 900 MHz Intel Celeron M ULV Processor 353, with 30GB hard disk storage is available in India for Rs. 15,850 and comes with one year standard HCL warranty. It features 7-inch WXGA LCD display with a native resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, 30GB hard disk capacity 512MB DDR2 RAM, 802.11a/b/g LAN Connection, two USB v2.0 fast ports for wired connectivity and also features a standard Firewire port. It also has a built-in Stereo 1.5W speaker, Memory stick, Li-Ion Battery pack and integrated Wi-Fi along with 2-button Touchpad and Multimedia Card to name a few. It also features 4-in-1 Media Card Reader supporting Multimedia Card (MMC), Memory stick (MS), Secure Digital Card, and MS-PRO media cards.

However, amidst these specs, the fact that the 512MB DDR2 RAM is not upgradeable is a pinch; neither does the model allow upgrading your hard disk capacity. Smaller screen, miserly 512MB memory and other specs definitely means that this one isn’t for gaming, movies, programming and heavy graphics. But at a cost for it sells, the Mileap L series is definitely worth the bucks.

Bearing in mind that its USP is mobility, the data card slot and wifi which are upsides for the traveling kinds and the conventional Ethernet port to be used with broadband is grafted in too. The shock proof laptop is available in Black, Pink and Blue colours and weighs a mere 1.44 Kg.

All the features at dirt-cheap price considered and admired, let’s have a look at the real user perspective. For most users, when they buy a laptop, be it a sub 14K range, a 7 inch display is really going to be small. A normal word page with approximately 500 words demanded a mouse scroll as many as 10 times to go through the entire content. That can be irksome, when you consider working on basic documents and spreadsheets. Internet browsing is no different and can strain your eyes.

Also the fact that it runs on Linux has evoked some sort of mixed feelings. Even though the importance of open source can be asserted with the X series, most of the computer users in India swear by the Windows version and Linux incorporated herein can be a bit demanding to get going for the masses. The software and applications differs too. So Open Office is the equivalent of Microsoft Office, GIMP replaces Photoshop, VLC player compares with Windows media player and so on.
On performance front, it delivers decent output with its Linux (edu-Ubuntu) and offers good sound quality with a VIA Vinyl AC 97 sound card. The integrated and fixed Intel video card of the laptop has a memory of 8 MB to offer a fluid video viewing. Added features are nil as it does not sport any option for built-in Bluetooth, integrated optical drive (CD/DVD) or integrated webcam.  Also a battery life of just 4 hours seems a bit too less; a movie on a long trip and it exhausts.
The laptop is designed lightweight and small in size making it convenient for use anywhere, anytime on the move and is primarily suited to children, women and such, who are getting started with their computing experience.

We say:
Good points: Low priced, Ultra-portable, Lightweight Design, Basic performance
Bad points: Non expandable 30GB hard disk memory, Small Display, mere 512MB RAM, No optical drive
Overall: A good offering in the budget segment, a crammed display though.
Rating: 3 star