The Amoi Blue speaks “Cheap” from the moment you open the box, take out the contents, ditch the manual (which is all in Chinese so you’ve no choice but to ditch it), and use it.
Feature set is standard. It’s among the first with a Intel Core Duo processor, offers presentable graphics and gigabit LAN, but I won’t waste time in saying my first and lasting impression: it feels, (and therefore is) – cheap.
Specs:
Dimensions (w/d/h): 330mm x 100mm x 44mm
Weight: 2.3 kg.
Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor 166Ghz (2MB L2 cache,533MHz/667MHz FSB)
Video: Intel GMA-950
Chipset: Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset
Pre-installed OS: Windows XP
LAN: 10/100/1000 lan
Bluetooth: Yes
Infrared: Yes
Memory: 256 DDR2 533MHz
Hard disk: 40gb
Optical drive: DVD/CD-RW Combo/DVD�RW
Card Reader: None
Wireless: 802.11 b/g
Display: 14.1″ TFT LCD
Fingerprint: No
SRP: PhP 46,000.00
Cheap is sad, considering it’s only the 2nd cheapest laptop in the five lent to me.
There are two reasons. First, the cheap sticker that says “Blue” on top of the lid lends a very cheap look and it doesn’t help it was coming off the first few hours after use. The letter L kept coming off, I try to keep putting it back on, and this went on the days after.
Second, I watched the “Capote” DVD on it (awesome performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman), and afterwards, the DVD player wouldn’t close right. There remained an area just above the actual DVD drive that was agape and wasn’t straight inline with the rest of the chassis. You could press down on it, hoping it’d come together, but no go. I’d eject it, and slap it gently but firmly down, and it wouldn’t close whatever I did.
Third, The left hand portion nearest to the user also suffers from weak craftsmanship. Everytime you squeeze that area, you hear a soft plastic crackling sound, similar to when you’re trying to snap in two pieces of ill-fitting plastic together. It’s hard to explain, but try to imagine a cd case with too many cds in it, and trying to squeeze it shut. That about approximates it.
Fourth, the manufacturer didn’t bother to provide an English set of manuals, and their website is purely Chinese. I don’t know about you, but I seriously think they need to reconsider these before they enter a non-Chinese market don’t you?
Other than that, the M626 performs as expected. It feels the lightest, although it weighs as much as the Acer at 2.3kg. I think that’s probably because it’s smaller. I also like the placement of the speaker, mic and headphone plugs at the left hand area, for quickly finding these essential plugs.
Again, keyboard, trackpad, and 14.1″ TFT LCD offers utilitarian abilities, and nothing more.
If it weren’t for aforementioned quality issues, I’d recommend the Amoi Blue M626, especially at the competitive Php46,000.00 SRP. However due to such, and the fact they don’t make even bother to provide English manuals, I’d say keep away.