Notebooks in the 400-Euro-class

400 Euro must submit: Which cheap laptop you are well into the mobile PC world, betrays the test.

Photos from your digital camera to play on the hard drive, e-mails, watching YouTube videos, writing letters: For entry into the mobile computing world simple notebook with enough computing power and the right equipment. COMPUTER BILD has eight 15.6-inch notebook (39.5 inch diagonal) in the price range tested by 400 $ and explains where the differences between expensive and cheap models are.

Cheap versus expensive notebooks: the differences

The biggest differences in processors, graphics cards and memory.

Processors: Working in the tested laptops cheap processors from Intel or AMD with one or two computing cores. In more expensive models put faster processors, such as Intel Core or Core i3 i5.

GPUs: The simple graphics chips are built to current action games too slow. In more expensive notebooks stuck fast graphics processors such as Nvidia or AMD (ATI).

Memory: The winner Samsung R530 has three gigabytes of memory on board, all others must make do with two gigabytes. This is sufficient for many tasks, but if several memory-hungry programs running simultaneously, the speed reduced. After all, the RAM can be expanded easily in these models: Loosen a few screws on the bottom, remove the cover and insert the memory into the available slot. More expensive laptops are better equipped, they usually have four gigabytes of memory.

Other features of the notebooks:

Display: All models have a monitor with a screen size of around 39 centimeters. The resolution is the same as 1366x768 pixels. The most conspicuous difference: the screens of the models from Acer, Lenovo, MSI and Samsung come with a reflective surface. This leads to reflections. In addition, Acer and MSI, the screen frame shines strongly, which deflects further.

Hard Drive: At just under 300 gigabytes offer Acer, Hewlett-Packard, MSI, Toshiba and the price-performance winner Medion most disk space. About 60 gigabytes less space to give Fujitsu, Lenovo and Samsung winners test their devices on their way.

Brenner: All candidates have a DVD burner. This allows data on your blanks or play CDs and DVDs. At the highest firing rate was the quality of the burned discs in most cases not optimal. This can lead to prolonged use of the disks to read errors while playing. Tip: When burning is not the highest speed.

Programs: On all notebooks, Windows 7 Home Premium installed. In addition, Microsoft Office 2010 starter there. The package includes basic versions of the Word word processing and spreadsheet Excel. On all devices an antivirus program installed. However, the free coverage ends after 30 to 90 days, an extension will cost depending on the program up to 50 $ per year. Alternative: The free Kaspersky Security Suite CBE from the COMPUTER BILD-Heft-CD/DVD.

Connections of the notebook:

USB and eSATA: To connect a mouse, keyboard, printer or external hard drive, all notebooks USB 2.0 ports, the Toshiba Satellite Pro C660 has two, the others have three. An eSATA connector that enables faster data exchange with an external hard drive, offer only the models of Medion and MSI.

VGA and HDMI: One analog VGA port for connecting an external monitor is standard equipment. Except for the notebooks from Lenovo and Toshiba have all devices via a digital HDMI connection, which provides better image quality.

Network, WLAN, Bluetooth: All test candidates can be via a network cable or connect wirelessly with other devices via WLAN or the Internet. Bluetooth is one of only at Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba for the equipment.

Conclusion: Samsung, Toshiba, Medion - Laptop for around 400 $

enough for typical office work, Internet and basic photo editing, the 400 $ notebooks fully. With wireless, DVD burner and at least 230 gigabytes of disk space they offer an acceptable equipment. Halfway brisk pace, a great memory and good warranty service secured the Samsung R530 (429 $) the Test victory.