NEC LaVie Light gets the hands-on treatment, looks better in person

NEC's new LaVie Light netbook didn't exactly do much to make itself noticed when it was first announced, but our pals at Engadget Chinese say the pictures of the device are a tad deceiving, and that it's actually a pretty solid little number in person. That's apparently partly due to some solid fit and finish all around, and some fairly unique features like a screen that tilts back a full 180 degrees. They still aren't sold on that over-sized bezel though, or the device's thorougly ordinary spec list. Hit up the link below for a closer look.

[pe3ko @ Oct 20th 2008 4:44PM]

lol

[CraigJ @ Oct 20th 2008 5:32PM]

brilliant commentary. +1. seriously.

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Oct 20th 2008 6:03PM]

Hot on the heals of:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/20/fujitsus-lifebook-p8020-12-1-inch-ultraportable-wars-against-th/

[Esat Dedezade @ Oct 20th 2008 4:47PM]

"...and some fairly unique features like a screen that tilts back a full 180 degrees."

Finally, that will come in really handy for all of those times I find myself...
....find myself...

I haven't got a clue.

[Phoenix @ Oct 20th 2008 4:50PM]

I can see uses if it had a touchscreen, but not like this

[Jon Nelson @ Oct 20th 2008 5:32PM]

Maybe if you're standing over it?

Like, the thing is at thigh-height (Why the hell it's there, no one knows) and you're standing DIRECTLY over top of it.

But at that point, I think it would be easier to pick it up and type one handed, because typing with your wrists all flexed up like that is a reeeal quick way to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

[Information Central @ Oct 20th 2008 7:27PM]

Not to mention a GIANT BEZEL! Yay!

Seriously, this looks like a laptop from the passive-matrix LCD days. What exactly are they reserving all that space around the screen for? Stickers? Post-Its?

[eatbuckshot @ Oct 21st 2008 8:26PM]

I sometimes use 180 degree tilt if I am sitting somewhere and I don't want to peer down and arch over the screen. I have my laptop "standing" on my lap and my screen is directly in front of me.

[Josh @ Oct 20th 2008 4:51PM]

gross white keyboard on the black one...

[▀█▀ █ ▀█▀ ▄█▀ @ Oct 20th 2008 5:10PM]

I, for one, wouldn't mind that interracial action.

[Carol A @ Oct 20th 2008 5:38PM]

The white keyboard may look ugly, but so easy to find those keys (for those of us who never did learn to type!!)

[vance @ Oct 20th 2008 4:51PM]

I realize I'm in the minority, but I kind of like the boxy look. If it ever comes to the States, I'll give it a serious look.

The wider bezel is on a 8.9 screen, and the keyboard goes all the way to the edges. That size means it might have the best netbook keyboard yet.

[Evangelion @ Oct 20th 2008 4:54PM]

[= ˙ɹǝʇʇǝq ǝuo ǝʇıɥʍ ǝɥʇ ǝʞıl ı 'ɥǝɯ

[thedude @ Oct 20th 2008 5:07PM]

How did u do that?

[Samboini @ Oct 20th 2008 5:09PM]

http://www.revfad.com/flip.html

[Evangelion @ Oct 20th 2008 5:09PM]

@thedude

Type with your keyboard upside down. :p

[▀█▀ █ ▀█▀ ▄█▀ @ Oct 20th 2008 5:12PM]

That's what "a screen that tilts back a full 180 degrees" is for I assume.

[KilgoreTrout @ Oct 20th 2008 5:37PM]

Just behind this boxy , boring hyperbezeled monstruosity an MSI wind is clearly visible so that anyone can apreciate how much nicer a netbook can be.
My wind's clone is even better because beside 2gb ddr2, , BT & WiFi, and a 120gb hd, it kept the excellent MSI's screen but substituted the trackpad with a better one made by "Synaptics" ;and to the standard XPsp3 added some great software (not trial versions ) ;moreover is available in candy apple red , canary yellow and lime green.
Its more than 3 months old but at 400euros it's still the best netbook on the market and by far the best chice for all those who like me can't (or won't) afford a Vaio TT.

Now , can you guess the brand of my MSI wind (improved) clone?

[Vineet Madan @ Oct 20th 2008 6:26PM]

I like the two white ones on either side. Sorry NEC.

BTW, if anyone wants to enter to win a new Eee PC for free visit http://www.arod.tv and enter your name and email. I'm trying to win too so please rate as five stars, all people voting are also entered to win, expires 10/31. Thank you.

[cletus @ Oct 20th 2008 7:34PM]

Good to see a flat black color, and white keys are much better for use in a darker room.

[Netrilix @ Oct 20th 2008 8:03PM]

I don't really understand the 180-degree thing. I've got an old Dell Inspiron that will fold back to around 185, 190 degrees. The only way I can see this being useful is if they meant a 180-degree viewing angle, but somehow I don't think that's what they meant.

Also, anyone else find it funny that, including capitalization, LaVie is less than a centimeter on the keyboard away from external storage maker LaCie?

[muddyh2o @ Oct 20th 2008 8:03PM]

it has a b key. i don't want it.

[ssrat_ @ Oct 20th 2008 11:16PM]

Even though it has no touchscreen, I have a feeling that it would not be that hard for those
who hack these to tell us how to make one work.

The fact that this SEEMS like something good for reading, easily in that format.

Of course, because this looks like something good it will probably be the hardest one of them all to outfit with
a touchscreen.

[霽月瀛台 @ Oct 21st 2008 3:00AM]

larger screen please.
Framless LCD is expected

[bebop @ Mar 23rd 2009 10:11PM]

It took a few months, but your wish has been granted more or less, together with white, pink and pastel blue colors.

http://121ware.com/lavie/light/