LG X120 netbook review
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 19th 2009 3:11PM
posted May 19th 2009 3:11PM
On paper, LG's X120 netbook is just another entrant in the Atom-filled sea of sameness -- and, in many respects, it is. But it also gets a lot of little things right that too many manufacturers still invariably get wrong and, while it's not entirely without its faults, it certainly merits some serious consideration alongside all the usual suspects already on your shopping list. The fact that it also doesn't look too shabby doesn't exactly hurt things either. Read on for our full review.
Form
In the looks department, LG has very nearly hit a home run. The X120 is wrapped in matte white finish that puts most of the other fingerprint magnets out there to shame, and even the green accent wrapping around the rounded edges of the netbook is nice and tasteful and not begging for attention. For some reason, however, LG went with the standard glossy plastic on the inside, which actually doesn't look too bad in person, but just doesn't have the same feel of quality that the exterior does. A matte finish all around -- even, dare we say it, on the screen -- would have been ideal, but this is a netbook after all, and "ideal" is rarely an option.
The X120 also thankfully has a generally sturdy feel to it, and should hold up fairly well to life in your gadget bag, although it neither as thin nor as light as many of its competitors, and its proportions are bent out of shape slightly by the large six-cell battery. That's a trade-off we're guessing most folks will be more than happy to accept, and it's certainly not as unsightly as some of the other six-cell batteries out there.
Function
As is no doubt the case with many of you, one of our biggest considerations in any netbook is the keyboard. Early netbooks were invariably hampered by excessively shrunken keyboards that were fine for entering a URL or a quick email, but a chore to use for any sort of real writing. Manufacturers have gone a long way to remedy that situation as of late -- thanks largely to bigger 9- and 10-inch screens -- but it's still often hit and miss when it comes to finding a netbook that'll actually have you considering leaving your laptop at home for the day or a weekend jaunt. On that all-important point in our book, the LG X120 gets a pass.
While our review unit has a bilingual keyboard that sports a slightly skewed layout, it's nonetheless fairly easy to get accustomed to, has a non-squishy feel and, best of all, the regular English keyboard looks to be even closer to the current standard bearers like the Samsung NC10. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the trackpad. While it has a nice tactile feel, it's just a tad too small to be fully comfortable, and the single button on a rocker (much like the MSI Wind) caused a few too many misclicks for our liking, though we're sure things would improve somewhat over the long haul.
Otherwise, the X120 gets most of the bases covered as well as most could hope for, including a generous three USB ports, an SD card slot, and an easily accessible memory bay to bump things up from the stock 1GB. A 3G-equipped version is also available in some parts of the world (which makes up somewhat for the lack of ExpressCard slot), though it hasn't yet been slated for release in the US or Canada.
Interface
Like any other current netbook, the X120 gets along well enough with Windows XP, but one of LG's biggest assets is its Splashtop-based Smart-On interface, which gets its own dedicated power button to allow for quick and easy access. As you may recall from our CES coverage, the interface boots in a matter of seconds and gives you access to a few essential applications, including a web browser, a music player, a photo browser, an instant messaging app, Skype, and even a basic games application that links to some online games.
The choice of apps is actually quite telling, and is virtually the very definition of a netbook. No word processor or office apps (not even a calculator), no video player or editor, no dedicated email application, no time-consuming games -- nothing that requires your full attention or an actual time commitment.
Of course, the web browser and your choice of web-based apps will let you get some actual work done if you want, and the interface itself isn't as limited as you may suspect. It has full multitasking, for instance, and it didn't seem to struggle at all even with all the apps open at once. And, of course, Windows XP is always just a click away.
Wrap-up
In the end, while the X120 doesn't have any one feature that immediately pushes it ahead of the pack, it also doesn't have any clear disqualifying attributes -- which, when it comes to netbooks, is actually saying something. Interestingly, Canada has actually gotten a kick at this particular model before the US and, at about $530 Canadian retail (or about $450US), it's not the cheapest netbook around, but those looking for something that brings a bit more to the table than the same basic specs likely won't find themselves disappointed.
first
let the rage begin
You brought the fail.
Hmmm... not bad though a little pricey. Still holding out for the EEE T91. I want the convertible netbook action!
PS: and though I hate to admit it publicly, Tim Horton's coffee is ass. Gimme Second Cup any day. At least it wasn't Starbuck's. :D
You're comparing Tim Hortons ($1.25 coffee) to Second Cup ($3-4 a cup). Kinda unfair to Timmies no?
+1
I was talking about the T91, btw ;)
Uhm... a Second Cup small coffee is $1.60ish, and large under $2. It's not nearly as pricey as Starbucks...
The pricing goes something like this...
Tim's = value PC
Second Cup = Sony Vaio
Starbucks = Apple
:D
How warm does it get. What about battery life.
^^^What?
TIms is crap. Country Style is crap.
Starbucks is less crap, but has a strong flavour because the beans were all burnt. However, once you add the ice in, Starbucks this makes for good iced brewed coffee for around $2 to $2.50
Second Cup is acceptable.
tim hortons,,, best coffee!! (from canada)
Tim Horton ftw!
Makes me wish I lived in Quebec. :-(
Quebec is a cancer that needs to be blown up...
FU2
AHAHAH!!
Vivre les salop!
AHAHHA!!!!
Vive les salauds? what???
Schweppes, your a ugly troll.
Quebec is great, people are nice and friendly there. Its the only really different place in all north america... gotta appreciate the differences. Learn some french, its good for the brain.
I thought Timmies was the best too, but they constantly run out of Iced Capps and sell me a 3/4-full cup of it for full price. I order French Vanillas and more than one occasion, it was one part coffee, two parts water.
/rant
I like Starbucks better, their premium coffees taste way better than what you get everywhere else.
I'm way more interested in that bag than the laptop.
Is that a generic bag or a specific brand?
It's an army bag. I use one, its good.
I just wanna draw OM-NOM-NOM teeth around the bag...
gotta be a canadian. tim hortons everywhere and anywhere but never far from hand
Hey, we like our Tims here in America, too!
Only if you live back east! For anyone living in the western US, we're hosed. The only time I get my Tim's fix is when I get a chance to go back home. Mum send the cans of coffee, but it's never the same.
Interesting factoid: For those Canadians living abroad, I read that the first things we want to do when we get back home (food related) is have a burger from White Spot, have some coffee from Tim's and get a Coffee Crisp!
I've been in the States for 5 years, 2 in Arizona, and that's exactly what I crave when I head back for a visit!
Forget the laptop, I want that bag.
that is a nice bag. can we get a link or name?
Look for ''German Army waterproof bag'' in any army surplus or google.
Tim Horton Coffee isn't that bad.. actually very smooth, better then some of that overrated, overpriced StarBucks crap.
Sweet! I totally need a Tim's right about now. Oh yeah, the netbook isn't too bad either, I guess.
I got myself some Tims as soon as I saw that picture!
mmmm Tim Hortons but the netbook is good too
Joyswag the bag?
Darn, wrong site. I'm not sure how this used bag would count as a recession antidote but maybe you could trade it for something from the Joystiq guys and they could give it away. I'd suggest trying to barter for a better sense of humor.
is this any better than the eee pc 1008he?
To those asking about the Bag, I have the same kind and it is a military bag and it can be found at a lot of military surplus stores(in Canada). Mine I got from a surplus store in New Westminster, B.C. about 2 years ago but they should still have some.
The best part, it cost me 20 bucks.
Ditto about the bag. I have one that I use on occasion. I bought mine about 15 years ago and it still looks like the day I bought it at the junk store.
Peace
@darktan
I love the bag, it's a perfect size for a small laptop with room for other things and it's cheap. And as you said, very durable as well. I have kicked the crap out of it and it still looks the same.
but it still runs windows?
What is with this trend of netbooks going upwards of $400-$500 plus? I thought netbooks supposed to be cheap, targeting the $200-$300 price point. Seems like more and more manufactures realize their profit margin is super slim, and start artificially selling netbooks at higher prices just to get higher margins out of low cost products. What's next, $900 netbook? Oh wait...
Yea, $450 is ridiculous for an atom. At that price point, I would be looking for a turion or a slow c2d.
Netbooks should be two things:
1) Light for mobility
2) Underpowered for longevity
which leaves all together under performing hardware at a cheap price. Take away the cheap price and the formula goes to shit.
900$ netbooks are already a reality (Vaio P,anyone?)
The reply button apparently went nuts for a minute. I've replied to the wrong post, and wasn't alone...
What is a better option? I definitely need a laptop but I also need pure performance...
1. An HP HDX 18t configured at $2200.
OR
2. A Dell Studio XPS Desktop configured at ~$1900
-with a LG X120 netbook
Apparently my reply button targeting skills are not up to par today...
Send these posts up one ^^^^^^^
Or, you could build the desktop yourself and save a lot of money.
HP stuff is crap (very bad quality), choose the DELL and netbook.
You can get a core i7 17 inch DV7 or DV8 for $1000 shipped right now at HP. Use code NBTY349821 for additional $200 off.
I have a very similar bag, bought it about 5 years ago in The Gap. It's traveled the world with me several times and just gets better with age.
Yeah, Tim's! Grew up in a border town, back when it was Tim Horton's Donuts...no lunches or cakes, or tea...just coffee and donuts. Seems like the coffee is served weaker now.
Good memories, though. Even have some Tim Horton ceramic mugs we bought in the late 70's!
More coffee comments than the netbook!
I got a Smart ON from those various stages of undress pics... half out of the bag the winner... you sexy thing.
You almost got me with all the talk about how nice the matte surfaces are, and then *BAM* glossy screen.
Not interested at all anymore.
Roll Up The Rim To Win time??
I am the only one that thinks it looks like a kiddie computer, I am sorry but white is not a good color at all for that.
Black would make it so much more appealing.