Since the introduction of the Pentium M, which was designed specifically to lower the power consumption and heat output in mobile computers, the laptop that incorporates a desktop processor has become an extremely rare species. But not extinct: the $1,800 Velocity Micro NoteMagix X25, available in a single fixed configuration exclusively through the Circuit City Web site and stores, is one such laptop. Its Intel Core 2 Duo E7600 CPU, designed for use in desktops, provides faster performance than almost any other laptop we've tested, at a lower price. It also drains the battery faster than almost any other laptop we've tested, and it produces so much heat that it requires a fan and large vents that add significant bulk to the otherwise average-size laptop. It's not a trade-off we'd advise for everyone--after all, what's the point of having a laptop if you're always tethered to an outlet?--but the Velocity Micro NoteMagix X25 does make sense for users on a budget who essentially want a portable desktop.
Following current notebook design trends, the NoteMagix X25 features a glossy black lid with an extremely subtle pattern of black dots; the interior of the case is matte silver, with a black keyboard and black hinge. We love that there's no branding on the exterior of the laptop, and on the interior there's only a small badge beneath the display that indicates the system came from Velocity Micro. The NoteMagix X25 feels quite sturdy--there's none of the creaking plastic or flexible lids that you sometimes find on laptops from smaller companies. Though it falls within the range of midsize laptops, the NoteMagix X25's weight approaches that of desktop replacements with larger displays. The extra heft can largely be attributed to the fan unit (which is labeled "turbo engine") that's required to cool the desktop processor within the laptop case. The fan vents actually jut out 1.25 inches from the rear of the laptop and made it a bit difficult to fit the laptop in our bag. Even with the fan, the NoteMagix X25 runs too hot for literal laptop computing--best to avoid discomfort by keeping it on a desk. It's also far noisier than most laptops, sounding more like a desktop once the fan kicks on.
