Packard Bell PCs, MP3 players make RP debut

Packard Bell, the leading home PC and MP3 player brand in most of Europe, made its local debut through its newly appointed distributor, Axis Global Technologies Inc., in a press conference last week.

Operating in Europe since 1991, Packard Bell is the number one home PC brand in the UK, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands as well as the number one MP3 player vendor in Europe by volume in 2004.

Leading the numerous Packard Bell PC products were the 17-inch Easy­Note SB85-006, the 15.4-inch EasyNote MB65-009, and 15.4-inch EasyNote MX36-026 notebook computers.

The new arrivals include all the innovations of the new series, notably the Intel Centrino Duo platform based on Santa Rosa technologies to accompany on-the-go users, the latest DirectX10 graphics, and nVidia 8600 series cards.

They are equipped with Windows Vista Home Premium Edition as well as standard Wi-Fi 802.11n and even cutting-edge, high-definition DVI-I and HDMI connectivity.

The eSATA standard makes it possible to connect portable storage devices with ultra-fast transfer speeds. The SB range even allows the presence of two hard disks carrying a maximum storage capacity of 320GB.

Web-callers will also be happy to see the presence of an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam. Other features include a DVD-RW Dual Layer optical drive and built-in subwoofers for superb-sounding audio.

Style-wise, the new notebooks sport a very classy dark glossy finish accentuated by two circles surrounding the touchpad and the logo on the rear of the screen. These circles are subtly backlit to warmly accompany users in every situation.

Functionality is enhanced, meanwhile, by the complete numeric keypad to facilitate use in many varied applications.

Other Packard Bell notebook models introduced by Axis Global ranged from the very affordable P27,995 15.4-inch EasyNote FO336-V-089, which runs on a 1.86GHz Intel Celeron processor, to the Skype button-equipped P39,995 EasyNote F0445-U-078 powered by an Intel Centrino Duo processor, all the way to the potent P74,995 EasyNote GN45-019 which boasts a 2GHz Intel Core2Duo system, a 1-Gig DDR2 memory, and a 100GB hard drive.

On the music player front, Axis Global introduced Packard Bell’s Vibe 360 and Pulse MP3 players.

Thinner than a pack of gum, the Vibe 360 comes with a 1.8-inch high-resolution color display. It has an easy-to-use interface and an ultra-portable design with an aluminum casing and a smooth mirror-like polished finish at the back.

Running on an advanced audio chipset and with a 1GB flash memory storage, the Vibe 360 features Packard Bell’s Diamond Sound technology, skip-free playback, a karaoke function as well as a six-mode equalizer, which includes an immersive ultra-wide sound field for maximum bass and superior audio realism.

Photo slideshows and video clips may be viewed while listening to music. It also comes with magic Picture and magic Movie software for converting and transferring photo and video files to the device.

The Vibe 360 plays MP3 and WMA files and is compatible with DRM-protected files downloaded from online music stores. It also has voice recording and an FM radio.

The Pulse, meanwhile, comes in 512MB and 1GB models. It boasts black, white or pink caps and seven color backlights to match your outfit or your mood. It shares most of the features available in the Vibe 360.  – Manny de los Reyes