I've been looking for an affordable and easy 12-14 "notebook with SSD and Windows.
Due to several bad reviews and I ordered the same 3 different
Used U330p models from Amazon Warehouse Deals:
A - 492 i3 4010U 4GB 128GB orange with lighting Win8.0 2014/01 M133NWN1-R3
B - 551 i5 4200U 8GB 256GB gray with lighting Win8.0 2014/01 M133NWN1-R3
C - 557 i5 4210U 4GB 128GB orange without lighting Win8.1 2014/06 LTN133AT29-401
Then I invested install, adjust and test several hours about all three.
It was worth it, there were some differences between the devices.
At first I was like almost always satisfied with the performance of Amazon Warehouse Deals, all three were well packed, like new, clean, complete and visually without defects.
First impression:
++ Very nice, ++ very easily, improper processing only in detail visible.
Sufficiently strong, slightly fragile, visibly not a professional device.
The orange variant is MORE ATTRACTIVE, the gray I find more practical.
Display:
Devices A and B with the IVO M133NWN1 Panel are OK, not a luxury but serviceable, so normal bad TN panel as expected.
Very pleasantly matt, illuminated enough, but of unusual setting course, to 70% very dark. Colours and contrast OK, Viewpoint weak light halos below.
Unit C with the Samsung LTN133AT29-401 Panel: significantly worse, usable only for office work colors and contrast.
Keyboard:
OK, solid, quality, super +++ +++ with lighting (only one step?), Without lighting (device C) very difficult to read. Incorrect Description F1-F12 keys. A device defective cursor keys - rattle.
Touchpad: OK, but a defect of three - loud click when touched.
Speed:
+++ Just super fast for everything I use. Even for some older games enough.
i3 4010U 4GB 128GB is enough, i5 4200U 8GB 256GB is still significantly better.
(In the long-term common processor and graphics load performance but is i3 and i5 equal, only about 50-70% of maximum power i3. TDP is the same and the cooling is not sufficient for a few minutes.)
The 8GB (2x4GB) memory is worthwhile also because up to 20% more graphics performance.
Noise:
+++ Usually almost silently, the fan noise of the i5 variant under load even not loudly, but clearly uncomfortable, high frequency and variable.
Battery Performance: OK, average 3-6 hours, depending on the load.
++ Fan openings on the back, left and right rear ++ USB, HDMI + left behind, - no LAN
Very disturbing: flat electricity and not angled cable. It is very impractical and prone to damage.
A (B) of the three for me was without defects and works already 4 months to my (almost) full satisfaction.
