Review Gigabyte U2442N Notebook

<div class="csc-default" id="c971007"><div class="tx-nbc2fe-pi1"><div class="tx-nbc2fe-intro"><h1 style="margin-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b61165bae5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="53" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b61165bae5.jpg" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has been a while since we tested a Gigabyte model. The Taiwanese manufacturer is famous for its motherboards and peripheral devices. Gigabyte also offers a small selection of tablets and notebooks.<a name="more"></a></span></span></h1></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c971006"><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-center csc-textpic-above"><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">The Ultrabook creator, Intel, prophesised a boom in the Ultrabook market in the near future and many manufacturers, including Gigabyte are investing in this area. The new Gigabyte <b>U2442</b> is a second generation Ultrabook which runs on the Ivy Bridge architecture.</div><div class="align-justify">The U2442 series has a <b>14-inch display</b>, and places alongside Ultrabooks like the <a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-HP-Envy-14-Spectre-Ultrabook.73635.0.html">HP Envy 14 Spectre </a>and the <a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-Aspire-Timeline-Ultra-M3-581TG-Ultrabook.72194.0.html">Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M3</a>. The notebook is not equipped with ULV components, but with a fast <b>Core i5-3210M </b>and the middle-class <b>GeForce GT 640M </b>graphics card. Officially, the U2442N cannot qualify as an Ultrabook with this hardware and only its sibling, the U2442V (identically equipped but with a ULV CPU - Core i7-3517U) can wear the title.</div><div class="align-justify">The rest of the hardware is similarly potent: 8 GB RAM, a <b>128 GB SSD</b> and a 750 GB hard disk. This hardware is top class, which brings us to the price: (starts at) <b>1200 Euro (~$1555)</b> for the U2442N. Other Ultrabooks are similarly expensive, so we will see what the test model can do in the following review.</div></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c971005"><div class="csc-header csc-header-n3"><h2>Case</h2></div><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-intext-right"><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Smooth hinges</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/64f77a848b.jpg" rel="lightbox971005" title="Smooth hinges"><img alt="Smooth hinges" border="0" height="113" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b6fb8cfb92.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">Made in Taiwan - the manufacturer is quite proud of this fact as can be seen by the large sticker on the top right of the screen. Our first impression is neutral: the silver-grey case is made of <b>synthetic material and aluminum,</b> yet it does not look as flashy as most competitors and may even be slightly drab. Thankfully, this is very practical as dust and smudges would be far more visible on darker (and even high-polished) cases.</div><div class="align-justify">The bottom of the laptop is made of only plastic, yet it <b>offers good sturdiness</b>. The chassis bends slightly under the keyboard when excessive force is applied. With the exception of this, the test model is as sturdy as a laptop with a metal chassis. This is especially impressive as the U2442N is a mere 21 mm thick and weighs <b>1.69 kilograms/3.72 lb.</b> (and without the HDD - a mere 1.59 kilograms/3.5 lb.). Overall, the test model is very mobile. However, if the display bezel was thinner (between 1.5 and 2.7 cm), the mobility could be increased further.</div><div class="align-justify">The back of the display is made of polished aluminum, as promised by the manufacturer. This ensures that the display is <b>quite sturdy</b>. Thanks to the well-designed hinges, the laptop can be opened with one hand. On the other hand, when the laptop shakes, the display wobbles. We did not find any workmanship flaws like sharp edges, which results in the Gigabyte U2442 receiving a <b>good score </b>in this section.</div></div></div></div><a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Gigabyte-U2442N-Notebook.79020.0.html#nbc_main">to top</a><br /><div class="csc-default" id="c971004"><div class="csc-header csc-header-n4"><h2>Connectivity</h2></div><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">Like many other notebooks of 2012, the Gigabyte U2442N has <b>two USB 3.0 interfaces</b>. In addition, the laptop offers two USB 2.0 ports and this should satisfy most users. It is a real pity that the test model lacks a (Mini-) DisplayPort interface, but the user is provided with both <b>a VGA and a HDMI</b> interface.</div><div class="align-justify">The test model has no optical drive, ensuring that all ports have sufficient space on the case. The <b>layout</b> chosen by Gigabyte is well <b>thought out and practical</b>: Gigabit-LAN, the power outlet and both display interfaces are placed towards the back of the case, whereas the USB ports (two on the left, two on the right) and audio jacks are placed towards the front. All the interfaces and the card reader, which can only read SD cards, can be used without issues.</div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c971003"><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-center csc-textpic-below"><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-center-outer"><div class="csc-textpic-center-inner"><div class="csc-textpic-imagerow"><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-firstcol csc-textpic-lastcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Front side: no ports<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/3d1b185e72.jpg" rel="lightbox971003" title="Front side: no ports"><img alt="Front side: no ports" border="0" height="91" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/215a1e9b56.jpg" width="543" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagerow"><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-firstcol csc-textpic-lastcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Left side: GBit-LAN, VGA, 2x USB 2.0, Microphone, Headphones, Kensington Lock<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/93e50fd952.jpg" rel="lightbox971003" title="Left side: GBit-LAN, VGA, 2x USB 2.0, Microphone, Headphones, Kensington Lock"><img alt="Left side: GBit-LAN, VGA, 2x USB 2.0, Microphone, Headphones, Kensington Lock" border="0" height="91" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b5c881fe98.jpg" width="543" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagerow"><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-firstcol csc-textpic-lastcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Back: no ports<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/66470f7880.jpg" rel="lightbox971003" title="Back: no ports"><img alt="Back: no ports" border="0" height="91" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/f2ca20b386.jpg" width="543" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagerow csc-textpic-imagerow-last"><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-firstcol csc-textpic-lastcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Right side: SD card reader, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, Power outlet</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/5ca48b84ea.jpg" rel="lightbox971003" title="Right side: SD card reader, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, Power outlet"><img alt="Right side: SD card reader, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, Power outlet" border="0" height="91" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/35a8635a9d.jpg" width="543" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c971002"><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-intext-right"><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">1.3 megapixel webcam</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/596f8b433c.jpg" rel="lightbox971002" title="1.3 megapixel webcam"><img alt="1.3 megapixel webcam" border="0" height="113" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/a5f42689f1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-text"><h3>Communication</h3><div class="align-justify">The Intel <b>Centrino Wireless-N 2230</b> is a mini PCIe WLAN module, which offers features and performance appropriate for a middle-class device. The Multi-Stream technology (2x2) makes it possible to transmit and receive up to <b>300 MB/s</b>, but only on the usually overcrowded 2.4 frequency. The model does not support the 5 GHz frequency which means that users are limited to just one band on <b>IEEE 802.11b/g/n</b> networks.</div><div class="align-justify">The U2442N also has <b>Bluetooth 4.0</b> (provided by the same module). This new standard of the wireless technology has a special Low-Energy mode and is supported by many modern Smartphones.</div><div class="align-justify">As usual, a small <b>1.3 megapixels</b> <b>webcam </b>is installed in the display bezel. It may not take sharp pictures but it suffices for use with Skype or similar programs. The integrated microphone is of similar quality, and, in most cases, the user will not require an additional microphone.</div><h3>Accessories</h3><div class="align-justify">We did not expect this: the manufacturer offers a typical delivery (manuals and a driver CD) and includes a stylish <b>leather bag</b>. Although the material is not very high-quality, most users will be happy about this small extra which ensures more protection for their device.</div><div class="align-justify">The software extras are scarce. Thankfully, this means that the user will not have to uninstall unnecessary test versions. The obligatory Adobe Reader and Starter edition of Microsoft Office 2010 are pre-installed and can be accessed via desktop shortcuts.</div><h3>Maintenance</h3><div class="align-justify">Few upgrade possibilities are a characteristic of compact notebooks. This applies to our test model as well. The bottom of the model has a flap, which is secured by a single screw, and covers both RAM slots. These slots are already occupied and upgrading to 12 or 16 GB is only possible after removing the installed modules. All additional components, including the integrated battery, cannot be removed easily.</div><h3> Warranty</h3><div class="align-justify">Gigabyte promises <b>2 years global warranty </b>for the U2442N. If the laptop should break down in a foreign country, the user can get it repaired on-site at a  Gigabyte shop. We could not find any information or offers pertaining to an extension of the warranty.</div></div></div></div><a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Gigabyte-U2442N-Notebook.79020.0.html#nbc_main">to top</a><br /><div class="csc-default" id="c971001"><div class="csc-header csc-header-n7"><h2>Input Devices</h2></div><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-center csc-textpic-below"><div class="csc-textpic-text"><h3>Keyboard</h3><div class="align-justify">The <b>chiclet keyboard</b> is installed nicely, if not perfectly, in the chassis of the test model. The workmanship and sturdiness are very good and it did not bend much even under immense force. We did not appreciate the cheap quality of the material of which the 15x15 millimeter keys are made. The <b>integrated backlight </b>helps the user type easily in the dark which is a positive<b>. </b>Gigabyte has used a standard layout for the keyboard (US keyboard for our test model).</div><div class="align-justify">The <b>soft pressure point </b>is noticeable while typing but, in our opinion, it does not provide enough feedback. The pressure point is paired with a <b>short stroke distance</b> (typical for notebooks). The typing experience was diminished due to the steady <b>clattering </b>of the keyboard<b> </b>which accompanies high-speed typing. We expected much more of a notebook of this price range.</div><h3>Touchpad</h3><div class="align-justify">The Smart-Pad made by Elan performs better in our review. The device measures <b>5.3 x 9.6 centimeters</b>, and although it is not very large, it has some good qualities. The rough surface reminds the user of Lenovo ThinkPads and may not be to the liking of all users, but the <b>sliding properties</b> are amazing, even with sweaty fingers. The precision and offered features are also quite good. The touchpad supports the typical <b>multi-touch gestures</b> which can be individually configured or de-activated (the touchpad can be switched off by pressing Fn + F10).</div><div class="align-justify">A broad button below the pad performs the function of both <b>mouse keys</b>. The stroke distance is short, like the keyboard, but thanks to the <b>strong pressure point</b> the user can comfortably use the touchpad. A practical feature: pressing the right mouse button while the laptop is off will show the battery charge. The 5 status LEDs are used for this task as well as for showing the activity of the wireless module while the laptop is on.</div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-center-outer"><div class="csc-textpic-center-inner"><div class="csc-textpic-imagerow csc-textpic-imagerow-last"><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-firstcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Keyboard<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/c5ee67ee53.jpg" rel="lightbox971001" title="Keyboard"><img alt="Keyboard" border="0" height="201" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/985dbf8e99.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-lastcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Touchpad</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/3a9af48eea.jpg" rel="lightbox971001" title="Touchpad"><img alt="Touchpad" border="0" height="200" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/d2b052210d.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Gigabyte-U2442N-Notebook.79020.0.html#nbc_main">to top</a><br /><div class="csc-default" id="c971000"><div class="csc-header csc-header-n8"><h2>Display</h2></div><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">Gigabyte has picked a <b>matte WXGA++ display </b>for its 14-inch model. The screen has a resolution of 1600 by 900 pixels which translates to a nice pixel density of 131 dpi. This provides the user with a well-sized work space and an acceptable font size.</div><div class="align-justify">At the <b>maximum level</b>, we measured an average <b>brightness of 233 cd/m²</b>. Near the bottom of the screen, the brightness drops to a little above 200 cd/m², causing a slightly unbalanced illumination of 83 percent. However, in our use, this was only noticeable when looking closely and should not affect the everyday user.</div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c970999"><div class="tx-nbc2fe-pi1"><div id="review_illumination_14116"><div align="center" id="illumination_1497"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 150pxpx; text-align: left; width: 390pxpx;"> <tbody><tr><td width="240px"><table background="fileadmin/templates/images/ausleuchtung.gif" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 150pxpx; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: 240pxpx;"> <tbody><tr height="11px"> <td width="47"></td> <td width="47"></td> <td width="47"></td> <td width="47"></td> <td width="49"></td> </tr><tr><td height="29px"></td><td bgcolor="#797979" style="border-bottom: thin dotted #FFFFFF; border-right: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">239<br />cd/m²</td><td bgcolor="#808080" style="border-bottom: thin dotted #FFFFFF; border-right: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: black; vertical-align: middle;">252<br />cd/m²</td><td bgcolor="#7d7d7d" style="border-bottom: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">247<br />cd/m²</td></tr><tr><td height="30px"></td><td bgcolor="#757575" style="border-bottom: thin dotted #FFFFFF; border-right: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">230<br />cd/m²</td><td bgcolor="#787878" style="border-bottom: thin dotted #FFFFFF; border-right: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">237<br />cd/m²</td><td bgcolor="#797979" style="border-bottom: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">239<br />cd/m²</td></tr><tr><td height="29px"></td><td bgcolor="#6a6a6a" style="border-right: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">208<br />cd/m²</td><td bgcolor="#707070" style="border-right: thin dotted #FFFFFF; color: white; vertical-align: middle;">220<br />cd/m²</td><td bgcolor="#707070" style="color: white; vertical-align: middle;">221<br />cd/m²</td></tr><tr height="51px"><td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr></tbody></table></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;"><div style="background-image: url(/fileadmin/templates/images/bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat; background: #f2f2f2; border: 1px solid #f2f2f2; color: #646464; font-size: 10px; padding: 5px;"><div style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; width: 100%;">Information</div><div style="color: #aaaaaa; margin-bottom: 3px;">Gossen Mavo-Monitor</div>Maximum: 252 cd/m²<br />Average: 232.6 cd/m²<br />Brightness Distribution: 83 %<br />Center on Battery: 209 cd/m²<br />Black: 1.47 cd/m²<br />Contrast: 161:1<br /><div style="margin-top: 3px;"><a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/Monitor_07.07.2012_2.icc" target="_ICC">ICC File (X-Rite i1Display 2)</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><i>Distribution of brightness</i> </div></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c970998"><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-center csc-textpic-below"><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">Buyers expecting a high-quality IPS panel like in the <a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-UX31A-DB71.76580.0.html">Asus UX31A</a> or <a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Asus-Zenbook-UX32VD-Ultrabook.75591.0.html">UX32VD</a>, will be disappointed by the simple <b>TN screen </b>(LG LP140WD2-TLD2) of the Gigabyte U2442N. Sadly, although the <b>black value (1.47 cd/m²)</b> and <b>contrast (161:1) </b>are decent, they just cannot match the values of a high-quality panel. This is a common problem for many notebooks like the <a href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Lenovo-IdeaPad-U300s-Notebook.67093.0.html">U300s from Lenovo</a>.</div><div class="align-justify">The <b>limited color space coverage</b> is another weakness. The sRGB and AdobeRGB standards, very important to photographers, are only partially covered. This means that the user would have to connect an external monitor for professional picture editing. In our test, we noted that the red shades were especially hard to differentiate from one another.</div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-center-outer"><div class="csc-textpic-center-inner"><div class="csc-textpic-imagerow csc-textpic-imagerow-last"><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-firstcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">U2442N vs. AdobeRGB (t)<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/13ed8d4f38.png" rel="lightbox970998" title="U2442N vs. AdobeRGB (t)"><img alt="U2442N vs. AdobeRGB (t)" border="0" height="87" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/9fd8a65c7f.png" width="128" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">U2442N vs. sRGB (t)<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/c4088ab6b9.png" rel="lightbox970998" title="U2442N vs. sRGB (t)"><img alt="U2442N vs. sRGB (t)" border="0" height="88" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/267e79ba3e.png" width="129" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">U2442N vs. U300s (t)<br /></caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b1c4b5adaa.png" rel="lightbox970998" title="U2442N vs. U300s (t)"><img alt="U2442N vs. U300s (t)" border="0" height="87" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/8e1ddd3c35.png" width="128" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-imagecolumn csc-textpic-lastcol"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">U2442N vs. UX31A (t)</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/6d682b9b61.png" rel="lightbox970998" title="U2442N vs. UX31A (t)"><img alt="U2442N vs. UX31A (t)" border="0" height="87" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/fdf70e84cd.png" width="128" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c970997"><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-intext-right"><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Outdoors</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/f098fd0d65.jpg" rel="lightbox970997" title="Outdoors"><img alt="Outdoors" border="0" height="113" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/39ee597970.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">The matt display surface will not cause too many distracting reflections during outdoors use. However, the brightness, which is already quite low, drops 10% while the laptop is running on battery, making the use of the laptop outdoors in direct sunlight <b>quite hard</b>. We would have liked to have a brightness of at least 250 to 300 cd/m² for outdoors use. The <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Update-Samsung-900X4C-A04DE-Notebook.77989.0.html">Samsung 900X4C</a> is a good example.</div></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c970996"><div class="csc-textpic csc-textpic-intext-right"><div class="csc-textpic-imagewrap"><div class="csc-textpic-image csc-textpic-last"><table><caption class="csc-textpic-caption csc-textpic-caption-c">Viewing angles: Gigabyte U2442N</caption><tbody><tr><td><a class="lightbox" href="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/43b926b073.jpg" rel="lightbox970996" title="Viewing angles: Gigabyte U2442N"><img alt="Viewing angles: Gigabyte U2442N" border="0" height="113" src="http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b40a85ef72.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">After finding so many weaknesses, we expected the TN panel to <b>perform below average</b> in the <b>viewing angle stability test</b>. Our suspicion was confirmed: even the slightest movements from a central sitting position can deteriorate the picture quality significantly. This applies to both horizontal and vertical viewing angles. The U2442N is not the ideal choice for viewing a movie with many friends.</div></div></div></div><div class="csc-default" id="c970995"><div class="csc-textpic-text"><div class="align-justify">Buyers who want to use an external monitor with the laptop should get one which has a HDMI interface. Although the VGA output is clear, the picture is tinted slightly yellow. The color settings in the graphics driver can be used to ameliorate this issue.</div></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-6_b9ZTw86g" width="100%"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mur8KDjUENE" width="100%"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/w4ahHKeHmqM" width="100%"></iframe>

Review Gigabyte U2442N Notebook

It has been a while since we tested a Gigabyte model. The Taiwanese manufacturer is famous for its motherboards and peripheral devices. G...

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