Sorry to have kept you waiting, but I’ve just now been able to work on and publish several stories I’ve had cooking inside my noodle. If you’ve heard about the Neo Basic laptop brand’s affordability, there’s a chance that you might have also heard negative things about it. Things like bad quality, horrible battery life, weak processor power, etc. Well, I heard them all myself, and here I am now to testify against several claims made by other users in the course of a couple thousand word opinion-piece I call: my NEO Basic B2175N laptop review.
NEO Basic B2175N - Key features
- 1.86 GHz Intel Dual Core processor
- 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive
- Built-in 1.3MP webcam, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Stereo speakers, SPDIF, audio in/out ports
- 3 USB ports, 1 VGA-out port, 1 Express card slot, 7-in-1 card reader
- Function keys with special Mail, Web, and Silent fan keys
- 3-cell 4400 mAh battery
Hardware, design and other features
If I didn’t know any better, I’d have probably dismissed NEO early on in my search for a new budget laptop to use for work, because of all the apparently negative feedback that’s been thrown around about it on teh Internets. Fortunately, I’m not that type, and after being initially impressed by the Neo Basic B2175N’s aluminum build from my unboxing session, I’ve come to love it more and more with each passing day as I use it.
The NEO Basic B2175N is an Intel Dual Core-packing 13.3-inch screened notebook, manufactured by Clevo from Taiwan and rebranded for sale by NEO in the Philippines. The NEO Basic B2175N is actually a variation of the Clevo M730SR, with a few features downgraded or taken away, making for a still-powerful little lappie that’s got plenty of room for improvement.
The outer shell is made of a black plastic and aluminum combo, with highlights thrown in at opportune places, like on the outer lid, and around the keyboard as well as the trackpad. Overall, I like the aluminum construction though it’s no unibody, and it feels very sturdy albeit a bit heavy. It’s also an annoyingly excellent fingerprint magnet.
For a laptop of its size, I’m surprised it’s equipped with a non-standard and rather uncomfortable keyboard. It has all function keys from F1 to F12, and the placement of the Fn key is convenient right after the left Ctrl key, but the integration of the Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End keys with the Up, Down, Left, and Right arrow keys respectively breaks all of the other good things about the keyboard instantly. The Enter key, along with virtually every single key on the built-in keyboard are miniaturized a bit. They’ve all gotten smaller, for no obvious reason.
And if the smallness of the keys isn’t enough to anger any user, the feedback is anything but tactile. Typing on the NEO Basic B2175N is frustrating, if you can get it done at all. Key presses often don’t register, and that’s just the way it is, it seems.
The trackpad is also peculiar, as it doesn’t seem to have any right or left click buttons. But it’s all just part of the design, and the click buttons are both there. Unfortunately, there’s a considerably wide gap between the two buttons because of the removal of a built-in fingerprint sensor that’s supposed to be there on the model which this laptop is based from (the Clevo M730SR).
The 13.3-inch LCD screen is perfecly glossy, and bright, which leads to a good visual experience. Graphics is taken care of by a SiS Mirage 3 graphics chip with 256MB of shared VRAM alloted for it. It might look nice on paper, but performance is quite disappointing. More on that later.
All other standard notebook fixtures are present with the NEO Basic B2175N. That includes 3 USB ports, 1 VGA-out port, a 7-in-1 card reader, DVD writer, ethernet jack, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, 19-volt power jack and Kensington lock slot. Quite surprisingly, there’s also an Express card slot, 160GB hard drive, built-in Bluetooth, and SPDIF port (alongside the audio in/out ports).
Now, how well does this thing really perform software-wise? In a word: typical.
Software: Installing and running Windows XP, then Vista Ultimate
The NEO Basic B2175N doesn’t come with a pre-installed version of Windows or Linux at retail. Since it doesn’t have an operating system, you are free to install whichever one you like. I first installed Windows XP, and found that it runs fast on the system, even with three Firefox windows open and at least 50 tabs on each (Yes, I’m a power-user like that). I then moved on to installing and using Windows Vista Ultimate, which is what I’m using now as I am writing this post.
The photo you see above with the Windows Experience Index (a way Microsoft uses to measure performance of a computer with Windows Vista) shows that the NEO Basic B2175N has a score of 3.0. That score is based on the lowest score that has been achieved in different aspects of running Windows Vista. Note however, that this score would not have been possible if I hadn’t done the many necessary tweaks to change the default system settings. I even went as far as to edit the registry, which is very dangerous work if you’re not familiar with how computers function.
For newbies who don’t want to risk messing around with the registry and other default settings, I recommend sticking to some form of Windows XP in the meantime (maybe until Windows 7 gets officially released). Upgrading the RAM to 2GB should help a little, but I can’t confirm it at the moment. Maybe I should just put together a comprehensive list of the ways I used to speed up my system with Vista, so that you can do it yourself easily. Watch out for it.
Throughout using the NEO Basic B2175N for a few weeks, I’ve found that it has several useful hidden features. Well, they aren’t exactly hidden, per se, but they are so not obvious that an average user is likely to overlook them. For example, this laptop has built-in Bluetooth that can be easily activated via a very discreet combination of keys. It’s only mentioned briefly in the user manual. To turn Bluetooth on or off, press Fn together with the F12 key.
This laptop, though it doesn’t look like it, works very well with Windows Vista. It worked with the memory and graphics-intensive Windows Vista Aero theme just fine. That is bolstered by the fact that its body looks fit for a businessman/professional. Playing music proves that the built-in stereo speakers are very loud for a notebook. Yet, the sound remains clear and crisp.
Bad points
The biggest gripe I have with this notebook is its horribly short battery life. I went through the trouble of checking the battery life every minute, and I found out, rather disappointingly, that its battery charge gets drained by one percent per minute. That means its 3-cell battery will only be able to last a user a total of 100 minutes (give or take a few), which equals 1 hour and 45 minutes (on average). However, one should be able to reach up to two hours of battery life with normal tasks like document editing and photo viewing.
This notebook also tends to get very hot on the left side with use, as this is where the power jack, hard drive and heat sink are placed. What’s more, the built-in cooling fan is very loud. It sometimes makes me wonder if they’ve got a full-blown electric fan installed inside this thing. There’s a Silent button beside the power key that hushes the fan a little bit, but it also slows performance down so it’s not advisable if one needs to do some big tasks. I don’t find the fan noise very frustrating, but I wouldn’t mind losing it for computing with peace and quiet.
Verdict
For a budget laptop, the NEO Basic B2175N isn’t so bad. With a sizable hard drive, DVD writer, bright glossy screen, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it’s a mobile computing scrooge’s dream come true. If only it came with bundled software and longer battery life, I wouldn’t have any issues with it. And while we’re at it, the keyboard needs some attention. Perhaps in the near future, NEO can get a better Clevo laptop to rebrand and sell cheaply in the Philippines. But until that day comes, the NEO Basic B2175N will have to do. And it does quite remarkably, if I may say.
hello po.. just wanna ask something.. ksi ung laptop ng friend ko is neo b2170, now ang prob is sometimes kahit daw excellent na ung status ng wifi connection eh di pa rin nya magamit ang net nya.. wat po pwd gawin? nd her lap bat life is really short, like mga 30min-1hr.. yun lang nmn daw problema,. she bought it last dec 6,2008. Pls help po.. thanks
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
February 1st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
@arvz, Anong OS gamit nya? Talagang mahina ang batteries ng Neo laptops eh, pero pwede bumili ng mas higher capacity battery na umaabot ng 3-5 hours.
Tungkol naman dun sa Wi-Fi, hindi naman kasi porket naka-connect ka sa Wi-Fi network at excellent ang signal eh makakapag-Internet ka na. Kasi may mga Wi-Fi networks na offline at local access lang, hindi sila connected sa Internet. So pwedeng yung Wi-Fi connection na ina-access ng friend mo eh local lang ang access. Tingin ko yun ang prob.
Yung neo laptop ko nearly three months na, wala naman ako naging problems aside from battery life. Pero OK naman basta may wall outlet. Ginagamit ko pa nga ngayon to para i-test yung bagong version ng Windows eh, Windows 7. Sana makatulong yung mga sinabi ko sayo sa friend mo. :)
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February 1st, 2009 at 11:40 am
hello po.. thnx po sa reply..hehe.. thnx po sa info about dun sa wifi.. hehe, i feel smhow responsible ksi ako ngrecomend na yun ang bilhin ksi okay yung specs and mdyo cheaper compared to other brands.. la namn xa prob.. once nga accidentally nahulog ung lap-bag (with the lap inside), pero okay parin xa tlga … yung bat lang tlga prob.. mga mgkano po kya yung bat na ganyan ang bat life? where din po pwd mka order.. we’re from mindanao pa ksi.. iligan city to be specific.. hehe.. once again salamat po sa info… God Bless po sa inyo..
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 pm
@arvz, Hi ulit. Yung mga high capacity batteries, alam ko dito lang meron sa Manila eh. Pwede mabili dun sa Neo showroom sa SM Megamall Cyberzone. I’m not sure kung nagshi-ship sila sa Mindanao, pero kung tatanong siguro natin sa Neo (gamit yung customer care hotline/e-mail address nila sa web site), malalaman natin. 7K-8K Pesos yung batteries for up to 4-5hours of charge, tapos kung idedeliver sa place niyo may extra charges pa yun (di lalampas ng 300 siguro).
Hindi ko nga inasahan talaga na magagandahan ako dito sa Neo B2175. Akala ko mga 2 months later bibili na ako ng bago, at handa naman ako gawing “backup” laptop lang to. Kaso OK naman pala, at kayang kaya lahat ng ibato kong tasks. I recommend this to anyone na gustong makatipid. :)
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February 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
windows xp professional po pla ung o.s na gamit nya.. okay nmn yung speed.. mbilis po.. :)
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David Gonzales Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
@arvz, Kung sakaling iniisip nya i-try yung Vista, based on my experience kayang kaya ng laptop. Lalo na ung Windows 7, mas mabilis lalo kaysa Vista tapos maganda yung user interface. Good luck sa inyo ng friend mo sana hindi na kayo magkaron ng problems.
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February 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
thanx po! :)) hehe.. at least if she plans to buy one, lam na nia where.. thak you tlga… :)
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 pm
@arvz, You’re welcome!
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February 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 pm
hi. i bought a neo b2186n two weeks ago and i’m happy to say i’ve encountered no issues so far, except for its short battery life. hassle lang, you can’t bring it to your local starbucks and wifi surf. so pang bahay na lang sya, pag trip ni misis magsulat ng articles sa sala habang nanonood ng TV. pang games din pala. works well with nba 2008, madden nfl 2008, gta vice city.
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David Gonzales Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
@nelo, Yes. Your particular laptop model actually works better with games than mine. Regarding your issues with taking the laptop out to Starbucks, you can always also carry its wall charger with you and surf while the laptop is plugged in, since all Starbucks outlets have wall outlets for patrons.
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nelo Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
@David Gonzales, But your unit looks better! question po pala: when you’re plugged sa outlet, are you supposed to take the laptop battery out when it’s fully charged? is there such a thing as ‘overcharging’ among laptop batteries? just curious.
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
@nelo, Yeah, this is quite a looker. I leave my laptop plugged in to AC power for weeks at a time (I work from home) and I never turn it off. So far I’ve never had any problems. Taking the battery out is OK, as it preserves the “juice” inside the battery, but I’ve never done it myself. No, overcharging isn’t something to be afraid of.
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February 25th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
hi.. I am planning to buy the neo 2176n laptop..do you think that unit would do fine with little pix editing and sometimes video editing though I seldom edit videos..i am a teacher and most often i use a laptop for power point presentations,video viewing and computing grades. i also use my laptop for entertainment like watching movies and playing games although the games i play are’nt with those too much high resolution requirement.
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 6:20 am
@reygapasin, I’m sorry, do you mean the B2175N? There isn’t a B2176N model. Anyway, if you’re planning on getting the same model I have, as long as you use Windows XP as your OS, you won’t have to worry about having problems with photo/video editing or even gaming. This will handle these tasks just fine.
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March 3rd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Hi,
Nag-enjoy ako sa review mo. Very detailed.
I bought a Neo B2180N two days ago. Nasa Megamall Cyberzone kasi ako, thinking of buying another netbook (I already have an Eee PC) within the price range of 20k and below. Tapos, nakita ko itong Neo B2180N and na-attract ako sa specs nya. I got it for 19k and totally nakalimutan ko na yung first option ko (which is to buy a netbook).
So far I love this Neo laptop. I only have three gripes: 1)medyo malambot yung plastic, siguro nasanay lang ako kasi I have another lappie which is a Dell Latitude D630 eh magnesium alloy kasi ang body nun 2)magaspang yung surface ng laptop (keyboard area) 3) mabilis ma-drain yung battery
But overall, I love this laptop. Cheap but it gets the job done. I don’t really need a laptop with high computing power kasi I use my laptops naman generally for word processing lang since I’m a writer.
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
March 9th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
@MJ, Congrats on your purchase. You have to remember that you get what you pay for, kaya at 19k the plastic feel is something you’ll just have to live with. Sa battery life, basta plug-in mo lang sya sa wall outlet, ayos na. Getting one of these laptops (or similar) will always be better than getting a netbook any day as long as you don’t plan on taking it with you all the time. Thanks for sharing!
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March 9th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
hi i bought a neo 3185, me built-in webcam. can i use the webcam to take pics? Vista siya…thanx…….
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March 21st, 2009 at 6:31 pm
hi. . . sir can you tell me something about installing online games?
I have a B1275N, same as you got. Kasi last time io installed an online game (e.g. ragnarok) but it wont allow me to install.
Pls adviced what are the requirements of this laptop succesfully install the OL games.
Thanks
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
April 11th, 2009 at 10:11 am
@Cjay, I’ve downloaded a bunch of games and installed them without problems. Where are you trying to download the installer? Just go to the game’s web site, find the installer and install it as usual. If you’re still having problems, you might want to provide me with more details so I can try figure out what’s really wrong and help you out.
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April 11th, 2009 at 5:47 am
hi ask me lang if neo basic B2210 is a good one? i bought it last year and i read so many negative comments about neo, so i’m thinking of selling this for a lower price..
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
@ic, It’s got a C2D processor, and Intel graphics. On paper it’s better than my laptop. But if you’re not satisfied by it, there are plenty of other options for you in the market.
[Reply to this comment]
April 15th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
ano po b mgandang os pra sa neo b2170???
[Reply to this comment]
David Gonzales Reply:
April 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Windows XP or Windows 7.
[Reply to this comment]
April 30th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Neo laptop user here; Specs ko and model below
Neo Basic 2235
Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 2.0ghz
2gb hyundai ram
320gb fujitsu hard drive
Sis Mirage 3 graphics
wifi
lan
dial-up
walang bluetooth
1 expansion slot
3 usb ports
DVD drive
vga out
built-in card reader
pros
wala
cons
Very hot
Windows Vista basic = Super slow
Walang Aero
1 hour battery life at idle
expensive
Weak yung graphics.
Wala sa website yung laptop na to
Wala kwenta customer support.
Conclusion
Save 3-5k and get some other branded laptop from other manufacturers. inaasahan ko sana at least 2 hours.
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May 23rd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
hi im back, hehe… Juz wanna ask, how to clean the laptop? or kung ano mga dapat na gamitin para kahit papano mwala yung parang scratches and fingerprints?
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June 6th, 2009 at 6:48 am
san ba pwede mag download ng driver ng B2176N para sa xp & vista
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June 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm