Hannspree SN12-E22B: Our Budget Portability Favourite

Hannspree are an unknown in the notebook world — a consumer electronics manufacturer with relatively few models available. The notebook division of large Taiwan-based consumer device manufacturer HannStar Corp, their first ventures into the laptop world have been largely successful.

The SN12-E22B is a low-cost laptop, priced at just £469 and packing an impressive array of features for the price. Highly portable but relatively free of the ‘portability premium’ we’ve seen attached to other laptops, the Hannspree SN12-E22B is one of our favourite low-cost laptops in years.

With a slim case and solid build quality, the Hannspree SN12-E22B is both portable and reasonably strong. We’ve yet to test the case in high-risk situations, nor have we seen it survive under physical stress. However, judging by the system’s design, relatively rigid construction process, and limited number of failure points, this could be a laptop that lasts for several years without fault.

Power is reasonable, albeit slightly limited when compared with high-end laptops. An Intel Core 2 Duo processor provides usable power for programmers and office workers, while 2GB RAM keeps multiple programs easily manageable and slowdown at a minimum. While nothing next to high-end personal computers, the SN12-E22B certainly holds its own for basic computing.

Unfortunately, it’s a lack of graphical processing power that stops the SN12-E22B from becoming this generation’s go-to budget gaming platform. The system relies on an internal graphics card for video and 3D rendering, slowing performance and limiting compatibility with all but the most basic titles. Multimedia use is acceptable, albeit slightly choppy during high definition video.

Alongside the laptop’s impressive build quality is a keyboard that, quite unfortunately, lets this notebook down. Hannspree have eschewed the popular Macbook-style isolated keyboard layout, instead choosing to use a standard keyboard which is fixed in the middle. Key inputs are clumsy and difficult, while the keyboard’s annoying construction style makes entry slightly soft.

It’s much the same on the touchpad front. Hannspree are a fairly new laptop manufacturer, and in many ways it shows. Control is slightly finicky and precision is limited, with the touchpad proving difficult to use for gamers and power users. The mouse buttons are acceptable, although we’ve certainly grown more comfortable with the ‘invisible button’ style used by HP and Apple.

Application fans are in for a mixed bag. Hannspree have decided not to include an optical drive in the SN12-E22B, aiming to save space and maximize battery life in the process. It’s a non issue for power users and techies, although we can’t help but feel it will be missed; due to its low price, the SN12-E22B seems more likely to attract an audience with little use for online installers.

All in all, the SN12-E22B is certainly a worthwhile purchase. If you can live without an optical drive, work on a slightly uncomfortable keyboard, and get by without playing games, it could even be a great choice. For students, digital workers, and technology enthusiasts with a limited budget, this is the compact notebook to choose.