Thanks to a moderate weight of around three kilograms (incl. battery), the 410 x 278 x 56 mm notebook can also be transported reasonably well. A further plus is its high resistance to dirt, as the case is relatively impervious apart from the high-gloss display frame. The EasyNote LX86 also doesn't leave much room for criticism in terms of its finish; every part sits neatly in place. VGP-BPS9/S

But we couldn't give it such good marks for stability. VGP-BPS9 The upper side of the notebook gives noticeably both around the level of the touchpad and the level of the optical drive. The notebook lid doesn't fare much better; it is alarming how much it can be bent, and strong pressure leads, among other things, to image distortions. The hinges also aren't optimal. For one, the display wobbles noticeably when the resting surface is shaken, and for another, the chassis resonates heavily when opening. VGP-BPS9A/B

The connection equipment of the EasyNote LX86 corresponds 100% to that of the Acer Aspire 7745G. That's a shame as that means the user has to do without numerous connections. In addition to there being no ExpressCard slot, there also aren't any ports for Firewire and eSATA. VGP-BPS9A/S

Most of the interfaces available are housed on the left side. Here we find a VGA-corresponding HDMI port (microphone, headset, line-in), a USB 2.0 port and as a Kensington lock. Found on the front side is only a multi-in-1-card reader, while the rear remains completely free. VGP-BPS13A/B

The right side on the other hand is better kitted out with three additional USB 2.0 ports (a total of 4x USB 2.0). Rounding off are a RJ-45 Gigabit-Lan port and the power supply input. We consider the arrangement of the connections to be entirely unsuccessful. VGP-BPS13

Since most connection options sit far forward, available space to the side of the notebook suffers greatly when several cables are plugged in. Using a mouse can lead to problems.VGP-BPS13A/Q

There is nothing to fault about the wireless communication. With WLAN (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth (Version 3.0), all possibilities are open for the user.

Apart from that, the EasyNote LX86 also gets an integrated webcam with a resolution of 1.3 mega-pixels. But the highlight of the multimedia notebook is the optical drive, an honest-to-goodness Blu-Ray burner brings delight to both film-fans and users of large quantities of data. VGP-BPS13/B

Like most of the large manufacturers (Sony, Asus, Acer, Toshiba etc.), Packard Bell didn't exactly hold back on the software installations. Therefore in addition to numerous company programs, the deinstallation process also entails getting rid of a diverse mass of bloatware. VGP-BPS13B/B

Due to the annoying pop-up messages, a reduced operating speed and delayed booting routine, it is advisable to carry out a deinstallation of the associated software directly after start-up. VGP-BPS13B/Q

Packard Bell makes up some ground in terms of the the delivery contents. Though the manufacturer (as is typical by now) doesn't include any original data medium with the operating system (Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit), three blank DVDs do help in creating a recovery medium. VGP-BPS13A/S

A cleaning cloth and a Blu-Ray-disk with its own trailers also aren't typically a given. In order to enjoy Blu-Ray-films without additional at-cost software, the EasyNote LX86 also gets PowerDVD 9 from CyberLink. VGP-BPS13/Q

Packard Bell grants its customers a 24 month guarantee, and the Collect & Return service simplifies this process.

Those who write a great deal may not be too happy with the keyboard on the EasyNote LX86.VGP-BPS22 The typing feel turns out to be relatively spongy. Pressure points and stroke are not defined enough. Furthermore, the space between the keys (~2mm) could be larger, as we were often catching multiple keys in the practice test. This is compounded by poorly-contrasted marking as well as a slightly cheap-sounding typing noise, all of which further emphasizes the negative impression. VGP-BPS22A

Yet some aspects do in fact save the keyboard from a worse rating. The layout for instance is thoroughly successful and the dedicated numeric keypad helps when quickly putting in numbers. The size of the keys (16 x 16 mm), apart from the very thin arrow keys, is also decent. VGP-BPS13AS

As compensation for the mediocre keyboard, the user is offered an outstanding touchpad which just about sets new standards. For one thing, the deactivatable and exceptionally precise touchpad is perfectly dimensioned at 90 x 50 mm. For another, the pleasantly smooth surface provides it with good gliding characteristics, while its slight depression also guarantees a modicum of orientation. VGP-BPS13S

The rest of the touchpad's characteristics are also impressive: The scrolling function performs just as well as the multi-gesture-control. The crisply triggering keys, which are combined into a single bar, are the icing on the cake. The positioning is the only thing which may perhaps dissatisfy gamers, as there is always the risk of key errors. VGP-BPS13/S

The 17.3" display deserves to be described as standard-fare. A resolution of 1600x900 pixel offers a good compromise between resource demands and picture surface, meaning that working with two open windows side-by-side isn't a problem. Furthermore, an aspect ratio of 16:9 ensures that the typical film-bars are reduced; the EasyNote LX86 is a multimedia notebook after all. VGP-BPS13B/S

But, the picture quality of the Chi Mei N1703o6-L02 panel is far removed from that of front-runners like the Hannstar HSD173PUW1 (see for ex. Asus G73JW). Though the colors do make a powerful impression subjectively, the values we got in fact reveal several deficits. VGP-BPS21A/B

The high level of black of 1.0 cd/m² make darker areas seem grayish rather than deep black. While that is hardly noticeable in office use, it makes itself known in a negative way in films or games. The contrast is also anything but outstanding; a scant 217:1 is only partially masked by the high-gloss surface. The luminosity is on a good level thanks in no small part to the LED backlighting. With an average of 212.1 cd/m², the display's projection is adequately bright.y VGP-BPS21/B