LG R500 Review

The LG R500 is the new top-of-the-line notebook in the R-series from LG Electronics. The notebook offers a solid foundation for performance thanks to Intel Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa) processors, nVidia GeForce 8600m GS dedicated graphics and plenty of RAM and HDD storage space. Although LG officially advertises the R500 as a "business notebook" the R500 is also perfectly capable of serving as a full-featured consumer notebook or budget gaming notebook. Unfortunately for our readers in the US, the LG R500 only available outside the US at this time ... starting at about $1,899 in Canada or 1,499 euros.

Our LG R500 review unit features the following specifications:

• Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz)
• 15.4" Fine Bright WXGA TFT LCD
• nVidia Geforce 8600m GS 256MB
• 2GB DDR2 system RAM
• 160GB SATA HDD (5400rpm)
• DVD SuperMulti dual layer drive
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Wireless LAN: Intel 4965AGN
• Bluetooth
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 5-in-1 memory card reader
• 1GB Intel Turbo Memory
• 6-cell Li-Ion battery (2600mAh)
• 90W AC adapter
• Dimensions(WxDxH): 357mm x 260mm x 33-38mm
• Weight: 2.8 Kg (with battery)

Build and Design

The overall construction of the R500 is plastic but the notebook is remarkably solid and suffers from little or no flex even when significant force is applied. The design itself is very "traditional" in terms of overall shape but there are unique accents in terms of paint and refined edges. The LCD lid on the R500 does not have a latch to hold it closed, but the hinge mechanism works well and firmly holds the lid in place.