@Xi
Computer has a well-deserved reputation for producing speedy
workstation systems for the CAD and engineering markets. Xi
has been working for some time to produce a mobile
workstation that meets its performance expectations. The
result of those efforts is the newly released @Xi PowerGo
2Duo, the fastest mobile workstation to ever come through
Cadalyst Labs.
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@Xi PowerGo 2Duo |
Pros: Very fast mobile system;
excellent performance; many nice extras.
Cons: None significant.
Price: $3,698
@Xi Computer
800.432.0486
www.xicomputer.com
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Based on an Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 dual-core processor, the
PowerGo 2Duo that Cadalyst evaluated included 2GB of
DDR2/667MHz RAM. Graphics were accommodated by an NVIDIA
Quadro FX2500M with 512MB of memory. The @Xi PowerGo 2Duo
features a 17" display with a native WUXGA resolution of
1900x1200.
The PowerGo 2Duo is slightly larger and heavier but still
comparable to other systems that fall into the mobile
workstation category. The system measures 15.6" x 1.8" x
11.5" (W x H x D) and weighs 8.3lbs with the rechargeable
lithium ion battery installed.
The new @Xi PowerGo 2Duo is based on an Intel
Core 2 Duo T7600 processor running at 2.33GHz --
and it is fast.
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The mobile workstation offers extensive connectivity
options and includes a built-in video camera and microphone.
Accessories for the PowerGo 2Duo include a TV tuner with
remote control and an external mouse and keyboard, none of
which were included with the review system that Cadalyst
received.
When I got the @Xi PowerGo 2Duo on the test bench, I
installed all the application and benchmark software on the
system, set the screen resolution to Cadalyst's
standard 1280x1024 and ran the benchmark test suite. Using
AutoCAD 2005 with Service Pack 1 installed, we performed the
Cadalyst C2006 benchmark and generated a speedy C2006
total index score of 178.
Next, I ran the MAXBench4 benchmark on Autodesk 3ds Max 8
with Service Pack 3 installed. (Although 3ds Max 9 has been
released, I'm not yet using it for the benchmark tests.)
Tests were done with both the default WHQL-certified video
driver v.8.4.7.8 and with the MAXtreme 8.00.03 accelerated
driver for 3ds Max, in the most current version that
supports OpenGL. After averaging the high and low frame
rates for the MAXBench4 tests, I was able to generate a
score of 94.14 with the default video driver and 145.62 with
the MAXtreme driver.
The final benchmark is the ProE-04 viewset of
SPEC ViewPerf
9.03, which produced a weighted geometric mean score of
36.48. These scores for the @Xi PowerGo 2Duo are the fastest
scores ever produced by a mobile workstation in Cadalyst
Labs, making it the system to catch.
I also tested the life of the lithium ion battery with
two different tests: a simple rundown test with the PowerGo
2Duo in idle and another test with the Cadalyst C2006
benchmark running in a continuous loop. After turning off
polling services such as the wireless network and Bluetooth,
the idle test depleted the battery charge in 1 hour, 40
minutes. Once fully recharged, I ran the continuous loop
test for 1 hour, 20 minutes before the charge was depleted.
These timings are good for a mobile workstation, and the
recharging time was relatively brief.
Priced at $3,698, the PowerGo 2Duo's warranty coverage is
three years for parts and labor and one year of onsite
service. With its attractive design, excellent display and
high performance, the @Xi PowerGo 2Duo is an impressive
system. Highly Recommended
