Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Hardware

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

By Mark W. Kaelin October 15, 2007, 6:34 AM PDT

Image
1
of 19

0099_THumb_IMG_1206.JPG
0099_THumb_IMG_1206.JPG
Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Alienware m970 notebook

Alienware m970 notebook

The NoteMagix C90 Ultra Notebook from Velocity Micro is a compact yet powerful notebook computer designed for gaming while on the move. In many ways the NoteMagix C90 Ultra is comparable to the Alienware m9750 notebook we looked at a reviewed earlier, but the C90 sells for hundreds of dollars less.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Velocity Micro

Velocity Micro

Velocity Micro has been around for a long time, at least in terms of online computer retailers. But this is the first product I have tried from this company.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Careful packing

Careful packing

The notebook is packed to reduce the possibility of damage, which is always a good idea.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Two pieces

Two pieces

One thing about a notebook you notice when you have to unpack things as often as I do — there is not much to it.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Premium swag

Premium swag

Custom PC retailers like to pack goodies in with their products. Our C90 Ultra came with a T-shirt and a plastic folder with our documentation.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Shiny cover

Shiny cover

Retailers are big on glossy black these days. The glossy always looks great out of the box, but it doesn’t take long for the fingerprints to accumulate.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

The lid

The lid

The lid on the C90 Ultra has no clasps. The top just opens without any buttons to push. I often complain about how difficult it can be to open a notebook in tight spaces when there is a clasp — never realized someone was listening.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Turbo Engine

Turbo Engine

The C90 Ultra from Velocity Micro has a large appendage on the back labeled Turbo Engine. When we crack the notebook open you’ll see what is inside.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

USB Ports

USB Ports

The C90 Ultra has ports and connections galore. There are two USB connections located on the back.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Plugs and plugs

Plugs and plugs

The left hand side of this notebook has a plethora of connections.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Booting

Booting

The C90 Ultra ships with Windows Vista.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Inside at last

Inside at last

The general layout of the C90 Ultra screams efficiency and heat disposition.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Corsair RAM

Corsair RAM

Our test unit contained 2GB of Corsair RAM. I believe 2GB should be the standard amount of RAM for any PC running Windows Vista.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

RAM up close

RAM up close

Corsair makes some of the best RAM around — Velocity Micro made a good choice here.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

It's hot in there

It's hot in there

Both the GPU and CPU generate plenty of heat which is drawn off by the copper to the radiator fins.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Radiator

Radiator

The fins draw away the heat and dissipate it outside the case.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Fans

Fans

The dissipation of heat is accelerated as necessary by this bank of four fans. Remember the Turbo Engine from before — well this is what that appendage contained.

These fans kick in as needed, so when you push the notebook hard the noise can be a little distracting.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

Heat exchange

Heat exchange

As you can imagine, when the fans are all cranking, the heat pulled out of the notebook is quite noticeable. However, in a stroke of design genius, the C90 Ultra’s Turbo Engine throws most of the heat out the back and away from your lap. I was able to set this notebook on my lap and use it comfortably even though the fans were all on.

Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

C90 Ultra

C90 Ultra

According to the manual for the Asus C90S, you can easily upgrade the RAM, CPU and GPU. Of course, our test unit arrived pretty much maxed out already.

The Velocity Micro C90 Ultra is a fine notebook computer for not only gaming but for almost any other PC activity. It is an excellent choice for a general purpose PC notebook. Velocity Micro is selling the basic version for $1495, but you can get one similar to our test unit for a little over $1700. That’s a lot of bang for the buck.

  • Hardware
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook

    Your email has been sent

Share: Cracking open the NoteMagix C90 Ultra notebook
Image of Mark W. Kaelin
By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net,
  • Account Information

    Contact Mark W. Kaelin

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Mark W.'s content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Checklist: Network and systems security

    Cybersecurity demands and the stakes of failing to properly secure systems and networks are high. While every organization’s specific security needs form a unique and complex blend of interconnected requirements, numerous security fundamentals almost always apply to each of these groups. It stands to reason that cybersecurity pros who effectively identify network and systems risks ...

    Published:  June 1, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 2, 2023, 7:48 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    How to host multiple websites on Linux with Apache

    In this guide from TechRepublic Premium we’re going to explore the various things you can do with a Linux server. We won’t leave out any steps, so you won’t have to refer to another tutorial to complete the process. The only step we will leave out is the installation of Linux, as we’ll assume you ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 31, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 1, 2023, 7:45 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    How to deploy an application with Kubernetes

    If you want to deploy applications into a Kubernetes cluster, be warned — it’s not the easiest task. There are a lot of moving pieces that go into these scalable containers. Don’t you wish you had a complete roadmap, from start to finish, to walk you through the process of deploying the Kubernetes cluster, deploying ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 31, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 1, 2023, 7:51 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Cross-training tool kit

    The more flexibility you can create in your technology workforce, the better you’ll be equipped to manage tomorrow, whatever the future brings. Too often, we focus on helping our teams become technical specialists who know volumes about a single technology, but quickly lose sight of how that technology connects with others. This makes their skills ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 30, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  May 31, 2023, 4:50 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice