Packard Bell’s Valentino Rossi Dot VR46 Special Edition Netbook

Perhaps to compete with Acer’s Ferrari themed netbooks, Packard bell is due to release a special edition netbook in homage to Moto GP, Valentino Rossi. With a stunning lid design, it certainly looks the part with a striking sun and moon design which is apparently the same emblem which appears on the legend’s helmet. However, the question is, does the dot VR46 netbook have what it takes? Most importantly, is it worthy of the Valentino Rossi moniker?

Shipping with Windows 7 Home Premium as standard, the machine is equipped with not the typical Intel Atom CPU, but instead a ULV (ultra low voltage) Core2 Duo processor for that extra additional horsepower. With 2 GB of DDR2 as standard, it’s good to see a move away from under-performing 1 GB machines. Coming with all the usual Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / card reader functionality which you’d expect, it has to be said that it’s a powerful and well equipped piece of kit. With an 11.6″ display supporting 1366×768 HD, this is good news for movie fans and with the GMA 4500MHD on board graphics chip providing video, it’s a capable movie machine that can tackle HD movies without problem. The Packard Bell dot VR46 certainly looks good on paper, but a UK release date is yet to be confirmed.

Packard bell’s new offering is pleasing on paper and while we’re generally impressed, they have yet to announce a release date and the price leaves a little to be desired. While this netbook is certainly as powerful as it is stylish, Packard Bell’s price tag of £449 begs a little caution considering that HP, Dell and Acer will all be launching similar models that are equally as powerful in the near future.