Let’s take a look a Vantec’s new laptop station: the Piano 101. Piano? I am a veteran pianist, but what do speakers, fans, and ports have to do with a classical instrument? Perhaps the great sound? I dunno. Ponder the qualifications yourselves and see what you come up with. Even if the Piano 101 has nothing to do with a box shaped instrument with a keyboard, Vantec is onto something here……
Vantec Piano 101 Notebook Station Specifications
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The Piano 101 also comes in four different colors: white, black, red, and blue. Personally I think the red and blue look a little silly…. obviously from the pictures the one I have is white, and I like it the best because it doesn’t show any fingerprints.
Vantec was found 1994 and has concentrated itself on thermal solutions.
Founded in 1994, Vantec is recognized as one of the premier thermal solutions leaders. We are devoted to manufacturing and developing total PC solutions for every computer user, from mainstream to enthusiast. Utilizing our technical expertise and innovative designs, we are constantly expanding our product line to offer advanced computer peripheral to meet the personal and industrial needs of modern computer users. Our primary goal is to create viable solutions to satisfy the consumer’s needs. Offering complete and affordable ways to upgrade and maintain your personal computer, Vantec is a name you can trust for quality and reliability.
At Vantec, our mission is to produce the best thermal solutions on the market. Vantec produces quality products that help you keep your system cool. However, that is only the beginning. We produce two of the quietest power supplies on the market in our Stealth Power Supply and ION Power Supply. Our Multi-function Panel (NXP-101) and fan controllers (NXP-201 and NXP-205) give you a variety of options to monitor and control the temperature and noise of your computer. We also provide cold cathode lights in a myriad of colors, including UV, for you to light up your computer. And with our new Fan and Light controller (NXP-301 and NXP-305), you can control your fan speed and lights all with one convenient unit.
The Piano 101 looks snazzy. Its compact design is easily portable and completely genius, while maintaining a sleek and uncluttered look. The station itself is glossy and mostly made of plastic, but seems quite durable. The speakers fold right into the body, creating a nice, smooth rectangle. For some reason, the graphic designs on the speakers and station body are in a font that could easily be mistaken for gangsta lettering…. don’t know where Vantec was going with this, but it looks okay anyway.
The Piano 101 is also very lightweight, weighing in at around 3.08 pounds. Carrying it is no problem, as the box comes with a nifty handle. Also, because the Piano 101 is so compact, there are no weird edges to fit your arms around.
Now I don’t mean to insult any cavemen that may be reading this review, but setting up the station is super simple. All of the connecting inputs are located on the back of the station and are easy to find. Connect the two power cords, plug into a wall and into the station. DONE! If you want to hook up the audio, simply insert the included audio cable into the output on your laptop, and then into the input jack on the station. Any USB stuff? Same idea as the audio cable. Turn the system on and away you go! All you need is the three provided cables to get the station up and running, and even with all three connected, the station still looks clean and un-messy.
The notebook station features a USB Hub with 3 extra ports on the front. Considering my lame-o laptop has only one USB port, the additional three are quite useful.
Additionally, the Piano 101 boasts a nice cooling fan. For those of us who have finished using our laptops only to have some really attractive heat splotches left on our legs, the station is nice. Also, laptops tend to shut off after long hours of usage, leaving many of us with un-saved files really pissed. The fan, although small, does force enough air that it seems to be helpful to my laptop. The fan speed is also adjustable, and a flick of the switch will change the speed.
The fan is located in the center of the station, so most laptops will be able to suck that fresh air in without a problem. The fan is also very quiet; I had to check to make sure it was even on! At its top speed the fan is barely audible, unlike the annoying whirr of the fan I have in my desktop.
The biggest thing that the Piano 101 has to offer is the sound system. USB ports and cooling fan aside, the sound system is the money-getter here.
The satellite speakers flip up and rotate out, and then they can be pulled a few inches away from the body so the laptop has some space to sit inbetween. The subwoofer is located in the body of the station, and the front of the station features an on/off/volume switch, as well as a button for bass adjustment and an equalizer button. By pushing the equalizer button, the station changes between flat, pops, classic, jazz, and rock sound effects. By utilizing these sound effects while rockin’ out (or chillin’), your music takes on a more realistic sound.
The volume on the station can be turned up quite loud. However, I was disappointed to learn that the subwoofer is a little wimpy. When the bass line packs a punch, the subwoofer cowers. If the listener is okay with that, the overall sound is really quite impressive, and a large step up from stock notebook speakers.
The words “notebook station” implies that your laptop should be able to sit on top of it. Because of the extendable satellite speakers, most average sized laptops will fit nicely on the mount. My 15″ (I know, I’m out of the loop) notebook fit perfectly, but since many laptops are growing larger and skinnier, I fear that many laptops may not fair as well. Fifteen inches seemed to be exactly right, as there was no overhang and still room between the speakers. If I had a larger laptop, it would have been difficult for me to reach the knobs and USB ports on the front of the station.
I have only two gripes about Vantec’s Piano 101: usability and purpose. Readers might think to themselves, “the purpose is obvious; cooling, sound, and additional ports”. Yes, yes, I get it. However, many of us use our notebooks in places that the Piano would not be helpful. A few examples would be an airplane, school library, park, or a road trip.
Would you really haul the Piano around just for the cooling and USB ports when you really can’t use the sound features? Does the cooling fan make enough of a difference to justify the awkward position of having both the station and notebook sitting on one’s lap? Because the station and laptop do not lock in, any sudden movement could send both hurdling across the room. I’m not sure that the extra baggage is really worth it.
The station cannot be operated by batteries. This means wherever you take it you have got to have an outlet. This immediately eliminates all travel, and makes traveling abroad really a pain in the butt. Finding socket adapters for Europe is already a pain, do you really want to find one for your Piano? If the Piano 101 could be battery operated, perhaps it would make more sense to bring it along.
The Vantec Piano 101 is an interesting contraption, but not entirely useful. For a notebook at home, the station compliments a computer desk quite nicely and Vantec delivers what it advertises. With the addition of the speakers, USB ports, and cooling fan, the Piano 101 makes working at home on a notebook for long periods more tolerable.
Its sleek and original design is attractive to look at and gives the Piano 101 portable potential. But, its dependence on the power cord keeps the Piano 101 at home.
If you’re looking for bragging rights for a funky contraption or use your notebook exclusively as your only computer and MP3 player, the Vantec Piano 101 is for you. But for those of us who use our laptops minimally or for a different purpose, the Piano 101 leaves us looking for more mobility and functionality.
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2 Comment
do u know where can i buy as this product doesn't have in my country
Where can I buy this item and what is the price.Vantec's "Piano" notebook coolor with speakers