In the top right corner of the notebook’s top panel there is a vertical column of rectangular buttons. These are a Power On/Off button (beautifully highlighted with a bright blue LED) and five quick-launch buttons:

• A button to launch the default Internet browser
• A button to launch the default e-mail client
• A button of the Power4 Gear+ power-saving modes. Three modes are available when the notebook is powered from the wall outlet, and seven more when it is working on the accumulator
• A button to block the touchpad to avoid accidental presses when you’re typing text
• A 3D button (when you use headphones, this button disables/enables the integrated speakers)

The Power-On and quick-launch buttons are larger and are located differently on the ASUS W2P00VB than on the ASUS W1J00Ga where these buttons are placed on the notebook’s right side.

There are two groups of indicators of the system’s status here. One group is placed on the left, next to a screen hinge, and consists of a hard disk drive activity LED, and Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock indicators. They are highlighted with the same bright blue like the Power On/Off button.

The second group is located at the center of the front panel, and this is very handy since the LEDs can be seen both when the notebook’s lid is opened or closed. These indicators shine though a decorative grid on the left in the ASUS W1J00Ga, their labels being on the top panel above them. This group consists of a power indicator (alight when the notebook is on), a battery charge indicator, an incoming mail indicator (alight when you’ve received new e-mail messages), a WLAN connection indicator (it lights up when the integrated adapter sends or receives data packets), and a Bluetooth connection indicator (it’s alight when this connection is activated).

The ASUS W2P00VB’s full-size keyboard is made of opaque black plastic; the letters are white, while the functional keys are marked with blue (press and hold [Fn] to use them). The block of arrow keys are separate from the main keyboard; the Page Up, Page Down, Home and End keys are a single vertical column on the right; a numeric pad and two Windows keys are available. The Insert, Delete, Print Screen and Pause keys are in the top row, next to the functional keys, and have a smaller size. The keyboard is overall handy and comfortable.

The touchpad with a conveniently rough surface has two main buttons instead of the mouse’s ones, but doesn’t have an additional scroll button (one gets used to such amenities soon).