HOT WARE

ASUS M70Sa-X2

2008-09-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300
Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 8.7 lb
Screen Size: 17 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Storage Capacity: 1000 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: DVD+R DL

Traditionally, desktop-replacement laptops get little respect: They're often dissed as being overweight, unattractive, and pricey. Lucky for them, things are turning around. Thanks to the proliferation of high-definition screens and multiple hard drives, together with the decline in desktop computer sales, it's the perfect time for a comeback. The ASUS M70Sa-X2 isn't shy about being a plus-size 17-inch laptop. In fact, it makes the most of the extra room by including a terabyte's worth of storage and a Blu-ray burner. In addition, its performance scores rival those of big names like Dell, HP, and Toshiba. Factor in an inexpensive price tag and you have one sweet system.

There's no hiding the fact that the M70Sa-X2 is big. It's not going to win any design awards, but it's not trying to outstyle, say, the Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (Core 2 Duo T7700), either. At 8.7 pounds, this behemoth is 2 pounds heavier than the Apple. Even the Toshiba Satellite P305-S8825, which looks just as clunky, is significantly lighter, at 7.5 pounds. Keep in mind, though, that the M70Sa-X2's extra bulk goes toward accommodating two whopping 500GB hard drives. Both the Apple and the Toshiba house only single hard drives.

The M70Sa-X2's cover uses inlaid patterns similar to Toshiba's Fusion design, in which linear patterns are topped off by a layer of gloss. The 17-inch widescreen is spectacular. It, along with the Gateway P-7811FX, is among the few systems that offer a 1,920-by-1,200 resolution in this price range. Granted, it's not as awe-inspiring as the 18.4-inch screen on the Acer Aspire 8920G, but it's still classified as 1080p. The 8920G, on the other hand, exemplifies the latest trend in screen sizes with the 16:9 form factor; hence its resolution is 1,920-by-1,080. The dimensions of the M70Sa-X2 are large enough to accommodate a numeric keypad next to a very nice, full-size keyboard.

The feature set and the bargain-basement price will blow you away. It's the only 17-inch laptop that really advertises (in the form of a sticker) a terabyte's worth of storage. Complementing the 1080p screen is a Blu-ray burner that burns BD-REs and DVDs, as well as plays back Blu-ray and SD movies. A BD-ROM, however, would have been a better fit and could have dropped the price even further—hardly anyone is burning Blu-ray discs, as the media is expensive.

The nearly endless offering of A/V ports is a boon for home-theater heads and aspiring video editors. An HDMI port outputs your Blu-ray experience to a larger display, while an eSATA port expands your storage capacity with an external drive—not that you need it. In the back of the system is an audio/video-in port for attaching an included dongle that has RCA jacks and an S-Video-in port. The internal TV tuner, like the one on the HP Pavilion dv5t, receives over-the-air high-definition programming. Of course, the FireWire and four USB ports also come in handy.

The M70Sa-X2 doesn't use the latest Intel Centrino 2 parts (this hints at a refresh coming soon); but what it does come with is more than enough to keep you happily computing. With its combination of a 2.5-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor and 4GB of memory, the M70Sa-X2's score on the SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall test exceeded that of the Acer 8920G by 5 percent. That's not a big difference, but keep in mind that the M70Sa-X2 has a lower-clocked processor. Reality sets in, however, on more processor-intensive tests. Its video-encoding (1 minute 14 seconds) and CineBench R10 (5,142) scores were faster than those of the Toshiba P305-S8825 but slower than the Acer's.

The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 is a good graphics card whose most impressive feature is its 1GB of video memory. In the end, however, performance comes down more to the actual graphics chipset than to the video memory it loads. Gaming scores were middle of the road, with the Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (Core 2 Duo T7700) and the Acer 8920G coming out on top. Battery life, to put it mildly, is awful, which, coming from a huge laptop like this, is expected. At least ASUS went the distance by putting in a big battery, whereas others would have just given up and put in a six-cell one. The M70Sa-X2's score of 2 hours 6 minutes, however, did beat those of the Acer 8920G and the Toshiba P305-S8825.

So what's the downside? The ASUS M70Sa-X2 is hard to track down in stores. Your best bet is to search sites like newegg.com. If you come across one, you'll know that you've got yourself a fantastic system. With all the features and performance you get, the price is simply too sweet to pass up. You have every A/V feature imaginable and a terabyte's worth of storage—unheard of at this price. I would have given it an even higher rating if it were more readily available in online or retail stores. Poor distribution, unfortunately, has always been a problem with ASUS laptops.

Gateway P-7811FX

2008-08-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Price as Tested: $1,499.00 Direct
Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 8.8 lb
Screen Size: 17 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Storage Capacity: 200 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

When Gateway announced the end of its online and phone sales, many people proclaimed it the end of an era. Well, Gateway is kicking off a new era with its first retail-only PC, the P-7811FX ($1,399 list), available, right now, only at Best Buy. This hulking laptop offers a home-theater-quality 17-inch widescreen along with decent gaming capabilities at a competitive price. In addition, the notebook debuts with the latest Centrino 2 processor, making it an all-around solid system.

The first thing I noticed when I sat down in front of the P-7811FX was its impressive 17-inch screen. The laptop offers a 1,920-by-1,200-resolution picture, which, in home-theater terms, means it can display 1080p content. Few systems are able to match that at this price point (the ASUS M70Sa-X2 is a notable exception). For a laptop of this size and with such a gorgeous display, it seems a shame not to offer a Blu-ray drive. I know: Adding Blu-ray would drive up the price, but I was left wanting more than the included dual-layer DVD burner.

Outwardly, the P-7811 is identical to its gaming predecessor in the FX line, the P-171XL. Both systems feature the same understated aesthetic, complete with copper-colored trimmings around the keyboard, polished black exterior, and large FX logo. While this may seem a bit demure for a system like the P-171XL FX (whereas the norm for other high-powered gaming systems is flashy effects, like coordinated LED lighting), it seems to be a better fit for this mainstream laptop. The P-7811 FX takes advantage of its size and incorporates a numeric keypad, as well as one-touch multimedia buttons between the speakers. Unfortunately, it has also inherited the P-171XL FX's springy keyboard and loud mouse buttons.

Because the P-7811FX is a desktop replacement with a 17-inch screen, one would expect a heavy notebook, yet its solid 8.8-pound weight is still surprising. Competitors like our Editors' Choice–winning Acer Aspire 6920G-6071 and the Toshiba Satellite P305-S8825 both weigh less than 8 pounds. Others, like the aforementioned ASUS M70Sa-X2, are comparable in weight but include two hard drives. Needless to say, this isn't a system you'd want to lug far.

In addition to the HDMI port, the P-7811FX includes three USB ports, an eSATA port, a five-in-one card reader (MMC, MS, MS Pro, SD, xD), a 1.3-megapixel webcam, and a fingerprint reader. The feature set doesn't look particularly impressive when compared with the less-expensive Toshiba P305-S8825, which comes with four USB ports, plus FireWire and S-Video-out ports. However, Gateway did focus on performance by choosing a 200GB hard drive that spins at 7,200 rpm, as opposed to Toshiba's larger drive, which spins at only 5,400 rpm.

The P-7811FX's 64-bit Vista operating system could be an issue for some, particularly if you're hoping to load older programs and legacy devices that may have compatibility issues. In general, we recommend doing some research before you pick up a 64-bit system to make sure that your old programs and hardware are compatible. (With hardware, check the manufacturer's site for a 64-bit driver if your Vista 64-bit OS is not recognizing the device. It will be more of a crapshoot with software, but often vendor Web sites will note compatibility problems.) Frequently updated programs like iTunes will probably run without a problem. As 64-bit technology becomes more common, compatibility will be less of an dilemma.

For now, though, the 64-bit OS was an issue in our testing. Neither SYSmark nor MobileMark tests would run, and even though, according to Microsoft, World in Conflict is 64-bit-ready, the game experienced color shifts severe enough that you couldn't read anything on the screen. That may be due to a graphics driver that needs updating. Crysis did run, but we still weren't able to generate performance scores.

At 35 seconds, the P-7811FX's Photoshop score was second only to the 32 seconds that the Acer Aspire 8920G clocked in at. You won't see the benefits of the system's extra memory in the Photoshop scores, but its 64-bit OS means that you can fully utilize all 4GB of DDR3 RAM (and beyond, with an upgrade, given Centrino 2's support of up to 8GB of memory). The P-7811FX was impressive on 3Dmark06, thanks to its top-of-the-line nVidia GeForce 9800M GTS graphics card.

Gateway had to make some tough choices to get the P-7811FX's price down to $1,399, but it made the right ones. The Centrino 2 processor, HDMI port, 4GB DDR3 RAM, and the 17-inch display come together nicely to create a solid notebook package. If you can suffer through the heavy weight and 64-bit incompatibilities, the price point makes this a compelling system to consider.

Fujitsu LifeBook T5010

2008-08-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Price as Tested: $1,869.00
DirectType: Media, Tablet, Business, Small Business
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
RAM: 1 GBWeight: 4.8 lb
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Screen Size Type:
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 80 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Only a handful of convertible tablets are worthy of being called complete. Tablet makers typically make sacrifices to manage the weight, like ditching the optical drive, opting for a smaller screen, or including a low-powered processor. In doing so, manufacturers tend to hamper an important part of the convertible—the laptop part. Fujitsu, however, didn't skimp in outfitting the LifeBook T5010 ($1,869 direct). In addition to a 13-inch widescreen and an integrated optical drive, it's equipped with the latest Intel Centrino 2 parts.

The T5010 straddles the line between portable and "maybe I should leave this at home," but a lot can be forgiven when you put in a 13.3-inch widescreen and an optical drive. At 4.8 pounds, it weighs the same as its predecessor, the LifeBook T4210, which has a smaller 12-inch screen. Not everyone needs an optical drive, which is why Fujitsu offers the LifeBook T2010—you can lose over a pound by eliminating the extra spindle. The "heaviest tablet"award belongs to the 5.1-pound HP Pavilion tx2000z. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet is better suited for those who spend more than 25 percent of their time on the road during the year. With an extended battery (but no optical drive), it weighs 4.4 pounds.

System weights aside, you'll find that the T5010 makes for a terrific mainstream laptop. In keeping up with the times, Toshiba has moved from a 12-inch standard screen to a 13.3-inch widescreen. The 1,280-by-800 resolution is standard for this size, yet the bright display allows for editing home videos and photos and watching the occasional movie. But the keyboard, though full size, isn't at all resistant, and the mouse buttons click a little too loudly. The Lenovo tablets still lead the pack in comfort with their superb keyboards and a superior navigating experience.

The T5010 is the result of generations of improvements in writing capabilities. Its digitizer experience and the pen-on-paper feel are nothing short of impressive. When you pair Wacom's digitizer technology with the tablet functions of Windows Vista Business, the results are generally positive. This is also the case with the Toshiba M700-S7002 and the Lenovo X61 Tablet. The hinge that allows the screen to rotate feels rock solid, although the locking mechanism that keeps the screen in its place seems to be flimsier than that on the Toshiba and the Lenovo. Moving to a widescreen format enables longer portrait views, so vertical scrolling is minimized. An orientation button, arrow keys, and an Enter key can be found on the screen itself, along with a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a fingerprint reader.

A rare find on tablets, the built-in dual-layer DVD burner is one reason why many tablet shoppers will consider buying the T5010. Recognizing that an optical drive adds to the weight, Fujitsu had made the drive modular: You can replace it with a weight-saving piece of plastic or pop in an extra battery. The other features are geared more towards business users. The T5010 has a PC Card slot, unusual as many laptops today come with ExpressCard slots instead. It also has a SmartCard reader, which works in concert with the built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The Fujitsu's 80GB hard drive seems insubstantial when the Toshiba M700-S7002 comes standard with 160GB, but you can upgrade to a 250GB drive for $190. Rounding out the features are three USB ports, a FireWire port, and a four-in-one card reader (SD, xD, MS, MS Pro).

The T5010 is the first tablet I've seen to use Intel's new Centrino 2 platform. Fujitsu has moved away from the T-series processors, even though those processors held a performance edge, in favor of the more energy-efficient, 2.26-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor. The P8400 runs cooler because it's a standard-voltage processor, which operates at 25 watts, unlike the T-series processors, which run at 34W. Intel's platform also now supports DDR3 memory, and the T5010 has 2GB worth of it.

Although it didn't quite measure up to the others on SYSmark 2007 tests, it exceeded our expectations in other areas. It was dominant in video encoding, its score besting the Toshiba M700 and the HP tx2000z by 20 percent and 29 percent, respectively. Its CineBench score of 4,296 and a Photoshop CS3 score of 33 seconds were tops among this group, too. (Keep in mind that both the Toshiba and Lenovo tablets have yet to move to the Centrino 2 platform, and the HP tx2000z uses AMD parts.) The battery life score was a little disappointing: Despite a more energy-efficient core, the system managed only 3 hours 7 minutes, less than expected. The small (56-Wh) battery is likely the culprit.

The Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 is the first tablet to get a Centrino 2 makeover. The company's line of convertible tablets has withstood the test of time. The inclusion of an internal optical drive and speedy parts has been Fujitsu's long-standing tradition and will continue to garner Fujitsu a loyal following among tablet users. This time around, however, make sure you buy the modular battery

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400

2008-08-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Type: General Purpose, Business, Small Business
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 6 lb
Screen Size: 14.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 9300 M GS
Storage Capacity: 160 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n Business
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

The Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 incorporates the ThinkPad keyboard, TrackPoint pointing stick, touchpad, and another set of mouse buttons to provide dual pointing devices. With keyboard and navigation components that are the best in the industry, typing and navigating on a ThinkPad is an experience like no other. There are also physical volume buttons to the left of the keyboard. Though it doesn't say "ThinkVantage," a nameless blue button launches lenovo. Dell 1310 and the Toshiba U400 also offer this type of flexibility. Care—a suite of proprietary applications that you can use to manage power settings, wireless connections, and maintenance. (lenovo Care is a subset of the ThinkVantage suite that's been carried over from the 3000 line). Some might consider this suite bloatware, so lenovo offers the option of leaving this sort of management software and third-party applications off when configuring an "SL" ThinkPad.

Although the Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 succeeds in retaining many of the ThinkPad qualities, lenovo does several things to differentiate it, such as a glossy black top. 'The styling not meant to be cutting-edge—in fact, it's similar to what Dell did with the Vostro 1310, which was to find the line between conservative and chic and hang on to it for dear life. To keep production costs down, the Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 is part plastic, part magnesium alloy, so it's not as sturdy as, say, the lenovo ThinkPad X200 and ThinkPad T61 Widescreen. Even more impressive is the energy efficiency that this processor brings to the table.

The Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 not only produced blazing speeds, it also achieved 4 hours 38 minutes of battery life on MobileMark 2007. Though this battery score doesn't sound as impressive as the X200's 6-hour one, keep in mind that the Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 is running a discrete graphics card—the nVidia GeForce 9300M GS, which eats up more battery resources than the X200's integrated set. Over 4 hours of battery life on a laptop that runs a good graphics card is very impressive. The nVidia card is there not so much for 3D gaming, but for enhancing 3D environments like Windows Vista Business and supporting high-definition video playback.

The predictable demise of lenovo's small-business notebook line—the 3000 series—happened with little or no notice. The gap between the enterprise ThinkPads and the 3000 series was simply too wide for any small-business user to bridge. Yet that ending allowed a new line of lenovo small-business laptops to emerge. The Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 ($1,129 direct) looks as if it's from the same gene pool as its enterprise brothers, and it inherits many of the classic ThinkPad design features, such as the signature keyboard and TrackPoint pointing stick. No slouch, the Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 blazes the performance trails with a variety of processing options.

Velocity Micro NoteMagix C90 Ultra Campus Edition

2008-08-08T23:43:00.000-07:00

Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo E4700
Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 6.9 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600M GT
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

The art of customizing, configuring, and branding a PC is not an easy task. Boutique vendors like Alienware and Voodoo PC have made a name for themselves by putting together high-end, specialty PCs. A byproduct of their success is that they were acquired by larger companies (Dell HP, respectively). Independently owned velocity Micro is another recognizable name in custom building, one known to attract power users and big spenders. Occasionally, though, the company comes out with a bargain aimed at students; one of these is the Velocity Micro NoteMagix C90 Ultra Campus Edition

Velocity Micro NoteMagix C90 Ultra Campus Edition ($999 direct), a desktop-replacement laptop. This tongue twister runs an actual desktop processor, a speedy nVidia graphics card, and a built-in TV tuner. Despite doing all of this for under a grand, the C90 doesn't outperform many of the current laptop models, and its battery life is appalling. Battery life was the biggest disappointment. Despite the drastic cooling measures, the 53-Wh battery was simply no match for the scorching heat coming from the processor. A battery score of 1 hour 30 minutes is not enough for a 15-inch laptop. Making matters worse is a temperature reading of 115 degrees Fahrenheit at the system's base, which is too warm for any kind of lap work.

The 15.4-inch widescreen sports a 1,680-by-1,050 resolution, higher than that of both the Dell 15 and the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845. The result is a noticeably better movie, photo, and video experience. The Acer Aspire 6920G-6071's 16-inch widescreen, however, gives you more physical screen space for your money. The C90 Ultra's keyboard looks generic and is not as well built as the keyboards on the Dell 15 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510. The C90 Ultra runs an nVidia GeForce 8600M GT mobile graphics card, the same card as the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn), so it was able to generate very good scores on our 3D benchmark tests. Its 3DMark 06 scores were on a par with those of both the Dell 15 and the Acer 6920G

The one feature that stands out is the built-in ATSC TV tuner, which is similar to that on the HP dv5t. Once you connect the external antenna, you can pick up free, over-the-air high-definition channels, provided you're close enough to a TV station or tower. You can also find an HDMI-out port for external display hookups, and a five-in-one card reader. An eSATA port is present for external storage solutions, even though the included 250GB hard drive is probably big enough for all your media files. It comes with a dual-layer DVD burner, which is overshadowed by the BD-ROM (Blu-ray drive) that the Acer 6920G offers at a lower price point.

Running an actual desktop processor on a laptop sounds impressive on paper, but the 2.6-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E4700 is based on a 65nm core, not a 45nm core like the latest Intel Penryn ones. Although its SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall score of 110 is admirable, the Dell 15 beats that number by 10 percent. The ASUS M50Sa-A1 and the Toshiba A305 also achieved better SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall performance scores. The system did better on video-encoding tests, however, achieving a score of 1 minute 9 seconds, but it still trails the Dell 15 by 3 seconds

HP Pavilion dv5t

2008-08-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 6.3 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600M GT
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

After nearly two years of sticking with the same design, hp is making several moves to spice up its Pavilion line. The hp Pavilion dv5t ($1,525 list) is part of a large group of hp consumer laptops (all the Pavilion ones, as well as the Compaq Presario laptops) to receive an interior chrome treatment. If in these new models the convergence between a laptop and a home-theater experience isn't otherwise apparent, its new "frameless" widescreen and built-in TV tuner should drive that point home. And now that Intel has finally launched its newest Centrino 2 platform, the dv5t is one of the first to get a complete performance tune-up.

For all the laptops that took out their built-in TV tuners, like the Toshiba Qosmio G45, Many peoples happy to see hp headed in the opposite direction. Instead of the lame ExpressCard TV tuners that hp used to offer, all the newest Pavilions, including the dv5t, will have an option for an integrated ATSC (HD) tuner. You'll have to attach a separate coaxial dongle and antenna, but these had no problems receiving over-the-air, high-definition channels at my Manhattan location. As part of the new Centrino 2 platform, code-named Montevina, the dv5t runs one of the newest Penryn processors. The 2.53-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 has support for the new 1,066-MHz front-side bus (FSB) and can also be found on the Sony VAIO VGN-FW198UH.

The dv5t's SYSmark Overall score lagged behind the VAIO's by 4 percent. The Sony has 4GB of memory, compared with the dv5t's 2GB, which could account for the slight difference. But in general, the dv5t's SYSmark scores surpassed those of the Dell Studio 15 and the Apple 15-inch (Penryn), both of which had earlier Penryn models. The "frameless" part of the 15.4-inch widescreen is a glossy treatment extending past the viewing area and into the black edges, creating a unified look. hp introduced this idea in the hp 2133 Mini-Note PC, while Lenovo perfected it in the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510, complete with a drop-down hinge. As always, hp offers several options for screen resolution. In this configuration, the 1,680-by-1,050-pixel screen really made videos and photos pop. The touch-sensitive keys—a volume bar, a mute button, and DVD playback controls—are backed by LEDs and add to the cinematic appeal. The Altec Lansing speakers sounded very good, although hp should consider matching the five-speaker system (with subwoofer) on the Lenovo Y510..

Lenovo ThinkPad X200

2008-08-04T12:25:00.001-07:00

Type: Ultraportable, Business, Small Business
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 3.7 lb
Screen Size: 12.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 160 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: External

The Lenovo ThinkPad X300, introduced last February, is easily lenovo's greatest gem. But though it's as close to an impossible act to follow as an ultraportable can get, it has one major flaw—it costs $3,000! This was done, presumably, to give its other X-Series siblings such as the ThinkPad X200 ($1,199, direct) room to flourish. The X200 isn't likely to trump the X300 anytime soon, but it does have several things that make it a terrific business ultraportable. It's one of the first laptops to receive Intel's latest Centrino 2 platform (codenamed Montevina), including a powerful 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor that has a very favorable affect on battery life. Furthermore, every wireless technology imaginable is at your disposal, and your savings account won't take nearly as big a hit as with the X300.

The X200 is a faster machine than both the X300 and the X61. In fact, for now it's the fastest lenovo ultraportable. That's not to say that the X300 won't get a similar speed treatment. As a Centrino 2 baby, the X200 runs one the newest Intel "Penryn" cores, which has support for the 1,066MHz Front Side Bus (FSB). The 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 not only has a very low thermal rating (25W), but it's a standard-voltage processor as well. This means that it runs at full speed without overburdening your battery. In contrast, the T-series processors found on the HP Pavilion dv5t and the Sony VAIO VGN-FW198UH are better performers, but they'll tax their batteries more than the P8600.

The X200's SYSMark 2007 Preview Overall score bested that of the Sony SZ791N by 17% and of the lenovo X300 by 41%. A 7,200rpm hard drive and 2GB of RAM helped its cause, but the processor and the new platform were the driving forces behind the superb performance numbers. It starts with internal WWAN connectivity, with your choice of AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. The upgrade prices for an AT&T and a Verizon cellular modem are $80 and $130, respectively, although service plans are still on the pricey side. Because it's one of the first Centrino 2 laptops, the X200 runs the new Wi-Fi Link 5300 chipset. The 5300 is the higher-end version of two Centrino 2 Wi-Fi chips (the other being the 5100), sporting a larger antenna array and greater range than the previous Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN chipset. Don't worry—Centrino 2 Wi-Fi is compatible with your current routers. Like the X300, you also have options for GPS (although you'll need to have WWAN as well, since it's on the same card), UWB (wireless USB), Bluetooth 2.0, and support for WiMax. No other ultraportable has such a wide range of wireless connectivity options.

Alienware Area-51 m15x

2008-07-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

Type: Gaming, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo X9000
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 7.8 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8800M GTX
Storage Capacity: 200 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Alienware had taken a toned-down approach earlier, with its Area-51 m9750. For that system, the company opted to go with a rubber-like body reminiscent of Batman's suit of armor instead of the wildly colored designs it usually offers. It was this slick subtlety that helped the machine achieve an Editors' Choice back then, and now the Area-51 m15x follows some of the same winning principles. Rather than cover the frame with over-the-top paint jobs or fancy graphic splashes, Alienware has given the m15x a simple sophistication. The frame is reminiscent of a perfectly appointed briefcase, minus the handle and any distracting curves. Meanwhile, the laptop's solid silver treatment is reminiscent of some of the world's most luxurious automobiles.

The lighter color also complements the notebook's extraordinary display of color-shifting LEDs. Sound familiar? These lights are similar to the LEDs found on the XPS M1730, made by Dell, Alienware's parent company. The m15x's use of them is a little more stylish, futuristic, almost, well, alien—especially in the way they're laid out. Alienware has made them look like strings of light outlining areas such as the touchpad, the touch-sensitive group of multimedia buttons, the power button, the Alienware logo, and a "pipeline" that runs down on both sides of the screen. As if that's not enough, this LED extravaganza is topped off with a cool illuminated keyboard. During testing in PC Magazine Labs, the m15x really flexed its muscles.

Although its SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall score fell behind that of the Gateway P-171XL FX and the Dell M1730 by 9 percent and 12 percent, respectively, on other measures its performance trumped that of competitors including the P-171XL FX, the M1730, and the Toshiba X205-Sli4. Granted, I haven't reviewed the latest M1730 configuration with a similar Extreme processor, but the Alienware m15X's performance scores were still a marvel in their own right. The laptop secured the best scores among gaming laptops on Adobe Photoshop CS3, CineBench R10, and Windows Media Encoding tests. I'm sure it helped that the m15x was configured with one the fastest mobile processors on earth—the Intel Core 2 Extreme X9000 (2.8 GHz). Both the Gateway P-171XL FX and the Dell M1730 configurations I reviewed had previous-generation Intel Extreme processors, although that doesn't take anything away from their impressive performance prowess.

Internally, the m15x is configured with a 200GB, 7,200-rpm hard drive, which is built more for speed than for storage capacity. (Other gaming laptops feature up to 320GB of hard drive space, with some 17-inch models loading dual hard drives, which can mean up to 600GB of total hard drive space.) The three USB ports offered aren't as many as the Toshiba X205-SLi4's six or the M1730's four, but they're enough for a wide variety of peripherals. Other ports include a FireWire and a 4-in-1 card reader (MMC, MS, MS Pro, SD). There's even an HDMI port, which takes the place of both a VGA and an S-Video out port. Again, a Blu-ray drive here would have made full use of the HDMI port. With a Blu-ray drive, you could conceivably hook this laptop up to a larger, flat-panel display or even a 60-inch HDTV. (You can, of course, hook up the laptop and output any kind of video, not just Blu-ray.) The four speakers at the back of the system sound spectacular, and a 1.3-megapixel webcam sits above the screen.

MSI Wind

2008-07-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

Type: Ultraportable, Value
Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Weight: 2.6 lb
Screen Size: 10.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Storage Capacity: 80 GB
Networking Options: 802.11g
Primary Optical Drive: External

MSI wind for the most part, figured out the right parts to put into a UMPC. Although SSD drives are more durable and battery efficient, double-digit gigabyte capacities at reasonable prices are still at least another year away. The 80GB spinning drive is a good fit for the Wind (note, however, that the HP Mini-Note offers both SSD and spinning drives). Three USB ports, a four-in-one media card reader (SD, MS, MS Pro, MMC), VGA-out, an Ethernet port, and a 1.3-megapixel webcam are standard UMPC features. Bluetooth and 802.11g Wi-Fi are your standard embedded features.

HP is slightly ahead of the features curve because it integrates an ExpressCard slot for expansion devices such as cellular modem cards. It's hard to one-up one's rivals when the price of a UMPC has to fall within the $500 range. The Wind doesn't break any ground with its design: Clad in white plastic, the unit weighs less than 3 pounds, like the Acer Aspire One and the ASUS EeePC 900. The HP Mini-Note, by contrast, thinks out of the box by using anodized aluminum, which makes it appear sturdier and appeals to business users as well.
The ideal size for a UMPC screen is from 8.9 to 10 inches. Anything larger than that and I'd have to question whether it's still a UMPC or an ultraportable like the Sony VAIO VGN-TZ298N. A smaller screen, on the other hand, like the one on the first-generation ASUS EeePC 4G would make you squint. The Wind elected to go with a 10-inch screen, a practical size for both Web surfing and word processing. Even though, at 92 percent, the Wind's keyboard is bigger than the ASUS 900's (84 percent), it's still not full size. If the HP Mini-Note can accommodate a 92 percent keyboard with an 8.9-inch screen, the Wind can certainly offer a bigger keyboard, considering its 10-inch screen. Still, the typing experience is pleasant for both touch typists and two-finger hunt-and-peck typists. The mouse buttons, on the other hand, are so tiny and narrow that they're hard to find in the dark, not to mention difficult to press. As if the ultramobile PC space weren't already crowded enough, msi Computer Corp. has blown in with its Wind UMPC.

MSI basically (though not literally) took the ASUS EeePC 900, improved it, and slapped its own branding onto it. The Wind doesn't go out of its way to differentiate itself from the crowd, but it's still a top-tier UMPC in many ways. At $480 (street), it's the best deal

Voodoo Envy 133

2008-07-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

Type: Media, Ultraportable, Small BusinessOperating System: Microsoft Windows Vista BusinessProcessor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P7500
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 3.5 lb
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel GMA X3100
Storage Capacity: 80 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: External

The Voodoo Envy 133 is the latest addition to the exclusive "laptops that fit into a manila envelope" club. Seen for the first time, it draws the same oohs and aahs as the MacBook Air. The Envy 133's dimensions (9 by 12.7 by 0.7 inches, HWD) are thinner than those of the Air (8.9 by 12.8 by 0.7 inches, HWD) at its thickest part. Of course, the Air has a tapering design that becomes even thinner as you move toward the bezel, so neither one can proclaim itself the thinnest here. If it's any consolation, the Envy 133 is thinner than the Lenovo X300 (9 by 12 by 0.9 inches, HWD).

The Envy 133 could have been speedier if it weren't for a slow (4,200-rpm) 80GB hard drive. The competition has the edge here, as the Air bundles a 5,400-rpm drive, while the X300 goes with solid-state drives. Getting the most out of this processor, unfortunately, did have some minor side effects. You can hear the fans kick in to cool the CPU, and the right side of the palm rests does get a little warm. Not a big deal, but this shouldn't happen on a laptop this thin. Voodoo Envy 133

The 133's feature set is far better than the Air's, but not as road-ready as the X300's. Voodoo managed to fit in an HDMI-out port and an eSATA port that doubles as a USB port—extraordinary extras in such a thin laptop. With the eSATA port, you have a total of two USB ports, one more than the Air. The pair of speakers sounds amazing on an ultraportable this thin, and they're easily better than the ones on the Air and the X300. Unlike the Air, the 133 has an ExpressCard slot, which you might need because it doesn't have an option for an integrated cellular modem. The X300, on the other hand, has every wireless technology at your disposal, which makes it better suited for a business traveler. It also has an integrated dual-layer DVD burner, while the Envy 133 comes with an external one.

The Envy 133 is essentially a dual-boot system. It doesn't actually have a full-blown second operating system, but it does have a stripped-down Linux environment that you can get into within seconds. If you don't want to boot into Windows Vista Business, the Voodoo IOS (Instant Operating System) puts you into a pre-boot environment, complete with a Web browser, a file manager, a photo editor, and an SMS client. You also have access to your Wi-Fi and hard drive from this mini-operating system

Lenovo ThinkPad X300

2008-07-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

Type: Ultraportable, Business, Small Business
Operating System: MS Windows XP Professional
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo L7100
Processor Speed: 1.2 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 3.3 lb
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel GMA X3100
Storage Capacity: 358 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: DVD+R DL

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 is not crammed to the gills with features, but useful ones are plentiful. One of the most important is a built-in dual-layer DVD burner, which is considered pretty impressive in 3-pound-and-under ultraportables. Others in its weight class, such as the Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N, the Panasonic Toughbook W5, the Fujitsu LifeBook P8010, and the Toshiba Portégé R500, have already broken ground in this frontier. The X300 uses the same 7mm optical drive as the VAIO VGN-TZ150N and Portégé R500 to keep its thickness under an inch.

Another useful feature is the integrated WWAN modem, courtesy of Verizon's EV-DO networks—and something the Apple MacBook Air and the LifeBook P8010 could have used. As a business professional, We only can imagine how much money and time a cellular modem could save, even with its pricey monthly premiums. Many Peoples would have been satisfied with cellular wireless alone in their laptop, but Lenovo went out of its way to address every other wireless scenario. It has a GPS chip and mapping software built in for long road trips—a cool idea, though I don't think laptops are ready to replace standalone GPS navigation devices. It's also one of the first laptops to integrate a WiMax chip—Intel's next-generation wireless that could potentially bring better throughputs, over greater distances.

The X300 is also equipped with standard 802.11n wireless, and it comes with Bluetooth 2.0. Like the MacBook Air, the X300's wider dimensions allow not only for a bigger screen but also for a full-size keyboard, and who better to take advantage of this than the makers of the ThinkPad keyboard. It's arguably the best typing experience on a laptop keyboard, better than the Air's oversize phone-pad keys. Every key is equal in size to those on the ThinkPad T61 Widescreen, so you're not sacrificing anything with a smaller laptop. Amazingly, Lenovo even managed to put in dual pointing devices: its patented TrackPoint pointing stick and a slightly compressed touchpad. By contrast, the MacBook Air used most of the space beneath the keyboard to create a gesture-based touchpad, where users can manipulate files and images with multiple fingers. Cool effects, but not as practical as having dual pointing devices.

Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn)

2008-07-25T00:19:00.000-07:00

Type: Media, Business, Small Business
Operating System: Mac OS X
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T9500
Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 5.3 lb
Screen Size: 15.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600M GT
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn) These upgrades won't be enough to tempt those who bought their MacBook Pro a year ago to move to the new model, but early adopters bought a MacBook Pro when the model first came out and those who are migrating from Windows will find the performance benefits of this new model intriguing. With this Penryn system, Apple moves from a 65-nm CPU process to a 45-nm one in this model line. In other words, the 2.6-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 is based on an architecture that's completely different from the one for the 2.2-GHz T7500 in the previous MacBook Pro, translating into faster speeds. Since most of my performance tests are Windows-based, I loaded Apple's Boot Camp and Windows Vista Home Premium to gauge performance scores against other Windows-based laptops.

SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall scores showed a 25 percent improvement over the previously reviewed version, the MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED). Granted, the clock speeds are a little slower on the Merom-based MacBook Pro, and the RAM count wasn't on a level playing field. The MacBook Pro (Penryn) loads 4GB RAM, producing some of the fastest Photoshop CS3 scores to date. Video-encoding tests were over 20 percent faster than those of the previous MacBook Pro. Buzz up!on Yahoo! Even so, it wouldn't be right if PC Magazine didn't conduct its own energy readings. Using a Kill A Watt meter, the MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn) measured 16 watts at idle state, making it more energy efficient than the Dell M1530 (23W), the HP dv6500t (19W), and the previous MacBook Pro (19W). It didn't, however, hit the 14W required by Energy Star 4.0 in my own testing.

Even so, it wouldn't be right if PC Magazine didn't conduct its own energy readings. Using a Kill A Watt meter, the MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn) measured 16 watts at idle state, making it more energy efficient than the Dell M1530 (23W), the HP dv6500t (19W), and the previous MacBook Pro (19W). It didn't, however, hit the 14W required by Energy Star 4.0 in my own testing. And until Apple can achieve EPEAT Gold status, it's not ready to receive the PC Magazine Green Approved seal. Apple Macbook Pro 15-inch (Penryn) Apple Macbook Pro 15-inch (Penryn), at $3,149 (direct), isn't the first laptop to undergo an Intel brain transplant in the form of a next-generation Penryn processor, but it's among the most sizzling we've seen so far. At the heart of this MacBook Pro, the 2.6-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 CPU and 4GB RAM played a pivotal role in tearing up performance tests, including a compelling 15 percent increase in battery life. There are other new additions worth talking about, but performance enhancements alone should encourage first-generation MacBook Pro owners and frustrated Windows users to take the plunge. For that, it retains the Editors' Choice for mainstream laptops.

Sony Vaio VGN-TZ298N

2008-07-25T00:17:00.000-07:00

Type: Media, Ultraportable, Business, Small Business
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T7700
Processor Speed: 1.3 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 2.7 lb
Screen Size: 11.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel GMA X3100
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: External

Sony Vaio VGN-TZ298N A bright spot for the TZ298N is that it's fully equipped with the latest wireless technology. Like the Lenovo X300, it packs a built-in Sprint EV-DO Rev A modem, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Even though they can be found in most ultraportables, the webcam and a fingerprint reader are nice additions. Three USB ports, a FireWire port, and both SD and Memory Stick card slots are present. When the subject is elegant laptops—the ones that embody the hottest trends in technology in their tiny frames—Sony is usually one of the first companies to be mentioned.

The Sony Vaio VGN-TZ298N ($3,699 direct) could've been an exceptional and classy sub-3-pound ultraportable, but some of the choices made in the system's features are questionable. Replacing the internal optical drive with a 64GB solid-state drive (SSD) drive boosts the price point astronomically. The amount of trial software loaded on such an underpowered system is beyond the pale. To Sony's credit, though, it offers a base configuration that lets you correct some of these missteps.

The 64GB SSD drive takes the place of the optical drive, which makes little sense. That SSD and the 250GB spinning one give you a dual-hard-drive configuration, with the 250GB drive primarily holding the operating system and programs and the 64GB SSD storing additional data. An SSD drive does have certain performance benefits, such as (supposedly) faster transfer speeds, but you have to pay a hefty premium for it. Why someone would opt for a second hard drive on such a tiny system is beyond me. The amount of bloatware loaded on the TZ298N is another major flaw. In addition to third-party software like Norton 360 and InterVideo's WinDVD, there were at least 35 VAIO utilities in the Program Features of Windows Vista. Given that the TZ298N is already underpowered, a huge software load was a terrible idea.

Since the TZ298N has an ultra-low-voltage processor, it's paired with an integrated graphics chipset from a previous generation. Its SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall score was dead last among the seven systems I tested, trailing the Lenovo X300's by 38 percent and the Fujitsu Lifebook P8010's by 20 percent. Video encoding and Photoshop tests were also among the worst in the ultraportable category. Using an underpowered processor does have several key benefits. For one, battery life was a phenomenal 5 hours 50 minutes on MobileMark 2007. Sony is clearly in favor of longer battery life, even if it means sacrificing horsepower.

Sony VAIO VGN-FW198UH

2008-07-25T00:09:00.001-07:00

Type: General Purpose, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T9400
Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 6.4 lb
Screen Size: 16.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3740
Storage Capacity: 320 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray

Designing media center laptops is no easy task because of these systems' large footprints. Thus Sony media centers don't get the same degree of aesthetic attention as Sony gives its ultraportables, such as the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ791N. Although the FW198UH is tastefully done, it trails the competition in the materials used and the overall look. The HP Pavilion dv5t and the Dell Studio 15 benefit from lamination techniques and inlaid patterns, whereas Apple, a big proponent of aluminum, uses it to deck out the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn).

The FW198UH's plastic frame, in bland gray, is reminiscent of older Sony designs. The placement of the VAIO logo hasn't changed since the 1990s. Performance is anything but lacking in this media center. It runs a 2.53-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 processor, with support for the new front-side bus (FSB), which is capable of speeds up to 1,066 MHz (up from 800 MHz). This configuration includes 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM. Performance numbers, as expected, were impressive. Its SYSmark 2007 Pre-view Overall score of 132 beat out that of the HP dv5t, another Centrino 2 laptop running the same processor, by 4 percent.

The Sony's SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall score also exceeded that of the previous-generation Dell Studio 15, which runs a similarly clocked Penryn processor, by 8 percent. The high-definition DVD format war has been over for months, yet its winner, Blu-ray, hasn't yet achieved a meaningful presence in people's homes. The Sony VAIO VGN-FW198UH ($2,099 direct) isn't likely to drive Blu-ray sales through the roof, but it offers a mobile HD experience that's a bit different from the usual. Its 16.4-inch widescreen is stretched out in the same manner as consumer HDTVs, and it's one of the first laptops to receive Intel's latest Centrino 2 platform. Even with a revamped platform, however, a bloated software suite and high prices are issues that continue to haunt Sony laptops.

More thought was given to the interior. The hinges look as if they're being wrapped around by the chassis, while a ridge divides the keyboard from the palm-rest area. You might recognize the keyboard from the Sony VAIO TZ series and the Apple MacBook 13-inch (Penryn)—it's pleasant to type on despite looking like an oversized

DELL studio 15

2008-07-25T00:09:00.000-07:00

Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300
Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 5.9 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3450
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

The DELL Studio 15's styling is also a tribute to the XPS M1530. You might recognize the drop-down hinges, similar to the ones on the M1530 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510. It even has the same tapering design as the M1530, becoming thinner as you move toward the bezel. At 5.9 pounds, it's a shade lighter than the 6.2-pound M1530, although the Apple MacBook Pro is still the undisputed 15-inch mainstream lightweight with its 5.3-pound frame. I'm surprised that Dell didn't offer a 13-inch Studio, as it would appeal to mobile professionals. As it stands now, the Studio line consists of the 15 and the Studio 1735 17-inch widescreen.

When Dell crossed the bargain pricing of its Inspiron laptops with the design sense of its XPS line, something sensational emerged—a new mainstream laptop line called Dell Studio. With the new line, Dell hopes to reel in the latest generation of back-to-schoolers, content creators, social-network addicts, and camera enthusiasts, just to name a few groups. The Dell Studio 15 is a stylish 15-inch laptop that represents the convergence of the Dell Inspiron 1525 and XPS M1530. Some of its highlights include spectacular performance scores, excellent configuration options, and an extensive color palette. It earns the Editors' Choice for mainstream laptops because it offers all of these things for just $1,199 (direct, E-Value code DNDPUA1, for a limited time).

A wide array of upgradable features makes the 15 shine. Embellishing its sleek look is a slot-loading DVD burner, which can be upgraded to a Blu-ray reader for $200. You can enhance the Blu-ray experience by using the included HDMI port to display the image on a larger monitor. With the proliferation of digital cameras and video content, you'll be glad of the four-in-one card reader, the variety of hard-drive configurations (my review unit has a 250GB drive), and the 2-megapixel webcam, to help you stay in line with these trends. Mobile broadband or a cellular modem is a feature I've been pleading for on the MacBook Pro, the Gateway M-152XL, and the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845. At least Dell offers it as an option on the 15.

Canon PowerShot SD790 IS

2008-07-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Type: Enthusiast
Megapixels: 10 MP
Maximum Resolution: 3648 x 2736 pixels
Storage Capacity: 32 MB
Included Memory: Media Card
Media Format: Secure Digital
Battery Type Supported: Lithium Ion
Included Batteries: Yes
Interface: USB 2.0
Video Record and Playback: Yes
35-mm Equivalent (Wide): 35
35-mm Equivalent (Telephoto): 105

The Canon SD790 IS sports the simple, silvery, boxlike design that we love on other Elphs, including the SD1000. Weighing about 6.4 ounces with battery and SD card, it's a bit heavier than the similar SD870, and the brushed stainless steel body feels sturdy and solid. The most intriguing design element in the SD790 has to be the new control wheel. In previous Elph models, like the SD870, the control wheel was touch sensitive but, like the iPod's click wheel, it didn't actually move: You just moved your finger in a circular motion to access the controls.

Starting with the SD1100 and now here, Canon has added motion-detection technology to its point-and-shoot models. When shooting in high ISO mode, the camera automatically detects motion and adjusts ISO and exposure settings to compensate. Nearly every Canon's ever-expanding arsenal of excellent Digital Elphs. compact camera we've tested recently has merited a high rating. And the SD790 IS, the latest high-end pocket shooter, takes its place among the SD870 IS, the SD1100 IS, and SD950 IS in

With the SD790, however, Canon has, well, redesigned the wheel: It physically turns, which takes some getting used to, since it's rather sensitive. At first, I found myself scrolling too fast and accidentally skipping over the settings I intended to select. After using it for a few days, I got the hang of it, and it proved much quicker for zipping through menus than the old wheel. Placed on the back of the camera next to the 3-inch LCD, the controller is easy to reach with a right thumb and provides access to just about every setting, from shooting modes to ISO and flash. At 10 megapixels, the SD790 IS has a higher resolution than its predecessor, the SD750, which offered 8MP, and it produces extremely high-quality images. It also retains the same lens, but, given the price, a 28mm wide-angle lens like on the SD870 IS would have been nice.

I found that both image stabilization and motion detection worked well on my tests. In my review of the SD1100, I noted surprisingly good results in high ISO shots. The SD790 IS also impressed me by producing clear-looking shots at high ISO settings. For example, in a low-lit restaurant, I snapped a shot of the bar, and at 800 ISO it came out fine, with very little noise. It wasn't until about 1600 ISO that noise became distracting. All in all, the SD790 IS produced stellar images. In the lab, simulated daylight shots were outstanding, with near-perfect contrast and vivid color. I noticed a little purple fringing in some shots, but nothing out of the ordinary. The one gripe I had was with flash shots: Although good for the most part, some shots were underexposed and a bit dark. But that was my only complaint.

Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845

2008-07-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100
Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
RAM: 3 GB
Weight: 5.8 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Storage Capacity: 400 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Toshiba is not breaking any ground with its Fusion design. Hewlett-Packard (HP)Pavilion dv6500t. IMD is being used on many mainstream laptops, such as those by Gateway. ASUS just launched its own line of IMD-decorated laptops, with subtle patterns topped off by a lustrous finish. The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510 takes a different route by adding texture to the lid, and other manufacturers are painting in solid colors. The move to Intel's latest "Penryn" technology has been implemented across the board on most mainstream laptops. Until this summer, when Intel moves to its next-generation platform, code-named "Montevina," the 2.1-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 is about as up-to-date as you can get. Combined with 3GB RAM, the A305 is a formidable performance laptop. Its SYSmark 2007Sony VAIO VGN-FZ485U and the Fujitsu Lifebook A6120 by 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively. It also had a slight performance edge over its smaller sibling, the Satellite U405. But the ASUS M50Sa-A1 and the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn) delivered better performance numbers across the board. was a pioneer in in-mold decoration (IMD)—the technique of inlaying designs beneath a glossy finish—with its Preview Overall score surpassed.

Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845 Going with a 15-inch form factor let toshiba fit in four USB ports, one more than the U405 has. The USB ports have what toshiba calls its "Sleep-and-Charge" technology, or the ability to charge an iPod or other small device while the system is shut down. Sleep-and-Charge even works without the AC adapter, so, essentially, you're borrowing a charge from the A305's battery. While having dual 200GB hard drives, for a total of 400GB worth of storage, is worthy of praise, I found it less desirable that one drive has a slower rotational speed (4,200 rpm) than the other (5,400 rpm), which can adversely affect performance. (toshiba likely did this to save on costs.)

Unlike the Fujitsu A6120 and the Satellite U405, the A305 integrates a discrete graphics card from ATI for casual 3D game play. It didn't deliver gaming results like the Apple MacBook Pro, with its nVidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics card, but the A305 held its own in the World in Conflict demo. (3DMark06 and Crysis, for unknown reasons, failed to complete.) I wouldn't recommend lugging this system around town much. At 5.8 pounds, it's on the heavy side, weighing as much as the HP dv6500t. It is, however, lighter than the Dell XPS M1530, the Fujitsu Lifebook A6120, the Lenovo Y510, or the Gateway M-152XL. The toshiba Satellite U405-S2830 is a 4.7-pound version of the A305 and is much better suited to travel purposes. The reason for investing in a bigger machine, however, is the benefit of a spacious 15.4-inch widescreen. It's invaluable when you're working with multiple windows, and provides a better cinematic experience than, say, the Satellite U405's 13-inch widescreen.

HP Pavilion dv6500t

2008-07-21T04:56:00.000-07:00

Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz

RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 5.3 lb
Screen Size: 14.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widesreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8400M GS
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.12n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

The HP Pavilion dv6500t comes standard with a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a built-in fingerprint reader. An upgrade (from 80GB) to a 120GB hard drive is free, although the Sony NR160 gives you 160GB worth of storage space as part of its $830 package. The dv6500t also comes standard with a dual-layer DVD burner that has LightScribe capabilities. LightScribe is an HP technology that uses a laser instead of ink to print labels onto a DVD or CD. You'll need to buy proprietary LightScribe media, which is pricier than regular media. As with all Hp pavilion laptops, you get two headphone ports, a wireless on/off switch, touch-sensitive media keys, and a dedicated button to disable the touchpad.

The HP Pavilion dv6500t's 5.8-pound frame is not heavy at all considering it includes a 15.4-inch screen. The Sony NR160, with a similar screen, is almost half a pound heavier. And then there's the Acer Aspire 4710-2013, which shaves off some weight (at 5.5 pounds), screen real estate (at 14.1 inches), and dollars ($600 versus the 6500t's $899). All three systems boast brilliant screens; it's hard to determine which one is brighter. Movies, videos, and photos will look terrific on any of them. The HP Pavilion dv6500t's keyboard is a treat to type on and the mouse buttons are as quiet as those on the Dell Inspiron 1420. The processing parts are very similar to the Dell Inspiron 1420's in that you get a 1.67-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of RAM. The only difference is that the dv6500t comes with integrated graphics, instead of the nVidia GeForce 8400M GS card found on the Inspiron 1420. That's not to say you can't upgrade. For $79, you can opt for the same card as the Dell's. The 8400M GS will let you play the latest 3D gaming titles. By virtue of its position as the world's number one PC maker, Hewlett-Packard is able to design gorgeous-looking laptops, include the latest processing parts, and be super-aggressive in setting low prices. An example of this market dominance is the Hp pavilion dv6500t, a 15.4-inch media laptop that can be customized the way you like it. And like it I do. In the configuration I tested, for $899 (direct) you get an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 120GB hard drive. Other features, such as the integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam, gorgeous white imprints, and fingerprint reader, come standard on all HP laptops, whether it's a budget system like the dv6500t or a $2,000 model.

Acer Aspire 6920G-607

2008-07-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T5550
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 7.4 lb
Screen Size: 16 inches
Screen Size Type: widesreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 9500M GS
Storage Capacity: 320 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray

Calling it a smaller version of the Acer Aspire 8920G does not give the complete picture. There's nothing small about the Aspire 6920G, yet at 7.4 pounds, it's significantly lighter than the 8.2-pound HP Pavilion dv9500t and 8.8-pound Dell Inspiron 1720. Still, Acer could have shed more weight. After all, its 16-inch widescreen is an inch smaller than the competitions'. The 7.5-pound Toshiba Satellite P305-S8825 with a 17-inch screen is only a tenth of a pound heavier, while the Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (Core 2 Duo T7700) is the lightest at 6.7 pounds. Maybe it's because I'd never seen one on a laptop, but there's something seductive about a 16-inch widescreen—the way movies, especially high-definition ones, look when stretched out in the same fashion as in a movie theater.

The Acer Aspire 6920G-6071 ($980 street) sits between a conventional 15.4-inch and a 17-inch media center laptop. In many ways, it's the perfect media center for a cramped dorm room or a studio apartment, because shedding weight doesn't mean you have to sacrifice screen real estate. Though it's not as cutting-edge as its bigger sibling, the Aspire 8920G, bundling a Blu-ray drive for under $1,000 is guaranteed to trigger your spending reflex. It's a rock-solid investment, and it easily earns an Editors' Choice in the desktop replacement category.

To play back your high-def movies, Acer incorporates CyberLink's PowerDVD for Blu-ray into its Arcade Deluxe software suite. It does a wonderful job with disc functions, such as pausing, rewinding, and skipping chapters, which were free of any lag or stuttering. Though not as impressive as the 8920G's five-speaker system, the 6920G's two virtual surround-sound speakers are quite capable of delivering a movie-theater experience.