Gadget News and Reviews

Nikon D5100 and ME-1 External Microphone Unveiled

2011-04-06T13:01:00.000+07:00

Nikon has recently introduced its latest midrange DSLR, making it ideal for the aspiring photographers who want to let go of their beginner cameras. The Nikon D5100 is an updated version of the popular D5000, featuring a 16.2-megapixel sensor, a 3-inch flipout LCD screen, 1080p video recording at both 30 and 24 fps with auto-focus, ISO settings from 100 to 6400, and an 18-105mm lens. Nikon also unveils the ME-1 microphone, which can be plugged on the D5100 for a fuller video recording experience.
The Nikon D5100 DSLR and ME-1 external microphone will arrive on April 21. The camera is expected to cost US$900 ($800 for body-only unit), while the microphone would cost $180.
Source: Engadget

This Logitech Wireless Router is Not Wind-Powered

2011-04-06T12:59:00.002+07:00

At first glance, this Logitech LAN-WH450N/GR wireless router looks like a mini wind mill. Thankfully, no. You do not have to put it outside and gather wind to keep your WiFi connection up and running. What appears to be blades on a wind turbine is actually a triple antenna design (or what they love to call “tri-tenna), enabling speeds of up to 450Mbps when using compatible devices. That is, if your country is not considering bandwidth capping. It also comes with a gigabit ethernet if you prefer a more wired connectivity.
The Logitech LAN-WH450N/GR wireless router is expected to be available on mid-April for 19,000 yen (about US$230).
Source: OhGizmo!

Midnight Shot NV1 Night Vision Digital Camera

2011-04-06T12:58:00.000+07:00

Most digital cameras are designed to capture images in certain lighting conditions. There are others that may be able to capture images even in low light conditions. But lower than that and they become quite useless. For those who may have the need to take images in darker than usual conditions, the Midnight Shot NV1 Night Vision Camera would come in quite handy.

The Midnight Shot NV1 Night Vision Camera is a digital camera that allows you to shoot images even in total darkness. It is a digital camera that is equipped with an invisible infrared flash to light up your subjects in the dark. It can be used either in its standard photography mode and the infrared night shot mode. The Midnight Shot NV1 comes with a 5MP CMOS sensor, a 3″ LTPS LCD display, a 16MB memory with an SD card slot for adding up to 8GB of external memory, and can shoot both in still and video formats. It is available at ThinkGeek for US$130.

Image Source: ThinkGeek

GoPro Unveils 3D Hero Camera System

2011-04-05T15:10:00.000+07:00

Like it or not, 3D video is the way of the future and GoPro decides to catch on with the 3D trend as it introduces its 3D Hero System. It is basically a mounting system that straps two of its 1080p HD Hero action cameras onto a special housing made from polycarbonate material. The system syncs the two cameras together and the images captured are turned into 3D video with the help of an included software in post-production.

The GoPro 3D Hero System costs just US$99, and that is without the cameras. Aspiring 3D filmmakers would have to supply their own HD Hero cameras or buy them separately for $259 each. Note that only the 1080p HD Hero works with the system and nothing else.

Source: CrunchGear

Low Profile Window Fan

2011-04-05T11:24:00.002+07:00

Although summer may still be a long way off, it pays to prepare early for the coming change of seasons. Of course, the heat may become quite unpredictable this year as the weather has been acting in somewhat unexpected ways. You might want to come prepared by having this low profile window fan at home during the coming summer.
The Low Profile Window Fan may help provide the necessary cool air circulation working well inside your home. It can help provide good airflow into the home interiors. Its dual motors are capable of producing 608 feet per second air streams for up to 5 feet away. Its two fans can either work in tandem or independently. One fan may be used to let air inside the home while the other can be used to push the air out, providing good air circulation and keeping the home cool. The Low Profile Window Fan is available at Hammacher Schlemmer for $60.
Image Source: Hammacher Schlemmer

Dell Launches New Inspiron M102Z Laptop

2011-04-05T11:23:00.000+07:00

While all others are trying to put their focus on tablet PC’s, Dell is making sure that other product sectors are not being neglected. Dell is introducing the new Dell Inspiron M102Z Laptop which might capture some added interest. For one, it is Dell’s first entry into laptops that run on the new Fusion processors, which combine computing and graphics processing units into a single chip.
The Dell Inspiron M102Z Laptop runs on an AMD E350 1.6GHz with Radeon HD 6310 graphics. It also comes with a 4GB RAM and a 500GB Hard Drive. It features an 11.6 inch HD WLED display, 1.3MP Webcam, WiFi as well as Bluetooth connectivity. What will make it quite attractive may be its price point. The Dell Inspiron M102Z Laptop with these specs is available at Dell costing only US$699. A more affordable option is available for US$599 but is equipped with half the memory and lower graphic specs. There’s also a US$759 version which is equipped with a built-in TV tuner.
Image Source: Dell

Logitech Introduces M325 Wireless Mouse

2011-04-05T11:22:00.000+07:00

Logitech has just released its new M325 wireless mouse, highlighted with a “micro-precise” scroll wheel designed to improve online navigation. Its scroll wheel features 72 tiny ratchets (four times more than other computer mice with scroll wheels) for a smoother page scrolling. The wheel is even tilted for “trouble-free backward or forward Web movement.”

The Logitech wireless mouse M325 also features an ergonomic shape with textured rubber grips, a unifying receiver that can be left plugged in the computer, and up to 18 months of battery life.

Expect the newest Logitech wireless mouse to appear worldwide this April, costing about US$40, or £30 right now for customers in the UK.

Source: Logitech

Fuuvi Pick: MicroSD Reader and Camera in One

2011-04-05T11:18:00.000+07:00

We have heard about gadgets with multiple purposes and devices getting smaller by the year, but this one is pretty unusual. The Fuuvi Pick not only works as a tiny digital camera, but also as a flash drive to transfer image files to the computer.
The Fuuvi Pick has a simple Pick and Plug interface (with no need to download or install drivers for it to work), a 2-megapixel digital camera that can shoot both images and videos, a microSD card slot, and can even be recharged directly through the computer. This tiny gadget can take photos with 1280 x 1024 resolution, as well as 720 x 480 video clips.
However, it only works on Windows, plus it costs US$59.99.
Source: CrunchGear

Did Sony CEO Leak About iPhone 5?

2011-04-05T11:16:00.000+07:00

Sony CEO Howard Stringer may have slipped his tongue about the iPhone 5 when he said the company was supplying the camera sensor for Apple’s next-generation smartphone and that the delivery has been delayed because its factory in Japan has been damaged by the recent earthquake.
In an interview with Wall Street Journal during a paid conference in New York, Stringer reportedly discussed how Japan’s earthquake and tsunami had affected 15 Sony factories, one of which happens to be its manufacturer of camera sensors.
One of the attendees, who writes for 9to5Mac blog, reported that Stringer said its image sensor facility in Sendai was affected by the tsunami and delivering them to Apple would be delayed.
The report would indicate that Apple would switch image sensor provider for its iPhones from OmniVision to Sony.
Source: CNET

NEC Medias Sells More Than iPhone 4, in Japan at Least

2011-04-04T11:19:00.000+07:00

Research firm Gfk Japan has revealed that the best-selling smartphone in Japan is currently the NEC Medias. More units of the so-called “world’s slimmest smartphone” were sold in Japan compared to iPhone 4 between March 14 and March 20, 2011.

The NEC Medias measures just 8.7 millimeters in thickness and features a 4-inch LCD touchscreen with 480 x 854 resolution, Android 2.2, a 5.1-megapixel CMOS camera, a digital TV tuner, e-wallet function, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a microSDHC card slot.
And yes, we are only using the phone’s side profile to prove NEC’s claim.
Source: MobileCrunch

Hercules Launches New eCafe Netbook Line

2011-04-03T20:51:00.000+07:00

The netbook market has somehow been affected by the popularity surge of tablet PC’s. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that this sector may be going to virtual extinction. There are still a lot of people who might prefer the use of netbooks and there are manufacturers who still believe that there is still a healthy demand for the said device. One of such companies is Hercules as it recently launched a line of new eCafe netbooks.
Hercules has released two new eCafe netbook models featuring 10-inch display screens- the eCafe Slim HD and the eCafe EX HD. Both netbooks are designed to be ultra-mobile entertainment devices with each catering to certain user needs. The eCafe Slim HD may be the slimmest and lightest device in its category, measuring only 0.8 inch thick and weighs just 1.9 lbs. But it offers most of the essential user features like 3 USB ports, Ethernet port, headphone and mic connectors as well as a card reader.
The Hercules eCafe HD, on the other hand, comes with a 13 hour battery life, making it a good device to use for movie marathons as well as use for real life conditions. It comes with an HDMI port to allow users the option to watch content on their HDTV. It measures 1.1 inch thick and weighs only 2.4 lbs., still quite ultra-ultraportable even with such device features. The Hercules eCafe Slim HD and eCafe EX HD netbooks has just been made available. The Slim HD is expected to retail at US$229 while the EX HD will cost around US$269.
Image Source: Hercules

Delorme Earthmate GPS PN-60W With SPOT Communicator

2011-04-03T20:48:00.000+07:00

GPS devices are now a dime a dozen in what was once a limited market. There are now GPS devices designed not only to feature the benefits of GPS but also to add in other newer ones to make them more useful and interesting. Such is the case for the new Delorme Earthmate GPS PN-60W with SPOT Communicator.
The new Delorme Earthmate GPS PN-60W is a new handheld GPS that provides a full range of capabilities which include a 3 axis electronic compass, an elevation display pinpointing a user’s location as well as sensitive barometric and elevation readings that may help gauge weather changes. This handheld GPS Navigator can also provide turn by turn directions, travel distance and time data as well as travel speed. But what makes the Delorme Earthmate PN-60W unique is that it is equipped with the SPOT Communicator.
The SPOT Communicator that comes with the unit will enable users to have the means to communicate even in the absence of a cellular phone service in a certain area. The satellite communicator can allow users to type and send messages and may allow others to track a user’s progress using social network sites like Twitter and Facebook. It can also be used to send emergency SOS along with a GPS position embedded when circumstances require it. The Delorme Earthmate GPS PN-60W With SPOT Communicator is now available at Delorme for US$549.

Image Source: Delorme

Mini Vortex Lamp

2011-04-03T20:44:00.000+07:00

Those lava lamps still seem to be popular. Such lamps seem to have that certain allure and dynamic appeal that people tend to be fixated to, entranced even to buy one. And because of such, there might be another lamp that some people may find a certain fixation to. And with that, here’s the new Mini Vortex Lamp.
The Mini Vortex Lamp may have taken on an idea or two from the popular lava lamp in terms of its dynamic features. While the lava lamp contains colored goo inside that seems to perennially move around in distinct shapes when lighted up, the Mini Vortex Lamp creates a tiny version of a raging tornado or water vortex when it is lighted up, along with the light randomly changing into red, blue or green. This makes it a perfect lap to bring at a party or just simply light up a room and a fixture to look into as one tries to go to sleep. The Mini-Vortex Lamp is available at IWOOT for 20 UK Pounds or around US$32.
Image Source: IWOOT

Apogee rolls out Duet 2 pro audio interface for Macs

2011-04-02T07:10:00.000+07:00

Recently drop $500 on an Apogee Duet audio interface for your Mac after pondering one for all these years? Then we’re afraid we’ve got a bit of bad news for you, as the company has now finally rolled out a successor to the highly-desirable device. Apparently redesigned from the ground up, the new Duet 2 expectedly ditches FireWire in favor of USB, and packs some “completely redesigned” mic preamps and converters, along with two inputs and four outputs, a pair of configurable touch pads, and even an all new OLED display that replaces the basic LED meters on the original. Of course, the one thing that stays the same is the professional-level price — look for this one to set you back $595 when it’s available next month.

Source : engadget

Acer Unveils Dual-Screened Iconia Touchbook

2011-04-02T07:08:00.000+07:00

With all the heated competition going on in the tablet market, Acer dares to step up with a dual-screened tablet dubbed “Iconia Touchbook,” which is slated to ship in the United States next month.

The dual-tablet features a Core i5 processor, Windows 7, and two 14-inch screens made of Gorilla Glass for frequent typing, multi-touch, and gestures.

The Acer Iconia Touchbook also has an entirely new interface, which includes a “ring” that lets users select items on screen by clawing with a finger and spin on-screen images. It even has an on-screen keyboard, turning it into a regular laptop.

The Touchbook costs US$1,199.99, which is about the price of two tablets.

Source: CrunchGear

Microsoft Exec Thinks Tablets are just Fads, Agree?

2011-04-01T07:02:00.000+07:00

A Microsoft executive claims that tablet computers, which includes Apple’s iPad, are nothing more than a fad.
“Mobile is something that you want to use while you’re moving, and portable is something that you move and then use,” said Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s chief research and strategy officer, during a luncheon in Sydney. “These are going to bump into one another a little bit, and so today you can see tablets and pads and other things that are starting to live in the space in between.”
“Personally, I don’t know whether I believe that space will be a persistent one or not,” Mundie added.
This probably reflects why Microsoft remains low-key in the tablet market, despite the aggressive competition from various manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, LG Electronics, Toshiba, and Motorola. Windows 7 has appeared on a handful of tablets, most of which are only available in Asia.
However, rumors claim that Microsoft is not taking tablet computers for granted, as its next operating system, with the working title “Windows 8,” would be designed for tablet computers. The new OS is expected to be released in 2012, which may also prompt Microsoft to develop a tablet to go with it.
Source: eWeek via bukanlink

Asus U35JC-A1

2011-03-31T14:56:00.000+07:00

Much like the UL30A, Asus U35JC-A1 is slim, angular, and decked in lots of brushed metal in many ways, it comes across as a throwback design, like a DeLorean in laptop form. The very thin upper lid is backed in brushed aluminum, the small centered Asus logo looking more EPCOT-era than ever. Inside, a light gray silver, patterned, glossy plastic surrounds the keyboard deck, while glossy, black plastic surrounds the inset screen. Asus' keyboards are almost universally of the raised Chiclet style kind, but they're not all made equally.

Some Asus laptops have exhibited serious keyboard flex but that isn't the case with Asus U35JC-A1. The very solid feeling keys were great to type on, and aside from our gripe with the awkwardly placed arrow keys and a right hand side of page up or down buttons that needlessly squish the Enter and Shift keys, it makes for an excellent experience. There's just enough palm rest space beneath for good lap typing. Overall, it's nearly as good a keyboard as the MacBook Pro's.

A medium size multitouch touchpad lies flush with the keyboard deck around it in the same color to boot but textured with a subtle matte grid that works better than expected. A thin button bar beneath feels too slight, but the whole package gets the job done well and, most importantly, responsively. However, we'd put an asterisk next to "multitouch" the Elan software driving the touchpad allows only for a limited set of gestures, such as two finger scroll and multifinger tap, leaving out obvious ones like pinch to zoom. Two buttons sit atop the keyboard : one to the far left, one to the right.

They look identical, but the right one is the power button, whereas the left boots up the laptop in Asus' Express Gate quick start OS. We're not a fan of quick-start environments, simply because their limited applications, quirky setup, and need to boot up Windows 7 for access to the rest of your PC's features make for an annoying experience. Do yourself a favor and just put your laptop to sleep instead. When Windows 7 is already booted, the left button switches between custom battery saving modes.

The LED-backlit, glossy 13 inch 16:9 screen has a native resolution of 1,366x768 pixels, standard for this size. Viewing angles were tighter than we'd prefer, with color and contrast drifting into a washed out look unless the screen was perfectly centered. For videos, Web browsing, and general everyday use, pictures and videos look fine as long as excessive tilting is avoided. Front firing Altec Lansing stereo speakers situated under the keyboard on the lower front edge of Asus U35JC-A1 are loud enough for movies, Webchat or any other conceivable use, with notable crisp punch during gameplay. They're better than standard laptop speakers at this range, but lack musical depth and powerful bass.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d

2011-03-15T14:48:00.000+07:00

Lenovo continues to create very nice looking laptops with its IdeaPad line. Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d is about as far from the office ready Lenovo mindset as we've seen, with a funky tribal tattoo design on the back of the lid. Other than that, the color scheme is similar to systems such as the IdeaPad Y460, with a copper accent strip around the outer edge of the lid and an interior mix of not too glossy black plastic and matte black keys. A row of backlit touch sensitive control buttons sit on top of the keyboard.

Running a finger back and forth along them pops up a quick launch bar, with assignable slots for different apps. It's clever looking, but it takes some getting used to. Running your finger along the right part of it can also change the desktop background image, but we never got the hang of pulling that off consistently. The keyboard and touch pad are excellent, even though Lenovo IdeaPad Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d uses a tapered key keyboard (more like the traditional ThinkPad design), rather than the flat topped island style one seen on most other IdeaPad models.

The 15.6 inch wide screen display offers a 1,366x768 pixel native resolution, which is standard for a 16:9 midsize laptop screen. It's great for 720p HD video content, but it can't display 1080p content at full resolution. Hardcore gamers may want higher resolutions, and we were also troubled by the faint horizontal lenticular lines that are sometimes visible, even when not using any 3D applications that's a byproduct of the polarized 3D system. Under the hood, Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d is a very impressive machine.

With a 1.6GHz Intel Core i7 720QM CPU, a 500GB 7200rpm hard drive, and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 graphics, it's powerful enough for just about any task. The system holds its own against other high end laptops such as the HP Envy 17 and Toshiba A665-3DV (both also Core i7 systems) in our benchmark tests. But what we're really interested in is the 3D capabilities. We've had experience with the TriDef system before, and found this version to be largely the same.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d includes a basic pair of cheap plastic polarized glasses, plus a second pair of clip-ons for those of us who already wear glasses (be warned: it's not a cool look). The screen has to be tilted at just the right angle. For us it was about 120 degrees back, and with us sitting about twice as far from the screen as we normally would. The effect works best with objects that recede into the distance, where we could sometimes get an excellent 3D effect.

Objects that popped out of the screen toward us often got blurry or out of focus, as did some menus rendered in 3D. Keep in mind that it's very important to keep your head still to main just the perfect angle. To get games to play in 3D, they have to be run through the TriDef wrapper app, which is an easy enough process, but one with a lot of processing overhead. Playing Street Fighter IV (which looked very good in 3D), we got an average of 32 frames per second (at the native 1,366x768 pixel resolution) when running the game normally, but that dropped to about 13 frames per second when running it in 3D.

That's especially disappointing given the high powered hardware. On the positive side, the plastic polarized glasses are passive, and don't require batteries or recharging. Also, no external IR emitter dongle is required (as in Nvidia 3D Vision systems), making this a more compact, no extras required setup.

Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17

2011-02-25T14:40:00.000+07:00

Like many of Asus' recent Eee PC Netbooks, Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17 has a sleek, teardrop shaped side profile, thicker at the back and tapering down to a sharp point at the nose. It's largely the same tapered/curved design we've seen on most Asus Eee PC's over the last year or so, particularly the 1005PEB, making it hard to muster excitement for a design that's barely distinguishable from others. Smooth matte surfaces on the back lid and keyboard deck guard against fingerprints, but still give off some ambient gloss.

Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17 line comes in red, blue, white, and black our red model had an attractive, coppery, brownish glow. The back lid's rather thick and whole unit feels solid, even a bit dense, but the compact form feels easy to tuck away. Having no protruding batteries or edges other than a slight bump on the rear bottom is a plus. The edge to edge raised chiclet style keyboard features well responding keys and no flex, but the smaller than full size keyboard felt cramped after a while.

In particular, the tiny wrist rests underneath feel too small for easy lap typing. A wide multitouch touchpad is composed of the same comfortable matte smooth lid/palmrest material, and is delineated by thin silver strips on the left and right, a slight change from previous Eee PC models. The touchpad felt wider and nicer than on previous models, though our thumbs tended to land on the pad when typing. A thin plastic button bar beneath is a bit small, but has a solid click.

Above the keyboard, a small plastic power button sits to the right and a quick-start button lies side by side with a Wi-Fi on/off button on the left. Asus' Express Gate Cloud quick start OS is a pared down environment with its own browser, photo app, and a few other features. Despite its faster boot time, we doubt many people will be satisfied with its performance and limited options most will opt to simply boot up Windows and keep Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17 in sleep mode between sessions.

The 10.1 inch LED matte screen on Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17 has a maximum pixel resolution of 1,152x864, which is highly nonstandard and produces a squished look. The resolution can be knocked down to 1,024x600 common for Netbooks. We've noticed 1,366x768 10 inch Netbook displays becoming increasingly common, but there's no such luck here. Pictures and videos looked crisp, and viewing angles were reasonable for the size and hinge limitations of Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17' lid, but Web pages feel cramped at this limited resolution.

Stereo speakers, located on the bottom front edge of Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PED-MU17, offered louder than average audio that actually sounded quite good for video viewing. They're not musically extravagant, but they're definitely good enough for most needs. Asus chose to add a physical lens cover slider to its VGA Webcam, ostensibly to protect people against being unknowingly recorded.

It seems a little silly and is more likely to cause panic by making some people think their Webcam is broken when it's really just covered. Regardless, the picture quality is suitable for basic video chat, but its contrast levels created dark silhouettes. Cyberlink's YouCam software, which can be launched from a pull-down software widget on the desktop, is included on the system and has links to various Asus cloud-storage services and shortcuts.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro

2011-02-15T09:46:00.000+07:00

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro, the most notable thing about Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro is its diminutive size. Unlike almost every other smartphone on the planet, you can hide it behind a credit card, and if you have especially large mitts, you might be able to close your hand completely around it. At 3.3 inches tall by 2 inches wide by 0.7 inches deep, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro is slightly taller and thicker than its X10 Mini counterpart, but we'll gladly take the added bulk for a full keyboard.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro remains quite light (4.2 ounces), so you won't feel burdened carrying it around. The 2.5 inch display and Sony Ericsson's User Experience interface are unchanged from the other phone. As we said before, the display is fine for browsing through menus and most basic features, but it's too small for higher end functions. As with Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro, some will appreciate the compact size, while others will want something beefier.

It's really up to you. Unfortunately, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro remains stuck on Android 1.6 even months after 2.0's release. Below the display you'll find the same physical controls for the home screen menu and the main menu, and for moving backwards through a menu. You must dial calls using the standard virtual keypad, though you can bang out messages and e-mails much faster using the physical keyboard. As you'd expect, the keyboard is fairly small, but the keys manage to have a relatively comfortable, spacious feel.

We could type quickly and we like the stiff feeling of the keys. You won't find any shortcut controls, and numbers share space with letters, but basic punctuation is surfaced on the keyboard. For other punctuation and symbols, you must access an onscreen virtual keyboard. The space bar is in a convenient location in the center of the bottom row. The slider mechanism is neither too sturdy nor too loose.

The camera lens and flash also rest on the middle of the back side with the microSD card slot behind the battery cover. The remaining exterior features differ somewhat from the X10. The power or screen lock switch and 3.5 mm headset jack sit on the phone's top end, the camera shutter and volume rocker are on the right spine, and the Micro-USB port for data syncing and charging rests on the left spine.

Skullcandy 50/50

2011-01-15T16:08:00.000+07:00

Skullcandy has made quite a name for itself in the headphone world, thanks largely to its focus on funky fashion and its aggressive marketing tactics aimed at tweens, teens, and young adults. However, the latest Skullcandy earphones to come down the pipe are perhaps the most adult oriented we've seen from the company. Skullcandy 50/50 earbuds, which are moderately priced at US$ 49.95, come in an array of relatively muted color options and feature inline controls for the iPhone and iPod as well as a striking low end response.

The clarity isn't the best and they feel a bit cheap and fragile, but if you're after some earphones with a hint of style and plenty of oomph, these aren't a bad option. As noted, Skullcandy 50/50 earbuds aren't going to win any awards for top notch construction. The earpieces are rather chunky and like the accents and mic module are made of hard, cheap feeling plastic.

The cable is flexible, but it tangles very easily and seems fragile at the connections to the plug and earpieces, both of which indicate the set may not be durable in the long run. The other downside to the design is the relatively large aperture of the earbuds, which may cause some discomfort for those with smaller or not perfectly round ear openings.

Asus Eee PC 1201PN

2010-07-07T11:03:00.003+07:00

Asus Eee PC 1201PN, however, only has a single core Atom N450 CPU to go with its Ion GPU, a combination that results in general performance that's weaker than its same priced predecessor. If the 1201N can be found for sale somewhere, it's probably the better buy for now. While the keyboard feel and general build of Asus Eee PC 1201PN are very similar to what we enjoyed in the 1201N before it, its limited processor slows things down, whereas the Ion graphics don't seem to add much more than what we'd already seen in Ion last year and, in some cases, it even seemed to offer less.

In a post iPad era, a Netbook has to offer a low price or an impressive performance, and this Asus really has neither. From the outside and inside, Asus Eee PC 1201PN looks a lot like both the 1201N we reviewed in early January and recent, more affordable Eee PC Netbooks. A plain, glossy black plastic lid that flaunts its fingerprints also comes in red or silver. Inside, more shiny black plastic frames an edge to edge raised Chiclet style keyboard. The double hinge on the lid straddles either side of a battery that has minimal bulge on Asus Eee PC 1201PN's bottom and fits right into the back.

The keyboard's easy to type on and comfortable to work at on a desk or perched in one's lap. The dimpled multitouch touchpad below is flush with the rest of the keyboard deck but responds well to finger gestures. A thin chromed plastic rocker bar for button pressing could have been a little more ergonomic. The LED-backlit 12.1 inch glossy LCS screen has a native resolution of 1.366 x 768 pixels, which matches most laptop displays around 13 and 14 inches. Most importantly, it's a common resolution; browser windows and other programs won't feel shoehorned in like they do with the pixel restrictions on most 10 and 11 inch Netbooks.

Images and video looked as bright and crisp as they did on the Eee PC 1201N we reviewed previously. The stereo speakers on this laptop, embedded on the front bottom edge of the base, are notably louder than other Netbooks. They don't exactly produce well defined music, but we appreciate their volume for TV viewing. Above the screen, a 0.3 megapixel Webcam offers video conferencing and picture taking capabilities, with a passable frame rate and middle of the road image quality.

To its credit, Asus Eee PC 1201PN includes Bluetooth but it better at this price. HDMI is common on any non-Apple laptop, but in the case of this Ion equipped Netbook you might find it more useful than with others, as Nvidia promises smooth 1080p playback of video files on an external HDTV. While that's nice, we imagine more people will want to stream video onto an HDTV (for Hulu, for instance, or YouTube).

Streaming video playback, which relies on Adobe Flash 10.1, worked well sometimes and stuttered at others depending on the site and level of graphic overlay. 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive are increasingly standard offerings for higher end Netbooks. Windows 7 Home Premium is preinstalled, which is an improvement over the Windows 7 Starter many Netbooks offer.

While Asus Eee PC 1201PN is technically the first Netbook with next gen Nvidia Ion graphics, the CPU is decidedly current gen. Unlike the dual core Atom processor we saw in the innovative but hot running Asus Eee PC 1201PN, the single core Atom N450 at the heart of this Netbook is the same one in nearly every Netbook currently for sale. Its performance when augmented with its Nvidia Ion integrated GPU does fair better than other competitors, but Asus Eee PC 1201PN actually is a slower laptop than its dual core predecessor, which cost the same back in January. If you can find the 1201N on sale somewhere, you'll have a faster Netbook.

Gateway NV59C09u

2010-07-07T10:57:00.003+07:00

Gateway NV59C09u is a laptop that's slightly thinner and lighter than the nearly identically configured NV5933u we reviewed recently, but to be honest it won't register to most people who aren't studying laptop lineups with a magnifying glass. A matte silver finish with a wavy lined pattern across the outer lid and inner keyboard deck is a little nicer looking than the older Gateway NV design, but by a small degree.

One design change in Gateway NV59C09u is a flatter lid hinge, making a leaner look at the back edge than the bulkier tube shaped hinge design of other NV laptops. The look inside is nice and clean : shiny black plastic around the inset glossy screen and keyboard, and a small mirrored strip above the keyboard that houses a narrow power button. The keyboard and touchpad have been redesigned on Gateway NV59C09u, to mixed results : the wide, flat keyboard is still technically flat versus raised, but the spaces between keys have been widened to create a bit of a raised key effect, even though the gaps are recessed.

It makes the keys slightly more comfortable, but the chances of crumbs and gunk falling down between keys seem like an annoying inevitability. We do appreciate the dedicated volume keys above the adjoining number pad, a move we wish more laptops would include. There's also an interesting "social media" key that looks like little smiling people, which brings up Gateway's software app for glomming Facebook, Twitter, and other social sites together. This isn't anything that programs like Digsby don't already do, but it's nice to see it so effortlessly integrated.

The touchpad is delineated only by thin raised lines on the keyboard deck otherwise, it's basically an extension of the rest of the palmrest surface. We like a more recessed, dedicated touchpad zone, but it worked fine all the same, with a decent surface area comparable to other NV models. The button bar is flush and a rocker bar (we prefer two discrete buttons), but it's a step better than the overdesigned, annoying thin mirrored strip on the lower end Gateway NV models.

Oddly, however, the new design looks cheaper. The LED-backlit 15.6 inch glossy display on the Gateway NV59C09u has a 16:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 1.366x768, which is standard for most laptops up to 15 inches. At this size, we've seen higher-res displays the lower resolution is a bit of a disconnect with the included Blu-ray drive and for the not bargain basement cost of $799, we were a little surprised the resolution didn't get bumped up to at least 1.600x900.

Blu-ray discs looked good, but not distinctly better than a good DVD player experience. To really show off your discs, you'll probably want to go through the HDMI out port. Above the screen, a high-def Webcam offers video conferencing and picture taking capabilities, with a maximum resolution of 1.280x1,024. This is one of the few upgrades from Gateway NV59C09u, which could record VGA quality video only. We appreciate the spec bump, and the quality is better than average for laptop Webcams.

Skype software is preinstalled along with a large collection of other programs we're not sure we need Gateway to load on for us. The integrated speakers located above the keyboard and under thin black mesh grilles that too easily trapped small dust particles have better than average volume and bass for movie watching, but are really no better than other NV laptop speakers we've tried. They're good enough and certainly loud enough for video watching, music, and Web chat, but they're not knockouts sonically.

Dell Vostro 3300

2010-07-05T17:23:00.003+07:00

Dell Vostro 3300 is meant to glide somewhere between personal and business, and that's exactly what the design of Dell Vostro 3300 suggests : metal and black define the outside, with squared off edges on the front and back, and slightly rounded sides. Dell Vostro 3300 comes standard in Aberdeen Silver (which is what we had) in Core i3 configurations, with the option of adding Lucerne Red or Brisbane Bronze color schemes in the Core i5 configuration for an extra $40.

Overall, the design lies somewhere between the trendy Adamo and the more utilitarian Latitude. Plain, ThinkPad-esque matte black defines the interior of this minimalist Dell, from the keyboard deck up to the material surrounding the above screen Webcam. A few backlit media control keys and a backlit power button above the keyboard are the only flashy touches. Because this Vostro has a slightly thick and squared bottom half, there's room to fit audio in or out jacks, an SD card slot, and a Wi-Fi toggle button on the front edge, although they're a little tightly packed together in the center below the track pad.

The keyboard on Dell Vostro 3300 is similar to ones we've seen on other recent Dell laptops : it could be best described as a flat keyboard with individually raised keys. Though there's no number pad, it's easy to type and feels comfortable during extended writing sessions, and the keyboard goes edge to edge, maximizing the laptop's compact dimensions. The keyboard on our model wasn't backlit and that isn't available as an upgrade option on this exact model, but there is a Dell Vostro 3300 that includes a backlit keyboard on Dell's Web site starting at $708.

Above the keyboard, a small backlit touch controlled media bar has basic play and pause and volume functions. It's useful, but not overly so for a business focused machine. These might have been better spent on videoconferencing and other productivity related toggles. To the right of these are a few LED indicators for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and battery status. The track pad is wider and responds better than that of some brands we've seen. The plain discrete buttons below are nothing remarkable and could be slightly larger, but at least they're not over designed.

A 13.3 inch LED-backlit display on Dell Vostro 3300 has a 16x9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 1.366x768 pixels, which is standard for most laptops up to 15 inches. These screens also come standard with antiglare, which is far rarer. The experience we had was excellent the screen has the glare free quality of a matte display, with the crispness found in a glossy coating. Text and video were easy to watch in any lighting. The included 2 megapixel Webcam had better clarity, sound recording and light sensitivity than most Webcams we've come across, making it perfect for video conferencing.

A small LED light also indicates the camera's in record mode. Though the camera's professional, Dell's selection of cartoonish effect overlays in its included camera software can only be described as cheese ball. There's only one speaker on Dell Vostro 3300. It's located on the front left edge of the laptop's bottom half, and though it sounds loud and clear, its off center position makes it a weak choice for movie playback. Should you choose to take a break with a DVD, you might want to pack some good headphones.

Dell Vostro 3300 doesn't have a huge selection of ports, but it does have eSATA. It's lacking HDMI-out, however, which is a feature that's becoming nearly universal on all laptops (excluding Macs). Thankfully, at least there's Bluetooth. Configuration options abound on Dell Vostro 3300, as is often the case with Dell laptops. Customization on Dell's Web site offers either a Core i3 or i5 processor, along with RAM configurations from 2GB to 4GB and hard drives from 250GB to 500, all at 7,200rpm. RAM can be expanded up to 8GB.

Despite Core i3 and i5 processors being 64 bit ready, Dell chose to make 32 bit Windows Home Premium the default OS. Upgrading to 32 bit Professional or 64 bit Home Premium costs an extra $70, 64 bit Professional, an extra $120. Depending on the support software, memory and other options chosen, Dell Vostro 3300's price can climb above $1,000, where it no longer seems like a great bargain. We'd advise you keep software services to a minimum and focus on basic needs. Our configuration, at over $800, just straddles the border of what we'd consider paying before looking elsewhere.

HTC Evo 4G

2010-06-22T08:14:00.003+07:00

HTC Evo 4G is Sprint's premier smartphone and you'll get a great device regardless of our quibbles. We just hope Sprint starts to light up those 4G markets faster, so everyone can take advantage of the 4G capabilities and get their money's worth. HTC Evo 4G will be available June 4 for $199.99 with a two year contract and the aforementioned data plans. Though Sprint requires a $100 mail-in rebate, Best Buy and Radio Shack do not, so you get the $200 price tag instantly. Cut from the same cloth as the HTC HD2, HTC Evo 4G isn't what you'd call a dainty phone.

It measures 4.8 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick and weighs 6 ounces, so you're dealing with a good chunk of hardware. It's right on the cusp of being too big, but HTC was able to keep HTC Evo 4G relatively thin, making it more manageable. Plus, you might be willing to overlook the large size once you get a glimpse of the smartphone's massive display. Like the HD2, HTC Evo 4G rocks a 4.3 inch capacitive touch screen that's downright mesmerizing. The extra screen real estate makes a huge difference when viewing Web pages and reading text, and HTC Evo 4G supports the pinch to zoom gesture in a number of apps.

The display shows vibrant colors and the sharp WVGA 800x480 pixel resolution makes everything look crisp. There is a built-in light sensor that will automatically adjust the backlight based on the ambient light we were able to read the screen in most environments, but it did wash out a bit in bright sunlight. Another benefit of the large display is a spacious keyboard that rivals the iPhone's in ease of use. Even in portrait mode, we were able to quickly punch out a message with both thumbs (none of that pecking at the keys with one finger) with minimal mistakes.

As you can imagine, the landscape keyboard is even roomier, but most times we found we could get away with just typing in portrait mode. Below the screen, you get four touch sensitive navigation controls : home, menu, back, and search. A long press of the home key will bring up a list of your most recently used apps. There's a volume rocker on the right side, and the top of the device features a power button and 3.5 mm headphone jack. On the bottom, you'll find a Micro-USB port and an HDMI port. Be aware that the latter is a Type D connector, so you'll have to get a compatible cable to hook the phone up to your TV.

Of course, you can watch video and view photos right from the phone, and there's a handy kickstand on back so you can prop the phone up on a desk. Though there will be purists who prefer the standard Android skin, in most cases, we'd choose a device running HTC Sense. Out of all our custom skins for Android (Motoblur, TouchWiz, etc.), Sense is our absolute favorite, as it gives Android a more user friendly interface. In many cases, it improves on the core functions by better integrating the features, which is why we're glad to see that Sprint had the sense (sorry) to go with Sense on HTC Evo 4G.

Just like the Droid Incredible and the HTC Legend, HTC Evo 4G runs the newer version of HTC Sense, which was announced at Mobile World Congress 2010. This includes a revamped mail widget that can take you to a list view of all your e-mail instead of just one message at a time. (This view, however, is only one of several choices.) Once in the mail app, there's a handy tabbed interface at the bottom that lets you view unread messages, attachments, meeting invites, and more with a simple touch.

The Agenda widget also now displays your whole agenda on the screen, and, like the latest HTC devices, you get an animated weather widget right on the home screen that automatically displays the current conditions based on your location. You also get a new Group Contacts widget, which lets you organize your contacts by groups. For example, you can set up one for work colleagues, another for friends, and another for just family whatever you please. The UI looks good, and it's simple to add contacts to a group, though removing them requires a few extra steps.

Sense also makes it easy to access as much information as possible within the contact management system. If any of your contacts have Facebook updates, it will display them right next to their pictures in the contact database. You can also see all your exchanges (text messages, call logs, etc.) with a single person from his or her contact card, and all your contacts are accessible within the phone app.

However, we still had multiple instances of duplicate contacts and had to go back and manually link them together. Another feature, called Friend Stream, provides a single place for all your social networking needs, piping in updates from Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. Unlike Motoblur, it's not server based the phone connects to the sites and pulls information directly from there.