Say hello to the Lenovo IdeaPad U260

Lenovo is shaking up the market for ultraportable notebooks with a new akku Dell 1420 IdeaPad that not only carries a screen size the world has never seen but also power-saving, low-voltage Core i3 akku Dell m1210 and Core i5 processors.

Say hello to the Lenovo IdeaPad U260 (starts at $1,099), the world’s first ultraportable with a 12.5-inch akku dell latitude d420 display. That display size is certainly bag-ready, but there are other factors that’ll help the U260 travel with you VGP-BPS21 too. Namely, a carrying weight of 3 pounds, a frame just .7-inches thick, and low-voltage Core i3/i5 CPUs that manage battery VGP-BPS9 life better than typical processors.

The U260 will pack a 4-cell battery that it rates vgp-bps13/b with four hours of juice. We can’t speak to the system’s real-world battery life just yet, but you can bet your notebook budget we’ll test that during our VGP-BPS9/B review.

For that price buyers get a 17.3-inch multimedia notebook with an artful, aluminum-metal VGP-BPS9/S chassis, Core i5 processing power, great audio (Altec Lansing speakers with a sub-woofer built-in) and video (512 ATI Mobility Radeon switchable graphics, 17.3-inch HD Brightview display). Free upgrades like 6GB of RAM and two 320GB 7200rpm HDDs, make this deal an even sweeter buy for less than $1,000.

Blu-ray fans will be happy to know they VGP-BPS13 can add a Blu-ray rewritable drive for $150. The latter option prices the dv7 at $1,249 and activates a $400 coupon from LogicBUY that drops the final price to a very attractive VGP-BPS13A/B $849.

And those who love penultimate processing power can customize the dv7 with a Core i7 quad-core processor vostro 1400 battery (HP requires an upgrade to a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon Graphics chips are responsible for processing all images sent to CF623 battery your computer?s display.

Learn Moregraphics card as well), which latitude d610 battery makes the final tally $1,449. With LogicBUY’s $400 discount, however, those buyers will pay $1,049

Here’s a weekend project for you adventurous Galaxy Tab owners out there. An XDA forum member going by the KD476 battery handle dviera88 succeeded in putting Ubuntu on a Tab following a set of instructions for putting Ubuntu on a Samsung Epic. As the latest Dell 1525 Battery Ubuntu includes some inherent touch functionality, the result isn’t so much a Frankenstein monster as it could be. The OS behaves pavilion dv2000 battery well, and the Tab’s hardware handles it easily.

The first step to the Ubuntu/Tab wedding is rooting the tablet, of course, and then “you will pavilion dv6500 battery need Busybox, Superuser, the Android SDK and knowledge on how to use it, AndroidVNC and Terminal Emulator,” pavilion dv6000 battery according to the XDA developer’s blog. The process seems pretty daunting to me, but I’m sure there are plenty of you drooling with the pavilion dv2500 battery prospect

Mad Catz Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar (PS3, Wii, XBox 360)

For virtual rockers, this is the peripheral to beat. Designed exclusively for pavilion dv9000 battery Rock Band 3, the Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar Controller ushers in a new level of realism to the rhythm music genre. pavilion dv8000 battery Featuring 17 frets along a button-based neck, this guitar emulator includes a six-string strumming area for the discrete picking of each string and a touch-sensitive string box for muting or cutting off notes. This pavilion tx1000 battery controller also operates as a fully functional MIDI guitar, and is comfortable for righties and lefties compaq evo n410c battery alike.

Nyko Raven (PS3)

For extended gaming sessions, the perfect controller is essential. Enter the Nyko compaq evo n610c battery Raven, which combines a completely unique ergonomic design with all the functionality a gamer could ask for. The presario v3000 battery Soft Feel Surface provides an incredibly comfortable yet secure grip, and the angled triggers keep fingers from slipping while they plow through one zombie hoard after another. Multi-axis motion and full vibration is presario v6000 battery supported, and the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery should last up to 25 presario cq50 battery hours.

THQ uDraw GameTablet (Wii)

Bundled with an expansive drawing, coloring, and art-based video game, uDraw Studio, this hp compaq nc6400 battery first-of-its-kind Nintendo Wii accessory is a 4 x 6-inch tablet that houses a Wii Remote and turns your TV into an art board. Your kids hp compaq nc6120 battery will be able to save their doodles on an SD Card and print them out later to decorate the refrigerator. Console-specific hp compaq 6510b battery games Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure are set to hit store shelves before December 25th, with more to come early next year.

And speaking of pre-orders, you’ll be happy to know that LogicBUY is ahead of the discount game with a special 15% coupon hp compaq 6710b battery for the IdeaPad U260. Stack that with Lenovo.com’s instant $100 discount and the total for these category shake-hp compaq 6715b battery ups (originally $1,099) drops to $849 for the Core i3 models and $934 for the Core i5 one.

Specs: 1.33GHz Core i5-470UM or Core i3-380UM CPU; Up hp compaq 6715s battery to 4GB DDR3 memory; Optional external DVD+/-RW optical drive; 802.11n; WiFi; Dolby Advanced Audio; Bluetooth; Gigabit Ethernet; HDMI; 2 USB 2.0 Ports; integrated webcam; multi-finger touchpad; chiclet hp compaq 6720s battery keyboard; 4 hours battery life (on default 4-cell battery); Windows 7 Home Premium OS

In preparation for the shopping extravaganza that is the Friday after Thanksgiving, Target hp compaq nx7300 battery is offering tons of sales for those who just can’t wait. They are not alone either. But this big box retailer is hp compaq nx6125 battery offering a few good electronics deals worth taking note of that will run from 11/21 to 11/24, including

Depending on how you configure it, the HP Pavilion dv7 could Lenovo thinkpad r61 battery be a workstation for graphic designers or a media lover’s go-to device for Blu-ray and other HD content. Luckily, HP and LogicBUY are teaming up to offer savings on dv7 configurations Lenovo thinkpad t400 battery that appeal to consumers across the spectrum.

Entry-level users get the cheapest dv7 available ($1,099) Lenovo thinkpad t500 battery for $949. The price drop comes complement of a $150 instant discount from HP and a stackable LogicBUY $25 coupon.

The 10-megapixel Canon SD4000 IS

Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS

The 10-megapixel Canon SD4000 IS uses a one-two punch for shooting in low light without a akku Dell inspiron 1501 flash: a wide f/2 aperture and a high-sensitivity BSI image sensor with the circuitry on the rear of the chip so there's more surface area to Akku Dell Inspiron E1505 absorb light. Other pluses on this stylish little camera include a versatile 3.8x (28 to 105mm) optical zoom, 720p HD video recording with stereo sound, and a high-speed shooting mode that can capture 8.4 frames per second at a reduced resolution. VGP-BPS13 At full resolution, the SD4000 can shoot at a still sprightly 3.7 fps.

Sony ALPHA NEX-5

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 is a pint-size camera with a 14.2-megapixel image sensor as large as VGP-BPS13A/B what you'd find in a big and bulky DSLR. That sizable sensor has bigger individual pixels, giving you crisp, clean images even in lousy lighting. The VGP-BPS13/B NEX-5 uses interchangeable lenses, letting your shutterbug switch them out depending on the shooting situation; we like the snub-nosed 16mm f/2.8 for capturing dreamy wide-angle images. The camera's Sweep Panorama mode automatically combines several VGP-BPS13A/S shots into one large image, and its full 1080p HD movie mode captures some pretty sweet high-VGP-BPS21A def clips.

Olympus PEN E-PL1

The 12-MP Olympus PEN E-PL1 is another small camera with a big sensor that allows for VGP-BPS9 interchangeable lenses (this one using a Micro Four Thirds system). We like the 720p HD video capability along with its six art filters, including a cool pin VGP-BPS8 hole filter, an old-school grainy film filter, and a new filter called Gentle Sepia. The camera's new Live Guide mode lets users select icons to change basic settings, such as brightness and contrast, via sliders. The changes are shown live on the camera's 2.7-inch LCD VGP-BPS9A/B screen. The E-PL1 is also less expensive than Olympus' other PEN models and features something its stablemates don't have: a VGP-BPS9/B pop-up flash.

Lowest Price: $499.00

Pentax Optio W90

The perfect camera for the rough-and-tumble VGP-BPS9/S adventurer in your life, the 12.1-MP Optio W90 is waterproof to 20 feet below, shockproof to withstand up to 4-foot drops, coldproof to resist sub-freezing temperatures, and dustproof to protect against sandy environments. The W90 also takes pretty good pictures, VGP-BPS8A thanks to its 5x (28 to 140mm) lens and built in Shake Reduction system to steady shots. Most of all, though, this rugged camera is just plain cool, with a VGP-BPS2 rubberized body and carabiner strap. There's even a Digital Microscope mode that shoots an LED beam from the front to illuminate VGP-BPS2A close-ups.

How do you differentiate between a "consumer" smart phone and a "business" smart phone? Motorola attempts to answer that question VGP-BPS2B with the Droid Pro ($179 on Verizon), an Android 2.2 device with a physical QWERTY keyboard, a pre-installed light version of the Quickoffice VGP-BPS2C Mobile Suite, and Microsoft Exchange support for secure corporate e-mail. But while Motorola has added these pro amenities, you'll need to vgp-bps21a make some sacrifices to carry this BlackBerry alternative, including a half inch of screen size. So should business users opt for the Droid Pro over consumer-focused Droids and RIM's latest devices? It depends on VGP-BPS9A/B your priorities.

Design

In many ways, the Droid Pro is a throwback, design-wise, to the many BlackBerry black slab imitators--an pa3535u-1brs elongated 3.1-inch 480 x 320 HVGA touchscreen situated above a three-line QWERTY keyboard. Inserted into the silver-banded perimeter are a studio 17 battery volume toggle and the micro USB jack on the left side, an assignable function key on the right, and a screen on/off and 3.5mm headphone jack up top. Around back, the 5-megapixel camera/LED flash assembly forms a bit of a hump, studio 1737 battery which makes the Pro a bit thinner than its stated 0.46-inch thickness.

The Droid Pro and Droid 2 have nearly identical dimensions, but the latter weighs more studio 1535 battery than a ounce more (4.7 vs. 6 ounces). But in addition to its larger display, the Droid 2 includes 8 GB of built-in memory and includes a built-in 8 latitude e5500 battery GB microSD card, versus the 2 + 2 GB in the Droid Pro. This Droid has four capacitive buttons above the keyboard, which, while responsive, felt like a disconnect in that this handset has physical latitude e6400 battery keys.

Behind the easily pried-off battery cover is the microSD card slot, which is guarded by a springy plastic latitude e6500 battery bumper clip that's difficult to remove. However, you'll want to do this because you only get 2 GB out of the latitude e4300 battery box.

Display

By adding a QWERTY keyboard to its face, Motorola has reduced the space for a screen, thus the 3.1-inch vostro 1510 battery 480 x 320 (HVGA) TFT display is larger but has a lower resolution than on the BlackBerry Tour and Torch (2.4 vostro 1310 battery inches, 480 x 360), and 0.6 inches smaller than the 3.7-inch 854 x 480 WVGA screen on the Droid 2.

The Droid Pro's screen is not only smaller than other Droids', but it's not as crisp, either. Small text on websites inspiron 1545 battery is squint-inducing. You'll definitely need to zoom in on this device. On the other hand, apps such as Angry Birds looked fine on this scrunched inspiron 1525 battery display.

Keyboard

The Droid Pro's most important differentiating physical feature is its QWERTY keyboard. The tall latitude d630 battery rectangular keys are wedged, with the wedge ridge located on the right side of each key on the left-hand side of the keyboard, and studio 15 battery toward the left on the right side. Keys and rows are arranged checkerboard-style rather than staggered and, even though they are jammed together, the wedge ridges help avoid accidental adjacent key presses.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5

A sophisticated camera with features even pros would like (but that's simple enough for beginners), the 10-MP Panasonic LX5 has latitude d620 battery a sharp Leica-branded f/2.0 lens that offers sterling performance in both optimal and low light. And because it's a 3.8x lens that can zoom out xps m1330 battery as wide as 24mm, you'll have no trouble shooting street scenes, landscapes, or group portraits. The LX5 has a larger-than-average 1/1.63-inch inspiron 6400 battery CCD image sensor that captures great color, while the camera's built-in Optical Image Stabilizer steadies shaky shots. One-touch video recording means she'll always be ready to shoot HD movie clips, which can play back for friends on the LX5's inspiron 1501 battery gorgeous, 3-inch, 460,000-dot LCD screen.

Nikon D3100

An entry-level DSLR made for novices, Nikon's 14.2-MP D3100 boasts an improved Guide mode inspiron e1505 battery that displays a sample photo to demonstrate an effect, such as softening the background in a portrait. This camera also has a surprising latitude d820 battery number of powerful features for the price, including full 1080p HD video at 24 fps for a film-like look. In-camera editing tools let him tweak his HD clips without having to transfer them to a computer, while a built-in HDMI port lets him connect the camera directly vostro 1000 battery to an HDTV for immediate playback. In addition, the D3100 is the first DSLR to offer continuous autofocus in both video and one-touch Live gd761 battery View modes. As a still camera, the D3100 uses a sharp 11-point autofocus system to capture photos at up to 3 fps.

 

Overall, the keys are large enough that you'll likely type with more latitude d830 battery accuracy and confidence on this layout than you would on a touchscreen-only phone. We also like that the keyboard never gets in the way of content. However, the keys felt a bit stiff, and required more effort than we'd like to type. The humped inspiron 1520 battery keys on the Droid 2 are larger, staggered, and slightly easier to use, but you have to slide out the keyboard to enter text, which can be a pain. And vostro 1500 battery the Droid 2's layout doesn't offer as much travel. Having the keyboard always accessible can make a big difference, too, xps m1530 battery whether it's typing a quick tweet or using Android's universal search feature.

By comparison, keys on the typical BlackBerry are spaced apart a bit in slightly curved rows. This approach results in speedier typing xps m1730 battery on candy bar designs such as the BlackBerry Tour, but the Torch slider phone's keyboard feels flat compared to this device. We prefer the inspiron 1420 battery Droid Pro for typing.

Kensington KeyFolio Bluetooth Keyboard and Case for iPad

This keyboard lets you type much faster than you can with touch-typing VGP-BPS13 while protecting your tablet, but is it worth $99?

When the iPad first came out, there was a lot sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery of speculation as to whether it could replace a full-fledged notebook. However, many came to realize that, without a keyboard, it was difficult to type longer documents. Enter the Kensington KeyFolio, a Bluetooth keyboard built into an iPad case. Will this $99 accessory Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery let you leave your laptop behind?

Design

From the outside, the KeyFolio looks like an elegant iPad case--which in fact, it is. It's made sony VGP-BPS9 battery of black faux leather with white stitching. Flip over the cover, and you reveal its second function as a wireless keyboard.

The keyboard is covered in a rubber membrane sony VGP-BPS9/S battery that protects it from spills and prevents the screen from getting scratched. A few ridges above the keyboard let you adjust the angle of the iPad, but in doing so, it covers the Pairing button. There's no way to secure the iPad to the keyboard, so the KeyFolio has to Vostro 1510 Battery be used on a flat surface such as a desk; putting it on our lap caused the iPad to fall backwards.

The case weighs just over one pound, which is light in the grand scheme of things, but, when Inspiron 1545 battery coupled with the 1.5-pound iPad, this combo weighs almost as much as the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM.

Performance

Pairing the KeyFolio with the iPad was easy. Simply Dell Latitude E6400 Battery turn the keyboard on (there's a small switch on the right side above the keys), and press the large Connect button on the top. A message will appear on the screen asking you to type in a code on the keyboard to complete the pairing.

The keyboard on the KeyFolio is about the same size as one you'd find on a netbook. However, it's not nearly as good as, say, the Vostro 1710 Battery Toshiba Mini NB305. The rubber membrane was soft to the touch, and in general, we found the keys responsive. In fact, they Vostro 1720 Battery were a bit too responsive; we found that we would often accidentally type the same letter twice in a row until we figured out just how much pressure to apply.

We found the KeyFolio, like early netbook toshiba PA3534U-1BRS Battery keyboards, to be slightly irregular. For example, in order to make room for arrow keys, there's no right Shift key. (For touch typists, that's a dealbreaker right there.) Also, the quote button is not in its usual place between L and Enter--only the Colon key Sony VGP-BPS13A/B Battery is there. Until we realized this, we found ourselves writing things such as "I;m" instead if "I'm."

However, we like that Kensington reversed the function keys; that is, media controls and volume Dell GD761 Battery can be accessed without having to press the Fn key first. Also, the F5 key can be used to bring up the on-screen keyboard, which is nice when you don't want to use Kensington's

The KeyFolio's battery is rated to last 90 hours; that's a lot of typing. When--or if--it runs low, you can recharge it using the microUSB port on the side.

Verdict

The idea that you can take just a tablet good battery with you on business trips is an intoxicating one, as it would free up weight battery and room in your carry-on. The $99 Kensington KeyFolio makes this dream a reality. However, the keyboard's misplaced keys (and missing right Shift key), the inability to use it securely in one's lap, and oversensitivity are real turn-offs. The KeyFolio is certainly better than nothing, but you may want to wait until something better comes battery along.

Kensington KeyFolio Bluetooth Keyboard and Case for iPad

This keyboard lets you type much faster than you can with touch-typing VGP-BPS13 while protecting your tablet, but is it worth $99?

When the iPad first came out, there was a lot sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery of speculation as to whether it could replace a full-fledged notebook. However, many came to realize that, without a keyboard, it was difficult to type longer documents. Enter the Kensington KeyFolio, a Bluetooth keyboard built into an iPad case. Will this $99 accessory Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery let you leave your laptop behind?

Design

From the outside, the KeyFolio looks like an elegant iPad case--which in fact, it is. It's made sony VGP-BPS9 battery of black faux leather with white stitching. Flip over the cover, and you reveal its second function as a wireless keyboard.

The keyboard is covered in a rubber membrane sony VGP-BPS9/S battery that protects it from spills and prevents the screen from getting scratched. A few ridges above the keyboard let you adjust the angle of the iPad, but in doing so, it covers the Pairing button. There's no way to secure the iPad to the keyboard, so the KeyFolio has to Vostro 1510 Battery be used on a flat surface such as a desk; putting it on our lap caused the iPad to fall backwards.

The case weighs just over one pound, which is light in the grand scheme of things, but, when Inspiron 1545 battery coupled with the 1.5-pound iPad, this combo weighs almost as much as the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM.

Performance

Pairing the KeyFolio with the iPad was easy. Simply Dell Latitude E6400 Battery turn the keyboard on (there's a small switch on the right side above the keys), and press the large Connect button on the top. A message will appear on the screen asking you to type in a code on the keyboard to complete the pairing.

The keyboard on the KeyFolio is about the same size as one you'd find on a netbook. However, it's not nearly as good as, say, the Vostro 1710 Battery Toshiba Mini NB305. The rubber membrane was soft to the touch, and in general, we found the keys responsive. In fact, they Vostro 1720 Battery were a bit too responsive; we found that we would often accidentally type the same letter twice in a row until we figured out just how much pressure to apply.

We found the KeyFolio, like early netbook toshiba PA3534U-1BRS Battery keyboards, to be slightly irregular. For example, in order to make room for arrow keys, there's no right Shift key. (For touch typists, that's a dealbreaker right there.) Also, the quote button is not in its usual place between L and Enter--only the Colon key Sony VGP-BPS13A/B Battery is there. Until we realized this, we found ourselves writing things such as "I;m" instead if "I'm."

However, we like that Kensington reversed the function keys; that is, media controls and volume Dell GD761 Battery can be accessed without having to press the Fn key first. Also, the F5 key can be used to bring up the on-screen keyboard, which is nice when you don't want to use Kensington's

The KeyFolio's battery is rated to last 90 hours; that's a lot of typing. When--or if--it runs low, you can recharge it using the microUSB port on the side.

Verdict

The idea that you can take just a tablet good battery with you on business trips is an intoxicating one, as it would free up weight battery and room in your carry-on. The $99 Kensington KeyFolio makes this dream a reality. However, the keyboard's misplaced keys (and missing right Shift key), the inability to use it securely in one's lap, and oversensitivity are real turn-offs. The KeyFolio is certainly better than nothing, but you may want to wait until something better comes battery along.

Listen Up, Carriers: 3G Tablets Need a New Pricing Menu

It’s quite the coup. Last night Samsung announced that all four major U.S. wireless Latitude 131L Battery carriers will be selling the Galaxy Tab, a sleek 7-inch Android tablet. There were just two critical pieces of information missing: the price of the device and the data plan. There’s no question that consumers will be enticed by this and other shiny slates when they walk through the door of the carrier stores. But if the pricing is anything like what carriers offer on today’s 3G netbooks, they’ll probably walk right back out without one. Unless service providers can structure data plans to be affordable and fair, the 3G tablet market will hit the same wall.

Today you can get a 3G netbook (HP Mini 1151NR) from Verizon Wireless for just 19 bucks on a two-year contract. Actually, make that $1,459—the total cost when you add in the $59 monthly fee for 5GB VGP-BPS9/B Battery of data. (It’s $960 when you opt for the 250MB plan, which no one should do.) AT&T’s plans are similar, at $60 for 5GB and $35 for 200MB. T-Mobile charges a more reasonable $39 for 5GB and $24.99 for 200MB, while Sprint doesn’t sell any subsidized netbooks directly. Overall, 3G netbooks haven’t moved in significant volumes because of that steep total cost of ownership. Who wants to pay that much for a secondary PC? Tablets are no different, which is why it’s time to offer a broader menu of pricing options.

AT&T and Apple were wise to go a different route than 3G netbooks for the hot-selling iPad. In exchange for shelling out $629 for the Wi-Fi + 3G device—$130 more than the entry-level Wi-Fi-only iPad—you pay just $25 per month for 2GB of data (or $14.99 for 200 MB). Total cost over VGP-BPS9A/B Battery two years is $1,229, $230 less than that “$19” netbook. Yes, you’re getting fewer bytes than if you opted for a subsidized mini notebook, but we suspect most users won’t go beyond that 2GB ceiling in a given month.

The best part about the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G is that there’s no monthly contract. You just activate (or de-activate) the mobile broadband when you feel like it. iSuppli estimates that as many as a third of iPads sold have 3G connectivity, which is pretty impressive. But that’s VGP-BPS9 battery the iPad. Consumers have consistently shown that they’re willing to pay a premium for Apple’s hardware. In fact, Best Buy’s CEO said this week that he estimates the iPad alone is cannibalizing sales of laptops to the tune of 50 percent.

So where does that leave the rest of the field? Scrambling to offer plans that are affordable and flexible, paired with device pricing that meets or beats the iPad’s. If I were Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, I would experiment VGP-BPS9/S battery with multiple pricing models, including the following. For each scenario I’ll provide the proposed price of the Galaxy Tab and where applicable a high-end smart phone ($199).

The New 3G Tablet Pricing Menu

Subsidized Tablet with Affordable Data: There’s no way that a Samsung Galaxy Tab shopper is going to pay $59 per month for data Vostro 1510 Battery , especially for something that’s not a full PC. Something like $40 per month sounds more reasonable for those willing to sign a two-year contract. That may still sound steep, but some may find tablets so versatile that they ditch their smart phone in favor of a cheap voice-only phone.

Tablet Price: $299 ($100 more than a smart phone seems reasonable), plus $40 per month for data.

Two-Year Total: $1,259

Shared Data Plans with Smart Phones: For those who prefer to pay less up front, carriers Inspiron 1545 battery should offer an option to buy a smart phone with a data plan and then share that bucket of bytes with a tablet—provided you sign up for a two-year contract. In this case you would have to pay more for the device than you would if went the traditional subsidized route, plus $5 more per month for data than you normally would (kind of like a service charge for an extra cable box/DVR in the home).

Tablet Price: $399, plus $35 per month for data

Two-Year Total: $1,239

Mobile Hotspot Bundles: Now that you can buy smart phones with built-in mobile hotspot apps, you could easily share that data with a tablet. Sprint charges $30 per month for this feature for unlimited data (which includes 4G), while Verizon Wireless’ plan is $20 for 2GB. AT&T and T-Mobile do not yet offer phones with this capability. (Tethering via USB is sometimes an option, but it’s inconvenient.) I think carriers E6400 Battery should sell these smart phones and tablets as a bundle. You would get the slate at a discount but would still need to pay the separate hotspot data fee. Another option could be pairing a dedicated mobile hotspot device like the MiFi or Sprint Overdrive with a tablet, though the higher cost of data ($59 per month) would mean carriers would charge less for the device bundle.

Hotspot Phone + Tablet: $499, plus $30 for data

Two-Year Total: $1,219

Mobile Hotspot Device + Tablet: $349, plus $35 for data

Two-Year Total: $1,189

No-Contract Pricing, Including Session-Priced Data: One of the options should mirror AT&T’s, where the customer can pay more for the device but less for data per month—no contract required. This is something that T-Mobile already does with its battery phones. AT&T’s going rate of $25 per month for 2GB seems fair. And you shouldn’t be limited to signing up for a whole 30 days at a time. Session-based pricing could cost anywhere from $3 to $5 per day.

Price of Tablet: $599, plus $25 per month for data

Two-Year Total: $1,199

Of course, I don’t expect all of the big four carriers to provide every option—it could very well get confusing—but I do hope that consumers are offered at least two of these menu options. Samsung and others will be selling good battery Wi-Fi-only versions of their tablets, but built-in mobile broadband makes these devices a lot more useful on the go, whether it’s for surfing the web, streaming video, or downloading apps. The tablet revolution is here, but unless service providers get more nimble with their plans the vast majority of consumers will stick with Wi-Fi.

HP Mini 210 HD Review

The Mini 210 HD is the latest netbook from HP, Latitude 131L Battery offering a full 720P-compatible 1366x768 resolution on a compact 10.1-inch display. This model includes the 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor standard-with the faster 1.83GHz N475 for $25 more-as well as Intel GMA 3150 integrated graphics. In this review we see how well this netbook holds up against the competition and if you should consider this over a slightly more powerful CULV notebook.

Build and Design

The new design of the HP Mini really helps to enhance its looks and raise the expectation that this netbook isn't a toy but rather a full-fledged designer notebook. The new Mini uses painted panels for the screen cover sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery and bottom cover, adding a touch of color to each model. Compared to normal designs that leave the bottom with bland, unfinished black plastic, this really helps in the looks department. The interior was also given a facelift, featuring a flush-mount Synaptics touchpad with integrated buttons. It also makes use of a redesigned Chiclet keyboard with integrated function-key lights to show when certain features are activated. The new look is nothing short of astonishing.

Build quality is very good even with the bottom panel that snaps into place. When completely closed the HP Mini 210 has a sturdy feel and doesn't show much flex under pressure. The screen cover does a good job of protecting the LCD and the bottom cover doesn't creak or feel loose when properly reinstalled. On the inside the Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery keyboard feels solid in its tray with very little flex or movement. The palmrest also holds up well, although if you have adult-sized hands your palms are hanging over the notebook and almost resting on the desk surface. In short, it is a pretty solid netbook with all things considered.

The HP Mini 210 has one of the most DIY-upgrade friendly designs we have ever seen in the NotebookReview offices. You can access all internal components without ever using a screwdriver ... and the same can't be said about other notebooks. HP designed the Mini 210 with sony VGP-BPS9 battery a bottom panel that comes off using old-fashion finger power. With the bottom panel off users have access to the Wi-Fi card, open mini-PCIe slot for a Broadcom HD or WWAN card, system memory and hard drive. Any upgrade can be performed in seconds, and is much less intimidating for even the most basic of users.

Screen and Speakers

The display on the HP Mini 210 HD is unlike most other netbooks. It has a higher WXGA (1366x768) resolution instead of the usual 1024x600 panel found on other models. This is useful in a number of ways, including properly sony VGP-BPS9/S battery displaying menu windows and reducing excessive horizontal or vertical scrolling. Another added benefit is being able to watch 720P video, although it also relies on you having a Broadcom CrystalHD decoder card configured with the system. Without that card the system would be unable to play the content, let alone display it on the higher resolution panel at reasonable framerates.

The panel itself is easy to read--at least with my eyes--and text doesn't appear to be that small compared to other mobile devices. If you can read VGP-BPS13/B small text on a mobile phone, you should be able to view the screen without any problems. Color and contrast are very nice, although at times I felt reflections off the all-glass surface seemed to obscure part of the panel. Backlight levels were great for viewing the screen in bright office conditions, but outdoor viewing was out of the question. Viewing angles were average compared to other notebooks, with colors starting to invert or distort when the screen was tilted about 15 degrees forward or back. Horizontal viewing angles were better, but the reflections seemed to obscure the panel past 45 to 50 degrees.

The small speakers on the HP Mini 210 HD are located on the front edge of the palmrest, PA3534U-1BRS angled downward towards your lap. On a flat desktop they easily filled up a small room with music but once you placed the netbook in your lap they became muffled and easily blocked by clothing. Sound quality was average compared to other similarly sized netbooks, with weak bass and midrange.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The HP Mini 210 HD features a 93% fullsize Chiclet keyboard. For short term use the keyboard is comfortable to type on and feels as strong as typing on a regular notebook. The size though can feel slightly cramped depending on if you Dell GD761 Battery are used to typing on a larger notebook. For short term travel or light usage in the home for web browsing you probably won't have any problem. If you intended to use this as your primary system, you might want to consider moving up to the 11.6" ultraportable form-factor which is closer to standard full-size while still being very portable.

Function keys on the keyboard are direct access, meaning you don't need to press the "Fn" button to adjust the screen brightness Dell Vostro 1510 Battery or enable Wi-Fi. Another feature is built-in indicator lights for the mute and wireless on/off buttons. While there is no performance different between this and side mounted lights, it helps in the aesthetics department.

The touchpad on the Mini 210 HD is a button-less Synaptics ClickPad with multitouch support. Compared to the twitchy variant found on the HP ProBook recently reviewed, we found no such problems on this particular version. Unlike the earlier version, if your finger was resting good battery on a pre-defined left/right button box, any movement on the main touchpad section would activate pinch-zoom. Now those areas are dead zones, preventing a lot of frustration we previously had. The touchpad surface was very smooth and almost glossy in texture. Sensitivity was excellent without any adjustment needed and acceleration on both axes was equal. It's hard to say if the touchpad has reached the same ease of use level of the one found on the MacBooks', but it is getting very close.

Ports and Features

The HP Mini 210 HD features three USB 2.0 ports, VGA-out, one audio headset jack, and Ethernet. The system also includes a SDHC card slot. Optional battery features include GPS, WWAN, and a Broadcom CrystalHD card for HD video decoding.

ASUS K42J Review

The ASUS K42J is the latest in the K series of affordable laptops. This 14-inch notebook Dell Latitude 131L Battery features a high-performance Intel Core i5 processor, discrete graphics with Nvidia Optimus technology, and a starting price below $900. Is this the ideal back-to-school laptop? Read on to find out.

Our review unit of the ASUS K42J (K42JC-A1) features the following specifications:

* 14-inch 720p (1366x768) display with LED backlighting

* Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

* Intel Core i5 430M (2.27GHz)

* Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics card w/ 1GB dedicated memory (Optimus switchable graphics)

* 4GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM

* 500GB 7200RPM hard drive

* 802.11n wireless

* DVD Super Multi drive

* Two-year warranty w/ one year accidental coverage

* 6-cell Li-ion battery (10.8v, 4400mAh, 47Wh)

* Weight: 5.01 lbs

* Dimensions: 13.7 x 9.4 x 1.5 inches

* MSRP: $899.99 ($880 street price)

Build and Design

The K42J has a traditional notebook design sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery and shape similar to the previous generation ASUS K40IN. In other words, it looks like a fairly boring coffee brown notebook without much flare. The notebook features a mixture of matte black, semi-gloss brown and black and glossy brown and black plastics. All of the corners and edges are rounded to give the laptop a smoother look, and the textured touchpad and palm rests give the K42J a nice feel. The glossy screen lid features a subtle imprinted design that replicates the pattern used on the palm rests, but overall we're talking about a very clean, simple laptop design.

The build quality of the K42JC-A1 is typical of most of the ASUS consumer-grade notebooks we've reviewed. The overall chassis strength Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery is good with no specific areas of plastic flex or creaking sounds. The internal chassis frame resists pressure quite well and the screen hinges provide a good balance of resistance (not too firm and not too loose). The back of the screen lid does flex under heavy pressure, but even when significant pressure is applied to the back of the screen there are no obvious ripples or distortions on the screen.

The bottom of the notebook includes two access plates for the RAM and the hard drive. ASUS sony VGP-BPS9 battery engineers obviously understand that most consumers buying a mainstream notebook like this won't upgrade much (if anything) beyond the RAM and hard drive. Yes, we usually like to have more access to the notebook's internals, but the majority of the people who buy this laptop probably won't care.

Screen and Speakers

The K42JC-A1 has a 14-inch diagonal display sony VGP-BPS9/S battery with LED backlighting and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The overall quality of the display is "very good" within the narrow viewing angle sweet spot. Brightness, contrast and color are all quite good. If there is a single obvious issue it has to be the narrow vertical viewing angles. While the horizontal viewing angles (side view) are nearly flawless, the colors become over exposed when viewed from above and significantly inverted and distorted when viewed from below. If you are using this laptop for color-accurate editing you will need to be certain you're viewing the screen from straight ahead. The backlighting also appears slightly uneven with brighter light coming from the bottom of the screen in our review unit.

The display's 1366x768 resolution is a standard resolution for mainstream notebooks. The horizontal resolution is adequate, however only 768 pixels Dell Vostro 1510 Battery of vertical space means a good deal of scrolling while surfing the Internet and only enough space to view about one-half of a page in a Microsoft Word.

The K42J has Altec Lansing speakers located underneath the palm rests facing forward on the front edge Dell Inspiron 1545 battery of the notebook. Despite the Altec Lansing brand name, these speakers didn't deliver exceptional sound quality. Vocals sound muddy and distorted, and the speaker output is weighted heavy toward the highs with no real midtones or bass to talk about. If you want quality audio out of this notebook you'll really have to consider external speakers or headphones. The headphone jack provides a great, static-free connection for alternate speakers.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The full-size keyboard on the K42J full-size keyboard features Dell Latitude E6400 Battery Chiclet-style keys that are responsive and provide a little extra spacing to prevent typos. The keys are large and flat and have a matte texture, which may wear over time. There is no noticeable flex unless you apply significant pressure to the keys in the middle of the board. A individual key presses are quiet with the softest possible "click-clack" noise while typing; making it nice for taking notes in a classroom or office meeting room. The keyboard lacks dedicated multimedia keys, but the arrow keys double as media keys when used with the function key.

The ELAN touchpad is a mixture of good and bad. The textured surface provides excellent traction for your fingertips but the touchpad suffers from obvious lag. This is a multi-touch touchpad with customizable gestures, but the mediocre responsiveness makes using the touchpad less than ideal. The lack of a dedicated scroll zone good battery is also annoying. The touchpad buttons have very shallow feedback with loud clicks when you press the buttons.

Ports and Features

The K42J is a step up from previous K-series notebooks in terms of the port selection. The K42JC-A1 adds the much needed HDMI port, though we'd still like to see the addition of an ExpressCard slot to make this laptop a little more future proof. A simple ExpressCard slot batteries would have made it possible to upgrade the K42J with USB 3.0 ... a potentially important feature since USB 3.0 is starting to show up in more and more notebooks. All picture descriptions are left to right.

Vaio VPC-X13D7E/B Subnotebook

Port master

Seagate has overhauled its range of external 2.5-inch hard drives, VGP-BPS9/B and at the same time developed a new system for connecting up ports. It gives you a great number of options, with USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire 800, USB 2.0 and LAN adaptors. We took a closer look at how it works.

761 Gramm.We'll take one ultra-light VGP-BPS9A/B mini, preferably small and without too much on the side. Those who are satisfied with basic notebook features but are still looking for striking exterior are right on target with the 11.1 inches.

Sony already presented the VAIO X-Series, an ultra mobile subnotebook which made the hearts of design oriented VGP-BPS9 and extravagant users jump for joy, back in September '09. Weighing only 761 gram (including battery), the light and wafer thin mini notebook was meant to appeal to buyers for whom aesthetics and bit of bravado are important. The producers spoke of "fans of aesthetics with premium standards".

Why has this dwarf landed once again in the editorial office after only a year? Sony VGP-BPS9/S has upgraded the atom processor; in place of an Atom Z540 (1.86 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 512 KB Cache), a Z550 (2.0 GHz, 533 MHz, 512 KB) is now housed in the thin case. Can the overly weak and faulty performance noted by the editorial staff back then be noticeably improved? What category does the X13D7E fall into? Netbook or Subnotebook?

We want to find out in this review Studio 17 Battery whether or not the fairly high price tag of 1.400 Euro is fair for the 11.1 incher when compared to current netbooks and subnotebooks.

Case

The Vaio X is as high as some of the display panels on our test notebooks are wide. The mini measures 13.9 millimeters and weighs Studio 1737 Battery in at only 761 grams. Also, the sharpened edges clearly indicate that we are dealing with a very light subnotebook. The sides of the lid and base unit are not just vertical, but rather come to a point towards the upper edge. Thus our finger always finds the gap when opening the lid of the 11.1 incher.

The producer opted for matte surfaces. The case is made out of painted carbon Studio 1535 Battery fiber (work space, top surface) and plastic (base plate, battery and TFT frame). The base plate appears to be painted with a matte finish in order to provide more grip. The top sides, such as the palm rest and the lid, feel smoother, but they are still dull-feeling surfaces.

Carbon fiber is considered both unbreakable and resistant VGP-BPS13B/Q to pressure whilst still being light. Carbon fiber is nevertheless also flexible. In auto racing, the material is layered in dozens of plies and arranged both length-ways and cross-ways (forming hollows) thus achieving a high strength of the material.

The Viao X is made out of one such type of carbon fiber though there is little room for extra outer-layering due to its thin design. This would VGP-BPS13/B of course make the case thicker, making it impossible to maintain its ultra-slim form. For that reason the chassis and the lid are still very flexible. We don't want to use the word fragile as carbon fiber is, after all, not "breakable".

However, there are design related weaknesses which could have been minimized in spite of the flexible material. The removable battery situated under the palm rest creates a gap lengthwise across the base unit. Because of this, the chassis loses valuable rigidity.

The gap is always in motion (creaking sounds) when handling and raising the 11.1 incher. With good battery the solid built-in battery, the chassis could have maintained quite a bit of stability. In that case, the base unit would be closed.

Connectivity

The Vaio X doesn't have many connection battery ports as these would simply be too big for the minimal dimensions of its case. An Ethernet port for example is 12 millimetres in height. How is such a port supposed to fit in a 9 millimetre high base unit? Sony’s solution for this is a flip-down LAN connection, which can also double as an Ethernet port.

Being only 8 millimetres high, the VGA port was lucky. The USB 2.0 also fits in the case, but only on the left hand side. However, Sony battery did not want to forgo its two cardreaders (SD+HG Duo) and for this reason they placed them directly under the Touchpad. In order for the battery to fit underneath, the battery cell was divided and is connected via a cell connector.

Sony’s 11.1 inch is a typical backup subnotebook for managers and therefore batteries of course also has an integrated 3G Modul (HSUPA-Module (7,2 / 5,76 Mbit/s) for internet access when underway. The slot for the sim- card is located under the battery.

Updated Hands-On Video: 7-Inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Gets Official: Android Market, 3G, and Speedy Performance

Ever since the advent of Android lovers of the mobile OS have been eager Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad T61 Battery to have it not just on their mobile phones, but large-screen devices as well. The open-source, Wild West aura of the platform spurred many early attempts and a slew of commercial products ranging from netbooks to eReaders to tablets. And it’s in this last category that geeks like myself have placed all their hope in non-phone Android awesomeness. And it’s in this category that devices have so often let us down.

However, here at IFA in Berlin Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad T60P Battery that’s all about to change. The story out of this conference is going to be tablets, tablets, tablets (for real this time!), and the one I’m anticipating the most is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The company announced the international version of this device today, which has me all excited for when it finally makes its way across the pond.

We’ve seen 7-inch Android tablets before, right? What usually stops them from being awesome is sluggish performance, terrible screens, older versions of the OS, and a lack of apps from the manufacturer plus the conspicuous absence of the Google Market. The Galaxy Tab has none of these issues.

In my hands-on time with the device, I was impressed with the speed and smoothness of the Android 2.2 experience, sony VGP-BPS9/S battery which was similar to what we’ve seen performance-wise on Samsung’s Galaxy S phones. The 1.0-GHz Cortex A8 processor and 512MB of memory ensure that apps and media run fast. And the gorgeous 7-inch WSVGA screen sports capacitive touch, not resistive. While my fingernails keep me from enjoying this to the fullest, it’s certainly far better than many of the resistive implementations we’ve seen recently.

The big news on the software side is that the Galaxy Tab is a Google Certified device, so it sony VGP-BPS9 battery will have the Android Market. In my experience many apps developed for phones will work with larger screens, but Samsung is also working with developers to ensure that owners will have a plethora of apps that not only work with, but are designed for the 7-inch form factor.

In addition to the market, Samsung has its own apps on board Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery that they’ve tweaked just for bigger displays. For instance, the company’s email app shows a list of messages similar to phone implementations in portrait mode, but switch to landscape and you get two columns: the message list on one side and the full text of the email on the other. The notes app works similarly, and we love the robust calendar.

Other pre-loaded apps include Thinkfree Office for creating and editing documents and the Swype keyboard. Users sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery will be able to download more in the future from Samsung Apps.

One of the global model’s software offerings I’m excited about is the Reader’s Hub, a unified app Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery that pulls eBook and ePeriodical material from multiple sources: Kobo, PressDisplay, and Zinio. And since users will also be able to download other eBookstore apps via the Android Market, the Tab should make a very powerful reading device.

But of course you’ll want to do more with that beautiful screen. Like Dell Studio 17 Battery watch movies and TV shows. The tablet supports DivX, XviD, MPEG4, H.263, and H.264 formats, amongst others. With up to 32GB of internal memory available plus a media card slot that can handle up to an additional 32GB, most users will be able to carry around a hefty library of video, music, and pictures. Samsung promises up to 7 hours of movie playback as well.

Other specs include two cameras, one facing the back and the front. And in Europe people will be able to use the Tab as a telephony Dell Studio 1737 Battery device over 3G HSPA or 802.11n wireless. Video conferencing, voice calls, speakerphone, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity, the works. Globally, Samsung intends to sell the devices via telecom carriers, not directly to consumers. Though a Wi-Fi only version isn’t out of the question, right now they’re focusing strictly on carrier-based sales.

As far as accessories go, Samsung has a few in the works. A keyboard, naturally, though it’s a dock Dell Studio 1535 Battery rather than a wireless one. A regular dock, stylus, data cables (including one for TV-Out via RCA), leather and plastic covers, and a car dock.

Overall, it looks like the Samsung Galaxy Tab is finally the droid Sony Laptop Battery we’ve been looking for. Speedy performance, great UI, a mountain of apps, a great screen, and Google is even on board. We hope this is the shape of things to come in the Android tablet space. The device will be available in Europe in mid-September. Availability for other markets (including the U.S.) haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll let you know when you can start saving your pennies for it.

In the mean time, check good battery out the gallery and specs below.

Full Specs:

•Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE) : 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz; 3G (HSUPA 5.76Mbps, HSDPA 7.2Mbps) : 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

•OS: Android 2.2 (Froyo)

•Display: 7.0 inch TFT-LCD, WSVGA (1024 x 600)

•Processor: Cortex A8 1.0GHz Application Processor with PowerVR SGX540

•Camera (Back): 3MP Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Flash

•Camera (Front): 1.3MP front camera for Video Telephony

•Media: Adobe Flash 10.1 player support; Full HD video playback.

•Connectivity: 30 pin connector

•Wireless: 802.11n / Bluetooth 3.0

•Sensor: Gyroscope sensor, Geo-magnetic sensor, Accelerometer, Light sensor

•Internal Memory: 16GB / 32GB internal memory with up to 32GB external memory slot

•RAM: 512 MB

•Size/Weight: 190.09 x 120.45 x 11.98mm, 380g

•Battery: 4,000mAh

Study: iOS Tops Android Market Share, Browser Usage

In the wake of yesterday’s Apple event, in which Steve Jobs suggested Google’s daily Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery activation numbers were inflated, prompting a terse response from Google, the research company Net Applications is weighing in with its own set of stats. Granted, studies of mobile market share come a dime a dozen, and often fail to take into account, say, the most recent product announcements. Those caveats aside, the numbers suggest that iOS bests Android in both market share as well as mobile web browsing.

Interestingly, whereas the numbers showed that iOS sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery devices had been trailing Android ones in market share, this began to shift around May of this year, accelerating in June, presumably when the iPhone 4 went on sale. (Perhaps, too, this shift includes the iPad’s rising momentum in late Spring). On the mobile web browsing side, Android always trailed iOS, but it seems that iOS gained an even bigger margin in that same May-June time frame. Again, the iPad’s strong sales, combined with the fact that the iPhone 4′s launch was, according to Apple, the strongest ever, could have something to do with it.

As we’ve said before, the balance of power between Android and iOS is tenuous, and the numbers are only part Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery of the story. We’ll be curious to see how these numbers look at the end of the year, particularly when an onslaught of Android tablets will too be counted

Toshiba Recalls Melting, Overheating Satellite T-Series Notebooks

When reviewing notebooks, we generally advise consumers that if a notebook’s temperature sony VGP-BPS9 battery exceeds 100 degrees, you’ve got a problem. A more obvious sign, though, is when the computer starts melting.

That’s what happened to one too many Toshiba sony VGP-BPS9/S battery Satellite T-Series laptops. Both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have announced they are recalling the Satellites T135, T135D, and ProT130 after receiving 129 reports of the cases melting and becoming misshapen. Although no injuries were reported, the situation obviously presents both an inconvenience and a fire hazard.

In its recall notice, Toshiba states that the problem could be caused by a faulty DC-In harness. Users can download a BIOS Sony Laptop Battery update that will determine if this is the problem. If it is, external power will be cut off, to prevent further damage (meaning, users can’t charge their notebooks until the problem has been repaired). Customers will then have to call Toshiba for warranty support

Apple TV (2010) Video Hands-on: Price is Right, Needs More Content

Between Roku, Sony, Boxee, and Google TV/Logitech, this fall there Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery will be no shortage of set-top boxes that allow you to stream premium movies and TV shows right to your HDTV. Apple has re-entered the game with its refreshed Apple TV, which delivers 99-cent show rentals and HD movies for $4.99 the same day DVDs ship. The box itself is a marvel of miniaturization, as it’s just a quarter the size of the original box. More important, it runs quieter and much cooler–the first-gen model could nearly fry an egg.

Is this device good enough to beat the sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery established players? Read on for more first impressions and check out the gallery and video.

What about content? Well, Apple has done what it needed to do to be competitive, signing up Netflix. You also still get YouTube, but the Roku box (starting at $59 for SD version, $69 for HD) does a lot more, including Amazon, MLB.TV, and a host of smaller providers. The Roku also does Pandora, and the company promises an upgrade that will handle 1080p. The Apple TV only does 720p, though the quality looked pretty impressive during our hands-on time.

Then again, Apple has iTunes, and you can’t ignore its massive momentum and the amount of accounts that are already Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery out there. In addition to movies from the major studios, you’ll be able to rent TV shows from ABC/Disney and Fox to start. Apple hopes that it will be able to land CBS/Viacom and NBC, but there’s no guarantee when these providers will show up.

We love the design of this little box, which you can easily hide in your entertainment center. It sony VGP-BPS9 battery has 802.11n built-in, which will make it easy to stream video from your PC. But that’s not all. Thanks to Apple’s AirPlay feature, you’ll be able to sling content from your iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone once the iOS 4.2 update rolls out. That’s a killer feature no other device has, and during Steve Jobs’ demo this technology seemed to work more smoothly than traditional DLNA technology.

Overall, the interface is exactly what current Apple TV sony VGP-BPS9/S battery owners enjoy, which is really intuitive. We find the UI much cleaner and easier to navigate than the Roku, and it also seems snappier. We also like the larger new remote, which should be much harder to lose under the couch.

The new Apple TV is definitely an improvement, but it will need a good marketing push and more content to win over the masses. After all, good battery most people still don’t know this category of product even exists.

Is It Too Late for Windows Phone 7?

Microsoft's completely revamped mobile operating system takes a fresh Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery approach to smart phones, but its unique strengths might not be enough to take on Apple and Google.

After Apple unveiled the sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery iPhone in 2007, it was the rest of the mobile tech industry's move. Google, of course, followed up with Android, shipping its first handset the following year. Palm's answer was webOS, the much-hyped operating system announced in 2009 whose corresponding devices never really took off. (HP saw potential and acquired the company earlier this year.) RIM has built the largest market share on the back of its great keyboards and long battery life, and it recently gave its operating system a better browser and more consumer-friendly aesthetics.

During this time Microsoft has remained mum, even as its dated Windows Mobile OS, primarily targeted toward corporate customers, Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery continued to bleed market share. Finally, back in February, Microsoft unveiled its answer to Android and iOS: Windows Phone 7. The slick interface, complete with customizable tiles for the home screen, includes hubs that integrate with Xbox Live, Office, and even Zune Marketplace. This effort represents a complete do-over on Microsoft's part.

But is it too little too late? Do Google and Apple have too much momentum for Microsoft to sony VGP-BPS9 battery regain its footing? Could Windows Phone 7 sway customers away from the tried-and-true BlackBerry franchises, or will they balk?

Playing Catch-Up

According to the NPD Group, RIM commands sony VGP-BPS9/S battery 28 percent of the U.S. smart phone market, thanks in part to deployment through large companies and a proliferation of lower-cost devices such as the BlackBerry Curve. However, many analysts believe it's now a two-horse race between Android and iPhone. With the exception of AT&T, currently the exclusive seller of the iPhone, every U.S. carrier's smart phone lineup is built primarily on Android handsets--lots of 'em. Because the OS is available on so many networks in so many phones, Android accounts for a leading 33 percent market share in the U.S. The iPhone accounts for 22 percent market share.

Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for consumer technology at NPD, says Android and iPhone will continue to Studio 17 Battery make inroads, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for Windows Phone 7. "[It] should offer a number of features that enterprise users are interested in," he said, emphasizing the fact that various carriers and hardware makers have already pledged their support. AT&T, for example, has said it will be the premier partner for Windows Phone 7.

Microsoft had, up until recently, been developing Kin, an OS aimed at young people. But it killed Studio 1737 Battery the project after some 18 months of development and just 8 weeks of sales. To the pessimist, the fact that Microsoft attempted to develop and explain the two operating systems concurrently suggests that the company has a misguided mobile strategy. To the optimist, Microsoft saw the error of its ways and can now devote more engineering resources to perfecting Windows Phone 7, and even more marketing dollars to making it a commercial success.

"Kin was a distraction, a fork of Windows Phone 7 Dell Studio 1535 Battery that diluted the identity of that operating system," said Rubin (whom we'll call an optimist). "It showed that some features of Windows Phone 7, such as adding bubbling status updates to the top of the user interface and Zune integration, failed to carry the platform, but it's not fair to judge Windows Phone 7's prospects by the Kin experience." Even if these marquee features alone couldn't make Kin a winner, Rubin believes the phone was also doomed because it forced Microsoft to compete with its own hardware and carrier partners. Windows Phone 7, at least, has the unequivocal support of everyone involved.

Why Hubs Matter

For Microsoft, the Hub paradigm is what really makes Windows Phone 7 stand out. Hubs, by definition, let users customize how information is presented VGP-BPS13B/Q so they can view it in ways that make sense to them. "It allows users to focus on what's most important and works the way they want," explained Aaron Woodman, director of consumer experiences for Microsoft. For example, in the e-mail Hub, you can swipe from left to right to view your whole inbox, urgent messages, or ones you've flagged.

Michael Gartnenberg, a partner at the Altimeter Group, says Microsoft's differentiated approach is important VGP-BPS13/B because the phone becomes organized by common tasks and not by discrete, single-function good battery applications. Why stop what you're doing to open a Facebook app and view your albums, for instance, when you can see your Facebook photos alongside the rest of your pictures (and your friends') in a single pictures Hub? "They're doing a lot of things the right way, and if you're a competitor you underestimate Microsoft at your own peril," he said.

Part of what makes this interface a departure from the usual row upon row Sony Laptop Battery of app icons is how Microsoft has abandoned analog metaphors, such as notepads or file folders. "With Windows Phone 7, Microsoft has really focused on letting digital be digital," said Gartenberg. "You don't see a lot of shiny edges or 3D effects." By sticking to the idea that a phone's home screen should resemble a PC desktop, which in and of itself mimics a real desk, folders and all, other phone makers are stuck with rows of apps, none of which talk to each other. Instead, Microsoft lets users swipe from left to right, seeing related screens in a Hub.

In Your Face: Are We Ready for Smart Phone Video Calling?

Super-sharp screens. 1-GHz processors. HDMI output. Today’s smart phones Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery have a lot in common with laptops, but the most intriguing addition is staring you right in the face. The HTC Evo 4G, iPhone 4, and Samsung Epic 4G are among some of the first superphones equipped with cameras on the front, which are designed to enable two-way video calls. Although it’s a niche activity now, video calling promises to be huge within the next few years. Think about watching your niece’s graduation from across the country, or virtually seeing the Grand Canyon through your son’s eyes (and phone)—these are just some sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery of the ways video calling will soon be used.

Alfred Poor, senior analyst at NanoMarkets, recently estimated that 3.2 million people will have the capability VGP-BPS9A/B Battery for mobile video chats by the end of 2010, and that by 2015 142 million people will be ringing up their friends for a video conversation.

However, just because the technology is there doesn’t mean that people will use it. And VGP-BPS9 even if they do, will the experience VGP-BPS9A/B Battery be satisfying enough for the masses?

One service leading the mobile video calling is VGP-BPS9/S battery Qik, which provides live video streaming and video chat from mobile devices. The video chat service made its debut earlier this year on the HTC Evo 4G, and will be available on more Android phones this fall. Bhasker Roy, cofounder and vice president of product marketing for Qik, says people on vacation have been among the first users. “[If] someone is traveling, they want to share something and have a video chat with their family members,” he said.

Although video calling may seem like it has come out of nowhere, the technology has been in the works for a very long time. The first Dell Studio 17 Battery consumer-use video phone, AT&T’s Bell Labs Picturephone, made its debut more than 40 years ago at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Sadly, the technology never caught on, in part due to the bulky equipment, high cost, and special wiring it required. The technology has since evolved to the point where many businesses conduct video conference calls via telepresence today. Likewise, today’s consumer video chats mostly involve sitting in front of your computer and visually chatting using Google Talk, iChat, Skype, or Dell Studio 1737 Battery other instant messaging services.

“The problem with the video phone was that you had to Dell Studio 1535 Battery have the device at both ends, and that was an expensive proposition,” said Poor. “What happened between then and now is that lots of people got the hardware they needed, so all Skype had to do was come along and give them the software.” AT&T tried its hand at making the video calling experience mobile back in 2007 with Video Share, but the calls went only one way. Plus, you had to pay a hefty $5 for 25 minutes of sharing.

User Experience is Key

According to Michael Gartenberg, partner and analyst at the Altimeter Group, mobile video chat will be widely adopted VGP-BPS13B/Q in the U.S. if the client is simple to use and provides a good overall experience. Although Apple’s FaceTime is currently limited to Wi-Fi only, he feels that this constraint allows for better performance. Combined with the popularity of the iPhone 4, he believes that as a person’s network of friends who also own FaceTime–capable iPhones grows, video chat will become more common.

Services such as Fring are also enabling smart phone owners to conduct two-way VGP-BPS13/B video calls. At first, users were able to dial Skype numbers on the desktop. However, that relationship recently fell apart, presumably because Skype is gearing up to offer its own service. Still, Fring members can easily chat with each other.

Although Apple is concentrating on mobile devices Sony VGP-BPS13 Battery for now, it’s highly likely that FaceTime will make its way to the iPod touch and the desktop. “Maybe someone builds a PC application so that if you’re a FaceTime user on your iPhone, you can connect with someone on a PC or a Macintosh,” said Gartenberg. “It isn’t necessarily going to just be mobile vendors who are looking at this. It may be someone who [finds] an entirely different application.”

Although Fring and Qik can do video chats over 3G, the user experience isn’t always the most stable. Pictures can be blurry, Sony VGP-BPS13A/B Battery and audio might be out of sync with the video. That’s why Apple’s FaceTime is only available over Wi-Fi; this constraint allows the picture to come through in a higher quality. Gartenberg believes that providing the best user experience possible is more important than where you can make calls from. “What you don’t want is 3G calls made from here to Skype, but with jittery or buggy user experiences,“ he said. “Whereas if you’ve talked to people who have used FaceTime [over Wi-Fi], most have had a pretty good experience. And over time those constraints will go by the wayside.”

On the one hand, Qik’s Roy doesn’t believe the lack of widespread 4G networks will hinder the growth Dell GD761 Battery of mobile video calling, in part because Qik’s live video streaming service has run on 2G and 3G networks. While that’s not as intensive as two-way mobile chat, he notes that in the first months of the HTC Evo 4G’s release, they saw most users relying on 3G because 4G is not yet prevalent all over the U.S. “I don’t think the 3G network is that big of a limitation,” he said. “One element of that could be the way we have built the technology.”

On the other hand, NanoMarkets’ Poor feels that high expectations toshiba PA3534U-1BRS Battery may result in mobile video not living up to its promise. “I think there’s a real danger of raising expectations too high on the mobile front,” he said. “People may expect to do [video calls] wirelessly anywhere and not understand that they’re limited.” Initially they could be disappointed and discouraged if it’s over-hyped, but there’s definitely real potential.

Social Implications

So what will it look like when everyone is holding their smart phones at arm’s length and waving wildly at their screen? Marc A. Smith, PhD, chief dell Vostro 1710 Battery social scientist for the Connected Action Consulting Group, isn’t so sure that consumers will want to risk looking dorky while walking down the street conducting a video chat. Combine that with the general issue of distraction that occurs now with people walking and texting, and it doesn’t seem like a great proposition. It’s more likely that users will make video calls while in one location, whether it’s Times Square or a living room.

However, video chat has a serious leg up on traditional phone calls when it comes to dell Vostro 1720 Battery paying attention. “Video demands almost fully immersed engagement in order to use it effectively, [otherwise] it becomes a channel in which the lack of immersion is very, very visible,” said Dr. Smith. “In other words, if I don’t have my eyes focused on the camera, it’s obvious that I’m looking away. So, video imposes this enormous additional burden in terms of performance attention that the audio-only channel does not demand. I think [when video is] available and everyone can use it, we’ll suddenly realize that we don’t want it for a lot of different things.”

At the same time, live video provides a “you are there” experience dell Latitude E5400 Battery that, when it’s good, is second to actually being there. The quality has as much to do with who’s holding the camera as it does with the technology working correctly. Anyone who’s suffered through Uncle Rodney’s home video of a 4-hour walking tour through Mayan ruins knows that every step and stumble results in a bouncy, jerky video that makes it an unpleasant experience for the viewer. This is something that mobile video callers will need to keep in mind. Dr. Smith goes so far as to suggest that phone video chats come with a label that says, “You should sit down now” as a prevention against distracted walking that could result in dell Latitude E4300 Battery injury as well as bad video.

While it’s possible that mobile video calls may alter trust in interpersonal and office relationships, Smith doesn’t believe the technology differs that much from location-based services. “What happens when you’re in physical locations that you don’t really want to share with your work party?” he asked. “This isn’t entirely bound to the video. If you use Foursquare or any of the other check-in services, workplaces might want to know where your are; should they see a five-hour-old check-in, dell Latitude E6500 Battery they might think evilly [of your activities].”

The Future

As phones with front-facing cameras and mobile video calling apps become more common, it’s good battery quite likely that you’ll eventually become a mobile video chatter. However, having a decent front-facing camera is not enough; the software needs to be dead simple to use, and the service has to work.

Altimeter Group’s Gartenberg predicts that video calling will go good battery mainstream in about 18 months. “If you consider that we first saw video phones introduced in the ‘60s at the World’s Fair, people have been waiting for this,” he said. “But they’ve been waiting for the simplicity. It’s the ubiquitous nature of FaceTime that makes it work. We’ll start seeing it as a mainstream activity as the networks become more robust and as the applications continue to mature.”

Asus N82Jv-X1

The Nvidia Optimus version of this 14-inch system is an improvement Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery over the original, but battery life is still lacking.

The ASUS N82Jv-X1 is a great system that's short on time. It has an eye-catching lid covering a powerful Core i5 processor and a discrete GPU, plus Nvidia's graphics-switching Optimus technology. Unfortunately, like its non-Optimus sibling, a sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery short battery life hinders its endurance, but if you can find an outlet quick enough this system will make sure you don't regret it.

Design

At 5.2 pounds and 13.8 x 9.7 x 1.4 inches, the N82Jv-X1 ($999) is a little heavier and thicker than competitors Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery such as the lighter and slimmer Gateway ID49C08u. Though it's light enough to carry in your bag, the N82Jv-X1's bulk takes up more space than we'd like.

The lid is fitted with an interesting cubed pattern in dark brown that has a metallic VGP-BPS9 effect when the light hits it just right. Similar to the Asus N82JQ-A1, the inside deck is accented with a soft-touch matte finish that helps keep the area fingerprint-free.

The right physical power button (which has a white status VGP-BPS9/S indicator light) and corresponding left instant-on button fit in with the design of the N82Jv-X1, but we would've liked to see shortcut launch keys or dedicated media controls. Having to use a function command to adjust the volume (Function key + F12 to increase or F11 to decrease) during gameplay is slightly annoying.

The ASUS N82Jv's chiclet-style keyboard provided adequate feedback, important when playing first-person shooters, Akku Sony VGP-BPS8 and we have no complaints about the key arrangement. We noticed less flex with the N82Jv-X1 compared to the N82Jq-A1.

The 3.25 x 2-inch touchpad is fairly large and has a textured surface (the same as the cubed pattern on the lid) VGP-BPS8a that prevented our finger from slipping when gaming or navigating through Windows 7. Its single mouse button was a bit stiffer than we'd like, though.

Display and Audio

The glossy 14-inch, 1366 x 768-pixel LED-backlit display Akku HP PB992A produced reasonably bright images and sharp colors, but viewing angles left something to be desired. The screen's high gloss can be a distraction in certain conditions, but the trade-off for deeper colors is worth it. The glare wasn't disruptive even in our well-lit lab, though sunlight was a much larger problem.

When watching videos, playback on the ASUS N82Jv-X1 was smooth and noise-free. Streaming "The Wanda Sykes Show" from Akku HP compaq NX7400 FOX.com was smooth, but picture quality was noticeably pixelated. However, pixelation was absent when watching a 720p trailer of the movie "Takers" streamed in QuickTime.

Despite being positioned below the keyboard, the Altec Lansing speakers were Dell Studio 17 Battery loud and clear while listening to Jay-Z and Tupac via Pandora, and we didn't hear any distortion or tinniness typical of most notebook speakers. Their position on the front lip of the system helps keep the speakers from accidentally being blocked while typing. At maximum volume, the sound isn't overpowering, yet it's loud enough to fill a quiet medium-size room.

Ports and Webcam

The N82Jv-X1 certainly isn't lacking for ports. On the left Dell Studio 1737 Battery side of the system is a VGA connection, headphone and mic inputs, an HDMI port, and a super-fast USB 3.0 port. Hidden behind a small plastic door on the right side is a standard USB 2.0 connector, an eSATA port, and an Ethernet connection. Between the speakers on the front of the system is a 5-in-1 memory card reader.

The 2-megapixel webcam produced clear images when video conferencing through Skype and audio Sony Laptop Battery quality was crystal clear. On the other hand, images were a bit noisy and motion detection lagged a little. The N82Jv-X1 is bundled with ASUS's LifeFrame software that allows you to capture video

and snap pictures, then edit the content and apply special effects. Its facial recognition technology isn't perfect, but the pre-effects in LifeFrame are worth trying out.

M101z Subnotebook Eingabegeräte

Tastatur

Für Vielschreiber muss die Ergonomie stimmen. Dell setzt hier eine sehr angenehme Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery Chiclet-Tastatur ein. Das Design der Tasten kann durch eine abgerundete Tastenform und eine große rechte Shift-Taste überzeugen. Der Druckpunkt der Tasten ist angenehm und der Hub überzeugt. Für anfangs ein wenig Verwirrung sorgen die Fn-Funktionen (hellblau hervorgehoben), da diese nicht über die dazugehörige Fn-Taste aktiviert werden. Diese Zusatzfunktionen sind dauerhaft aktiv und lassen sich nur über die Fn-Taste deaktivieren. Insgesamt hinterlässt die Tastatur aber einen positiven Eindruck, da sie in den wichtigen Punkten überzeugt.

Touchpad

Das Touchpad ist sehr elegant in die sony VGP-BPS9/B Battery Handballenauflage integriert, wobei es leicht vertieft liegt. Die Abmessungen sind leider nicht sehr großzügig ausgefallen, aber die Haptik ist angenehm. Natürlich unterstützt das Gerät diverse Multi-Touch-Gesten, die die Bedienung vereinfachen sollen und auch einwandfrei funktionieren. Unter dem Touchpad befinden sich zwei einzelne Maustasten, deren Druckpunkt sehr weich ist und einen Dell-typischen schwammigen Eindruck vermitteln

Display

Das Dell Inspiron M101z ist mit einem 11,6-HD-Bildschirm ausgestattet, der dank einer Auflösung von 1366 x 768 Pixeln VGP-BPS8 den 720p-Standard voll unterstützt. Auch kostenbewusste Nutzer kommen in den Genuss dieses Panels (Typ: *PNP09FF), da Dell auch das Einsteigermodell (ab 429 Euro) mit diesem ausstattet. Das Bild wird bei dieser Auflösung im 16:9-Format angezeigt, wobei die Oberfläche hochglänzend ist. Eine matte Variante bietet Dell für dieses Gerät leider nicht an.

Durch die moderne LED-Hintergrundbeleuchtung soll das Bild gleichmäßiger beleuchtet Akku HP PB992A werden. In unserem Test wirkt das Bild sehr ausgeglichen und ein Unterschied ist mit freiem Auge nicht zu erkennen. Die Zahlen sprechen eine etwas andere Sprache. Hier liegt die Ausleuchtung des Panels bei nur 67 Prozent und die durchschnittliche Helligkeit bei 206.4 cd/m². Mit diesen Werten und einer maximalen Helligkeit von 240 cd/m² kann sich der Bildschirm des Inspiron nur im breiten Mittelfeld der durchschnittlichen Anzeigen einreihen.

Weitere Wermutstropfen sind der, mit 183:1 Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery geringe Kontrast und der erhöhte Schwarzwert (1,22 cd/m2), wodurch der Außengebrauch ein wenig eingeschränkt ist und das angezeigte Schwarz einen leichten Graustich davon trägt. Insgesamt wirkt das Bild im Büro ohne direkte Sonneneinstrahlung aber angenehm. Unser Testbild wird scharf dargestellt und die Farben wirken stimmig.

Das Arbeiten im Freien ist durch die mittelmäßigen Bildschirmwerte und die Glare-Type-Oberfläche eingeschränkt. Direkte Sonneneinstrahlung VGP-BPS9 oder eine starke Lichtquelle machen das Arbeiten nahezu unmöglich, da das Bild unkenntlich wird. Indirekte Beleuchtung ist in diesem Fall weniger problematisch und es lässt sich mit leichten Einschränkungen arbeiten.

Die Blickwinkelstabilität ist im horizontalen Bereich als „Gut“ zu bezeichnen, wobei das Bild bis VGP-BPS9/S 160 Grad scharf und ohne Farbverfälschungen dargstellt wird. Die vertikale Stabilität ist nicht besonders und wenige Grad Abweichung aus der idealen Positionen genügen für Darstellungsprobleme. Das Bild erweckt schnell den Eindruck eines Negativs.

Leistung

Ein leistungsschwacher Intel Atom-Einkerner kommt Dell Studio 17 Battery Dell nicht in die Tüte und so wird ein AMD Athlon II Neo K325 verwendet. Dieser Prozessor bietet zwei Kerne und eine Taktfrequenz von 1,30 GHz. Die Verlustleistung (TDP) des Prozessors liegt bei 12 Watt und ist damit, im Vergleich zum Intel Atom N450 (5.5W), deutlich höher, wobei der N450 die Grafikeinheit bereits integriert. Den stärkeren AMD Turion II Neo K625 mit 1,50 GHz bietet Dell für das Inspiron M101z Subnotebook nicht an.

Zur weiteren Ausstattung des Gerätes gehören bekannte Komponenten. Für die Grafik ist eine dedizierte ATI Radeon HD 4225 verantwortlich. Dieser Dell Studio 1737 Battery Chip soll eine spürbare Mehrleistung im Vergleich zum Intel GMA 3150 bieten. Des Weiteren finden sich in unserem Modell eine 250 GByte große Festplatte und 4 GByte DDR3-10600S-Arbeitsspeicher. Leider ist der Takt des RAMs auf 800 MHz limitiert und die vollen 1333 MHz werden nicht ausgenutzt. Diese Konfiguration verspricht zusammen mit Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit) eine gute Office-Leistung.

Um die Leistung des Subnotebooks vergleichen zu können, haben wir diverse Sony Laptop Battery Benchmarks ausgeführt. Bei diesen Tests war das Hochleistungsprofil unter Windows 7 aktiviert und sämtliche Stromsparfunktionen von Dell und Windows deaktiviert. Die Taktfrequenz wird in diesem Leistungsprofil nicht angehoben und bleibt bei 1,30 GHz.

Die Anwendungsleistung des Dell Inspiron M101z haben wir in Form von PCMark Vantage und akku CineBench R10 überprüft. Aufgrund einer ähnlichen Hardwareausstattung liegt unser Testgerät fast gleich auf mit dem Acer Aspire 1551 Subnotebook. Eine leichte Steigerung der Leistung bieten in unserer Datenbank nur Geräte mit Intel GMA 4500MHD-Grafik, die aktuell aber nicht mehr integriert wird. Geräte mit Intel Atom-Prozessor (Bsp.: ASUS Eee PC 1015P) liegen weit zurück und können mit dieser Performance nicht mithalten. Die subjektive Leistung unter Windows 7 kann überzeugen, da lange Ladezeiten und langsamer Fensteraufbau der Vergangenheit angehören.