Sony Vaio CR Review: Fill Your Day
Nowaday notebook is not only functioning as ordinary computing peripheral, but also as the medium for showing self identity. At least, the notebook which you bought and use in the public should be able to show whom yourself exactly.
And if you are dynamic and fun person, try to look Sony Vaio CR Series. Like you, we also directly allured with courageous and fun colors. There is gallant Aroma Black color, motivate Blazing Red, modis Indigo Blue, romantic Luxury Pink, and grace Pure White. Whatever is your character, the line of Vaio CR Series notebook ready to assist shows it.
Segmented for young man, Vaio CR is not only relies on its great looks. Because young people close to music world, Sony planted nice multimedia feature in this CR series. One of them is the ability to implements the multimedia application - music and video- without booting to operating system. Its setting is also made easy because multimedia panel which put down at bottom of touchpad.
Sony Vaio CR series is 14,11 inchs and 2,5 kgs weight notebook class. This Notebook can be classified as Santa Rosa generation Centrino, can be looks from the usage of Intel T7100 (1,8 GHZ) processor and Intel 965GM chipset. Both component job is assisted by 1GB memory and ATI Mobility Radeon x2300 graphic card. While for data storage, added harddisk 100GB and DVD writer.
Segmented for young man, Vaio CR is not only relies on its great looks. Because young people close to music world, Sony planted nice multimedia feature in this CR series. One of them is the ability to implements the multimedia application - music and video- without booting to operating system. Its setting is also made easy because multimedia panel which put down at bottom of touchpad.
Sony Vaio CR series is 14,11 inchs and 2,5 kgs weight notebook class. This Notebook can be classified as Santa Rosa generation Centrino, can be looks from the usage of Intel T7100 (1,8 GHZ) processor and Intel 965GM chipset. Both component job is assisted by 1GB memory and ATI Mobility Radeon x2300 graphic card. While for data storage, added harddisk 100GB and DVD writer.
Hp Compaq 6910p: Corporate Chic To Go
In a crowded field of identical business laptop, this 5.1-pound system still stands out. The thin-and-light Compaq 6910p has enough connectivity options and power to keep you in business wherever you go.
The 6910p exudes conservative style, while its magnesium-alloy frame ensures durability. It comes with a touchpad and a pointing stick, the latter a little too rigid for comfortable use. The keyboard and mouse buttons am pleasantly quiet.
Despite the 6910p light weight, HP didn’t skimp on its features, which include a built-in DVD/CD-RW drive, three USB ports, a FireWire port, and an S-Video port. HP also threw in a fingerprint reader and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for security.
The system’s numerous connectivity options are outstanding for a small, portable system. The 6910p integrates a Verizon EV-DO Rev A modem in addition to Cingular’s HSDPA antenna and SIM card, plus draft 802.11n support and an Ethernet port.
The 6910p is no slouch in the performance department, either. The unit integrates the latest Intel dual-core processor with full support for the Centrino Duo’s 800-MHz front-side bus and power saving capability. Thanks to its 2GB of system memory, the 6910p came in even with the competition on the SYSmark 2007 Preview performance tests. The integrated graphics are fine for casual work and gaming: they also help conserve battery life. And although the 55-Wh battery may seem small, it man-aged to last an impressive 3 hours playing a DVD.
The 6910p is one of the lighter 14-inch corporate systems available, and its good features and fast performance parts should help keep downtime to a minimum.
Price range
Hp Compaq 6910p: $1,849
Despite the 6910p light weight, HP didn’t skimp on its features, which include a built-in DVD/CD-RW drive, three USB ports, a FireWire port, and an S-Video port. HP also threw in a fingerprint reader and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for security.
The system’s numerous connectivity options are outstanding for a small, portable system. The 6910p integrates a Verizon EV-DO Rev A modem in addition to Cingular’s HSDPA antenna and SIM card, plus draft 802.11n support and an Ethernet port.
The 6910p is no slouch in the performance department, either. The unit integrates the latest Intel dual-core processor with full support for the Centrino Duo’s 800-MHz front-side bus and power saving capability. Thanks to its 2GB of system memory, the 6910p came in even with the competition on the SYSmark 2007 Preview performance tests. The integrated graphics are fine for casual work and gaming: they also help conserve battery life. And although the 55-Wh battery may seem small, it man-aged to last an impressive 3 hours playing a DVD.
The 6910p is one of the lighter 14-inch corporate systems available, and its good features and fast performance parts should help keep downtime to a minimum.
Price range
Hp Compaq 6910p: $1,849
Lenovo 3000 V200: The ThinkPad’s Budget Sibling
Lenovo has cleverly positioned its latest ultraportable as a more budget-conscious version of the ThinkPad X60 (Vista). To appeal to business users, the V200 offers two compelling features: a built-in DVD burner and a $1,399 starting price. In addition, its standard-voltage processor and Centrino Duo chipset plus 2GB of RAM make the V200 almost as fast as its ThinkPad siblings.
Somewhat heavy for an ultraportable, the V200 weighs in at 4.3 pounds. It boasts a 12- inch widescreen (the X60 has a standard screen). It lacks Lenovo’s TrackPoint pointing stick, but the keyboard is sweet. When it comes to looks, the silver chassis is fairly generic- what’s important is what’s inside.
The 160GB hard drive and DVD burner are nice touches, but Lenovo could have done better with features. There are only two USB ports, and other connectivity options are limited. What it lacks in features, though, the V200 makes up for in performance. It handles multimedia particularly well, turning in impressive scores on the SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall benchmark as well as on our Photoshop and video-encoding tests. The unit’s 56-Wh battery yields decent battery life: It lasted 2 hours 39 minutes on our DVD rundown test.
The lenovo 3000 V200 is an affordable, powerful alternative for those who aren’t ready to spend ThinkPad money but are intent on buying a Lenovo laptop.
Price range
Lenovo 3000 V200: $1,399
The 160GB hard drive and DVD burner are nice touches, but Lenovo could have done better with features. There are only two USB ports, and other connectivity options are limited. What it lacks in features, though, the V200 makes up for in performance. It handles multimedia particularly well, turning in impressive scores on the SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall benchmark as well as on our Photoshop and video-encoding tests. The unit’s 56-Wh battery yields decent battery life: It lasted 2 hours 39 minutes on our DVD rundown test.
The lenovo 3000 V200 is an affordable, powerful alternative for those who aren’t ready to spend ThinkPad money but are intent on buying a Lenovo laptop.
Price range
Lenovo 3000 V200: $1,399
Acer Travelmate 6291: A Bare-Bones Ultraportable
For frequent business travelers, the Acer TravelMate 6291 offers a borderline ultraportable that caters to business people who rarely stay in one place, yet it falls well within the budget constraints of most companies. Still, at this price, you’re not going to get the latest Intel components, more than 1GB of RAM (we recommend 2GB in order to handle Vista's more demanding features), or great battery life.
What the 6291’s plain magnesium-alloy chassis loses in style, it gains in durability, portability and cost-effectiveness. At 4.5 pounds, it’s on the heavy end for an ultraportable. The unit boasts a built-in optical drive, and its 12-inch widescreen allows for a full size keyboard, like that of the ThinkPad X60.
Acer does a good job of integrating features- the 6291 has three USB ports and a FireWire port, plus S-Video out and VGA-out (rare among ultraportables). One notable omission is integrated WAN, which is understandable given the price, but a cellular modem should at least be an option,
The 6291’s performance wouldn’t have been so disappointing if Acer hadn’t skimped on memory. The 1,6-GHz Intel Core 2 DuoT5500 processor isn’t the latest or greatest, but at least it can handle Vista, unlike the unit’s measly 1GB of RAM. That memory deficiency can be crippling for applicalions such as Adobe Photoshop or even a Web browser. Even worse, the system’s battery life is abysmal, lasting little more than an hour and a half on our DVD battery run-down test.
Despite its performance drawback, the Acer TravelMate 6291 is an attractive basic business laptop that gives you tremendous portability and an excellent pricer.
Price range
Acer Travelmate 6291: $1,100
Acer does a good job of integrating features- the 6291 has three USB ports and a FireWire port, plus S-Video out and VGA-out (rare among ultraportables). One notable omission is integrated WAN, which is understandable given the price, but a cellular modem should at least be an option,
The 6291’s performance wouldn’t have been so disappointing if Acer hadn’t skimped on memory. The 1,6-GHz Intel Core 2 DuoT5500 processor isn’t the latest or greatest, but at least it can handle Vista, unlike the unit’s measly 1GB of RAM. That memory deficiency can be crippling for applicalions such as Adobe Photoshop or even a Web browser. Even worse, the system’s battery life is abysmal, lasting little more than an hour and a half on our DVD battery run-down test.
Despite its performance drawback, the Acer TravelMate 6291 is an attractive basic business laptop that gives you tremendous portability and an excellent pricer.
Price range
Acer Travelmate 6291: $1,100
ASUS U1F: An LED-Lit Ultraportable
The ASUS U1F is a sweet ultraportable with awesome picture quality and an innovative design. It’s a traveler’s delight, packing a lot of appealing features, but one thing you’ll miss is an optical drive.
Thanks to LED backlighting, the U1F’s 11.1-inch screen looks magnificent. Digital photos and even YouTube videos look amazing under low light. However, the screen is very sensitive to glare coming from any light source above you. ASUS uses a magnesium-aluminum alloy in its frame to protect the screen, which is only 5mm (0.2 inches) thick.
The small form factor presents challenges to ultraportable manufacturers. It’s unfortunate that ASUS didn’t integrate an optical drive, as Panasonic, Toshiba, and Sony have managed to do on similar lightweight systems. (See the review of Sony’s VAIO VGN-TZ150N, page 50.) Another nit is that the U1F runs a weak ultra-low-voltage (ULV) 1.06-GHz Intel Core Duo U2400 processor, which hampers performance. Also, its hard drive spins at just 4,200 rpm.
The keyboard is a bit unwieldy, though the leather on the palm rests is a nice touch. The touchpad is responsive, but the mouse buttons were difficult to press. The U1F has four USB ports, rare on such a small system, and adds a FireWire port, an ExpressCard slot, and a 4-in-1 card reader.
The U1F has a peculiar RAM configuration. It comes with 1.5GB of memory (a 512MB and a 1GB module), enough to run Windows Vista Business. Still, I’d have liked to see a full 2GB of RAM.
Good battery life is just one of the things we like in this 2.7-pound wonder. The battery lasted 2 hours 48 minutes running a DVD; you’d probably get 5 to 6 hours on more basic tasks. I’d like the U1F better, though, with an integrated optical drive and a little more power.
Price
ASUS U1F: $2,100 street
Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N: Laptop’s Beauty Is Only Skin-Deep
The small form factor presents challenges to ultraportable manufacturers. It’s unfortunate that ASUS didn’t integrate an optical drive, as Panasonic, Toshiba, and Sony have managed to do on similar lightweight systems. (See the review of Sony’s VAIO VGN-TZ150N, page 50.) Another nit is that the U1F runs a weak ultra-low-voltage (ULV) 1.06-GHz Intel Core Duo U2400 processor, which hampers performance. Also, its hard drive spins at just 4,200 rpm.
The keyboard is a bit unwieldy, though the leather on the palm rests is a nice touch. The touchpad is responsive, but the mouse buttons were difficult to press. The U1F has four USB ports, rare on such a small system, and adds a FireWire port, an ExpressCard slot, and a 4-in-1 card reader.
The U1F has a peculiar RAM configuration. It comes with 1.5GB of memory (a 512MB and a 1GB module), enough to run Windows Vista Business. Still, I’d have liked to see a full 2GB of RAM.
Good battery life is just one of the things we like in this 2.7-pound wonder. The battery lasted 2 hours 48 minutes running a DVD; you’d probably get 5 to 6 hours on more basic tasks. I’d like the U1F better, though, with an integrated optical drive and a little more power.
Price
ASUS U1F: $2,100 street
Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N: Laptop’s Beauty Is Only Skin-Deep
Laptop manufacturers are putting their focus on design these days, and they’ve come out with some amazingly sleek and sexy creations. This is fine—as long as they don’t forget that performance and features are an important part of the mix. The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N epitomizes elegance. It’s a featherweight (2.7-pound) ultraportable with a gorgeous, LED-enhanced screen, a raised keyboard, and a durable carbon-fiber frame. Too bad that Sony hasn’t paid equal attention to what’s beneath the snazzy exterior. If you need a system to keep you productive, you’ll run into a few snags with this one.
The TZ150N has some top-notch features: LED backlighting that makes viewing the 11.1-inch screen a joy, a dual-layer DVD burner, a Sprint EV-DO Rev A modem—and a webcam, which, as far as I know, is unique in a system weighing less than 3 pounds.
Not so hot is the 1.06-GHz ultra-low-voltage (ULV) Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 processor; nor does it help that the system comes with only 1GB of RAM. (You’ll want to double that to do justice to Windows Vista Business.) Then there’s the hard drive. Although its capacity (100GB) is adequate, it spins at only 4,200 rpm. Worse, the system is loaded with bloatware: no less than 30 VAIO apps, plus lots of trial ware such as Corel Snapfire, Microsoft Office 2007, and Norton Internet Security.
One advantage to the TZ150N’s low power is that it extends battery life. The unit lasted almost 4 hours (3:47) playing back a DVD, which translates into roughly 6 or 7 hours’ worth of more routine tasks. But long battery life doesn’t make up for feeble components, especially considering that the TZ150N carries the price tag of a luxury item.
Price
Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N: $2,299 direct
Not so hot is the 1.06-GHz ultra-low-voltage (ULV) Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 processor; nor does it help that the system comes with only 1GB of RAM. (You’ll want to double that to do justice to Windows Vista Business.) Then there’s the hard drive. Although its capacity (100GB) is adequate, it spins at only 4,200 rpm. Worse, the system is loaded with bloatware: no less than 30 VAIO apps, plus lots of trial ware such as Corel Snapfire, Microsoft Office 2007, and Norton Internet Security.
One advantage to the TZ150N’s low power is that it extends battery life. The unit lasted almost 4 hours (3:47) playing back a DVD, which translates into roughly 6 or 7 hours’ worth of more routine tasks. But long battery life doesn’t make up for feeble components, especially considering that the TZ150N carries the price tag of a luxury item.
Price
Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N: $2,299 direct
Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED)
The MacBook Pro may not represent a remarkable upgrade in visuals or design, but the most compelling improvements are within. Now that Apple has included components from Intel's newly launched Santa Rosa platform in its latest MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED), the gap between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro has widened. More specifically the MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) is 21 percent faster than the MacBook 13-inch (Core 2 Duo T7200), according to their respective SYSmark 2007 Preview overall scores.
The LED backlighting technology featured in the Pro 15-inch (LED) doesn’t slim down the screen as it did other laptops, but, at 1 inch thick, the new MacBook Pro is still the trimmest 15-inch Laptop out there. The visual improvement from the LED screen is hardly noticeable; photos on an older lamp-lit MacBook Pro actually show better contrast. But combined with better power management, the LED display leads to longer battery life: I estimate 3 to 4 hours when running everyday tasks.
The keyboard and mouse buttons still work well together, and the iSight camera’s picture quality is phenomenal compared with Windows PC webcam. Heat management has also been improved: Temperatures now range from 92 to 96º F; in the MacBook Pro 15-inch (Core 2 Duo), they rose above 100º F.
Gains in Performance from the Santa Rosa platform and the new nVidia Geforce 8600M GT graphics chipset make the MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) a powerful gaming machine as well. And the improved hardware and battery usage are strong assets. The total package warrants our Editors’ Choice and may convince some non-MacBook pro owners to give it a try. The line is due for a design upgrade in January, though, so current MacBook Pro owners may do well to wait.
Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED): $1.999 direct
The keyboard and mouse buttons still work well together, and the iSight camera’s picture quality is phenomenal compared with Windows PC webcam. Heat management has also been improved: Temperatures now range from 92 to 96º F; in the MacBook Pro 15-inch (Core 2 Duo), they rose above 100º F.
Gains in Performance from the Santa Rosa platform and the new nVidia Geforce 8600M GT graphics chipset make the MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) a powerful gaming machine as well. And the improved hardware and battery usage are strong assets. The total package warrants our Editors’ Choice and may convince some non-MacBook pro owners to give it a try. The line is due for a design upgrade in January, though, so current MacBook Pro owners may do well to wait.
Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED): $1.999 direct
Toshiba Satellite P205-S6237: Bargain Laptop Colossus
Looking for a 17-inch laptop that’s under a grand? The Toshiba Satellite P205-S6237 fills the bill. It joins the Aver Aspire 9300-5005 as one of the few sub-$1,000 17-inch systems we've tested. At 7.3 pounds, though, the Toshiba is not only lighter than the Acer but also performs better.
One reason is the processor. Whereas Acer went with a slower dual-core AMD processor, Toshiba used a 1.73-GHz Intel Core 2 Due T2080, which gave the S6237 a significant performance edge. It ran through Photoshop scripts there times as fast as the Acer, though still at a so-so 2 minutes 4 seconds. And despite its integrated graphics (versus the Acer's discrete graphics), the S6237 posted 3D gaming test scores that fell only a bit short of the Acer's.
The S6237 has four USB ports and a FireWire port; VGA-out, S-Video, and a 4-in-l card reader. Its dual-layer DVD burner supports LabelFlash disc labeling, which is similar to HP's LightScribe.
The S6237's in middling components-especially the RAM-could use some upgrading. But at this bargain price, the S6237 is a very respectable system.
Toshiba Satellite P205-S6237: $999
The S6237 has four USB ports and a FireWire port; VGA-out, S-Video, and a 4-in-l card reader. Its dual-layer DVD burner supports LabelFlash disc labeling, which is similar to HP's LightScribe.
The S6237's in middling components-especially the RAM-could use some upgrading. But at this bargain price, the S6237 is a very respectable system.
Toshiba Satellite P205-S6237: $999
Alienware Area-51 M9750: Top of the Gaming Heap
Gamers take note: a hot new Alienware rig has landed. Its styling is subtle yet unearthly, avoiding a flashy point job in favor of a Stealth Black design that Batman would love. Despite its modest appearance, it packs the oomph needed to obliterate your gaming opponents, and it doubles as a mean multimedia machine. It'll cost you nearly five grand, but that’s par for a system of its class.
The m9750 has the hardware to generate high frame rates. Its Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 is fast (2.33 GHz), though the m9750 doesn't yet support Intel's latest Centrino Duo platform. Graphics power comes from two nVidia GeForce Go7950 GTX cards yoked in an SLI configuration. The m9750 sizzled on our 3D gaming tests, beating out other recent gaming laptops on nearly every one.
This unit is one of the most media-rich gaming laptops around. It has dual 16OGB hard drives in a RAID 0 array, and its connections consist of three audio ports for speakers, an optical-out port for digital audio for home theaters, and S-Video-in and DVI-D ports. Also included is a standard NTSC (alas, not HD) TV tuner and a swivel 1.3-megapisel wcbcam. The keyboard is quite responsive, though the mouse buttons were barely usable.
The m9750 has a frame made of a sturdy magnesium alloy composite and comes with a 17-inch glossy widescreen with 1,920-by-1,200 resolution. At 9.2 pounds, the unit is lighter than most competing systems. But since its 96-Wh battery lasted a mere 1 hour 15 minutes on our DVD rundown test, you won't want to take this rig far from an electrical outlet.
With its sleek, understated styling, power packed components (which produce gaming scores to match), and abundant media features, the Alienware Area-51 m9750 is a system to be reckoned with. It unseats the Dell XPS M1710 as the Editors' Choice for gaming laptops.
Alienware Area-51 M9750: $4.708
This unit is one of the most media-rich gaming laptops around. It has dual 16OGB hard drives in a RAID 0 array, and its connections consist of three audio ports for speakers, an optical-out port for digital audio for home theaters, and S-Video-in and DVI-D ports. Also included is a standard NTSC (alas, not HD) TV tuner and a swivel 1.3-megapisel wcbcam. The keyboard is quite responsive, though the mouse buttons were barely usable.
The m9750 has a frame made of a sturdy magnesium alloy composite and comes with a 17-inch glossy widescreen with 1,920-by-1,200 resolution. At 9.2 pounds, the unit is lighter than most competing systems. But since its 96-Wh battery lasted a mere 1 hour 15 minutes on our DVD rundown test, you won't want to take this rig far from an electrical outlet.
With its sleek, understated styling, power packed components (which produce gaming scores to match), and abundant media features, the Alienware Area-51 m9750 is a system to be reckoned with. It unseats the Dell XPS M1710 as the Editors' Choice for gaming laptops.
Alienware Area-51 M9750: $4.708
Lenovo ThinkPad R61: A newly Graceful ThinkPad
Not long ago, R-series ThinkPad’s were regarded as value-oriented, general-purpose machines for their bulkier builds and standard-size screens, but the new R61 changes that perception. With its new widescreen and media-friendly features, it's a nice, affordable solution if you want the ThinkPad experience and can do without Wireless WAN and discrete graphics.
The 5.4-pound LenovoThinkPad R61offers either a 14-inch or a 15.4-inch widescreen, at 1,440-by-900 or 1,280-by-800 resolution. You can upgrade to a 15.4-inch, 1,680-by-1.050 screen. For the first time, Lenovo lets you add a 1.3-megapixel webcam. But the mainstream focus means that the R61 lacks extra networking features like Wireless WAN and Centrino Pro.
Thanks in part to the Centrino Duo platform, the R61's SYSmark 2007 Preview overall scores edged out those of the similarly configured Dell Latitude D630.The Lenovo's Photoshop scores, helped by the 2GB of RAM, kept the competition at bay.
The ThinkPad R61 gets a much-needed makeover. It went from a conservative ugly duckling to inheriting screen options from ThinkPad Z- series and the grace of the T61 Widescreen.
Lenovo ThinkPad R61: $1.768
Thanks in part to the Centrino Duo platform, the R61's SYSmark 2007 Preview overall scores edged out those of the similarly configured Dell Latitude D630.The Lenovo's Photoshop scores, helped by the 2GB of RAM, kept the competition at bay.
The ThinkPad R61 gets a much-needed makeover. It went from a conservative ugly duckling to inheriting screen options from ThinkPad Z- series and the grace of the T61 Widescreen.
Lenovo ThinkPad R61: $1.768
Gateway C-120X: A Pint-Size Tablet PC
Gateway’s flagship convertible tablet PC has a little brother now. The 12-inch widescreen Gateway C-12OX is a pint-sized, low-powered machine that you can actually stand and write with, although performance isn’t where it ought to be for a tablet of this size.
At 4.8 pounds, the Vista-savvy C-12OX is nearly half a pound heavier than the Editors’ Choice Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet (4.4 pounds) - largely because of its integrated optical drive and high-resolution 1,280-by-800 screen. The Wacom digitizer pen has a generic grip, but the overall writing experience on this tablet is good. Most other features are standard; however, there’s a DVD burner.
Though its 2GB of RAM is enough to tackle Vista, it's not enough to make up for the slow 1.06-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ULV U7500 processor. Also, the four-cell battery's life is unimpressive, posting a measly 1 hour 40 minutes on our DVD rundown test.
The C-120X’s price is on a par with offerings form Fujitsu and Lenovo, which have better components and features. Alas, its performance numbers just don’t live up to its cool design.
Gateway C-120X: $1.808
Though its 2GB of RAM is enough to tackle Vista, it's not enough to make up for the slow 1.06-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ULV U7500 processor. Also, the four-cell battery's life is unimpressive, posting a measly 1 hour 40 minutes on our DVD rundown test.
The C-120X’s price is on a par with offerings form Fujitsu and Lenovo, which have better components and features. Alas, its performance numbers just don’t live up to its cool design.
Gateway C-120X: $1.808
Dell XPS M1330: An Ultraportable Champ
The recent refresh of Dell’s laptop line, done in part to integrate Intel's new Centrino Duo (Santa Rosa) chipset, has been a bit. One high point is the XPS M1330, which has unseated the Lenovo thinkPad X60 (Vista) as our new Editors' Choice for ultraportables. It's the sum total of everything that's cutting-edge in the ultraportable market today.
Dell has packed a generous feature set into the system’s sleek, crimson-covered chassis. This include a 160GB hard drive, a slot-loading DVD burner, and a 0.3-megapixel webcam. A Media Center remote fits into the ExpressCard slot.The system has a FireWire port and two jacks for sharing headphones.
This ultraportable comes with a 2.0-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 CPU- a full-voltage processor typically found on mainstream systems - and 2GB of RAM. Thanks to nVidia's GeForce 8400M GS discrete graphics, which support DirectX 10 as well as HDCP, the M1330 achieved good scores on 3DMark 06, Prey, and Company of Heroes, where it easily outperformed the Lenovo ThinkPad X60 (Vista). Its 2D multimedia scores (Photoshop CS2, Windows Media Encoder, Cinebench 9.5) were also exceptional. A 13.3-inch screen provides excellent color contrast, thanks to LED backlighting.
At 3.9 pounds, the M1330's base model (with a four-cell battery) comes in just below the 4-pound limit that defines a tree ultraportable. A nine- cell battery increases the weight to 4.7 pounds; using the larger battery, the M1330 lasted 3 hour 23 minutes when playing a DVD movie. On routine computing tasks, it should last more than 5 hours.
In the M1330, Dell has merged the best from other ultraportables with some brand- new technologies for a breakthrough improvement. It's a bit heavy for its class, especially with a nine- cell battery, but many will find the longer battery life well worth the extra weight.
Dell XPS M1330: $2.200
This ultraportable comes with a 2.0-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 CPU- a full-voltage processor typically found on mainstream systems - and 2GB of RAM. Thanks to nVidia's GeForce 8400M GS discrete graphics, which support DirectX 10 as well as HDCP, the M1330 achieved good scores on 3DMark 06, Prey, and Company of Heroes, where it easily outperformed the Lenovo ThinkPad X60 (Vista). Its 2D multimedia scores (Photoshop CS2, Windows Media Encoder, Cinebench 9.5) were also exceptional. A 13.3-inch screen provides excellent color contrast, thanks to LED backlighting.
At 3.9 pounds, the M1330's base model (with a four-cell battery) comes in just below the 4-pound limit that defines a tree ultraportable. A nine- cell battery increases the weight to 4.7 pounds; using the larger battery, the M1330 lasted 3 hour 23 minutes when playing a DVD movie. On routine computing tasks, it should last more than 5 hours.
In the M1330, Dell has merged the best from other ultraportables with some brand- new technologies for a breakthrough improvement. It's a bit heavy for its class, especially with a nine- cell battery, but many will find the longer battery life well worth the extra weight.
Dell XPS M1330: $2.200
Macbook 13-inch (Core 2 Duo T7200): Faster Macbook at the Same Price
Apple has a knack for making a good thing even better. The 13-inch was already a crowd pleaser. The latest version moves to a 2.0 GHz processor, adding a larger (80GB) hard drive and more RAM (1GB) while keeping the price in check. (Still, you'll want to add another gig of RAM, which at $175 doesn't come cheap.) It doesn't include the new and faster Intel chipset (aka Santa Rosa) that the MacBook Pros offer, but that won't detract from your experience.
The screen is suitable for novice video and photo editors, as is the iLife '06 suite. The MacBook has a sweet keyboard and comes with two USB ports (it could use still more), plus a FireWire port and DVI-I Video out. You even get draft 802.11n wireless support. Battery-wise, I got a healthy 2 hours 37 minutes playing a DVD movie. The main drawback is that you can't upgradc the DVD/CD-RW drive to a DVD burner.
This laptop is not a compelling upgrade if you already have a MacBook, but it's a good start for first-time buyers.
Apple Macbook 13-inch (Core 2 Duo T7200): $1,099
This laptop is not a compelling upgrade if you already have a MacBook, but it's a good start for first-time buyers.
Apple Macbook 13-inch (Core 2 Duo T7200): $1,099
Sony VAIO VGN- SZ370P: Ultraportable Powerhouse
Makers of ultraportables are in a perpetual race to pack more into an ever-shrinking space. The Sony VAIO VGN-SZ370P is a classic case of Miniaturization meeting power, as it loads a high-performance processor and discrete graphics (plus a dual-layer DVD drive) into its 3.8-pound frame.Performance-wise the SZ370P is strong. It runs a standard-voltage, 2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 and comes with 2GB of RAM. The SZ37OP’s 13.3-inch XBrite screen is about an inch larger than that of most ultraportables, and its optical drive can burn up to 8.5 GB of data onto a dual-Layer disc.
The SZ370 includes a clever solution to the "speed versus battery life" dilemma that laptop makers-and buyer-face. It delivers both, though only one at a time. Sony loaded two different graphics chipsets, nVidia’s GeForce Go 7400 discrete card and Intel’s integrated GMA 950 graphics, into the SZ370P. A switch labeled "speed" and “stamina" lets you choose which chipset to run. (A downside is that you’ll need to reboot after each setting change.) Punching "speed” runs the nVidia card for smoother and faster3D transitions in gaming, in viewing high definition videos, and in AutoCAD work. It also pulls the battery life down to 1 hour 53 minutes. Hit “stamina” you lose some performance, but the battery lasts much longer (2:43 on our DVD rundown test). The standard battery is 58 Wh; you can buy an 87-Wh battery for $299.
The carbon fiber material surrounding the frame feels a bit hollow and isn't as tough as the metals found on the Lenovo ThinkPad X60 (Vista) or the Panasonic Toughbook CF-W5. I don't like the mushy keyboard, either. Despite these nits, the SZ370, s combination of light weight, power, and that built-in DVD burner makes it a must-consider if you're shopping for an ultraportable.
Sony VAIO VGN- SZ370P: $2,080
The SZ370 includes a clever solution to the "speed versus battery life" dilemma that laptop makers-and buyer-face. It delivers both, though only one at a time. Sony loaded two different graphics chipsets, nVidia’s GeForce Go 7400 discrete card and Intel’s integrated GMA 950 graphics, into the SZ370P. A switch labeled "speed" and “stamina" lets you choose which chipset to run. (A downside is that you’ll need to reboot after each setting change.) Punching "speed” runs the nVidia card for smoother and faster3D transitions in gaming, in viewing high definition videos, and in AutoCAD work. It also pulls the battery life down to 1 hour 53 minutes. Hit “stamina” you lose some performance, but the battery lasts much longer (2:43 on our DVD rundown test). The standard battery is 58 Wh; you can buy an 87-Wh battery for $299.
The carbon fiber material surrounding the frame feels a bit hollow and isn't as tough as the metals found on the Lenovo ThinkPad X60 (Vista) or the Panasonic Toughbook CF-W5. I don't like the mushy keyboard, either. Despite these nits, the SZ370, s combination of light weight, power, and that built-in DVD burner makes it a must-consider if you're shopping for an ultraportable.
Sony VAIO VGN- SZ370P: $2,080
Fujitsu Lifebook U1010: Combination of Notebook, Handheld, and Tablet PC
It is notebook, it is tablet PC, and it’s also handheld. The newest product from Fujitsu is small and equipped by all above product features so properly if conceived as 3 in 1 ultramobile PC.Likely as a notebook, the product which named Lifebook U1010 is equipped by standard QWERTY keyboard. But, it's also equipped by touch screen which can be used in tablet PC time. The angle of the screen can be turned and bended. You also can use it as a handheld because it’s available an Origami application feature which provide virtual keyboard that can be controlled by two hand thumb.
The Origami feature also provides the amenity for you to access and play music and video file. Especially when functioned as a handheld, enjoying the entertainment become easier and pleasing.
This peripheral also supports the office application which needed to support the work. With the operating system of Windows Vista, all PC application can be installed here.
Lifebook U1010 represent the first product of Fujitsu developed with the concept of UMPC (Ultramobile PC) and have been equipped by Origami application which developed by Microsoft and a number of vendor since 2006. This product claimed as smallest UMPC in the world today with the 171 millimeter x 133 millimeter x 26, 5 millimeter dimension. The screen only 5, 6 inch and weight about 610 gram.
This product equipped by Intel Ultra Mobile platform 2007 A110 800 MHZ processor, 512 L2 cache, 400 MHZ FSB, DDR2 400 MHZ 1 gigabyte memory, 40 gigabyte hardisk, Ethernet connection, Bluetooth, and wireless, fingerprint sensor, and also 0,3 megapixel camera.
Fujitsu Lifebook U1010: $1988
The Origami feature also provides the amenity for you to access and play music and video file. Especially when functioned as a handheld, enjoying the entertainment become easier and pleasing.
This peripheral also supports the office application which needed to support the work. With the operating system of Windows Vista, all PC application can be installed here.
Lifebook U1010 represent the first product of Fujitsu developed with the concept of UMPC (Ultramobile PC) and have been equipped by Origami application which developed by Microsoft and a number of vendor since 2006. This product claimed as smallest UMPC in the world today with the 171 millimeter x 133 millimeter x 26, 5 millimeter dimension. The screen only 5, 6 inch and weight about 610 gram.
This product equipped by Intel Ultra Mobile platform 2007 A110 800 MHZ processor, 512 L2 cache, 400 MHZ FSB, DDR2 400 MHZ 1 gigabyte memory, 40 gigabyte hardisk, Ethernet connection, Bluetooth, and wireless, fingerprint sensor, and also 0,3 megapixel camera.
Fujitsu Lifebook U1010: $1988
MSI Q677 Crystal Edition: Bling-Happy Laptop
Many pc makers are now experimating with eye-catching covers for their laptops. MSI adds class to its Q677 Crystal Edition notebook with a Swarovski crystal-adorned lid. The crystals are a nice touch, but the overall design lacks panache. Unfortunately, that can also be said of this laptop's performance.The Q677 has a gorgeous, glossy-coated widescreen, but its resolution (1.280-by-800) is poor for a 15.4-inch media laptop. Also, its 2-GHz AMD Tarion 64 X2 TL-60 processor isn't as fast as some on similar systems, and performance was unimpressive. We liked its DVI-I port, 6-in-l card reader, 16OGB hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, and 2GB of RAM, plus the nVidia GeForce Go 7600 discrete graphics chipset. The 49-Wh battery, however, lasted a mere I hour 19 minutes running down a DVD.
In addition, the Q677 lacks market presence. You can't buy it direct or through retailers, and the only e-shop with this model is NewEgg. For those who can find it, the Q677 represents a full-featured, fair-performing media laptop.
MSI Q677 Crystal Edition: $1,900
In addition, the Q677 lacks market presence. You can't buy it direct or through retailers, and the only e-shop with this model is NewEgg. For those who can find it, the Q677 represents a full-featured, fair-performing media laptop.
MSI Q677 Crystal Edition: $1,900
ACER TRAVELMATE 8210-6038: A LAPTOP FOR WORK AND PLAY
Business machine? cool multimedia rig? The Acer TravelMate 8210-6038 is both. Were not convinced, though, that its Bluray drive is much of a benefit. At 7.7 pounds, this TravelMate isn’t too travel-friendly. Much of this weight resides in the matte-finished 15.4-inch widescreen, which is useful for viewing documents side by side.The 8210 comes with a drive that lets you both play and burn Blu-ray discs. The system uses CyberLinks PowerDVD BD, a fine program for HD playback. This desktop replacement laptop ships with Windows XP Professional, so it lacks Vistas Media Center features. It has neither a remote nor physical playback buttons, so you’re stuck with the mouse or touchpad for controlling the video. These factors, combined with the price hike to the system caused by the Blu-ray drive, make the drives inclusion suspect.
Despite our concerns about the drive, the 8210 is a powerful notebook for business or multimedia. Thanks to a 2.16-GHz Core 2 Duo T7400 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and discrete graphics, its performance equals that of a powerful desktop. That’s fitting, because at its weight you won’t want to lug it around.
Acer TravelMate 8210-6038: $2,999
Despite our concerns about the drive, the 8210 is a powerful notebook for business or multimedia. Thanks to a 2.16-GHz Core 2 Duo T7400 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and discrete graphics, its performance equals that of a powerful desktop. That’s fitting, because at its weight you won’t want to lug it around.
Acer TravelMate 8210-6038: $2,999
ASUS W5FE SIDESHOW: ONE LAPTOP, TWO DISPLAYS
Imagine scrolling through your e-mail, calendar, media files, and stock ticker without flipping your laptops cover open or even turning on your system. The auxiliary display on the ASUS W5fes lid makes this a reality. It does this through SideShow, one of Windows Vistas most intriguing functions.The W5fe has a gorgeous 12.1-inch widescreen, but it’s the 2.8-inch full-color secondary LCD on the cases outside that gets your attention. It gives you quick access to e-mail, photos, calendar info, and music? (This is great for travelers who don’t have time to power up their laptops.)
E-mail and calendar info worked like a charm, although there’s no support for Outlook mail, only Windows Mail. Importing JPEGs and using the secondary display as a slide- show viewer worked well. I couldn’t get some video formats (MPEG, AVI, and WMV) to play, though SideShows Windows Media Player gadget should be able to run them.
The rest of these 3.9-pound ultraportables components aren’t shabby. The W5fe packs a 2.16-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a
dual-layer DVD burner. But it’s really SideShow that takes center stage here.
ASUS W5FE SIDESHOW: $2,200
E-mail and calendar info worked like a charm, although there’s no support for Outlook mail, only Windows Mail. Importing JPEGs and using the secondary display as a slide- show viewer worked well. I couldn’t get some video formats (MPEG, AVI, and WMV) to play, though SideShows Windows Media Player gadget should be able to run them.
The rest of these 3.9-pound ultraportables components aren’t shabby. The W5fe packs a 2.16-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a
dual-layer DVD burner. But it’s really SideShow that takes center stage here.
ASUS W5FE SIDESHOW: $2,200
Toshiba Portege R500: Sexy and Slim Laptop
It's an ultraportable whose sexy looks are made possible by some hot new tech. Not only is the Toshiba Portege R500 Series incredibly svelte and lightweight for a laptop (at 8.5 by 11.1 by 0.7 inches and 2.4 pounds), but no other ultraportable this light manages to accommodate a built-in optical drive. And despite its compactness, it manages to integrate a full-size keyboard.
Toshiba spent two years developing the R500 out of its previous iteration, the R200. Recent advances enabled the company to go all out in miniaturization. The R500's motherboard is unusually small and thin, and its DVD burner is only 7mm thick. The laptop's 12.1-inch display avails itself of LED backlighting, which lets PC makers build ultra thin screens (about half the thickness of LCD screens).
The trade-off for the R500's sleek and sexy profile lies in its so-so performance. It loads an ultra-low-voltage 1.2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7600 CPU, and it does manage to fit a 120GB, 2.5-inch, 5.400rpm hard drive. But with its integrated graphics and sparse 1GB of RAM. The R500 took a long time to boot into Windows Vista Business. Also, the DVD drive is noisy to the point that Toshiba bundles an acoustic silencer in its software package. Battery life is above average for a machine with low-power components. That it took just 2 hours 37 minutes to run down while playing a DVD movie doesn't sound that impressive, but you can certainly get up to around 4 hours when doing less intensive tasks.
Though you won't be encoding video or playing 3D games with it, the R500 is fine for office tasks. For a machine built to be used on the road, an integrated EV-DO or other WWAN modem would have been a nice addition. Still, the R500 is a joy to carry, a wonder to look at, and fun to use. Do yourself a favor, though, and boost the RAM to 2GB to give the system a little more oomph.
Toshiba Portege R500: $2.149
The trade-off for the R500's sleek and sexy profile lies in its so-so performance. It loads an ultra-low-voltage 1.2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7600 CPU, and it does manage to fit a 120GB, 2.5-inch, 5.400rpm hard drive. But with its integrated graphics and sparse 1GB of RAM. The R500 took a long time to boot into Windows Vista Business. Also, the DVD drive is noisy to the point that Toshiba bundles an acoustic silencer in its software package. Battery life is above average for a machine with low-power components. That it took just 2 hours 37 minutes to run down while playing a DVD movie doesn't sound that impressive, but you can certainly get up to around 4 hours when doing less intensive tasks.
Though you won't be encoding video or playing 3D games with it, the R500 is fine for office tasks. For a machine built to be used on the road, an integrated EV-DO or other WWAN modem would have been a nice addition. Still, the R500 is a joy to carry, a wonder to look at, and fun to use. Do yourself a favor, though, and boost the RAM to 2GB to give the system a little more oomph.
Toshiba Portege R500: $2.149
Electric Spider
The gap between the cell phone and the full-bore computer is shrinking by the second. Witness OQO's Model O2 ($1,500 to $1,850, oqo.com), a complete Windows Vista machine that weighs just a pound and fits in the palm of your hand. It sports a touch screen for easy navigation, has a slide-up screen that reveals a full QWERTY keypad and a 60-gigabyte hard drive. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are standard, and you can opt for a built-in high-speed wireless module that will work with either Verizon's or Sprint's service.