Nokia Booklet 3G Review,Specification and Price

Nokia announced their first netbook after 25 years of mobile manufacturing success. Nokia calls its portable computer as Nokia Booklet 3G . Its just another Windows XP based Netbook like Acer Aspire One series ,Sony Vaio NW etc. Nokia Booklet 3G comes with exceptional power management features .As per Nokia ,the device would be able to hold charge for about 12 hours with full battery .


We earlier covered Acer timeline series laptops with impressive 8 hour battery backup . Having 12 hour on specs ,the device will at least provide 10 hour's of battery backup .Like any netbook ,Nokia Booklet 3G specification includes an Intel Atom processor with 512 MB L2 cache . The device will be built on an ultra-portable aluminum chassis which totally weighs about 1.2kg .

Nokia Booklet 3G specification :

Intel Atom processor with 512 MB cache .
Memory 1-2GB RAM .
10 inch HD ready screen .
120-160GB hard disk
Windows XP professional SP3

Being a netbook ,Nokia Booklet 3G gives more importance to connectivity and networking features . There is 3G ,WiFi,Bluetooth front video calling camera and HD video out through HDMI port .Nokia Booklet 3G will have integrated access to recently launched Nokia Ovi store and GPS support though Nokia Ovi maps .There will be Nokia Ovi suite pre-installed to connect and sync the device with Nokia smartphones .

Nokia Booklet 3G launch date and price :

Nokia Booklet 3G specifications , launch date and price will be announced in Nokia World congress on September 2 2009 .


source :mobiclue

Read more »

Portable One SX-N7350 Review

The Portable One SX-N7350 is a compact 13.3" notebook built on the Clevo M735T platform. It offers a professional design that could be easily passed off as a business notebook, with a very durable chassis to hold up to the rigors of day-to-day abuse. Inside the notebook packs a glossy LED-backlit display and power-efficient Intel X4500HD integrated graphics. Read our full review to find out more about this notebook and if it deserves a spot on your lap.


Our Portable One SX-N7350 Configuration:

* Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 6MB L2 cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* Microsoft Windows Vista Business (w/ SP2)
* 13.3-inch glossy LED-backlit 16:10 display (1280x800)
* Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM
* 250GB Western Digital 7200RPM HDD
* SuperMulti DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
* Intel 5300AGN WiFi, 1Gb Ethernet, Modem
* 4-Cell 14.4V 2400mAh 35WHr Battery
* Limited 3-year standard parts and labor warranty
* Dimensions: LxWxH: 12.125" (w) x 9.125" (d) x 1.3"~1.44" (h)
* Weight: 4lbs 4.0oz
* Price as configured: $1,295.29 (Closest configuration with 200GB 7200RPM HD)

source

Read more »

ASUS G51VX-A1 Review

The ASUS G51-series is a 15.6" gaming notebook offering dual hard drive bays, NVIDIA GTX 260M graphics, and an optional quad-core processor. To enhance the multimedia experience this notebook offers a 1080P 16:9 display, a backlit Chiclet-style keyboard, and Altec Lansing speakers.


Base configurations start as low as $1,049 with a dual-core processor and a single drive, and go as high as $1,699 with the quad-core processor and dual hard drives. In this review we see how well this system performs in a number of new games, to help you decide if this is the right gaming notebook for you.

Our review unit of the ASUS G51VX-A1 features the following specifications:

* Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)
* Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)
* Intel PM45 + ICH9M chipset
* 15.6" WUXGA FHD LCD display at 1920x1080
* NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB GDDR3 memory
* Intel 5100AGN Wireless
* 4GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (2GB x 2)
* Two 320GB Seagate 7200RPM Hard Drives
* DVD SuperMulti
* Webcam, Altec Lansing speakers, Backpack, Razer Copperhead USB mouse
* 120W (19V x 6.32A) 100-240V AC Adapter
* 6-cell 53Wh 11.1v 4800mAh Lithium Ion battery
* Dimensions (WxDxH): 14.6" x 10.3" x 1.3-1.6"
* Weight: 7lbs 9.0oz
* 2-Year Global Warranty/1-Year Accidental damage
* Price as configured: $1,699
source

Read more »

Asus G51VX-RX05 Gaming Notebook Review

Recently, we've seen the meteoric rise of netbooks in the mobile space. Their ultra portability in conjunction with the global economic climate seems to have led consumers to think twice about spending large amounts of cash on mobile devices. This is especially true when netbooks offer the same basic services (word processing, internet surfing, email) for a considerably smaller investment than most other models. But with netbooks, problems surface when users want to do more than just the basic tasks. While no one can argue against their usability, size, and price point, netbooks don't have the processing power to play the latest games or handle significant multimedia workloads, which are key to meeting the demands of gamers and enthusiasts.


With their Eee PC line of products, Asus has been at the forefront of the netbook revolution. However, they've also got an extensive line-up of full-sized notebooks that was recently expanded with a new gaming machine aimed at mainstream consumers, combining strong graphics performance and surprising affordability. The G51VX-RX05 is a member of the Asus Republic of Gamers line targeted at the performance enthusiast market and features a Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of DDR2 memory, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M GPU, a 15.6" LCD display, a spacious 320GB hard drive, and Windows Vista 64-bit operating system. While those specs are appealing, the most attractive feature we can list is the competitive asking price, which currently sits at about $1049. With the new school year just around the corner, we know consumers are in the market for notebooks that provide the best performance for their dollar, so let's take a closer look at what the G51VX has to offer.

Asus G51Vx-RX05
Specifications and Features (as tested)

Model :G51VX-RX05
Display :15.6" (1368x768)
CPU :Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0GHz
Memory :4GB DDR2 800MHz (2x2GB)
Graphics :NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB GDDR3
Storage :320GB 7200RPM
Optical :SuperMulti DVD
Operating System:Windows Vista Home Premium x64
Wireless :Intel 802.11 A/G/N
Webcam :1.3 Megapixel
Wired Internet :10/100 Ethernet, 56K Fax/modem
Ports :4 USB, 1 FireWire, HDMI, VGA, ExpressCard, eSATA, 8-in-1 Media
Reader
Weight :7.3 lbs with battery
Dimensions :14.6" x 10.3" x 1.6" (WxDxH)
Warranty :1 Year Parts / Labor
Price :$1049

Stepping in at 14.6" x 10.3" with a weight of 7.3 lbs, the G51Vx is not ideal for everyday travel. While more portable than high end desktop replacement notebooks, we would still consider it a full size laptop better fit for just occasional trips, rather than the business traveler on the go.

In reality, we think it would be perfect for a college dorm room, where portability is less important and a full feature set and functionality prerequisite. That said, the G51Vx was designed for maximum gaming performance at an affordable price. It's also one of the first machines we've tested with NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 260M mobile graphics processor under its hood. So let's take a closer look at this new Asus-built hot rod; then we'll take her for a ride around the test track.

source

Read more »

Gateway LT3103u Review

Not only are computer manufacturers expanding the definition of netbooks by offering highly-portable, low-cost systems with increasingly larger screens, but now they’re experimenting with different processors, too. Like many netbooks, the Gateway LT3103u has an 11.6-inch screen, but it has abandoned the traditional Intel Atom processor in favor of a single-core AMD chip, which promises stronger performance. As such, this $399 rig is compelling in that it’s one of the first to occupy a middle ground between netbooks and low-voltage notebooks.


But it’s uneasy territory; in order to get marginally better performance numbers, you sacrifice significant battery life.
Design

The Gateway LT3103u borrows its design from the company’s larger NV Series; the lid is a glossy black, highlighted by a silver tab embossed with the Gateway logo. Likewise, the bezel surrounding the screen is glossy black. It’s a slick look, but the lid picks up fingerprints easily. Inside, the chassis and keyboard is matte black, and the palm rests are dimpled like a golf ball, which is comfortable, and offers a new and interesting sensory experience.

At 11.3 x 8.6 inches, the LT3013u takes up the same amount of desk space as the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 and Acer Aspire One 751h, and, like those two systems, its six-cell battery protrudes from the back. The LT3103u maintains a consistent thickness of 1 inch from front to back, much like the 751h. Weighing 3.2 pounds, the LT3103u is 3.2 ounces heavier than the ASUS Eee PC 1101HA, but still fit easily and inconspicuously in a messenger bag.

Keyboard and Touchpad
Similar to the Acer Aspire 751h, the LT3103u has a not-quite-island-style layout; we can’t help but wonder if the two merged companies have been trading market research data. The flat keys have a slightly gritty surface, and offer a good amount of feedback. We had little trouble using the LT3103u to type this review.

While the touchpad is a smallish 2.5 x 1.5 inches (especially compared to the Toshiba mini NB205), it has little friction, and is gesture-enabled, which allowed us to flick, pinch, and zoom to change Web pages and images. The recessed pad and single mouse button below it are framed by a chrome accent, which is a classy touch.
Display and Audio

The 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 glossy LED-backlit display on the LT3103u is no better or worse than those on competing 11-inch systems. Videos streamed from Hulu and played off of the hard drive were bright and crisp; horizontal viewing angles were large enough so that two people could sit on either side of the system and see the screen comfortably.

The stereo speakers on the LT3103u provide adequately loud sound for a netbook. While bass was lacking and higher tones are somewhat tinny, the midrange vocals on Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” came through well. Since the speakers are mounted on the underside of the system’s front lip, we found that audio became muffled and distorted when we had the netbook on our lap; placing the system on a hard surface resulted in an improved listening experience.
Ports and Webcam

Typical for a system of this size, the LT3103u has three USB ports, VGA, Ethernet, headphone and mic, and a 5-in-1 memory card slot.

A 0.3-megapixel resolution might seem a bit low for a webcam, but it’s more than sufficient on the LT3103u. A caller on Skype said that video of us was clear, and colors were represented well. While there was a bit of motion blur, it was nothing out of the ordinary. The microphone on the netbook picked up our voice cleanly, too.

source

Read more »

Dell Inspiron 11z Review

The Inspiron 11z is the first Dell ultraportable notebook to blend netbook portability with full-featured laptop capability. It weighs 3.05 lbs. and at roughly an inch thin it's easy to carry, yet has the capability to deliver smooth HD video playback and snappier performance with your applications. The biggest differences between a netbook and the new Inspiron 11z are inside. Most netbooks feature the Intel Atom processor and GMA 950 graphics while the Inspiron 11z is based on the new Intel CULV processor family combined with more memory and improved graphics to deliver better performance.


Many consumers wondered what Dell had in store after Dell discontinued the Inspiron Mini 12 earlier this year ... the Inspiron 11z is the answer. Consumers have been asking for a netbook-like device with a netbook price point that is capable of handling traditional laptop activities (like full HD video and multitasking). The Inspiron 11z does just that with a starting price of just $399 in the U.S. on www.dell.com and starting Aug. 25 will be available in Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. and the Phone House in France.

While the Inspiron Mini series of netbooks are designed as "companion PCs" (miniature laptops that are easy to slip into a bag or briefcase but can't replace a full-featured notebook) the Inspiron 11z has all the power of a traditional budget notebook in a small, easy-to-carry design. Netbooks offer slower performance and certain types of HD video playback will stutter because of the limitations of the Intel Atom processor and Intel GMA 950 graphics. The Inspiron 11z doesn't suffer from these limitations thanks to a new Intel CULV processor and Intel GS45 Integrated Graphics.

One potential issue we noticed with the pre-production Inspiron 11z is that users will have a hard time making their own upgrades. Dell sacrificed the typical RAM expansion and hard drive expansion doors on the bottom of the notebook in order to make the Inspiron 11z as thin (and as low cost) as possible. This means you will have to disassemble the entire bottom of the notebook if you want to perform your own upgrades.

Left side view of the Inspiron 11z: Ethernet, HDMI out, and USB port.

A few more facts about the Inspiron 11z - as I mentioned, today you can purchase a pre-configured system for $399 including the following specifications:

* Intel Celeron 723 processor (1.2GHz/800MHz FSB/1MB cache)
* 2GB DDR2 memory
* 250GB (5400 rpm) hard drive
* Built in Wi-Fi, 1.3MP Webcam
* 11.6-inch HD (1366x768) display (WLED)
* 28WHr battery with approximately 3 hours of battery life
* Windows Vista Home Premium WITH free upgrade kit to Windows 7
* Dimensions:
o Height: 0.92" (235mm) front / 1.02" (258mm) back (with 3 cell battery)
o Depth: 8.43" (214mm)
o Width: 11.5" (292mm)

At the time of lauch the Inspiron 11z will only be available in Obsidian Black, but more colors will likely become available later this year.

There will be more configuration options down the road. The Inspiron 11z is only the second member of Dell's "Z family" of notebooks with thin and light with great battery life space - so stay tuned, we'll have more coverage of the Z-series notebooks in the future.

source : notebookreview

Read more »

Dell Announces Vostro 1014, 1088, 1015 Laptops

Dell has announced the 14-inch Vostro 1014 and 1088 and the 15.6″ 1015, the new affordable laptops for business users.

The notebooks include LED backlight displays, Intel’s Core 2 processors, up to 4GB of RAM, up to 320GB of hard drive space, optional web cameras, an “improved battery life”, and various color options.


The Vostro 1014 and 1015 feature the Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics, whereas the Vostro 1088 sports the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 512MB GPU.

The new Vostro 10 series laptops are expected to hit the US market “over the next several months”. In parts of Europe, customers can purchase select models with prices starting at £255 (around $423 U.S. dollars).

Source | Via

Read more »

Lenovo ThinkPad X301 now available with 1.8-inch spinning hard drive

Lenovo’s flagship ThinkPad X301 laptop can now be found in certain configurations with a 1.8-inch magnetic hard drive, rather than the fast and expensive Solid State Drives, once included exclusively.

Unfortunately the new drives are not available on Lenovo.com as part of a build-it-yourself configuration, yet. Instead you are restricted to one of two pre-built configurations available through resellers:


* Model 2776-H1U: SU9400 1.4GHz CPU, 2GB DDR3, Webcam, 120GB 5400rpm, DVDRW, Intel 5100 WiFi, WWAN upgradeable, 2GB Turbo Memory, Bluetooth, Fingerprint reader, 6-cell battery, Vista Business 32 – Street price ~$1700-1800
* Model 2776-32U: SU9600 1.6GHz CPU, 2GB DDR3, Webcam, 250GB 5400rpm, DVDRW, Intel 5100 WiFi, WWAN upgradeable, Bluetooth, Fingerprint reader, 6-cell battery, XP Professional – Street price – ~$1700

Considering you can only get the ThinkPad X301 into the $1600 range, sans DVDRW and other goodies, on Lenovo.com with coupons, this actually isn’t a bad deal. The magnetic HDD clearly saves you a chunk of change here. In fact, if you look for the nearly identical model 2776-33U, which adds a 64GB SSD over the 2776-32U listed above, it adds on average $200-300 to the price tag. You still need to do in-depth price comparison to find the model that best fits your needs, but the potential is here for some cost savings.

More background
lenovo_thinkpad_t400s_upgrade_ssd-toshiba When the ThinkPad X300 launched, it was criticized for its high price tag, which was largely driven by the then-expensive SSDs. The drive itself cost over $700, which is a huge portion of any laptop’s cost, considering you could get a fairly well equipped machine for that much. When questioned about offering a 1.8-inch HDD to bring the starting cost down, Lenovo stated it had investigated that route, but that the performance of those drives was just not up to par for such a high end machine. Indeed, a system’s storage drive is one of the largest bottlenecks on a modern computer.

Since the ThinkPad X300 launched, SSD prices have dropped significantly bringing the X301 into the sub-$2000 price range. However, HDD technology has also advanced and not only are 1.8-inch drives faster, but they have greater capacity too. Hopefully Lenovo will start offering these 1.8-inch HDD’s for the X301 on Lenovo.com, so we can truly see what kind of value they can drive out of the flagship ThinkPad.

source

Read more »

Lenovo G550 Review

The new Lenovo G550 is an update to the Value Line G530 with the primary difference being the shift from a 16:10 to a 16:9 screen. This is becoming a common trend for most manufacturers, as they shift to the now more standardized 16:9 screens. The biggest question on our minds is how well this updated budget notebook performs; considering the previous revision earned our Editor's Choice award.


Lenovo Value line G550 Specifications:

* Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200 (2.00GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
* Microsoft Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (w/ SP1)
* 15.6-inch glossy 16:9 display (1366x768)
* Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 3GB DDR3 800MHz RAM
* 250GB Western Digital 5400RPM HDD
* SuperMulti DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
* Broadcom WiFi (802.11b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Modem
* 6-Cell 11.1V 48WHr Battery
* Limited 1-year standard parts and labor warranty
* Dimensions: LxWxH, 14.9 x 9.6 x 1.4"
* Weight: 5lbs 9.0oz
* Price as configured: $549

source

Read more »

Sony Extends Vaio Warranty for Nvidia Flub

Remember that whole fiasco with Nvidia graphics-based notebooks giving up the ghost because of a "weak die/packaging material set?" That manufacturing defect ended up costing Nvidia millions of dollars in warranty repairs. It also led to extended warranties by some OEMs, the latest of which is Sony.


"Sony, in cooperation with Nvidia, has been looking into any possible effect to Vaio notebooks with Nvidia graphic processors. Until recently we had not identified any Vaio models that were affected by this issue," Sony said in an eSupport USA notice.

The statement went on to disclose that a "very small percentage" of Nvidia-based Vaio PCs may exhibit "distorted video, duplicate images, or a blank screen" because of the faulty GPU.

According to Sony, affected models include the Vaio VGN-AR1xx, VGN-AR2xx, VGN-AR3xx, VGN-FZ1xx, VGN-FZ2xx, VGN-FZ3xx, VGN-FZ4xx, VGC-LT1xx, and and VGC-LT2xx series. For those who need repair service because of a failing GPU, Sony said it will provide a three year warranty extension.

source

Read more »

LG XNote Mini X130 Netbook Review

After release LG Xnote 110 and Xnote 120, now LG release the Series of Xnote Mini X130 and this version has lifetime up to 12-hours! LG launch this series with 3 model, its X130-L78BK, X130-L78WK, and X130-L78PK and the battery using 9-cell.


The Xnote Mini X130 powered by Intel Atom processor, 10.1-inch WSVGA LCD display with LED backlit, 160GB of HDD, and it has smart on button on the keyboard to run on quick web search, music playback or chatting in 7-seconds without booting the netbook. The price available from 789,000 Korea Won.


via

Read more »

Acer Aspire 1410 Review

The new Acer Aspire 1410 has appeared on both Acer’s official website and also on some retailer sites.

The Acer 1410 was previous known as the Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T, but has been re-branded as the Aspire 1410 for the US / Canadian market. At the moment it appears to have kept it’s original name for the European market.

The Acer AS1410 has kept the exact same specifications as were previously mentioned for the Timeline 1810T. As the Acer Aspire 1410 is an 11.6-inch machine and features the 1.4GHz Intel ULV SU3500 processor, many might argue that it is a thin-and-light laptop rather than a netbook.

The 11.6-inch LCD has a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and LED backlighting, along with GMA 4500MHD graphics, a 6-cell battery, 250 GB hard drive, and upto 4GB of RAM. Most netbook can only support up to 2GB of RAM, so this is yet another difference.

The Acer 1410 is available in three colors, “Diamond Black”, Sapphire Blue”, and “Ruby Red”. Pricing is expect to be about $450-475.

source

Read more »

LENOVO IDEAPAD U450P SPECIFICATIONS

After using the platform Intel CULV, levono company specialists prepared the super-light weight mobile computer ideaPad u450p. This two-kilogram device is equipped with 14- inches screen, whose resolution is 1366 x 768 pixels. In other words, it is completely sufficient not only for comfortable work in the majority of applications, but also for HD video playback


The configuration of computer can include the processor Pentium SU2700 (1,3 GHz) or Core Solo SU3500 (1,4 GHz) and 3 GB memory .

The graphic system is the integrated core GMA x4500. This laptop computer is equipped with 250 or 320 GB HDD and optical disk, capable of writing DVD disks. The power of ideaPad u450p is ensured by six-cell battery. The price of the base configuration with Windows vista home premium is equal to $799.


source

Read more »

New MSI C-Series Notebooks Hit

We've got a whole mess of releases coming out from MSI today. They've just announced the launch of five new models for their C-Series line of notebooks. The CX600, 700, CR 600-013, CR600-017 and CR700 will soon be in computer stores across the country.


The 600 models are lightweight, 16”, 5.4 pound machines with a thickness of 1.18”. The 700 models are 17.3” and weigh a little more than 6 pounds. All of these notebooks feature an LCD 16:9 aspect ratio, making them suitable for widescreen. The CX600 and 700 have an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 CD graphics card. The CR 600 and 700 have Nvidia GeForce 8200M GPUs with an extra HTMI port. The CR600-017 is the best of the bunch, and packs an Intel Dual Core T4300 2.1 GHz processor and a Blu-Ray DVD player.

All of the new C series notebooks have a 1.3 megapixel webcam. They start at an MSRP of $549.99, with a 3 year warranty included.

Read more »

Acer’s 11.6-inch Aspire 1810TZ to feature dual-core CULV processor Review

We already know about the Acer Aspire Timeline 1810 11.6-inch ultra-thin, however it appears that a more powerful version may be on the horizon. The Aspire 1810TZ has appeared on the official Acer China site and the extra Z denotes the inclusion of a 1.3GHz dual-core SU4100 chip. This compares to the 1.4Ghz single-core SU3500 processor found in the 1810T.


Both chips come with the same 800MHz FSB and are based on the 45nm Penryn core. The SU4100 has a 2MB cache compared to 3MB for the SU3500. As you would expect the TDP of the SU4100 is nearly double (10W) than that of the SU3500 (5.5W).

There’s no word on which regions the 1801TZ is expected to appear in, however it is also listed on the US-based Energy Star site that could mean a US release. The other specifications remain the same. We’ll bring you more information as we have it.

via netbookchoic

For Acer’s 11.6-inch Aspire 1810TZ Service Manual,User Guide,or Compare this Notebook please try search Here

Read more »

HP dv2610us User Review

At this point, I figure I change hardware as often as I change my underwear. Such was the case when my ASUS F9Dc-A1, which I just reviewed here, turned out to be a dud for me. It's by no means a bad laptop - quite the opposite in fact - but the battery life was wrist-slashingly frustrating, the 12" screen proved too small for me (scaling up fonts in Windows Vista makes the whole experience stunningly Speak-and-Spell), and honestly I'm just interested in having a nicer looking notebook.

Since I had a friend interested in buying the Asus off of me for most of what I paid for it, I found myself in the position to rectify my mistake.


Realizing I go through these things so fast, I figured I should probably curb my spending as much as humanly possible and just go for a "functional" notebook. Living on campus means no great need for a gaming notebook since my obscene desktop is always just a few minutes away. What I really need is something enjoyable to use that can last for more than five seconds on the battery. Can it take notes? Can it run Final Draft? Excellent, hired.

But it needed to be portable, too. When I had my ASUS A8Jm, I'd been profoundly hateful of the 14.1" screen and its (lack of) quality. So the market didn't seem terribly interested in finding me a new, cheapo laptop to do the job and do it right. Two models I expressed interest in were the Gateway T-1616 for $649 at Best Buy, and the Toshiba Satellite U305 for $899 at Best Buy and Fry's. I was particularly excited about the Gateway, but reviews online noted poor battery life - in the neighborhood of 2.5 hours tops. I'm a fan of Gateway after having the awesome 7510GX; I like their designs and they're always well-priced, and the T-1616 was frankly pretty sexy. But...the battery life kills, and without being able to confirm the existence of an extended battery available for purchase online, I had to sadly rule it out.

The Toshiba U305, at 13.3", is beautiful on the inside, but the outside shell is hideous, with that massive TOSHIBA logo on the lid. Elegant lines are woefully lacking on the unit, and the gorgeous keyboard has flex you can really feel when you type on it. Plus, online reports of battery life were all over the map.

With nothing compelling but a need to go to Fry's to get a new wireless adaptor for my desktop, I found "the one." I'm a big big fan of the styling of HP's current notebooks, and the dv2610us on display seemed to fit the bill. Oh, and what's this? All this can be mine for $699? And there's a $50 rebate on top of that? Surely you have none in stock! But wait...you say you have twenty-four, and that because you're the best retail store for computer nerds in the world, you keep massive stocks of most of your stuff?

SIGN ME UP.

The price was right, the specs were right, and with 2GB of replacement notebook RAM in hand for just $50, the dv2610us came home.


SPECIFICATIONS

The HP dv2610us is specced out as follows:

* CPU: AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 (1.9GHz dual core, 65nm process, 31W TDP)
* RAM: 2GB (2x1GB stick) Patriot DDR2-667 (upgraded from 2x512MB generic HP DDR2-667)
* Hard Disk: 160GB 5400rpm Hitachi Travelstar
* Optical Drive: DVD-RAM w/ Lightscribe
* Graphics: nVidia GeForce 7150M Integrated Graphics
* Wireless: Broadcom 802.11b/g and HP Bluetooth
* Battery: 6-cell Li-ion
* Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
* Accessories: Built-in webcam and media reader, modem, ethernet, etc.
* Includes: Microfiber cleaning cloth, a pair of earbuds, and a media center remote that fits snugly into the ExpressCard slot.

Ordinarily not terribly exciting, but at $699 ($649 after rebate), come on. That's a lot of power for a low price, although the 1GB of RAM it ships with is grossly underpowered for Windows Vista. But given the RAM upgrade brings it to a still respectable $749 ... let's be realistic, it's the pricetag that's winning this war.

by Dustin Sklavos

source

Read more »

Dell Studio 14z Review

Dell's latest premium 14-inch consumer notebook, the Dell Studio 14z, promises to give students everything they want in a high-performance notebook for the back-to-school season. The Studio 14z is indeed the thinnest and lightest 14-inch notebook Dell has ever produced and promises more than 6 hours of battery life, but you might have to make a few sacrifices. Keep reading to discover what we found after spending a few weeks with the Studio 14z.


Dell Studio 14z Specifications:

* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2 cache)
* OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 bit)
* Memory: 3GB Shared DDR3 at 1066MHz
* Storage: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M G
* Screen: 14.0” High Definition (1600 x 900) LED Display with TrueLife
* Software: 15-month McAfee SecurityCenter subscription, Microsoft Works
* Other: Ruby Red lid, LED Backlit keyboard
* Wireless: Dell 1515 Wireless N
* Battery: 8-cell 74Whr Li Ion Battery
* Dimensions: 0.79"-1.2" x 13.2" x 9.0" (H x W x D)
* Weight: 4 lbs, 9 oz
* Retail Price as configured: $979


source

Read more »

Samsung R610 review

The Samsung R610 is a new notebook by Samsung which blurs the gap between portable notebooks and multimedia notebooks offering nice performance. It is priced quite right at around $1000 and offers th right mix of portability, multimedia capabilities and decent performance. It is one of the more stylish notebooks with a cool glossy, red and black color scheme and has nice build quality.

f you wanted a portable notebook, but didn’t want to buy a netbook which skimps on screen real estate, this is probably a good deal for you. It competes against the Acer Aspire 6930 and the HP Pavilion HDX 16 which we reviewed sometime back. In this review, we check out the Samsung R610 and check out its features, design, performance and see whether it cuts out a good deal.
Samsung R610 Specs:

* Dimensions: 14.9 x 10.4 x 1.5 inches
* Weight: 6 lbs
* Processor: 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800
* RAM: 3 GB DDR2 RAM
* Display: 16 inch LCD Display, 1366 x 768 pixels
* Graphics: Nvidia 9200M GS 512 MB VRAM
* Hard Drive: 250 GB SATA HDD, 5400 RPM
* Optical Drive: 8X DVD +/- RW DL
* Wireless: Wi-Fi - 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v 2.0
* Operating System: MS Windows Vista Home Premium
* Ports: 4 USB 2.0, Ethernet, HDMI, VGA out, Headphone, Microphone, Modem, 3 in 1 card reader, Expresscard, Kensington Lock slot

Design and Build Quality:

The Samsung R610 sports a nice stylish glossy design composed mostly of black and some red. The design is clean and has a nice attractive finish. The glossy black lid, the black interiors with a gradient red finish towards the front edge, and the status indicators LEDs to the left all blend in to give the notebook a very nice look. At dimensions of 14.9 x 10.4 x 1.5 inches, it is easily one of the thinnest 16 inch laptops in this range. It weighs just about 6 lbs, which again is an achievement for a 16 inch notebook.

The build quality is superb and the chassis is strong and solid. The notebook is made mainly of metal and plastic. From the looks of it, it should easily last about 3-4 years and pssibly more with normal usage.
Display and Speakers:

The Samsung R610 sports a 16 inch LCD Display with a native resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The resolution is good, but much less compared to the expected full HD resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels you would normally expect from a 16 inch screen. The display quality is nice and the brightness is quite good, while the contrast levels are decent. The viewing angles are nice, both vertical and horizontal and the the glossy screen has decent legibility even under direct light. The video playback quality is quite good but the low resolution means you can’t see movies in HD. Other than the low resolution, there isn’t much to complain about from the display. Just above the display, you find a 1.3 MP webcam which has decent image and video capture quality. It should do for casual video conferencing.

The speakers of the Samsung R610 are loud enough but lack quality, we would definitely recommend the use of a nice pair of headphones if you take your music seriously.


Keyboard and Touchpad:

The Samsung R610 sports a full keyboard with a numeric keypad, just like other notebooks its size. The keys feel nice and have adequate spacig and travel. They also offer decent feedback with a distinct click. The keyboard is superb and suited for you if you are a touch typist.

The touchpad lies just below the keyboard and offers a good grip with adequate response. It also has optimum sensitivity making it easy to navigate around your desktop. The two mouse buttons below the touchpad can be easily pressed, all in all, no major complaints from the keyboard and touchpad. It should be noted that the Samsung R610 doesn’t sport touch sensitive media controls despite being positioned as a multimedia laptop.
Performance:

The Samsung R610 sports a not so cool configuration - 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800, 3 GB DDR2 RAM with the graphics department being handled by Nvidia 9200 M GS 512 MB. The specs look a bit stale compared to most new laptops, but maybe this is how they were able to keep the prices down. It can run Windows Vista easily and does well in multitasking multiple apps. It sports a 5400 RPM 250 GB HDD which has decent data transfer speeds. You should be able to do some casual, light gaming on this machine, but don’t expect the relatively underpowered 9200 M GS to allow you to frag bots in Crysis at full glory. Overall, the R610 offers average performance, a tad less than its competitors - the Acer Aspire 6930G and the HP Pavilion HDX 16.
Battery Life and other features:

The Samsung R610 comes bundled with a 6 cell battery which lasts just about 2 hrs and 30 mins on a full charge with moderate usage. To increase the battery life, clock down your system volume, lower the display brightness and turn off Wi-Fi when not in use. You can easily manage about 3 hrs then. These figures are decent compared to the category average which is about 2 hrs and 20 mins. If you want more endurance, you can get the optional 9 cell battery which should give you about 6 hrs of juice.

The Samsung R610 has nice Wi-Fi recpetion and data transfer speeds. It also has a wide range of expansion ports and slots - 4 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, HDMI, VGA out, Headphone and Microphone jacks, Modem, 3 in 1 card reader, Expresscard and a Kensington Lock slot.
Pros:

* Nice Design
* Good Keyboard

Cons:

* Low Battery Life
* Bad Sound Quality
* Relatively Outdated COnfiguration

Final Words:

The Samsung R610 is a nice notebook with a stylish design, light and portable form factor and decent performance. There are some better options to the R610 like the Acer Aspire 6930 and HP Pavilion HDX 16. If you are looking for a portable notebook instead of some cramped netbook then this is a good option. But it doesn’t exactly excel at multimedia playback, which it should considering that it is positioned in that segment. It also has an older hardware configuration compared to most new notebooks. There aren’t many things going for it except the design and portability.

via digitgeek

Read more »

Gateway MD7826u Review

At a penny shy of $1000.00, the MD7826u is the most expensive of Gateway's MD series. As Gateway's website puts it, “Stylish and powerful, these beautiful MD Series laptops will get you noticed while you breeze through even the most power-hungry tasks.” In this review, we'll see if the notebook can live up to Gateway's description.


The notebook I reviewed was a special review unit, which means it may have some slight differences from the retail version. For instance, instead of being listed as the MD7826u, Vista's system properties, as well as the label on the bottom of the unit, list it as the AJ2. Also, according to Futuremark, the CPU in my review unit was an engineering sample of the P8400, which may have slightly different tolerances than the retail version. It also was equipped with Bluetooth, which isn't listed on Gateway's description of the notebook's specs. I'm not sure if that means the retail unit doesn't include Bluetooth or if it is included but just not mentioned. Despite these possible variations due to the computer being a review unit, it seems to have specs otherwise identical with those listed on Gateway's site. And speaking of those specifications, here they are:

Specifications

* Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26 Ghz, 1066 Mhz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache)
* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) operating system
* 4GB 667 Mhz DDR2 dual-channel memory
* 320GB 5400RPM hard drive
* Intel Wifi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n wireless card
* 6-cell 48.84 Whr battery
* ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 graphics card (512MB dedicated video memory)
* 15.6” WXGA screen (1366x768, 16:9 aspect)
* 4 USB ports, VGA, HDMI, card reader
* Gigabit ethernet and modem
* 8x Dual Layer DVDRW/DVD-RAM with LabelFlash
* 1.3 Megapixel webcam

source

Read more »

Gigabyte T1028X netbook Review

Gigabyte has unveiled a new netbook that uses a convertible tablet form factor called the T1028X reports SlashGear. The netbook uses the Intel Atom N280 CPU at 1.66GHz and has a display with 1366 x 768 resolution. The screen of the device is 10.1-inches.

Other features include a 6-cell 54wh battery and an optional HSPA mobile broadband modem for on the go connectivity. The netbook has an ExpressCard 34mm slot, something missing on many netbooks available


Memory for the machine is 1GB of DDR2 RAM and storage is to a 160GB HDD. The little machine also includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as you would expect. The screen is also touch capable for use as a tablet. The official pricing for the US is unknown at this time, but based on the European price it would be around $700.

via i4u

Read more »

Viliv S7 Mobile Internet Device Review

Viliv is launching the S7 Productivity “Hand-Top”, an Atom-based mobile internet device with a QWERTY keyboard. Three models are being offered, the S7 I-LOG 3X gets 32GB SSD while the S7-DLOG 3X packs addition DMB digital TV Tuner.



Viliv S7 MID Specs:



* Intel Atom Z520 1.33GHz CPU
* 1GB RAM
* 60GB Hard Drive (S7 I-LOG HX) or 32GB SSD (S7 I-LOG 3X and S7-DLOG 3X)
* 7-inch Touchscreen Display
* DMB Digital TV Tuner (S7-DLOG 3X)
* Optional WIMAX
* Windows XP

Pricing:

* S7 I-LOG HX: 729,000 Won
* S7 I-LOG 3X: 799,000 Won
* S7-DLOG 3X: 849,000 Won

via laptopnext

Read more »

The HP Pavilion 16” laptop Review

The Pavilion from HP is a real robust piece of equipment that offers the user an excellent sixteen inch display. It is also finished off in a beautiful onyx shade with a chrome finish. The whole idea is to put across a vision of liquid metal and you have say that it works very nicely indeed.





Product Features :

2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor

4 GB RAM (8 GB max)

320 GB hard drive, Light Scribe dual-layer DVD drive

Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (64-bit version)

Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics (up to 1759 MB total), 16-inch LCD with perfect 16:9 aspect ratio

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

Hardware Platform: PC

Processor: 2 GHz Intel Core Duo

System Bus Speed: 800

Number of Processors: two

RAM: 4000 MB

RAM Type: DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive

Size: 320 GB

Manufacturer: Portable

Type: Serial ATA

Ports and Connectivity

Modem: Fax / modem

Cases and Expandability

Size (LWH): 14.9 inches, 10.15 inches, 1.33 inches

Weight: 9.05 pounds

Priced at $838.09

Source [Amazon]

Read more »

Asus Eee 1008HA Seashell Netbook Review

Our review partner Digital Trends tested the Asus Eee 1008HA Seashell Netbook and published this review.
Quote from the review: "Strip away the plastic shell, aluminum cladding and Chiclet-style keys, and every netbook boils down to almost exactly the same hardware. They all seem to share about 90 percent of their DNA – which is why many companies are starting to look past the stagnant hardware inside and turning to the outside as a way to stand out.


Asus already joined the party with the fashion-savvy S101, then with the metal-clad 1002HA, and now continues its quest for thin with the 1008HA Seashell. It may not pull anything unusual under the hood, but super-slim dimensions and a sleek shell make it one of the most lust-worthy netbooks we’ve laid eyes on."

Specs

Operating System
Genuine Windows® XP Home
(Pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 60-day Trial and vary by country)

GNU Linux

Display
10.1" LED Backlight WSVGA Screen (1024x600) with Color-Shine (Glare-type)

Intel CPU & Chipset
Intel Atom N280

Memory
1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM

Hybrid Storage
160GB 2.5" SATA II 5400RPM HDD
10GB Eee Storage

Eee Storage service is complimentary for the first 18 months. Please register account information for 6 months extension (depend on country)

Eee Storage has games, wallpapers and customized software free for downloads to enhance your experience!

Wireless Data Network
WLAN 802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz
Bluetooth2.1 + EDR

Camera
1.3M Pixel

Audio
Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
Stereo speaker
Digital Array Mic

Input / Output
1 x Mini VGA Connector
2 x USB 2.0
1 x LAN RJ-45
2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in)
Card Reader: MMC/ SD(SDHC)

Battery
6 hrs*, 32Wh Slim and Eco-friendly Li-polymer Battery

Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations. Learn more about battery life >>

Dimensions
262mm(W) x 178mm(D) x 18mm~ 25.7mm(H)

Weight
1.1Kg(2.42lbs)

Infusion
White, Black, Pink, Blue, Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red

via i4u

Read more »

Samsung N510 Netbook Review

Samsung are currently preparing a new netbook-sized display 11.6 inch LED backlight that has a Samsung N510, with the support of Intel Atom N280 processor 1.66GHz. Netbook Samsung N510 also use graphics chipset Nvidia 9400M GPU Ion, paired with 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard drive. While other facilities such as WiFi b / g / n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and wired Ethernet, including integrated microphone and webcam, memory card reader, multi format, operating system Windows XP Home and battery Li-Ion 6 cell. Netbook price for this Samsung N510 ranging € 570 ($ 799) will be released starting August 21 this year.


Netbook Samsung N510 will be present at this week end of June and ready for pre-order at the online store in France, Pixmania. Netbook Samsung N510 is present with a display resolution of 1366 × 768 pixels, 3-in-1 card reader, 3 USB ports, HDMI connector, VGA output, 2 speakers, and 1.3 megapixel webcam. Samsung N510 dimension to this range of 289 × 199.5 mm × 256.6-30.3 and weight 1.4kg with 6 cell battery support.

Specifications netbook Samsung N510:
Processor: Intel Atom N280 (1.66 GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Chipset: Nvidia Ion
Memory: 1GB
Display: 11.6 “HD WXGA (1366 × 768)
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 9400M
Hard disk: 160GB SATA
Network: Wireless 802.11 b / g / n, Bluetooth, Ethernet LAN
Facilities: Webcam
Port: Memory card reader 3-in-1
Battery: Lithium-Ion 6-cell

via dhanti

Read more »

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 Review

Well, Dell. What can you do? If you are one of the largest suppliers of PC laptops out there, I suppose you don’t have to offer the best products, as you have a built-in market share and name recognition. I’ve never been a huge Dell fan for this reason, and the new Dell Inspiron Mini 12 laptop does little to regain my faith in the mega-company.

And while Laptop Magazine gave the Mini 12 a decent review, most the buzz on the net is pretty tame.


Not to start out too negative, the Mini 12 has some redeeming qualities; a 12″ display, a super slim frame and a nearly full keyboard. The slim design and lack of an optical drive make it a prime competitor for the MacBook Air. And with a standard Dell low price of around $650, it’s hard to complain. But that’s where the fun ends and reality kicks in.

You can see it clearly in the specs, the thin frame is where the comparison to the MacBook Air ends. The 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor makes for pretty sluggish performance with the pre-loaded Vista. And with only 1 GB of RAM, don’t think you will be doing anything more than simple computing and a bit of Internet browsing, because you aren’t going to get gaming or high-end video/photo editing performance out of the Mini 12.

The folks over at Gadget Review and Mobile Mag tend to agree with the Laptop Magazine reviewers, too. So the Internet consensus says avoid the Mini 12 unless it’s small size and price are enough to sell you on lame specs.

And, the limited specs:

* Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Basic
* Processor: Intel Atom Z530
* Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
* RAM: 1 GB
* Weight: 3.2 lb
* Screen Size: 12 inches
* Graphics: Intel GMA 500
* Storage Capacity: 60 GB
* Networking Options: 802.11 a/g
* Primary Optical Drive: n/a
via laptoppimp

Read more »

Lenovo IdeaPad U350 Review

Lenovo is best known for its excellent ThinkPad business laptops, but also offers entry-level machines via its 3000 Series. The IdeaPad range strikes a balance between the two, with the U350 offering a combination of mobility, usability and corporate features.

Where Lenovo’s other laptops use stark but functional black designs, a more consumer-friendly design is used here. The textured plastic lid and faux brushed-aluminium palm-rest provide a look that will suit the home or office, and build quality is excellent throughout.

The slim chassis weighs 1.7kg, making this ultraportable ideal for frequent travel use. The large but slim battery is neatly integrated into the chassis, and it allows the machine to run for 261-minutes when away from mains power, easily keeping you working for half the day.

The quality of the user interface is mixed. The keyboard is large and spacious and all keys respond accurately, but the board flexes and rattles slightly when typing. The model we saw was a pre-production build however, so this will hopefully be rectified on final samples.

The large touchpad is far more usable. It also supports multi-touch gesture control, allowing you to move your fingers in a circle on the pad to scroll through documents, or pinch your fingers together to zoom into images. It is a small touch, but works really well.

The 13.3-inch screen is excellent. Brightness, colour and contrast are outstanding, delivering sharp and vibrant images. The widescreen aspect ratio is ideal for viewing spreadsheets and an ambient light sensor automatically adjusts brightness according to your surroundings.

Low-powered components are used to deliver optimum performance within the confines of the small chassis. The low-voltage Intel processor and 3072MB of memory provide enough power for most home and office tasks, but isn’t the best configuration for frequent multi-tasking.

Ample storage is provided by the 320GB hard drive and the disk is shock-protected, to prevent damage to your data if you drop the laptop. There is unfortunately no built-in optical drive for CD/DVD use, but a 3-in-1 card reader allows access to flash memory cards.

802.11n Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet provide high-speed networking. The integrated camera also supports VeriFace login software, whereby it remembers your facial characteristics, and lets you login to Windows by simply looking into the camera.

Overall, the IdeaPad U350 finds a comfortable balance between Lenovo’s high-end ThinkPad and entry-level 3000 ranges. It may not be the best ultraportable we’ve seen, but it’s nevertheless a highly usable machine, and is sure to suit small to medium business use.

For more information, visit Lenovo

via whatlaptop

Read more »

Toshiba Satellite U500 / U505 Full Specifications

The Toshiba Satellite U500 and U505 series laptops feature 13-inch displays, the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and a range of customizable options that will certainly impress most college students looking for a general use notebook. We absolutely loved last year's U405 model, but is Toshiba's latest 13-inch laptop equally impressive? Read on to find out.



Toshiba Satellite U505 (Satellite U500-ST6321) Specifications:

* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 (2.0GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB cache)
* Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (800MHz)
* OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit)
* Storage: 400GB HDD (5400rpm, SATA)
* Display: 13.3-inch diagonal WXGA (glossy, 1280x800)
* Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* Optical drive: Slot-Loading DVD SuperMulti (+/- Double Layer) drive
* Wireless: Intel 5100AGN
* Dimensions: (W x D x H): 12.5" x 9.08" x 1.16"/1.50"
* Weight: 4.75lb (not including weight of AC adapter).
* Power: High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery (12-cell, 92Wh, 8500mAh)
* Warranty: One-year standard warranty
* Extras: Texture Finish in Luxe Brown Premium
* Price as configured: $1,023.20

source

Read more »

Gateway NV5214u Review

The Gateway NV-series is a line of affordable multimedia notebooks offered in both AMD and Intel configurations. They offer a 15.6" screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, designer looks, and low power consumption to help with extended battery life. The NV-series starts as low as $529 and easily fits into most budgets. In this review we see how well the AMD-based NV5214u performs in our multimedia tests, and if it deserves a spot in your home or office.



Gateway NV5214u Specifications:

* Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)
* AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.1GHz QL-64 (1MB Cache, 667MHz FSB)
* 15.6" HD WXGA Ultrabright LED-backlit Display (1366 x 768 resolution, 16:9)
* Atheros Wireless 802.11a/g/n
* 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM
* 320GB 5400rpm Toshiba Hard Drive
* 8x DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
* Integrated High-Def Webcam
* Dimensions (WxDxH Front/H Rear): 14.6" x 9.8" x 1.0-1.5""
* Weight: 5lbs 11.6oz with 6-cell battery
* 65W (19V x 3.42A) 100-240V AC Adapter
* 6-cell (10.8v 4400mAh 48Wh) battery
* 1-Year Standard Limited Warranty
* Price as configured: $529.99

source

Read more »