Handy Computer Guide

Brian King writing over at Notebook Review has posted a review of the Asus V6J notebook computer. ‘The V6J series notebook by Asus is the most recent incarnation of the V6V. Both of these notebooks are in the thin and light category. Both are built for style. The clean lines of the design mixed with brushed aluminum and polycarbonate material, not only make this notebook beautiful to look at, but rock solid and durable. Coupled with a case that is packed full of cutting edge hardware, this machine has been a pleasure to own so far.’

Read: Asus V6J with Core 2 Duo Review – Notebook Review

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A preview of the Fujitsu LifeBook A6010 has been posted over at Notebook Review. ‘I've had the LifeBook A6010 for just a couple of days now, but that's been enough time to become quite impressed with this $1,350 notebook. The look is just great, it's sleek but not overly flashy with a mostly silver casing and black accents and black keyboard. The LED lights at the front are pleasing and look good. The case is made of plastic, but it is thick and protective with no hint of flex anywhere. I was worried that Fujitsu would compromise on build quality like I feel they did with their budget LifeBook C1410 offering, but that's not the case at all. There's no doubt the A6010 is sturdy.’

Read: Fujitsu LifeBook A6010 First Thoughts - Notebook Review

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Perry Longinotti, writing over at Notebook Review, has reviewed the LG S1 "premium" notebook. 'Handling the S1, it feels solid and flex-free. This notebook is made in Korea in an LG factory, no offense to Taiwan and China based ODM manufacturers, but everything else being equal I will always take the made in South Korea product. It is worth noting that LG used to make some of Compaq's nicest notebooks in Korea. This was back in the day, before the HP merger, when Compaq made some really nice notebooks. LG seems to have used a variety of high grade materials in the construction of the S1. I did not detect any cheap plastic – even the memory panel door was magnesium or aluminum. It is more solid feeling than the PowerBooks, ThinkPads and Ferrari notebooks that I have owned or tested. LG's three year warranty backs-up my theory that the S1 is built to last.'

Read: LG S1 with Core 2 Duo Review - Notebook Review

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A review of the LG P1 Express notebook PC has been posted over at Notebook Review. 'The LG P1 “Express Dual” is a 15.4-inch widescreen multimedia laptop series based on the Centrino Duo technology. The P1 could be called the poor man’s S1, offering new technology for a much cheaper price than LG’s 15.4” flagship. As for many notebook series, there are quite a few models of the P1 available. Different mixtures of components form quite an impressive range to choose from. The J2RRV1 is somewhat of a budget version, still offering a dedicated graphics card.'

Read: LG P1 Express Review - Notebook Review

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A review of the WinBook T230 notebook PC has been posted over at Laptop Magazine. 'Sometimes, a machine doesn’t have to be thrilling to be worth the investment. The WinBook T230 won’t take your breath away with bleeding-edge multimedia features or a stunning design. But it’s nonetheless a solid entry, combining good dual-core-powered performance with a complete feature set in a thin, relatively light package that’s well priced at $1,199. The only strike against this thin-and-light system is its below-average battery life. At only one inch thick, this 5.4-pound notebook is easy to carry. Lift the lid (no fumbling with a latch required) and you’ll find a black full-sized keyboard with a good feel. Below the keyboard is a touchpad with a scroll area. The touchpad’s surface created a bit more friction on our fingertips than other notebooks’ touchpads did, but it’s easy to get used to. WinBook included a few programmable hot keys but no dedicated volume or mute controls.'

Read: WinBook T230 - Laptop Mag

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If you are on the lookout for a laptop which possesses the "high-end components" of well known brands but is available at an affordable price, CNET's review of the Polywell PolyNote V512NC may be of interest . 'It's not often a laptop comes through our offices with a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on its lid (read: never), so the Polywell PolyNote V512NC drew a fair amount of attention while it was on our testing bench. In addition to the customized panel option, which lets you choose from stock images or your own photography for the laptop's lid, Polywell offers a rather competitive mix of specs--including the latest Core 2 Duo processor, fast memory and hard drive, and dedicated Nvidia graphics--in its affordably priced midsize laptop. For $1,482, the laptop impressed us with its well-rounded feature set and strong performance. While we were disappointed with a few elements of the laptop's design and its battery life, we think the PolyNote V512NC is a viable alternative to higher-priced systems from larger manufacturers, particularly for users who don't plan to stray too far from a power outlet.'

Read: Polywell PolyNote V512NC Laptop - CNET

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Andrew Baxter writing over at Notebook Review has posted a review of the Sager NP6260 notebook PC. 'The Sager NP6260 is a 12.1" screen 2.8lb ultraportable laptop that breaks the mold for what this company typically offers. Sager is a known commodity among those notebook buyers that seek powerful systems with a screen size in the 15.4" - 17 "range. But the company has decided to broaden its offerings and cater to those that crave small and light notebook systems offering better battery life and portability. Following is a review of this first ultraportable NP6260 offering from Sager.'

Read: Sager NP6260 - Notebook Review

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Laptop Magazine has reviewed the Toshiba Tecra A8-S8314 laptop computer. 'The A8-S8314’s full-sized keyboard has a nice feel to it, and the keys don’t click obnoxiously. Next to the keyboard is a dedicated button for the Toshiba Assist feature, which links users to Internet settings information, password-protection, computer-fix, and optimization features. There’s also a dedicated screen-magnifying Presentation button, which tends to make onscreen objects look a bit blurry but could be useful for far-away viewers or those with poor eyesight.'

Read: Toshiba Tecra A8-S8314 - Laptop Mag

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A review of the eMachines E4056 desktop PC has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'For a budget machine, it doesn't look bad at all! It's in a MicroATX form factor, so it's small and tidy, easy to move around and should fit on even the most cramped of desks. On the front of the case, there is a single USB 2.0 port, 9-in-1 card reader, headphone output and microphone input. Strangely, the headphone output is orange instead of the standard green. There is no reset button, but just a large central power button with a blue LED behind it. A reset button is not necessary, as a power button held down for long enough will shut down even a crashed machine.'

Read: eMachines E4056 - Trusted Reviews

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CNET has reviewed the Gateway NX860XL laptop PC. 'When Gateway calls the NX860XL a desktop replacement, it's not kidding. This massive multimedia laptop has a desk-hogging footprint, but the benefits of its grand scale are a giant, 17-inch wide-screen display and specs to rival those of a decent desktop gaming rig. All of this semiportable goodness doesn't come cheap, however; our tricked-out version of the NX860XL cost $2,084 (the base price is $1,799). It's a solid Media Center system for the den or the dorm room, but true home theater addicts might want to spend a bit more on a top-of-the-line HD-DVD laptop, such as the Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV660.'

Read: Gateway NX860XL - CNET

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Tim Dellenbaugh has posted a review of the Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 notebook PC over at Notebook Review. 'The Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 notebook comes equipped with the new Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor. This is a dual core 2 GHz chip with 4 MB of cache. This specific configuration of the P105 comes with a generous two gigs of PC5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory, and powerful NVIDIA 7900 GS graphics card with 256 MB of video memory. Also included is built-in Bluetooth and an integrated fingerprint reader. A 200 GB hard drive provides tons of storage capacity, although the 4200 rpm spin is rather slow. The P105 has the usual assortment of USB ports, a FireWire port, gigabit Ethernet, 56K modem, Express Card slot, PCMCIA slot, microphone, line output, headphone jack shared with SPDIF, and a memory card reader. Video outputs include VGA, DVI, and S-Video. '

Read: Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 - Notebook Review

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PC Magazine has reviewed the Velocity Micro Raptor DCX (Core 2 Extreme) desktop PC. 'The Raptor is usually portrayed as a predator, whether it is a bird of prey, dinosaur, or military jet. The Velocity Micro Raptor DCX ($5,834 direct, $6,283 with 20-inch widescreen LCD monitor) works well with the analogy: It's a powerful all-around system, with specialized hardware that makes it particularly adept on the gaming grid. Evolving out of past Raptor systems from Velocity Micro, the DCX now has the new Intel Core 2 Extreme processor and dual ATI CrossFire graphics. It is a member of the $5G club, which means it's a system for the highly demanding user who intends to play games and run computation-intensive multimedia projects.'

Read: Velocity Micro Raptor DCX - PC Mag

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A review of the HP Pavilion Slimline s7600e "general-purpose desktop" has been posted over at CNET. 'HP's Slimline Pavilion s7600e has a major advantage over previous incarnations of HP's small-form-factor design: a dual-core CPU. Thanks to AMD's new line of energy-efficient Athlon 64 X2 chips, HP can now compete with the Mac Mini as a powerful, feature-rich tiny PC. The Mac Mini has a size and aesthetic advantage; it's twice as small, and its clean lines cut a better profile. But what the Pavilion Slimline sacrifices in space-savings and good looks, it gains in functionality and performance. It's also less expensive. Although our review config cost $975, when you balance out the specs to match those of the 1.83GHz Mac Mini Core Duo, the Slimline gets the win. If you're looking for an affordable, compact computer to tackle day-to-day tasks, as well as one that might be able to perform some home-theater duties, we recommend the Pavilion Slimline s7600e as the most balanced system we've seen.'

Read: HP Pavilion Slimline s7600e - CNET

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A review of the Sony Vaio VGX-XL202 Media Center PC with Blu-ray Drive has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. ‘This week sees the release of Blu-ray, the first of the next generation high definition optical discs formats to hit the UK. The format is most closely associated with Sony, but the first dedicated drive is actually available from Samsung. Sony is not ignoring the launch of its own format however. We've already looked at the impressive Vaio VGN-AR21S notebook that features an integrated Blu-ray drive and now Sony has put another Blu-ray notebook drive into it's latest desktop Media Center system - the VGX-XL202. This is essentially the same as the VGX-XL201 but with the addition of the Blu-ray drive, for which you'll pay an extra £800 – a hefty additional sum.’

Read: Sony Vaio VGX-XL202 Media Center PC with Blu-ray Drive Trusted Reviews

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The Rock Pegasus 665 Core 2 Duo notebook PC has been reviewed over at Notebook Review. 'The Rock Pegasus 665-T72 is one of a new line of configurable notebooks from English notebook computer company, Rock (www.rockdirect.co.uk). The notebooks are a revised version of the Pegasus 660, with the new Intel Core 2 Duo processors in place of the previous generation Core Duo. All models feature a variant of the new, highly anticipated, dual core offering. The notebook falls in between the “thin and light” and “desktop replacement” categories as shown by the size and weight below. However, when taking its high-end specification into account, the size and bulk of the machine are very reasonable. It is also quite slim compared to many similar notebooks.'

Read: Rock Pegasus 665 Core 2 Duo Notebook Review

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Charles Brantner writing over at Notebook Review, has posted a review of his Acer Aspire 5562WXMi "thin and light notebook" PC. 'The notebook under review is a European model of the Acer Aspire 5562WXMi. This can be classified as a thin and light notebook with a 14.1” wide screen display and a weight of 2.4kg (5.3lbs). It packs into a small and robust chassis a Core Duo 1.66Ghz processor and an ATI X1400 graphics card with 128MB of dedicated RAM (512MB Hypermemory). The unit was purchased from CET UK (www.acernotebook.co.uk). The transaction was a little strange in that once I had ordered online there were supposed to be two phone calls to my house before delivery. I thought this rather defeated the objective of ordering online as the whole process was delayed by 2 days due to these calls! The unit arrived in the time they claimed (free 48hr delivery), and it worked from the box. The price was £834.50 ($1,551 USD) and the three year extended warranty was an extra £69.33 inc. VAT.'

Read: Acer Aspire 5562WXMi Review - Notebook Review

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The "stylish" HP Compaq Presario V3000T dual-core notebook has been reviewed over at Laptop Magazine. 'The HP Compaq Presario V3000T delivers an impressive blend of style and portability for just $879 ($100 rebate). Like the dv2000 systems, this one has a whole new look, with a shiny, brushed-silver finish on the outside and a sleek, black resin finish inside. You'll also be quick to notice the sporty grille above the keyboard, which houses the Altec Lansing speakers. Some may prefer the dv2000t because of its built-in webcam, but you won't find a better (or better-looking) budget dual-core notebook than the V3000T.'

Read: HP Compaq Presario V3000T - Laptop Mag

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PC Mag has reviewed the compact Dell XPS 210 desktop PC. 'Housed in the same compact (13 by 4 by 14 inches) BTX case as the XPS 200, the XPS 210 will fit in the same sorts of spaces: your den, home office, bedroom, kitchen, entertainment center, dorm room, or studio apartment. New chrome badges and bright decorations on the chassis add to the XPS 210's appeal, and now that it's available with a 320-gigabyte hard drive (up from 250GB), you'll have a lot more space for storing recorded TV content. It's too bad that the system retains the same ugly Microsoft MCE IR remote receiver as its predecessor. I wish more manufacturers would take WinBook's lead and build their IR receiver right into the case.'

Read: Dell XPS 210 - PC Mag

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A review of the budget priced Mac Mini desktop has been posted over at ZDNet. 'Lost among the news of the emergence of the Intel-based Mac Pro and the iMac getting a boost with new Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs was the Mac Mini receiving a CPU jolt of its own. The low-end $599 model tossed aside its Core Solo processor for a Core Duo, and the $799 Mac Mini now ships with a faster 1.83GHz Core Duo processor. While the slight tick up in clock speed is appreciated, we wish the baseline configuration included 1GB of memory. The other two weak spots for the $799 Mac Mini are its relatively small hard drive and the integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics that borrows resources from the already limited main memory.'

Read: Apple Mac Mini Core Duo (1.83GHz) - ZDNet

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Laptop Magazine has reviewed the AsusS6F-3037P ultraportable PC. 'There are notebooks you buy to get work done, and there are notebooks you buy to make other people jealous. The 3.4-pound Asus S6F-3037P falls squarely into the latter category, boasting jeweled hinges and a polished keyboard. You can even order the S6F series with genuine leather panels for the ultimate in ultraportable one-upmanship, and it delivers excellent performance and battery life to boot. If you're willing to put up with a small screen and a cramped keyboard, the S6F-3037P is worth the $2,199 splurge.'

Read: Asus S6F-3037P - Laptop Mag

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CNET shares some highlights on the Gateway DX420 desktop PC. ‘Gateway's mainstream DX420 desktop series is based on Intel's Core 2 Duo processors and comprises three configurable models, though the customization options listed for each are nearly identical. The baseline models--priced at $600, $800, and $1,000--are very similar as well; each shares the same processor, graphics card, and operating system. As you move up in price, the options for memory, hard drive, optical drive, and monitor improve. To separate the DX420 series from its higher-end FX510 siblings, the Core 2 Extreme 6800 CPU is not an option on any of the mainstream DX420 configurations. The DX420, however, lets you choose from the remaining four CPUs in the Core 2 Duo line. No matter which of the three DX420 models you choose, Gateway starts you off with the low-end Core 2 Duo E6300 chip. If you are looking to upgrade, we'd recommend the E6600, because it's only $175 more than the E6300 and provides double the L2 cache in addition to a bump in clock speed.’

Read: Gateway DX420X - CNET

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Michelle Thatcher writing over at CNET has reviewed the affordable PC Club Enpower ENP680 Core 2 Duo laptop PC. 'The PC Club Enpower ENP680's silver lid and black case could almost pass for a Dell or a Toshiba laptop, and its $1,499 price tag, which includes the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a discrete Nvidia graphics card, adds to its allure. Unfortunately, the Enpower ENP680 suffers from a few design flaws, such as a superreflective display and an overly flexible keyboard, that some users may not be willing to accept in exchange for the low price. Looking strictly at performance and battery life per dollar, though, the Enpower ENP680 offers a decent, low-price alternative to Core 2 Duo systems from some of the larger laptop manufacturers.'

Read: PC Club Enpower ENP680 - CNET

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A review of the exceptional Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV660 laptop PC has been posted over at ZDNet. 'Though its model name has changed very little, the Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV660 has seen a number of significant changes over the G35-AV600 released earlier this year. Notably, this new edition includes the latest Core 2 Duo processor and adds a built-in HD-DVD drive to the Qosmio's already exhaustive list of features. The Qosmio G35-AV660 includes a few cosmetic changes as well, toning down the luxe piano finish and glowing media controls of its predecessor. Some things haven't changed, though: the G35-AV660 delivers one of the best 17-inch wide-screen displays around and an integrated TV tuner, as well as a full complement of ports and connections, a rocking set of stereo speakers, and an unparalleled set of multimedia controls. Priced at $3,499, this addition moves the Qosmio line even further into the stratosphere; it costs at least $1,000 more than the HP Pavilion dv9000t, which also includes an HD-DVD drive. While the Qosmio G35-AV660 has a crisper display and a few more features than the HP, we're not convinced it's worth the extra money.'

Read: Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV660 - ZDNet

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Laptop Magazine has reviewed the Toshiba Satellite R25-S3503 “big screen Tablet” PC. ‘Toshiba's Satellite R25-S3503 is a feature-rich Tablet PC that will appeal to students or businesspeople who want a keyboard and the option to jot down digital notes on a big screen. This versatile notebook packs in features that any buyer would appreciate: a dual-core processor, a spacious hard drive, and a DVD burner. However, a few design issues and a short battery life keep this convertible from being a top pick. The 5.9-pound R25-S3503 offers a comfortable typing environment. The responsive keys provide just the right amount of tactile feedback; they're neither too spongy nor too stiff. The same can't be said of the F keys, as they don't look or feel nearly as durable. In fact, while we were typing, the F4 key unhinged and fell out of its socket.’

Read: Toshiba Satellite R25-S3503 – Laptop Mag

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Mobile Whack has posted a preview of the Toshiba P105-S6104 Satellite notebook. 'Like all the notebooks in the P105 Series, the S6104 is also equipped with a 17" diagonal widescreen WXGA display with 1440x900 resolution with TruBrite™ technology and is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor2 T5200. The notebook unlike its big brothers have a RAM of 1GB and a Hard Drive with 120GB storage capacity. For security purposed, Toshiba has incorporated functions like Password Security, Hot Key Security and has equipped it with a Security Cable Lock Slot too.'

Read: Toshiba P105-S6104 Satellite Notebook - Mobile Whack

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A review of the Sony Vaio VGN-SZ2XP ultraportable notebook PC has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'First impressions of the SZ2XP are excellent. With the lid closed I was immediately taken in by the sleek carbon fibre appearance and the VIAO logo seemingly carved out on the surface. So many notebooks have a plastic feel to them but this Sony has a very pleasing smooth finish. The notebook tapers from a thin edge at the front to a thicker base at the rear. Pick it up from the front and it's literally the thin end of the wedge. There are five indicator lights built into the circular hinge for power, battery, hard disk, and separate ones for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These can be seen even when the lid is closed. The lid closes gently with a magnetic lock to keep it shut.'

Read: Sony Vaio VGN-SZ2XP - Trusted Reviews.

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