October 2009 Archives

Notebook Review have published their review of the Asus Eee PC 1008HA "Seashell" netbook with Windows 7 Home Premium installed. 'Nothing has changed in terms of the build or design between the original Eee PC 1008HA Seashell and this update. Like the "seashell" name implies, the chassis shape is inspired by the curves of a seashell. The clamshell-like design gives the 1008HA a very clean and distinct appearance. Every port from Ethernet to USB is covered with plastic doors which are probably more decorative than they are protective. ASUS claims this version of the Eee PC is just one inch thick at its thickest point, but that doesn't include the feet on the bottom of the netbook. We measured the maximum thickness at more than one inch, but the 1008HA is still remarkably thin and light.'

The Register Hardware have published a review of the MSI X-Slim X600 laptop. 'On the left, you'll find two video outputs in the form of HDMI and VGA ports, along with Gigabit Lan and a combined eSATA/USB port. Over on the right, you get two more USB ports, audio in and out sockets, plus an SD/MMC card slot. The power socket is also on the right. There are no ports on the front or rear of the chassis, nor is there room for an Expresscard slot. The 15.6in display features a glossy coating and runs off a 16:9 native resolution of 1366 x 768. Like the vast majority of laptop displays these days, it's LED backlit. It's also impressively bright, but we had to chuckle when, on the specification label on the box, we noticed it's listed as "15.6 WXGA (Glare Type)".'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Samsung N510 (NP-N510-KA02UK) netbook. 'As designs go the N510 is subdued, but in a good way. Its glossy black lid makes way for a smooth, matt black finish inside and Samsung has even done away with glossy displays, so reflections and over distractions are greatly reduced. Being based on an 11.6in display makes the N510 a fair bit larger and heavier than 10in models, weighing in at 1.46kg and measuring 289mm across, but it remains perfectly portable and build quality is reassuring. This extra space is a good thing where ergonomics are concerned, too. Samsung has never had a problem fitting good laptop/netbook keyboards, thus it's no surprise to find the example on the N510 to be precise, well arranged and great to use.'

IT Reviews have published a review of the Toshiba Qosmio X300-15T gaming notebook. 'The Qosmio's gaming abilities are provided by a 9800M GT video card. This is a somewhat cut-down version of the 9800M GTX and GTX 280M alternatives adorning more expensive notebooks in this class, but it still has a huge 1GB memory buffer and solid enough performance to enjoy today's best titles, albeit at somewhat reduced settings. Those looking to use their notebook as a media centre will be pleased to find an HDMI port on the rear of the Qosmio, whilst a VGA connection is also provided for projector connectivity.'

The Sony VAIO VPC-W121AX/P 10.1-Inch Pink Netbook (Up to 7 hours of battery life, Windows 7 Starter) is on offer for $499.99 over at Amazon.com. 'The W Series incorporates a high-resolution, 1366 x 768, LED backlit 10.1-inch ultra-wide display, making it easy to view two full web pages- no side-to-side scrolling necessary. It also features an isolated keyboard with springy and responsive keys making it comfortable and easy to use. Its carefully designed touchpad and mouse keys make the PC functional and mouse movements easy to control. Easily transfer data, such as photos from your digital camera or music from an MP3 player, to and from the PC with the unit's two convenient USB ports, and the integrated Bluetooth connectivity enables you to use peripherals such as a wireless mouse without tying up the either of the USB ports.'

The ASUS Eee Top ET2203-B0017 21.6-Inch Black All-in-One Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium) is available on pre-order for $899.00 over at Amazon.com. 'With its minimalist design and slim form factor, the ET2203 ensures a small desktop footprint. Its light and compact design, as well as its fast and easy start-up, makes it the ideal All-in-One Desktop PC. So plug in the power cable and boot up, because the days of cluttered desktops and messy wiring are over. The EeeTop ET2203 also allows you to experience movies and games like never before with a 21.6-inch flushed high definition widescreen display and an ATI Radeon HD 4570 graphics engine. With a 16:9 aspect ratio, HD support and HDMI compatibility, the ET2203 delivers crystal clear, true-to-life visuals.'

The Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 11.6-Inch Sapphire Blue Laptop (6 hour gattery life) has been reduced from $449.99 to $399.99 over at Amazon Marketplace. 'Weighing just over 3 pounds and measures 1.2 inches slim, the Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 makes it easy to roam the globe with a powerful PC. It includes a 6-cell battery that provides up to 6 hours of continuous use and a vividly colorful 11.6-inch LCD screen as well as an HDMI port for connecting it to an external monitor or HDTV for viewing presentations and movies. Presented in a stylish sapphire blue case, the thin and light Aspire 1410 also features a full-size keyboard and Acer's Comfy Touch technology, which uses an innovative Laminar Wall Jet Engine design to air-cool the processor and notebook case.'

A review of the HP Pavilion dm3 (dm3t) Notebook has been posted over at Laptop Magazine. 'The 4.2-pound dm3t is heavier than both the UL30 (4 pounds) and the Envy 13 (3.8 pounds), but because it omits an DVD drive, it measures just 1-inch thin. We had no problems slipping this laptop in a backpack. HP took a minimalist approach to the rest of the design, and it mostly pays off. Like the Inspiron 14z, we like that dm3t skips dedicated multimedia keys and instead uses the top row on the keyboard for controlling playback and quickly adjusting things like brightness and volume--no function commands required. Other welcome touches include a red LED above the mute button (to let you know when it's activated) and a touchpad lock button that changes from white to red when engaged. We just wish that the power button was up top for easy access; instead, it's a switch on the right side.'

The HP Mini 110-1050NR 10.1-Inch Netbook is on offer for $319.99 over at Amazon.com. 'Based on an architecture that optimizes internet access and basic communication, Intel Atom processors power the HP Mini's reliable, energy-efficient performance. The LED anti-glare widescreen display reduces both system weight and reflections that can distract from the visual experience. The 92% of full-size keyboard also improves weight without sacrificing comfort. Integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN enables wireless access within range of a hotspot. HP Mobile Broadband provides internet access anywhere cell phone service is available.'

CNET have published a review of the new Apple MacBook Fall 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M). ' While still recognizably a MacBook, the new version has more gently sloped edges on its glossy white lid, making it look slightly slimmer when viewed straight on. The bottom half also has a rounded edge, making for an overall effect that's much less boxy, although it's still the same 1.08 inches thick as the previous version. The unibody switch shaves a little weight off the system, going from 5.1 pounds to 4.7 pounds. The separate bottom panel is particularly interesting. It's a darker off-white color and has a matte feel, different than the glossy lid and keyboard tray. The unibody construction means the battery is no longer removable, as with the current MacBook Pro lineup--a cause for concern to some, but we've never thought that a nonremovable battery was a deal-breaker in a laptop.'

Pocket-lint have published a review of the new Apple Mac mini 2.53GHz. 'The Mac mini represents the cheapest option for entering the Mac world, with the 2.26GHz version costing you £499, whilst our test model will set you back £649, which now comes in at £150 cheaper than the new MacBook. As it is, the Mac mini is simply a compact mini desktop computer. We've seen a growing trend in mini PC computers or "nettops" late, but the Mac mini shouldn't be confused with some of those budget models, as the Mac mini packs in the power to complete pretty much all of your home computing needs.'

PC Perspective have published a review of the Dell Studio One Touchscreen Windows 7 PC. 'The system is very clean in its design and when paired with the matching wireless keyboard and mouse, only has a single power cord to destroy the appearance of it being a self-contained machine. The hardware itself is built around an Intel Pentium E5200 dual-core processor that runs at 2.5 GHz and an NVIDIA ION chipset (also known as the GeForce 9400M chipset) to provide the bulk of the processing power. This is a similar combination to the Apple iMacs (though with a slightly slower CPU) and is noteworthy in that it DOES NOT use the crippled Atom CPU.'

A review of the Alienware M15x gaming laptop has been posted over at LaptopMag.com. 'Like the M17x, the front of the M15x has the angular looks of the redesigned Chevy Camaro. Our system had a Nebula Red finish, but it's also available in Lunar Shadow (silver) and Cosmic Black. The red coloring only extends as far as the outer lid, sides, and chassis, so the inside and front of the system is black. The magnesium-alloy chassis is a departure from that of its predecessor, the Area-51 M15x, which experienced an issue with the plastic frame cracking due to overheating issues. Still, it adds to the size; this 14.9 x 12.2 x 1.9-inch heavyweight checks in at 9.0 pounds--and that's without the AC adapter.'

The new Apple MacBook MC207LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop is avaialble on pre-order for $994.00 over at Amazon.com. 'Inheriting technology and design features from the MacBook Pro line, the new MacBook has been updated with a durable polycarbonate unibody design featuring a brilliant LED-backlit display, a glass Multi-Touch trackpad and Apple's innovative built-in battery for up to seven hours of battery life. Measuring just 1.08 inches thin and weighing 4.7 pounds, the sleek new MacBook cuts a slim profile on any desk (or in any backpack or briefcase). And it comes with everything you need for email, calendar, contacts, browsing the Internet, and more--all a part of the pre-installed Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system.'

The new Apple iMac MC413LL/A 21.5-Inch Desktop is available on pre-order for $1,494.00 over at Amazon.com. 'Updated with a brilliant 21.5-inch LED-backlit widescreen display in a new edge-to-edge glass design and seamless all aluminum enclosure, the new Apple iMac is ideal for watching high definition movies and TV shows from iTunes, or editing and watching your own videos or photos using iLife. The iMac now also comes standard with a wireless keyboard and the new Magic Mouse, which features Apple's Multi-Touch technology. And it's faster than ever with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor.'

A review of the MSI X600 notebook has been posted over at Pocket-lint.com. 'The MSI X600 is the latest addition to the company's ultra-slim X-series, following on from the affordable X300. With a larger 15.6-inch screen, the X600 isn't as small, but it's still impressively portable for such a large machine. The most striking aspect is just how thin and light it is - measuring 25mm at its thickest, and weighing in at 2.1kg. The 15.6-inch screen offers impressive brightness levels, but contrast could be better, with colours appearing over-exposed. With a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, it's a sharp panel, and it's great for watching films on.'

Dev Hardware have published their review of the Acer Aspire 1410 netbook. 'The Acer Aspire 1410 has an 11.6" screen. The typical netbook's screen is around 9-10", which is a little smaller than this. While some would consider this an ultra-portable laptop, I'd still say it's a netbook. The larger screen also comes with a bigger-than-average resolution of 1366 x 768, big enough for 720p HD movies. It uses LED technology in the LCD to provide a very nice picture. When choosing a netbook, I wanted something compact, but I do a lot of typing so I wanted something big enough to make that activity comfortable. A 10" screen looked a little small, and 13" was too big. An 11.6" screen also gave me a full-sized keyboard, which is a huge advantage.'

The Samsung N110-12PBK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (6 Cell Battery - 9.5 Hours) has been reduced from $399.00 to $319.95 over at Amazon.com. 'Weighing just 2.8 pounds, the Samsung N110-12PBK improves on its predecessors with a sleeker, curvier design, a glossy LCD screen, a larger touchpad, and a 6-cell lithium rechargeable battery that provides up to 9 hours of continuous use. An affordable mobile PC that's ideal for all your online needs, the N110 is designed to go almost anywhere--from kitchen and living room at home to Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops, airports and more. It sports a 10.1-inch LED-backlit SuperBright screen and a 93-percent full-size keyboard that's easy to use.'

PC Magazine have published a review of the Acer Aspire AS5534-1146 laptop. 'Draped in a swank, gun-metal gray chassis, the Acer AS5534 looks very similar to the Acer Aspire Timeline AS3810T. The difference, though, is that the AS5534 uses plastics instead of aluminum metals to pull off this look. Skimping on materials is an understandable practice, especially at this price point. What impresses me most about the AS5534's design is that its dimensions (14.9-by-10-by-1 inches, HWD) are as thin that of as the Timeline series, which, as a group, is no more than an inch thick. In comparison, the Dell Studio 1555 (USE006CS), Gateway NV5807u, and Toshiba Satellite L505D-S6947 are almost a half-an-inch thicker because they incorporate too much into their plastics (i.e. embedded patterns and colors). The AS5534 is the lightest among its 15.6-inch peers, too, weighing in at 5.2 pounds.'

The Lenovo S10-2 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - up to 6 hours of battery life (Windows 7 Starter) is available on pre-order for $349.99 over at Amazon.com. 'The IdeaPad S10-2 netbook is just over an inch thick with the 6 cell battery and weighs a miniscule 2.65lbs but comes packed with features like VeriFace facial recognition technology, OneKey rescue system and stereo speakers with DolbyHeadphone technology. But the biggest feature of all is the QuickStart button that lets you access your music, pictures, games and the web, even before the Windows loads. So flip open this ultra-small netbook and discover a powerhouse of unique features. Best of all, it's from Lenovo, makers of the award-winning ThinkPad business notebook. Key Features: Quick Start - Get online, Instant Message & email, view photos, listen to music and more... all before loading into Windows; Quick Start means you can do things on your PC without waiting for the operating system to load. OneKey Rescue System - With the touch of a button, you can restore the system and recover valuable data.'

Notebook Review have published a review of the Dell Latitude E4300 ultraportable. 'Build quality is above average, and quite frankly the construction feels ver solid. The base of the chassis is built from magnesium alloy and packed with parts, resulting in a design that protects its internals well. The right palmrest has a little bit too much flex, but there is little to no flex to be found anywhere else on the base of the chassis. Magnesium alloy is also used in the LCD housing, and the screen housing does a really good job of protecting the screen from impacts. We were never able to produce distortions on the LCD screen. The extra bulge at the top of the LCD lid is for the WWAN antenna. While it sticks out only a little bit, that top bulge had just a little bit of give to it.'

IT Reviews have published a review of the Fujitsu M2010 netbook. 'Powering the M2010 is an Intel Atom N280 processor. This runs at 1.66GHz, which is a measly 60MHz faster than previous netbook-favourite the N270. It does, however, have a faster front side bus of 667MHz; the N270 has to make do with 533MHz. Does this make a huge difference? Well, no, not really, but the N280 is less of a drain on the battery compared to its predecessor. A total of 1GB of DDR2 memory backs the processor up, while graphics are handled by Intel's GMA 950 chip. Ample storage is provided by the 160GB hard drive (this ticks along at 5,400rpm), while both Bluetooth and WiFi are also included; sadly the latter doesn't support 802.11n.'

A review of the Shuttle X5000T touchscreen computer has been posted over at Computeractive.co.uk. 'The X5000T comes in either black or white and uses an Intel Atom 330 processor, similar to the ones found in mini-notebook or netbook computers. Our review model came with 1GB of memory and a reasonable 160GB hard disk. People with large collections of music or video will find the hard disk a little small but external storage is cheap enough for that not to be a big deal. The computer was quick to start, and using our fingers directly on the screen we were able to control it without a mouse immediately. The touch control wasn't quite as accurate as the one on the more expensive HP Touchsmart computers, but it was certainly good enough to navigate Windows menus and options.'

The Apple iMac MB418LL/A 24-Inch Desktop is on offer for $1,429.00 over at Amazon.com. 'The all-in-one iMac packs a complete, high-performance computer including the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors into a beautifully thin, anodized aluminum and glass design. The latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor with advanced 45-nm process technology and 6MB of shared L2 cache, allowing you to run your applications faster and more efficiently than ever before. This iMac features a glossy 24-inch widescreen display and NVIDIA GeForce graphics, that gives you a blow-you-away level of detail and realism in games, three-dimensional graphics, high-resolution photos, and high-definition video that comes alive with rich, vivid color. Built into the top of iMac is an iSight camera.'

The HP Pavilion G60-230US 16.0-Inch laptop is available for $629.95 over at Amazon Marketplace. 'It offers dual-core productivity from its 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium T4200 processor for excellent multitasking. Other features include a 320 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum capacity), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), 5-in-1 memory card reader, and pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1).'

PC World have published a review of the HP TouchSmart 600 desktop PC. 'Aesthetically, the new TouchSmart 600 retains the familiar and elegant TouchSmart design, including ambient lighting that casts a soothing colored glow. Its 23-inch display puts it between HP's existing 22-inch TouchSmart IQ500t and 25.5-inch TouchSmart IQ816 in terms of size. Like the latter, the TouchSmart 600 supports a resolution of 1920 by 1080 (1080p)--perfect for watching high-definition movies and TV via its built-in Blu-ray slot drive and HDTV tuner. You can also stream shows wirelessly over 802.11n, and suck in photos with the integrated multicard reader. A remote control is included, as well.'

CNET have published a review of the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1300 laptop. 'At $599, the T135-S1300 just didn't provide the value--or the design--that we'd need to see to recommend it more highly. While thin-and-lights like the Lenovo IdeaPad U350 have also used the same SU2700 Pentium ULV processor, the U350 had a body design that we found far more appealing. And other thin-and-lights, like the Asus UL30A have dual-core CULV processors that have much better performance for only $200 more. The T135S-1300 bridges the gap between Netbook and full laptop, but with its weak CPU, it affords the benefits of neither.'

Press Release

Sleek, strong Windows 7-based mini-laptop hits Best Buy stores for 299.99 USD in time for the holidays

New York, NY, USA - Drawing upon its rich heritage and leadership in the mobile industry, Nokia is opening a new chapter in mobility with the introduction of the Nokia Booklet 3G to the U.S. together with AT&T, Best Buy and Microsoft. Developed for connectivity just about anytime and virtually anywhere, the Nokia Booklet 3G is refining what consumers can expect at the crossroads of mobility and the personal computer.

The HP G60-440US 16-Inch laptop has been reduced from $822.00 to $629.97 over at Amazon Marketplace. 'The HP G60 series delivers easy-to-use entertainment. Enjoy full-screen DVD playback on the crystal-clear 16:9 16.0" diagonal HP Brightview display. Burn audio CDs and DVDs to share your favorite songs and video clips with friends and family. Built-in Altec Lansing speakers bring your entertainment to life. And the 5:1 digital media reader enables photo transfer in seconds. It¿s time to play! What's in the box: G60-440us laptop, 65W AC Adapter, 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 with 60 days complimentary live update, Microsoft Works, HP DVD Play. Muvee Reveal, Cyberlink DVD Suite, Adobe Acrobat Reader and HP Games Powered by Wild Tangent.'

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Toshiba mini NB205-N330BL netbook. 'With most netbooks sporting the same guts (except for the HP Mini 311, which features Nvidia's Ion platform for added graphics punch), design becomes a major differentiator, and Toshiba doesn't disappoint. Our model featured a Royal Blue lid that's adorned with raised horizontal lines, giving the PC a textured surface that's interesting to touch. Combined with an elegant, shiny blue hinge (with a glowing power button at its center) and a silver finish on the deck, the NB205 has an executive-chic look. At 10.4 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches, the NB205 is quite compact. It's a hair smaller than the 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.2-inch HP Mini 311 (which houses an 11.6-inch display). The six-cell battery juts out from the back of the system, but because this netbook weighs just 3 pounds, we didn't mind too much.'

The Register Hardware have published their review of the Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Notebook PC. 'The 13.3in LED screen has a resolution of 1366 x 768 so you can, in theory, watch HD movies. Things are slightly more complicated in practice, as you need to use the USB drive to watch regular DVDs with the bundled copy of CyberLink PowerDVD 8 - complete with nags to upgrade to the new version 9. If you want to watch HD movies, you'll need to use a player such as QuickTime and this is where things get messy; at the native movie resolution of 1280 x 720 the movie fits the screen however the control buttons vanish off the bottom and out of sight.'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Acer Aspire 3935-744G25Mn - 13.3in laptop. 'Laptops Direct offers it for just a smidgen under £600, which still nets you a Centrino 2 spec Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 that runs at 2.13GHz on a speedy 1,066MHz front-side bus, along with 3MB L2 Cache. This is backed up by 4GB of DDR3 RAM, though disappointingly there's no 64-bit OS to make the most of the memory. You also get a 250GB hard disk providing ample storage space. In comparison, the Samsung Q320 we reviewed has just 3GB of DDR2 RAM and a slower 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 that has just 2MB L2 Cache and narrower 800MHz front-side bus. It costs more, too, at around £650 or more depending on where you look.'

PC Magazine have published a review of the HP Pavilion All-in-One MS214 desktop. 'The MS214 is a pretty standard looking all-in-one desktop PC. From the front, it resembles a 16:9 widescreen monitor, and sports a fairly thin profile. On the back, it has a bunch of connector ports. Like the Apple iMac and HP's monitors, the MS214 has a clean, minimally designed chassis and is connected to a stand via a single pivoting point. This makes the MS214 a lot cleaner looking than similar designs like the Averatec D1133. In my opinion, it looks better than simpler designs, like the eMachines EZ1601-01; it's certainly easier to tilt the screen on the MS214 than on the EZ1601-01. The internals include a full sized 320GB hard drive, DVD burner, built-in Webcam, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, and a six-in-one digital media card reader.'.

A review of the Samsung N510 netbook has been posted over at NotebookCheck.net. 'The core piece of the Samsung N510 is the ION platform with Nvidia's Geforce 9400M graphic chip, which has a maximum of 128 MB shared memory in the model at hand. As there is no dedicated graphic memory, this is "borrowed" from the 1024 MB RAM, as in competitors. Additionally, the supplementary label "LE" indicates a special variation of the ION range, which, on the one hand, is reserved for OEM manufacturers only and on the other, merely provides DX-9 support. This restriction is necessary to still maintain the cheaper Windows XP version for netbooks from Microsoft. In regards to the basic efficiency, there shouldn't be any cutbacks in comparison to the "full" ION range. Samsung supports this graphic division with Intel's Atom N270 CPU and an own 160 GB hard disk.'

Geek.com have published a review of the Dell Studio 14z notebook PC. 'As a consumer notebook the 14z has a lot going for it. It has an attractive design, a reasonable weight, and it's on the thin side. Plus it has a number of cool features that have trickled down from more expensive models, like a power button on the side of the hinge (a la Sony), a thin power adapter, and an LED fill-gauge on the battery so users can check battery life without turning the system on. And in keeping with the Studio name the 14z has some power-user features thrown in, including Firewire, an eSATA / powered USB combo port, HDMI, dual headphone jacks, and DisplayPort.'

The MSI AIO AE1900-01SUS 18.5-Inch Touch Screen Desktop PC (White) is on offer for $495.97 over at Amazon.com. 'It's powered by the next-generation 1.6 GHz Intel Atom 230 processor, which includes innovative hafnium-infused circuitry that reduces electrical current leakage in transistors to conserve energy. A power miser, the Wind Top AE1900 needs only 45 watts of power while in full operation (results may vary under conditions and settings), which saves up to 80 percent of power compared to traditional PC--providing the perfect balance between efficiency and power usage (and meeting the highest qualifications, like Energy Star 5.0). The Wind Top AE1900 is also nicely quiet, thanks to the latest cooling technology to control the noise level no more than 26 decibels, which is as quiet as a library.'

CNET have published a review of the Malibal Veda series gaming laptop. 'While our review unit was configured with nearly every high-end option available and cost more than $5,000, the Veda actually starts at a more reasonable $2,272. The specs for that system are considerably less impressive: 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8700, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB 5,400rpm hard drive, a DVD burner, and no operating system. (Yes, you can save yourself some cash by not getting an OS preinstalled.) The dual Nvidia graphics cards are included in that price, though.'

A review of the CyberPower Gamer Extreme 3000 Core i7 860 System has been posted over at HotHardware.com. 'CyberPower's Gamer Extreme 3000 is powered by Intel's Core i7 860 processor running at 2.8GHz and built on Asus' P7P55D Deluxe motherboard. The 860 sits between Intel's 750 and 870 socket 1156 processors in speed and pricing, while the P7P55D Deluxe is more on the high end of Asus' P55 lineup. To keep the 860's temperature in check, Cooler Master's massive V8 CPU heatsink is included. Also, CyberPower installed 4GB of Kingston HyperX DDR3 memory set to 1600MHz and CAS 9 latency settings. Graphics workload is handled by an EVGA GTX 295 dual GPU videocard which should handle any current game at maximum settings without breaking a sweat. Finally, there's plenty of storage available as we found a 1.5TB Seagate HDD within the system's drive cage.'

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Toshiba Qosmio X505 desktop replacement PC. 'At a size of 17.4 x 11.6 x 1.6 inches and a weight of 10.4 pounds (11.6 pounds if you include the 1.2-pound power brick you'll need to carry), the Qosmio X505 is barely portable. But large gaming notebooks aren't intended for long trips; they're meant to maintain a smaller footprint and travel more easily than a desktop. If you need a system you can take with you to a gaming party, or (if you're a college student) something you can lug home with you for holiday breaks, the X505 more than fills the bill.'

The Samsung GO N310-13GB 10.1-Inch Midnight Blue Netbook (9 hour battery life) is on offer for $427.36 over at Amazon. 'Weighing just 2.9 pounds, the Samsung GO N310 netbook is one of the lightest netbooks in its class and it's loaded with the latest technology for maximum performance. Distinctively styled, it's designed by award-winning Japanese artist Naoto Fukasawa and features smoothly rounded edges that resemble a pebble that's been worn down by wind and waterfall and its cover has a rubberized surface that more durable and easy-to-grip.'

Notebook Review have published their review of the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC. 'The design of the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet is all about business, with no superfluous frills. The color scheme revolves around black, with the screen lid and bottom painted with a rubberized black paint and with the inside being lightly textured black plastic. Following the trend of function over form, Lenovo includes an externally mounted WWAN antenna, palmrest rubber bumpers for when the screen is in the slate position, and quick access buttons along the lower edge of the screen. From tech-geek standpoint it is also nice to see that Lenovo didn't hold anything back when they planned the port layout, using all available space for ports, expansion slots, and internal component access.'

A review of the Gateway NV5214u multimedia notebook has been posted over at TweakTown.com. 'The big glossy screen is good for multimedia duties, but glare is an issue in any room with ambient light. I didn't find the screen to be as crisp or clear color wise as the MSI U210 that I reviewed recently, which is surprising considering that the NV52 is a multimedia notebook. Colors were decent and there were no problems with video tearing or smearing.The keyboard is huge after reviewing so many netbooks. The keys are larger than the keys on my desktop keyboard and the NV52 has a full number pad as well. All of the keys are where they should be and have good travel and nice tactile feel. This keyboard is built for use and it shows.

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Acer Ferrari One - 11.6in netbook. 'Given its Ferrari association it's no surprise to see plenty of Scuderia inspired elements in the Ferrari One's design. Its scarlet red lid is a given, as are the famous prancing horse badges so iconic of the folks from Maranello. Other 'sporty' touches include the faux-carbon fibre on the palm-rest and, somewhat bizarrely, the tyre inspired rubber feet. In truth, though, due to the constraints on price this isn't the flamboyant, decadent product that past Ferrari-branded efforts were. Fundamentally, then, this is good-looking, well-designed machine. It won't leave people gasping in admiration and inevitably some may dislike the connotations of owning a Ferrari-branded product, but it won't embarrass you either.'

The Register Hardware have published a review of the Samsung R720 17.3in Notebook. 'The keyboard houses exactly the same style of keys as the R522 but, thanks to the larger chassis, Samsung has also found room for a numeric keypad. The trackpad, with its fancy blue-lit rim, has also been stretched to match the widescreen display. Unlike on the R522, though, Samsung has shrunk the arrow keys to half-height, which makes them a little fiddly. One area of concern is the keys. When we first received our review sample they all had a very slight, but noticeable texture. However, it didn't take long for the more frequently used keys (such as E, S and A) to lose their texture and develop shiny spots.'