December 2009 Archives

PC Advisor have published their review of the HP TouchSmart 300 all-in-one PC. 'The HP TouchSmart 300 has analogue and digital audio jacks, five USB ports, a multicard reader, a DVD burner, a remote control, and an HDTV tuner. A gigabit ethernet port allows for easy connectivity, but using the included 802.11n wireless means you'll need to deal with the power cord only when you're moving the unit about. The stubby metal feet are also removable, and the unit can be mounted on a wall. Unfortunately, features missing from this model include HDMI and composite inputs for consoles, and the funky ambient lighting found on some other TouchSmart models that offered a distinct glow.'

A review of the Lenovo S10-2 netbook has been posted over at ItReviews.co.uk. 'Lenovo has given its IdeaPad S10e a makeover to come up with the S10-2. The basics of the hardware have been carried over from the older model but there have been upgrades galore. The new dual core N280 Intel Atom processor has a front side bus speed of 667MHz compared to 533MHz for the previous version and the 1GB of memory has also been upgraded from DDR2-533MHz to DDR2-667MHz. In the past you got 160GB of storage but now the hard drive has 250GB of space.'

CNET have published their review of the new Asus Eee PC 1005PE netbook. 'The newest version, the $379 Eee PC 1005PE, is the first Netbook to reach our labs with Intel's new Atom N450 processor--the long-awaited sequel to the Atom N270 and N280 CPUs found in nearly every other Netbook. This new 1005 model, thanks to the re-engineered Atom platform, is extremely efficient, and ran for more than 8 hours on our grueling battery drain test. That's extremely impressive, although the N450 was more of a mixed bag in our performance tests, beating other Netbooks in some categories, but matching or falling slightly behind in others.'

The new Acer AOD250-1842 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 8 hours of battery life, Windows 7 Starter) hasbeen reduced from $329.99 to $279.99 over at Amazon.com. 'It comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Starter operating system, which combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. It includes new Windows 7 features like Jump Lists to help you to better find and manage files, and connecting to printers and peripherals is easier than ever. (Learn more about Windows 7 Starter below.)'

The Gateway LT2022u 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 3 hours of battery life) is on offer for $294.78 over at Amazon Marketplace. 'This netbook is powered by the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, which is designed especially for mobile devices and features an innovative hafnium-infused circuitry that reduces electrical current leakage in transistors to conserve energy. The integrated 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) will keep you connected to email and all your social networks. Other features include a 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (533 MHz), three USB ports, 5-in-1 memory card reader, and a 3-cell battery for extended use.'

The new Dell Inspiron 1470 14-Inch Cherry Red Laptop (Up to 5 hours 29 minutes of battery life, Windows 7 Home Premium) is on offer for $648.06 over at Amazon.com. 'Weighing just under 5 pounds, it's a great choice for both work and play with the screen's high-definition resolution and included DVD drive (which can also burn dual-layer DVD and CD media). It's powered by the dual-core Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Intel Pentium SU4100 processor for a good balance of energy efficiency and multitasking capabilities. Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks.'

PC World have published a review of the HP TouchSmart 300 All-in-One PC. 'The TouchSmart 300 has analog and digital audio jacks, five USB ports, a multicard reader, a DVD burner, a remote control, and an HDTV tuner. A gigabit ethernet port allows for easy connectivity, but using the included 802.11n wireless means you'll need to deal with the power cord only when you're moving the unit about. The stubby metal feet are also removable, and the unit can be mounted on a wall. Unfortunately, features missing from this model include HDMI and composite inputs for consoles, and the funky ambient lighting found on some other TouchSmart models that offered a distinct glow.'

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the MSI Wind U135 netbook. 'With a footprint of 10.2 x 7.0 x 1.5 inches, the U135 takes up about as much desk space as other netbooks of its ilk. However, its battery sticks out the bottom of the system, increasing its thickness in the back to 1.5 inches. While not nearly as egregious as the Wind U110, this protrusion is more noticeable than those on many other netbooks with 6-cell batteries. Weighing 2.8 pounds, the U135 disappeared like every other netbook once inside our messenger bag.'.

CNET UK have published their review of the MSI CX600 laptop. 'The CX600 is a fairly large device, measuring 374 by 30 by 247mm, and weighing 2.5kg. That, you'd presume, would give it plenty of room to accommodate all the ports one could wish for. Sadly, this isn't the case. The CX600 has a paltry three USB ports -- the same as you'd get on a netbook -- and, despite its fancy graphics card, lacks an HDMI output. Instead, users have to put up with a D-Sub VGA output, which is a crying shame. There's absolutely no way of outputting the video signal digitally to an external display.'

A review of the Dell Latitude XT2 convertible tablet PC has been posted over at NoteBookCheck.net. 'The Dell Latitude XT2 doesn't have a webcam and at the moment, you can't order it with one, at least not online, either. This will peeve users of Skype & co. a bit, as they have to fall back on an external solution. In return, this needs additional space in the notebook case. For this, the Latitude XT2 has an abundance of interfaces, which will make user hearts leap. 3x USB 2.0, Firewire (IEEE1394), eSATA (USB/eSATA combo port), cardreader, ExpressCard/54, fingerprint reader, Trusted Platform Module 1.2, LAN, VGA, audio in/out and Kensington lock preparation.'

PC Magazine have publsihed a review of the Fujitsu LifeBook P3010 netbook. 'As with any oversized netbook, the sweet spot is the extra screen real estate. The P3010 has an 11.6-inch widescreen, which not only gives you more to look at than the typical 10-inch ones, but the resolution is higher as well. Case in point: Ten-inch netbooks like the Toshiba mini NB205 and HP Mini 5101 default to 1,024-by-600 resolutions; the P3010, like all oversized netbooks, has a 1,366-by-768 one, or WXGA. Oversized netbooks like the Lenovo S12, Samsung NC20, and MSI U210 have bigger 12-inch widescreens, which you might consider if you want to push this boundary.'

Notebook Review have published a review of the ASUS Eee PC 1005PE netbook. 'The Eee PC 1005PE is a lower-cost version of the 1008HA Seashell and features a similar clamshell chassis design but is a little thicker and comes with a removable battery. Unlike the 1008HA, which had plastic covers over every port, all of the ports on the 1005PE are easily accessible so you won't have to struggle to plug in a USB flash drive. The 1005PE also isn't as thin as the 1008HA Seashell, but the 1005PE makes up for extra bulk with a high-capacity removable battery. If you look at the top of the 1005PE it's easy to see the "Seashell" heritage, and thankfully it manages to retain some solid build quality for a budget netbook.'

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Acer Ferrari One ultraportable. 'The Ferrari One looks like the sportier bad-boy twin of the Acer Aspire 1410. The chassis is nearly identical, but the Ferrari One adds an extra cut to the front of the system for an aerodynamic look. The lid highlights the notebook's sports car motif with its Ferrari racing red color and the company's canary yellow emblem embossed into the plastic. Though it's glossy and attracts a few smudges, the lid doesn't show them off too badly. Just keep the Turtle Wax handy for public exhibitions. The similarities with the 1410 continue under the hood, but with key differences. For starters, there are red accents for the matte black of the deck and the notebook's keys. The power button on the top right achieves a streamlined look with a backlit red glow and swoop.'

A review of the Asus Ion-powered Eee PC 1201N has been posted over at HotHardWare.com. 'There have been two major changes to the Eee PC netbook line since its original inception. The first was the phasing out of the original 7" and 9" netbooks designs, and the second was the introduction of the Seashell line up. Most of the company's latest netbooks have fallen into that Seashell line, with a distinct enclosure that tapers down in thickness towards the front of the machine. The Eee PC 1201N is a lot like the Eee PC 1005HA in terms of design. In fact, we'd say that if you've seen the 1005HA in person, you've seen the 1201N. There is very little in terms of sheer design that has changed since the 1005HA was released, with the additional screen real estate (12.1" on the 1201N versus 10.1" on the 1005HA), HDMI socket and the full-size keyboard being the most notable.'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Toshiba Satellite P500-12D - 18.4in laptop. 'Opening the machine up we're greeted by Toshiba's usual disappointingly glossy interior, with everything from the wrist rest to the semi-gloss keyboard being a magnet for dust, grime and fingerprints. Mind you, aside from the constant cleaning required to maintain it, the overall look is attractive. Above the keyboard reside the impressive-looking speakers (we'll get to their performance in a bit), whose chrome surrounds match the touchpad's chromed buttons nicely. Thanks to the P500-12D's generous dimensions Toshiba has found plenty of room to integrate the power button and a set of touch-sensitive controls to the left of the keyboard.'

CNET have published a review of the new Apple Mac Mini (2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 320GB, Fall 2009). 'The new Mac Mini, introduced by Apple back in October, received no changes to its physical design or external features compared with the last revision this past March. The case is still made from a combination of aluminum and plastic, and the size remains a svelte 2 inches high, by 6 inches wide and deep. Ports appear on the back of the Mac Mini only, and include five USB 2.0 ports, analog audio jacks, a Gigabit Ethernet output, a FireWire 800 port, and both Mini DVI and Mini DisplayPort outputs for video. Unlike the new 27-inch iMac, the Mini DisplayPort on the new Mac Mini does not double as a video input. A Mini DVI-to-DVI adapter comes in the box. You'll need to pay extra for adapters in other formats.'

Geek.com have published a review of the Toshiba Satellite T115 laptop. 'The T115 is extremely similar to the T135. The biggest difference is the size of the computer-the T135 has a 13.3-inch display where the T115's is 11.6-inches, but they both run at 1366×768. The T115 starts at 3.49 pounds instead of 3.89 and the T115 comes standard with 2GB of memory instead of 3GB. They run the same 5600mAh 6-cell battery and the battery life should be about the same, despite the larger display on the T135. The T135 doesn't have an option for the bottom-of-the-barrel processor, the Celeron 743, found on the $449 T115-S1100 either, and it has the option to the get the better SU4100 as well. Ultimately buyers can opt for the netbook-like T115 or the T135 and consider if they want a computer that is 11.3 x 8.3 x 0.99/1.35-inches (T115) or one that is 12.7 x 8.78 x 0.87/1.3-inches (T135).'

PC Magazine have published a review of the Sony VAIO VPC-L117FX/B all-in-one desktop PC. 'The system's touchscreen is responsive, though it takes a few seconds for your finger to learn exactly where to point to get the screen to recognize your commands. The HP TouchSmart systems are a little more forgiving with finger placement, but both the Sony and HP all in one PC's screens are multi-touch enabled and can use standard Windows 7 touch command functions like swipe, flick, pinch, and rotate. The system's quad-core processor makes the Sony VPC-L117FX/B just a little more responsive than the TouchSmart 600, but you're unlikely to notice the difference unless you have the two side by side.'

HotHardWare have published a review HP Mini 311 Ion-based netbook. 'On the software front, you'll find Windows 7 Home Premium on board. This is a huge step up from Windows XP, which was the OS of choice for most netbooks just a few months ago. You won't find too much bloatware loaded on, but that's not to say it's devoid of applications that you'll want to tweak or uninstall right away. The Norton anti-virus software is a real nag; right when you boot up for the first time, you'll be greeted with a huge pop-up that encourages you to continue the installation--only so it can nag you later to upgrade to the full version, we assume. That's not a very good user experience to kick things off.'

A review of the ASUS N61VN multimedia notebook has been posted over at NotebookReview.com. 'The ASUS N61VN has a rather inconspicuous outside appearance that doesn't really hint at the multimedia and gaming beast housed within. I actually prefer this semi-professional look since it gives the impression you could be typing an essay or surfing the web instead of actually killing zombies or battling other online gamers. The contrasting textures inside and outside the N61VN are great in both form and function. The outside shell is finished with a glossy paint and a very subtle zen garden style design.'

The new Sony VAIO VGN-NW240F/S 15.5-Inch Silver Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium) has been reduced from $729.99 to $694.99 over at Amazon.com. 'It comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), supporting office applications and all the software programs routinely found in full-size notebooks. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to. (Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.)'

Reg Hardware have published a review of the Toshiba Satellite T110 11.6in CULV notebook. 'Unlike the 1810TZ, the T110 has Bluetooth on board, but in most other respects the two machines' hardware essentials are the same. Both have 802.11n Wi-Fi, a VGA port, three USB 2.0 connectors - which can be set to provide power when the laptop's sleeping - a multi-format memory card slot and and HDMI port. They have Intel's GMA 4500MHD graphics core built into their chipset to drive both screen and HDMI. While the Acer has Gigabit Ethernet, the Toshiba is limited to a netbook-like 100Mb/s. Personally, we'd rather have faster wired networking than Bluetooth, but you pays your money, and we'll pay ours.'

PC Advisor have published a review of the Acer Aspire Z5610 all-in-one PC. 'The Acer Aspire Z5610's 23in touchscreen panel is well-utilised by the preinstalled plethora of Acer software, including a backup manager, a social networking application, a media hub, and a giant portal for launching (and dragging around) all sorts of individual applications. This bundle easily rivals HP's bevy of awesome applications for a touch-sensitive device. As for the screen's picture quality, the display is as bright as it is crisp. It delivers excellent saturation that really makes movies and graphics pop with life, and the powerful contrasts - hampered slightly by the strong glare of the system's glossy panel - do an equally excellent job displaying both the blacks and whites of a scene.'

A review of the Acer Ferrari One 200 subnotebook has been posted over at NoteBookCheck.net. 'Regarding materials, Acer decided to use plastics, whereas the high-gloss lid and display frame dirty quickly. After a short usage period you'll already find lots of fingerprints there. Of course you cannot expect too much from such a light (about 1.48 kg) and small (285 mm x 204 mm x 30 mm) plastic case. While the underside is rather stable, the center area of the upper side gives clearly under strong pressure. In particular the lid is not very flexural rigid and can be clearly twisted causing image interferences too.'

The new Sony VAIO VGC-JS410F/S 20.1-Inch Silver All-in-One Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium) is on offer for $849.95 over at Amazon. 'This desktop is powered by the 2.7 GHz Intel Pentium E5400 dual-core processor, which increases the efficiency and speed of the PC while running multiple programs and the latest multi-threaded software. Five high-speed USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire/i.LINK port are conveniently located on the back and sides for easy access and let you attach virtually all your peripherals without having to buy additional hardware. Other features include a 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Gigabit Ethernet networking, S/PDIF digital audio output, Intel GMA X4500HD graphics (with 1750 MB of total available video memory), and integrated 3-watt stereo speakers (for 6 watts of total power).'

CNET Asia have published a review of the Lenovo ThinkPad SL510 (Core 2 Duo Processor P 8700 2.5GHz, 3GB RAM). 'The SL510 starts at US$529, but that configuration has only a 1.8GHz Intel Celeron T3000 and no Webcam, Bluetooth or other bells and whistles. For US$1,024 in our build, you get a matte 15.6-inch screen in 16:9 aspect ratio, a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and a thick, solid chassis that's lighter than you'd expect. Customizable to the gills for 3G, antiglare, and the always popular fingerprint reader, the SL510 is exactly what it looks like: A large-screened business laptop that runs Windows 7. The good news is the tweaks are likely to make you happier if you're a ThinkPad person.'

Trusted Reviews have published their review of the Samsung X520 - 15.6in CULV laptop. 'Lifting up X520's display reveals a matt black interior - bravo Samsung as we're not fans of glossy ones! The screen's surround is slightly convex, fitting snugly into the partially concave base, the sides of which are accented by a faux-chrome strip. Build quality is generally good though the chassis does suffer from flex here and there. Samsung's latest presents an extremely simple and minimal design overall, with a power button sporting a tiny blue LED - the only control aside from the keyboard and touchpad. All the other shortcuts and controls usually found on a separate strip are incorporated into the keyboard as secondary functions and are clearly laid out.'

Pocket-lint have published a review of the Shuttle X Vision X5000T all-in-one PC. 'Out of the box the X5000T encased in white plastic. It is clean and simple in its design with the edges featuring chrome-effect plastic detailing and a kickstand around the back than can be set at a wide range of angles to put the screen in the best position for viewing. The box of the X5000T pictures this kickstand reversed and used as a carrying handle, something we tried and it seems like a convenient way to port your PC around, if that's the sort of thing you need to do.'

CNET have published their review of the HP ProBook 5310m (Core 2 Duo SP9300 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Windows 7 Professional). 'The 5310m is available in three preconfigured models or you can pick and choose what you want in it. Our review sample featured a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SP9300, 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 320GB 7,200rpm hard drive, and Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics for $899. This includes 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but if you want mobile broadband, it'll cost you another $100 for the adapter and will work on AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon Wireless networks (charges for service are your responsibility, too, of course). The system can also be stripped down to a $699 version running on a 1.2GHz Intel Celeron Processor SU2300, which according to HP gets you about 30 minutes extra of battery life (considering the performance difference between the two processors, the cash savings and extra time don't seem worth it).'

The new ASUS UL30A-X5 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Black Laptop - 12 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) has been reduced from $729.00 to $649.99 over at Amazon.com. 'Compact and under 1-inch thin, you can fit the UL30A virtually anywhere--freeing space for books, files, or whatever else you need to enjoy a spacious workspace. The UL30A includes Altec Lansing speakers plus SRS surround for a virtual home theater experience on the go, as well as an HDMI port for connecting to an HDTV at home. You'll be able to store all of your favorite applications, most important documents, and large video and audio libraries with the generous 500 GB hard drive. Other features include 4 GB of DDR3 RAM (maximum capacity), integrated webcam, Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated video graphics, and multi-format memory card reader.'

IT Reviews have published a review of the Samsung X520 lightweight Notebook. 'Samsung's new X-series laptops are all about mobility, and the X520 slots in as the highest-specification model in the range. It's by no means feather-light, but considering it houses a 15.6-inch display and high-capacity six-cell battery, Samsung's done well to keep the weight down to 2.2kg. The X520 is also reasonably compact, measuring 382mm wide, 256mm deep and 32.4mm thick. Flip open the lid and you're greeted by an impressive LED-backlit display that has a glossy coating and manages to produce bright, vivid images.'

A review of the HP Mini 311 netbook has been posted over at Geek.com. 'The build of Mini 311 is reminiscent of HP's previous consumer netbook offers. This means a plastic but solid build, a slim design, and a very good keyboard. The 311 gets a larger 11.6-inch display which looks great, largely thanks to the higher resolution, but can be tough to use outside or near a window thanks to its glossy coating. Increasing the backlighting will help this, but at the cost of battery life, something that is crucial to a netbook's usefulness. Overall the Mini 311 feels solid, but it's not up to the level of HP's business-focused 5101 netbook.'

PC Advisor have published a review of the Samsung R519 laptop. 'Our sample of Samsung R519 is based on an Intel Dual Core processor - not to be confused with the cooler and faster Core 2 Duo chips - yet its quite capable of taking on most domestic duties. In WorldBench 6 tests, the Samsung R519 scored a useful 75 points; or about twice that of your average netbook. This older tech CPU runs a little hotter than the latest, a fact reflected in the mediocre battery life tests. Despite a promising 6-cell battery (albeit with an unexceptional 44Wh capacity; two-thirds of that found in Samsung netbooks) our best MobileMark 2007 score was 187 mins.'

TweakTown have published a review of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 15.6-inch 3D Notebook. 'If you are a big movie and casual game fan, the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 may be something you want to check out. The notebook turns plain ol' movies and content into 3D without any drama or extra steps. The coolness of the 3D feature aside, will the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 stack up? The machine is at its core a multimedia notebook with specs putting it in the mid-range of the segment. The hardware and features make this a rather unique notebook in the multimedia and mainstream segment. Read on for all of the details on the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165.'

Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Dell Studio 17 (Core i7) multimedia notebook. 'The Studio 17 doesn't represent much of a departure from other Studio notebooks that have come before it, even the 14-inch, optical drive-less Dell Studio 14z. It has a satin lid (available in five colors; ours was Ruby Red) that feels soft to the touch and (mostly) masks fingerprints. Inside, the chassis mixes a glossy gray palm rest with a matte black keyboard and a piano black panel above the keyboard, complete with number pad. While it lacks some of the refinements of the high-end Studio XPS line, such as leather accents on the lid and flat keys, it borrows a few design elements, such as the glowing power button. The final product is handsome, but not as sophisticated as the 17-inch Apple MacBook Pro, Dell Studio XPS 16, or even the HP Envy 15.'

CNET Asia have published a review of the MSI X-Slim X400 (Core 2 Duo U2300 Processor 1.3GHz, 2GB RAM) laptop. 'The MSI X-Slim X400 comes in three color schemes--white with blue trimming and black with either silver or gold lines. Though it does not use metal in its chassis, the plastic body feels well-made and solid enough for daily use. This material probably contributes to its light 1.5kg heft, even as of its competitors weigh around 1.8kg. The 24.5mm profile makes this MSI one of the sleekest 14-inch machines in the market. The keyboard uses flat keys which are spaced closely together. According to MSI, this design is ergonomic and reduces stress on the fingers. However, we found the comfort of this setup to be very subjective and touch typists may need a little time to get used to the keyboard.'

HotHardware have published a review of the Asus EeeTop PC ET2002 all-in-one desktop computer. 'The Asus Eee Top ET2002 is an all-in-one desktop computer that provides the basics for everyday computing as well as multimedia entertainment in a space-saving design. It features a large, 20-inch 16:9 widescreen display and a 1.6GHz dual core Intel Atom 330 processor. Perhaps one of the coolest new features of the ET2002 is the fact that it is one of the first all-in-one computers from Asus to feature NVIDIA Ion integrated graphics for additional multimedia processing horsepower and perhaps even a bit of light gaming.'

The ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - 10.5 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter) is on offer for $342.00 with free standard shipping over at Amazon.com. 'Take the Eee PC 1005HA wherever you choose with all-day battery life and enjoy the brilliant clarity of its 10.1-inch LED-backlit display for comfortable computing for hours on end. And its generous 250GB HDD with 500GB of ASUS WebStorage** enables you to store, share, and access your important data anytime, anywhere. Miles ahead of its competition, the Eee PC 1005HA-P provides multi-tasking performance and superior portability, liberating you from wall chargers and bringing you into the future of mobility.

A review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 15.6" multimedia notebook has been posted over at NotebookReview.com. 'The Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 has a modern design with a sleek shape and a rather pronounced contrasting color scheme. The exterior view of the Y550 when closed is thin and flat with a thick orange trim piece breaking up the two black halves on the notebook. From a distance the outside color of the screen cover appears to be matte black, but looking at it closer it is actually a faintly embossed surface. This particular design is an overlapping honey-comb finish that gives the notebook a nice subtle look while also giving it a light texture.'

Pocket-lint have published a review of the Acer Aspire 8935G Notebook. 'The quality of the Aspire 8935G is excellent, with strong plastics used throughout, and despite its size the big screen is held firmly in place as you type. It's a bulky machine though, and with a weight of 4.5kg we wouldn't want to take it a lot further than the next room. This machine's media credentials continue through to the components used, and ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4670 graphics card offers enough shove to play the latest games with ease. That said, you may have to turn the HD resolution down slightly in some of the more demanding titles. Office performance is equally capable, with a mid-range Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 processor and 4096MB of speedy DDR3 RAM making light work of everything we threw at it.'

A review of the HP Pavilion dv7-3065dx laptop has been posted over at CNET. 'The Pavilion dv7-3065dx is a supersized version of the 15.6-inch Pavilion dv6-1375dx. The larger Pavilion dv7 provides a screen that's about 1.7 inches larger (measured on the diagonal) and a body about 1.3 inches wider, 0.7 inches deeper, and just a hair thicker. The dv7 weighs 1.3 pounds more. The added width allows for a spacious keyboard and dedicated number pad; both felt a bit cramped on the smaller dv6. The only other design difference between the two: the dv7 features touch-sensitive media control keys in addition the mute, volume, and Wi-Fi on/off controls that compose the entirety of the dv6's touch-sensitive controls.