Acer's New Aspire Ethos TouchScreen Laptop

This week, Acer announced its new Aspire Ethos laptops. The laptops have a secondary touchscreen, which doubles as a touchpad. The new technology is meant to help users navigate through multimedia content. The touchscreen is placed below the keyboard where a touchpad would normally be located and it displays movie and music navigation icons. According to spokesperson for the company, the icons allow you to do thing such as adjust volume or go through images.

In a press release, Acer said, "The media console is now combined with the touchpad, providing a set of commands all managed by a single key and a completely new approach to entertainment control." They also stated that the new technology leaves the laptop's surface looking clean and elegant.

According to PC World, Acer is not the only company looking to make touchpads a little fancier. Synaptics is adding gesture functionality, which allows users to perform routine tasks more quickly. They also report that Intel has suggested auxiliary screens that display widgets that allow you to do things such as type Twitter messages replace touchpads.

The new Acer laptops feature Advanced Micro Devices ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5000 series graphics cards, which are great for watching HD DVDs. They can also be bought with Blu-ray Disc drives and they each run Intel's Core i5 or Core i7 processors. The laptops also include Acer's Arcade Deluxe multimedia management software, which allows users to take more advantage of the touchpad controls and makes it easier to share content through YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr.

The Ethos 8943G will have a 18.4-inch screen and the Ethos 5943G will feature a 15.6-inch screen. Each one will have up to 1.28TB of storage through two 640GB hard drives, as well as including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Release dates and prices are not yet available.

TOSHIBA WORKING ON WINDOWS AND ANDROID TABLETS

Word is that Toshiba will soon release a dual screen tablet PC running Windows 7. The company also plans to release smaller and cheaper models running Google Android.

In functionality the Toshiba tablet, won't be much different from the iPad. The company has already said that it tablets are for consuming media and not creating it. If that is the case, then building an Android tablet is probably a better idea than building a Windows tablet because the Android platform is specially designed for touch input. Android tablets will be able to run on low power ARM processors. And now that both Google and Adobe are working on bringing Flash to Android, the device will also be able to handle Flash video - something which iPad can't.

The Windows platform, on the other hand, isn't very touch friendly, but it will be able to run all desktop applications. And since a Windows tablet will have a few USB ports, you will be able to plug in peripherals such as a keyboard or printer and use it as a fully functional laptop.

Not much is known about either tablet at the moment, so we can only guess. But one thing is certain: the tablet revolution has begun.

New Keyboard Dock for the Apple iPad

There has been quite a bit of hype lately surrounding Apple’s new iPad. Its a very interesting creature. The greatest selling point is definitely it’s sleek appearance. The shiny, brushed aluminum backed gadget is almost elegant looking. One of the reasons for this attractiveness is the absence of a keyboard. The problem with being keyboard-less is that many people will not be able (or maybe not want) to huddle over the device to punch on the on-screen keys for an extended period of time. Even when you set the iPad on a table or desk, there is still an annoying wobble that you must deal with due to the it’s slightly bowed back. Well, for iPad users who miss the traditional keyboard that comes with laptops and desktop computers, Apple has released a solution. There is now a iPad Keyboard Dock that provides you with the comfort of a keyboard while also holding your iPad upright for easy visibility. Those who couldn’t part with their keyboard can now feel completely at home with their new iPad.

The keyboard dock is very conveniently designed. It is small (0.5 x 11 x 4.5 inches HWD) and wireless. It is constructed with a brushed aluminum shell that features 77 fully separated, shallow keys that make typing on the iPad a breeze. The dock has a raised back that allows the keyboard to be slightly angled forward for ease and comfort. At the back of the keyboard, there is a power connector and a Line Out that lets you easily hook up speakers for the iPad. You’ll need a 10-watt power adapter to be able to utilize the dock, but this is included when you purchase the iPad. With that adapter, there is also a detachable USB cable that is included as well. This allows you to connect the keyboard directly to your computer so that you can sync the two devices. You are also able to use a few other accessories with the Keyboard Dock including the iPad Camera Connection Kit and the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter. Another advantage to having the Keyboard Dock is that if you have the iPad docked, the keyboard will charge your device.

If you don’t want to deal with the annoyance of attempting to type for long periods of time on the iPad then the Keyboard Dock is just what you are looking for. It will make you feel right at ease with typing anything. It will be available in late April and will be listed for $69.

ASUS INTRODUCES 3D NOTEBOOKS

Asus has introduced two laptops with 3D displays – the G51J3D and the G72GX. The G51J3D is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor with 1GB of NVIDIA GeForce 160M graphics processor. It has a 15.6 inch display.

The G72GX is bigger with its 17.3 inch display. Its specifications have not yet been disclosed.

The Asus 3D notebooks are different from 3D notebooks released by Acer. Asus claims that the special glasses it uses on its 3D notebooks allows for better viewing of 1080p HD video playback. The glasses also provide better viewing angles.

Pricing and Availability
The G51J3D is expected to be released in December and the G72GX in the second quarter of 2010. No information regarding pricing is available as yet.

SONY ENTERS THE WORLD

First Impression
Sony gadgets have always been famous for being stylish and sturdy. They are high on both promise and delivery. The same goes for this line of netbooks.

Sony VAIO W series is powered by the latest Atom N280 at 1.66GHz. It uses the Windows XP OS. The entry model has a 10.1 inch LED screen with a 1366x768 resolution.

The netbook does look a bit bulky but weighs just 1.2 kg. Build quality is good. It looks and feels solid. The large trackpad is nice and easy to use. The VAIO W has the same kind of keyboard found on VAIO P. The keys are large and comfortable to use.

The basic configuration uses a standard 3 cell battery. But you can opt for 6-cell, if you want to. The netbook is available in three colors – white, pinks and brown. Sony will be selling the netbooks for $625.

System Specifications
Processor: Atom N280 processor at 1.66 Ghz
Memory: 1 GB of RAM all running on a Intel 945GSE Express chip set
HDD: 160 GB hard drive
Display: 10.1 inch display
Ports and slots: Card reader, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a webcam.
Estimated battery life: 3.5 hours

ASUS EEE PC T91MT GETS A SPECS BUMP

The new multitouch version of the Asus Eee PC T91MT is now available for purchase. The T91MT is a convertible tablet PC with an 8.9 inch touchscreen display. It can be used either in tablet or laptop mode. The new version is better than the previous version in many aspects:

The new T91MT supports multi-touch gestures. The Solid State Drive is now available in 32GB capacity as against the 16GB drive that came with the previous version. The new model comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium. The previous model had Windows XP.

Asus has also updated the computer’s Touch Gate software. The new version of the software supports gestures such as pinching to zoom in the photo application.

SONY ANNOUNCES VAIO CW NOTEBOOK

Sony has unveiled their newest notebook – the VAIO CW. It is available in five colors – red, pink, white, black and indigo.

Specifications
Display: 14-inch screen (16:9, 1366x768)
Operating system: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processors up to 2.80GHz (T9600)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 210M 256MB or GT 230M 512MB
Memory: Up to 8GB RAM
Storage: Up to 500GB hard drive space

Other features include a Blu-ray disc drive. The standard battery is expected to give 4 hours of up time. With an extended battery, you should be able to get up to six hours. The machine weighs 5.3 lbs with the battery.

Pricing and Availability
The VAIO CW should be available around the launch date of Windows 7. Prices start at $799.

SONY VAIO

Sony has updated its Vaio P line of netbooks. The new models will have Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional as against the previous models which had Windows Vista. Sony has also upgraded the hardware. The new specifications aren’t totally new. Many of them were already available on Japanese models.

The upgraded models will run on Intel Atom Z5xx series processors clocking at up to 2GHz. They will also have up to 256GB of solid state flash storage. All models in the series have 8 inch display with 1600 x 768 pixels.

The processor is still an Atom Z5xx series processor, and it seems, Sony has no intention of upgrading it to the better N2xx series processor. The integrated GMA 500 graphics delivered reasonable performance during some demo sessions, but don’t expect it to handle high end games.

The biggest problem with the Sony Vaio P – its price – however remains unsolved. Even the cheapest models with a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and an 80GBhard drive still cost around $849.99.

HP MINI 311

HP Mini 311 is now available subsidized from US wireless carrier Verizon. Sign up for a 2 year wireless broadband plan and you will be able to buy the netbook for $199. Of course you have to spend $60/month for the broadband service.

HP Mini 311 is famous for being the first netbook to have NVIDIA ION graphics. Like the regular HP Mini 311, the Verizon model too has an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. It is powered by an Intel Atom processor with NVIDIA ION Light Edition graphics. The Verizon model has 2GB of RAM and built-in 3G module. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium. The XP model comes with 1GB of RAM.

Design
In many aspects, the Mini 311 looks similar to HP’s larger notebooks. The lid is available in both black and white and bears HP’s Swirl pattern. The Mini 311 is almost the same size as the MSI Wind U210 and Acer Aspire 1410. The notebook measures around 3.2 pounds.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The HP Mini 311 comes with slightly intended square silver keys. The keys are comfortable to type on and you will be able to reach your normal tying speed almost immediately. The touchpad buttons are a bit stiff. The touchpad surface also shows some friction.

Ports and Slots
The HP Mini 311 has the regular array of ports. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA, headphone/mic and 5-in-1 memory card reader. There is also an HDMI port for transferring video to an external monitor.

HP MINI 210 MORE DETAILS EMERGE

More details regarding the HP Mini 210 have emerged. We have been hearing about this little computer for a while. And now online retailer eCost has created some product pages for the laptop.

The promotional shots of the computer indicate that the lid will be less glossy than the HP Mini 110 lid. The touchpad, it seems, has been completely redesigned. The touchpad buttons are now integrated into the bottom of the touch area to save space.
Each model in the series will have a 1.66Ghz Intel Atom N450 processor, Intel GMA 3150 graphics and a 10.1 inch flush glass display. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and 160GB/250GB hard drives. The machines will ship with Windows 7 Starter Edition.

Pricing and Availability
The laptops will be available in silver, red, blue and black. The base version may start at $321.99. No word on a release date.

HP

HP is a recognized brand in computer technology; thus, the release of an all-new HP dm3T opens up a lot of useful functionalities and portability for students and other consumers who want comfort without sacrificing quality of the laptop's performance. If you are currently shopping for the best laptop to buy, then you should include this one on your list and might even end up as your choice too.

Features

One distinction that HP has over other laptop manufacturers is that they believe in the importance of looks and design as one of the major buying factors that consumers use. Since it is one of the first few things they see, it initially impacts the kind of impression they have about a laptop. If they don't like the physical build or design, they would not even consider checking out its technical features andspecifications . This is a strong point being addressed by developers with HP dm3T such that they have equipped it with an attractive design and finish.

The 13.2-inch screen looks very modern and sleek, thus ideal for students and professionals alike. And more impressive is that it comes with 1366x768 WGA screen resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, thus it is HD format friendly for quality LCD TV experience. Moreover, this is a backlit screen variety so you can enjoy vivid and bright colors.

Weighing only approximately 4 lbs, HP dm3T offers no burden to the user in terms of carrying it with you wherever you maybe. And yet, you can avail of that for a comparatively affordable price tag of only $599.99. The overall construction and the keyboard area all emit efficiency and convenience too. The keyboard comes in a chiclet style, but it is very reliable when you are embarking on a typing job and intuitively assigned their spots for convenient typing. It is not equipped with fancy buttons and flashy lights, just clean look on the top.

The case for HP dm3T is also very rigid, such that it won't flex even if you grab at it using only one hand. The keyboard and ports area are also made out of silver colored plastic molding and the overall construction certainly does not look cheap at all. There are also lots of port selections for HP dm3T and is ideal for the busy individual so you can perform multi-tasking. There are up to 4 USB ports, 1 microphone-in port, 1 headphone out port, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet LAN, and a 5-in-1 card reader.

As for the technical performance, HP dm3T runs on a 1.3HGz Core 2 Duo processor, which is good enough for productivity applications like checking or sending e-mail, running office applications, web surfing, and other vital functions at an efficient speed rate. However, this is not something for the serious gamer though, but that does not take anything away from this media powerhouse.

Final Thoughts

If you only have a limited budget to spend, HP dm3T is a good option for you such that it is a powerhouse laptop despite being quite affordable. And yet, it has certain features that top even more expensive models in the market.

MORE HP LAPTOPS LEAKED

Close on the heels of HP uploading support documents for the Mini 210, more HP mini-laptops have been leaked. These machines are not yet available for purchase, but looks like they are definitely in the pipeline.

The new models include HP Mini 210HD and Compaq Mini CQ10.

The HP Mini 210HD has the same specifications as the Mini 210. It is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor and GMA 3150 graphics. But unlike the regular Mini 210, this netbook is capable of handling HD video including 1080p, thanks to the Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator. It is expected to retail for about $329.99.

The Compaq Mini CQ10 is a low-end model starting at just $259.99. It is also powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor and GMA 3150 graphics. Other specifications include up to 250 GB of RAM and 10.1 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels. Both 3 cell and 6 sell batteries are available. The netbook will support WiFi 802.11b/g.

DELL TO OFFER LAPTOPS IN NAIL POLISH COLORS

Dell has always been fond of making its laptops colorful. Now the PC maker is taking that fondness to yet another level. Dell has teamed up with nail polish experts OPI with the objective of creating 26 new color choices for its laptops. Users are allowed to choose the new colors when they customize the notebook in the Dell Design Studio. The new colors will be available on Dell’s Studio, Inspiron and Inspiron Mini line of notebooks.

Of the 26 colors 6 will be holiday themed. So is this a smart move by Dell? Well, the new nail polish colors will not improve the functionality of your computers, but they will certainly help you personalize your machines and make them look different from the numerous notebooks out there.

ASUS UL20A NOTEBOOK REVIEW

With its 12.1 inch display, the Asus UL20A isn’t much different from a typical netbook, but the machine offers the functionality of a full sized notebook.

The UL20A is thin and light. It also gets good battery life when compared to many laptops larger in size. Performance is snappy. There are no discrete GPUs, but the machine is still capable of decoding HD movies. And the larger display features a higher resolution than that is found in laptops of similar size.

The UL20A is the cheapest laptop in the Asus UL line of notebooks. It is also the smallest. Unlike the 13 inch UL30A, the UL20A doesn’t have Bluetooth or HDMI. On the plus side this machine is cheaper than its bigger sibling by almost $200.


UL20A specifications:
Processor: Dual-core 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor
Graphics: integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD
Memory: 2GB of RAM
Storage: 250GB hard drive
Display: 12.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
Other notable features include WiFi 802.11b/g/n

Performance
The UL20A is powered by a dual-core CULV processor. CULV processors are known for being power efficient. They also deliver better performance than the Intel Atom processors found in most netbooks. Performance is snappy. Boot times are good, and applications load almost instantly. The UL20A has enough power inside its chassis to be your primary PC. There are no discrete graphics cards, so you can’t play high-end games on this PC.

Conclusion
The UL20A is worth considering if you are looking for an ultraportable laptop priced in the upper range of a typical netbook. The notebook is now available from Amazon for $581. And there is currently a promotion wherein buyers will get Amazon gift certificates worth $75 with the purchase of UL20A.

ASUS ANNOUNCES UL30VT

Asus plans to release an updates version of its popular thin-and-light UL30 notebook. The new version will have discrete GPU.

The UL30Vt as it is called will be powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor. Asus said that it would be possible to overclock the processor by up to 33%. The machine will also feature the Nvidia GeForce G210M 512MB discrete GPU. The graphics is switchable to the integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD.

The Asus UL30Vt will run Windows 7. It will have a 13.3 inch glossy display with 1366 x 768 pixels. Up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM can be installed. The available storage space is 500GB.

Pricing and Availability
No information regarding pricing or availability has been announced. The Asus UL30 currently sells for $799. The UL30Vt is expected to carry a higher price tag.

ASUS EEE PC 1201N UP FOR PRE-ORDER

The Asus Eee PC 1201N is one of the three different versions of the upcoming Eee PC 1201 line of notebooks. One of the most anticipated notebooks of the year, the 1201N is now available for pre-order, but it unlikely to start shipping until early next year.

Bloggers who managed to get their hands on the Eee PC 1201N says that it is kind of a beefed up version of the 1005HA.

The 1201N has a 12 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels. Because of its dual-core Atom 330 processor and Nvidia ION graphics, the 1201N should deliver better performance than your typical netbook. The larger 6 cell, 5200mAh battery is expected to last for up to 8 hours.

Up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM can be installed. The hard drive comes in 250GB or 320GB storage capacity. Asus also provides up to 500GB of web-based storage.

The 1201N will run Windows 7 Home Premium. Available connectivity options are WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth and Ethernet. Other notable features include 0.3 MP webcam, 3 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, VGA, SD card slot.

The touchpad supports multi-touch controls. The 1201N is available in black and silver. It is expected to cost around $499.

DELL STUDIO 17 GETS MULTI-TOUCH DISPLAY

The Dell Studio 17 packs nearly all desirable features inside its small frame. The only missing feature until now had been multi-touch functionality. Now Dell has rectified it. The new and improved Dell Studio 17 supports multi-touch controls.

The Studio 17 comes with either an Intel Pentium or Core 2 Duo processor. Up to 8GB of RAM can be installed. The notebook provides as much as 1TB of storage space. For high-end graphics performance there is the discrete ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570/HD 4650 GPU. And if are concerned about power conservation, the graphics is switchable to the integrated GMA 4500MHD.

Other notable features include Blu-ray/DVD, USB, eSATA/USB combo, WiFi, FireWire, HDMI, VGA and DisplayPort.

The 17.3 inch multi-touch display comes with 1600 x 900 pixels. The new Studio 17 will run Windows 7 which has several touch friendly features. The base configuration with a six-cell battery pack starts at $899.

FUJITSU LIFE-BOOK T2010 REVIEW – ROCK HARD TABLET

The Fujitsu Life-Book T2010 is a rock-solid tablet laptop. This restructured variant has an added AT&T Broadband Connect HSPA incorporated though. Apart from that the design and chassis are the identical. The huge question though, does the in built WWAN make a distinction, in particular for those road warriors or even trade professionals who are for all time on the go? Let's seize a look and unearth it.

Design
The T2010 has a straightforward intend that is lustrous and tempting. Right off the box, you acquire that business sense. It would be just the thing for school students as well, bearing in mind that it is so small and just weighs in around 3.5 pounds. The graphite shade hides dirt really well and keeps the tablet notebook showing professional, but be cautious that the lid can be spoiled easily. The hinge is rock-hard and feels powerful. The screen doesn't quiver much, even when tapped. The truth that the display turns in both directions is a pleasant characteristic as well. The complete design is concrete and the battery being situated in the front isn't a hassle at all.

Performance
The T2010 showed about as I anticipated. It was a diminutively slower on the benchmarks than the 1st model I reviewed, but this variant only possess a Core 2 Duo ULV 1.06GHz processor and a 40GB hard disk drive. The unusual review unit contained the ULV 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor and even a 100GB hard drive. It still recited tasks with no hassles like read-through email and surfing the internet. Keep in mind this tablet notebook is for the trade minded, and definitely not for gamers. It's frivolous and handy for a reason.

The energetic digitizer is vast and like I specified before the 12.1" WXGA display is unblemished. Don't get me erroneous the keyboard has a pleasant design; it's just a slightly soft and squashy for my liking. When you are typing you can in reality see the keys bend. The T2010 gets superior battery life. With the standard 6-cell battery power pack, in balanced mode I was sprinting almost 5 hours of usage.

The T2010 is one of the 1st laptops in North America to present a built-in wireless modem licensed to right of entry to AT&T's 3rd-generation (3G) High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) Broadband-Connect wireless set of connections. The aptitude to have this high pace access permits for quicker download speeds and sooner upload speeds, which augments users' capability to propel large files, such as emails with attachments, videos, photos or trade documents.

Conclusion
The T2010 is a rock-solid Tablet notebook, with an enormous bi-directional pivot and gorgeous flaunt. I really like Fujitsu's displays; the colors are forever intense and glowing. The cover can be scratched effortlessly, so be cautious with that, but it does conceal dirt extremely well. It is trouble-free to take notes on, bestow presentations with and handy enough to carry it anywhere.
Pros
+ Gorgeous display with dual-directional hinge
+ Unyielding design and framework
+ Frivolous
+ Grand battery sprint capacity
+ WWAN

Cons
- One speaker is all you get
- Keyboard has a bundle of flex and feels spongy
- WWAN can be inconsistent in some network areas

ASUS UL30VT NOW AVAILABLE

The Asus UL30VT is a thin and light notebook with a 13.3 inch display. It features a convenient switchable graphics option which allows you to use either the discrete NVIDIA G210 or the integrated GMA 4500MHD. The discrete GPU will come handy when performance matters. And when you want to conserve battery life you can switch to the integrated graphics.

The UL30VT isn’t much different from the UL30A. But unlike the later, the former comes with a discrete GPU option. In overall aesthetics and keyboard layout the two notebooks aren’t much different.

The Asus UL30VT is powered by a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor. The processor can be overclocked. Up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM can be installed. The machine runs Windows 7 Home Premium. The hard drives come in 250GB, 320GB and 500GB capacity. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, VGA, HDMI and webcam.

4-cell and 8-cell battery options are available. The notebook is now available from Amazon for around $799.

FIRST LOOK AT FUJITSU LIFEBOOK T5010

The LifeBook T5010 is the latest addition to the Fujitsu Tablet PC line-up. The T5010 is the successor to the T4220 line of tablets. This tablet is aimed at businesses and it is good for taking notes and giving presentations.

System Configurations for the tablet under review
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz processor
Graphics: Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD graphics
Memory: 2GB RAM
Hard Disk Drive: 80GB, 5400rpm hard drive
Operating System: Windows Vista Business
Weight: 4 pounds 13 ounces with battery
Display: 13.3 inch active digitizer display

Design and Build
The LifeBook T5010 has a sturdy chassis and solid design. It is sleek in appearance and weighs around 4.5lbs. The display comes with a resolution of 1280 x800. Colors are bright and vivid. The screen can rotate in both directions – a feature great for presentations. The speaker quality is average. But with a good pair of headphones you will be able to listen to music.

Keyboard/Touchpad/Pen
The LifeBook T5010 keyboard is solid and doesn't show any signs of flex. The keys are flat and the normal size. The touchpad is very responsive. The right and left click buttons work well. The pen is great to take notes with and comes with an eraser. The active digitizer works well with the pen. There are some handy buttons on the screen. They can be programmed as shortcuts in the tablet mode.

Ports and Slots
Port selection is impressive. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, LAN, modem, headphone and microphone jacks, memory stick/SD Card slot and dedicated Smart Card Slot. The T5010 is Bluetooth enabled. Other wireless features like Atheros XSPAN (802.11a/b/g/draft-n) also work well. If you prefer, you can get Intel WIFI Link 5300 AGN as an option.

Battery
Battery life is average. You will get up to four hours in the Balanced mode.

Conclusion
Overall, this is a nice tablet PC. It loads web pages fast and you will have no trouble running multiple applications on it. The design is good, so is the bright screen. But prices will still need to come down a bit to entice the customers.

Pros
Active digitizer display that is vivid and bright
Solid design
The screen can be rotated in both directions

Cons
Tends to heat up
Pen tends to get stuck in silo.

FUJITSU LIFEBOOK T2020 REVIEW

Before the all new Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 model has been introduced, a previous model known as T2010 first came out in the market. But there were some lacking aspects to this model, such that the manufacturers were prompted to make an entirely new model or more of an upgrade by incorporating a new processor and chipset for better quality performance. Did they succeed? You can find out more below.
Features

One of the biggest drawing points for Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 is the sleek and stylish design. But instead of opting for the glossy finish and trying to aesthetically blow you away, it settles for a professional design that does not sacrifice its compact feature. Thus, it is very ideal for use among college students and business professionals alike. It will enable them to jot down important notes on this notebook and you'd love to use it often for it comes with solid chassis and minimal keyboard flex for a great typing experience. The control buttons are also easily accessibly from the bottom of the screen, thus making life easier in case you need to make important adjustments to the brightness setting or the screen orientation.

Meanwhile, the display for Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 is a 12.1-inch WGXA screen that produces some of the best graphics you might have ever seen from a notebook. The vivid colors help to truly bring forth a one-of-a-kind visual quality that delivers in all aspect. And unlike other laptop screens, it does not feature a glossy finish so you won't pinch your eyes just trying to look at it.


But the biggest test to each laptop is basically its system performance and Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 exceeds standard expectations. Using an Intel Core 2 Duo U9300 1.2GHz, along with an Intel GS45 chipset, there is a lot of power on this notebook. With a 120GB 5400 RPM hard drive, there are basically no lag issues so you can perform basic applications at efficient speed. Whether you are doing office tasks, surfing the internet, video streaming, or reading e-mails, you can perform all these within mere seconds. If you are looking for a laptop that would allow you to do some gaming, this is not the one for you though.

Pros

If you're planning to buy Fujitsu LifeBook T2020, you can enjoy the following benefits:

+ The display screen with a bi-directional hinge makes it possible to turn the screen and let it face any direction you wish.
+ The build and design is looking solid such that it can withstand everyday pressure and wear.
+ Aside from a great design, it is also light enough that you won't have trouble bringing it around.
+ The 9-cell battery provides it with a long battery life for a maximum of 11 hours.
+ The wireless connectivity feature enables you to connect online quite easily.

Cons

Before you head on out to buy Fujitsu LifeBook T2020, you need to be aware of the following flaws:

- There is only one built in speaker for this notebook, which results in a below average sound quality.
- The keyboard design results in a springy effect such that typing might be a bit of a hassle to perform.

DELL VOSTRO 1015 NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US

The Dell Vostro 1015 is an affordable notebook aimed at businesses. It is now available for purchase in the US.

The Vostro 1015 is a full sized laptop with a 15.6 inch display. The base model is powered by a 2.2GHz Intel Celeron 900 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. The machine runs Windows 7 Home Basic. Prices start at $429. If you need a higher-end model you can opt for a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T6670 processor, 3GB of RAM, 320GB Hard drive and Windows 7 Professional. This configuration costs around $629.

The graphics option on all Vostro 1015 will be Intel GMA 4500MHD. Other features include WiFi 802.11b/g, 2 MP webcam, an 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R.

DELL INSPIRON MINI 10 GETS PINE TRAIL CHIPS

Dell has introduced an update to its Inspiron Mini 10 series of netbooks. Currently the Inspiron Mini 10 has an Atom Z520 processor and the Mini 10v has an Atom N270 processor. The updated notebooks will have an Intel Atom N450 processor instead. The new models are expected to be available in the first week of January. Prices will start at $299.

The netbooks will ship with Windows 7 Starter or Windows XP home. Ubuntu 9.04 Linux will also be available in future. The chassis has undergone a minor makeover. The palm wrest area now features a textured finish. The touchpad on the new models still features the integrated mouse buttons but it will no longer support multi-touch gestures.

Both 3-cell and 6-cell battery options are available, but Dell said that most models will ship with 6 cell batteries. The netbooks measure just 1.3 inches in thickness.

DELL UPDATES ITS INSPIRON MINI 10

It is raining Pine Trail netbooks. Dell hasn’t announced any new netbook with the Atom N450 chipset, but it has decided to refresh its Inspiron Mini 10 series with a newer design and the brand new processor. The redesigned netbooks will have a textured smudge-resistant palm rest and sculpted keys. They will be powered by Intel’s latest Pine Trail Atom N450 processor. Both 3 cell and 6 cell battery options are available. Dell claims that the 6-cell battery will provide up to 9.5 hours of uptime, thanks to the better power efficiency of Atom N450. The netbooks will run Windows 7 Starter Edition. For storage there is a 250GB hard drive. Other features include HDTV tuner (optional) and GPS.

Pricing and Availability
The updated Inspiron Mini 10 is expected to be available in early January. The base version will start at $299.

ASUS EEE PC 1008P-KR

The upcoming Asus Eee PC 1008P runs on an Intel Pine Trail Atom processor. The laptop hasn’t hit the market yet, but some photos have emerged. Besides the standard version, the 1008P will also have designer version designed by Karim Rashid. The designer netbook looks similar to a clutch bag with textured finish.

The Asus Eee PC 1008P is the upgraded version of the 1008HA. While 1008HA has an Intel Atom processor, the 1008P will feature the new Intel Pine Trail processor.
The 1008HA is one of the slimmest Eee PCs around. It has attractive looks and has been extremely popular among netbook users. But it has a major problem: it comes with an integrated battery which cannot be removed. But Asus has remedied this issue. The new 1008P has a removable battery. It also features a chiclet style keyboard.

The netbook will be powered by an Intel Atom N450 (Pine Trail) processor with 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. It will have a 10.1 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels. Other features include WiFi, 1.3MP webcam, and Bluetooth.

The standard version is expected to be out in February in ‘Golden Brown’ and ‘Hot Pink’. The designer version 1008P-KR will soon launch in Graphite Black. The netbooks run Windows 7 Starter.

ASUS EEE PC 1201N REVIEW

Plenty of 11 and 12 inch laptops with Atom processors and Nvidia ION graphics are now available. But the Asus Eee PC 1201N is different from the rest. It is powered by a dual core Intel Atom 330 processor with Nvidia ION graphics. The dual core Atom 330 is usually only found in desktop systems. It is more powerful than the Atom N270/N280 processors found in most netbooks. The presence of a dual core CPU gives the 1201N a significant edge over competing netbooks from HP, Samsung and Lenovo.

Review Laptop Specifications
Display: 12.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N330 dual core
Graphics: GeForce 9400M (ION Graphics)
Memory: 3GB of DDR2 RAM
Storage: 250/320 GB hard drive + 500 GB web based storage
Battery: 6-cell 5200mAh battery
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium

Ports and Slots
The Asus Eee PC 1201N comes with the regular array of ports. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 SD card slot, HDMI, VGA, 0.3 mega pixel webcam, headphone and microphone jacks. Connectivity options include Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n.

Design and Build Quality
The Asus Eee PC 1201N measures just 1.3 inches in thickness and weighs around 3.1 pounds. Build quality is reasonably good. The notebook comes with a shiny black plastic exterior. While the glossy exterior lends the notebook an attractive look, it tends to collect fingerprints.

Performance
The dual core Atom 330 and Nvidia ION combination gives the machine an edge over other netbooks with single core processors. Performance is good. The machine can easily decode 1080p Flash video using Adobe Flash Player 10.1 beta with GPU acceleration. HD video also looks good on the high resolution display. The machine can also handle several graphics rich games such as Call of Duty 4, Torchlight and Street Fighter IV demo. And if you need to, you can edit photos in Photoshop CS4.

Battery life
Asus claims that the 6-cell battery will provide up to 8 hours of runtime. But in real usage you can’t get more than 5 hours. In fact, you won’t get more than 4 hours if you perform a lot of CPU and GPU intensive tasks.

Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard is large and comfortable to type on. It comes with two full sized shift and two full sized arrow keys. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures.

Heat and Noise
Heat and noise levels are well within normal limits. The 1201N is relatively quiet, almost silent. It doesn’t get too hot even under heavy loads.

ALIENWARE M17X REVIEW

Alienware claims that its m17x is the fastest gaming notebook on the market. This monster is built mostly of aluminum and comes with a customizable lighting system.

Specifications of the laptop under review
Display: 17-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) edge-to-edge display
Operating system: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300 (2.53GHz/12MB/1066MHz) quad-core processor (overclockable)
Graphics: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M 1GB graphics cards in SLI/integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M 256MB graphics card
Memory: 8GB DDR3-1333 RAM (2x 4GB)
Storage: 1TB RAID 0 (500GB 7200RPM x2) hard drive array
The base configuration can be bought for a modest $1,799. A fully decked up machine, on the other hand, will cost a lofty $4,649.

Build and Design
The Alienware M17x has a ‘stealth’ design. In looks and feel this machine is quite unique. It is constructed of high-quality aluminum so build quality is good. The M17x is available in 3 colors – Black, silver and red. While the aluminum offers good build quality, it isn’t without its share of disadvantages. All the metal used in the construction adds up to over 13 pounds. The m17x is actually one of the heaviest notebooks in the market.

A distinct feature of this notebook is its fully customizable LED lighting system called AlienFX which allows users to create lighting themes to suit every occasion. Another design element that needs to be mentioned is the screw-less design of this notebook – there are no visible screws on M17x.

Screen and Speakers
The edge to edge display is covered by a large piece of glass. The M17x is available in two resolutions - WXGA+ (1440x900) and WUXGA (1920x1200). The display has an aspect ratio of 16: 10.

The display is OK. It has dual lighting lamps, but it isn’t particularly bright or vivid. Horizontal viewing angles are good; vertical viewing angles are average. The backlighting isn’t very even because some areas appear brighter than others.
There are two full-range speakers beneath the palm rest. The speakers produce very good quality audio. The m17x comes with several audio output options including two headphone jacks, HDMI, and surround sound out.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The backlit keyboard is full-sized. It comes with a dedicated number pad. The keyboard is comfortable to use. The touchpad has a textured matte finish. It can be used with both dry and damp fingers. The touchpad is automatically switched off when you plug in an external mouse.

Ports and Features
There are two video output options. With HDMI you can connect to external HDTVs and with Display Port you can connect to monitors that support that feature.

Other features include VGA, Ethernet, 4x USB, e-SATA, IEEE 1394 mini Firewire, ExpressCard/54 slot, memory card reader, slot-loading Blu-ray drive, headphone, surround sound center speakers, surround sound rear speakers and microphone.
M17x runs on the Windows Vista 64-bit operating system. Alienware also offers free Windows 7 upgrade coupons.

Heat and Noise
A good cooling system is extremely essential for a gaming notebook. Alienware has done a good job in this regard. The heat and noise levels remain well within normal limits.

Battery
The M17x has a Stealth Mode feature which turns off the high performance GTX 280M GPU and turns on the integrated GeForce 9400M graphics card. At a little above 2 hours, the battery life is good for agaming notebook of this size and capacity.

Conclusion
The M17x is an extremely good gaming notebook. It has a cool lighting system which enhances the gaming flavor of this notebook. Performance is good. The only downside of this notebook is its display which is subpar.

Pros:
Good build quality and design
Snappy gaming performance
Customizable AlienFX lighting system
Good cooling system

Cons:
Not-so-great screen
Pricey

ACER UNVEILS ASPIRE 8940 18.4 INCH NOTEBOOK

Acer has unveiled its Aspire 8940 notebook with an 18.4 inch display. It is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor. The machine is equipped with a full 1080p screen resolution. Detailed specifications of the model are as follows:

Processor: Intel Core i7 Processor 720QM (1.60GHz, 6MB L3 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)
Display: 18.4" Full HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display with 1920x1080 pixels
Memory: 4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel 1066MHz Memory
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M with 1GB dedicated DDR3 VRAM
Storage: 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

Other notable features include Blu-ray reader/DVD SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, digital media card reader, WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g Draft N and integrated webcam. There are 5 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI port and 1 eSATA port. There is a Dolby Home Theatre and Acer CineSurround Sound System with 5 built-in speakers to enhance the multimedia experience.

The Aspire 8940 will run on the Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system. It is expected to be available this holiday season for around $1349.99.

ALIENWARE M9700 GAMING LAPTOP REVIEW

Introduction
Here is another strong gaming laptop from Alienware, this is the older version of the Area51 and it runs on an AMD Turion 64. Let’s take a look at what this bad boy can do for you.

Design
As far as I know you can get this laptop in 2 different colors, silver and black. The laptop is overall glossy with a very attractive design. On the backside of the screen sits the Alienware logo that can be illuminated in neon blue or turned off by simply using the Fn+F10 switch combination.

The Alienware m9700 also features many connection facilities like 4 USB 2.0 portsk, FireWire, 10/1000 ethernet port, 4 in 1 media card reader, Express Card Slot (54mm), optical port, VGA out port, DVI out port, S-Video out port etc. as you see there are tons of connection facilities to the laptop and many good features.

Screen
Overall the LCD is flawless and I had no problems with it. The image refresh rate is excellent and the webcam offers stunning pictures even its just on 1.3 MP. Alienware is using BisonCap software with this webcam and I have to say it again “the quality is amazing.”

Performance
This machine is now pretty old but it still runs the newest games very good. The machines performance features a . AMD Turion64 ML-44 processor
(2.4GHz), Dual NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS 256MB (MXM) video cards and 2GB RAM. Here are some performance test results:

F.E.A.R: 37-38 fps all settings on high
Doom3: 50-52 fps all settings on high
GRAW: 37-39 fps all settings on high
3DMark 2006 4976 points
3DMark 2005 9867 points

Conclusion
This is a very powerful and well-made gaming laptop. The SLI performance is fantastic and it can almost compete with the new desktops but not quite. This laptop is aging and also becoming cheaper, so if you need a cheap gaming laptop you better get this one.

Pros
+ Very good webcam and display
+ High performance
+ Very nice design
+ SLI graphics

Cons
- No dual core CPU
- Glossy screen (not good for gamers)

ACER ASPIRE 5738DG-6165 PRODUCT REVIEW : NO NON-SENSE QUALITY AND GREAT PERFORMANCE

Most people's first impression upon seeing the new Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 is the assumption that it is just like any average laptops out there. But you will soon realize that there is a lot more to this notebook than meets the eye. For once, it is equipped with a 3D panel that enables it to stand out from mainstream laptop technology. Some critics readily dismissed this addition as something that average users won't be able to appreciate. But general populace would appreciate this feature at an affordable $780 price tag, now would you?

Examining the features of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 introduces a lot of innovative features that would undeniably confer good feedback. The 3D panel will serve as the focal point of this review, given that this is a breakthrough among notebook models in the market. This is, after all, a unique form of technology, which is one of only three 3D technologies that people have access today. So, you can rest assured that Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 is on a league of its own.

The software model of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 is therefore something worth grabbing if you are in for the latest technology. But before you head on out to buy one, take time to learn about what features you can expect and how it helps to improve your overall user experience. The main interface for this laptop is intuitively done such that you can easily access high quality video files that are unparalleled in its resolution and imaging. The software is also extensive enough that you can produce high definition video performance even when you are merely using an external DVD drive. If you like to do a lot of online video streaming, whether be it from YouTube, Hulu, or Netflix, Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 never fails to impress.

In addition to quality video, Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 comes with a 3D photo viewer that is accessible from the menu launch that is available for the software. You can therefore enjoy quality images that are topnotch in quality, often jolting out of the screen. For serious gamers, the laptop's 3D technology does a pretty decent job with the gameplay experience. Playing your favorite video games through this laptop delivers raw action that is equipped with vivid visuals and graphics.

Even without the 3D technology, Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 has got tons to offer to its users. The 15.6 inch panel is solid and durably designed to withstand wear quite well. The inherent screen and resolution display quality is already up to par with most laptop models in the market, such that even without the 3D technology, the viewing experience is still quite satisfying. Video files also run in a 1366x768 pixel resolution for no lagging issues and efficient video streaming experience.

The overall performance of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 therefore makes it a competitive notebook model today. Whether it is functionality, high quality videos and images, or top technological features that you want, this notebook has delivered in all aspects brilliantly. And with an affordable price tag to boot, this is certainly worth grabbing for those considering buying one to use.

ACER ASPIRE TIMELINE 1810TZ OLYMPIC EDITION NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

The Acer Aspire Timeline 1810TZ Olympic Edition thin and light notebook is now available for pre-order. It is essentially the same Aspire Timeline 1810TZ, but it has an Olympic logo on the lid. And while the standard Aspire 1810TZ goes for about $579.99, the Olympic edition costs about $30 more. The machine runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

The notebook is equipped with an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by a 1.3GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core SU4100 processor. Up to 3GB of RAM can be installed and up to 320GB of storage space is available. The Aspire 1810TZ Olympic Edition is now available for pre-order from Amazon. Interestingly, the standard Aspire 1810TZ is hard to find these days.

ALIENWARE AREA-51 M5790 REVIEW

Desktop Replacement Notebook from Alienware, this one is an economical option for a Gaming notebook, and is at an initial price of $1,200.

Design
The notebook has been given a deep glossy look, and a shiny silvery finish. There is the Alienware logo along with the alien head on the top, which glows blue when the laptop is on. They keyboard is a nice full size, a must for every gamer out there. There are additional keys above the keyboard which have various functions like the Power ON. The screen is a WUXGA, 17” and it offers great color reproduction and quality. Presenting a vibrant and clean feel, it can support a maximum resolution of 1920x1200. The screen has a great viewing angle and absolutely no problem was faced while viewing it from different locations. The adapter port and one USB port reside on the left and Firewire , 3 USB and Ethernet port on right. A DVI port has also been provided at the back of the laptop, which has an advantage over the traditional VGA.

Performance
The laptop has an Intel Core-2-Duo T5600 processor, 1GB RAM and 256MB ATI Radeon Mobile x1800. The laptop performs well and you can carry out a fair amount of tasks simultaneously, without any lag or slowdown. It scored a 4,411 in PCMark 05 and 2,625 in 3DMark 06, which is an average score for a gaming notebook. The notebook could play latest games at medium settings easily, but faltered at higher settings. The sound system of the notebook deserves a special mention, because the speakers of very good quality and it also includes a sub-woofer at the bottom as well. The sound-card was a bit of a setback though, and I had a feeling, that the speakers could perform better had the card been better. The battery is a plain-jane, with lasting around 1 hr and 30 mins.

Conclusion
The performance is good but there is definite scope for improving it. The price is a definite plus for a notebook as powerful as this, and the features and configuration is justified by the price tag.

Pros
+ Good design
+ Good performance-price ratio
+ Superb screen viewing angle

Cons
- Poor battery life
- Sound card limits the speaker power.

ALIENWARE M17X REVIEW

Alienware claims that its m17x is the fastest gaming notebook on the market. This monster is built mostly of aluminum and comes with a customizable lighting system.

Specifications of the laptop under review
Display: 17-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) edge-to-edge display
Operating system: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300 (2.53GHz/12MB/1066MHz) quad-core processor (overclockable)
Graphics: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M 1GB graphics cards in SLI/integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M 256MB graphics card
Memory: 8GB DDR3-1333 RAM (2x 4GB)
Storage: 1TB RAID 0 (500GB 7200RPM x2) hard drive array
The base configuration can be bought for a modest $1,799. A fully decked up machine, on the other hand, will cost a lofty $4,649.

Build and Design
The Alienware M17x has a ‘stealth’ design. In looks and feel this machine is quite unique. It is constructed of high-quality aluminum so build quality is good. The M17x is available in 3 colors – Black, silver and red. While the aluminum offers good build quality, it isn’t without its share of disadvantages. All the metal used in the construction adds up to over 13 pounds. The m17x is actually one of the heaviest notebooks in the market.

A distinct feature of this notebook is its fully customizable LED lighting system called AlienFX which allows users to create lighting themes to suit every occasion. Another design element that needs to be mentioned is the screw-less design of this notebook – there are no visible screws on M17x.

Screen and Speakers
The edge to edge display is covered by a large piece of glass. The M17x is available in two resolutions - WXGA+ (1440x900) and WUXGA (1920x1200). The display has an aspect ratio of 16: 10.

The display is OK. It has dual lighting lamps, but it isn’t particularly bright or vivid. Horizontal viewing angles are good; vertical viewing angles are average. The backlighting isn’t very even because some areas appear brighter than others.
There are two full-range speakers beneath the palm rest. The speakers produce very good quality audio. The m17x comes with several audio output options including two headphone jacks, HDMI, and surround sound out.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The backlit keyboard is full-sized. It comes with a dedicated number pad. The keyboard is comfortable to use. The touchpad has a textured matte finish. It can be used with both dry and damp fingers. The touchpad is automatically switched off when you plug in an external mouse.

Ports and Features
There are two video output options. With HDMI you can connect to external HDTVs and with Display Port you can connect to monitors that support that feature.

Other features include VGA, Ethernet, 4x USB, e-SATA, IEEE 1394 mini Firewire, ExpressCard/54 slot, memory card reader, slot-loading Blu-ray drive, headphone, surround sound center speakers, surround sound rear speakers and microphone.
M17x runs on the Windows Vista 64-bit operating system. Alienware also offers free Windows 7 upgrade coupons.

Heat and Noise
A good cooling system is extremely essential for a gaming notebook. Alienware has done a good job in this regard. The heat and noise levels remain well within normal limits.

Battery
The M17x has a Stealth Mode feature which turns off the high performance GTX 280M GPU and turns on the integrated GeForce 9400M graphics card. At a little above 2 hours, the battery life is good for agaming notebook of this size and capacity.

Conclusion
The M17x is an extremely good gaming notebook. It has a cool lighting system which enhances the gaming flavor of this notebook. Performance is good. The only downside of this notebook is its display which is subpar.

Pros:
Good build quality and design
Snappy gaming performance
Customizable AlienFX lighting system
Good cooling system

Cons:
Not-so-great screen
Pricey

Sony VAIO VGN-TZ11MN

Screen Size: 11.1”
Battery Life: 5-6 Hours
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Weight: 2.6lbs

Sony's offering to the world of ultrathin laptops isn't quite as visually attractive or unique as their 'netbook' offering but it's one of the best out there in terms of overall features including one of the most commonly excluded features on most small laptops: a fully capable DVD drive.
The design on the TZ1 isn't exactly ugly; it just doesn't stand out amongst its competitors in the way people who are familiar with the Vaio brand might be used to. One of its more unique design features is the keyboard, which features spaced out keys similar to those seen the Macbook. This style was actually first created by Sony themselves nearly five years ago. It's not a bad keyboard although many people find the spacing between keys more annoying than practical.

The 11" screen is without doubt one of the best around, running in a 1366 x 768 resolution which is commonly seen in HDTV. This makes it the only system in the list to achieve a real 16:9 ratio making it perfect for watching films. And of course, watching DVD movies is something you can actually do with ease on the TZ1 compared to the vast majority of competitors that offer, at best, an external DVD drive option. In fact Sony goes a step further and provides DVD and CD playback on the system without even having to boot up windows, saving considerable battery life on a task that's well known for quickly draining power.

The system boasts full AV media controls as well as Firewire and 2 USB ports. There’s integrated Bluetooth support but despite an express card slot, there's no integrated mobile broadband support.

The Core 2 Duo that powers the system runs at 1.06 GHz per core and provides enough juice to sufficiently power the system although it’s slightly slower compared to some of the newer small laptops on this list. However, base installs are let down by including only 1 GB of ram, not enough to run Vista without slowdown. Luckily the machine supports up to 2 GB and most stores are selling the system as such. Despite Vista, machine battery life is excellent giving about 6 hours of power under heavy usage.

An amazing screen and internal DVD drive set the VAIO apart from its competitors, so if you need a small laptop that's capable for business use but also performs well as a media system, the TZ1 could be a very good choice. The TZ1 is one of the older systems on our list so prices have fallen since launch, averaging at around $1600.

Conclusion:
As we've seen already there are two major problems in the world of small laptops. Firstly, to make them as small and portable as possible features are eventually axed, be it DVD drives or faster CPU speeds. Secondly, the price of components makes many small laptops a particular sticking point for many, especially during a recession.

Luckily the market has expanded considerably in the last few years giving consumers not only an excellent array of different sizes and styles of laptops but also a massive variation in budget, from as low as $300 to as high as $2,000. People might argue over the system we have or haven’t included in our list but one thing is for sure: there has never been a better time to take the leap into portable computing than right now.

Lenovo IdeaPad U110

Screen Size: 11.1”
Battery Life: 3 Hours / 1.5 Hours (depending on battery)
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Weight: 2.42lbs / 2.92lbs

The Lenovo is perhaps the PC world's answer to the Macbook Air. It's incredibly stylish, thin and lightweight. Its 11" screen strikes a good balance between screen size and weight. Its size makes the system one of the smallest 'ultrathin' laptops, only an inch bigger than the larger netbooks. Despite weighing only 3.1 pounds with its 4-cell battery included, the U110 is one of the most sturdy feeling machines around thanks to its aluminium cover and case.

With the size comes an interesting 1366x768 native resolution which allows the laptop to fit an impressive amount of onto its small screen. The display is sharp and bright. Unfortunately the screen is very reflective much like many of its competitors, so while it looks great at the right angle, it's far from ideal for using in direct sunlight. 1,366 is also a high resolution for an 11" screen so everything appears quite a bit considerably smaller than you might be used to on other small laptops. Despite all this, the overall design and clarity of the screen make up for any real shortcomings of the system.

The Lenovo’s option to use a low-voltage version of Intel’s trademark Core 2 Duo chip means the system isn't as fast as some of its competitors, but it still outweighs netbooks by a long way. This is quite an impressive feat considering the size of the system which manages to run Vista with very few problems. There's also plenty of connectivity on the U1110 with three USB ports, mini firewire and an express card slot. The only major drawback on the connectivity side is the same as those faced by Macbook Air users - no internal DVD drive. The difference with the Lenovo is that a DVD drive is provided within the cost of the system rather than as a separate accessory.

Battery life on the U1110 is quite unique. The Lenovo actually ships with two batteries, a lightweight 4-cell and a heavier but much longer lasting 7-cell. The larger battery lasts a full 3 hours but the 4-cell only manages around 1.5 on heavy load. The difference between the two batteries means you are likely to find yourself using the 7-cell far more often. However, it's an excellent design decision to give the user some choice when it comes to how heavy the system is.

There's not a lot of choice outside the world of batteries however, the U110 comes in a single configuration with all the advantages and drawbacks that brings. Finding drivers for the system is much easier because there’s only one set of hardware but it means you can't include many of the higher-end options you might see on many of the systems competitors. There's no option to replace the 120GB spinning drive with a solid state alternative for example.

The Lenovo weighs in at around $1300 and there are some options to upgrade the 2GB ram higher if you find the right store. The Lenovo is a system that takes the great looks of the Macbook Air and hands it to Windows users for nearly half the price. However, the lack of DVD drive and use of a slower Intel chip make it slightly less functional than a larger more complete system.

Apple Macbook Air

Screen Size: 13.3”
Battery Life: 2.5 Hours
Operating System: Mac OS X
Weight: 4.5lbs

The Air is alone on this list for being a small laptop of slightly different dimensions. It's actually a 13" system making it the biggest we've looked at so far. What makes it still qualify as a small laptop? It's incredibly thin and light, ideal for people that travel often. You may well have seen the high profile Mac adverts which involve putting the laptop into envelopes and other such small spaces. It's also incredibly sexy compared to just about every other 13" laptop around. Do the looks justify the price, though?

The 13" screen on the Air is a real head turner. Combined with its full sized and spacious keyboard it's got none of the problems of mistyped words or lack of screen real estate as many of its competitors do. It's also uses an Intel Core 2 Duo rather than the much slower Atom CPUs used in other small laptops.

The Air has been hailed by Apple as a 'no compromise' portable machine, although it's clear that have been a fair amount of compromises in apples quest to provide a 13" system that isn't much more difficult to carry around than a standard netbook. Power will be definite issue for some with the laptop lasting just over 2 hours on heavy use. Luckily, the power adapter doesn't add much more weight to the laptop. Providing you aren't going to be away from a power source for long it's fine. It does limit the systems portability somewhat though.

There's also rather limited audio capacity, awkward USB ports and no DVD drive. Netbooks might not include DVD drives either but it's worth noting that an equivalent netbook would be far, far cheaper than that Air. Shortcomings aside however, what most people are looking for in the Air isn't a long list of technical specifications - they're looking for a Mac that offers them a similar level of functionality as the rest of the small laptop world but with software they are familiar with.

The Air uses Leopard as its primary operating system and it's just as usable and attractive as it is on a full size Mac. There are no significant changes to the system except for a gesture based control system using the Air's generously sized touch pad. The gestures allow you to move your hand in a certain way to complete a task and could save a lot of time once you've properly learned them all. Also included is a 'remote disk' application which allows you to use a limited form of DVD sharing from a host computer. This is a good option for those not willing to pay the extra $100 for the DVD drive attachment. The software is intelligent and useful for installing applications or reinstalling the operating system, but it can’t be used for streaming content like DVD movies.

The best and worst thing you can say about the Air is simple; it's a Mac. Most people will instantly love or hate the machine just because of this. Its price and hardware offer little to make PC fans consider the Air as an option. However, its sleek design and use of Leopard as its primary operating system will entice Mac users who are looking for a more portable option the larger and heavier Macbook Pro range. Prices range from $1400 - $2000 depending on the model.

Samsung NC10

Screen Size: 10.2”
Battery Life: 5 Hours
Operating System: Windows XP
Weight: 2.8lbs

Samsungs entry to the market is the exact opposite of some of the niche systems we've already run through, sharing more in common with the EEE PC line - it's powerful, small and focuses on doing simple tasks as well as possible. Thanks to this focus on simplicity, the NC10 remains an excellent contender despite doing nothing 'special'.

The Samsungs design is piratical and uses a 10" screen. From the outside it looks like the epitome of a standard small laptop. It's not stylish but nor is it over-the-top, and it could easily be mistaken for just about every other non-descript small laptop on the market.

One of the ways the NC10 does differ from other models is that there are no options in terms of changing any of the specifications. There's no Linux version, no different CPU speeds, no option for a solid state drive. It offers a standard Intel Atom N270 configuration running at 1.6 GHz, 1GB of ram and a 160GB hard drive.

Control on the system is hit and miss. The 10" size has made the keyboard large and easy to use even if it's not the best on offer. However, the touchpad is awkwardly placed and oddly unresponsive. Worse still, Samsung have taken the rather odd design decision to make a 'widescreen' style touchpad which makes vertical scrolling a somewhat ardous task.

The systems Matte display runs at the 1024x600 and looks appealing and crisp, although it would be hard to differentiate between the NC10 and offerings from ASUS or Dell in terms of pure screen quality. Sound offers a similar 'adequate' quality without providing any real power. The integrated 1.3MP webcam however does stand out as one of the best in the world of small laptops and combined with a decent microphone it's a great system for talking to friends over the net.

Battery life is one of the few absolute standouts of the NC10, featuring a 6-cell standard battery that even beats out contenders like the EEE PC. Depending on the tasks and the brightness of the screen, the system can last for around 5 hours. The NC10 is also priced perfectly; at around $450-$500 - slightly cheaper than many of its direct competition.

ACER, GATEWAY TABLETS VISIT FCC

Acer, it seems, is planning to bring its 11.6 inch convertible tablet to the US. The company has filed documents with FCC for an unnamed touch-screen tablet pc. Pictures released by FCC shows the laptop with the brand names Gateway, Acer and Packard Bell.

As Acer owns all the three companies this could very well be a case of rebranding.
Specifications also indicate that the three laptops could be the Packard Bell Butterfly Touch, Acer Aspire 1820P and Gateway EC18T. It is still unclear whether all the three versions will be available in the US, bust since they are visible on the FCC website, chances are they will.

All models are likely to be powered by Intel CULV processors with integrated GMA 4500MHD graphics. Other specifications may include 2 to 4GB of RAM, 250 to 500GB of hard drive and 11.6 inch displays with 1366 x 768 pixels.

Asus N10J-A1

Screen Size: 10.2”
Battery Life: 4 Hours
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium / Windows XP
Weight: 3.5lbs

On the surface the N10J looks like just about every other small laptop around. It's not got any particular design features that stand out; it runs a similar chip, OS and ram options. It's small, lightweight and portable. What really makes the N10J stand apart from its competition is on the inside: a dedicated 3D graphics chip.

Gamers have always had to sacrifice a lot when they move to portable systems. Firstly, a laptop is always more expensive than the equivalent desktop system. Secondly, upgrading is more difficult. Thirdly, heat from a separate graphics card can be a major issue. That doesn't mean there isn't any practical use or market for the world of small laptops to get in on the gaming action however, providing you are realistic about the systems abilities.

The dedicated graphics chip is a relatively powerful GeForce 9300. The genius of the system is that it also has integrated graphics, so when you're not gaming you can turn off the high powered graphics and save massive amounts of battery life. Other features are fairly standard such the Atom CPU and 160GB hard drive. The screen weighs in at 10", large than most small laptops but a good compromise for gaming. Unfortunately games aren't designed with small laptops in mind, and you'll find yourself limited by the awkward 1024x600 resolution.

Connectivity is good with Bluetooth included as standard. There's also a DVI port which is another first in the small laptop market and an excellent addition considering that the N10J is all about graphical ability. Don't forget that plugging the system into a larger monitor and trying to run games at that monitors resolution is unlikely to gain any decent results. The graphic card isn't designed to cope with the resolution of every day monitors.
The system runs on Windows XP though a Linux powered quick launch environment is available from boot. This gives you access to both a web browser and a media player, handy for quick use or times when battery life is a high priority.
XP is by far the best choice for a portable operating system that focused on gaming, and it works well with the GeForce card. Gaming performance isn't exactly cutting edge, but you shouldn't expect it to be for a system weighing around 3 pounds. What it does offer is a device that’s more than capable of playing popular games like The Sims and World of Warcraft out of the box. A basic rule of thumb is that most games over 3 years old will work great on the N10J. Anything newer will be hit or miss and the newest games simply won’t run.

Thanks to the switch which turns off the high powered graphics card and a trademark ASUS 6-cell battery offering, the systems battery life is very good. For people that really can't leave PC gaming behind when they have to leave the house, it's pretty much the only option in the small laptop world right now. Luckily, it's a good one.