ASUS M70Sa-X2

Traditionally, desktop-replacement laptops get little respect: They're often dissed as being overweight, unattractive, and pricey. Lucky for them, things are turning around. Thanks to the proliferation of high-definition screens and multiple hard drives, together with the decline in desktop computer sales, it's the perfect time for a comeback. The ASUS M70Sa-X2 isn't shy about being a plus-size 17-inch laptop. In fact, it makes the most of the extra room by including a terabyte's worth of storage and a Blu-ray burner. In addition, its performance scores rival those of big names like Dell, HP, and Toshiba. Factor in an inexpensive price tag and you have one sweet system.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $1,550.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300
• Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 8.7 lb
• Screen Size: 17 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
• Storage Capacity: 1000 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+R DL

Dell Studio 15

When Dell crossed the bargain pricing of its Inspiron laptops with the design sense of its XPS line, something sensational emerged—a new mainstream laptop line called Dell Studio. With the new line, Dell hopes to reel in the latest generation of back-to-schoolers, content creators, social-network addicts, and camera enthusiasts, just to name a few groups. The Dell Studio 15 is a stylish 15-inch laptop that represents the convergence of the Dell Inspiron 1525 and XPS M1530. Some of its highlights include spectacular performance scores, excellent configuration options, and an extensive color palette. It earns the Editors' Choice for mainstream laptops because it offers all of these things for just $1,199 (direct, E-Value code DNDPUA1, for a limited time).

Dell, Inc.

http://www.dell.com

• Price as Tested: $1,229.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300
• Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Weight: 5.9 lb
• Screen Size: 15.4 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3450
• Storage Capacity: 250 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Lenovo IdeaCentre K210

Expanding its desktop line, Lenovo has unleashed its consumer-focused IdeaCentre series. The IdeaCentre K210 ($449 direct) competes head-to-head with popular sub-$500 budget PCs from Dell, HP, and eMachines. While it's on a par with these systems in performance, it excels in features by including things like an antibacterial keyboard and face-recognition security. It's new design, balance of features and performance, expandability, and low price all come together to make this our new Editors' Choice winner for value desktop PCs.

Lenovo

http://www.lenovo.com

• Price as Tested: $449.00 Direct
• Type: Value
• Processor Family: Intel Pentium Dual-Core
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• RAID: No
• Graphics Card: Integrated Intel GMA 3100
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)

http://www.pcmag.com

Sony VAIO FW139E/H User Review

The Sony VAIO FW139E/H is a 16.4" semi-desktop replacement notebook configured with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, which runs at 2.26GHz with a Front Side Bus speed of 1066MHz, 3GB of DDR2-800 RAM, an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 dedicated graphics card, and a 250GB HDD. This model is one of the first VAIO FW models to come out and is meant to be sold at retail stores.

Conclusion

The Sony VAIO FW139E/H was a good purchase for me. The features, build, and price were right, and I am content with the purchase. It is more than enough for any engineering CAD applications I will be using for undergraduate studies, and is great for multitasking and mild gaming.

The VAIO FW's CPU and FSB speed, 3GB of RAM, and Radeon GPU are a wonderful combo for mobile power. The aspect ratio of the screen is perfect for entertainment. The build quality is fantastic; Sony does not deliver anything but their best in hardware.

The downside is insignificant. For someone looking for the best battery life, being able to play the latest game on High settings, or good sound reproduction, this is not the laptop they should look into.

This laptop is fine for the mild power user who still wants portability. Of course, my vision of portability probably differs from someone who finds 6.4lbs heavy. It is nothing like the large VAIO AR, however. The VAIO FW is an FZ in size, and half-way between an FZ and AR in power.

http://www.notebookreview.com

Acer Aspire One Review

The Acer Aspire One is a 8.9" netbook with a starting price that is aimed to undercut nearly all the current market competitors. The base Aspire One, which includes an 8GB SSD and Linux starts at $329, which is far under anything else that has the Intel Atom processor. The big question running through everyone's minds is if this model is built like a budget computer, or if it has what it takes to go up against some models that sell for nearly double the retail price. In this review we cover all aspects of the Acer Aspire One, and let you know if this is a netbook you should consider purchasing.

Our Acer Aspire One specifications:

• 1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom Processor
• 1GB DDR2 533MHz
• Windows XP Home SP3
• 8.9" 1024 x 600 WSVGA glossy LED backlit display
• 120GB 2.5" 5400RPM Hitachi Hard Drive (with SDHC storage expansion slot)
• 802.11b/g Atheros Wireless
• 3-Cell 23Wh battery
• Size: 9.75" x 6.625" x 1.28"
• Weight: 2lb 5.0oz

http://www.notebookreview.com

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Review

Last year, the world of budget notebooks was turned on its head with the introduction of the ASUS Eee PC: A 2-pound laptop with a 7-inch screen and a starting price below $300. Prior to 2008, "budget notebooks" were bulky, overweight 15-inch laptops while "ultra-portable" notebooks commanded a premium price well above $1,000. In no time at all terms like "budget ultra-portable," "subnotebook," and "netbook" became part of the techno-geek vocabulary. Every notebook manufacturer on the planet (even some that you might not know) scrambled to create their own "netbooks" ... and Dell has finally joined the party.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is an 8.9" netbook with a $349 (Linux) or $399 (Windows XP) starting price and some impressive features. Dell was kind enough to supply us with a pre-production copy of the Inspiron Mini 9 so that we can conduct in-depth testing and let you know if this netbook really is "your new best friend" ... or just the weird kid you try to avoid on the bus.

Our pre-production Inspiron Mini 9 features the following specifications:

• 1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom Processor
• 1GB DDR2 533MHz (1 DIMM)
• Ubuntu 8.04 Linux with Custom Dell Interface (Includes Open Office)
• 8.9" 1024 x 600 WSVGA glossy LED backlit display
• 8GB miniPCI SSD card
• Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
• 4-in-1 Media card reader
• 1.3 Megapixel webcam, Dell Video Chat application, Dell Support Center
• 4-Cell 32Wh Li-ion battery (14.8V)
• Size: 9.2" x 6.8" x 1.3" (including feet)
• Weight: 2lb 5.5oz (with 4-cell battery), 2lb 11.6oz (with battery and AC adapter)
• Price: $434 ($474 with Windows XP)

GETAC B300

By Cisco Cheng

Fully rugged laptops are built for one purpose: to endure all kinds of weather conditions and survive rough terrain and outdoor environments that generally aren't friendly to electronic equipment. The GETAC B300 ($3,470 street) is built like a tank and can withstand practically anything thrown at it. Because it's fully rugged, it meets MIL-SPEC-810F specifications—a list of military testing protocols that aren't for the squeamish. These laptops might not be as well known in mainstream circles as Panasonic Toughbooks, but technically they're as complete as feature-filled as any mainstream laptop. The B300 has a terrific keyboard, plenty of connectivity options, and insanely long battery life. As with many rugged laptops, though, to afford it you'd need pockets as deep as the government's.

GETAC Inc

http://www.getac.com

• Price as Tested: $3,470.00 Street
• Type: Business, Small Business
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo L7500
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Weight: 8.4 lb
• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: standard
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA X3100
• Storage Capacity: 120 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)

http://www.pcmag.com