Thursday, September 11, 2008

HP Pavilion dv5t Review


The HP Pavilion dv5t is the replacement for the ever-popular dv6000 series notebooks. It is a full redesign that includes many new features. The dv5t is based on the latest Intel "Montevina" Centrino 2 mobile technology and is available with powerful dedicated graphics.

My HP Pavilion dv5t notebook has the following specifications:

  • Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz/ 1066MHz FSB/ 3MB L2)
  • 15.4-inch WSXGA+ Infinity display
  • Nvidia GeForce 9600M-GT w/ 512MB DDR2 dedicated video card
  • 2GB DDR2-800 RAM (2x 1GB)
  • 160GB 5400RPM hard drive (Fujitsu)
  • Broadcom 802.11b/g wireless + Bluetooth
  • Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
  • High-capacity 6-cell Li-ion battery

The price I paid up front was $1,250. A few days after I ordered, HP started offering a $100 instant rebate, so I called and had the difference refunded. HP has a 21-day price protection policy, so if your configuration becomes cheaper during that time period, you can get the difference back. I feel $1,150 was a more than reasonable price for my dv5t configuration.

http://www.notebookreview.com

Lenovo ThinkPad SL500 Review


In the past few months, Lenovo has tried to shake up its product availability a bit with the introduction of new lines of notebooks. The SL series is a budget line of laptops aimed at the small business segment. In fact, they're also the cheapest laptops you can buy from Lenovo, barring their new sub-$500 netbook. Corporations can’t cut costs without cutting features, however, and the SL500 is no exception; there are clear cut differences separating the SL500 from the new T500 line of notebooks. Having said that, is the new ThinkPad SL500 a worthwhile investment?

Our SL500 had the following specifications:

  • Screen: 15.4" 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) matte finish display
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz, 1066mhz FSB, 3MB cache)
  • Memory: 2GB PC2-5300 RAM (one DIMM)
  • Storage: 320GB SATA hard drive (5400RPM)
  • Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW
  • Wireless: Intel 5100 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 256MB
  • Built-in webcam
  • Battery: 10.8V, 7.8AH
  • Dimensions: 14" x 11.2" x 1.5" (including feet and 9-cell battery)
  • Weight: 6lbs, 11.8oz
  • Price as configured: $1,393.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Voodoo Envy 133


I wouldn't say that Voodoo PC has been hibernating. But ever since this former boutique company, known for its gaming rigs and luxurious laptops, was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in late 2006, it hasn't launched much of anything (apart from the Blackbird 002 desktop) worth writing home about—until now. Maybe it was just waiting for a worthy opponent. With its sights squarely set on the Apple MacBook Air and the Lenovo ThinkPad X300, the Voodoo Envy 133 ($2,449 direct) is easily the tiniest and prettiest laptop to ever emerge from HP's research and development labs. It's as thin and speedy as the Air, and it even improves on some of the Air's shortcomings, like having a user-upgradable battery and better connectivity ports. The Envy 133 isn't without its problems, though. Its price tag, among other things, makes the MacBook Air look like a bargain.

red arrow Read the Voodoo Envy 133 full review

Company

Voodoo Computers Inc

http://www.voodoopc.com

Spec Data
  • Price as Tested: $2,449.00 Direct
  • Type: Media, Ultraportable, Small Business
  • Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
  • Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P7500
  • Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Weight: 3.5 lb
  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Screen Size Type: widescreen
  • Graphics Card: Intel GMA X3100
  • Storage Capacity: 80 GB
  • Networking Options: 802.11n
  • Primary Optical Drive: External
Taken from: http://www.pcmag.com/

Velocity Micro NoteMagix C90 Ultra Campus Edition


The art of customizing, configuring, and branding a PC is not an easy task. Boutique vendors like Alienware and Voodoo PC have made a name for themselves by putting together high-end, specialty PCs. A byproduct of their success is that they were acquired by larger companies (Dell and HP, respectively). Independently owned Velocity Micro is another recognizable name in custom building, one known to attract power users and big spenders. Occasionally, though, the company comes out with a bargain aimed at students; one of these is the Velocity Micro NoteMagix C90 Ultra Campus Edition ($999 direct), a desktop-replacement laptop. This tongue twister runs an actual desktop processor, a speedy nVidia graphics card, and a built-in TV tuner. Despite doing all of this for under a grand, the C90 doesn't outperform many of the current laptop models, and its battery life is appalling.

Company

Velocity Micro Inc

http://www.velocitymicro.com

Spec Data
  • Price as Tested: $999.00 Direct
  • Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
  • Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo E4700
  • Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Weight: 6.9 lb
  • Screen Size: 15.4 inches
  • Screen Size Type: widescreen
  • Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600M GT
  • Storage Capacity: 250 GB
  • Networking Options: 802.11n
  • Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
Taken from: http://www.pcmag.com

Fujitsu LifeBook T5010


Only a handful of convertible tablets are worthy of being called complete. Tablet makers typically make sacrifices to manage the weight, like ditching the optical drive, opting for a smaller screen, or including a low-powered processor. In doing so, manufacturers tend to hamper an important part of the convertible—the laptop part. Fujitsu, however, didn't skimp in outfitting the LifeBook T5010 ($1,869 direct). In addition to a 13-inch widescreen and an integrated optical drive, it's equipped with the latest Intel Centrino 2 parts.


Company

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation

http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com

Spec Data
  • Price as Tested: $1,869.00 Direct
  • Type: Media, Tablet, Business, Small Business
  • Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
  • Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
  • Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
  • RAM: 1 GB
  • Weight: 4.8 lb
  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Screen Size Type: widescreen
  • Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
  • Storage Capacity: 80 GB
  • Networking Options: 802.11n
  • Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
Taken from: http://www.pcmag.com

IBM ThinkPad® T40 (Thinkpad T40) PC Notebook


Product MPN
MPN : Thinkpad T40
Key Features
Processor : Pentium M 1.5 GHz
Hard Drive : 40 GB IDE
Display : 14.1 in. XGA TFT Active Matrix
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Family Line : IBM ThinkPad
Processor
Processor Type : Pentium M
Processor Speed : 1.5 GHz
Memory
Installed RAM : 256 MB
Hard Drive
Hard Drive Capacity : 40 GB
Storage Controller Type : IDE
CD / DVD
CD / DVD Type : DVD-ROM
Display
Display Tech : XGA TFT Active Matrix
Display Size : 14.1 in.
Operating System
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Miscellaneous
Product ID : 41844372

Microsoft VAIO® VGN-UX380N (3544501) PC Notebook


Product Description

Sony VAIO VGN-UX380N Micro PC With Intel Centrino Mobile Technology And Intel Core Solo Processor U1500 Ultra Low Voltage. Taking care of you, Taking care of Business. Find what you need at Office Depot.

Product MPN
MPN : 3544501
Key Features
Mobile Technology : Wi-Fi Certified
Processor
Processor Manufacturer : Intel
Processor Type : Core Solo
Motherboard
Chipset :
Memory
Installed RAM : 1 GB
RAM Speed : 533 MHz
Hard Drive
Hard Drive Rotation Speed : 4,200 RPM
Storage Controller Type : Ultra ATA
Display
Display Max. Resolution : 1024 x 600
Video
Graphic Processor : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
Operating System
Platform : PC
Technical Features
Expandability : Docking Station/Port Replicator
Expansion Ports : VGA out
Networking
Networking Type : Bluetooth
Data Link Protocol : Bluetooth
Miscellaneous
Exterior Color : Silver
UPC : 027242711730
Product ID : 42027708

Taken from: http://www.crev.com