Sony Vaio Duo 11

Sony’s Duo 11 is one of that strange new breed of hybrid Windows 8 devices that can be used as either a tablet or a laptop computer. It’s certainly an attractive looking device, with an excellent high-definition, touchscreen. However, the method that Sony has chosen for switching between laptop and tablet modes isn’t as elegant as it could be.Prices start at £849 for a model with an i3 processor running at 1.8GHz, 4GB RAM and 128GB solid-state drive (SSD). You can also step up to an i5 for another £100, but we tested the high-end model, which costs a hefty £1499 with an Ivy Bridge i7 running at 1.9GHz, 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD.

The outstanding feature of the Duo 11 is undoubtedly its 11.6-inch IPS screen. This provides a 1920x1080 resolution (lower than the iPad's Retina display which has 2048x1536 pixels) and produces a really sharp image with crisp, strong colours. It also works well with the tiled interface of Windows 8, responding smoothly and quickly as you flick from app to app with your fingers.

That i7 processor scored 4931 with the PCMark 7 benchmark, which is in line with similar i7 devices such as Dell’s (cheaper) XPS 12. That will provide more than enough power for basic tasks such as surfing the web and running MS Office, and even for more demanding work such as video-editing.

There are both HDMI and VGA interfaces for connecting to a larger screen, along with two USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, headphone socket and memory card slot – but, of course, no DVD drive.

The Duo 11 is well built, yet measures just 17.85mm thick and weighs only 1.3kg, so it’s as portable as most Ultrabooks. Even so, that’s still quite heavy for a tablet, and you can’t hold the Duo 11 in one hand for very long when you’re browsing the web, as you can with a conventional tablet.

There are also compromises when you switch into laptop mode. The hinge mechanism that allows the screen to lift away from the keyboard looks decidedly low tech, and also takes up quite a lot of room. As a result, the keyboard is reduced in size and pushed right to the front of the unit.

That leaves no room for a trackpad at all, so you get a tiny little pointer (similar to a Blackberry's) located on the keyboard instead, and a small set of mouse buttons perched right on the front edge of the unit.

You might get used to this arrangement in time, but less nimble-fingered users could find it a real stumbling block. Sony includes a stylus in the box for taking notes, but this doesn't make up for the shortcomings of the keyboard.

Battery life is respectable considering the specifications. We got just over four hours when using Wi-Fi to stream video from iPlayer, so you can probably stretch that to around five hours for lighter web browsing or using simple office software.

Read More

Alienware M17x

The Alienware M17x certainly looks the part. It’s built like a tank – big, sturdy and heavy, with the gratuitous glowing lights and glaring speaker grills that are Alienware’s eye-candy trademark. The 17.3in screen pushes the weight of the unit well over the 4kg mark, so you certainly won’t be carrying it around on your should very often.

Despite that, the M17x is well-designed and comfortable to use when you’re settling in for a long gaming session. The large screen provides full-HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, with excellent image quality – although the glossy, reflective screen coating can be annoying.

The size of the screen also means that there’s plenty of room for a large, comfortable trackpad and keyboard, along with a handy set of additional buttons for controlling media playback and activating the AlienFX utility that provides a range of customisation options. We were also pleased to see that the M17x ran quiet and cool through all our tests. The only minor disappointment was the speakers – which are fairly loud, but produce a rather tinny sound at higher frequencies.     

There are plenty of build-to-order options for the M17x on Dell’s web site, including a variety of graphics cards from either nVidia or AMD. We tested a model that costs a hefty £1749 that comes equipped with a quad-core Intel Core i7-3210QM running at 2.3GHz, 8GB RAM. A 500GB hard disk is given a bit of a boost by an additional 64GB solid-state module. Dell also tell us that they’ll be giving that processor an Intel speed-bump to 2.4GHz early in the new year  at no extra cost.

The i7 chip includes Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 4000, and our unit included a separate AMD Radeon 7970M, a graphics processor that produced the best all-round results in our various performance tests. The M17x managed a strong 57fps when running Batman: Arkham City at 1920 x 1080 resolution with DirectX 11 and High graphics detail plus anti-aliasing (AA).It also hit 59fps when we dropped to 1280 x 720 resolution and Medium quality settings, as well as taking top place in our other tests with Stalker, Hard Reset and the more general-purpose PCMark 7.

Battery life isn’t too bad either, given the size and power of the M17x. We got 2.5 hours when streaming video using the built-in Wi-Fi and the AMD Radeon graphics card. You could also extend that significantly by switching to the integrated Intel graphics for non-gaming tasks. It’s a shame, though, that you have to reboot to switch between the two GPUs – most laptops that have switchable graphics can do so on the fly.

Read More

Dell XPS 15z

The Dell XPS 15 runs on the third-generation Intel i7 processor, and this quad-core processor is fast. It runs standard at 2.3Ghz, but with Turbo Boost 2.0, this laptop can give you an extra speed of 3.1GHz. That's one of the bigger jumps we have seen with these new processors.

Couple this processor with the GeForce 640M graphics card and you will see smooth web browsing, responsive applications and detailed graphics. Remember though, this is a mounted graphics card. It has no dedicated cooling system, and if you run games that are graphics heavy, the graphics card can heat up quickly, and you will notice it. But whether you are running games, editing videos or watching movies, the MaxxAudio 4 sound system gives you pure highs and deep lows. We noticed it is comparable to Beats Audio with some songs and movies.The Dell XPS 15 offers an excellent amount of memory and storage. There is 8GB of RAM available on this device and 750GB of hard drive space available. 

This device offers one of the highest amounts of memory we saw on a laptop computer and provides you with an ample amount of space for all your important data.You will get up to eight hours of battery life on this computing device. This battery life provides plenty of time to accomplish your tasks on the computer and also benefits those who are traveling.

This laptop computer sports a 15.6-inch display screen. With a screen this large, you have an easy time browsing web pages, viewing movies or photos. It is also ideal for gaming or creating presentations. It features a high-definition 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. Having 1080p resolution, and the HDMI port, make it enjoyable to watch HD movies on a large TV, too.

The small design of the Dell XPS 15 enhances its portability. This laptop is 0.91 inches thick, making it one of the thinnest laptops you will find on the market. The thin design makes it easy to store the laptop and carry from place to place. Although, this computing device weighs 5.79 pounds, making it a little heavier than several similar devices.

This laptop computer offers an extensive feature set filled with tools for both business and pleasure. There are several connectivity options available on this laptop. Wi-Fi is available along with Bluetooth 3.0. There is a 1.3-megapixel webcam featured on the XPS 15, along with dual array digital microphones. These features make video chatting possible.

There are several slots and ports located on the device including an HDMI port. This allows you to connect the computer to an HDTV or other monitor for larger viewing. There is one mini display port, one headphone port, one microphone port and three USB ports. There is also a 5-in-1 media card reader for added versatility.

You will also find Stage software available on this laptop computer. This software acts as an interface and allows you to jump back and forth between your favorite multimedia programs including photos, videos, music and more. The design of this software's interface is similar to a movie reel, allowing you to easily scroll and find what you need. This software includes programs such as PhotoStage where you can upload and edit photos or videos. Also, MusicStage is included, which allows you to expand and manage your music collection.

Read More

Sony VAIO S

The Sony S Series offers you screen resolution that is comparable to our top ranked products. The graphics card is simple, but with a high-definition screen, colors are vibrant and the contrast is electric. This screen makes videos and graphics look how they're supposed to look. This laptop computer also offers an attractive, solid design, if you opt for the premium model. The large hard drive and extra RAM make this a solid multimedia laptop.

The 2.5GHz Intel i5 processor is the brains behind this laptop. With Turbo Boost, it can get up to 3.1GHz. If you opt for the i7 processor, it can get up to 3.6GHz. Either way, this processor is fast, and you will notice the speed when loading up programs such as Photoshop or games like StarCraft 2. Even if you simply want to browse, check emails or watch videos, you may want to consider this laptop.

This device offers 6GB of RAM, with room to upgrade to 8GB. You will get plenty of storage space as the laptop has a 640GB hard drive. Upgrades will give you more space, but no matter what, this is more than enough space for standard computing needs.

This laptop is equipped with an AMD Radeon HD graphics card. This middle to low end card works well with videos and games that aren't very resource intensive. The screen is a high-resolution 1920 x 1080 display with 1080p resolution, so you can expect fantastic viewing with Blu-ray movies. You can even use the HDMI port to connect the laptop to one of your HDTVs.

Another benefit of using the Sony S Series laptop is the extensive feature set this computing device offers. All of your basic computing features are included on this device, such as a memory card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth capabilities, along with two USB 2.0 ports and a USB 3.0 port.

There is a built-in HD webcam on this laptop along with a microphone for chatting with friends and family. Another standout feature on this device is its ability to become a mobile hotspot. This laptop features Sony’s Share My Connection technology, which allows you to turn a 3G connection into a Wi-Fi connection and connect up to five other Wi-Fi enabled devices to the internet.

The Sony S Series provides a stunning display. This computing device features a widescreen 15.5-inch backlit LED display. The images on this device are sharp, and the high resolution makes viewing movies, TV shows and photos enjoyable. Although, we were disappointed in the speakers. Sony is known for their sound in the speaker world, but with this laptop, you will be better off using headphones to watch your flicks.

The small and sleek design of the Sony S series is one of this computer’s standout features. The lightweight, compact design makes this computing device enjoyable to carry throughout your day. The S Series also features seven-hour battery life.

Read More

Lenovo IdeaPad Z580

The IdeaPad Z580 doesn't look like a typical budget notebook with its sleek brushed aluminum palm rest and lid. The design is quite detailed too; I like the fancy speaker grille above the keyboard and the touchpad's beveled edge.

Like most Lenovo notebooks, the build quality is again surprisingly good for a budget laptop. The chassis is stiff and no ripples show up on the screen when you press in on lid from behind. Ideally a notebook's internal parts should be subjected to as little flex as possible so they can last a long time; flex is bad for circuit boards. Thankfully, the Z580 feels very solid for a consumer laptop in this price range ($500-$750). Attention to detail is another positive aspect of this notebook; there are no rough or unfinished edges.

Users looking to upgrade the Z580 will find easy access to the storage drive, RAM and wireless card through a single access panel on the bottom of the notebook. The battery is also user-replaceable.

The Z580 has a respectable array of input/output ports including two USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and a media card reader. It lacks an ExpressCard slot, eSATA and DisplayPort. Still, you would be hard pressed to find a budget-priced, 15-inch consumer laptop with ExpressCard slot and DisplayPort so we can't complain too much.

Lenovo's 'Chiclet' style keyboards are amongst the best out there in terms of feel. The Z580's keys have plenty of travel and are able to provide ample tactile feedback. The keys make pleasant clicking sounds which add to the feedback. The keyboard feels solid with zero flex. The layout is good; all the keys are in their expected positions; the only nuance is that the keys on the number pad are about 2/3 the size, which takes some getting used to. Keyboard backlighting is not available on the Z580.

The oversized touchpad is actually a clickpad with a press-able surface. While I still prefer a traditional touchpad with separate buttons, this clickpad is actually quite good; it doesn't take too much effort to push down and it has an excellent smooth surface. The clicks are a bit louder than I prefer but that's my only real complaint.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Z580 represents a great value thanks to its combination of good build quality, a solid keyboard and touchpad, good performance, and six hour battery life. The only areas that need improvement are the screen -- 1366x768 is low and hard to be productive with -- and speakers, which sound tinnier than expected. The fan also has a slight whine but isn't loud enough to be annoying.

Read More

Razer Unsheathes Blade 2 Gaming Laptop

Even though the original only started shipping in late January, gaming peripheral company Razer unveiled the successor to its Blade gaming laptop at PAX Prime on Friday. The good news is that despite boasting better innards, the Blade 2 will cost $300 less than its predecessor.

Described by Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan as being “insanely powerful,” the Blade 2 packs an unnamed (and unannounced) quad-core 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M graphics with 2GB VRAM, 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3, and a storage combo consisting of a 500GB hard drive and a 64GB SSD. Here are the detailed specs:

• Future platform with 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor
• NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 660M with NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology
• 2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory
• 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Memory
• 17.3-in. LED Backlit Display (1920x1080)
• 500GB 7200RPM HDD (Primary Storage)
• 64GB SATA III SSD with NVELO Dataplex™ Software (Cache Acceleration)
• Wireless Network 802.11 A/G/N + BT4.0
• 16.81" (Width) x 10.9" (Depth) x 0.88" (Height); 6.6lbs (Weight)

At 6.6lbs, the Blade 2 is slightly heavier than its predecessor (6.4lbs), but there is no change where dimensions are concerned. According to the official press release, the Blade 2 will go up for pre-order for $2,499 on September 2 and begin shipping on September 30.

"With the new Razer Blade, we set out to design something truly phenomenal with extreme performance for gamers in an ultra-thin form factor," said Min-Liang Tan in a press release. "The design and hardware advancements, combined with our revolutionary user interface, make the new Razer Blade, without doubt, the very best gaming laptop we've ever designed. The Beauty is now the Beast."

Read More

Acer B113 11.6″ Ultra-Thin Aimed at Business Has Turned Our Head

Acer is coming out swinging with their new line up of Ultra-thins, the Acer Aspire B113 is a new 11.6-inch notebook for professionals.It is technically the consumer version Acer Aspire V5, so it has a lot in common but has some slightly better hardware, the main difference is that the B113 comes with a 4400mAh battery and the V5 comes with a ridiculous 2500mAh mini battery. Technically, the two devices are very similar but we hear that it’s only going to cost 420€, which makes me wonder who will pick up the V5.

This 11.6-inch ultra-thin comes with a 1366 × 768 that also sports a matte finish. Under the hood the device ships with an Intel Pentium 967 with two 1.3 GHz cores, or the 2nd generation Intel Core i3-2377M running at 1.5 GHz. So even does have a “Sandy Bridge” CPU, it’s still an interesting device, but if you’re looking for more power the V5 does come with a 3nd generation Ivy Bridge Core i5 option.

Acer continues to offer 4GB of installed RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. There are two USB 2.0 ports and a USB 3.0 port, HDMI, 5-in-1 card reader, VGA port and an Ethernet port along side a 1.3-megapixel webcam, and wireless-N. The battery provides, as mentioned, a quite good capacity of 4400mAh, which should offer around five hours on a single charge. It will be running Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional depending on the edition. The basic version seems to come sporting a Pentium 967, which is listed at 420€. If you’re looking for the Core i3 version expect to pay around 499€ and if you’re looking for Windows 7 Professional add another hunderded to that.

The device weights 1.38 pounds which makes the system nice and light. If the fact that the system currently isn’t being offered with the latest Ivy Bridge processor have no fear there is a 3rd generation Core i5-3317U on the way in the near future.

Read More