The Aspire S3 is Acer’s first ultrabook. The notebook is almost unabashedly a MacBook Air clone with straight lines and a clean design but it’s also $400 less. There are some trade-offs when comparing this to the Air, sure, but for the most part the Aspire S3 is a fine ultraportible for the Windows crowd.

What Acer and all the rest of the ultrabook makers are building are by all accounts fine computers but will no doubt catch flack because of their similarities to the MacBook Air. The Aspire S3 isn’t a MacBook Air killer. Not alone at least. This notebook gives me hope that the PC isn’t dead and ultrabooks will be the genesis of this revival.

Lookin’ Good

It’s hard to dismiss the MacBook Air as the S3′s inspiration. It’s a virtual clone if you replace the MBA’s aluminum skin with plastic, ditch the backlit keyboard and replace the glowing Apple logo with a shiny Acer one. That’s fine with me. Acer got the major points right. The S3 is lightweight, surprisingly rigid and sports a quality multitouch trackpad.

The S3 is .51-inches thick. That’s .17mm thinner than the MacBook Air at its thickest point. But unlike the MBA or the recently announced Asus Zenbook, the S3 is nearly the same thickness throughout; it’s not tapered to a sharp point. But with a notebook this thin, these tiny details do not really matter. The S3 is just a touch thicker than two iPads 2. It also weighs a mere 2.98 lbs.

Acer pulled off a sort of coup with the S3. This ultrabook has perhaps the best trackpad I’ve ever used on a Windows notebook. The multitouch gestures simply work without a learning curve. The whole trackpad wiggles a bit in a way that’s not necessarily bad, but initially unsettling. The trackpad is so good that it tricks my brain and when I need to right click, my left hand constantly wonders up to the Ctrl and Alt button as if I was on a Mac – I forget this trackpad has a real right click button! I am thoroughly impressed with the trackpad.

Then there’s the screen. The S3 uses a rather low resolution 13-inch LED backlit display. The colors and clarity are just fine, but the 1366 x 768 resolution leaves me wanting more. That’s the same resolution used in the 11-inch MBA — the 13-inch uses a 1440 x 900 which lends greatly to its high-end feel. The S3′s low resolution screen is adequate just not exceptional. Plus, the viewing angle is poor and to make matters worse, the lid’s hinge is loose so it tends to fall forwards or backwards when jarred.

Think that’s bad? The S3 has a set of Dolby certified speakers, but you’ll get better sound out of a thrift store harmonica. They’re that bad, which frustrates me considering the Dolby logo printed right by the S3′s power button. Dolby seemingly sells licences more freely than George Lucas pimps Star Wars. If this is Dolby-approved sound, then Dolby clearly endorses horrible sound.

Battery Is King

Acer proudly touts that the S3 can last six hours on a charge. That claim puts the S3 on par with the MacBook Air’s 5-7 hour life. Unfortunately I never saw six hours of life during my testing. A day of normal activities consisting of mainly Internet browsing resulted in a 5 hour battery life. I only saw 3:30 hours when stress testing the notebook by playing 1080p movies over WiFi. (all of Mallrats and part of Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood)

The shorter than advertised battery life is to be expected, though. Where Apple takes great pride in advertising real-life battery stats, Windows PC makers seem to state lives that are only achievable when the notebook is at its lowest brightness and sitting near ideal. Still, the five-hour battery life is below average in the ultraportable scene even though it’s still a good amount of time.

Thin notebooks generally get toasty. The S3 does not. It stays at a comfortable temperature thanks to a fan that kicks on a few minutes after opening the lid. But even the MacBook Air has a fan. After all, there’s a good deal of powerful computing hardware crammed into an area measured by cubic millimeters. At this point ultraportables either have a fan or they double as an Easy Bake Skillet.

Intel Inside

The Aspire S3 rocks a mobile 1.6GHz Core i5-2467M CPU with 4GB of RAM. This little guy handled all my daily tasks that admittedly consists just of Google Reader and Reddit combined with a fair amount of YouTube videos sourced from both. Photoshop runs well enough for simple edits, but I wouldn’t want to compose a huge image — partly because of the low-res screen. Future versions in Acer’s ultrabook line will include Core i3 and i7 CPUs, which depending on your poison, will either provide better battery life at the cost of raw power, or likewise, a shorter battery life in return for faster CPU cycles.

Not surprisingly, the S3 isn’t a gaming machine but it runs less-demanding games like Portal and Starcraft just fine. Don’t expect to play BF3 on here.

Intel designed the ultrabook platform to be quick where it’s most obvious: system start-up and resuming. Acer took it one step farther and included several proprietary software packs to make it even quicker. The included SSD helps, too. It takes about 1 second to resume the system when opening the lid. A system boot took an average of 34 seconds from hitting the power button to seeing the WiFi reconnect. It’s clearly far from instant-on but it’s nearly an instant resume, which is more important to daily usage anyway.

Part of the quickness comes from a 20GB SSD that holds just the important system files. A traditional 320GB spinning disk hard drive handles file storage and additional software installations. This unconventional affair is hidden to the user and only one disk shows up in My Computer. Strangely, despite 3rd party confirmation of these hard drives from HD Tune Pro, only 283 GBs show as the total system storage — and that seemingly includes the Windows 7 install.

But This Is An Acer

Buy a Mac and you get OS X and several first party software titles. Buy an Acer (or HP, Dell or most others) and you get a computer loaded with unsolicited software. This notebook comes with at least a dozen bloatware titles including McAfee Internet Protection and Norton Online Backup. (side question: why does McAfee insist on running inside of Chrome as a plug-in? fear mongering) I’ve only had the computer a few days and I’m constantly bombed with software updates, required restarts and random program notification pop-ups. These sponsored offers allow computer manufacturers to sneak in extra revenue and keep prices low, but there has to be a better way that doesn’t require an owner to spend an hour uninstalling software on his new computer.

The S3 is a winner. It’s relatively low $899 price puts the ultrabook $400 less than a comparable MacBook Air. Plus it runs Windows, which, and I know this may be a shocker to some, is a big advantage for a large cohort of consumers. But the S3 isn’t the only ultrabook out there and if you need some extra power, it might do to wait. Nearly every computer manufacturer is launching a full line of ultrabooks. Acer has an early advantage of hitting retailers before Dell or HP who are expected to enter the game late this year or early next. But Lenovo, Toshiba, Asus, and Samsung are all launching ultrabooks in the coming weeks, so the competition is looming.

This notebook lives up to my rather high expectations. I’m a bit disappointed by the screen, but it’s far from a deal breaker in my opinion. The S3′s trackpad rocks, the notebook stays at a comfortable temperature and the long battery life makes it an all-day companion. I was quiet pleased and, in the end, it’s not just another MacBook Air lookalike.

Product Page

The computer has two solar panels: One on the back of the monitor and one underneath a touch keyboard. Ideally, the two panels would be able to power the computer continuously, though it’s unclear whether this has been successfully tested. Using a laptop in the sun is far more battery intensive than indoors since the screen brightness needs to be cranked up to compete with the sun’s bright light.

One solution could be to use an electronic ink display in place of the usual backlit flat panel. Although the laptop includes a battery, the cordless design means your productivity will plummet in the evening — at least until you reach for another digital device.

The Luce, which means light in Italian, is made from a clear polycarbonate and weighs about four pounds. It was shortlisted in Fujitsu’s 2011 design competition.

There’s no word on whether Fujitsu plans to turn Ponti’s design into reality, but either way they’re not the only ones thinking about integrating sunlight into computer design. Last year Apple filed a patent for “harnessing external light to illuminate a display screen.”

In Apple’s vision, a reflector could fold down to brighten the display, and the company is rumored to be looking at integrating solar cells as well.

Design images by Andrea Ponti
Apple Patent images via Patently Apple

It’s a red-letter day, folks: Gateway just release a $700 NV laptop with WiMAX built-in, namely the Intel 6250 Wi-Fi/WiMax card. Otherwise this is pretty bog-standard for a laptop although it does seem to mirror HP’s sexy styling on their own Envy line.

WiMax connectivity comes from carriers across the country and isn’t included in the package.

Press release after the jump.

How can you help? Well, Tim needs donations. He’s gone as far as he can on his own, and sent out an appeal for help via Reddit. Apparently many of the manuals he doesn’t have yet require payment, which he is unable to pay for out of pocket. Nor should he be expected to either, to be honest. So if you need a repair manual, or you want to help Tim with his quest with a donation, jump over to his site and check it out.

Short Version: Tenba’s Messenger Photo/Laptop bag is my favorite so far this week. It combines the two features I really need: a padded, secure way to transport my laptop, and somewhere to put my DSLR when I don’t want to pack all my camera gear with me.

Features:

• Removable camera insert
• Thickly padded shoulder strap
• Rubberized bottom
• MSRP: $114.95
• Product Page

Pros:

• Removable camera insert makes the bag incredibly versatile
• Photo insert dividers use velcro, so you can customize
• Top opening zipper means you don’t have to open the bag to get inside

Cons:

• None that I can find

Review:

Tenba’s Photo/Laptop Messenger is a combination bag, and can be used as a simple messenger just by removing the padded camera insert. The camera insert is large enough to hold a DSLR, a couple of average size lenses, and maybe a flash. You can rearrange the “walls” inside the insert as needed, simply by using the velcro stitched into the inside. This makes for an incredibly flexible stealth camera bag, avoiding the “steal me” factor that you get with some products.

You can also remove the insert completely, and you have a simply cavernous messenger bag. With the insert in place, there’s room for your laptop, and you still have room for a few magazines, and maybe some paperwork or files.

But once you remove the insert, Tenba’s messenger shows how versatile it really is. This bag would be ideal for putting textbooks in, and the internal organizer makes packing your iPod, phone, keys, student ID, or other small devices a snap. This bag also has a great feature in the fact that you don’t have to open the bag completely to access your stuff – there’s a zipper in the top of the front flap that allows you access to the main compartment, without needing to undo the buckles or open the main flap.

Build quality is outstanding, the zipper pulls are easy to grasp, and I noticed no problems with the stitching, zippers, or any of the other fail points that this type of bag has. Tenba has also rubberized the bottom of the bag, making it water and damage resistant.

Tenba offers the Photo/Laptop Messenger in the following colors: black, olive, blue, burnt orange, plum, chocolate, and a rather sharp looking platinum. As well as being able to select your favorite color, you can request that Tenba personalize your bag with an engraved metal plate with your name, company logo, website, or whatever.

Conclusion: In case you couldn’t tell, I really like this bag. I’m normally more of a fan of the Crumpler and Timbuk2 products, but this bag really hit a sweet spot for me. It’s versatile, well made, and (I think) reasonably priced. I’ve definitely taken a liking to Tenba’s products based on this messenger, and I whole heartily recommend this bag. I’d even go so far as to say then when we’re covering CES this year, I’ll probably be carrying this one.

Don’t forget to check out the other bags we’ve reviewed this week.

Users who wish to disable this feature can update the BIOS themselves or return the laptops for service. Those who wish to use the laptops to make grilled cheese and panini are free to do so although getting cheese grease in the battery will void your warranty.

The affected laptops are VPCCW25FG/B, VPCCW25FG/P and VPCCW25FG/W. IDG has a list of Japanese models affected.

* Intel Core i3 and i5 mobile processor options for outstanding everyday performance with Microsoft Windows 7
* Choice of models offering bright 14-, 15-, and 17-inch displays, with high definition (HD) resolution offered on all systems
* Choice of optional colors on select models : Mars Black, Peacock Blue, Tomato Red and Lotus Pink
* Optional Intel Wireless Display that allows for a cable-free connection to most HDTVs when paired with a separate third party Intel Wireless Display TV adapter
* Optional 1GB ATi graphics provide realistic video effects
* Up to 640GB* hard disk drives on select models for storing large photos, music and video collections
* Up to 8GB* DDR3 memory performs tasks quickly and seamlessly

Peacock blue! Anyway, fun laptops, yay team.

GORGEOUS, INTUITIVE AND ENTERTAINING, SAY HELLO TO THE
NEW INSPIRON R LAPTOPS FROM DELL
* Dell’s Most Popular Laptops Designed to Keep Families Organized and Entertained
* Available at Dell’s Newest U.S. Retail Partner, Fry’s Electronics on June 25
ROUND ROCK, Texas, June 21, 2010 – Today, more than ever, families are looking to technology as an extra set of hands – one that helps them stay connected, quickly cross items off daily ‘to-do’ lists, and keep them entertained. The new Inspiron R laptops were designed with this in mind – making it easier than ever to access personal files and securely share photos and videos wirelessly, as well to enjoy the ideal mobile personal entertainment hub, offering smooth video playback, surround sound and a built-in Webcam.
Wrapped in curvy edges, smooth lines and available in four unique colorful finishes with chrome accents, the Inspiron R laptops are as beautifully designed as they are useful. With several display sizes ranging from 14-inch models that fit perfectly in a messenger bag, to home and dorm room-friendly 15- and 17-inch versions, the Inspiron R boasts a contemporary and sleek appearance that will make anyone feel good about bringing it out in the classroom or the local coffee shop.
Dell also built in unique features and timesavers like the Dell Dock, which reduces time searching applications and files – photos, videos and most commonly used apps are placed right at the top of the screen. For those who choose the optional Intel Wireless Display* feature, the Inspiron R makes it easy to project what is on the laptop display on a nearby HDTV without the need for cables. Students have the option to purchase any version of Microsoft Office 2010 pre-installed on their Inspiron R laptops, to ensure they have the tools they need to kick off the school year.
“The Inspiron R takes the rock solid Inspiron line and amps up the cool factor with a sexy and practical machine for entertainment, and social networking along with all the usual home, school and work functions,” said Glen Robson, vice president, product marketing, Dell. “Photos, videos and personal files can also be securely stored and shared with DataSafeOnline for peace of mind right out of the box. This is a laptop that moms will love and youths will ask for.”
Designed to stand up to the rigors of active families and students on the go Inspiron R models feature smudge-resistant palm rests, a full-size, comfortable keyboard and a stiffer frame for a solid, quality feel. Available Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors and optional ATi graphics ensure great performance today and tomorrow.
Prices for Inspiron R laptops begin at $449 at www.dell.com. For students and families who need a laptop as soon as possible, popular configurations of the new Inspiron R are also available via Dell’s FastTrack* program, which can ship systems within 24 hours. By upgrading to next business day shipping,* new Inspiron R systems can arrive within 48 hours. The new Inspiron R laptops are also available through authorized retailers, including Dell’s newest retail partner in the U.S., Fry’s Electronics. Select Inspiron R laptops will be available in all 34 Fry’s Electronics stores starting June 25.
Common Technical Highlights for the Inspiron 14R, 15R and 17R:
* Intel Core i3 and i5 mobile processor options for outstanding everyday performance with Microsoft Windows 7
* Choice of models offering bright 14-, 15-, and 17-inch displays, with high definition (HD) resolution offered on all systems
* Choice of optional colors on select models : Mars Black, Peacock Blue, Tomato Red and Lotus Pink
* Built-in wireless connectivity
* Optional Intel Wireless Display that allows for a cable-free connection to most HDTVs when paired with a separate third party Intel Wireless Display TV adapter
* SRS Premium Sound provides an excellent stereo surround soundstage
* Built-in media card readers speed up transferring photo and video files.
* Optional 1GB ATi graphics provide realistic video effects
* Up to 640GB* hard disk drives on select models for storing large photos, music and video collections
* Up to 8GB* DDR3 memory performs tasks quickly and seamlessly
* Built-in Webcam enables Web chats on the go
* Touchpad with integrated scrolling and gestures makes using the laptop more intuitive and simple to use
* Dedicated 10-key number pad on the 15-and 17-inch systems that gives gamers additional keys for more shortcuts
* Dell Dock organizes music, videos and photos and puts most commonly-used apps right up top
* DataSafeOnline data backup & recovery keeps data & memories secure outside of the system
* DataSafeLocal, a secure, simple and reliable way to create backup copies of the factory image

via Laptop

Also it has a freaking screaming eagle/tribal tattoo/demo sword on it! ROAR! It starts at $1,199.

I would totally marry this laptop if I weren’t already married.

Lenovo Delivers on the Three D’s with its First 3D Laptop; Dynamic, Dazzling and Dramatic
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – June 17, 2010: Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced the Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d, the company’s first multimedia laptop with a 3D display. The Y560d features the TriDef® 3D technology solution, which includes a 3D screen, software and glasses 1, so users can experience the unique sensation of visual immersion within their favorite movies, pictures and games.
“Fun is a notebook that brings multimedia to life-and the IdeaPad Y560d does this in a dramatic fashion with a truly unique 3D viewing experience,” said Dion Weisler, vice president, business operations, Lenovo. “While 3D technology has been around for ages, it has not been readily accessible to consumers within the home. Lenovo is helping bridge this gap by delivering consumers a 3D experience on a familiar PC platform that can be viewed and enjoyed when and where they want.”
The 15.6-inch Y560d 3D-enabled multimedia laptop, with its High-Def 16:9 widescreen and polarizer glasses, provides the optimal 3-dimensional experience when combined with compatible 3D movies and games.
With TriDef® 3-D technology, users can also experience 3D on their standard 2D videos and photos. The TriDef Media Player transforms a standard movie into a 3D experience 2. Photos take on a whole new life, thanks to the TriDef Photo Transformer that turns standard photos into eye-popping 3D.
The Y560d laptop includes Lenovo’s new innovative Enhanced Experience RapidDrive technology, which seamlessly combines SSD and HDD storage solutions to deliver even faster Windows 7 boot-up times and significantly improve application performance3. Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 is a unique Lenovo certification that delivers an optimized boot-up and shutdown process, rich multimedia capabilities and easy system maintenance tools. With RapidDrive technology, users can experience Windows 7 boot up 66% faster4, start favorite applications two-times faster5, and copy files within the computer in less than half the time6. The Y560d can be configured with up to 8GB DDR3 memory and up to 750BG HDD storage so users don’t have to worry about running out of hard drive capacity when saving their favorite movies, music and games.
The Y560d will be available with JBL-designed speakers and Dolby® Home Theater™ surround sound – perfect for enjoying music and movies. Powered with up to an Intel Core™ i7 processor featuring Intel Turbo Boost Technology7 for delivering extra GHz when you need it, and the latest high-performance ATI Radeon™ HD5730 1GB graphics card, the Y560d is more than capable of running the latest games. With Switchable Graphics, users can toggle between performance and energy-saving modes for extended battery life. The laptop also includes an optional Blu-ray Disc™ drive, HD graphics support and an HDMI output for connecting to other HD devices such as a TV or gaming console2.
Additional features on the Y560d include SlideNav – an intelligent touch-sensitive slide bar application for easy desktop navigation; OneKey Theater II for optimized video playback; and an Ambient Light Sensor that automatically adjusts the PC screen brightness based on the user’s distance from the display. For staying connected while on the move, the Y560d also comes with optional high-speed integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Pricing and Availability8
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d laptop is available by the end of June on Lenovo.com and will start at $1199.99.

via Giz

Here’s the full press release.

PANASONIC INTRODUCES TOUGHBOOK F9 BUSINESS-RUGGED LAPTOP

World’s Lightest 14” Class Laptop Delivers Desktop Performance with Intel Core i5 Processor

Secaucus, NJ, June 9, 2010 – Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today introduced the thin-and-light Toughbook F9 business-rugged laptop. The new device weighs in at a mere 3.6 pounds, making it the industry’s lightest 14” class laptop. The Toughbook F9 features an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, 320GB HDD, high resolution (1440 x 900) widescreen display, optional Qualcomm Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and an integrated handle. Highly mobile professionals will also benefit from the Toughbook brand’s legendary reliability.

Core i5 Performance
The Toughbook F9 includes a standard voltage 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-520M vPro™ processor with Turbo Boost Technology (delivering speeds up to 2.93GHz) and has Intel Anti-theft and vPro technologies to improve hardware-assisted security and manageability capabilities that enhance IT’s ability to maintain, manage, discover, heal and protect networked computing assets.

The new device, which delivers up to seven hours of battery life, also features a high resolution (1440 x 900) 14.1” WXGA+ widescreen display with LED backlighting and a DVD multi-drive.

Embedded Mobile Broadband Options
The Toughbook F9, like all Toughbook mobile computers, helps maximize mobile productivity through a variety of embedded wireless technologies. The device combines the latest Intel WiFi chipset (Intel Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 AGN) and Bluetooth® v2.1 +EDR, with an option for WiMAX (4G) or Gobi2000™ (3G) mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi2000 simplifies multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows a company’s mobile workforce improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad and adds GPS capabilities for easy integration with mapping software.

“Mobile workforces need the type of desktop-class performance offered by Intel’s Core i5 processors to maximize productivity,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. “But performance is useless if your laptop can’t survive the bumps, drops and spills experienced by highly mobile professionals. The Toughbook F9 marries a high performance Intel processor with industry-leading light weight, long battery life, mobile connectivity and unrivaled reliability to deliver a best-in-class mobile computing solution.”

Business-Rugged Reliability
The new Toughbook® F9 business-rugged notebook successfully survived drops of 30” (just over the typical height of a desk or table) to the base of the unit while operating. Further, using Mil-Spec methodology, the device also survived 26 drops (to every side, corner and face) from 12” to a non-yielding surface.

The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of nearly 7 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the device are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 Kg) of compression. In addition, Panasonic’s commitment to quality—at both the component and finished goods level—results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests during and after production plus 100% burn-in testing.

Panasonic Toughbook F9: Select Features and Specifications

• Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
• Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ Processor (2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
• 320GB shock-mounted, flex-connect, removable HDD
• 2GB RAM (DDR3-1066MHz), expandable to 6GB
• 14.1” widescreen (1440 x 900) WXGA+ LCD with LED backlighting
• Anti-glare screen treatment
• DVD Super MULTI Drive with Dual Layer Support
• Up to 7 hour battery life
• 3.6lbs
• Business-rugged
  • 30” operating drop (to base only)
  • 26 sides 12” drop (non-operating)
  • 220 lb pressurized vibration
  • Magnesium alloy case
  • Spill-resistant keyboard (protects against 7 ounces spills)
• Embedded Connectivity
  • Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband
  • Optional WiMAX
  • Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
  • Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 1)
• Optional Integrated Security Features:
  • Fingerprint reader
  • SmartCard reader
• 9.9″(L) x 12.8″(W) x 1.0″/1.9″(H) front/rear

Pricing, Availability and Support
The Panasonic Toughbook® F9 will be available in the United States beginning July 1, 2010. The device will be available starting at an estimated street price of $2,899 from authorized Panasonic resellers.

Every Panasonic Toughbook notebook includes a standard three-year limited warranty and free access to U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product.

For more information on the Toughbook F9 and other Toughbook mobile computers, go to www.toughbook.com.

Short Version:
The Sony Vaio Z-Series is a thin and light with a mission: to prove that a tiny – but expensive – laptop can run Windows 7 and almost anything you throw at it like a champ.


Features:

• Intel Core i5 Processor
• 13-inch screen
• 3 lbs with battery
• Chiclet keyboard
• MSRP: About $1,899 ($2,299 as reviewed)

Pros:

• Amazingly light
• Long battery life
• Optical drive

Cons:

• Scratch prone lid
• Smallish keyboard
• 3 hour DVD playback battery life

When I opened the Sony Z-Series’ plain brown box, my heart fell. “Another ultra-portable,” I thought, “another sad-making thin-and-light without power or verve.” But I fired it up, used it for a solid week, and came out on the other end convinced that Sony still has what it takes to make a nice laptop.

The Good

Generally, this ran everything asked of it. Gaming may be a little iffy but you can edit photos and multi-task with a vengeance. I was able to run all of my workaday tools – Paint.net, multiple editors, Twitter and Yammer, all without slowdown.

The Core i5 processor, at about 2.4GHz, ran surprisingly fast and the NVidia GeForce GT 330M graphics can be turned on and off with a physical switch, namely an odd, three-way Speed/Stamina/Auto switchbut seemed to take all of the guess work out of power control. The system would inform you when it was spinning down hardware and services to save battery, another nice perk.

The Geekbench score of 4370 was quite good especially considering a the average score of laptops with this configuration range in the 3000s to 4000s. Given that the Vaio F Series I reviewed hit 2424, this is nothing to sneeze at.

The laptop includes a backlit keyboard, a webcam, and fingerprint sensor. The keyboard, incidentally, is great and the keys have just a touch of rubberized material on them to make them feel more substantial. I usually flub the first few keystrokes on a new computer but this one, surprisingly, was well designed and allowed for immediate return to the home keys. The touchpad is a mite small but usable.

I was also pleased that the laptop did not overheat even after a full day of use. It’s a testament to the channeling and materials that the Z Series stayed cool even after a full day of work.

The Bad
This thing is pretty expensive. At $1,899 in its base configuration and $2,400 in this configuration, you’re looking at a major investment. However, it’s only 3 pounds and features an optical drive and a nice, bright screen.

We got about 5 hours of battery life in our basic tests but Sony is claiming more like 6-6.5 under some conditions.

I’m a big fan of USB ports and this laptop has three – not ideal, but not horrible, either. A big HDMI port hangs off the left side like an invitation but I’m not sure many out there will ever use it.

This is a premium product at a premium price. If you’re looking for a $999 bargain basement model, you’re out of luck. Sony is aiming at a different consumer and here’s hoping they find them.

Bottom Line
I’m not afraid to say it: This is a really great laptop. It’s light, it’s attractive, and it’s powerful. As a MacTard, I would totally switch to this if need the need arose and, by all reports, the i7 model is even faster. My experience with it as my primary laptop over the past week has been excellent and I’m please to heap encomiums on this laptop without reservation. Finally, a Sony product that makes me happy.

Product Page

Lenovo’s new line-up is heavy on the all-in-ones but has a few surprises up its sleeve. I got a chance to look at most of the new line last week and came away extremely enthused by the twee Q150. From the press release:

If your idea of fun is tricking out your living room entertainment center, then the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 is the perfect solution. At just 0.82 inches wide and 6.7 inches high, the Q150 enhances the living room entertainment experience and can fit into just about any small space in the home. The Q150 is an affordable nettop PC that can be connected to a TV or monitor, or even mounted behind with the VESA bracket to create a virtual all-in-one. Featuring an optional NVIDIA® ION™ 512MB graphics processor, which delivers smooth Full HD (1080p) video via the onboard HDMI output, the IdeaCentre Q150 is a great way to enjoy Internet video in your living room. The IdeaCentre Q150 also features an optional multimedia remote with an integrated trackball mouse and mini keyboard to make it easy to multi-task between e-mails, Web browsing and video playback on a single device.

This little PC looks like it might give the value proposition of many streaming and DVR systems a run for their money.

Generally, however, you’re looking at a strong line-up of Lenovo laptops with nary a Thinkpad in sight. Lenovo is actually moving towards chiclet keys this year and they’re aiming for a more fashion conscious consumer with their trade dress. They’re also heavy on the all-in-ones, which I’m not so sure about. What do you guys thing about all-in-ones? Would you buy one instead of a TV or a standard PC?

Please enjoy the gallery and look for further Lenovo coverage tonight.

Both systems feature Beats Audio, ATI Mobility Radeon discrete graphics, and all the bells and whistles in wireless connectivity. To get down to specifics, the Envy 14 features the new Quad Core i7 CPU, and HP’s HD Radiance display. The Envy 14 is available this coming June 27th starting at $999.99.

The Envy 17 rocks a 17.3 inch screen, up to 2TB or storage, and you can choose between the i7 Quad Core, or Dual Core i5 or i3. The Envy 17 also has ATI’s EyeFinity technology for multiple displays, and is available the 19th. MSRP starts at $1399.99 at HPDirect.com

While the rest of the world is going nuts trying to make the next MacBook, Panasonic keeps chugging away, releasing laptops that look for all the world like computing devices designed for Robocop to use in the bathroom. And that’s a good thing.

Let’s say hello to the Panasonic CF-T8 (above) and the CF-52 (below) Toughbooks. The CF-52 is a i5-based laptop has 2GB RAM and 250GB hard drive in a shock-mounted case. Both have special straps so you can hold them in multiple positions and it even as A-GPS, 3G Mobile capability. The CF-T8 has a 12-inch touchscreen LCD.


I saw the new Toughbook line a few weeks ago and let me tell you this new model is as light as a feather. It looks beefy as heck but it’s not – you lift it up and you ask if the battery is installed.

As you recall we did a video review of the CF-30 Toughbook, running a RAV4 over it in front of my house. These are some of the best heavy duty notebooks out there.

Panasonic Upgrades Semi-Rugged Toughbook CF-52 And Business-Rugged Toughbook CF-T8 Tablet-Alternative With Increased Processor Speeds, Memory And Mobile Technology

UK. 4th May 2010 – Panasonic today announced upgrades to its Panasonic Toughbook® CF-52 semi-rugged notebook and the business-rugged Toughbook® CF-T8 tablet-alternative notebook computer, adding increased processor speeds, memory and Gobi mobile technology.

The Toughbook CF-52 now runs on the Intel® Core i5 (up to 2.53GHz) processor and includes 2GB RAM and up to a 250GB shock-mounted hard drive with quick release.

CF-52 closed with handle
The upgraded Toughbook CF-52 also includes a range of new embedded wireless options, including Gobi™ 2000 mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi 2000 simplifies multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows a company’s mobile workforce improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad and adds A-GPS capabilities for easy integration with mapping software. Additionally the device has been upgraded with the latest Intel® Wi-Fi chipset and Bluetooth® 2.1. The Toughbook CF-52 is designed so Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G mobile broadband and, in the near future, WiMax modules can be optionally embedded into the same unit, permitting a high level of flexibility for mobile data access.

The Toughbook CF-52 has been drop and spill-tested and features a magnesium alloy case. For use in dark or low-light operating conditions, the touchscreen model also comes with an adjustable dual overhead keyboard light with four brightness levels allowing users to regulate the lighting to fit the environment.

The Toughbook CF-52 comes in three basic configurations.

Toughbook CF-T8 now with Microsoft Windows 7, improved processor and storage
The updated Toughbook CF-T8, designed for Walking Workers in areas such as healthcare sales or market research agents, now features a 1.6GHz Intel® Core™2 Processor with vPro™ technology (3MB L2 cache and 800MHz FSB) and a removable 250GB shock mounted flex-connect hard drive. Other improvements include the use of Microsoft Windows® 7 Professional (with XP downgrade option) and Bluetooth® 2.1. The device delivers up to 8 hours of battery life.

The Toughbook CF-T8 also includes optional integrated Gobi™ mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm Inc. that allows connections to high-speed mobile Internet services offered by leading network operators virtually anywhere in the world. Other wireless features include Intel® Wireless WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth® 2.1.

Designed with input from “walking workers,” the Toughbook CF-T8 features a 12.1” inch, anti-glare XGA touchscreen LCD, stylus, screen rotating software and convenient rubber hand strap for easy use.

Backed by outstanding service
Every Toughbook comes with a 3-year warranty covering hardware failures for systems used as designed; with a 96-hour repair commitment and a 5-year spare parts guarantee.

Availability
The upgraded Toughbook CF-52 and CF-T8 are available immediately.

Here’s what we do know, the body is made aluminum, and it’s finished in either silver of black. It appears that Asus was going for an ultra-thin form factor, so they’ve moved all the ports to the back of the case. This means that we can’t clearly see what ports are there, since the only thing we have are a few crappy pictures from the Asus “We’re so great!” award page. What we can see (barely) is 3 USB ports, an ethernet, headphone and microphone jacks, and and HDMI video output. Of course, no idea on how much the system costs or when we should expect to see them on the market. I want one.

[via Cnet UK]

What’s least energy efficient part of your laptop? The LCD, correct. What are your options? Stop using computers? I would if I could, believe me. Or, you could be a little adventurous and try to swap out the LCD with another, more energy efficient one. Sort of like hammering a nail with a sledgehammer, yes.

The company that makes the replacement LCDs is called Pixel Qi, and it claims that its LCDs are anywhere between one-quarter to one-half as power-hungry as “normal” LCDs. Pixel Qi doesn’t explain how or why its LCDs are so much better than other ones. Let’s call it magic and leave it at that.

The fancy LCDs should be available by the end of June.

ProTip: when using a laptop and battery power is a concern, dim the screen all the way all the way down. Yeah, your screen is a little darker, but the battery will last a little bit longer. No harm in that.

Apple Insider actually found four different patents currently processing from Apple; one regarding cooling via the USB and Firewire ports, two regarding a laptop’s ability to sense airflow and make adjustments automatically, and then finally (and most interestingly) a plan to use heat conductive hinge assemblies. While to some this may not seem interesting, the concept of using the lid as a giant heat-pipe definitely shows potential.

[via Gizmodo]

Are you ready for some football? Then you better go play foorball because we’re here to talk about HP’s four new ProBook models, ranging from 13.3-inches to 17.3-inches. They start at $719 and run a Core i3/i5/i7 and 8GB of RAM. SlashGear has a hands on so we won’t go too deeply into the excitement these can generate in young and old alike but darn it if HP didn’t make some bog standard laptops here.

http://vms.slashgear.tv/sgtv/sgplayer.swf

We all know by now that HP is the largest PC seller out there. Good for HP. But when you’re shopping for your next system, it helps to know how Brand A compares to Brand X. Our friends at Laptop Magazine have done just that, and put together a series showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of this brand versus that brand. Best part: regular users—like you!—are invited to give your thoughts, which will be compiled into a sort of go-to glossary. Good idea.

Being a Laptop Magazine production, the first round of ratings cover netbooks and notebooks. Let’s quickly look at Toshiba to get an idea of what’s going on. Also, I’ve never owned a Toshiba, um, anything, so it’ll be helpful for me, too. Yay.

• Only one out of the 14 machines reviewed by Laptop, one received a 5-Star rating (the Mini NB205)

• 43 percent of Toshibas received a 4-Star rating; 21 percent received a 3.5-Star rating; 29 percent received a 3-Star rating

• Picking a needle out of a stack of needles, it looks like Toshibas excel when it comes to multimedia playback, what with dedicated buttons and whatnot

• On the bad side, Toshibas apparently have rubbish trackpads and mouse buttons

And so on. There’s several of these ratings already online, including Apple notebooks, so if you’re either looking to kill a few minutes, or, gasp, actually learn a thing or two before whipping out your credit card, well, there you go. I use a lot of commas, yes. It’s how I talk in real life, too.

Not to be left out of the deluge of new releases at CES, Dell is giving us a sneak peak at their new 5-inch tablet concept and Android-smartphone for AT&T. There’s also some new laptops and things, you know, if you’re into that.

Unfortunately, these pictures are about all we have on the tablet concept so far. The 5.0 megapixel camera is visible on the back, and I feel safe assuming multi-touch support.

The Mini 3 smartphone is going to be one of AT&T’s first Android-based devices. No word yet on specifications, and availability has only been said to be “the first half of 2010.” You can find the full press release here.

Now laptop time. We’ll start with the Alienware M11x, aptly named for the 11 inch screen size. The primary selling point seems to be that it is a gaming laptop, smaller than 12 in. No word on any concrete specs, but who would want to be playing games on such a small form-factor? Not me. I take my Diablo 3 Fallout 3 straight, thank you very much. The photo gallery seems to show a FireWire 400 port, card reader, eSATA, HDMI out, ethernet, and wait a minute, a VGA port? Really? No word on a street date, but its supposed to be less than a thousand bucks.

]]> http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/07/new-things-from-dell-tablets-phones-laptops/feed/ 0 tcbucket 4245976424_3322e1fe7d 4245200103_d4bc5390aa 4251402636_b57227a1b8 gallery_M11x_img1 http://techcrunch.com/2009/12/17/bagweek-timbuk2-commute-2-0/ http://techcrunch.com/2009/12/17/bagweek-timbuk2-commute-2-0/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:40:24 +0000 Contributor http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=130168
Short Version: The Commute 2.0 is from Timbuk2′s new TSA friendly generation of messenger bags. Essentially this means that they’ve added some commuter friendly features to a standard messenger bag.

Features:

• Designed for commuters
• TSA friendly
• Waterproofed and rubberized to keep out the weather
• Grab strap and shoulder strap
• Internal organizer keeps stuff sorted

Pros:

• Easy to get your laptop through security
• Waterproofing is the best I’ve seen
• Great price

Cons:

• Space can be a little tight when you add a power supply
• Rubberized bottom has an odd texture
• Laptop storage could use a little more padding

Timbuk2 (originally known as Scumbags) was founded in San Fransisco in 1989 by a former bicycle messenger. The creator’s background really shows in the construction of the bag. The finish and stitching is of the highest quality, and there is a definite sense of purpose about this bag. It is designed for someone who travels, and needs to move quickly through TSA checkpoints.

The Commute 2.0 has several standard messenger bag features that you’ve come to expect. The organizer panel, the water bottle holder, keyfob – all there. Where it gets a little more interesting is the commuter and TSA friendly stuff. There’s a pass through for your luggage handle, a pocket for your airline tickets, and the laptop pocket folds out and lays flat, which allows you to send the whole bag through the xray machine without taking the laptop out of the bag. I for one, love that feature. One thing that was a big odd was the rubberized bottom of the bag. To be honest, I see the necessity of having it for weatherized, but the texture is a bit strange at first. I’m sure if I’d been using the bag for more then a few weeks I’d get used to it, but it was a bit awkward at first.

The bag also comes in multiple sizes, so you can get one that fits your laptop, versus the typical “one size fits all.” The small will hold a standard 14-inch system, the medium holds a 16-inch, and the large works with a laptop up to 17 inches. The one they sent to us to review was the large, and it held the 17 inch laptop in the pocket with relative ease. The problem came from the power brick. The laptop side of things seemed to be designed for systems with smaller peripherals. The laptop I put in the bag was quite large, and so the brick made the bag bulge in a rather uncomfortable way. The padding around the laptop was also a little bit thinner then I’d like. I’m sure it works, and I acknowledge the need to trade padding thickness for size, but it just seemed a little thin to me.

For my dollar, the Commute 2.0 is an ideal messenger bag. It’ll hold your documents, magazines, cell phones, keys, chargers, and laptop with no problems. And you can’t beat the price. The medium will set you back $100, the large is $120, and the small is not currently listed for sale on the Timbuk2 website.

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