Acer Aspire X3200 Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published January 27, 2009
It may be best known today for its minimalist Aspire One netbook, but don't think Acer doesn't know how to make full-fledged PCs. This compact, AMD Phenom-powered desktop not only has complete 64-bit Vista credentials but packs a Blu-ray player as a bonus, and can be yours -- with a high-def 24-inch monitor for 1080p movie viewing -- for under a grand.
Dell Studio Hybrid Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published December 16, 2008
Every vendor makes a living-room PC these days, but Dell tops them with a bookshelf PC -- smaller (if thicker) than most notebooks and available in a parade of colors, this diminutive Core 2 Duo desktop is as fashionable as they come. The only worry is whether consumers will buy without realizing its lack of expansion room and productivity- rather than gaming-oriented performance.
Platform Trends: Breeding Like ... Netbooks By Vince Freeman -
Computers Article Published December 8, 2008
Do you have your netbook yet? The compact, low-priced laptops have jolted the mobile PC market to the tune of 14 million sales in their first full year; brought Linux to a new audience; and struck sparks for online applications and storage. But should you opt for an 9-inch, 10-inch, or 12-inch screen? How small is too small when it comes to keyboards? And will the sleek but no-frills minis help or hurt the traditional notebook segment?
HP Compaq 2230s Review By Jamie Bsales -
Computers Article Published November 24, 2008
Getting a nice notebook for under $1,000 hasn't been newsworthy for years, but getting a four-pound slimline -- with a built-in instead of plug-in optical drive and best-in-class security features -- for $999 is very nice indeed. Jamie Bsales checks out a 12.1-inch affordable ultraportable with ample productivity power and an available secret ingredient: Windows XP.
HP TouchSmart IQ506 Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published September 22, 2008
Eat your heart out, iMac: HP's one-piece, 22-inch PC is almost as sleek, with the added sizzle of a touch screen. The latter won't replace a mouse for most applications, but is nearly as much fun as an iPhone as you tap and swipe your way through HP's special multimedia programs and custom desktop interface.
Acer Aspire One Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published August 26, 2008
When does a netbook become a notebook? Windows XP and a 120GB hard disk give Acer's 2.3-pound productivity partner an edge over Linux lightweights when it comes to adding software (though there's a Linux version too). The Intel Atom-powered ultraportable also boasts a sunny 8.9-inch screen, a not-too-small keyboard, and a price below even the 7-inch Eee PC that started the netbook craze: $349.
Lenovo IdeaPad U110 Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published August 9, 2008
"Why don't you put a little hot-rod red in there?" -- Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), designing his super-suit in the movie Iron Man. "Why don't we make a red little hot rod?" -- Lenovo engineers, designing an 11.1-inch, 2.5-pound notebook that brings the swanky style of the company's ThinkPad X300 or of Apple's or Sony's high-priced ultralights to a lower-priced consumer laptop. Okay, slightly lower-priced.
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Review By Jamie Bsales -
Computers Article Published July 29, 2008
The advent of Intel's Centrino 2 mobile platform gives Lenovo an excuse to replace the ThinkPad X61 with a 12.1-inch widescreen ultralight with better performance, a slew of configuration and communication options, and a keyboard to die for. SmallBusinessComputing.com's Jamie Bsales takes the mini for a spin.
Montevina Mania: Intel Unveils Centrino 2 Notebook Platform By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published July 15, 2008
New 45-nanometer CPUs are only part of the story as Intel revamps its dominant laptop processor/chipset/WiFi bundling program. The nearly 250 new notebooks slated to wear the Centrino 2 sticker will flaunt faster, more far-reaching wireless; more game-worthy graphics (plus the option of switching between integrated and discrete graphics), and multimedia enhancements designed to let travelers enjoy a high-definition Blu-ray movie -- on one battery charge.
Gateway M-1626 Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published June 17, 2008
Retail laptop prices are so low these days that Gateway's 15.4-inch notebook looks like a prestige model at $850 as opposed to $599 or $699. And the six-pound, AMD dual-core-powered portable does indeed exceed the run of the mill with a spacious 4GB of memory and the 64-bit version of Windows Vista as opposed to the usual 32-bit. But do its battery life and graphics performance suit its suitable-for-power-users positioning?
Eee, Atom, Aspire, Wind: It's a Small (Notebook) World at Computex By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published June 3, 2008
What comes after Eee? Everybody from HP and Acer to Dell and MSI, not to mention class leader Asus, wants to star in the second generation of compact, low-cost, just-right-for-traveling-light laptops. This week's Computex show is packed with the ultraportable notebooks known as netbooks, with Intel's new Atom CPU in a prominent supporting role -- and Nvidia and VIA waiting in the wings.
Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published May 15, 2008
Fair warning: It costs $3,000. Fair warning: You won't care. Lenovo's lightweight goes toe to toe with Apple's MacBook Air -- well, it would if the Air had a DVD burner, a LAN connection, and a sharper screen. Think about a solid-state hard disk, full-sized keyboard, ample battery life, and impeccable green credentials in a 13.3-inch, just-over-3-pound slimline. Now try to be satisfied with your current notebook.
HP 2133 Mini-Note Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published April 8, 2008
Will kids in your school district get this year's coolest subnotebook before you do? HP says its three-pound, 8.9-inch-screened, adult-sized-keyboarded little laptop is headed for classrooms. But that doesn't mean business travelers -- or shoppers who've been eyeing Asus's hot-selling Eee PC -- can't check out HP models ranging from $499 Linux to $749 Vista Business configurations.
Gateway FX7020 and FHD2400 Review By Eric Grevstad -
Computers Article Published March 25, 2008
The low-priced desktops on superstore shelves are fine word processing and Web-surfing machines, but will disappoint consumers planning to visit the game software section in the adjacent aisle. Gateway tempts retail shoppers who can't afford exotic gaming rigs with an $1,100 powerhouse that packs AMD's quad-core Phenom 9600 and Nvidia's sensational GeForce 8800 GT.
Zonbu Zonbook Review By Joseph Moran -
Computers Article Published March 7, 2008
It's easy to find a $600 laptop these days, but a $279 notebook is something else -- definitely something else, in the case of Zonbu's 15.4-inch-screened, VIA C7-powered portable. Using Linux instead of Windows, the self-updating, self-backing-up laptop frees you from PC maintenance for a cell-phone-style subscription fee of $15 a month.
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