AVIRA FREE ANTIVIRUS 9.0 REVIEW

Avira AntiVir Personal is a free anti virus program for home users. It offers protection from viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware.

AntiVir Personal is for home use only. It can be downloaded from the company website. It is available in four languages – English, German, Italian and French. Installation is simple and fairly quick. After installation users are taken through a configuration wizard which asks them to select desired protection settings. If you find this unnecessary or confusing, you may just leave the configuration settings at default.

The interface is functional but not very intuitive. Users may find most windows confusing.

The Avira AntiVir Personal is a free antivirus program. There are occasional pop-up ads for the paid version of the software. While you may find the ads a bit intrusive, you really can’t complain about them because this is a free program. Like AVG, Avira automatically updates itself every 24 hours. On the flipside, updates take longer to download.

Effectiveness
In effectiveness, the AntiVir is on par with AVG. It performs as promised and detects and removes viruses proactively. Avira uses nearly 20MB of RAM. AVG uses more. The software has nearly 0% impact on system performance. In fact many paid antivirus programs considerably affect the performance of your system.

PROS
Free
No impact on performance
Reasonably good scan times

CONS
Confusing interface
Occasional pop-up ads

FUJITSU LIFEBOOK T2020 REVIEW

Before the all new Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 model has been introduced, a previous model known as T2010 first came out in the market. But there were some lacking aspects to this model, such that the manufacturers were prompted to make an entirely new model or more of an upgrade by incorporating a new processor and chipset for better quality performance. Did they succeed? You can find out more below.
Features

One of the biggest drawing points for Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 is the sleek and stylish design. But instead of opting for the glossy finish and trying to aesthetically blow you away, it settles for a professional design that does not sacrifice its compact feature. Thus, it is very ideal for use among college students and business professionals alike. It will enable them to jot down important notes on this notebook and you'd love to use it often for it comes with solid chassis and minimal keyboard flex for a great typing experience. The control buttons are also easily accessibly from the bottom of the screen, thus making life easier in case you need to make important adjustments to the brightness setting or the screen orientation.

Meanwhile, the display for Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 is a 12.1-inch WGXA screen that produces some of the best graphics you might have ever seen from a notebook. The vivid colors help to truly bring forth a one-of-a-kind visual quality that delivers in all aspect. And unlike other laptop screens, it does not feature a glossy finish so you won't pinch your eyes just trying to look at it.


But the biggest test to each laptop is basically its system performance and Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 exceeds standard expectations. Using an Intel Core 2 Duo U9300 1.2GHz, along with an Intel GS45 chipset, there is a lot of power on this notebook. With a 120GB 5400 RPM hard drive, there are basically no lag issues so you can perform basic applications at efficient speed. Whether you are doing office tasks, surfing the internet, video streaming, or reading e-mails, you can perform all these within mere seconds. If you are looking for a laptop that would allow you to do some gaming, this is not the one for you though.

Pros

If you're planning to buy Fujitsu LifeBook T2020, you can enjoy the following benefits:

+ The display screen with a bi-directional hinge makes it possible to turn the screen and let it face any direction you wish.
+ The build and design is looking solid such that it can withstand everyday pressure and wear.
+ Aside from a great design, it is also light enough that you won't have trouble bringing it around.
+ The 9-cell battery provides it with a long battery life for a maximum of 11 hours.
+ The wireless connectivity feature enables you to connect online quite easily.

Cons

Before you head on out to buy Fujitsu LifeBook T2020, you need to be aware of the following flaws:

- There is only one built in speaker for this notebook, which results in a below average sound quality.
- The keyboard design results in a springy effect such that typing might be a bit of a hassle to perform.

SAMSUNG N140 NETBOOK REVIEW

The most remarkable feature of the Samsung N140 is its bright matte display. Most netbooks in the market have glossy displays which can be difficult to read in bright surroundings.

Samsung N140 Specs
The Samsung N140 is available in Blue or Burgundy.
Review laptop specifications
Display: 10.1 inch matte display with 1024 x 600 pixels
Processor: Intel Atom N280 (1.6GHz) processor
Graphics: Intel GMA 950 graphics
Memory: 1 GB
Storage: 250 GB Hard drive (5400 rpm)
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium (Default – Windows 7 Starter)

Build / Feel
The Samsung N140 has an all matte interior which prevents it from collecting finger prints. The keyboard, display, palm rests and the screen bezel all have a matte finish. On the flip side the screen lid is glossy and very good at picking up fingerprints.

There is a silver rim around the edge of the chassis which lends the notebook a classy look. Build quality is reasonably good, and design is very attractive.

Keyboard
The Samsung N140 has a nearly full sized keyboard which occupies all the space on the chassis. The keyboard is very good. In fact, it is better than the keyboard on most 10 inch netbooks in the market. The keyboard is very sturdy and doesn’t show any flex at all.

Touchpad
There is a silver rimming around the touchpad. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures including two-finger scrolling, zooming and pinching. It is the right size for a 10 inch netbook. Sensitivity is good. The touchpad doesn’t have separate left and right buttons. The single bar is easy to press and shows no stiffness at all. But it is a bit noisy when pressed.

Display
The Samsung N140 is one of the few netbooks in the market with a matte display. The display is very bright but it isn’t quite as sharp as glossy displays. Viewing angles are satisfactory. In fact, horizontal viewing angles are very good. While the screen itself is good, the lid does have some limitations. You can’t open the lid beyond 135 degrees. Another downside is the low resolution of the display which has only 1024 x 600 pixels. Samsung, however, has included a resolution application that allows you to raise the resolution to 1024 x 768 pixels.

Ports and Slots
There are 3 USB ports. Other features include LAN 10/100, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 0.3 megapixel webcam, VGA, card reader, headphone and microphone jacks. There is no HDMI. The US model also doesn’t have Bluetooth.

Speakers / Audio
The stereo speakers come with SRS TruSurround XT, SRS WOW XT and SRS CS Headphone technology. Audio quality is very good.

Noise and heat
The Samsung N140 is almost silent. You have to try really hard to hear the fan humming even in a quiet room. Heat levels are within normal limits. The laptop does get a bit warm under heavy loads, but nothing unusual.

Battery Life
Most netbooks now offer all day battery life, but the Samsung N140 disappoints in this department. It has a 6-cell battery rated at 5,200mAh. While Samsung’s product page claims that the battery will offer up to 9.5 hours of uptime, in real usage, you will get only around 5 hours.

Performance
Don’t expect too much out of a netbook. These machines are powered by low power Atom processors. Samsung N140 is no different. It has enough power to handle everyday tasks. You will have no difficulty processing MS Office documents. You can browse the web with multiple tabs open. You can also run multiple applications at the same. But you won’t be able to play 3D games. You can’t watch HD video either.

Pros
Matte display
Really quiet
Good touchpad and keyboard
Good speakers
Affordable

Cons
Average battery life
Glossy screen lid prone to pick up finger prints
Not very upgrade friendly.
No WiFi with Linux

DELL LATITUDE Z600 QUICK REVIEW

The new model, Dell Latitude Z600 is quite a rage among the tech savvy generation already. However not all are happy with the announcement since the laptop comes with a price tag that goes to be priced as much as $1,999.

Dell Latitude Z600 has quite an eye-catching appearance and a posh looking structured design that would make anyone dream of having it. The laptop offers a great set of features along with its high price though so it is worth the cost but too much for a normal user to buy.

Dell Latitude Z600 is an ultra slim laptop and has a thickness as small as .57 inch. It has a 15-inch display screen and the laptop just weights around 4.5 pounds, no wonder you call it “lightweight”. The technology used in the laptop is not just another existing laptop configuration technology but Dell has a unique most forward technology used in the making of this Laptop. Since you are required to pay this quite large sum to own this laptop, it’s quite important that you must analyze the specifications and characteristic features of the laptop before buying it.

The laptop has been designed to be as thin as possible compared to all those ultra portable laptops in the market so that it offers the slimmest portable feature. The laptop also has a 4-cell battery supply connected within it. One would really wonder as to how Dell could put in the logic to manufacture this Dell Laptop and yet to surprise them more, Dell Latitude Z600 offers more features than just portability by giving the best working performance and power. The Laptop has an external panel coated with a cherry-coating on it that gives the laptop its lustrous look. The laptop is also additionally equipped with the most sought after technology, the TouchEdge LCD sensor. This enables the users to easily access functions and programs they want using the shortcuts that are displayed on the interface of the laptop.

Pros

The main advantages and highlights of buying this Dell Latitude Z600 laptop are listed below:

+ The touch-sensor technology is the most innovative technology available for now and this laptop implements which is great. It also implements wireless features which are an added benefit to the innovative laptop. Almost every user who buys the laptop will surely be influenced by the existence of these technologies implemented in the system.

+ The laptop offers a display screen with a 1600 x 900 pixel resolution that produces exceptionally great and optimum graphic and display quality in the videos and pictures.

Cons

With all the pros, come the cons for any product. So here we are with the drawbacks of purchasing this great Dell Latitude Z600 laptop:

- Since the laptop is quite a high end system with all those above mentioned features, all its parts are very expensive and the cost of the overall system raises the cost of the laptop to a staggering amount.

- Though many would love the slim look of the laptop, it may feel quite unease for a few to use the laptop due to the small size of it.

Dell Latitude Z600 has been the latest technology of Dell after their best offers in the previous technology of old laptops which made great sales in market. This new model will take the reputation and the trust of the consumers on the company to a new level. However the laptop is more suitable for people in fields like business who look for functionality and style and status. Therefore, this sure is not a laptop that can suite all kinds of users.

ASUS EEE PC 1201N REVIEW

Plenty of 11 and 12 inch laptops with Atom processors and Nvidia ION graphics are now available. But the Asus Eee PC 1201N is different from the rest. It is powered by a dual core Intel Atom 330 processor with Nvidia ION graphics. The dual core Atom 330 is usually only found in desktop systems. It is more powerful than the Atom N270/N280 processors found in most netbooks. The presence of a dual core CPU gives the 1201N a significant edge over competing netbooks from HP, Samsung and Lenovo.

Review Laptop Specifications
Display: 12.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N330 dual core
Graphics: GeForce 9400M (ION Graphics)
Memory: 3GB of DDR2 RAM
Storage: 250/320 GB hard drive + 500 GB web based storage
Battery: 6-cell 5200mAh battery
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium

Ports and Slots
The Asus Eee PC 1201N comes with the regular array of ports. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 SD card slot, HDMI, VGA, 0.3 mega pixel webcam, headphone and microphone jacks. Connectivity options include Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n.

Design and Build Quality
The Asus Eee PC 1201N measures just 1.3 inches in thickness and weighs around 3.1 pounds. Build quality is reasonably good. The notebook comes with a shiny black plastic exterior. While the glossy exterior lends the notebook an attractive look, it tends to collect fingerprints.

Performance
The dual core Atom 330 and Nvidia ION combination gives the machine an edge over other netbooks with single core processors. Performance is good. The machine can easily decode 1080p Flash video using Adobe Flash Player 10.1 beta with GPU acceleration. HD video also looks good on the high resolution display. The machine can also handle several graphics rich games such as Call of Duty 4, Torchlight and Street Fighter IV demo. And if you need to, you can edit photos in Photoshop CS4.

Battery life
Asus claims that the 6-cell battery will provide up to 8 hours of runtime. But in real usage you can’t get more than 5 hours. In fact, you won’t get more than 4 hours if you perform a lot of CPU and GPU intensive tasks.

Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard is large and comfortable to type on. It comes with two full sized shift and two full sized arrow keys. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures.

Heat and Noise
Heat and noise levels are well within normal limits. The 1201N is relatively quiet, almost silent. It doesn’t get too hot even under heavy loads.

HP PAVILION DM1 NETBOOK REVIEW

The HP Pavilion DM1 occupies the space between an Atom netbook and a full-fledged notebook. It can easily compete with other 11.6 inch models like Acer Aspire 1410 and Lenovo U150.

Build quality
Build quality is reasonably good. The screen lid, however, shows some flex. The Pavilion DM1 is as thin and light as any other netbook. The bottom of the netbook provides easy access panels for internal components so upgrading this netbook is easy.

Specifications
Processor: 1.2GHz Intel Celeron SU2300 processor
Graphics: integrated GMA 4500MHD
Memory: 2GB of RAM
Storage: 250GB hard drive
Battery: 6-cell

Other configurations with dual core Pentium SU4100 processor are also available.

Ports
Port selection is average. There are 3 USB ports, an HDMI port, Ethernet and WiFi 802.11b/g. There is only a single jack for mic and headphone.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard does offer a solid feel and good tactile feedback. It shows no signs of flex at all. But it is smaller for a 10 inch netbook. The touchpad disappoints. It doesn’t support multi-touch gestures which is kind of surprising because plenty of small and inexpensive netbooks now come with multi-touch touchpads. The buttons are stiff and noisy.

Screen and Speakers
The 11.6 inch display comes with 1366 x 768 pixels. The display itself is good with good color and contrast. The Altec Lansing speakers produce great audio. The microphones are also great.

Battery life
The 6-cell lithium ion battery provides around 4.5 hours of runtime under normal use.

Performance
Performance is quite satisfactory. The netbook has enough power to handle day-to-day jobs like web browsing and word processing. The integrated Intel graphics can’t handle graphics rich video games but it is good enough to decode HD video (720p and 1080p).

Pros
High resolution display
Solid keyboard
Good speakers and microphone
Silent cooling system

Cons
Touchpad lacks multi-touch supports
Stiff and noisy touchpad buttons
Small keyboard
No Bluetooth or WiFI N

HP dm3t PRODUCT REVIEW

HP is a recognized brand in computer technology; thus, the release of an all-new HP dm3T opens up a lot of useful functionalities and portability for students and other consumers who want comfort without sacrificing quality of the laptop's performance. If you are currently shopping for the best laptop to buy, then you should include this one on your list and might even end up as your choice too.

Features

One distinction that HP has over other laptop manufacturers is that they believe in the importance of looks and design as one of the major buying factors that consumers use. Since it is one of the first few things they see, it initially impacts the kind of impression they have about a laptop. If they don't like the physical build or design, they would not even consider checking out its technical features and specifications. This is a strong point being addressed by developers with HP dm3T such that they have equipped it with an attractive design and finish.

The 13.2-inch screen looks very modern and sleek, thus ideal for students and professionals alike. And more impressive is that it comes with 1366x768 WGA screen resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, thus it is HD format friendly for quality LCD TV experience. Moreover, this is a backlit screen variety so you can enjoy vivid and bright colors.

Weighing only approximately 4 lbs, HP dm3T offers no burden to the user in terms of carrying it with you wherever you maybe. And yet, you can avail of that for a comparatively affordable price tag of only $599.99. The overall construction and the keyboard area all emit efficiency and convenience too. The keyboard comes in a chiclet style, but it is very reliable when you are embarking on a typing job and intuitively assigned their spots for convenient typing. It is not equipped with fancy buttons and flashy lights, just clean look on the top.

The case for HP dm3T is also very rigid, such that it won't flex even if you grab at it using only one hand. The keyboard and ports area are also made out of silver colored plastic molding and the overall construction certainly does not look cheap at all. There are also lots of port selections for HP dm3T and is ideal for the busy individual so you can perform multi-tasking. There are up to 4 USB ports, 1 microphone-in port, 1 headphone out port, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet LAN, and a 5-in-1 card reader.

As for the technical performance, HP dm3T runs on a 1.3HGz Core 2 Duo processor, which is good enough for productivity applications like checking or sending e-mail, running office applications, web surfing, and other vital functions at an efficient speed rate. However, this is not something for the serious gamer though, but that does not take anything away from this media powerhouse.

Final Thoughts

If you only have a limited budget to spend, HP dm3T is a good option for you such that it is a powerhouse laptop despite being quite affordable. And yet, it has certain features that top even more expensive models in the market.

ACER ASPIRE 5738DG-6165 PRODUCT REVIEW : NO NON-SENSE QUALITY AND GREAT PERFORMANCE

Most people's first impression upon seeing the new Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 is the assumption that it is just like any average laptops out there. But you will soon realize that there is a lot more to this notebook than meets the eye. For once, it is equipped with a 3D panel that enables it to stand out from mainstream laptop technology. Some critics readily dismissed this addition as something that average users won't be able to appreciate. But general populace would appreciate this feature at an affordable $780 price tag, now would you?

Examining the features of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 introduces a lot of innovative features that would undeniably confer good feedback. The 3D panel will serve as the focal point of this review, given that this is a breakthrough among notebook models in the market. This is, after all, a unique form of technology, which is one of only three 3D technologies that people have access today. So, you can rest assured that Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 is on a league of its own.

The software model of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 is therefore something worth grabbing if you are in for the latest technology. But before you head on out to buy one, take time to learn about what features you can expect and how it helps to improve your overall user experience. The main interface for this laptop is intuitively done such that you can easily access high quality video files that are unparalleled in its resolution and imaging. The software is also extensive enough that you can produce high definition video performance even when you are merely using an external DVD drive. If you like to do a lot of online video streaming, whether be it from YouTube, Hulu, or Netflix, Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 never fails to impress.

In addition to quality video, Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 comes with a 3D photo viewer that is accessible from the menu launch that is available for the software. You can therefore enjoy quality images that are topnotch in quality, often jolting out of the screen. For serious gamers, the laptop's 3D technology does a pretty decent job with the gameplay experience. Playing your favorite video games through this laptop delivers raw action that is equipped with vivid visuals and graphics.

Even without the 3D technology, Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 has got tons to offer to its users. The 15.6 inch panel is solid and durably designed to withstand wear quite well. The inherent screen and resolution display quality is already up to par with most laptop models in the market, such that even without the 3D technology, the viewing experience is still quite satisfying. Video files also run in a 1366x768 pixel resolution for no lagging issues and efficient video streaming experience.

The overall performance of the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 therefore makes it a competitive notebook model today. Whether it is functionality, high quality videos and images, or top technological features that you want, this notebook has delivered in all aspects brilliantly. And with an affordable price tag to boot, this is certainly worth grabbing for those considering buying one to use.

ASUS EEE PC 1008HA NETBOOK REVIEW

The Asus Eee PC 1008HA sports an all-new design inspired by the curves of a seashell. Its specifications don’t set it apart from the multitude of netbooks available in the market. But this ultraportable machine does have some plus points of its own. On the flip side, it misses a few ports and offers less battery life than a typical netbook does.

Specifications
Processor: 1.66-GHz Intel Atom N280
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Memory: 2 GB
Storage: 250 GB 5400 rpm
Display: 10.1 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels

Price as Reviewed: $411

Design and build quality
The Eee PC 1008HA sports an attractive design. The screen lid is available in glossy white and black; blue and pink are expected to be available later this year. The lid features an infusion finish which makes it scratch resistant. The netbook measures one inch in thickness. And at just 2.2 pounds it is lighter than most netbooks available in the market.

Ports
All the ports are covered with plastic tabs. There are 2 USB ports (most netbooks have 3), a 4-in-1 card reader, Ethernet port, headphone and microphone jacks. There is also a VGA port for connecting the netbook to a larger display.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is spacious and is comfortable to type on. The keys provide nice tactile feedback. There is a Wi-Fi and touchpad on/off button above the keyboard. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures. It is covered with small Braille-like dots. There are no dedicated right and left buttons, but the single button does work well.

Display, Audio, and Webcam
The 10.1 inch display features 1024 x 600 pixels. The display is good. Colors are bright and vivid. Horizontal viewing angles are good but vertical viewing angles are average. The 1.3 megapixel webcam fitted above the display produces clear images.
The speakers are good but not the best. Audiophiles will definitely need to invest in a pair of headphones.

Performance
The original 1008HA ran Windows XP. But the new version runs Windows 7 Home Premium. This is a remarkable feature as most netbooks out there run Windows 7 Starter which has very limited functionality. The new and improved 1008HA also has 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.

Performance is satisfactory. The netbook has enough power to handle every day tasks. You will not have any difficulty surfing the web with multiple tabs on or conducting video calls over Skype. The integrated Intel GMA 950 chip can easily decode 720p HD video, but gaming is still out of question.

Battery Life
The Eee PC 1008HA has a 2900 mAH lithium polymer battery instead of the more common lithium ion battery. The 6-cell battery provides up to six hours of up time. While the battery life is OK, the battery itself does pose some problems. It is integrated with the netbook and cannot be removed.

Pros
Thin and light
Spacious keyboard
Attractive design
Faster hard drive

Cons
Integrated battery which cannot be removed
VGA port requires adapter

GIGABYTE TOUCHNOTE T1028X CONVERTIBLE NETBOOK REVIEW

The Gigabyte TouchNote T1028X is an ultraportable netbook with a 10.1 inch display. It is powered by an Intel Atom N280 processor. Specifications don’t set it apart from other netbooks currently available in the market; still the TouchNote T1028X isn’t just another netbook.

Display and Graphics
The most remarkable thing about this netbook is indeed its display. The 10.1 inch display is touch-enabled. It also comes with a default resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. There is probably no other netbook in the market with a touch-screen display featuring 1366 x 768 pixels. The display can be folded down over the keyboard to use the device in tablet mode.

The touch screen shows good sensitivity. You will not have any difficulty navigating through programs using either the stylus or your finger. Gigabyte has also included some software applications which make the touch-screen easy to use.

The display itself is average. Colors aren’t very bright or vivid. The high
resolution of the display is both good and bad. It reduces the need to scroll when viewing web pages. On the flip side, having so many pixels on a tiny screen puts extra strain on your eyes.

Ports and Slots
There are 3 USB ports, headphone and microphone jacks. Other notable features include integrated 3G module (optional), VGA, Ethernet, SD card reader, an ExpressCard/34 slot.

Design
The TouchNote T1028X is slightly heavier and larger than typical 10 inch netbooks. It measures 1.5 inches in thickness and weighs around 3.3 pounds. The lid features an attractive glossy finish which is prone to collect fingerprints. The screen bezel, palm rest and other parts of the computer feature a matte finish.

The TouchNote comes with a 6-cell battery which sticks out a bit from the back of the notebook. The battery is expected to give 5 hours of up time. The netbook is very upgrade friendly with the bottom featuring easy access panels for RAM, hard drive and wireless module.

Speakers
The speakers aren’t very audible. So if you like to listen to a lot of music on your netbook you will definitely want to use headphones or a set of external speakers.

Keyboard and TouchPad
The keyword is wide and it stretches from one side of the case to the other. The keys provide nice tactile feedback. But for some unknown reason Gigabyte has reduced the size of some keys. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures. While sensitivity is good the touchpad does pose some problems. Its buttons are located on the left and right side of it. This is an arrangement you will take sometime to get used to.

Performance
Performance is snappy. Boot times are good and applications load almost instantly. You will not have any difficulty performing your day to day activities like web surfing and word processing. But remember that this machine is powered by an Intel Atom processor which doesn’t have enough power to handle CPU intensive tasks such as editing and transcoding videos.

Conclusion
In terms of performance and build quality this is one of the best netbooks in the market. The touch-screen works just like it should. On the flip side this is one of the most expensive netbooks in the market. In fact, this is not a netbook at all because netbooks are supposed to be small and cheap.

Gigabyte recently upgraded the TouchNote T1028X. It is now available from Amazon for $668. This model ships with Windows 7 and a 250GB hard drive. But like the previous version, the upgraded version also comes with 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The model with an integrated 3G module sells for $788.

MSI WIND U230 PRE-PRODUCTION UNIT REVIEW

The MSI Wind U230 is powered by a dual core AMD Neo processor. It has a 12.1 inch display. We first heard about the laptop last month, but then it disappeared. It has officially resurfaced now.

In size and shape, the Wind U230 isn’t much different from other Wind U2xx line of notebooks. But while other machines in the line have Intel processors, the Wind U230 is powered by a 1.6 GHz AMD Congo Neo X2 processor with ATI Radeon HD3200 graphics. The machine supports DirectX 10 standard and is capable of HD video playback.

MSI Wind U230 specifications
Display: 12.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Memory: 2GB (Expandable to 4GB)
Hard drive: 160GB/250GB/320GB

Connectivity options include WiFi 802.11b/g/n, LAN 10/100/1000 and Bluetooth (optional). There are 3 USB ports, a 4-in-1 card reader, a 1.3 MP webcam, microphone and a headphone jack. There is an HDMI port for transferring video to an external monitor. There is also a VGA port for connecting the notebook to a larger display. The machine is available with 3 or 6 cell batteries.

The notebook measures just 1.2 inches in thickness and weighs around 2.9 pounds with the 3-cell battery.

Bloggers who reviewed an early engineering model of the notebook claims that while Wind U230 can’t perform better than systems with Intel’s SU7300 processor in CPU benchmarks, it is way ahead of other notebooks with Intel GMA X4500MHD and GMA 950 graphics when it comes to playing 3D video games.

At around 4 hours, the battery life is far from being impressive. But MSI may address the issue before officially launching the notebook early next year.

NOKIA BOOKLET 3G REVIEW

The Nokia Booklet 3G hit the market with a great deal of hype. It is the first netbook from Nokia, a company well known for its cell phones. Needless to say the Booklet 3G was one of the most awaited netbooks of the year.

Build quality
Build quality is good. Nokia has encased the laptop in a thick aluminum chassis. The machine weighs just 1kg and measures 2cm in thickness.

Screen
The Booklet 3G has a 10 inch display. According to people who reviewed the netbook, the glossy display is nice with good color and contrast.

Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard looks somewhat cramped. The touchpad buttons are hard to press which doesn’t improve the situation either. The machine also feels sluggish due to its weak Z530 processor.

Battery life
The battery is good for 10 or more hours of uptime, thanks in no small measure to the slow, low power processor inside the machine.

Conclusion
In many aspects the Booklet 3G is better than conventional netbooks. It comes with an integrated 3G modem for connecting to AT&T’s wireless broadband network. Other notable features include Bluetooth and assisted GPS. There is an HDMI output port for transferring video to an external monitor. The device has a 10 inch display with 1280x720 pixels. You have got to agree that not many netbooks out there come with such premium features.

On the flip side, the Booklet 3G has many drawbacks too. The weakest part of this device is its processor. The Booklet 3G has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor which is slower than the N270/N280 processors found on most netbooks. While the N270/N280 can handle multitasking and web surfing the Z530 just isn’t up to the task. As a result of this, web pages take longer to load on Booklet 3G. Applications load slowly. It also takes longer to close a window.

Another drawback is the high price tag. The Booklet 3G costs around $599 without a wireless service contract. If you sign up for a 2-year plan with AT&T you will get it for $299. Plenty of netbooks are now available in the market for $300 without a contract, so subsidies can’t be an incentive for buying this netbook.

ASUS T91MT TOUCH-SCREEN TABLET REVIEW

Asus has upgraded its Eee PC T91. The new version dubbed T91MT has Windows 7 Home Premium and supports multi-touch features.

Configuration
Processor: Intel Atom Z520 (1.33GHz, 533MHz FSB)
Display: 8.9 inch LED-backlit resistive multi-touch display
Storage: 32GB Solid State Drive
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics: Intel GMA 500 Graphics
Memory: 1GB DDR 667MHz
Price as configured: $549.99

Build quality
Build quality is excellent. The notebook looks and feels solid in your hand. The T91MT is ultraportable. The netbook measures just 1 inch in thickness and weighs 2 pounds. The bottom of the netbook provides an easy access panel to the RAM. If you need to upgrade other components you will have to disassemble the whole netbook.

Screen
The new and improved T91MT has a multi-touch display that accepts two-finger input. The previous version had a single-input touch-screen. The display is good. Colors look bright and lively. The viewing angles are also decent. Another nice feature is that the display on T91MT is less glossy than the display on T91.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard shows absolutely no flex at all and delivers a nice typing experience. The touchpad is a Synaptics model. It is neither too glossy nor too textured. Touchpad sensitivity is good.

Ports and Slots
Port selection on T91MT is average. There are 2 USB 2.0 ports, headphone, microphone and VGA out ports. Other notable features include 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth v2.1, a 0.3 Megapixel webcam and 2x MMC/SD/SDHC Card Readers. There are no HDMI, FireWire or eSATA ports.

Performance
Performance is sub-par. The T91MT has a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 processor which is much slower than the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 found in most netbooks. The integrated GMA 500 graphics is also less powerful than the GMA 950 chipset common in netbooks. On the plus side, the GMA 500 is capable of some HD video decoding with a few tweaks.

Battery life
The Atom Z520 may not be very good at handling CPU-intensive tasks, but it is highly power efficient. The T91MT has no difficulty lasting for 5 hours on a single charge.

Pros
Reasonably priced
Good build quality
Nice display
Good battery life
Light-weight

Cons

Battery is internal.
Poor processor

HP MINI 311 (VERIZON WIRELESS) NETBOOK REVIEW

HP Mini 311 is now available subsidized from US wireless carrier Verizon. Sign up for a 2 year wireless broadband plan and you will be able to buy the netbook for $199. Of course you have to spend $60/month for the broadband service.

HP Mini 311 is famous for being the first netbook to have NVIDIA ION graphics. Like the regular HP Mini 311, the Verizon model too has an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. It is powered by an Intel Atom processor with NVIDIA ION Light Edition graphics. The Verizon model has 2GB of RAM and built-in 3G module. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium. The XP model comes with 1GB of RAM.

Design
In many aspects, the Mini 311 looks similar to HP’s larger notebooks. The lid is available in both black and white and bears HP’s Swirl pattern. The Mini 311 is almost the same size as the MSI Wind U210 and Acer Aspire 1410. The notebook measures around 3.2 pounds.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The HP Mini 311 comes with slightly intended square silver keys. The keys are comfortable to type on and you will be able to reach your normal tying speed almost immediately. The touchpad buttons are a bit stiff. The touchpad surface also shows some friction.

Ports and Slots
The HP Mini 311 has the regular array of ports. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA, headphone/mic and 5-in-1 memory card reader. There is also an HDMI port for transferring video to an external monitor.

Performance
The biggest strength of this netbook is its NVIDIA ION graphics processor. Performance is excellent. In graphics performance tests, the HP Mini 311 delivers better performance than other netbooks with integrated Intel graphics. The machine can play most recent games with ease. It can also handle multitasking. But when it comes to CPU intensive tasks, the Mini 311 isn’t particularly better than other netbooks with Atom N270 processor.

Battery life
The Verizon version runs Windows 7 and it doesn’t give as much battery life as the version running Windows XP. You may get less than 5 hours if you are on WiFi and 3.5 hours on 3G.

Pros
Good graphics performance
Attractive design
Built-in 3G for wireless broadband access
Good keyboard

Cons
Shorter battery life than the version running Windows XP

ASUS UL20A NOTEBOOK REVIEW

With its 12.1 inch display, the Asus UL20A isn’t much different from a typical netbook, but the machine offers the functionality of a full sized notebook.

The UL20A is thin and light. It also gets good battery life when compared to many laptops larger in size. Performance is snappy. There are no discrete GPUs, but the machine is still capable of decoding HD movies. And the larger display features a higher resolution than that is found in laptops of similar size.

The UL20A is the cheapest laptop in the Asus UL line of notebooks. It is also the smallest. Unlike the 13 inch UL30A, the UL20A doesn’t have Bluetooth or HDMI. On the plus side this machine is cheaper than its bigger sibling by almost $200.


UL20A specifications:
Processor: Dual-core 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor
Graphics: integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD
Memory: 2GB of RAM
Storage: 250GB hard drive
Display: 12.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
Other notable features include WiFi 802.11b/g/n

Performance
The UL20A is powered by a dual-core CULV processor. CULV processors are known for being power efficient. They also deliver better performance than the Intel Atom processors found in most netbooks. Performance is snappy. Boot times are good, and applications load almost instantly. The UL20A has enough power inside its chassis to be your primary PC. There are no discrete graphics cards, so you can’t play high-end games on this PC.

Conclusion
The UL20A is worth considering if you are looking for an ultraportable laptop priced in the upper range of a typical netbook. The notebook is now available from Amazon for $581. And there is currently a promotion wherein buyers will get Amazon gift certificates worth $75 with the purchase of UL20A.

LENOVO THINKPAD USB EXTERNAL KEYBOARD REVIEW

Lenovo has released a new version of its ThinkPad USB external keyboard. It is aimed at desktop and notebook users who don’t own a ThinkPad but want the same typing experience.

Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards are well known for their ease of use so much so that they are considered the best laptop keyboards in the world.

Lenovo ThinkPad USB Keyboard Features

Integrated TrackPoint
Spill resistant
Good ergonomic design
Access to variety of ThinkPad features through the Function Key
Volume up and down arrow keys

The Lenovo ThinkPad USB keyboard comes with a 3-year warranty. It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Build and Design
In layout the new ThinkPad USB keyboard is very similar to the keyboards on some newer ThinkPad laptops. The keyboard features a low profile design with a thin frame and a large fixed palm rest surrounding it. Lenovo has removed the integrated touchpad which used to feature on older models.

The keyboard is very sturdy and shows minimal flex. Lenovo has also made use of rubber pads to keep the keyboard firmly on your desk.

In Use
The keyboard is very comfortable to type on. The key layout is identical to the keyboard on the T400s. Individual key action is smooth and quiet. The top edge of the keyboard comes with quick access keys with which you can perform a number of tasks including volume adjustment. These buttons don’t seem to require additional drivers to work on different laptop models running Vista or Windows 7. If you are using this keyboard on a ThinkPad notebook you will also be able to launch the ThinkVantage software suite by pressing its key.

The new ThinkPad USB keyboard doesn’t have an integrated touchpad. There is only a pointing stick which works reasonably well.

The new keyboard also doesn’t feature the onboard USB port which was present on the previous models. Lenovo may have removed it to cut costs or make the keyboard thinner, but this is a feature may people will miss.

Conclusion
The new Lenovo ThinkPad USB keyboard offers value for the money. The typing experience is nearly identical to what you would get from typing on the laptop itself. If you already own one of the old models of the keyboard you may miss the touchpad and the onboard USB hub. But at $59, the new model is also cheaper than the old models.

DELL INSPIRON 14Z REVIEW

Despite having the designation ‘z’, the Inspiron 14z isn’t probably the thinnest and lightest laptop in its category offering the best battery life, but it does have some impressive features.

Dell Inspiron 14z (Cherry Red) Specifications:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB)
Operating system: Windows 7 Premium (64-bit)
RAM: 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
Storage: 250GB 5400rpm HDD
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
Display: 14.0” HD (1366x768) WLED Display and webcam
The machine weighs around 4lbs. Price as configured: $839.

Build and Design
In design and looks the Inspiron 14z is similar to the Inspiron 14. There are, nevertheless, some differences between the two models. The 14z is more power efficient than the Inspiron 14 due to its CULV processor and WLED display.

The notebook is made of relatively thin plastic, but build quality is good. The display lid, however, does suffer from minor flex: you can create ripples on the screen by pressing the back of the display. Other than that, there are no major problems with the build quality.

The bottom of the notebook provides easy access panels for the hard drive and RAM.

Screen and Speakers
The 14-inch display has 1366x768 pixels. Colors are good but contrast isn’t very impressive. The WLED backlighting is even and provides a wide range of brightness settings. Horizontal viewing angles are pretty good, but vertical viewing angles are average.

The stereo speakers are located beneath the front edge of the notebook palmrests so you will only hear a muffled sound when you put the laptop on your lap. Put the device on a desk and you should be able to hear better audio. Sound quality isn’t particularly good or bad. Audiophiles will definitely find a pair of headphones useful and the headphone jack produces clear, distortion free sound.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard has full-sized keys. It is very firm and shows absolutely no flex at all. The only problem with the keyboard is probably the lack of backlighting.
The touchpad is a Synaptics model using Dell’s proprietary touchpad drivers. It supports multi-touch controls. Sensitivity is good with very little lag.

Ports and Features
Port selection is average for a notebook of this size. There are 3 USB ports, HDMI video out port, VGA, a multi-format memory card reader, Ethernet and a standard 8xCD/DVD burner with dual-layer support. The Inspiron 14z doesn’t have an ExpressCard slot, eSATA or FireWire.

Performance
The Inspiron 14z runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo CULV SU7300 processor with Intel X4500HD integrated graphics. Performance is good for daily activities such as surfing the web and processing Office documents. You can also make simple edits to your photos or videos.

The CULV processor is highly power efficient but it does affect the overall performance of the notebook. That said, the machine is still good enough to serve your basic needs as a family notebook. But if you want to play the latest 3D games or run high-end photo editing applications, this is not the laptop to buy. The price tag, too, seem a bit odd. The Inspiron 14z starts at $799 whereas the Studio 14z, which offers much better performance, starts at $699.

Battery
The Inspiron 14z has a 6-cell 48.8 WHr battery. At around 6 hours, battery life is impressive for a notebook of this size, but still it falls short of Dell’s promise of 66% better battery life.

Heat and Noise
The cooling system does a good job and keeps the heat and noise levels well within normal limits.

Conclusion
The Dell Inspiron 14z delivers reasonable performance and an impressive battery life. This is not a high performance machine, but is good enough to be a convenient notebook for general use. On the flip side, the Inspiron 14z is costlier than the Studio 14z which offers much better performance at an affordable price.

Pros:
Impressive battery life
Nice design
Good keyboard

Cons:
Average performance
No eSATA, FireWire or ExpressCard slot
Keyboard lacks backlighting

CASZH CA-L11B NETBOOK REVIEW

Chinese PC maker Caszh has released several impressive mini-laptops of late, one among them being the CA-L11B. This 11.1 inch device is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor.

Specifications
The CA-L11B has the regular netbook specifications. It has an 11.1 inch display with 1366x768 pixels. Up to 1GB of RAM can be installed. The hard disk capacity is 160GB. It runs on Windows XP.

Ports and slots
The laptop comes with the regular array of ports. There is also a SIM card slot that can be used with an optional 3G module. Other features include 802.11b/g/n WiFi.

Build and Design
The CA-L11B arrives in a box which has the picture of a completely different notebook. Build quality is reasonably good, so is the design. The machine has a standard touchpad below the keyboard but the picture on the cardboard box shows a device with a pointing stick. The laptop measures just 1.1 inch in thickness. And at just 2.6 pounds, the device is ultraportable.

Performance
The CA-L11B has enough power to handle everyday uses such as word processing and web surfing. It has no discrete GPU: that job is handled by an integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics. The machine can easily handle 720p video playback, but playing 1080p HD video is still out of question.

Battery life
The 3-cell 2200mAh battery gives around 2 hours of run time which isn’t impressive at all.

Availability
The Caszh CA-L11B is now available in China. It is not yet known when it would be available in the West.

FSP NB S90 UNIVERSAL NOTEBOOK ADAPTER REVIEW

Universal power adapters are more affordable than OEM replacements. They are also compatible with a wide range of notebooks. In this article we will see how the FSP NB S90 Universal Notebook Adapter performs.

FSP NB S90 Specifications:

* Input Voltage: 100V AC to 240V AC, 50 ~ 60Hz frequency
* Output Voltage: 15~17V OR 18~21V
* Peak Power Output: 90W
* Operating Efficiency: 85%+
The adapter meets CEC Energy Standard and Energy Star Standards. It comes with a 3 year parts/labor warranty and retails for $59.99

Build and Design
In looks the FCP NB S90 isn’t much different from average AC adapters. It has a black matte plastic body and comes with a black cord. A useful design element is the inline control that allows you to regulate output voltage of the power supply. Build quality is excellent and the cords connecting to the adapter are long enough to reach most power outlets around you.

Ease of Use
The FSP NB S90 power adapter is very easy to use with adjustable voltage settings. You are allowed two voltage ranges – 15-17V or 18-21V. Look at the rated voltage of the original power adapter to determine the range you should use. You can then easily select a particular voltage range using only your fingertips. And once set you can’t change it accidentally.

Performance
Performance is excellent in terms of rated capacity and compatibility. The adapter is compatible with a wide range of notebooks and netbooks.

Heat and Noise
Heat and noise levels are normal. During normal usage the adapter is warm to the touch. Under heavy load it does get hot, but the same thing happens with every standard adapter.

Pros:
Easy to set up
Good build quality
Universally compatible

Cons:
Nothing really

HP PROBOOK 4310S REVIEW

The HP ProBook 4310s is a 13-inch budget priced business notebook. It has more or less the same design as the ProBook 4510s and 4710s.

Review Unit Configuration
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T6570 Processor (2.1GHz, 2MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
Operating system: Microsoft Genuine Windows Vista Business (with option for Windows XP downgrade)
Display: 13.3-inch LED-backlit anti-glare HD display (1366 x 768)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Memory: 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
Storage: 320GB 7200RPM HDD

Price as configured: $779

Build and Design
The HP ProBook notebooks are aimed at small and medium businesses. These laptops offer a good balance of features at an affordable price.

The ProBook 4310s has a square, industrial-looking exterior and recessed keyboard area. The ProBooks are made mostly of plastic unlike the Elitebooks which are made of magnesium and aluminum alloy.

The ProBook 4310s is fairly light at 4.4 pounds. But the use of thin and light plastics lends a cheap feel to the notebook. The base of the laptop and screen lid show flex. Also, the chassis isn’t strong enough to withstand multiple drops off a desk. It would have been nice if HP had used thicker plastics or magnesium alloy in the construction of 4310s. On the plus side there are removable panels on the bottom of the laptop so upgrading components isn’t very difficult.
The average build quality, however, doesn’t prevent the laptop from featuring HP 3D DriveGuard which provides protection to the hard drive in the event the laptop gets dropped. Other security features on the notebook include HP ProtectTools with drive encryption, Device Access Manager, HP Spare Key, HP Disk Sanitizer and File Sanitizer.

Screen and Speakers
The ProBook 4310s comes with a 13.3 inch anti-glare display with 16:9 aspect ratio. The display features 1366x768 pixels. The display is good with good color and contrast. Horizontal viewing angles are excellent but vertical viewing angles are average.

The speakers are placed above the keyboard so that the sound is directed towards the user. Still, speaker performance isn’t very good. They sound tinny and lack range and at higher volumes, the audio tends to sound distorted.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The 4310s has a full-size keyboard featuring a chiclet style. There is enough spacing between keys for comfortable typing. The layout of the keyboard is equally good.

The touchpad is very responsive. On the flip side, the touchpad buttons are a very stiff and require a deep press in order to register a click. Unlike other HP consumer notebooks, there is no dedicated touchpad disable button on 4310s.

Ports and Features
Port selection is good. There are USB 2.0 ports, optical drive, WiFi (802.11a/b/g/draft-n), Ethernet, Modem, and Bluetooth.

Performance
The HP ProBook 4310 is equipped with an Intel T6570 processor running at 2.1GHz and integrated intel graphics. HP also provides the option of discrete graphics (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 with 512 MB dedicated video memory) at an additional cost. The 320GB hard drive spins at 7200rpm, so applications load without much lag. The notebook has enough power to handle applications like MS Office and FireFox. You will also be able to do some basic video work. High end gaming is still out of question as the integrated graphics isn’t very powerful.

Heat and Noise
During normal use heat production is minimal. Noise levels are also reasonable. But put the machine under pressure, and you will not have to try too hard to hear noise generated by the exhaust fans.

Battery
The base configuration comes with a 4-cell 37WHr battery. A larger 8-cell 73WHr battery is also available. The 4-cell battery will provide up to 4 hours of up time.

Conclusion
A decent notebook offering satisfactory performance. The HP 4310s is stylish and offers a good balance of features at a reasonable price.

Pros:
Reasonably priced
Great keyboard
Attractive design

Cons:
Average build quality
Costly if you buy it custom configured
Bad touchpad buttons