Dell Vostro 410 Review: Powerful Quad-core performance but little pricey
Posted on June 19, 2008
Filed Under PC Hardware | Leave a Comment
The Vostro, Dell’s PC line for small businesses and sole proprietorships, updates the line with more internal space for components, faster quad-core CPUs, and more powerful 3D graphics.
The Good: Minimal bloatware. Lots of expansion space. Quad-core performance. High-powered 3D. 15-month Internet Security subscription. Windows XP, or XP plus Vista discs to upgrade, are options.
The Bad: One-year warranty. A little pricey. Could be more energy efficient. Included online storage is only one year.
The Bottomline: The Dell Vostro 410 is a powerful PC for small businesses. A single business user will be happy with the high-end performance, added features, and no bloatware. Read more
Share ThisNikon D60 DSLR Review: Great advanced controls, but not intuitive
Posted on June 19, 2008
Filed Under DIGITAL PHOTO | Leave a Comment
The Nikon D60 aims to hook point-and-shoot photography enthusiasts crossing over to the digital SLR dimension with is ergonomics and design, costing more than the D40 and the D40x.
The Good: Good image quality with extra features. Variety of advanced controls.
The Bad: Design feels cramped. Some design aspects not intuitive.
The Bottomline: Inexpensive entry-level digital SLR camera offers advanced features and great image quality. Read more
Share ThisLG Decoy VX8610 Slider phone Review: Innovative design w/ Bluetooth, noisy headset
Posted on June 19, 2008
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The LG Decoy VX8610 is the first mobile phone with a built-in, pop-out Bluetooth headset. It surely is a good choice for folks who tend to misplace their mobile accessories.
The Good: Innovative design integrates a Bluetooth headset. Very good voice quality. Decent camera.
The Bad: Headset performs poorly in noisy areas.
The Bottomline: The LG Decoy is a good, midrange slider phone for Verizon with something extra: a Bluetooth headset tucked into the back, so you’ll always have it at the ready. Read more
Share ThisASUS U2E-A2B Review: Expensive, but weighs next to nothing
Posted on June 19, 2008
Filed Under Mobile Computing, PC Hardware, laptops | Leave a Comment
The pricey ASUS U2E-A2B comes with an internal optical drive and a 32GB SSD , as well as, leather fixtures in all its 2.7-pound frame.
The Good: Gorgeous leather accents. LED backlit screen. Built-in optical drive. The only 3-pound ultraportable with an HDMI port. Excellent battery life. Energy efficient.
The Bad: 92 percent keyboard. Three-cell battery is not enough. Poor performance scores. Way too expensive. Could use a cellular modem.
The Bottomline: The ASUS U2E-A2B is a gorgeous, leather-clad ultraportable that weighs next to nothing. But it could use a price reduction and a processor upgrade. Read more
Share ThisCreative Vado Pocket Video Cam Review: Sleek camcorder; poor video uploaded quality
Posted on June 19, 2008
Filed Under DIGITAL PHOTO, video cameras - camcorders | Leave a Comment
Creative Vado Pocket Video Cam is a camcorder that a camcorder that improves upon the Flip Ultra in a number of ways but still falls short in a few key areas.
The Good: Sleek and slim design. Low price. Large screen. Rechargeable battery. Easy-to-use software.
The Bad: Poor uploaded video quality. Subpar mic.
The Bottomline: Creative’s Vado improves on its prototype, the Flip Ultra mini camcorder, in a number of ways, including design and price, but its choppy video quality may be too much to overlook. Read more
Share ThisAstro A40 Audio Gaming Headset Review: Great sound, but lacks iPod adjust
Posted on June 18, 2008
Filed Under Digital Music, Gaming | Leave a Comment
Consisting of a headset and a dedicated mixer and amplifier, the Astro A40 Audio Gaming System is geared towards Xbox and PC gamers who want solid surround sound without violating municipal noise ordinances.
The Good: Headset is comfortable, great sound, and fairly attractive to boot. Dolby Surround support.
The Bad: Some noise leaking from the headset. Balance on the Mixer will only handle game and voice volume, so you have to adjust your iPod manually.
The Bottomline: The MixAmp’s best feature is the Dolby Surround support, pumping surround audio in a multi-channel setup, or simulating it on standard stereo headphones. So even if you’d rather stick to your own headset, you can still get (faux) surround sound. Read more
Share ThisCyberLink PowerDirector 7 Review: Excellent editing tools, great effects
Posted on June 17, 2008
Filed Under DIGITAL PHOTO, Reviews, Software | Leave a Comment
The CyberLink PowerDirector 7 Ultra is an impressive improvement in the quality of the all-around consumer-video-editing application, making it worthy of PCMag Editors’ Choice for consumer video editing.
The Good: Can share title, DVD template, and objects over the Internet. Good capture, trimming tools. Very good corrective effects, performance, multicore CPU utilization. Lots of artistic effects. Can search, input, and use Flickr images.
The Bad: Didn’t recognize a Panasonic AG-HSC1UP AVCHD camcorder.
The Bottomline: Excellent across-the-board functionality and usability, and the best choice in the consumer editing field. Read more
Share ThisiHome iPod Alarm Clock Review: Great Alarm features; too bass heavy
Posted on June 16, 2008
Filed Under Digital Music | Leave a Comment
The iHome iH12BR is an iPod dock, alarm clock, AM/FM radio and stereo speakers all in one compact black box that comes with a remote.
The Good: Alarm features are fine. The remote is useful for fiddling with it from across the room, and the unit even has a battery backup in case your power goes out.
The Bad: Fairly bass heavy. Controls are slightly less intuitive than we’d like.
The Bottomline: iHome iH12BR iPod Alarm Clock works pretty much as expected. It’s a pretty great all-in-one iPod speaker and alarm clock combination that should work well in most bedrooms. Read more
Share ThisPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review: Great optics; Zoom and battery disappoint
Posted on June 15, 2008
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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K offers an 18X optical zoom, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and a host of manual controls for a very reasonable price ideal for amateur photographers.
The Good: Excellent 18X optical zoom Leica lens. Burst mode returns clear photos.
The Bad: Zoom disabled in video mode. Battery life is disappointing.
The Bottomline: Decently priced megazoom is a great learning tool for point-and-shoot graduates. Read more
Share ThisCanon Rebel XS DSLR Review: Uses newer Digic III Chip, improved battery life
Posted on June 14, 2008
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The new Rebel, which replaces the XTi as the baby of its dSLR line, retains the 10-megapixel CMOS and 2.5-inch LCD, while moving up to the body of the more recent XSi. The new level entry cam from Canon will ship with the image stabilized version of the EF-S 18-55mm lens.
The Good: Retains the 10-megapixel CMOS and 2.5-inch LCD. Uses the newer Digic III processing chip. Camera also adds Live View mode. Improved battery life.
The Bad: Some differences in photo quality, especially at higher ISO sensitivities.
The Bottomline: The new Canon Rebel XS till looks like a signficant threat to its primary competitor, the Nikon D60, which only has three AF points. Read more
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