Reviews

High-Flyer. DevilTech's HellMachine DTX is undoubtedly aiming at the Throne of Performance. A Core i7 desktop processor and two GeForce GTX 480M graphics cards in SLI configuration are clear indications for an outstanding performance.

Business Case. Toshiba introduces the Tecra M11 as a robust and compact companion for business routine. We'll check if the notebook can support the advertised claim, or if the ad writers have promised too much.

Powered by Fermi. Asus' 17-inch gaming notebook G73 is soon to feature NVidia's brand new high-end graphics card, the GeForce GTX 460M. Thanks to a pre-released version we have been able to extensively review the upgraded G73JW.

Duel of the middle class. The stereo speakers and internal microphone have served their time. We tested two mid-range HiFi headsets. First, the Beyerdynamic MMX 2 from Germany and second, the ZOWIE Hammer USB headset. A happy medium or a bad investment?

Network Storage. Integrated in the current GoFlex series, Seagate offers a network solution suitable to accessing its data any time and anywhere via the Internet or local network. We looked at how well this worked.

Low-priced double tuner. MSI is offering a particularly low-priced DVB-T stick with two turners with the Digi Vox Diversity. Our test revealed what can be expected from it and if it’s a hit in the office.

Fast and Elegant? Sony's Vaio notebooks have always been known for their elegant design. In order to also chalk up under its hood, Sony has given the 17 inch Vaio VPC-EF2S1E/BI a Radeon HD 5650 and a Phenom II X3 P820.

It’s magic? Apple's Magic Trackpad now also places a MacBook Pro's main control element on the desk. The effective area is considerably larger, but the functionality remains the same. Is the purchase worthwhile? Or is it just a nice gadget for Mac-users?

Essential-Office. Motherboard in, buttons on, panels attached - ready is a notebook which would definitely suffice for many a buyer. Whether or not the manufacturer makes a squeaking and over-heating plastic box to sell to customers, can be discovered in our test.

Graceful. But not fragile. That’s our verdict on the slim but very sturdy aluminium chassis of this 13.3-inch subnotebook. We also have no complaints about the Core i5 hardware with Nvidia Optimus. The battery life is the only thing that really disappoints.

Gamer's Heaven! Gaming on the notebook is a slow but steady process, but a touchpad is only suitable for true gamers in exceptional cases. The Swedish company Mionix offers a high-end mouse for ambitious users, the NAOS 5000.

Back in Game. The Qosmio X500 was supposed to be the flagship gamer from Toshiba. It couldn't really live up to its predetermination with the midrange graphics in the previous models. Now everything is to be different with Nvidia's brand new GTX 460M graphics card.

Budget professional. Fujitsu is declaring war on the competition with a new workstation that features a 15.6" Full HD display, Nvidia Quadro FX880M graphics and Intel Core i7-620M CPU for less than 1500.- euro. We aimed to find out whether they cut too many corners, or managed to get it just right.

Aluminum Business. Not much aluminum, but big stability anyhow. Find out why the 1016P with a two gigabyte DDR3 and a matt, contrast rich display almost turns out to be the perfect netbook.

Triple-Core. The upscale office class from HP is called ProBook. Can the AMD variant with three cores impress us as much as its Intel 6540b counterpart? A similarly high rating makes us hopeful.

Extraordinary. LaCie presents two special USB-Sticks, the mosKeyto and the XtremKey. The first sticks out, because it is especially small, the other because of its durability. We scrutinize these two USB-2.0 devices.

Glimmer Book. Icy blue, glimmering touchpad, cool aluminum haptics and tail-fin shaped line management. That is exclusive style, says Packard Bell. Tech fans will see a strong Core i5 processor and a GT 330M with Optimus under the hood.

Fast, faster, fastest? OCZ offers a fast Solid State Drive with USB 3.0 interface in an elegant case. Read on to learn about its advantages and whether it delivers a good performance in practice.

Sandforce power. The Vertex 2 hopes to claim first place for SSD performance, using its very fast Sandforce controller. Find out in our review whether it manages to best the Intel X-25M G2 and what problems we experienced during our testing.

Reliability on a Budget. The Inspiron Mini 1018 is the new 10-inch "budget netbook" from Dell. The hardware is up to current standards, but you'll have to go without additional features at a starting price of 279 Euro.

Touch me. Touch is in, not only for tablets. The Aspire 5745PG is a 15 inch multimedia machine with the brand-new Nvidia GeForce GT 420M graphics (Optimus), which also accepts inputs over its display.

Tablet Phone. Notebook editor meets smartphone - no, actually a MID (Mobile Internet Device) for sticking to Dell's classification of the Streak. Read in our review about how this adventure will turn out and what you can expect from this device.

Longevity and reliability – were important aspects for Asus when designing the B53J. This is applies to the case, as well as the adopted hardware and the length of the warranty, which lasts for three years.

Laptop trends. The future trends are now becoming clear: 3D displays, tablet PCs, matt display panels and gaming laptops with the ATI 5870 or Nvidias 4XX series hardware. Samsung is experimenting with its shark design, Medion is focusing on value for money gaming machines and Toshiba came with a tablet PC for 430 Euros.

Entertainment Tablet. Is the iPad the heralded revolution? Can it replace a notebook or a netbook? We have dealt extensively with Apple's tablet over several weeks in our long-term test.

Even lighter? With its Thinkpad X201s, Lenovo offers a lighter 12 inch Thinkpad that can serve with current Core ix hardware. Find out more about its characteristics and mobile qualities in this detailed review.

Flexible Newcomer Following the top model with 1GB of memory capacity, we have also now taken a look at Seagates' 320 GB variant with the innovative Auto Backup feature. Find out which differences and which advantages we uncovered in the following review.

Dell Inspiron 15R(eloaded)! After we reviewed 17-inch representative of the Inspiron series from the well-known manufacturer, Dell, it's now the Dell Inspiron 15R's turn to take on our tests and our critical glances.

AlumEeenum! Asus introduces its new design-flagship of the Eee family with the Eee PC 1018P. An aluminum case and optional USB 3.0 ports are to lure even skeptical buyers. 399 euro (RRP) is a steep price and we ask ourselves why a glare type screen has been used.

761 Gramm.We'll take one ultra-light mini, preferably small and without too much on the side. Those who are satisfied with basic notebook features but are still looking for striking exterior are right on target with the 11.1 inches.

Quad-Studio. You want to render videos, manipulate pictures or simply enjoy Blu-Rays in Full HD, just like that? You can make yourself comfortable on charming leather with the Vaio F Series' premium model. The fan is still regrettably a problem.

The Lady in Red. From Dell comes the small 11.6" AMD subnotebook that leaves netbooks with Intel Atom processors out in the cold. Is the Dell Inspiron M101z subnotebook the sought-after answer to weak netbooks or simply another product in Dell's portfolio?

Multimedia with weaknesses. With the Ethos series, Acer offers smart multimedia notebooks that stand out not just because of good performance but also due to extensive connectivity. We checked out the 15.6-inch Aspire 5943G a little more closely.

The Elite. It is light, with incredible performance supported by a dedicated graphics card, but will it still have a good battery life? Could this slim 13.1” laptop with its docking station, mat 1600x900 display, DVD player and HSPA module fulfill its ambition to become the perfect business all-rounder?

New Vostro – The Third. Dell looks to score with Core-i Hardware, the latest Vostro aluminum design as well as a 13.3-inch screen. See how the Laptop performs in comparison to others in its class in our comprehensive review.

It's all about power. The Thinkpad W701 series is the biggest and highest performance range from Lenovo. The workstation is equipped with high-performance professional graphics chips and quad-core CPUs. In the review: one of the cheapest variants with Core i7-720QM CPU and Quadro FX 2800M graphics.

For hotheads. In particular, gaming laptops have to fight against extremely high heat levels. Xigmatek has addressed the problem and presents a 19-inch notebook cooler with a large 200mm fan in the form of the NPC-D211 Shield.

Futureproof. 2010 Intel Core on the cheap? If you're looking for an office notebook with current hardware, good connectivity, matte TFT and acceptable battery life, you should call in at Fujitsu. In particular the ergonomics are inspiring.

Colorful. Subsequent to the red R580, Samsung now presents the blue version of its 15.6 inch multimedia notebook, which isn't only strong due to Core i5-450M and GeForce GT330M, but can also score with good equipment including an integrated BluRay drive at the same time.

Quadrophony. The new all-rounder series is technologically on the cutting edge with an i5 CPU and should also cope with games. A real novelty is the sound system with four loudspeakers. The structural finish puts scratches and fingerprints into the past.

Desktop to go. Das 14,1" This business notebook comes with a matte display and has a unique feature to offer: Acer combines Intel HD with Nvidia Geforce GT330M, thereby optimizing use. How well that works is the subject of our test.

Port master. Seagate has overhauled its range of external 2.5-inch hard drives, and at the same time developed a new system for connecting up ports. It gives you a great number of options, with USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire 800, USB 2.0 and LAN adaptors. We took a closer look at how it works.

Turbo-Gamer. The 15.6-inch device, costing more than 2000 Euro, promises performance and acoustics at their best. A turbo switch overclocks the i7-740QM as well as the GeForce GTX 285M. 12.800 3DMarks06 and RAID 0 make performance fans sit up and take notice.

Gaming Monster. Nvidia's new top model GeForce GTX 480M has finally made its way into the mobile sector after a long wait. We snapped up the Fragbook DTX (i7-720QM) from Deviltech, which is a 17-inch notebook with the corresponding graphics card.

Two of a Kind. DVB-T sticks are becoming more and more popular as they provide an uncomplicatd TV reception. We've tested which possibilities you have with the model at hand, which has an additional tuner.

Business All-Rounder. Equipped with a strong Intel Core i5 CPU and a starter graphic solution from ATI, the Satellite Pro L650 tries to score with business typical characteristics, such as a matt display.

Flexible quarters. Typhoon’s small hard drive enclosure holds 2.5-inch notebook hard drives and is fitted with a fast USB 3.0 port. In our review, we examine just how useful it is.

Fast Data Storage Device. With USB 3.0, a new standard is establishing itself more and more, uniting speed and power supply. We've tested how well this works on the Verbatim Store'n'go.

Subnotebook olé. Small, light and economical, with the whole ensemble garnished with a matte display and business features at a fair price? It almost sounds too good to be true. We've tested what's hidden inside.

Pro for on the Go? The TravelMate 8572TG, with switchable graphics, is supposed to be the perfect notebook for all users on the move. It provides good performance with a Core i5-430M CPU and Nvidia GeForce 330M graphics and can be switched to the integrated graphic chip for saving energy.

Experiment. Acer attempts an unusual symbiosis between office- and multimedia-notebooks with the TravelMate 7740G. The 7740G is also equipped with a matte display and a suitable graphics card. Whether the attempt is successful or not, you can find out in this detailed review.

Internal-External Connector. If you're often busy with internal SATA hard disks, you'll find a comfortable solution in the Typhoon hard disk docking station with which you can avoid the otherwise laborious plugging in and unplugging. We've tested how good it works in practice.

Fast and Elegant? Acer now also has a DDR3 netbook with an Intel Atom N455 in form of the Aspire One 533. Does the pretty wrapping only cover the already known? The specs promise an average netbook with a nice design and good ergonomics.

SSD for the masses! Kingston is bringing out the second generation of the SSDNow V series, which is promised to be faster and to last for longer. The new SSDs are available with 30, 64 and 128 GB of memory. Find out how they acquit themselves and whether they are a good buy in our detailed review.

Powerless. Lenovos 11.6-incher is the cheapest alternative to the Acer Timeline X 1830T. The Core i5-520UM is a disappointing choice when it comes to performance, but how does battery life fare with the equipped 48Wh battery? How about the display and waste heat? Big surprise here: eSATA.

A question of drivers. With the Quanta TW9, Schenker Notebook and Chiligreen have put on the market a fit-for-gaming 15.6-inch laptop (GT335M), which above all turns heads with Nvidia's Optimus technology.

Flexible cable organiser. Clutter in the cable drawer or in the laptop bag? Quirky offers two smart solutions in order to get the problem under control.

Netbook with subnotebook performance, round two. Like the recently tested Aspire One 521, the Aspire One 721 shows up in 11.6" format with Athlon II Neo, DDR3-RAM, ATI HD4225 and HDMI and goes head to head with the Intel-based netbook competition.

en'vy (en'vé) n. There are only few handpicked devices that have caused sensation even before their official launch in the Notebook World. The Envy Series from HP belongs to these, as they see themselves as the top class in the assortment, on par with Apple MacBook Pro laptops.

Core competence. What the Extensa is for Acer, the G560 is for Lenovo. Simple case, cheap hardware and attractive prices. Core i3-350M from 455 Euro? Even the smallest of money-bags can obtain the 2010 Intel generation with the 15.6-incher.

Gaming revamped. Lenovo is well known for robust ThinkPads and low-priced office laptops. But a gamer with ATI HD 5730, Core i7-720QM, 7200 rpm hard disk and JBL loudspeakers?! The aggressive price of the Y-model: 860 Euro.

Uncompromising. A very powerful subnotebook with long battery life? HP has crammed the most it possibly could into this 12.1-inch machine. This smallest of the EliteBooks has a Core i7, along with wireless technology from WLAN to GPS and ports from FireWire to docking. There was even room for a DVD drive.

Pimp up your Lid. Dull display lids can be pimped up and protected against scratches with the Roccat Restyle Skins. Find out about the benefits and drawbacks of this protective foil in the following review.

Tender Evolution? Lenovo delivers the new X201; an updated and upgraded version of the older 12 inch Thinkpads. The X201 will be equipped with the latest Intel Core ix processors. For more details, please read the following in-depth review of the Lenovo X201.

Essential or "Standard" as in the German online shop - this is what Dell calls its Latitude E5xxx series. Listed are solid, fully-fledged business machines which, however, fall back on a plastic chassis, and thereby differentiate themselves from the somewhat more premium E6xxx series.

Business Companion. Any manufacturer that wants to be a true business retailer, has to be able to offer high-quality notebooks in all the current formats. Of increasingly importance is the 13 inch form factor, which is becoming more popular for mobile applications. Dell has provided the E4310 for this segment

Pure Entertainment. 17 inch display, DirectX 11 capable graphic card, quad-core processor and BluRay drive: Acer has bundled a lavishly configured multimedia at a fair price with the Aspire 7551G-N934G64Bn. We've checked if this offer is too good to be true.

Ultra-thin. The most surprising thing about this new 10-inch netbook from Samsung is its high price tag of €449 (RRP). Is the price justifiable, for an Atom N450 processor, a matt WSVGA screen and a three/ six cell battery? We examine every inch of this lightweight laptop in our review.

Storage Express. This SSD-drive from Verbatim is a rather unusual expansion for the ExpressCard slot; we will put it through its paces if it is in fact fast, compact and easy to use.

Storage giant in tiny size. Already since a long time Samsung's Mini S1 hard drives belong to the smallest. Now models with a capacity of 250 GB are available too. Ideal on-the-move? We checked that.

Display Miracle! The Eee PC R101 is the new start model in the Eee netbook family. The specs sound very interesting: Intel Atom N450 processor, matt 10.1 inch screen and Windows XP Home for a low 249 euro. We've put the device through its paces.

Surround Gaming. Hardly suitable for tight notebook pockets, the Verbatim Gaming Headsets main aim is to provide a convincing sound scape in stationary use. How comfortably and well this is achieved was tested by us.

USB 3.0 Expansion. Typhoon also sent an ExpressCard/34 with USB 3.0 to our editorial office. We checked how well it can keep up with the competition.

Mini Gamer 2.0. Alienware, up until now better known for its big luxury-gamers, has surprised the notebook branch with a high-performance subnotebook, the M11x, a few months ago. Now the manufacturer introduces the subtly renewed M11x R2 that mainly distinguishes itself by a processor upgrade.

Energy Drink. Peeved because your netbook is too slow? Acer has the solution: Simply take Core i5! Small 12 inch size, less than 1.4 kilograms and five hour mobility. We'll demonstrate the abilities of the smallest Timeline X for 800 euro.

Entertainment Program. Toshiba's 16 incher scores with good sound, gaming starter GPU and good performance. However we found out that there's no perfect notebook for 730 euro. Workmanship, battery life and display show weaknesses.

Data exchange the easy way. USB sticks owe their popularity to their small size and easy handling. The Executive Stick from Verbatim wants to build on these factors with a fast data transfer rate and abundant capacity.

At home outdoors. The smallest netbook of the new Eee PCs from Asus is called 1051P and is equipped with a 10.1 inch display, Intel Atom N450 processor and 6 cell battery. Aside from a battery life of over 10 hours, the ergonomics are to be convincing.

Third dimension. Apparently, there is a trend to 13-inch notebooks. That's not surprising, because this size offers an excellent mobility and at the same time a performance close to bigger competitors.

External Flexibility. Whether storage capacity of a notebook runs short or seldom used data should be archived, an external storage device is useful on-the-move. We test a model from Verbatim, which has to demonstrate its capabilities.

Core Refresh. Sony trades the Core 2 Duo SU7300 for a Pentium U5400, but keeps its successful concept. Integrated graphics, aluminum/magnesium case and a keyboard with a strong feedback. Will summer really be fun with the 13.3 incher?

Not a netbook! With the Aspire 1551, Asus brings a new 11.6-inch sub-notebook to the fold. Interesting tidbits include an AMD II Neo K325-processor and modern DDR3-RAM. We bring the sub-notebook under the lens for a closer look.

Lap-Blaster. The N700 notebook cooler with built-in loudspeakers, which can even improve the sound of many a DTR notebook and allows a comfortable use on the lap.

Budget laptop. One Intel core processor please, with a side-order of ATI graphics and a high-speed hard drive. It sounds like a laptop that many people would like to get their hands on. At €565, the 15.6-inch all-rounder from HP could be just what they’re looking for. We check out this small machine with broad appeal.

Low Voltage Turbo. Overclocking, Turbo Boost, virtual cores and GeForce graphics. That doesn't fit to a runtime strong 13.3 incher? Asus proves us wrong. Core i5 supplies performance and Nvidia Optimus supports battery life.

Takeaway Action. Dell promises this with its AMD/ATI combo in 13.3 inches. Unusual: DisplayPort adjacent to eSATA and HDMI. Can the Turion II Neo K625 keep up with Intel's Ultra Low Voltage processors in terms of battery life and performance?

Productivity-Booster. Is your trusty old office notebook possibly getting a little slow? Does the seemingly never ending boot time appear to be taking forever? Are you considering upgrading your system? - Forget RAM, CPU or GPU, the mass storage device holds the key to success.

Versatility Itself. A bit of everything: check mails early mornings on the train, a game of Battlefield at lunch, a bit of TV in the afternoon coffee break and full-blast music fun in the evening. That's what the 17.3 incher for 749 euro is supposed to be capable of. Unbelievable?

Without airs and graces. 15.6" mainstream notebooks at attractive prices are a dime a dozen. Apart from the attractive optics, Acer offers mainly standard fare with the Aspire 5551G-N834G64Mn. The only highlight is the brand new triplecore CPU from AMD, the Prenom II X3 N830.

Like a Satellite... With the Satellite L670D-120, Toshiba is offering an amazing amount of value for the money. For a suggested price of under 1000 Euro, buyers receive not only a triple-core CPU from AMD and a middle-class graphics card from ATI, but also a Blu-Ray burner as well. Read on to find out whether the offer is worth the price.

Graphics Update. With the newest update to the MBP13 family, Apple has chosen to stick by the older Core 2 Duo processors in favor of new GeForce 320M graphics card. In the following review we will determine just how good the new graphics card is and if the surcharge for the 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo is worth the price of admission.

Netbook killer. The battery life of a netbook with the performance of a subnotebook. Could the dream be realised for just €329? This 10.1-inch, AMD-based machine begins the assault on Intel’s Pine Trail netbooks. Its weapons: Athlon II Neo, DDR3 RAM, ATI HD 4225 and HDMI.

Phenom(enal) Gaming. The Radeon HD5650 and a Quad-CPU, that sounds like good gaming potential. Surprisingly: The four cores aren't provided by the top-dog Intel, but by AMD. Is the Phenom II X4 P920 with its 1.6 GHz suitable as an action-shooter?

A White Dilemma. Sony's 10 incher leaves our reviewers with mixed feelings. A modest battery life and high system noise on the one side, but an excellent display on the other. Will Sony's littlest one be able to escape its misery?

"Laptop@home"? No problem for Belkin. The California firm best known for accessories of all shapes and sizes presents not only traditional notebook cases and sleeves but also special solutions for the storage and use of a net- or notebook at home. We took a closer look at five different products currently on offer.

USB 3.0 for (nearly) everyone! Notebooks with an ExpressCard expansion slot can have a multitude of additional features integrated later on. How well this works with the USB 3.0 adaptor from Iomega will be revealed in our review

Silent office. This 15.6-inch notebook from Samsung sets out to be the perfect office companion, and one that you can count on. There is no energy-guzzling graphics card, and its tried and tested 'silent mode' makes typing quiet as a whisper. But is it equally impressive in its workmanship and portability?

USB 3.0 with a pulled handbrake. Slowly, USB 3.0 interfaces are filling the manufacturer's shelves as peripheral supplies. The eGo Portable USB 3.0 from Iomega has now been added and has to prove its performance in this review.

USB 3.0: The Second. Following Iomega's ExpressCard solution, we summoned up another, less expensive alternative from Raidsonic for testing. Bargain or bogus? Our review clarifies this.

Feng-Shui. Who needs a graphic card, Bluetooth or ExpressCard when typing? Ergonomics and display, thats what its all about! The Pro Pitts focuses on the essentials and cuts quite a figure in doing so.