Reviews

We throw a glance at the two new high-end desktop CPUs from Intel called Core i7-2700K (Sandy Bridge Quad-Core) and Core i7-3960X (Sandy Bridge Extreme Six-Core) in our short review

Swiss pocketknife. Just like the pocketknife can conjure up a nail file, saw and Allen key, the Slider can transform itself into a kind of all-in-one tablet with a real keyboard. More work efficiency under Android?

Beginner's Tablet Guide. The sudden inundation of tablets this year has certainly got at least some readers scratching their heads. In this handy guide, we provide a concise overview of tablet history, its current market trends and even some suggestions for the hottest items this Holiday season.

Thick and thin. November presented both worlds: Gigantic gaming behemoths with incredible speed met super slim ultrabooks with low weight. Which are our favorites from all device categories?

Plain average. Toshiba brings a 15.6 inch notebook for €700 onto the market called Satellite L750. The multimedia notebook is to especially attract customers with average requirements and who want to occasionally play a little game besides Office tasks, pictures and movies.

Fast Mite. New notebook models increasingly often offer an mSata-interface. Thus, the usual internal mass memory can be enlarged or even replaced. We checked, whether the 120 GB Nocti from OCZ is able to outperform conventional hard drives.

Crème de la crème. We are now listing the editorial office's current top devices from every category here for spontaneous buyers or those who are already waiting for After-Holiday-Sales. No matter if you are looking for a slim notebook, a tablet PC, an affordable office laptop or even a high performance gamer, you'll find the right one here.

Light as a feather. The power of a big notebook, but as light as a netbook. The Z830, as Toshiba's first ultrabook, presents itself with good battery runtimes and outdoor suitability. Where is the device positioned in comparison to the ultrabook competition from Asus, Acer, Lenovo and co.? Find all details here in this review.

Silver Arrow. Buyers looking for a compact, reasonably priced, yet attractive multimedia notebook will find the U46SV to their liking. Asus combines a 14 inch case with balanced middle-class hardware. So the question is: do the powerful battery and the graphics switching technology deliver a long battery life?

A fresh wind. A netbook is actually a contradiction in itself. A device category has been therewith created that is to offer a long battery runtime for low-power tasks, such as surfing or office applications, with energy-efficient hardware. But now, a performance arms race can be observed here.

Twiggy. Following Acer and Asus, Lenovo now appears in the ring of UltraBooks with the next candidate. Low configuration and ULV hardware in an attractive packaging - is the IdeaPad U300s only to tempt us with its design or can it convince at second glance?

Business class. The ThinkPad T420s is mainly to convince business customers of its advantages as a powerful and yet portable companion. Equipped with a Core i7-2640M and a fast SSD from Intel as well as built-in UMTS, Lenovo has created good prerequisites for this venture.

Monster Subnotebook. Who exactly needs 17 millimeter thin Ultrabooks? Samsung piles on a bit of plastic, and replaces the Low Voltage Processor with a standard Core i5. A two-kilo-book for mobile ruffians?

More Bang for the Buck. In a Late 2011 Refresh the MacBook Pro 15 Series was equipped with new processors and the graphics was updated. We check the performance of the currently most powerful model with 2.4 GHz quad core CPU and new Radeon HD 6770M graphics card.

Compact office. The Fujitsu Lifebook SH531 would like to make points as a subnotebook for consumers and, above all, impress office users who have requirements on mobility. But the Lifebook has difficulties in sticking out of the mass of similar notebooks.

Gaming powerhouse. MSI sends another gaming notebook into the race with its GT780DX. The 17 inch laptop has an anti-reflective screen and manages a Full HD resolution. The Intel quad core processor i7-2670QM and GTX 570M graphics card from Nvidia are to supply the user with the desired performance. Can the gaming notebook let gamers' hearts beat faster?

Professional gamer? Blackberry touts its tablet as a symbiosis of entertainment and work. Is the BlackBerry Tablet OS worth being tied to? After all, that excludes the large selection of apps on the Android Market.

Like A Rock. Toshiba’s Qosmio X775-Q7272 might epitomize everything that comes with its 17.3-inch form factor, but solid build quality and impressive specifications make the laptop capable of handling virtually anything.

Colorful and powerful. Workstations are expensive. But they are high performance machines for professionals. The processing power isn't necessarily higher than high-end consumer laptops, but the screen usually shows who the boss is. There isn't a vast amount to choose from and that results in a smaller comparison of only a few devices.

Multimedia center. With the Acer Aspire Ethos 5951G, Acer presents a multimedia machine with gaming qualities. Quad core processor, good graphics, 16 GB of RAM and a Blu-Ray drive are built into a stylish case. What more could we want?

Portable Workhorse. Dell demonstrated a prerelease model of the Latitude E6220 back in February of 2011 at the “Dell Means Business” event, and the buzzword peppered throughout the press release was “field workers”. The Gen-Y professionals to whom this subnotebook is intended will enjoy the Latitude E6220’s ruggedness, style, and ease of servicing/upgrading.

Foldable tablet. All tablets look alike? Sony shows how a flat board can be turned into the size of a handy Communicator: It fits in every pocket, is readable in sunlight and supplies all comforts of the latest Android version. It can't get more mobile.

Small and impressive Only a few years ago, subnotebooks with compact dimensions were a toy for well-to-do corporate customers. Today, this device category is very popular owing to the most various price ranges. Moreover, netbooks with energy saving hardware and low entry prices will also be dealt with in this article. Find a few exciting devices in this part of our series for the upcoming Christmas festivities.

One more please! Asus has released the next addition to the Eee PC family. The Taiwanese manufacturer delivers the new R051PX with the familiar "Seashell" case. The laptop sports an Intel Atom N570, Intel's GMA 3150 graphics chip as well as 1 Gb DDR3 RAM - all of which is available for a mere 230 Euros. We ran the newest member of the popular Eee PC family through our in-depth tests.

Perfectly equipped. Schenker Notebooks steps up strongly: The XMG P511 bids gaming suitable, high-end hardware at a fair price. A GeForce GTX 570M from Nvidia, which even fuels current hits such as Anno 2070 or Skyrim aptly, is inside the 15 inch MSI case. The perfect Christmas present?

Silver Worker. With the ProBook 5330m, HP is updating the smallest of its ProBooks. Aside from a completely new aluminum design, there's also a solid hardware update. There's a new high end dual core processor from Intel and an SSD drive, to speed up your work on this subnotebook even further.

Attack on the gaming elite. Alienware and Asus have to watch out: Samsung presents a serious opponent for the gaming leaders, M17x and G74SX, called 700G7A. In addition to high-end components (Radeon HD 6970M) and good equipment (Blu-Ray drive), the 17 inch laptop has an illuminated keyboard. So, nothing can go wrong, or?

Android versus iPad. The majority of our recommended tablets serve with very good screens, good workmanship, a developed operating system and an attractive price. The differences are found in the details: The applied materials, interfaces and docking options. The ultimate decision whether it's to be Apple's iOS or Google's Android is still the biggest hurdle.

Two in One. The Fujitsu Lifebook T901 is the fusion of a classic notebook with a trendy tablet PC. The 13.3 inch model has a lot of power on-board thanks to the Intel Core i7 2620M, the fast SSD storage device and a UMTS module. However, all this great hardware comes at a price: the convertible costs around 2000 Euros. Is this an investment worth making?

Professional typists. No matter if it's an expensive HP EliteBook, an affordable Lenovo L or an inexpensive Sony Vaio E series: Office notebooks supply the most different qualities depending on the price. All agree: Strong color screens are scarce, but a stable case is available for little money.

Once again. The Toshiba Thrive had a rough start on the American market. Toshiba is now trying to bring the device to users in Europe under a different name. Read here, what the AT100 is capable of and how it fares in comparison to famous brands.

One for all. Christmas is closing in on us faster than the one or other would like to see. We are starting a series of shopping tips for those who are planning to make themselves a present or distribute joy among their loved ones by means of a new laptop. It is a clearly arranged list of current top products and exciting bargains. Part 1: Multimedia notebooks.

Powerful. October was the month of strong gamers and powerful multimedia all-rounders available for a low price. Fast subnotebooks were just as present as four tablets. We will recap the top devices of last month for you.

Making of Elite. As part of a tour through HP's development center in Houston, we were able to make ourselves a detailed picture of the comprehensive tests carried out on the Elitebook notebooks. What the business laptops have to contend with compared to their more affordable consumer counterparts, can be discovered here.

Beatbox. Asus and a matt screen? Not always but ever more often is the motto. Asus also shows what is within the realms of possibility with an external subwoofer in sound matters. We show what else to the Asus N558F has to offer in this review.

Outperformer. The Dell Precision M6600 mobile workstation can really flex its muscles; it is full to the brim with high-performance components. Generous specs, a wide range of configuration options, and high-end build quality are all part of the package, as are comprehensive warranty and support options. We examine whether Dell has managed to maintain balance and keep ergonomic aspects in sight.

True Ultrabook experience. The Ultrabook market is still at its infant stages, but Asus have thrown everything they can to make the best first impressions with their ultrathin Zenbook lineup. Find out here if this sleek, 13.3-inch full aluminum alloy notebook is worthy of the Ultrabook name and the $1000 price tag.

Business deluxe. Sony focuses on its strengths and installs a first rate (matt) Full HD screen. There is also a gaming capable graphics and pro features, such as docking port, UMTS and battery slice. The perfect fusion of work and entertainment?

Elegant all-rounder. Samsung has big plans with the Chronos 700Z5A: Besides gaming capable midrange hardware, a strong battery that is to ensure a runtime of up to nine hours rests in the compact case. Find out in this review if Samsung is manufacturing a new multimedia reference.

Business slimline. This 10-inch tablet with IPS display, 1280 resolution, wifi, GPS and 3G modem, and 64 GB SSD should delight Lenovo’s ThinkPad customer base. The price: 666 Euros. Matt display? Sadly not. But: a digitizer pen!

Perfection. The power version of the Zenbook, with a Core i7, is as handy as a netbook but faster than most multimedia machines. How is this possible with a build height of 17 millimeters? The lightning-fast ADATA SSD sets the standard higher than ever.

Extraordinary. The Inspiron 14z has an unconventional design along with a lot of interesting features. Whether or not this 14 inch notebook with a 13" format powered by an Intel Core i5 2430M could be a success, can be discovered in this review.

Sound sensation. Average all-round laptops frequently suffer from poor picture and sound quality. Asus masterly breaks out of routined patterns and presents a fairly expensive, but largely convincing multimedian called N75SF. Find out where the strengths and weaknesses of the 17 inch device are in our review.

Purchase Consultation. Nowadays, prospective buyers on the lookout for a mobile gaming platform have to wade through a sea of offers to find the right laptop. This challenge can be especially daunting for inexperienced buyers, so we decided to shed some light on the matter.

Back to the Roots. Without distraction from tablets or netbooks in September, we were able to focus on powerful gaming notebooks, capable allrounders, low priced office companions and ultra-mobile subnotebooks. The winners boast over the top dual GPU's, combine performance with run-time, tinkle with high quality keyboards and defy the scale with very low weight.

Beauty hurts. The first steps towards a stronger design were made with the XPS 15z, and now the more compact 14-inch version is the logical progression. Like its larger brother, the Dell XPS 14z hopes to win over the hearts of customers with its good looks. It also has solid hardware, but that’s by the by...

Hot spec wearer. Toshiba launches another 17 inch notebook, called Satellite P775-100 3D Vision that makes 3D feeling possible at home. Equipped with a powerful Intel CPU and an Nvidia graphics, the laptop can also convert 2D material in 3D - but it's only visible with shutter glasses.

Blu-Ray player. Sony introduces another all-round notebook from the EH series with the Vaio EH1Z1E/B. The highlight is the Blu-Ray player, but the 6 GB of RAM and the 640 GB hard disk are also impressive. Can the notebook convince with only that?

The first Ultrabook. Designed to directly tackle the MacBook Air for hundreds of dollars less, the Acer Aspire S3 has a lot to live up to. Find out here if this early Ultrabook has what it takes to take the ultrathin category crown away from Apple.

A wolf in sheep's skin Coming from Samsung, we have a potent 17 inch mid-range entertainment notebook with a plain case. Samsung attracts entertainment customers with an Intel quad core CPU and Nvidia's Optimus GPU switching technology. This promises long battery life paired with strong performance when needed. Does the concept live up to its billing?

Video artist. The Prestigio Multipad PMP5080B tablet comes with an 8 inch multi-touchscreen (800x600 pixels), Android 2.3 Gingerbread, Google Android Market and Rockchip RK2918 and costs 199€.

Fast boot times. The 17.3 inch G770 Lenovo notebook is equipped with Enhanced Experience and VeriFace, both of which are intended to improve the performance of the Windows 7 operating system. With EE Boot Optimizer the G770 accelerates from zero to one hundred in under 35 seconds. Only Vettel & Co. are faster than this.

Worthy successor? Asus is now offering the P42JC's successor, the P43SJ. Apart from a new processor and a new graphics card not much has changed at first glance. But what does it look like in practical use?

Slim and sexy. Though it's not the manufacturer's ultrabook, it convinces with its slim silhouette, its velvety yet hard aluminum case, its battery life and, above all, its swiftness via SSD.

First timer: Along with the X Series and ThinkPad Tablet, Lenovo’s IdeaPad K1 is the company’s first major salvo into the tablet marketplace. With a competitive price tag and strong features, the K1 is aimed straight towards casual users.

A question of comfort. Several years ago notebooks with hybrid graphics (integrated and dedicated graphics) were still rarities. With the GPU integration in the new Intel Core-i processors, as well as proprietary graphics switching solutions from the graphics chip manufacturers AMD and Nvidia, it is now possible to include graphics switching in many notebooks. Who provides the better solution in this case is determined by us in this review.

Business consumer. This 17.3-inch HP notebook is meant to entice business customers, but is basically a consumer notebook. Is the ProBook 4730s ideal for both classes, or will it fail to appeal to anyone?

Throttling reloaded. If the Core i5 already moaned as a consequence of heat issues, what will a Core i7 do? Acer isn't afraid of taking risks and sets up a (potential) dream of mobility with an SSD, strong graphics and a swift processor and 8 GB of RAM.

G74 reloaded. After already having taken a closer look at a US variant of the Asus benchmark gaming notebook several months ago, we are now providing a review update for the German version somewhat belatedly. Does the G74 still belong among the elite?

Entry-Level FirePro. As the cost of mobile workstations quickly surpass a thousand Euros, cheaper alternatives are in demand. We compared AMD's entry-level FirePro V3700 to mobile solutions.

Precision tool. The current 15" workstation from Dell has been reworked from the ground up, and offers a completely new case along with renewed components. How well Dell has accomplished bringing performance, ergonomics, and mobility into harmony has been tested by us.

Sony tablet. Sony promises the usual hardware, but unique features for its first Android 3.1 tablet. Does the Tegra Tab offer more than just the fresh look of a magazine?

Back in Black. Dell is currently offering the Vostro 3555, the new member of the existing Vostro family, for around 500 Euros. The black 15.6 inch model is equipped with a quad-core CPU, 6 GB RAM and the Radeon HD 6620G graphics chip. A special highlight of the notebook is the backlight keyboard which makes typing in the dark easy.

Frugal. Low energy needs, no annoying heat gain, and good battery life. Alongside these advantages, its dual-GPU system and quad-core processing power will appeal to gaming fans. Is this a budget media all-rounder for the masses?

Devilish. Deviltech has a tempting 17 inch gaming machine in its range called Fragbook. The customer is treated to an Nvidia GTX 570M high-end graphics card at a competitive price of 949€. Read here if the notebook has the stuff that smash hits are made of.

Desktop Replacement. Those searching for a performance-oriented gaming notebook whose technology doesn’t already belong to yesteryear are well served by the barebones manufacturer Schenker. The 17-inch XMG P701 PRO shines with a slick design and high-end components of the first order.

Little brother. Acer's tablet family has a new, little member. The Iconia Tab A100 offers you a 7 inch touchscreen and can be taken along everywhere thanks to its compact build. The Honeycomb tablet (Android 3.2) is price-tagged at 299€ in the wifi-only version and 399€ in the wifi + 3G version.

In the passing lane. Fujitsu's 14 inch Lifebook S751 business notebook is equipped with a fast Intel processor and a 128GByte SSD. A UMTS radio with included SIM card is built in. A docking station and a secondary power supply is also included.

Versatile. Toshiba offers a well manufactured 15.6 inch notebook with adequate performance, a vast scope of interfaces, a matt display and good battery life for around 999€. This Satellite R850-127 can either be seen as a multimedia or a business laptop.

Strong, cheap, small. High multimedia performance in a small case - plus looks for stylish boasting. The manufacturer has set up a remarkably high-end almost-subnotebook for less than 700€.

Communicative. Samsung introduces a new series of business laptops: the Series 4. The 400B5B is part of the new line-up and offers an anti-glare, high-resolution 15.6 inch display, two USB 3.0 interfaces, and an integrated 3G module. The Korean manufacturer offers the model for 950 Euros.

Surprise! The Fujitsu LIFEBOOK S761 is looking for a challenge in the established Business-segment, where mostly ThinkPads, Elitebooks, and Latitudes hold their ground. We have thoroughly tested whether Intel Core i7-CPU, SSD, USB 3.0 and good mobility are enough to shake up the established hierarchy.

A fresh breeze. Intel extends its successful Sandy Bridge Generation by a few new models. We've snatched ourselves the refreshed Core i7 processors and put them to the acid test. Will the old models have to bid farewell?

Basic. Dell now has a 15.6 inch laptop made for corporate use called Vostro 1540 available. The device is not up-to-date with an Intel Core i3-370M processor. It's supposed to be a simple typewriter for smart savers. The price starts at 369 euros plus VAT and shipping.

Powerhouse. In our review update, we look at the fastest notebook graphics system currently available, the GeForce GTX 580 SLI, in the very well-equipped Alienware M18x.

Handy. The PlayStation tablets S1 and P1 (formerly S2) were at last presented at the IFA and will be available at the end of September. We're taking a closer look at the 9.4 incher in advance.

Life is live! Fujitsu's Lifebook family got offspring. The Lifebook E751 with vPro- and UMTS support sports a matte 15.6" display and is priced at 1350 Euros. Read on, to see what else was laid into the youngster's crib.

Consumer conscious. Toshiba’s latest laptop touts solid multimedia-friendly features and specifications backed by a Core i5-2410M CPU, but cost-cutting doesn't do the Satellite any favors.

Haute Couture. Samsung wants to continue the success story of the bigger 900X3A with the 900X1B of the Series 9. The South Korean company fuses performance and battery life in an ultra slim and undoubtedly elegant case made of Duraluminum. Read in this review, if Samsung has launched its first ultrabook onto the market with the 900X1B and if the Apple MacBook Air 11 has to reinforce its efforts.

Bird of Paradise. Never an easy feat for a laptop to stand out of the crowd of gaming notebooks, but Toshiba's Qosmio X770-10J pulls it off. The 17 inch notebook has it all: an interesting design, potent high-end hardware and clever features such as keyboard backlight and automatic graphics switching. All-in-all, a very well-rounded package which will be sure to entice more than a few buyers.

Perfect shortcomings. It almost sounds like a fairy tale when it comes to what Sony has created with the new Z models: An extremely thin 13.1 inch subnotebook weighing a mere 1.2 kilograms, that provides as much performance as a large notebook, and furthermore shines with an A1 display, good battery life, and low heat and noise emissions. How this is possible? Via Power Dock and Intel Light Peak.

Quality pays off. It's not always only performance that bestows our test devices with the monthly "Best Of!" award. No matter if DTR, Office or Multimedia, the August winners stand out with good input devices, low emissions and some even with perfect workmanship.

An Alternative? With the new release of the Travelmate TimelineX series, Acer naturally also offers a 14 inch notebook with the latest components, which is compact, but meant to be an equal to its bigger brother. Read on, as we find out if you get a well rounded package for 1000 Euros, that measures up to established B2B notebooks.

Shrunk down PC? For years now Apple has offered the Mac Mini, an inexpensive entry-level computer of interest not only for existing Mac users. We checked the most crucial aspects of this new revision and present you with our findings below.

Netbook? No thanks. The smallest and cheapest notebook that Apple currently has to offer is called the MacBook Air 11. It weighs in at less than a kilogram and is just 1.7 cm at its thickest point. On the outside: an aluminium unibody case. On the inside: a Sandy Bridge CPU which along with the SSD delivers superior performance.

Tough business. The 5330m packs a standard voltage Sandy Bridge Core i5 CPU with a healthy amount of security software, all wrapped in a 13.3-inch magnesium alloy case. See how the features stack up and if this notebook is a worthy successor to the 2009 ProBook 5310m.

Big name, small money? Lenovo's X-series has always stood for a high measure of mobility and quality. The latest entry level model ThinkPad X121e is supposed to combine existing values with a reasonable price. We have tested extensively what works in this fusion and what was left behind.

The Golden Balance? The Chinese notebook manufacturer, Lenovo, aims its new Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 at "Small-and-Medium-sized-Businesses" (SMB) as well as areas like "Small Office and Home Office" (SOHO). The new model entices buyers with its well-known exterior, the latest hardware, a matt 15.6 inch screen, and a price tag of 650 Euros. An alternative to cheap mainstream plastic laptops?

Hot. Acer launches its new TravelMate TimelineX generation onto the highly competitive market. The 15.6 inch 8573TG proves to have a stable system with good workmanship and first rate computing power. However, the notebook with the anti-glare screen mutates to a small heater when it's put under enough stress.

Infinite Power. What is faster than one mobile high-end graphics card? Correct: TWO mobile high-end graphic cards. Enthusiasts who are looking to get the most performance they can get from their notebooks will want either Nvidia's GeForce GTX 580M SLI or AMD's Radeon HD 6990M CrossFire system.

An illusion? LG's 14 inch laptop is particularly slim and its dimensions approximately correspond to those of a 13.3 inch device. Nevertheless, LG successfully installs an almost frameless, 14 inch screen. Does LG's P420 anything else to offer? Read here.

Mobile Typewriter. With the 635-series, HP introduces a new generation of low cost notebooks. The price for the 15 inch unit at roughly 350 Euro is surprising. What other surprises should we count on with this bargain unit? We wanted to find out exactly in this review.

Mobile office. Dell's business laptop, equipped with the latest Intel Sandy Bridge technology and intelligent detail solutions, tries to hit a home run. Read about the capabilities of the "lower priced" Essential line in Dell's Latitude range here.

Beautiful weakling. Sony shows us that notebooks can be real lookers, with the new 15-inch Vaio VPC-EH1M1E and its attractive rippled surface design. But is it all style and no substance? We take a closer look at this head-turner in our review.

Strong battery life & fast. In July, subnotebooks with an SSD and Core processors prove that battery life, low weight and high application performance aren't contradictions. Even the business bolides, EliteBook and ProBook, took part with at least five hours.

Little office worker. According to Lenovo, it's introducing a notebook that is to save time and money with the ThinkPad L420. We're putting the ThinkPad L420 with an Intel Core i5-2520M processor through its paces.

Evolution. Dell launched a slim and portable line in its entry-level business range with the Vostro V130. It's also supposed to convince in terms of design. Powerful Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs follow the first attempts with ULV processors. A few modifications have also been made on the case. Our comprehensive review now follows the preview.

Lost values. For a mere 420 Euros Lenovo is offering the ThinkPad Edge E325; a 13.3 inch subnotebook. The display is non-reflective, the battery life lasts for up to nine hours, and AMD Fusion provides for a smooth presentation of HD movies. Yet older qualities of the ThinkPad genre, such as the known robustness, received less attention.

A step backwards. The 13.3 inch E320 subnotebook presents itself to buyers with the strength of a standard CPU, a matte display, good input devices, and seven hours of mobile use. The usual ThinkPad robustness can however no longer be relied upon.

King of the Hill? AMD follows Nvidia's lead by expanding its High-End graphic card line. The Radeon HD 6990M is the brand new top gun of the AMD mobile graphic cards and stands in direct competition to the equally fast, but far more expensive, GeForce GTX 580M. Will AMD win this fight?