Reviews

This is our experience of a Patriot Memory Torqx SSD, after 8 months of daily use in an Apple MacBook Pro. The solid state drive's initial benchmarks were good - find out whether the results were backed up by its day-to-day performance.

Big Brother. Those who consider a 15.6 incher too small, turn to the obviously larger 17 inchers. The R780 faces our tests with the same configuration as its smaller sister, R580. The Core i5-520M and GeForce GT330M were already able to prove themselves as strong companions. Can the big brother redeem the weaknesses of the 15 incher and repeat its advantages? We'll show it in this comprehensive review.

Office glamour? No Core i5, no GT 330M, no Blu Ray and no HDMI. The A1130 is a down-to-earth, 15.6-inch office machine. Features like a dust filter on the air vent and a VGA port with screw terminals are not enough to redeem the frumpy-looking case. So one mystery remains: why is Fujitsu asking €800 for hardware that other manufacturers charge €500 for at most? It can't just be the glittery finish. We set out to get to the bottom of this.

Smart Entry-Level. At first glance, the Asus K50IJ is a stylish and inexpensive 15-inch office notebook intended for those who don't have high demands on performance. Find out in our extensive review to which degree this first impression holds good.

King of Performance? In the meantime, Alienware offers its 17.0 inch luxury notebook, M17x, with a wickedly expensive combination of two ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870s, also called HD 4870 X2. The HD 4870 doesn't support DirectX 11, but is still one of the fastest mobile graphic cards. The HD 4870 X2 is supported by a Core i7-620M, which is clocked up to 2.66 GHz, so to prevent the performance from slowing down. Read in our review if the Alienware M17x is worth its expensive price and how the not exactly power saving components effect temperature, system noise and, battery life.

Low-cost mini Thinkpad. Flat, ultra-mobile and a constant companion for an active lifestyle - that's what ThinkPad X models have been designed for. Next to the more expensive and larger X-Series models, Lenovo provides us, according to their statement, with the cheapest ThinkPad that was ever made. However one shouldn’t have too great demands on the 11-inch model. Uncover details in our in-depth review.

The Midget amongst the Gamers. Until now, Alienware has rather been known for its big and powerful gaming notebooks at a premium price. Now the manufacturer tries itself on a small 11.6 inch performance midget that is already available for less than 1000 euro, and which would like to show off with a Core 2 Duo SU7300 and a GeForce GT 335M. We've checked if the given performance can keep up with the full fledged gamers, even to a part, in our review.

The EFO remote keypads come in both wired and wireless forms, and are very useful while remotely operating your laptop - like during a presentation!

This little device will almost fool you with a look similar to our usual TV remote control – only the EFO HTPC Remote Control is much more than that.

A Striking Companion. The Toshiba T110-R10 represents the lightest device of the Satellite range that bids a complete configuration despite its small size. Toshiba's Satellite range, developed for private persons, has a total of 22 model ranges with several alternatives. The biggest models are equipped with a 17.3 inch display and the smallest model, our prototype, has an 11.6 inch HD display.

Snow White Office. A solidly built office notebook with good input devices is being sold for 899 euro. The new S range is the predecessor of the ceased SR series and is supposed to especially satisfy office fans. Sony combined the smallest Arrandale processor, i3-330 and Nvidia's 310M graphics. If these key numbers are sufficient for a 13 inch all-rounder will be shown in our comprehensive review.

The „One“ and Only? Aspire One 532, the newest netbook from Acer, is equipped wtih a 10.1 inch display and a LED backlight. The 532 is Acer's first netbook running on Intels new Pine Trail platform. The netbook is also equipped with an Intel Atom N450 processor (1.66 GHz) and an integrated GMA 3150 graphics chip. Additionally, the Aspire One 532 is also the successor to the highly successful Acer Aspire One 531 and so we have no doubt that it is packed with a great many useful features which we will look at in further detail in our review.

Stressful muscle man. At the announcement for the release of the Vaio VPC-F11 series, Sony used the word "Gamer" for the first time in its press statement. Sony fans listened attentively: Could this Vaio be suitable for gaming? The parameters allow speculation for a multimedia-master or a desktop replacement. A matte full-HD display with strong colors, Core i7-720QM, 8GB RAM, and an Nvidia Geforce GT 330M definitely have potential for high performance.

Pocket Gamer. A few manufacturers have already tried themselves in the ultra-mobile gaming notebook division – but none of them were really successful so far. Now Alienware is taking a shot at creating a gaming suitable subnotebook in a 11.1 inch size. An overclocked Intel Core C2D UL energy savings CPU and the strong Geforce GT 335M are to provide for the necessary frame rates. Read here about this combination's performance.

Big Brother? Acer has technically upgraded its 18.4 inch lineup to state-of-the-art. An Intel Core i3-330M and ATI Mobility HD 5640 speak for a good performance. If the Aspire 8942G is thus suitable as a multimedia platform or as a full-fledged desktop replacement can be read in our comprehensive review.

The Thinkpad's 15 incher Arrandale Upgrade. Following the T410, the bigger T510 now faces our test course. Now Lenovo has also updated its 15 inch T-range classic with cutting-edge technology with the Arrandale CPUs. Our prototype additionally starts with a discrete Nvidia NVS 3100 graphic card and a 4 GB DDR3 RAM. Read here if the latest model can take it up with its forerunner's success.

Core i3 Office Assistant. Intel's new processors are infiltrating inexpensive all-rounders. The K52JR has an i3-350M beside an ATI HD 5470 under its hood. A middle class GPU and a Core i3 processor without turbo boost - a perfect couple? We'll clarify, what Intel's smallest Arrandale range is capable of and if the 15.6 incher is a feasible office and multimedia notebook.

Constant companion. Asus churns out countless Eee PC models, but the 1001P stands out from the crowd. Its matt display, matt surfaces and low price of €249 are enough to make the competition weep. The netbook uses the latest Pine Trail platform, and just runs and runs. With such low energy consumption and low temperature gain, it shows us what the new Intel chipset is capable of. Read on to discover if this really is the last word in netbooks.

Welcome the Spring with Sony. Sony equips its new Vaios with Intel's i3, i5, and i7 processors. Highlights are 13.3 inchers with an i7-620M beside four SSDs and FullHD. Consumers can be even more pleased about ATI's HD5650 moving into a 15.5 inch Vaio. The price of 799 euro (MSRP) is surprising. Apart from that, there is a CULV 13.3 incher with a SU7300. More inexpensive alternatives of the F11 range with other materials are also now available. The user can attract attention with the new CW 14 inchers. They're available in pink, violet-blue, white, red and black.

The small, white one. Stylishness is a must for all netbooks, because those who buy these mini PCs are not always computer experts who need a secondary computer. Most of the buyers are normal, everyday people without much experience with computers who simply wish to surf on the internet, and stylish netbooks would definitely catch the eye of these people. Lenovo realised this and designed the IdeaPad S12 so as to accomodate the buyers' need. The netbook is a trendy white and has a few other clever features, which we will describe in detail in our in-depth review.

Power to Go. A plus of processor performance to carry around in a small case? If you'd like that, you'll hardly find a 12.1 incher that computes faster than the S210 Pelago from LG at the moment. A Core 2 Duo T9550 keeps the computation artist on the move. Case, connections and display make an business suitable impression. You can read what the mini-machine, currently available for 1000 euro, is capable in this comprehensive review.

i5 All-Rounder. The 15.6 incher, Samsung R580 Hawk, is supposed to combine performance with refined looks and even make gamers happy. Intel Core i5-520M and GeForce GT 330M are the names of the strong duo for entertainment fans. The R580, including a 500 GB hard disk and HD Ready display, doesn't even cost 825 euro. Interested? You'll discover all you need to know in our comprehensive review.

Softly spoken. This 10-inch Pine Trail netbook from Samsung turns out to be a solid all-rounder. Though not green as promised, its ergonomic design, battery life and keyboard are quick to impress. Surprisingly, its Duracase surfaces stayed very cool despite the fan making almost no sound at all. If you are looking for the latest technology in an uncompromisingly good netbook, this could be the one for you.

Elaborately Flexible. Lenovo's ThinkPads have already always had a good reputation in business circles. Lenovo also makes so-called "pen operated laptops" for more specialized application fields. The ThinkPad X200 is such a notebook, better known as a "tablet PC", and costs over 2000 euro. We will reveal if it's worth purchasing in our review.

Nvidia Ion Killer. The Broadcom Crystal HD chip in Dell's Mini 1012 takes care of decoding 720p and 1080p movies. But not only movie fans will take delight in the HD resolution of 1366x768 pixels.

Switchable Graphics 3.0 Nvidia Optimus allows automatic switching of graphic cards, depending on the application and, theoretically, makes a hurdle between performance and battery life possible. Aside from that, Optimus is easier and cheaper for the manufacturer to implement. A detailed review of Optimus on an Asus UL50VF can be found in the following column.

Multimedia Talent? Intel's Core 2 Duo predecessor, Core i5, start's its triumphal procession in the multimedia category. Dell naturally doesn't shy the zeitgeist and equips the Studio 1558 with a Core i5-520M. Because an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 is used instead of an integrated graphic unit, everything points to a balanced system that is suitable for almost every use. Read in our review if Dell has managed to create a rounded package.

DirectX 11 gaming. DevilTech has given us its latest creation to test: the Fire DTX (Compal NBLB2) with brand-new ATI Mobility Radeon 5650 graphics. Having already carried out the first benchmarks, we now examine the machine itself from top to bottom. Its name should be the first clue as to what sort of notebook and clientele we are dealing with here. You guessed it - gaming!

Just an illusion? Lenovo updates its T-range's 14.1 inch models to state-of-the-art with the Arrandale CPUs. The validated Thinkpad design and the qualities attached to it haven't been compromised on. Our prototype is equipped with a Core i7 620M CPU, a dedicated NVIDIA NVS 3100M graphic card and a 4 GB DDR3 RAM. Can the graphics be switched for energy saving reasons like in the T400 top models? We'll answer this question in the run of our comprehensive test course, as well.

A Vision by Karim Rashid! Asus presented yet another 10.1 inch netbook at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) with its Eee PC 1008P. The most striking innovation is probably the extravagant design by Karim Rashid, a US American designer, who is celebrated as "one of design's brightest stars". Functionality and haptics are to be focused on, whereas the IMR technology (In-Mold Roller) developed by Asus creates a very special coating.

So small and yet a notebook. Be careful when you lift the Vaio X. It is so unexpectedly light that it might just fly out of your hand. That would be a shame as the 11.1 Inch-subnotebook with Intel's Atom CPU is well designed. Find out in our detailed test if there are more reasons to take good care of Sony's subnotebook.

Desktop Computer in Miniature. Nvidia has hit a home run with its Ion chip set and supplies the Atom category with evidently more drive. Not only the pure performance gain but also the consequently extended application field connected with the chip set plays a significant role here. A Geforce 9400, CUDA, HDMI, eSATA and dual-core atom are judicious arguments found in current nettops. How the new generation manages and what they can be used for can be read in the following review.

On a secret gaming mission. Asus wants to copy the design of a Stealth Bomber with its newest gaming machine, the G733h. The state-of-the-art technology is apt, in any case: A Core i7 CPU and an ATI Mobility Radeon 5870 graphic card give hope for a great performance. But a Stealth Fighter also needs a quiet operating noise. Find out in our hands-on if Asus' mission "Stealth Gaming" is successful.

Attractive but weak. The V13 is one of Dell's Vostro range of small-business notebooks, though you wouldn't know it to look at it. Its extremely slim exterior, with design elements borrowed from the Dell Adamo Thirteen, brings a touch of style to the dull business arena. The newcomer hopes to offer increased productivity and security, and is equipped with the latest technology. Find out how successful it is in our comprehensive review.

“Shrink it again…” Intel, once again, turns the wheel in developing new CPUs a rung further. After changing the CPU architecture that as a result generated the efficient i7 quad-core chip last autumn, a step has now been taken in direction of minimizing the manufacturing process from 45 to 32 nanometers. The outcome: More transistors on a smaller area and which will hopefully also bring a performance gain.

Elegant Entertainer in Desktop Replacement Size. The Fujitsu Amilo Pi 3660 lines itself in among the desktop replacement devices with a size of 18.4 inches. At the same time, Fujitsu positions it as an entertainer for the consumer end market. The large-size laptop tries to address them with an attractive design. But it doesn't only look elegant. Above this, its interiors promise a good application and graphic performance. In the following, we'll take a detailed look at the Amilo 3560's strengths and weaknesses.

UpWind? The Wind models were counted to the pioneers of the unyielding netbook trend, beside the Eee PCs from Asus. It's no wonder then, that MSI offers fitting models a short time after the release of Intel's Pine Trail platform. The Wind U135 presents itself as a classic plain netbook at an especially attractive price. The netbook is allegedly available for starting at 299 euro.

Twenty-One or "Seventeen and Four". Those who choose Dell's Studio range, expect design, quality and of course computing power for multimedia and middle class gaming. The Studio 1747 is the biggest representative of the Studio range with a 17.3 inch display and having a four core processor from Intel's Core i7 family. The family members have often been hot-headed - what are the prospects for the Studio 1747?

The Netbook Revolution!? Not yet officially released but already available - with the Eee PC 1005PE, Asus presents one of the first netbooks based on Intel's new Pine Trail range. Intel's new Atom N450 processor now contains the memory controller and the graphic engine (Intel GMA 3150), which allegedly consumes even less electricity. Read in this review about how the new netbook stands up against models with an Intel Atom N270 or N280 processor.

Ion meets Eee. As far as netbooks are concerned, Asus has always taken pride in its pioneer role in the various fields. Asus has, however, surprisingly allowed itself plenty of time as to the topic of Ion, so a powerful GeForce 9400M graphic card combined with an Intel Atom CPU, as there are already comparable competitor models on the market. But Asus wouldn't be Asus if there wasn't the one or other feature slumbering in the case.

I just love reunions. Already in its nth edition, Dell releases the Dell Studio 15, and promptly equips it with the most current hardware in light of the Intel Core i5 launch. In plain text this means a Core i5 520M at 2.4 Ghz and the Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD graphics chip integrated onto the processor. Find out in this review whether this new combination confirms the suspicion of a price/performance champion.

Has Asus turned the corner in tablet design? While other companies offer larger, higher performance tablets at a premium price, Asus has remained focused on netbook-style size and performance with its T91 MT, appealing to a much broader market with the relatively low price of €500. We took a closer look at the convertible tablet; find out what we uncovered in this review.

Pure Subnotebook Entertainment With a Graphics Boost. HP is releasing the Pavilion dm3, a subnotebook for consumers, which should score points with its multimedia functionality and hybrid graphics. In this review, we will show you what the dm3 is really capable of and whether it lives up to HP's claims of the dm3 being a "light-weight" laptop with "heavy-weight" performance and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Big Gamer with Multimedia Ambitions. Toshiba presents a 18.4 inch notebook that is predestined for gaming thanks to the heavy duty Core i7 processor and the allegedly efficient GeForce GTS 250M with its Qosmio X500-10V. The desktop replacement notebook is equally qualified as an entertainment system with an integrated BluRay drive, a FullHD resolution display and a sound system. Read in our review if these pretensions can be completely satisfied.

Entry-level office device for professionals? With the P50IJ, Asus has expanded its business range with another model. With a matte display, this system is aimed at long-term usage in the professional daily grind. In terms of performance you can expect practical performance in standard office applications. You can find out how the P50IJ turns out in our tests and how well it meets the demands of a "business device".

Super Thin, Light and Mobile? "Even more mobile, more elegant and considerably more efficient than any other notebook" - so much to the comparatives with which Toshiba promotes the T130 on its homepage. This laptop can't be placed into the category of notebooks already just because of its 13.3 inch size and thus actually participates in the subnotebook league. The built-in Intel Pentium SU4100 processor, a four gigabyte DDR3 RAM and the Intel GMA 4500 graphic chip set promise more than only "netbook power". In the best case, there should also be enough mobility supplied with a announced battery life of up to 10 hours. The following review shows how the Satellite T130 sustains in practice.

MTV-Laptop. The 15.6-incher of the colorful EMA 2009 Limited Edition should not only attract the MTV-audience. The artwork at the cover brings color to office and home. However, the workmanship has weak points and also the look has its dark sides. What is the low priced top-seller from the manufacturer Dell actually capable of? - Learn about it in detail in our review.

DirectX 11 is coming. Hardly a year has passed by since the launch of the Radeon HD 4650, which made the counterpart from Nvidia look small. Now ATI bounded ahead again and introduces the Mobility Radeon HD 5650, its direct successor and, furthermore, the first mobile graphics card supporting DirectX 11. We reviewed this new graphics hardware, in particular its gaming capabilities, and how it positions itself in comparison to the competition.

Brilliant Prospects? Security, productivity but also multimedia is what Lenovo promises customers who buy the ThinkPad SL range. To the disappointment of many ThinkPad purists, a few notebooks have been equipped with a glare display. And what about the other ThinkPad SL510 qualities in office and multimedia routine? Find out more in our review.

Second League? Packard Bell wants to principally score by those customers who want to a play bit, work a bit but especially want a lot of multimedia. The value for money ratio should also be alright. Will the TJ65 turn out to be a cheapskate or can it supply solid quality for a fairly low price?

Four Cores for Everyone. The Acer 7738G might have been put underneath the Christmas tree for 999 euro. The massive 17.3 incher wants to convince fans of fat performance with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 processor. If this bundle with the mainstream graphic, GeForce GT240M, finds enough persuading arguments in the end is checked in the following review.

A Gamer's Desire? MSI releases the newest offshoot of its gaming range with the GT740. The 17 inch notebook has state-of-the-art components with the Core i7 820QM and a GeForce GTS 250M and wants to thus win gamers despite a steep price of around 1450 euro. Read in our comprehensive review if the supplied performance is impressive and MSI's notorious weaknesses have been mended in the meantime.

Premium brand but affordable. Bargain hunters can find Samsung's 15.6-inch E251 for 399 euros at various retailers. Is this a premium office notebook or a cheap mass-market product? It delivers well on performance and ergonomics, but its portability and screen quality give us pause for thought. Would fans of Samsung be better off keeping their distance? We tested the E251 from top to bottom.

A Touch of Flower Power. Hewlett Packard has been on a trip through past decades since a few years in view of its notebook design. Especially floral wallpaper patterns and the gleaming chrome cars of the 60's seem to appeal to HP designers. But the little Pavilion dv3 comes along in swinging patterns, a chrome look and even with a touchscreen. If the performance rates are up-to-date or if they're rather retro, you'll find out in this review.

Small Power Package! "UltraLight" is the name Asus has given to the new UL notebook range that has now been released onto the market. The UL80 models have a 14.0 inch HD display and a hybrid solution made up of Intel's GMA 4500MHD and Nvidia's GeForce G 210M graphic card. The "8" in the name steps out of line for our course of thought, but is explained quickly with the superstition "Center of the Earth". Thus, the UL80 positions itself between the smaller UL30 and the bigger UL50.

The Multitool. The Dell Latitude XT2 is a classic work horse and bids a variety of additional operation possibilities with its convertible construction. Equipped with exclusive energy saving components, a multi-touch capable display and numerous interfaces, it will have to show its true potential in the following review.

Slim Entertainer! With the UL range, Asus presents new notebooks with an especially slim and elegant design. The new range is divided into three display sizes. The UL30 models are equipped with a 13.3 inch screen and integrated Intel graphic chip set. The next UL80 model size works with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce G 210M graphic and a 14.0 inch display. The UL50 models are also based on the dedicated Nvidia G 210M graphic, but have a 15.6 inch display. The price range of the UL series is between 649 and 899 euro (RRP).

Rich in Minerals. Magnesium isn't only healthy as a trace element and helps against aching muscles but is also a good building material for notebooks - as a metal. That's what Sony thought and made the FW range's chassis out of the light material. You can read if the 16.4 inch bolide can convince in multimedia routine in this comprehensive review of the Sony Vaio FW51MF.

The third dimension. Acer's 3D notebook is aimed at lovers of film and multimedia. With the help of 3D glasses, every film, photo and game can be experienced in a new dimension. And it should not be written off as an expensive gadget for technology geeks; the Aspire 5738DG only costs 150 euros more than the same hardware without the 3D features.

Nippy little car? Contrary to the nearly identically designed Aspire 1810TZ, the Acer Ferrari One 200 is not equipped with Intel hardware, but uses mainly components from the competitor, AMD/ATI. Continue reading our review to learn whether the flame red Ferrari One 200 is able to leave behind other subnotebooks in terms of performance and whether this is only possible at the expense of system noise, temperature, or battery life.

Rainbow Parade. Design and color are the features that strike you first on Sony's new Vaio CW. The compact 14 inch multimedia notebook is supposed to also score with application and gaming performance. In our review we'll check if the functionality hasn't been forgotten for the fresh face.

Mobile Couch Potato. The 11 inch laptop class finally saw some more development after the release of the Dell Inspiron 11z a few weeks ago. This model was built around the fundamental idea of mobility. This model is supposed to attract buyers with its high resolution 11.6 inch display, good hardware, which allows for an accordingly high performance, and low power usage; All of which give the customer the impression of an "always-by-your-side" notebook. In this review, we will reveal to the readers what the little Dell laptop is actually capable of.

Sparkly. When you hold the Samsung X420 up to the light, you can see the glitter of metallic particles embedded in the casing. It also promises good performance and portability with its dual-core processor and large battery. Will the subnotebook turn out to be an ultra-mobile glamour queen or something more down-to-earth? Read on to find out.

Aluminum for Everyone. After the hyped-up netbook a slow trend to ULV-laptops is recognizable. These can be characterized by slim case, low weight, and special CPUs which allow the battery life to keep up with netbooks. Dell now launches the V13 which was especially designed for price-conscious business customers and consumers. Because of its case which is completely made of aluminum and an entry-level price below 500 euro the 13-incher could become a hot commodity.

Of Mirrors and Vane Persons... "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who in the land is fairest of all..." – well, vanity wasn't only an issue in the time of the Brothers Grimm, but if you look at the newest models on the notebook market, it still is today. The Acer Aspire 5940G is quite a vain notebook as far as its appearance is concerned. We want to know if it can also convince with its inner values.

Legacy? Samsung's X-range is having a downright family gathering in our editorial office at the moment. After we have reviewed the small X120 and the somewhat bigger X420 in the previous weeks, their big brother, X520, now dares to stride over our benchmark course. The little ones showed weaknesses in the keyboard and display. Will the big brother prove to be different or is there a great family resemblance?

Don’t call it a Laptop. First of all the Precision series of Dell attracts professional users with especially high demands on performance. The Precision M6500 replaces the existing M6400 and offers as usually the most powerful hardware for notebooks: Intel's Extreme Core i7-920XM CPU, Nvidia Quadro FX 3800M or ATI FirePro M7740 graphics and up to 16GB (!) DDR3 1600MHz RAM. Anything else?

New Horizons. MSI provides for a wind of change with its 15.4 inch GT640 and integrates Intel's Core i7 and Nvidia's GeForce GTS 250M into their own gaming range. If the components are able to take a lead on the forerunners, like the GX623, the GT628 or the GT725, in terms of performance will be clarified in our comprehensive review.

Processor Giant. Slowly, Intel's brand new processor generation Core i7 is also advancing into current notebook series, and promises more performance with the same power consumption. The for some time already available Dell Studio 15 has now found its way to us with an Intel Core i7 Q720 CPU and has to prove just how much it can benefit from the new little computing power station in the following test

Elegant Entertainer. According to Fujitsu, their Amilo Pi 3560 is an attractive "all-rounder". Attractiveness isn't just skin deep, however. The internal components also promise good application and visual performance. The following is our thorough review of the strengths and weaknesses of the Amilo Pi 3560.

A Really Flat Business Book. HP's ProBook of 13.3 inches addresses business people with an affinity for design. The ULV dual-core processor represents high mobility but can also supply good performance. Nevertheless, who really wants smeary fingerprints on the touchpad? You will learn more about the HP ProBook 5310m in our comprehensive review.

No power socket? No problem! Following the launch of Windows 7 on 22 October 2009, Asus has revised its entire Eee PC range. The Eee PC 1005HA-M is a 10.1 inch netbook, designed to impress with its long battery life of up to 8 and a half hours. We took a careful look at the 1005HA-M to find out what has changed along with the operating system.

A very long-lasting Travelmate? With the TravelMate range, Acer offers a total of 20 model series that are aligned for professional users. The TravelMate 8471 is available in various alternatives and price categories. The lowest-price model costs around 760 euro and the most expensive model, with a UMTS module, 1225 euro. We'll take a closer look at the Acer TravelMate 8471-944G32Mn Timeline Notebook in our review.

All-Inclusive Carefree Package? Acer addresses two groups of buyers at once with the Aspire 8940G. The notebook aims at movie fans with its BluRay drive and large 18.4 inch FullHD display on the one side. But gaming fans equally shouldn't come to short due to efficient components, such as Intel's Core i7-720QM and Nvidia's new GeForce GTS 250M. Read in our comprehensive review if this difficult straddle can be achieved or if Acer has bitten off more than it can chew.

X-tra Battery Life? All three models of Samsung's X-range have come into our editorial office in the last few days. In order to catch the customer's eye they are supposed to score especially in design and their portability. We checked that first on the smallest model, named X120, with an 11.6 inch monitor.

Frigid Fellow. Asus expands its K-Series to a 16.0 inch display with the K61IC. The Ice-Cool technology is once again on board and provides for comfortable temperatures on the palm rest. But this isn't the only surprise. The maker also amps up the graphic card to a Nvidia GeForce GT 220M. Does this perhaps change the previously lame office notebook into a true racer?

R.O.G. featuring Core i7. "Republic of Gamers" is the brand name under which Asus has released a wide range of gaming laptops to meet the needs of enthusiastic gamers. As games become more realistic, they require higher performance from PCs and notebooks, thus requiring companies like Asus to constantly improve their gaming models so as to keep up with the latest games. So it comes as no surprise that the new Intel Core i7 CPUs are now being used for a few chosen Asus gaming laptops. In our review: the Asus G60J equipped with the i7-720QM CPU and the GTX 260M graphics card from Nvidia.

The Gaming Devil? Deviltech probably has the fastest 15.6 inch gaming notebook in the world in its range with the Devil 9700 DTX. Intel's Core i7-820QM and Nvidia's GeForce GTX 280M don't only promise an exceptionally good gaming performance but also put a high demand on the cooling at the same time. If the notebook, based on Clevo's W860CU barebone, can deal with this expectation is clarified in our comprehensive review

Plastics Unibody After the latest revision of the cheapest Apple notebooks, a stable Unibody case is now also used in Cupertino. The small White could convince in our test with excellent input devices and exemplary emissions.

Flood of Models. Toshiba expands its range of 17" Satellite P300 Series notebooks again and again. Amoung others one will find the P300-212 Model, equiped with the high-performance Core 2 Duo CPU and the no less impressive ATI HD 4650 graphic board. With currently around 20 different configuration variations, just about anyone looking for a 17" notebook will find themselves a suitable model.

Hot Gamer? Asus releases the optically and technically slightly refreshed successor to its G71GX, the G72GX, to the market. Asus (still) waivers on Intel's new Core i7 architecture and uses, as afore, the "old" Core 2. We grabbed the top model, the G72GX-TY014V, straightaway and checked if the Core 2 Quad Q9000 and the GeForce GTX 260M are still fit for the upper-league.

Mobile class room Connoisseurs are well acquainted with Dell's Latitude series, which represents the class of solid business notebooks with good expansion options. The Latitude 2100, as a new member of the family, does not quite fit into the established series at first sight. It appears colored, clunky, and heavy from the outside. Our review reveals what can be expected under the hood.

Back from the Future? The M15x already represents one of the most unique and daring notebooks on the market. A futuristic design and illumination strike you right away, no matter where you look. Alienware also doesn't go in for many compromises under the hood and, according to their own statements, offers "...the universe's most powerful 15" laptop." If the manufacturer has bitten off more than they can chew and how the notebook does in the benchmarks can be read in our comprehensive review.

Bread and Games. HP knows what the people want? A good graphic card combined with an acceptable processor in a case with loads of connections. Of course, this package shouldn't cost too much, 700 Euros at most. The scrooge among the customers will make a find for 660 Euros in the HP Pavilion dv6-1211eg. Are a Pentium T4200 and an ATI Mobility HD4650 just that what so many notebook buyers are looking for?

They are around us. With the new Envy notebook HP finally dares to enter the premium multimedia segment, which is only sparsely populated by some brands so far. Here a hiqh-quality case with premium design and most up-to-date, powerful hardware are always high on the wish list. The price plays only a minor role and if it does, only to further strike the exclusivity of many a products. We point out how much value the HP Envy 15 offers for your money.

Reasonable 17.3-incher for Professionals HP primarily designed the ProBook 4710s to attract price-conscious businessmen of medium sized companies. Compared to its predecessors it was quite a bit redesigned. This especially applies to the absolutely new keyboard and the port arrangement. Read on to find out more about the pros and cons of our test sample, which we got straight from HP.

Gaming Beginner. Samsung provides a, in view of configuration, attuned notebook in a popular 15.6" size and pursues the strategy of several product generations with its R522. But what does the latest model exactly have to offer? Quality, equipment, performance and maybe even gaming capabilities? Our comprehensive test will clarify what this all-rounder with an Intel T6400 CPU and ATI 4650 graphic is good for.

CULV? No thanks! Currently, an undaunted trend towards smaller notebooks can be observed. While the devices lose gram by gram, the performance, down to netbooks, constantly decreases as well - even though Nvidia steer in the opposite direction with their Ion platform. The U500 by Toshiba takes a further step here. Despite the compact 13.3" format, the laptop offers a powerful Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, and an independent middle-class graphics card by ATI.

The power of Core i7. The mySN XMG7.c, based on Clevo's W870CU barebone, doesn't only represent a notebook of the upper class in view of price. Thanks to the brand new Intel Core i7-720M and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M, the 17.3 inch notebook also provides for baffled faces under its hood. We've scrutinized the mySN XMG7.c and clarified the question: What does the high-end notebook have to offer apart from its alleged brute performance.

Mini Elitebook. HP's Elitebook range is made up of notebooks for business professionals, with a focus on withstanding the rigours of mobile business life. These so-called 'business rugged' laptops offer a particularly robust chassis, a spill-resistant keyboard, a durable battery and a hard drive which is shock-resistant to a degree. Learn more about the smallest notebook in this range, the ultra-mobile 2530p, in the following review.

Three-Four-Nine. This is, more or less, the number that will show up on your bill if you select the Acer Extensa 5230E configuration with the somewhat awkward label 901G16Mn. A very small price for a notebook, in view of the possibility to waiver on Windows Vista and to thus haggle the costs to under 300 Euros. But - how much notebook do you actually get for this low price?

15-Hour marathon. The polite big brother of the currently at hand Asus UL30A, already had to endure a comprehensive test by our editorial team. Those who opt for the handy 13.3 inch version, are looking for compact mobility. The absence of an optical drive in the UL30A is accepted as a compromise in this case. What counts is battery life, and this is provided in abundance by this laptop.

Mobile Entertainer. The new product lines of Dell, a well-known direct distributor, with a 'z' in their name are designed with one purpose in mind: an extraordinary good balance of mobility and performance. While the Inspiron 11z and Latitude 16z are already available for some weeks, the product range has now been extended by a model of the popular 13-inch category called 13z. The following test will reveal how successful this new subnotebook can cover the span between performance and mobility.

Asus goes Business Having produced notebooks for many years, Asus have continuously extended their product range. Finally Asus also offers business notebooks. We had the chance to test one of them, the B50A. It tries to convince with sophisticated features, e.g., a WXGA+ screen, an HDMI interface, and Altec Lansing loudspeakers.

Slim and cheap. Chiligreen releases a representative of the Ultra-Slim Generation with its Platinum SE. Not only does the size of the 13 incher stay slim, but the wallet is also spared from being overtaxed too much. What the cheap mobile companion has to offer apart from its good-looking outfit is revealed in the following review.

The Secret's in the Mix. Sony sees its Vaio NW11 as a chic and elegant multimedia contemporary. At the same time, the chamfered and compact case shouldn't lack the necessary mobility. If these statements apply and how well the Vaio NW11 does in the other tests will be unveiled in our comprehensive review.

What is the secret of these mini guys’ success? There are more than one reasons - as you'll find out in this Exhaustive guide.

Long live PhysX? Nvidia likes to praise the so-called PhysX capability of its graphic cards. This allows the physics in adapted game tracks to be computed by the graphic card. We took a closer look on what the ominous PhysX involves with three (example) games, how big the optical and performance-technical effect is and if a notebook purchase with Nvidia cards are worth it only due to this technology.

The office beauty. Sony's Vaio BZ series is aimed predominantly at business users. Will professionals be convinced by the relatively affordable Vaio VGN-BZ26M, with its magnesium bodywork, dual-core processor, matt screen and DVD burner? And is it also suitable for the home office and a game or two? We put the machine through its paces.

Tick-Tock-Tick-TOCK. The Nehalem architecture for the desktop field has already existed for some time. Now mobile users will have the benefit of i7 processors that bring a whole range of innovations in comparison to the already existing Intel Core 2 Quad CPUs. The processor will, for instance, integrate single functions that have been left to the chip set up till now and a high clock rate is also coming back into fashion - thanks to turbo boost.