Ivy Bridge

Workstation lite. HP expands its mobile workstation range with a 14-inch alternative and rounds off its product portfolio. We extensively examined whether this is really a competitive, small-sized workhorse or whether we will only discover a hidden business laptop.
Intel Core i5-3360M | AMD FirePro M2000 | 14.00" | 2.5 kg

A good deal. Shortly after the release of the GeForce GTX 670MX and GTX 675MX, Nvidia is unleashing another Kepler graphics card into the race. Contrary to its high-end brothers, the GeForce GT 645M is intended for serving the high turnover mid-range. The 15-inch Nexoc M507II is one of the first devices based on this fresh 28 nm GPU.
Intel Core i7-3630QM | NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M | 15.60" | 2.5 kg

The contender. The EliteBook 8570w is a premium notebook designed to compete in the high-performance realm of professional workstations. Our review model doesn't feature top-of-the-line components, however - it's equipped with an Intel Core i5 CPU, Nvidia Quadro K1000M GPU, and a HD+ display. Can this less powerful version of the series stand up to its competition?
Intel Core i5-3360M | NVIDIA Quadro K1000M | 15.60" | 3.3 kg

Wasted potential. Lenovo releases a multimedia laptop for just under 770 Euros (~$982) dubbed IdeaPad G780 (M843MGE). The case is the same as in the prior G770 range. Theoretically, the G780 sports strong components but practically, the potent hardware has been cropped ex-factory.
Intel Core i5-3210M | NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M | 17.30" | 3 kg

Bonsai. A bonsai is a perfected miniature tree, maintained well and with a lot of perseverance. Is HP's smallest EliteBook also perfect in form and devised with attention to detail?
Intel Core i7-3667U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 11.60" | 1.4 kg

Another try. This is the third attempt by Lenovo to make the affordable 13 inch ThinkPad Edge into a blockbuster in the entry level business segment. A slightly reworked case and improved stability are supposed to make the difference this time around. The question is whether it will be third time lucky?
Intel Core i3-2370M | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | 13.30" | 1.8 kg

Full HD peanut. The tiny Asus Zenbook Prime UX21A features an 11.6-inch display and a class-leading resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The other specs are noteworthy as well: Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge dual-core processor, SSD, backlit keyboard, and a sturdy aluminum chassis.
Intel Core i7-3517U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 11.60" | 1.1 kg

Business and more? About a year ago we put the predecessor model, the 8460p, to the test. The manufacturer HP now introduces the EliteBook 8470p as the successor, although it has the same old look, the internal components have been revamped.
Intel Core i7-3520M | AMD Radeon HD 7570M | 14.00" | 2.1 kg

Fast and mobile? Thanks to its fast mass storage, a 256 GB SSD, and an Ivy Bridge generation Core i5-3320M processor, our review model can score in terms of system performance. Is the 12.5-inch sized subnotebook‘s robust and elegant design and good communication array sufficient to allow for unlimited mobility?
Intel Core i5-3320M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 12.50" | 1.7 kg

More power! Having already taken a close look at the cheap US version of the ThinkPad T430s, we now turn to the high end configuration with a Core i7 processor and a 180 GB SSD. Can Lenovo justify a price of over 1700 Euros (~$2200) for its business athlete?
Intel Core i7-3520M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 14.00" | 1.8 kg

A Tough Companion. "Full power for professional use in a light and compact notebook" is what Dell aims to offer with the Latitude E6330. This is the 13.3-inch model equipped with a current Ivy Bridge processor and (optionally) a fast SSD.
Intel Core i5-3320M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 2 kg

Windows 8 Hybrid. Windows 8 makes it possible: the convertibles, a combination of a notebook and a tablet, are experiencing a Renaissance period. We are going to test the Dell XPS 12, which is equipped with an IPS display, and will show us if this fusion of technology can be successful.
Intel Core i7-3667U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 12.50" | 1.5 kg

And it keeps going and going... The 13.3-inch LifeBook S792 is targeted towards mobile professionals who need a light and mobile notebook - but don't want to sacrifice computing power and battery life. Find out in our review if the LifeBook S792 fits the bill.
Intel Core i7-3612QM | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 1.6 kg

Virtually an ultrabook. Members of the slim and affordable IdeaPad S400 range are tempting to customers who are interested in an ultrabook, but do not want to pay the demanded price. Our test reveals whether Lenovo's 14-inch laptop is successful.
Intel Core i5-3317U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 14.00" | 1.8 kg

Facelift. Under the name 900X3C-A04DE Samsung offers the well-known 13.3-inch Premium Subnotebook with fresh hardware from Intel. In addition to the matte display with a resolution of 1600x900 pixels, an Intel Core i7-3517U dual-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD will be offered. Prices start from around 1500 Euros (~$1940).
Intel Core i7-3517U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 1.2 kg

Good and cheap. We are testing one of the lowest priced members from Lenovo's IdeaPad N581 series with the IdeaPad N581-MBA4YGE. The laptop costs around 400 Euros (~$518), sports a dual-core Pentium processor and relies on Window 7 as the operating system. Our test will show whether the device is worth its money.
Intel Pentium B970 | Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) | 15.60" | 2.6 kg

Performance zenith. Ivy Bridge processors have been on the market for just about half a year - time to introduce a small performance upgrade in terms of higher clock speeds. We tested what the new models Core i7-3940XM, 3840QM, 3740QM and 3630QM are capable of.

Worker of the Month. The Lenovo ThinkPad L430 is a true office notebook. Lenovo has paid special attention to making this model practical and giving it clever extras. So do these make everyday office work easier, or is a coffee machine the better investment of the 840 Euros (~$1089)? Find out in the following review.
Intel Core i5-3210M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 14.00" | 2.3 kg

A Look at the Details. HD Graphics 4000 = HD Graphics 4000? Not at all: behind the name of Intel's fastest integrated graphics unit, there is a hidden collection of feasible specifications, some of which have a considerable influence on the performance. We try to shed light in the dark and explain the influence of clock rate, L3 cache and memory expansion.

Glossy All-Rounder. The Toshiba Satellite L850-153 is equipped with middle-class hardware and targets price-conscious multimedia users. Although it offers a powerful Ivy Bridge CPU and a DirectX 11-ready Radeon HD 7670M, the 15-inch laptop is available at a price starting at 650 Euros (~$840). Sounds like a good deal, except for the sensitive case.
Intel Core i5-3210M | AMD Radeon HD 7670M | 15.60" | 2.4 kg

High-end debut. With the 1500 Euros (~$1927) ultrabook Aspire S5, Acer wants to attract customers in the luxury segment. In order to achieve this, the manufacturer sets on fast hardware, fine materials, and a couple of interesting features. Is this enough to put pressure on the established competition?
Intel Core i7-3517U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 1.2 kg

Mobile high-end. One thing is for sure: the HP EliteBook 8570p is no run-of-the-mill system designed for the masses. Rather, the system tries to appeal to the professional user and touts features such as a premium chassis, great display, long warranty, and powerful processing capabilities. We will determine how well this notebook meets the requirements of its intended target audience in our review.
Intel Core i7-3520M | AMD Radeon HD 7570M | 15.60" | 2.9 kg

ThinkPad Edge rival. Matte case, matte screen, ExpressCard slot, Intel's Core i5 processor - the TravelMate P453-M53214G50Makk sounds like the perfect office machine on paper. Our review reveals if this is true.
Intel Core i5-3210M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 15.60" | 2.6 kg

Gentle evolution. Instead of taking a radical change, Lenovo steps gently in advancing their established ThinkPad series. The quick Ivy Bridge processors should increase the performance and innovations, such as USB 3.0, should demonstrate their will to improve. But how will adherents of the ThinkPad react to the first integrated Chiclet keyboard?
Intel Core i7-3520M | NVIDIA NVS 5400M | 14.00" | 2.3 kg

Hell 3.0 - A year back, the reasonably priced Deviltech Fragbook performed really well in our review. Now the device is available with Ivy Bridge processor technology and the GeForce GTX 675M. It has some really powerful rivals to overcome. We will evaluate if this laptop will prevail over the competition.
Intel Core i7-3610QM | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M | 17.30" | 3.7 kg

Ivy evolution. It took a bit over a year before Dell updated its new Latitude range business laptops for the known reasons. Our review reveals which new features we can expect apart from Intel's latest Ivy Bridge generation - and what the 14-inch business device has to set against the prestigious competition.
Intel Core i5-3320M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 14.00" | 2.1 kg

The cat's meow. With the sleek 13.3-inch Envy Spectre XT 13-2000eg, HP expands its ultrabook portfolio. Featuring an aluminum case, the latest hardware, a Beats Audio system, and a backlit keyboard, does this ultrabook offer substance in addition to its style?
Intel Core i5-3317U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 1.4 kg

A Core Question. Do modern gaming graphics cards require a quad-core CPU to show their full potential? Many gamers will be faced with this choice when it's time to buy a new notebook. To finally put the question to rest, we have tested Intel's current Ivy Bridge generation with various games. Keep reading to find out if high-end GPUs also play well with a dual-core CPU.

Multimedia Mirror. The Lifebook AH532 is Fujitsu's logical continuation of the AH530 und AH531 notebooks. The Lifebook AH532 scores with up-to-date processor technology and a new casing.
Intel Core i5-3210M | NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE | 15.60" | 2.4 kg

Multimedia all-rounder. For a price of 700 Euros (~$895) Sony offers a multimedia notebook including an AMD Radeon HD 7650M GPU and an Intel Core i5 processor. Our review will reveal if the device is any good.
Intel Core i5-3210M | AMD Radeon HD 7650M | 15.50" | 2.7 kg

More than just an Ultrabook? Most Ultrabook buyers have to sacrifice performance in favor of enhanced mobility. HP's Envy 6 bucks the trend, and aims to woo gamers with a dedicated graphics card, all while delivering good value for money. Unfortunately, the slim 15-inch model isn't much use outdoors.
Intel Core i5-3317U | AMD Radeon HD 7670M | 15.60" | 2.2 kg

Softened Ultrabook. The Dell Inspiron 14z is an ultrabook with a ULV CPU and a dedicated graphics card. While it may not be as thin as others, it has better hardware and is a good candidate for mobile multimedia use.
Intel Core i5-3317U | AMD Radeon HD 7570M | 14.00" | 1.8 kg

Compact Office worker. The successor of the Vostro 3450 (Sandy Bridge, AMD Radeon HD 6630M) comes with an Ivy Bridge CPU and Nvidia's GeForce GT 630M GPU. Our review shows whether the Vostro 3460 can outperform its precursor using this combination.
Intel Core i5-3210M | NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M | 14.00" | 2.3 kg

Number one's successor. In late 2011, Acer launched its first ultrabook, the Aspire S3. Now updated, the 13.3-inch Aspire S3-391 ultrabook features Ivy Bridge components starting at 799 Euro (~$999). We tested whether the ultrabook is worth its price.
Intel Core i5-3317U | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 1.4 kg

Workhorse reloaded. Workhorse reloaded. Dell has updated its 15.6-inch workstation and now provides it with up-to-date hardware. We tested a well equipped variant with an Intel Core i7-3720QM quad-core processor, NVIDIA Quadro K2000M graphics (also compared AMD FirePro M4000), SSD drive and a FHD display costing in excess of 3000 Euros (~$3869).
Intel Core i7-3720QM | NVIDIA Quadro K2000M | 15.60" | 3.4 kg

AMD or Intel? HP's Pavilion g7 series gives the potential buyer either option. We take a look at the top model (MSRP around 700 Euro) with Core i7 processor and Radeon graphics and ask ourselves the following question: is the Intel version of the 17-inch notebook worth the price premium?
Intel Core i7-3612QM | AMD Radeon HD 7670M | 17.30" | 3 kg

The ideal multimedia laptop? An Ivy Bridge quad-core CPU and a GeForce GT640M ensure the Aspire V3-571G has a good performance. Our comprehensive review provides detailed information about its advantages and disadvantages.
Intel Core i7-3610QM | NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M | 15.60" | 3.2 kg

Light and dark. The new Dell XPS 15 seeks to dethrone the Apple MacBook Pro 15 and possesses many of the traits required to do so – superb workmanship, an excellent display, and fast hardware. Unfortunately, the proud multimedia notebook comes with weaknesses as well.
Intel Core i7-3612QM | NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M | 15.60" | 2.7 kg

Expensive entertainer. Powerful hardware, strong speakers and a built-in Blu-Ray drive - let the fun begin. Toshiba's new multimedia all-rounder has its strengths but is let down by the poor screen. Is the notebook still worth its price of 1200 Euro (~$1500)?
Intel Core i7-3610QM | NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M | 17.30" | 3 kg

Mini business. Those looking for a mobile work device quickly end up among 12 inchers like Fujitsu's Lifebook P772. The notebook tries to win over financially strong corporate customers with high-performance computing, integrated UMTS and an enduring battery.
Intel Core i5-3320M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 12.10" | 1.5 kg

Entry-level "Pro". Apple's MacBook Pro series has been enjoying great popularity for many years now. The notebooks from Cupertino offer high performance, look great, and seem to retain their value better than any competitor's product. In the past, the 13-inch MacBook Pro appeared to be the unloved stepchild of the family. Have things changed in 2012?
Intel Core i5-3210M | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | 13.30" | 2.1 kg

Classy one-man show. The website for the Toshiba Satellite P855-107 states the notebook is a “Powerful and attractive multimedia entertainment” device. This claim arouses our curiosity and makes us wonder if this is an empty promise or if Toshiba can truly deliver on its claim. In this review, we will find out.
Intel Core i7-3610QM | NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M | 15.60" | 3 kg

Noble gamer. Samsung introduces the Samsung Series 7 700G7C, a high-performance gaming notebook that seeks to extend the premium Series 7 family. Featuring an Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 675M, 16 GB RAM, a Blu-Ray drive, and illuminated elements, the elegant piano black lacquer notebook is a high-quality device with a price to match.
Intel Core i7-3610QM | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M | 17.30" | 4 kg

The Second Ivy Bridge. After the quad core models were successfully launched in April, the dual core Ivy Bridge processors are following now. We checked how the new notebook and ultrabook processors perform and whether Sandy Bridge owners should upgrade.