MakeUseOf » laptop reviews

The 5 Best & Most Interesting Ultrabooks From CES

Matt Smith — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:31:43 +0000

CES 2012 focused on the ultrabook. Nearly every major consumer electronics company had one to show – including companies that don’t have much presence in the laptop market, such as LG.

Not every ultrabook was worthy of praise, but there were a few that stood out from the crowd. Some were notable for their build quality – others, for their unique design.

Dell XPS 13

Of all the ultrabooks that I was able to see and handle at CES, the Dell XPS 13 was my favorite. It is not the lightest, thinnest or quickest, but it’s the one I’d be most likely to buy with my own money.

Why? Build quality and design is one reason. Unlike many ultrabooks, the XPS 13 restricts the use of metal to the lid and some of the chassis. The underside is made of carbon fiber coated in a soft-touch material, while the interior is soft touch plastic. All of this adds up to a laptop that feels rock solid but also pleasing to handle.

Portability is another strong point. Dell’s use of high-strength materials has allowed them to reduce display bezel size and, in turn, reduce overall width and depth. Though it has a 13.3” display, the physical footprint of this laptop is closer to a 12.1” laptop. Battery life is estimated at nearly 9 hours by Dell, and while that’s likely a best-case scenario, it’s better than the life quoted by nearly every competitor.

Pricing of the XPS 13 starts at $999. Units start shipping in mid-February, but you can reserve one of the first units today.

Lenovo ThinkPad T430u

Lenovo already has an ultrabook available, but it is part of the consumer IdeaPad line. The T430u is the first ThinkPad to fit the specifications, which is news by itself in the eyes of some hardcore enthusiasts. I’m sure that some buyers will prefer the rugged, simple design of this ThinkPad to the flashier but less sturdy construction of consumer ultrabooks.

What I find most interesting, however, is inside the T430u – Nvidia discrete graphics will be optional on this laptop. This is the only ultrabook to promise a discrete graphics option so far. Ironically, the product made for work could provide better 3D gaming performance than any of its peers.

You’ll have to wait for the T430u, however. Lenovo isn’t going to offer it until Intel releases Ivy Bridge, so look for a summer release date.

HP Envy 14 Spectre

The HP Envy line has hit its stride as of late. The new Envy 15 and 17 laptops are both excellent, even when compared to the MacBook Pro, which usually stands in a class of its own. And at CES a new addition was revealed – the Envy 14 Spectre.

Besides the name, which is awesome, the Spectre offers a unique black glass lid design that sets the laptop apart from the crowd. The interior is also coated in glass, providing a slick surface for your hands to glide across. Specifications are impressive, as well – though it uses the same Core i5/i7 ULV processors as any other ultrabook, the Spectre includes a brilliant 1600×900 display, solid state drives and a battery life of up to 9.5 hours.

All of that kit is standard – but you’ll have to pay at least $1,399 for it. As with the XPS 13, retail availability is expected to be mid-February, but you can reserve one now.

Lenovo Yoga

Although most of the ultrabooks coming into production over the last year are conventional laptops, Intel and many laptop manufacturers were eager to show concepts that could be the future of the laptop.

One of these concepts is the Lenovo Yoga. At first glance, it’s a normal laptop – but bend back the display and it just keeps going. And going. And doesn’t stop until you’ve made your ultrabook into a 13.3” tablet. The Yoga is designed for Windows 8, so it would utilize the Metro UI when in tablet mode.

Lenovo wasn’t the only company to short a convertible tablet, but the Yoga’s design sets it apart from most convertibles, which usually use a single rotating hinge. The Yoga is also closer to production than many other concepts. Lenovo says it will be available in the second half of 2012.

Intel Nikiski

One of the most outlandish concepts shown at CES 2012 was made by Intel itself. It’s called Nikiski, and it has a transparent touchpad and palmrest.

The idea is that when the laptop is closed, some of the display (the portion that shows through the transparent touchpad) will still be visible. This part of the display can be used to show notifications. Like the Yoga, it’s designed with the Windows 8 Metro UI in mind.

Of course, Intel doesn’t make laptops, so this particular concept may never see the light of day. But like any good concept, the Nikiski drops a few clues about the future. It shows that touchpad surfaces using alternative technologies are possible, that ultrabooks may be squeezed into very small physical dimensions, and that Windows 8’s Metro UI is easily able to handle a display area with an unusual size.

Conclusion

Although I covered several popular ultrabooks in this article, I also left some out. The Samsung Series 5 and Series 9 did not impress me, at least not in the short time I had to play with them. I also wasn’t taken by the new Lenovo U310 or the lineup from companies like Toshiba and LG.

Do you disagree? Did you see or hear of an ultrabook that could be the best thing since sliced bread? Let us know in the comments.

Image Credit : PC Perspective

The 5 Best Laptops On The Market Today – If You Have LOADS Of Money

Matt Smith — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:31:30 +0000

Buying a laptop is a difficult decision. Most of us have to walk a tight-rope, balancing what we want (power, style, portability and more) with what we can afford.

But what if money wasn’t an obstacle? What would you buy then? You’d probably consider laptops that never even popped on your radar before – like the five listed here.

Sony Vaio Z

The Sony Vaio Z has always been the company’s super-high-end ultraportable. It’s basically a “halo product” that shows what Sony’s engineers are capable of when they’re given a large budget to work with.

At first glance, the hardware specs don’t seem that impressive. The Sony Vaio Z comes standard with a Core i5-2410M processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid state drive. All of that can be had for a fraction of the price. What makes the Z expensive is the fact all of this has been crammed into a chassis .66 inches thick that weighs just 2.57 pounds. And Sony did this before Intel started making a big deal about ultrabooks.

Pricing starts at $1,999, but if that isn’t expensive enough for you, Sony offers the Signature Collection. These usually offer unique styling and always offer insane hardware. One model, priced at $4,499, upgrades the Z to a 1080p display, a Core i7 dual core processor and a 512GB solid state drive.

Lenovo ThinkPad T420s

You don’t hear much coming from Lenovo about the ThinkPad T series these days. The company has been working on a lot of other new models which have taken the limelight away from this stalwart of the company’s lineup.

That’s a shame, because there’s still good laptops in the T series – and some expensive ones. The T420s, which is a thin-and-light version of the standard T420, starts at $1,149. For that you receive a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB mechanical hard drive.

But if you can spend as much as you’d like, that’s not the one you want. No, you want the T420s with the solid state drive, the Core i7 dual core processor and an optional extended life battery that can fit into the slot normally occupied by the removable optical drive. Configured like this you’re looking at a lofty $1,959 price tag – and it’s worth every penny.

Alienware M18X

When it comes to customized gaming laptops, it’s hard to beat Alienware. And when it comes to Alienware, it’s hard to beat the M18x. This is the company’s fastest, biggest and most expensive laptop.

In base guise, it’s only $1,999. You’ll want the fully upgraded model, however, that starts at $3,299 and includes dual graphics. But why stop there?

Load the M18x with an Intel Extreme Edition quad-core processor. Upgrade the dual video cards to a pair of Nvidia GTX 580Ms. Improve the solid state drive to a 512GB monster. Now you’re looking at one of the most powerful laptops ever sold, along with a price tag of $4,974.

If you’d like to tip the system over $5,000, just for kicks, pick the dual layer Blu-Ray drive.

Panasonic Toughbook C1

What? Panasonic makes laptops?

Yes, they do. But you won’t usually see them in stores because they’re not built for the average consumer. Panasonic calls its laptops Toughbooks, and they’re specifically geared for users who need a laptop that can survive extreme environments.

The C1 is the company’s most accessible model, and one of the few a consumer could potentially find a use for. It’s a 12.1” convertible tablet weighs 3.28 pounds. Most models are powered by Core i5 processors and an optional solid state drive.

Specifications aren’t what this laptop is about, however. It’s about features like hot-swappable twin battery design. It’s about resistance to falls up to 30 feet. It’s about the weird but effective ergonomic strap that can be attached to the bottom, making the laptop easier to hold with one hand.

Price? It can vary a bit because Panasonic does not sell laptops directly but instead relies on third-party resellers. Typically you’ll have to pay $2,500 for a base model and over $3,000 for one with all the goodies.

Dell Precision M6600

Deciding which mobile workstation would make this list was a tough call. They’re all expensive, they’re all nice, and they’re all way more than your average person would ever need.

Ultimately, I decided on the M6600. Why? Three hard drives. If you have money to burn you can buy a Dell Precision M6600 with 1.5 terabytes of solid state storage. That will set you back $3,670 for the drives alone.

The other options are nothing to laugh at. Dell’s UltraSharp 1080p mobile displays are available, and they’re beautiful. You can also pick Nvidia Quadro 5010M graphics and quad-core Intel Extreme Edition processors. It’s not hard to price a M6600 over ten grand if you want all the goodies.

Conclusion

This list isn’t about expense just for the sake of it. It is about dream machines – computers that are absurdly powerful, rugged, beautiful or all three, but also priced well outside the average person’s budget. If you have a suggestion that you think would fit this list, let us know in the comments.

DOWNLOAD Laptop Buying Guide 2011

Justin Pot — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:51:15 +0000

Computer hardware is constantly changing, but it’s not entirely unpredictable. There are often distinct trends, and today’s laptop market is no different.

Not sure where to start? You should read our “2011 Laptop Buying Guide”, from MakeUseOf writer Matt Smith. This guide lets you know what specs matter on a modern computer, which brands to look out for and more.

Advancing computer hardware is always great for consumers. This guide is not just about hardware, however, and for good reason. It’s easy to become sucked up in technical mumbo-jumbo. Some retail outlets depend on it. The next thing you know, you’ve spent $200 more than you’d budgeted and have a laptop that’s twice as powerful as you need with a keyboard you don’t want to spend more than five minutes typing on.

Educate yourself before you spend any money. Read this guide.

DOWNLOAD Laptop Buying Guide 2011
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Read now on Scribd

This guide outlines:

Discovering your personal needs.
Which specs matter on a modern computer.
The hardware that makes up a laptop.
The importance of screens and keyboards.
Whether a netbook is right for you.
The difference between the major laptop brands, from Acer to Toshiba.
What to look for in a warranty, if you want one at all.

DOWNLOAD Laptop Buying Guide 2011
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Read now on Scribd

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6 Things To Look For When Buying A Laptop In 2011

Tim Brookes — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:31:20 +0000

Are you familiar with dying laptop syndrome? Is your mobile workstation showing signs of wear, tear, age and abuse? I know you’re both probably very attached to one another, but it might be time to let go…

Buying a new laptop computer can be both frustrating and expensive. Brand loyalty will only get you so far, and before long you’ll find yourself carefully studying specifications, reading countless reviews and examining every online shop you can find for the best price. Even if you’ve only got a modest budget in mind, you’re going to have to spend a lot of time with your new machine – so it pays to make the right decision in the long run.

Sandy Bridge

Intel’s second generation of Core-i “Sandy Bridge” processors landed in March, albeit a couple of months late thanks to a recall. The evidence of this is clear all over the web, manufacturers like Dell, Asus, Acer and Apple already have models sporting the speedier, more energy efficient chips.

You’ll also probably notice many of the first generation Core-i processors floating around in numerous deals, as retailers try to shift “old” stock. The last generation aren’t bad processors by any stretch of the imagination, though if you’re really looking to future-proof yourself then the newer chips are by far the better choice.

Sandy Bridge processors run on average 5-10% faster than the previous generation, operate at cooler temperatures, are more energy efficient and the on-board graphical processors (GPU) provide impressive performance for an integrated, non-dedicated solution.

USB 3.0

In 1996 USB 1.0 was standardised with a maximum transfer rate of 12 Megabits per second. By April 2000 USB 2.0 set the bar higher with maximum theoretical speeds of 480 Megabits per second (in real terms 60MB per second), and now USB 3.0 is here to change the game again.

With realistic transfer speeds of 3.2 Gigabits per second (that’s a mighty 400MB of data every second) why wouldn’t you want USB 3.0 on your next laptop? Notebooks often require additional, external storage (especially for backup purposes) so buying into speedier technology early is bound to pay off once you’ve invested in some USB 3.0 devices.

Good Screen Resolution & Colour Reproduction

One thing that repeatedly lets down well-equipped laptops is a poor screen. If you intend on doing more than just word processing and web surfing; fancy playing games, watching videos or editing photos on your laptop then don’t forget a decent display.

Despite promising “HD resolution”, many notebooks still only carry a 720p compliant screen. For some serious visual real-estate, invest in a full HD model (1080p or better). If you’re concerned about accurate colour representation then look out for RGB LED backlighting (possibly as an upgrade, for example Dell’s latest XPS machines).

Unlike “white” LEDs which are blue with a coating of yellow phosphor to appear white, RGB LED backlighting provides a purer white and richer colours especially in the green and blue spectrums.

Chiclet Keyboard

Vaguely resembling Scrabble tiles, chiclet keyboards are (among some manufacturers, at least) all the rage at the moment. The keys certainly make for a refreshing look, but also offer the benefit of not having gaps between the keys.

This means your keyboard should gather far less dust, fluff, crumbs and other desk-related paraphernalia over time. Reviews suggest that some of these keyboards are excellent, offering superior action and a much more comfortable typing experience over traditional keyboards.

For real wow-factor look for a backlit model and as always, read your reviews and if possible try it out before you buy – every manufacturer and model can differ.

Housing & Build Quality

As a Linux and occasionally Windows user even I’m aware that Apple have produced some wonderful laptops over the years. I’m not referring to the operating system, and I’m not referring to the hardware either – it’s the chassis that always impressed me.

Finally, it seems, that “normal” laptop manufacturers have started to do the same. HP’s original Envy line took a well-executed metal leaf out of Apple’s (Mac)book, featuring a sleek aluminium chassis, flush screen and huge touchpad. It was the first laptop to dare try on an Apple dress in the Windows market, it looked great and it was built like a tank.

Build quality can make all the difference, especially if you’re prone to breaking things or expecting your purchase to last a while. It doesn’t have to be metal to be well-built (Toshiba’s business laptops are proof of that) but you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re in for before buying.

Solid State Storage

Traditional hard drives are electromechanical (keep strong magnets well away) and contain spinning disks to store an arm to access data. They are fairly susceptible to shock, have a tendency to die when you least expect and are on the way out in favour of solid state storage.

Okay, so traditional hard drives are here to stay for a while yet (especially considering the constant reduction in price) but SSDs offer some great benefits, if you’ve got the spare cash. Not only are they faster, with no spin-up time and lower latency but also hardier (with absolutely no moving parts) and silent. We’ve recently published a guide here at MakeUseOf all about SSDs, so make sure you give it a read if you’re interested.

Conclusion

You’re probably not going to opt for a laptop that has all of the above, and if you do be prepared to pay top dollar. Always do your research before buying a laptop computer, either by reading reviews or asking owners. Users of forums like NotebookForums or NotebookReview can offer valuable insight into potential purchases such as Linux performance and heat output. Good luck in your quest for the perfect laptop!

Have you recently bought a new laptop? Are you considering one? Any killer selling points? Let us know in the comments below.

Image Credits: Shutterstock, Chiclet Keyboard: Stephen Bolen, RGB LED: flakeparadigm

The 3 Best Laptops That Support Nvidia 3D Vision

Matt Smith — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:31:58 +0000

We’ve been seeing a 3D revolution as of late – stereoscopic 3D, that is. This technology is now being used in movie theaters and in home theaters, and it can create some impressive visual effects. The depth added from the use of 3D in a movie can be jaw-dropping when it’s properly employed. The same goes for PC games, as many titles now support a proprietary stereoscopic 3D product called Nvidia 3D Vision.

If you’ve seen 3D in action lately, it was probably coming at you through a HDTV or possibly a computer monitor, but laptops haven’t been left out in the cold. A limited number of laptops offer full Nvidia 3D Vision support, making it possible to watch 3D movies and play 3D Games even when you’re away from home.

ASUS G53JW-3DE

The beastly ASUS G53 is the cousin to the award-winning ASUS G73 gaming laptop, and it shares the same stealth-fighter inspired design. This results in a blocky, beefy exterior that is undoubtedly cool but also doesn’t look tacky, a problem that plagues laptops with glowing lights and crazy paint jobs.

Of course, the real news is the hardware. Inside this monster you’ll find a Core i7 quad-core processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M graphics, and 8GB of RAM. A Blu-Ray player is standard as is an embedded Nvidia 3D Vision emitter, which means you won’t have to plug in an extra device via USB to use the 3D Vision technology. The high-end hardware in this gaming laptop makes it possible to play modern games at reasonable detail settings even with the 3D support turned on.

Not everything about this laptop is roses. This G53 weighs over seven pounds, is more than an inch and a half thick at the rear, and barely fits into a standard backpack. You’ll be lucky to receive more than two hours of battery life, as well. And then you have to deal with the price – it’s over $1,700. Still, that’s actually a low price for a gaming laptop of this caliber, as my next pick will reveal.

Origin EON15

The Origin EON15, like the ASUS G53JW-3DE, is a purebred gaming laptop. It’s different, however, because it is made by a boutique gaming laptop company rather than mass-produced by a large vendor. You can’t customize a ASUS G53, but with the Origin EON15, the sky is the limit.

The standard Origin EON15 is about $1,550, but it doesn’t support Nvidia 3D Vision. To gain that feature you’ll have to choose the special 3D panel and the Nvidia Quadro graphics option, which raises the price to over $2,300. That’s with 2GB of RAM and a Core i5 processor, as well, so the ASUS G53 clearly is the better value.

On the other hand, you can go crazy with the EON15 if you have a lot of money to burn. Intel Extreme Edition processors are available, as are solid state drives, a built-in TV tuner, and a custom paint job.//www.makeuseof.com/tag/pend over $4,000 on this laptop, which more than I’d ever dream of, but some buyers are obviously willing to spend the extra dough on a fully customized laptop.

Toshiba Satellite A665-3DV8

Both the ASUS G53JW-3DE and Origin EON15 are great laptops, but they’re gaming laptops. They’re big, bulky bruisers with short battery lives and shorter tempers. You don’t want to take them to meet your family! They’ll likely cause your parents to worry you’ve transformed into a hopeless nerd.

Enter the Toshiba Satellite A665-3DV. This 15.6″ laptop fully supports Nvidia 3D Vision, has a Blu-Ray player as standard, and is powered by a Core i7 quad-core processor combined with Nvidia GTS 350M graphics. It is, in other words, one quick laptop. However, it looks like a fairly normal, although particularly well attired, Toshiba Satellite. It’s not a light laptop, nor does it obtain the very best battery life (we’re still talking about 3 to 4 hours) but it is at least portable enough to take to your local coffee house on a regular basis.

Granted, you sacrifice some performance compared to the full-on gaming laptops, but this Toshiba Satellite is still capable of playing most games without a hitch. It’s also significantly less expensive thanks to a starting price of $1,399. If you’re interested in 3D movies and games, but you’re not interested being identified as a hardcore gamer, the Satellite is your best option.

Conclusion

I would have liked to have included some laptops with 3D support that not so expensive and beefy, but that’s simply not possible right now. Enabling Nvidia 3D Vision makes a movie or game demand more from your laptop’s hardware than it would otherwise, which means that the only laptops up to snuff are big and expensive. You’ll have to deal with these monsters for now, but if you don’t mind their size, you’ll love the impressive visuals they offer.

Choosing A Laptop: 9 Great Review Sites

Jack Cola — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Is your current laptop or computer slowing down your productivity? Taking too long to get simple tasks done on your PC? Tried everything to make it go faster, to no effect? If you have some cash lying around, it would be more worth your time to buy yourself a new laptop or if your like me, another laptop to add to the collection. A new laptop goes a long way if you are the fast-paced, hard-driven type.

However, when buying a new laptop, there are always several questions to ask yourself. What size do I buy? Which brand should I get? HP, Dell, Acer, Apple? Reflective versus non-reflective screen? What good is a backlit keyboard? I know, there are heaps to choose from.

Here are 9 sites to help you find a laptop that suits you, your budget and its application. But before you start your hunt, you should read the MakeUseOf Laptop Buying Guide first to know what to look for in a laptop.

Alright, in no particular order, here are 9 great sites to help you on your hunt for a new laptop!

Liliputing

Liliputing has great reviews, has a developing community and reasonable size product database that gives the specification of everything you need to know when comparing laptops. Each laptop is subjected to personal opinions and links to more reviews about a laptop.

Cnet Reviews

Cnet is a very popular site that covers a lot of reviews on a lot of different products from Televisions, Camcorders, Car Tech, Cell Phones to Computers. Finding a laptop is very easy. Just select your budget, manufacturer, notebook type, product line or other options such as RAM, hard drive or weight, and your choice will be narrowed down. When beginning your laptop hunt, you should start off at Cnet.

Notebook Review

Like Cnet, Notebook Review can help you find a laptop that suits your needs. However, there is one advantage. Not only does Notebook Review provides links to buy products online, they also have a database of promotional codes and deals for huge discounts.

ZDNet

ZDNet is another popular site that allows you to search and narrow down your choice of laptops. The specifications that ZDnet provides are good and comparing different laptops are a breeze. Most of the information you find on ZDnet is from Cnet, so you might want to check out Cnet first.

Engadget

Engadget provides some great articles on laptops and on other gadgets. It’s more of a blog so it doesn’t provide you with the comparisons that Cnet and Liliputing provides. However, they provide good images and provide you with their opinion on the device. Their reviews are based on daily and real-life use, something to consider when purchasing a new laptop.

PC Magazine

PC Mag keeps you covered on news, reviews, prices of laptops and computer accessories. Just visit the Laptop compare prices section and you can get reviews, specs and price ranges from different suppliers and online websites.

PriceGrabber

Price Grabber mainly gives you the specification of laptops, their prices and where to buy them. The main aim of Price Grabber is to allow you to perform a comparison between many different products and suppliers. When you have found your perfect laptop, head over to Price Grabber and see where you can pick up a good deal.

Laptop Magazine

Laptop Mag is great because they give a round-up of best laptops for certain group of people. Whether it be students, or for dads. They also publish news about the latest on laptops, when manufactures are releasing products and more. If you don’t know how to do something, then Laptop Mag has some handy tutorials and How To’s which are worth to check out.

Laptopical

Laptopical provides a range of laptops to fit your budget. Although I wouldn’t suggest finding a laptop through this site, but once you have found a laptop that you want, visit Laptopical and have a read what they say.

If you are searching for a laptop, MakeUseOf hopes that you find the right computer for you. If you have any other suggestions for good laptop review sites, let us know in the comments.

The Laptop Buying Guide For 2009

Aibek Esengulov — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:01:18 +0000

If you have tried to buy a laptop recently I am sure you know how difficult it is these days to choose the right one. There are dozens of popular brands to choose from. And to make matters worse pretty much every manufacturer now offers plenty of different setups.

So what do you choose? The best looking one? The fastest? The most durable? … Which one?

To make it a bit easier MakeUseOf teamed up with Laptopical.com to give you a Laptop Buying Guide for 2009. It’s a quick 20 page guide with an abundance of screenshots and links to video reviews. This guide is intended to help buyers make an informed choice regardless of previous computer knowledge.

Download the MakeUseOf Laptop Buying Guide in PDF format now.

The buying guide includes everything from an overview of key laptop performance indicators to most popular laptops in early 2009.

Part 2: Introduction: Essential Parts & Choosing The Right Size
Part 3: Most Popular Laptops [Early 2009]