Product At-a-Glance

Full Review

It may just be one of the best looking notebooks on the market today, with it's sleek carbon fiber and aluminum body, backlit keyboard, and high-resolution screen, but does all that justify the nearly $2,000 price tag? Find out if the VAIO Z series from Sony is the right notebook for you after the break.

The Sony VAIO Z series is a 13-inch notebook that falls into the thin and light category, weighing in at just three pounds and a svelte one inch thin. Sony didn't sacrifice weight for features however, so you're getting a built-in Blu-Ray drive, HDMI output, ExpressCard slot, SD and Memory Stick card reader, three USB ports, and a 4-pin FireWire jack plus the standard VGA output and headphone jack. The LED backlit 13.1-inch screen comes in two resolutions, 1600x900 or 1920x1080.

Models are available in either silver or premium carbon (we'll get to this in a bit) and loaded with up to a 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 processor, the option of two 256GB solid state drives in RAID 0 (this option costs an additional $1300), up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, as well as the standard features we see on nearly every notebook: 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, and Gigabit Ethernet. The Z series also has a backlit keyboard, biometric fingerprint sensor for security and webcam.

The model we reviewed (VPCZ116GX/S) had the following specs:

• Intel Core i5-520M 2.40GHz processor
• 4GB of DDR3 1066 RAM
• 256GB Solid State Drive
• 1600x900 resolution 13.1-inch screen
• Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System

We have to say, Sony hit it out of the park with the design of this notebook. It's right up there with Apple's amazing industrial design of the MacBook Pro. Both notebooks have some similarities, namely the chiclet-style backlit keyboard.

A unique feature of this model is the Hybrid Graphics System, which allows you to get the most out of your battery life when on the go, and the most out of your graphics card when playing a game or playing HD video. Sony calls these modes Stamina, Speed, and Auto. The auto mode uses the discrete NVIDIA GT330M graphics card while plugged in, and switches seamlessly to the integrated Intel GMA HD graphics card when unplugged.

When the notebook hit our doorstep, we immediately put it through a variety of benchmarks. In our standard PCMark Vantage tests, the unit performed exceptionally well scoring a whopping 9942. While testing it for battery life, we received around 4 hours of battery life, but your mileage may vary depending on the task.

While we're certainly glad to see SSDs finally hit the mainstream and available as standard, the Sony VAIO Z series still looks like a PC. At a premium price, it simply needs more than a carbon fiber body. That doesn't suggest you shouldn't buy the Sony VAIO Z series however. If you're looking for a thin and light notebook that packs performance and decent battery life, go for it.

The Sony VAIO Z series as we stated starts at $1,919.99 through the Sony Style store but you may be able to find it cheaper through other sites such as Amazon.com. It is available in a variety of finishes including black, silver, Metal Shield, Premium Carbon and Glossy Premium Carbon.

Last summer we took a look at the NV series from Gateway. We found them to be affordable, quality laptops, albeit a bit bulky. This time around, we're taking a look at the LT2118u netbook from Gateway which was announced earlier this year at CES. Featuring Intel's Pinetrail processors, how does the LT2118u stack up against its competition?

Starting off with the basics, the LT2118u comes with the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 10.1" LED backlit screen, integrated Intel graphics, a card reader, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, and b/g/n wireless capabilities. No built-in 3G support, but weighing in at a nimble 2.76 pounds, I'll let it slip. Plus, let's be honest, nine times out of ten you can find a WiFi hotspot not too far away.

When purchasing netbooks, many people worry about the keyboard size. Now, I don't think I have small hands, and the keyboard on the LT2118u is perfect. The key response is excellent, and I would take the keyboard/trackpad layout on the LT2118u over the layout on its larger cousin, the NV series, any day. Complimenting the extremely well thought out keyboard is the equally well designed trackpad. Featuring multi-touch capability out of the box, the trackpad on the LT2118u is extremely useful. Two-finger scrolling and page navigation on the trackpad is one of my favorite features on my MacBook Pro. Having those same capabilities in a netbook is fantastic. While the gestures are not quite as responsive as on a Mac, they still work and are a good addition to the LT2118u's set of features.

The LT2118u comes with 3 USB ports, a VGA-out, 10/100 Fast Ethernet, microphone/headphone jacks (separate), and a Kensington lock slot. Obviously, there's no DVD drive, but you can purchase a standalone drive if you wish. The LT2118u does not come with a backup disk in the box, so if you want to be able to reinstall Windows down the road, you'll have to get an external burner or backup to a hard drive.

Included software-wise is a 60-day trial of both Norton AntiVirus and Microsoft Office Student and Home 2007. Office runs perfectly smoothly, making the netbook an excellent choice for students looking for a small laptop to take notes on, or professionals looking to edit presentations on the move. In addition, you receive a full copy of Microsoft Works; not my favorite productivity suite, but a nice gesture.

All this software runs on Windows 7 Starter Edition. For those of you who don't know your versions of Windows, this is the least feature-rich edition. There's a three non-system program limitation, so if you want to run more than three applications at once, you're a bit out of luck. In addition, you can't customize Windows at all. And I mean not at all. You can't even change the desktop background. This didn't bother me too much, but it does seem to be a silly limitation. For a netbook, Windows 7 Starter Edition should be enough, and if not, you can always upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium.

However, making up for any shortcomings of the LT2118u, the battery life is the netbook's true highpoint. Gateway claims it can last up to ten hours thanks to the Pinetrail processor's low power consumption. Even on WiFi, this claim does not seem exaggerated at all. You can literally go for days without charging the LT2118u and it will keep on going. This means its perfect for throwing in a backpack and taking with you anywhere. The fact that it's under three pounds doesn't hurt either.

In our benchmarks, the LT2118u scored roughly the same as its primary competitors (namely the EeePC). Graphics really crippled the scores, but I doubt you'll be using the LT2118u for many graphics intensive applications. As a note, playing HD video on the netbook doesn't work well, so if you're looking for a more graphically powerful netbook, this shouldn't be your first choice.

Ultimately, the LT2118u proves to be an excellent candidate for anyone who's looking for a new netbook. It's great battery life tied with its unsurpassed portability make the LT2118u a great option. Plus, at $349.99, it's not the most expensive netbook on the market either.

Pros

• Excellent battery life (up to 10 hours)
• Portable (2.76 lbs)
• Powerful (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N450 Processor, 1 GB RAM)

Cons

• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• No reinstall disk included

The latest round of netbooks are the best yet, with faster processors, larger screens, and even better video cards for gaming. Manufacturers are now closing the gap between standard notebooks and netbooks. You’ll see why with the new HP Mini 311 netbook after the break.

HP wanted to build a netbook with mobile entertainment in mind, and they clearly achieved that with the Mini 311. The netbook has a 11.6-inch LED-backlit screen with a 1366x768 (HD 720p) resolution, the largest we’ve seen on any netbook to date. Inside you’ll find an Intel Atom N270 or N280 processor running at 1.6 or 1.66GHz respectively. What’s different compared to other netbooks is the graphics subsystem used. HP has integrated the new Nvidia Ion technology.

If you’re not familiar with Nvidia Ion, it is a platform that combines the Nvidia GeForce 9400M chipset, DDR3-1066 or DDR2-800 memory, and the Intel Atom processor, now synonymous with nettops and netbooks. For these systems, this means that you will get 10x faster graphics and video transcoding compared to the standard Intel integrated graphics found on models like the Asus Eee PC 1008HA we reviewed last month. The Ion platform also allows impressive playback of up to 1080p high-definition video with 7.1 surround sound.

Also inside the HP Mini 311 is a 320GB hard drive and a 6-cell lithium-ion battery that HP says will deliver up to 7 hours of battery life. The Mini 311 comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium.

It has a 92-percent (of full-size) keyboard with glossy slightly curved keys, which during our review period felt somewhat loose. Below that you’ll find a standard trackpad with mouse buttons located under the trackpad, not to the side like earlier HP Mini models. In our tests, the trackpad felt sluggish and the buttons were stiff and loud.

As we mentioned earlier, the Mini 311 has a 1366x768 resolution, that provides substantially more screen real estate than the standard 1024x600 resolution seen on smaller and older netbooks.

The HDMI port on the HP Mini 311.

You’ll find the standard array of ports including 3 USB, an ethernet jack, a VGA video-out port and 3-in-1 card reader. What you’ll find here that you won’t find on cheaper netbooks without the Ion technology is the HDMI port for connecting to a high-def TV. On the front edge of the netbook are Altec Lansing stereo speakers which sound remarkably better than other netbooks.

In our performance tests, the Mini 311 performed similarly to the Eee PC 1008HA we reviewed just a few weeks ago. When it came to testing the Nvidia Ion technology, we went to our favorite HD flash video website, Vimeo. We had no issues playing the 720p Flash video, however this was utilizing the latest version of Flash Player 10.1 beta, which supports GPU acceleration. Before this was installed, Flash video was choppy and stuttered often.

Battery life was fairly impressive for a netbook, even with the extra graphics power. We received around 4 hours and 30 minutes of battery life on a full charge when using it for web browsing and the occasional playback of Flash video.

When I was invited to a briefing with Kevin Wentzel, a product manager from HP, he made it clear to me that the playback of high-definition video is of huge importance to HP and one of the significant features of the Mini 311.

With the enhanced graphics, larger screen, and HDMI output, the Mini 311 is a home run for HP. And for $399.99 with 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive (or $499.99 with double the RAM and more hard drive space) it won’t break the bank.

Pros

• Enhanced Nvidia graphics.
• Plays up to 1080p video.
• HDMI output.
• Large, high-resolution screen.

Cons

• Stiff trackpad buttons.
• Keys feel somewhat loose.

Netbooks are becoming all the rage these days, with slimmer designs and higher resolution screens. The latest of the slim bunch is the Asus Eee PC 1008HA Seashell. Does slimmer always mean better? Find out after the break.

Like most netbooks, you'll find a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, a 10.1-inch 1024x600 resolution LED-backlit display, 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 160GB hard drive, and a 6 hour li-polymer battery. All this in a package weighing 2.43 pounds and just 1.01 inches thin.

The Seashell name comes from the tapered design similar to Apple's MacBook Air ultra-portable notebook computer. The smooth outer design continues to the sides of the unit, with ports covered by a flip-down rubber hinge. The design is certainly one of the best we've seen when it comes to netbooks, unlike the chunkier Asus models from years past. One unique thing about the design is a miniature VGA connection that connects to a larger removable dongle on the bottom of the netbook. This design decision was obviously to keep the design even slimmer.

Another unique feature of the 1008HA Seashell netbook is the multi-touch trackpad. The surface has a perforated design instead of smooth "indented" design seen on standard notebook computers. The trackpad buttons were not stiff and clicked with ease.

A potential downside to the slim design is the non-removable battery, which means you aren't able to pop in a spare for extended battery life. In our tests, we received an average of four hours of battery life using the standard performance setting. There are also "high" and "super high" performance settings that are installed with the Asus Super Hybrid Engine feature to tweak power consumption for that last bit of battery life.

Performance was generally good and the Atom processor is enough to handle basic web tasks like email, reading news websites, streaming video, and listening to internet radio. The 92 percent keyboard is relatively comfortable to type on and keys have a nice tactile feel to them.

The Asus Eee PC 1008HA doesn't have the new Intel Pinetrail platform with enhanced graphics and processor speed, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good buy. You'll be able to find the 1008HA Seashell at Amazon.com for around $400. We expect the price to drop as newer models are released.

Pros

• Slim design.
• Hidden ports and connections.
• Bright LED-backlit display.

Cons

• Non-removable battery.
• Mini VGA to VGA dongle can be lost easily.

Thin and lights have always been a great choice for the road-warrior, weighing in around three to four pounds, but most of them have had their flaws such as a reduced keyboard or small display. Acer recently introduced the new Timeline series of notebooks, ranging in size from 11- to 15-inch models. How do they perform? We’ll give you the low-down on one of the models after the break.

The 13-inch model we received comes with a 1.4GHz ultra low-voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, and a huge 500GB hard drive. You’ll also find the usual USB ports, HDMI port, a card reader and last, but not least, the ubiquitous webcam now found on nearly every notebook. The 3810T model weighs in at just 3.7 pounds, but the trade-off is the lack of an optical drive (and Bluetooth for that matter). So no DVD playing on those long-haul flights or connecting a portable mouse.

The Timeline’s keyboard reminded us of the beloved Apple MacBook chiclet-style keyboard, so it was worth a comparison between the two. Typing was just as comfortable and the keys are similar in size. However, the single trackpad button was stiff and while the trackpad does pack in multi-touch gestures, they weren’t as great as the ones Apple includes.

Now you may be wondering about that ultra low-voltage (ULV) processor we mentioned. While it isn’t exactly a speed demon, it’s perfect for web browsing, email, and the occasional movie.

The series gets its namesake from the battery life, of which Acer claims at least 8 hours. In our tests, we received around 5-6 hours of battery life, but your mileage may vary. Turn off the WiFi, lower the display brightness, and solely work in Microsoft Word and just then you might have your 8 hours.

The Acer Aspire Timeline series is surely a perfect notebook for the frequent traveler, and it won’t break the bank either. The Timeline 3810T we reviewed here only costs $899 (or lower), a steal for a laptop at this size and weight.

Pros

• Thin and light enclosure.
• Long battery life.
• Decent performance for its class.

Cons

• Bluetooth is not standard.
• Trackpad button is stiff.

Have you been looking for a solution to make your MacBook or MacBook Pro notebook more rugged and protected at all times without use of a sleeve? Speck is coming to the rescue with the line of SeeThru cases. How much protection does it offer and is it worth the extra cost? We’ll see how it works after the break.The SeeThru cases come in four different varieties: one for the white plastic 13-inch MacBook, and three others for the three sizes of the unibody MacBook Pro line. The line also comes in a satin version for the unibody models with a soft-touch finish. We’ll be testing the 13-inch unibody version for purposes of this review but all of them offer similar functionality and protection.

You may be wondering, “What’s the purpose of these cases if the notebook is already made of sturdy aluminum?” Well, the SeeThru case offers protection from scrapes and scratches that can permanently ruin the finish of the MacBook exterior and the case also adds a little personality with its seven different color choices. The design of the case offers full access to all ports and the SuperDrive slot and lets you open or close your MacBook completely, unlike other cases on the market.

The case easily snaps on to the top lid and the bottom, however, dust and small particles do tend to accumulate over prolonged use between the top lid piece and the lid of the MacBook itself, so periodic cleaning is a good idea.

Overall, the SeeThru is a worthwhile investment for any MacBook or MacBook Pro user, and the entire line of cases is available at Amazon.com for prices ranging from $30 to $40.

FTC disclosure: The product sample used for testing for this review was provided by Speck Products.

Pros

• Adds style and personality to your MacBook.
• Protects aluminum finish from scratches and scrapes.
• Full access to ports and SuperDrive.

Cons

• Dust may accumulate over time.

As part of our Back to School coverage this year, we'll be taking a look at a few laptops that would make perfect companions for any student. Today we're taking a look at the Gateway NV series. More specifically, the 15.6" Intel-powered Gateway NV5807u.

Let's start with the basic specs. With the 5807u, you get a 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo backed by 4 GB of RAM and a 320 GB hard drive. In addition, the system comes with a dual layer DVD burner, Gigabit ethernet, and b/g/n WiFi. This packed feature set lays the groundwork for a great laptop. However, most laptops in its price range come with similar specifications. Is the new Gateway laptop worth its $599 price tag? In a word, yes.

The NV5807u takes advantage of the Intel T6500 processor which, while not Intel's most powerful creation, is a very good processor for the price range that the 5807 falls into. At 2.1 GHz with 2 MB L2 cache, the processor is a perfect fit for media-loving college students. However, one drawback to the T6500 processor is that it runs relatively warm compared to other Intel processors. Ultimately, the T6500 offers a good mix of performance and battery life. On average, we clocked between 3.5 and 4 hours of typical usage and while there are laptops with better battery life, 4 hours is definitely respectable.

One of the most appealing aspects of the NV5807u is the beautiful 15.6" LED backlit screen. The 16:9 aspect ratio makes the laptop perfect for watching widescreen movies, supporting a resolution up to 1366x768 (1080i). The screen is bright and responsive, and because it is LED backlit, power efficient. While the 5807 doesn't have a DVI output, it does have both VGA and HDMI outputs, making streaming videos from your laptop to your TV a breeze.

Throughout our testing, our one major complaint lies in the keyboard on the NV5807u. While it does have a full numpad which is not very common, the keys are entirely flat and the spacing between keys is minimal. As the keyboard is not backlit, typing in the dark becomes a nightmare at times. In addition, the trackpad is relatively small and does not support any multi-touch commands and, because of the numpad, it is not located in the middle of the laptop. Instead, it is offset about an inch and a half to the left to match up with the middle of the typing keyboard. This is also disorienting when using the laptop in the dark. However, given a few days use, using the keyboard becomes a more natural experience.

Above the keyboard lies a row of function keys. You have a button to enable energy saving mode (dims the screen), screen brightness, sound, WiFi, trackpad toggle, and one that takes you to MyBackup. Gateway did a good job making this software incredibly easy to use, allowing you to add automatic backups of anything on your hard drive to removable storage or the local disk. In addition to simply selecting folders to backup, MyBackup will also search for categories of files to backup, including multimedia, internet favorites, e-mail, and office files. All of these categories seem very pertinent to the student population, so I applaud Gateway for their inclusion of this nice tool. Whether or not people actually use it is a whole other story.

The NV5807u comes with plenty of USB ports (4), standalone microphone and headphone jacks, a 5-in-1 card reader, and a telephone jack. It seems a bit odd to even include modem compatibility in recent laptops, as WiFi is virtually everywhere and external USB modems are always available if absolutely necessary. At any rate, you also get a standard notebook lock port to protect your collection of saved term papers, ripped DVDs, and ever-important passwords.

Another nice college-oriented feature is the included 1.3 MP webcam. While the quality is decent, we've seen better in other laptops. However, it's a nice addition to an inexpensive laptop that allows students to easily video chat with their parents back home. I'm not sure if anyone actually does that, but it's a nice concept in theory.

In our PCMark Vantage tests, the notebook received a score of 2949, a moderate score for a budget laptop, but not too bad overall. In our CINEBENCH graphics tests, the NV5807u received a score of 4761 using both cores and a score of 2455 using a single core.

Bundled with the laptop is a 60 day trial of Microsoft Office and Norton Internet Security. My suggestion is to ditch Norton, as it is possibly the most frustrating anti-virus software I've come across (stick with AVG instead). You also get a "sponsored" copy of Microsoft Works which has irremovable advertisements on the right hand side of every document you're working on. Just buy a copy of Microsoft Office, or if you're cheap, download OpenOffice. You also get copies of NetZero and some Gateway sponsored game pack, both of which should be uninstalled the second you get the computer. Save that hard drive space for something useful, such as the latest season of Lost or a copy of The Hangover.

All in all, the $599 Gateway NV5807u is a great option for students looking for a powerful yet affordable laptop to head back to school with. Weighing 5.84 pounds, the NV5807u's weight is pretty typical for 15" laptops (Apple's 15" MacBook Pro comes in at 5.5 pounds, a mere .34 pound difference). This portability, tied in with the expansive feature set and brilliant display makes the NV5807u a great addition to Gateway's product line and ultimately a great choice for students returning to school this fall.

Pros

• Beautiful 15.6" 16:9 widescreen display
• Good performance and battery life
• Built-in webcam
• MyBackup solution works well

Cons

• Keyboard is difficult to use, especially in the dark
• Trackpad relatively small and sometimes insensitive
• Relatively thick (1.5" tall while closed)

Gateway has long been a budget staple in the computer industry for notebooks and desktops, and introduced their first 13.3-inch notebook at CES in January. At only $800, it's affordable in this economy but is it worth it?

The UC7807u manages to pack in a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB of DDR2 memory, a 250GB hard drive, and a dual layer DVD burner, plus all the bells and whistles like a 1.3 megapixel webcam, a 4-in-1 card reader, and HDMI out. HDMI out with a standard-definition DVD player? No Blu-Ray?

One downside it also manages to pack in is 5.3 pounds worth of heft, the 13.3-inch Apple MacBook only weighs 4.5 pounds and the smallest HP Pavilion notebook weighs 4.3 pounds.

Productivity performance wasn't an issue, thanks to the fast Intel processor, but gaming didn't fair too well, blame that on the GMA 4500MHD graphics card. We tried running Spore on the system, and it was excruciating looking at the choppy graphics.

The notebook has a sexy aluminum finish which can't be found on any so-called "budget" notebook we've seen, but the circular trackpad is where Gateway dropped the ball on design and the mouse buttons were quite stiff.

We were anxious to see how the UC7807u performed in our lab tests but they weren't the greatest results we've seen for a budget model. In our PCMark Vantage tests, the UC7807u received a score of 2754 and in our CINEBENCH R10 tests, returned a score of 4019. You'll want to be near a power outlet at all times when traveling, since we only managed to squeeze out 3 hours and 10 minutes of battery life.

If you're only doing web surfing, email, and other basic computing tasks, the Gateway UC7807u should do just fine. You can grab the notebook from Amazon.com for just under $700 bucks, a recession-friendly deal that won't break the bank.

Pros

• Sleek aluminum finish and design.
• Super affordable.
• HDMI out.

Cons

• Heavy for a 13.3-inch notebook.
• Small trackpad and mouse buttons.
• Middle-of-the-road performance and battery life.
• No Blu-Ray option available.

Most notebook computers have a plain and ordinary design, usually black or silver, until HP decided to kick it up a notch with the dv2800t Artist Edition. Read on to find out more about this unique notebook.

MTV and HP sponsored a contest in which thousands of people submitted their designs for a notebook and the winning entry was from Joao Oliveira, 20, Portugal. His unique Asian Odyssey design combined bold colors and symbolic elements that showcase his passion for Asian culture.

The unique design doesn't stop at the lid and continues throughout the wristrest and the trim of the notebook. Even the keyboard is styled to match. The build quality is great, the dv2800t feels durable enough to handle the toughest day to day use.

Now on to the specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
• 250GB 5400RPM Western Digital Hard Drive
• 2GB of DDR2-5300 memory
• 14.1" WXGA HP BrightView Widescreen (1280 x 800 resolution)
• 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
• Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/ Bluetooth
• Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• 6-cell Battery

The only difference between our review unit and the production unit is that the processor in ours is not available when purchasing the dv2800t. Unlike standard HP notebook keyboards, this one has a glossy brown finish to it to match the rest of the notebook design. This makes for a slippery feel when typing and we weren't happy with it.

Our benchmarks performed excellent on the dv2800t, the unit received a score of 3292 in our PCMark Vantage tests which measure overall performance. In our CINEBENCH graphics tests, the dv2800t didn't compromise on graphics performance. The unit received a score of 4270 in the dual core test, with a multiprocessor speedup of 1.87 over the single core score of 2289. You may not be able to play the latest and greatest games like CRYSIS on this machine.

Our battery life tests showed that the dv2800t didn't have the best battery life, lasting for only around 2 hours.

The dv2800t is definitely a great choice for those looking for performance in a full-featured notebook without having to add on the extra pounds. You can find the HP dv2800t Artist Edition at Amazon.com.

Pros

• Excellent overall performance.
• Tons of connectivity options.
• Stylish, unique design.

Cons

• Somewhat slippery keyboard.
• Disappointing battery life.

Tablet PCs are becoming more and more popular these days in college and the workplace, today we're reviewing one of the latest on the market, Gateway's C-142XL convertible tablet PC.

The C-142XL is Gateway's high-end tablet and it's packed to the brim with features: a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB 5400rpm SATA hard drive, an 8x dual-layer DVD burner, an ATI Mobility Radeon X2300HD graphics card, and rounding it off with Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and 802.11a/b/g wireless networking. It also has a gorgeous 14" glossy display with a resolution of 1280x768 and can be instantly flipped around from a standard laptop to a tablet in seconds.

It isn't the lightest notebook however, starting at over 6 pounds - and it'll certainly give your arm a workout if you're carrying it all day in tablet mode. Tablets are meant to be thin and light, right? For extra security, you'll find a biometric fingerprint reader near the keyboard.

In our benchmarks the C-142XL is a great performer and should handle anything you throw at it, with the exception of some graphics-intensive games. In our PCMark Vantage tests, the tablet received a score of 3149. In our CINEBENCH graphics tests, the single-core tests received a score of 2632 and the dual-core test received a score of 4906 with a multiprocessor speedup of 1.86.

Battery life was very good and when doing web browsing and running productivity apps, the C-142XL's battery lasted for around 4 to 5 hours.

The only couple of problems we had were that the tablet is somewhat bulky and heavy to carry around and there is no support for 802.11n wireless networking. There is also no auto-rotation function that rotates the display to portrait mode when flipped down, you have to manually rotate the screen using the button on the bottom edge of the display.

The C-142XL convertible tablet PC is available from Gateway starting at $1299.

Pros

• Excellent performance.
• Great battery life.
• Biometric fingerprint reader.

Cons

• Heavy and bulky for a tablet PC.
• No auto-rotation for display.
• No support for 802.11n wireless networking.

Last November, I had the chance to get my hands on the HP Compaq 2710p, a business-oriented tablet PC. Early this year at CES in Las Vegas, HP introduced the Pavillion tx2000z, a follow-up to the tx1000 with a plethora of new features. How does it stack up? Read on after the jump for more details.

The tx2000z has a very sleek HP Echo Imprint Finish, with a glossy black and silver color scheme. It weighs in at 4.3 pounds with the four-cell battery and weight saver. The new active digitizer (technology by Wacom) and touchscreen allow you to use not only a traditional pen but use your fingers to navigate around as well. Open the tx2000z and you reveal a convertible 12.1" widescreen display and an integrated webcam for video chat. The tx2000z also has a very interesting touchpad, it's actually built-in to the case of the notebook and has a perforated texture to it.

Inside, the tx2000z has an AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor, and NVIDIA GeForce GO 6150 graphics with up to 559MB of shared video memory. The tablet can also be loaded up with 4GB of DDR2 memory and up to a 250GB hard drive. It also has a removable SuperMulti 8x DVD burner with dual layer support and LightScribe as an option. The tx2000z also supports 802.11a/b/g/n & Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

In the performance spectrum, we tested the tx2000z using PCMark Vantage in both 32- and 64-bit versions, since Windows Vista 64-bit Edition is installed out of the box. The tx2000z received a score of 2188 PCMarks in the 32-bit version and 2471 PCMarks in the 64-bit version - not that much of a performance boost. In our CINEBENCH graphics tests, the unit pulled off a score of 3359 using both cores and had a 1.85 multiprocessor speedup.

We were also very happy with some of the external additions on the notebook, including dual headphone jacks, the removable optical drive to save weight, and the built-in fingerprint reader which is sometimes hard to find on consumer-oriented notebooks. The only problem we found was that we felt the LCD was a bit grainy and dull. We got around 4 hours of battery life using the four-cell battery, and with the six-cell (which adds a little bit of thickness), we received around five hours.

The HP Pavillion tx2000z tablet PC is available today from HP starting at $999.

Pros

• Touchscreen and active digitizer.
• Very good performance & battery life.
• Dual headphone jacks.
• Solid design.

Cons

• Grainy-looking LCD.

Final Verdict
4.5 out of 5 stars.

Gateway is a relatively newcomer to the gaming notebook spectrum of computers, but the product they have released is a great performer. Is it lacking anything compared to other gaming notebooks on the market? Read on to find out.

The P-171XL FX is a loaded notebook with an impressive Intel Core 2 Extreme processor running at 2.8GHz and dual 200GB 7200RPM hard drives with 16MB of cache. It also has a now outdated HD-DVD/DVD-RW drive (we would like to see Gateway build in a Blu-ray drive in the future). For graphics, the P-171XL FX has a NVIDIA GeForce Go 8800GTS with 512MB of GDDR3 memory. The notebook also has 3GB of DDR2 memory and a 9-cell battery. Surprisingly, this gaming notebook weighs in at just under 10 pounds. It's not the heaviest notebook on the block, but it sure will put a strain on your shoulder if you're traveling with it.

You'll love to play games on the 17" WUXGA display running at 1920x1200 resolution. Also integrated is a built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, Intel 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking, and a fingerprint reader. There's also a lot of connectivity on this notebook, including: 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, HDMI, FireWire, and eSATA. eSATA being the first we've seen on a notebook. There is no DVI output however.

In terms of cosmetics, the notebook has a black, silver, and orange color scheme, with most of the exterior made of plastic with brushed metal accents around the keyboard. The P-171XL FX runs Windows Vista Home Premium (why not Ultimate if you're paying this much?) and has a full-size keyboard with a numerical pad. The trackpad was a little on the small side, but most gamers will want to plug in a separate gaming mouse for the best performance.

After plugging in the notebook and canceling all the bloatware offers, we immediately loaded our benchmarking applications onto the system, as well as a few games for testing the graphics power. First, we ran our standard PCMark Vantage test, and the P-171XL FX received a score of 3683 PCMarks which is excellent performance and impressive for a notebook. In our CINEBENCH tests, the P-171XL FX performed wonderfully, receiving a whopping 5191 in the multiple-core test, and a multiprocessor speedup of 1.89.

After benchmarking the system, we were ready to test the graphics power of the Gateway. We installed Call of Duty 4, cranked up the settings, and got to work. The P-171XL FX never skipped a beat and was constantly showing around 50-60 FPS. The speakers of the P-171XL FX were loud and powerful than most notebook speakers, but as expected, there wasn't much low-end to the sound.

You probably won't expect to run the P-171XL FX for that long on battery, we recieved around 2 1/2 hours on battery life with the screen dimmed. You can probably expect around half that while gaming on battery power.

Overall, the Gateway P-171XL FX Edition notebook is a great choice for gamers looking for a mid-priced gaming notebook (some are more expensive than this offering). It's available today from Gateway starting at $1599 while our model costs $2999.

Pros

• Excellent performance.
• Lots of extras such as eSATA and HDMI out.

Cons

• Now outdated HD-DVD drive.
• VGA output instead of DVI.
• Somewhat annoying bloatware.

Final Verdict
4.5 out of 5 stars.

Lenovo recently sent me a review unit of the ThinkPad X61, one of their ultraportable notebooks in the ThinkPad lineup. It's thin, light, and has the ThinkPad features we've come to love, but is it missing anything?

Inside the X61 we received is a fast Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor running at 2.0GHz and 2GB of PC2-5300 DDR2 memory. It also has a gorgeous 12.1" XGA 4:3 aspect ratio display and a 160GB 5400RPM hard drive. The X61 has support for 802.11a/b/g wireless networking in our model, and other models are available with 802.11n. Our model included an 8-cell battery and Windows Vista Business. There is no optical drive inside the X61, but if you need one you can add on the UltraBase which includes a combo drive.

The X6 UltraBase also allows you to utilize more connections such as USB, ethernet, and VGA video-out and allows you to dock your notebook when at your desk for the ultimate in portability. Like most ThinkPads, the X61 has a built-in fingerprint reader, but unlike most ThinkPads, it only includes a pointing stick. Trackpad users may want to purchase a small notebook mouse.

In terms of performance and in our benchmarking, the ThinkPad X61 performed beyond our expectations after reviewing the HP Compaq 2510p earlier this month. The X61 received a score of 2398 PCMarks in PCMark Vantage testing, and a score of 3800 in CINEBENCH using both cores. A 1.85 speedup over the single core test. We were also impressed with the battery life of the 8-cell battery inside the X61. We received around 4 1/2 hours of battery life.

A slight caveat we had was that the display was non-widescreen (4:3 aspect ratio), and only had a 1024x768 resolution. In this widescreen world we live in today, the X61's screen felt outdated. If you want to play DVDs on the X61, be ready to shell out the cash for the $199 X6 UltraBase add-on.

Overall, the ThinkPad X61 is an excellent notebook for the road warrior looking for an ultra-portable notebook with a slew of ports and extra features.

Pros

• Excellent battery life.
• Docking station adds extra connectivity.
• Fairly lightweight design.
• Doesn't use slower ULV processor.
• Lots of wireless connectivity options (WWAN, WiFi).

Cons

• No optical drive built-in.
• No trackpad.
• 4:3 aspect ratio display felt outdated.

Final Verdict
4.5 out of 5 stars.

The HP Compaq 2510p is an ultra-portable notebook aimed at the business market, it weighs in at only 2.8 lbs and even has an optional built-in DVD burner, which most ultra-portables don't have. The only question is, how is the performance in such a compact notebook? Read on after the jump.

The 2510p has a 12.1-inch LED backlit widescreen display and both a touchpad and a pointing stick for the best of both worlds ala Lenovo ThinkPad. The LED backlit supposedly extends the unit's battery life by 90 minutes. On the right corner of the palm rest is a fingerprint reader for added security, always a nice touch. Inside the 2510p is up to a 1.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ULV processor with a 2MB L2 cache and up to a 100GB 4200rpm 1.8-inch hard drive. In the memory area, you have a choice of either 1 or 2GB of RAM. For graphics, you'll find a Intel GMA X3100 graphics chipset, which uses up to 384MB of shared memory.

For the ultimate in portability, you can also choose to add in your choice of a WWAN connection, EVDO or HSDPA from AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon. For expansion, there are 2 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, stereo microphone in, headphone, FireWire, power, modem, ethernet, and a docking connector. Our review unit came with both a 3 cell and 6 cell battery. In our tests we received an amazing 3.5 hours using the 3 cell and double that using the 6 cell. HP also sells a 9 cell battery which should give you a full work day of battery life.

The LED backlit screen was also very good and instantly lit up upon resuming the notebook from standby. The sturdy construction of the notebook's case made for a solid feel and something that wasn't cheaply put together. The keyboard was great and the touchpad was one of the best ones we've used on a notebook to date. From a personal standpoint, the pointing stick was a welcomed addition and one of my favorite features on any notebook.

On to performance, the 2510p isn't the fastest notebook, nor has the most powerful graphics - but it should work fine for most office tasks such as word processing and spreadsheets. Performance is mainly reduced by the slow 4200rpm hard drive and the ULV processor. Unfortunately, we were unable to run one of our benchmarking applications, PCMark Vantage on our review unit, so we cannot give you an accurate rating of the performance. In the graphics department, the 2510p received a CINEBENCH score of 2256 utilizing both CPU cores, with a 1.88 speedup over the single core test.

Since we were unable to run our PCMark Vantage tests, we don't have an exact representation of performance in terms of scores, but we can say that it should work fine for light office work and something to carry to and from work every day. The HP Compaq 2510p is available today from HP starting at $1,499.

Pros

• Sturdy construction.
• Excellent battery life.
• Bright, LED backlit screen.
• Built-in fingerprint reader and WWAN.
• Solid keyboard & trackpad.

Cons

• Slow 1.8-inch 4200rpm hard drive & ULV processor create a performance bottleneck.

Final Verdict
4 out of 5 stars.

Lenovo bought IBM's Think line of computers in 2005 and has released new iterations of their notebook computers, the ThinkPads, over the past few years. Today we are taking a look at their latest road warrior, the ThinkPad T61.

The ThinkPad T61 comes in either a 14.1" or 15.1" widescreen display with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (up to 2.4GHz) and your choice of Windows Vista or Windows XP. Some key features include a shock-mounted hard drive, fingerprint reader, and Intel Centrino Pro technology for the best processing power, battery life, and enhanced notebook management.

Our review unit included a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR2-677 RAM, a 160GB hard disk, 14.1" display at 1440x900 resolution, an nVidia Quadro NVS 140M graphics chipset, DVD multi-burner, and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. For battery power, a 6-cell battery was included, and a 4-cell or 7-cell is available on Lenovo's website.

In a sentence, the ThinkPad T61 is a power-packed, portable, speed demon. The ThinkPad T61 is very portable, weighing in at only 5.23 lbs in this configuration.

The 14.1" widescreen display is very bright, and the hinge on the display is very sturdy thanks to the all-new ThinkPad Roll Cage on the top cover. The wireless range couldn't have been better with the Intel 802.11n wireless card connected to our 802.11n wireless network.

If you're clumsy like me, you'll love the ThinkPad since it has the ThinkVantage Active Protection System. This technology automatically detects falls and jolts to the hard disk and parks the head preventing data loss. Plus, the keyboard is spill-proof just like the previously reviewed Fujitsu LifeBook V1010, but the keyboard is oh, so-much better and feels a lot more tactile in feedback. The trackpad buttons were a little on the small side, but Lenovo was generous enough to also include a TrackPoint pointing stick in the center of the keyboard.

There are so many great aspects to the ThinkPad T61, including performance. The T61 received a score of 3021 PCMarks in our PCMark Vantage tests. In our Maxon Cinebench tests, the notebook received scores of 2489 (single-core), and 4607 (dual-core) which are quite reasonable for a notebook graphics chipset. In battery life, the notebook received almost 3 hours of battery life with wireless turned on. Compared to the budget-priced LifeBook V1010, the T61 outperforms the LifeBook in almost every aspect.

Overall, the ThinkPad T61 from Lenovo should be the hands-down choice for all road warriors and business travelers. It is the golden standard of all business-class notebook computers. Prices start at just $964 USD at the time of review.

Pros

• Great performance.
• Phenomenal build quality.
• Dual pointing devices and tactile, spill-proof keyboard.
• Active protection system for preventing data loss.
• Great 802.11 wireless reception.
• Small power adapter.

Cons

• Trackpad buttons a little on the small side.
• You'll want to upgrade the battery for extra long business trips.

Final Verdict
4.5 out of 5 stars.