Sony VAIO E Series

Sony’s new 15.5-inch VAIO E Series promises style, performance, and multimedia prowess at recession-conscious prices. Though our $919 configuration is a bit steep, this machine provides more than ample performance to serve as an all-purpose family PC that surfs the Web, plays Blu-ray movies and games, and looks great in your den, kitchen, or living room. However, short battery life and tinny speakers hold this system back.

If you want a notebook with a conservative look that will fade into the wallpaper, don’t buy the VAIO E Series. However, if you desire a colorful, exciting design that really turns heads, the VAIO E is for you. However, it's not made for road warriors. At 14.6 x 9.8 x 1.2 inches thick and 6.0 pounds, the VAIO E is more at home on your desk than on your lap or your airline tray table.

The 103-key island-style keyboard includes a numeric keypad and plenty of room for your hands. The keys offer an acceptable but unimpressive level of tactile feedback, with no noticeable flex. Using the Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor test, we were able to achieve a strong score of 86 words per minute with a 1-percent error rate, better than our typical rate of 80 words per minute. 

The VAIO E’s 15.5-inch 1366 x 768 screen provided sharp images and bright colors. However, the glossy surface on the screen ensured that colors looked washed out at any but the most direct viewing angle and, even when sitting right in front of the computer, we had to push the lid back 30 degrees to avoid seeing overhead lights or our own reflection. 

Every kind of video we played was incredibly sharp, detailed and smooth, from a streaming 720p episode ofFringe to a downloaded 1080p file from Microsoft’s WMV HD Content Showcase to a DVD of the movie Dark City. When we tried playing a Blu-ray disc of Iron Man, images were crisp and colorful, but the soundtrack seemed muted, even at maximum volume.

The VAIO E’s 2.13-GHz Intel Core i3-330M CPU and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 graphics combined to give it very strong overall performance. Whether surfing the Web, viewing high def videos, playing games, or circling the globe in Google Earth, the notebook felt extremely snappy, and our benchmark tests only confirmed that impression. 

On PC Mark Vantage, a test that measures overall performance, the VAIO E scored a whopping 5,449, well above the mainstream notebook category average of 3,587 and the 4,918 returned by the Core i3-powered Toshiba Satellite L505. 

The 7,200-rpm, 500GB hard drive booted Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) in 56 seconds, which is just a tad faster than the category average of 59 seconds and 5 seconds better than the Satellite L505.

The hard drive took 2 minutes and 55 seconds to complete the LAPTOP Transfer Test, in which we copy 4.97GB of mixed media files. That’s a rate of 21.7 MBps, which is a little bit better than the category average of 20.4 MBps or the 20.9 MBps turned in by the Satellite L505.

Though it’s not marketed as a gaming system, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 card inside the VAIO E gives it a lot of graphics muscle. On 3DMark06, which measures overall graphics prowess, the VAIO E scored an impressive 4,112, way better than the 3,185 category average, miles ahead of the Satellite L505 with integrated graphics (1,743), and even better than the discrete graphics-powered ASUS UL50VF (3436).

With a 15.5-inch screen, powerful Core i3 CPU, and discrete ATI graphics, we didn’t expect the VAIO E Series to last very long on a charge. On the LAPTOP Battery Test, which involves continuous Web surfing over Wi-Fi, the notebook lasted only 2 hours and 44 minutes. This is 45 minutes less than the category average of 3:29, and 23 minutes less than the Toshiba Satellite L505. The ASUS UL50VF, which uses an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and Nvidia Optimus Technology, lasted a whopping 7 hours and 50 minutes. 

The Sony VAIO E provides a strong mix of style, performance, and multimedia features, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for the best possible multimedia system, you may want something with better sound. You also might want to hold out for the 1920 x 1080 screen configuration of the VAIO E. If graphics performance isn’t paramount, you should be fine with the base integrated graphics configuration, though you might want to look at Toshiba's Satellite L505: both are available for $699. However, if you want a colorful centerpiece for your living room/office that the whole family can enjoy for gaming, work, and more, the VAIO E is a compelling choice.

Sony VAIO C-Series

Sony's latest VAIO C-Series laptops have taken a good few pages out of Apple's big book of design and usability. The curvaceous aesthetics, well-spaced keyboards and not-too-intrusive extra software mean that they look and function amazingly well.

The Sony VAIO VPC-CA2C5E we were sent for review looks the part, finished with ludicrous levels of bright green perspex and plastic – although its hue will surely divide its target market.

The C-Series certainly puts the fun back into computing: we haven't seen such bountiful use of translucent plastic since the iMac back in the early 2000s.

When it's powered up, the keyboard is backlit and the whole thing glows eerily, complete with etched Sony and VAIO logos. Kids seem particularly attracted to it, which explains a lot given its positioning as a family laptop. It's available in a range of different colours, including more conservative blacks and whites and more vibrant pink, red, green, orange and blue.

Sony's VAIO C-Series laptops can be configured via the website, and the VPC-CA2C5E review model we were supplied with sat firmly in the middle of the customisation options: not too bad, but could be slightly better. It's powered by an Intel Core i5 2410M processor, backed up with an AMD Radeon HD 6470M graphics chip and 4GB DDR3 RAM.

The laptop can be configured with a Core i7 or i3 processor, as well as Intel onboard graphics and 6GB of RAM.

The body of the laptop feels substantial, and there is very little flex in the casing. At 2.3kg, it's not going to break your back – but we wouldn't want to have to carry it for extended periods. It can get a bit noisy and warm as the fans kick in when you're playing videos or games, but it's by no means a deal breaker.

As has become standard on Sony's laptops, there are three buttons for quick access to help, the internet and the VAIO media portal. They're by no means essential, and we do miss the screen-off button that's adorned previous VAIO laptops such as the VGN-NW11Z/S – it's incredibly handy when you want to connect the laptop to a TV to watch a Blu-Ray.

Sony's laptops may match Apple's in terms of usability and design, but Sony always adds a few bells and whistles to make them stand out from the crowd. Performance, unfortunately, seems to come second to design in Sony's world.

We liked

While the lime green colour of our Sony VAIO C Series review model is likely to inspire either slack-jawed awe or seething hatred, there's no denying that Sony has shaken things up in terms of design.

At the very least it makes a change from the black and silver hunks of plastic we've been toting since the early 2000s. It's a wonderful experience in terms of usability, and the bright screen, decent webcam and comfortable keyboard make it feel substantial and solid. For media tasks and general computing it performs very well, too.

We disliked

Given the array of hardware packed into the C Series, we were disappointed with its performance. Although it's capable of moderate gaming, there are better dedicated alternatives for a similar price.

Battery life is the biggest let-down here, and a mere hour at high load is frankly appalling. There are laptops out there that offer 10 times as much, and with the Samsung Chromebook's eight hour battery life, it's become an important part of choosing a laptop.

Verdict

It's unfortunate, but the Sony VAIO C Series let us down in exactly the way we expected: it's a complete triumph of style over substance.

Despite its amazing looks, and fairly beefy hardware, it just didn't perform as well as it should have. This is compounded by the price, which is too high.Medion's Akoya E6221 costs £240 less, but includes a similar level of hardware specifications and performs almost as well.

It's also clear that Sony is targeting consumers who like shiny and sleek Apple products, but has forgotten that the price tag has to be more competitive in order to truly attract this market.

Dell XPS 17 3D

The adoption rate of 3D TVs may be slow, but that's not discouraging notebook makers; Dell is the latest company to jump on the bandwagon with the XPS 17 3D. But a 17-inch, 1080p 3D display is just the start for this beast of an entertainment system. Dell has updated the XPS 17 with a 2nd-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, dual 750GB hard drives, top-tier Nvidia graphics, JBL speakers (and a subwoofer) an HD webcam, and Blu-ray player. Plus, Nvidia's 3D tech lets you send games and movies to a 3D-enabled TV. Sound like a lot for $2,434? You bet it is.

Design

Not much has changed on the XPS's design since the previous model: The silvery lid with the Dell logo in the center, gray brushed aluminum deck, and the display that's attached about an inch forward of the rear are all back. The system measures 16.3 x 10.5 x 1.3-1.5 inches, which is slightly more slender than the ASUS G73Jw (16.6 x 12.8 x .8-2.3 inches) and about as thick as the HP Envy 17 3D (16 x 10.8 x 1.3-1.5 inches). However, ASUS' stealth-figher aesthetic and HP's dotted pattern look a little more modern than the XPS 17 3D.

At 6.6 pounds, the XPS 17's starting weight is lighter than the G73Jw and Envy 17 3D--7.5 and 8.8 pounds, respectively. With the 9-cell battery attached, though, the XPS 17's heft grows to 8.9 pounds and its height rises to 2.3 inches in the rear. Chances are you won't be unplugged much, so some may want to do without the 9-cell battery (which adds $40 to the price).

Keyboard and Touchpad

Unlike the previous generation, the current version of the XPS has an island-style keyboard. For such a large system, the chiclet keys felt small, but we adjusted to the generous space between them in a few minutes. Though we noticed some flex beneath the keyboard, tactile response was satisfactory for rapid-fire touch typing.

The keyboard also has a full-size number pad and a helpful backlight that adds a white glow. Dedicated buttons for skipping ahead in music or switching movie scenes would have been a plus on a media system such as this, but we did like the three illuminated touch buttons above the keyboard. These buttons launch Windows Mobility Center (a control panel for display settings, power profiles, and more), Dell Instant Launch Manager (a customizable shortcut button), and MaxxAudio sound controls (more on that later).

The 3.9 x 2.2-inch Synaptics touchpad offered lots of real estate, and we're always happy to see two distinct buttons. However, two-finger scrolling was tough to execute, and even pinch-to-zoom maneuvers were sometimes a challenge.

Display and Sound

The 17.3-inch TrueLife 3D display on the XPS 17 has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and it's glorious. From Blu-ray discs to YouTube videos, images were detailed, crisp, and colorful. The 1080p trailer for Thor was crystal clear, and we could make out fine details in costumes and set pieces. Viewing angles are so wide that we didn't notice any darkness in a Blu-ray of Ultraviolet until we hit the 150-degree mark on either side; at least five people could sit side by side without there being a bad seat in the house.

Thanks to two 22-watt JBL speakers (located at the front of the palm rest), a subwoofer on the underside, and digital sound processing from MaxxAudio, the XPS 17 offers superb audio. At 70 percent of max volume, we could easily hear movie dialogue and a range of music tracks at the back of a large conference room; the subwoofer's bass made tunes sound better up close, especially The Bad Plus's bass-and-piano song Physical Cities. The system can support 5.1 surround sound via HDMI output, too.

The MaxxAudio 3 sound suite includes customizable sound profiles, and SoundBlaster X-Fi offers enhancements for boosting effects and music in games. While watching Ultraviolet, activating MaxxDialogue gave Milla Jovovich's hushed narration a much-needed boost.

Ports and Webcam

The XPS 17 3D isn't lacking for ports: The back of the notebook has two USB 3.0 ports, along with Ethernet, a Kensington lock slot, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and a plug for an optional TV tuner. The right side houses a tray-loading Blu-ray player and a combo eSATA/USB 2.0 port, along with jacks for two sets of headphones and a microphone. Remaining ports include an additional USB 2.0 port on the right side and a 9-in-1 card reader along the front.

A 2-MP Skype HD-certified webcam sits point above the display and can capture still shots at resolutions up to 1600x1200 pixels or record HD H.264 video up to 1280x720 pixels when used with Dell Webcam Central software. During a Skype call with a friend, we enjoyed high-def (1280 x 720) video that was not only much wider than our standard definition 680x420-pixel window, but had much more balanced shadows and highlights. Our caller noticed some slight image noise in the background but we chalk that up to connection quality.

Another bonus is noise cancelation software from Andrea Electronics (accessible from the MaxxAudio 3 control panel). According to our call partner, this tech eliminated background noise almost entirely.

Heat

The XPS 17 stayed quite cool. After playing a Hulu video at full screen for 15 minutes, the touchpad, keyboard, and notebook chassis registered mild readings of 83, 88, and 84 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. All are well below 95 degrees, the threshold of what we consider uncomfortable.

3D Experience

The XPS 17 3D uses Nvidia's active shutter technology in conjunction with its 120Hz display to create 3D images. Sadly, the glasses don't come pre-packaged with the system: Customers can purchase them separately for $149 each through Dell's site, but you can also buy the glasses from Nvidia's site for $119. Nvidia's glasses weigh 1.8 ounces and require you to recharge them via USB. (The ATI glasses that come with the HP Envy 17 3D weigh 2.1 ounces and take a small battery.) An IR emitter sits in the middle of the bottom bezel of the XPS 17; next to the emitter is an LED light that indicates when it's active.

Like other notebooks with Nvidia's 3D technology, the XPS 17's screen flickers briefly when 3D content is launched; this flickering didn't occur with the ATI 3D technology on the HP Envy 17 3D.

3D Games and Movies

We loaded a Blu-ray of IMAX Space Station 3D into the XPS 17, and selected the "Watch in 3D" option; the XPS 17's 3D LED light turned on and, after a few flashes on screen, we watched crisp images of astronauts hovering in space and spaceships lifting off the display. Just like the HP Envy 17 3D, the XPS 17 3D can't convert 2D Blu-rays into 3D. The notebook can convert DVDs into 3D, but the results aren't all that great. When playing a DVD of Bobby, images looked better than when we didn't have 3D conversion activated, but it didn't pop off the screen

Blu-ray 3D content is limited, but slowly increasing. A search on Amazon turned up 32 movies, including titles like Tron: Legacy and Despicable Me.

Nvidia's 3D technology can also be used to make a selection of 500 2D video games playable in 3D (including popular 2D titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dead Rising 2, and World of Warcraft). As of now, the 3D technology that powers the HP Envy 17 3D's display, TriDef 3D Ignition, works with 383 2D games. We also liked that Nvidia's 3D software recognized the game immediately; on the Envy 17 you have to launch the game using the TriDef software.

We tested 3D gampeplay on the XPS 17 with the first-person shooter Far Cry 2. Though the 3D was not as immersive as the Blu-ray movie, it was fun to duck and hand in tall jungle grass, and watch bad guys run headlong at us. The white cross-hair included in the game was more than enough to mow opponents down. We also sampled 3D pictures at Nvidia's online hub, but the images were only video game promotions, so we don't think it's a good place to take a new 3D notebook for a spin.

The XPS 17 3D supports Nvidia 3DTV Play, so you can output 3D Blu-ray discs, video games, or 3D photos to a 3D-enabled television set or 3D projector via the notebook's HDMI 1.4 connection.

Performance

The XPS 17 3D features a 2.3-GHz Intel Core i7 2820QM CPU, 8GB of RAM, and two 750GB, 7200-rpm hard drives (1.5TB total). The system earned a laudable 8,222 on the PCMark Vantage benchmark. That not only puts the HP Envy 17 3D to shame (5,888), it leaves the desktop replacement category average (6,399) in the dust too. Though the Alienware M17x uses the same processor, it earned a record 17,486 on PCMark Vantage because it packs a faster 256GB solid state drive.

The XPS 17 rivaled the Alienware M17x more closely when it came to transcoding a 114MB MP4 file to AVI format using Oxelon Media Converter. The system completed the task in just 36 seconds, the same as the M17x, and beat the category average (1:04) by 27 seconds. It also took 1:02 to encode a 5-minute 1080p clip to an iPod touch format video using Cyberlink Media Espresso, much faster than the 2:40 category average.

Even with a 7200-rpm hard drive, the XPS 17 3D took a lengthy 1 minute and 13 seconds to boot. The category average is 1:05. The Alienware M17x and HP Envy 17 3D took 29 seconds and 1:04, respectively.

Graphics

The XPS 17's Nvidia GT555M discrete graphics chip and 3GB of video memory provides a ton of muscle, but the demands of a 1080p, 3D-capable screen can impact performance greatly. For example, on the 3DMark06 benchmark, enabling the XPS 17's 3D (a single button in the Nvidia control panel) resulted in a score of 6,009, which falls below the category average of 8,323 and the HP Envy 17 3D and its ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics (10,482), not to mention the ASUS G73Jw and that system's Nvidia GTX 460 GPU (12,397). However, when we disabled 3D, the XPS 17 notched 11,248.

We saw the same pattern on other tests: With 3D on, the XPS 17 scored 3,638 on the newer 3DMark Vantage benchmark, well below the category average of 6,725, not to mention the Envy 17 3D (6,538) and G73Jw (7,438); without 3D, the notebook scored 6,135.

The same thing occurred in gaming tests, too: With World of Warcraft at 1920 x 1080 resolution and settings at Ultra, the XPS 17 3D averaged 49 frames per second with 3D enabled, which is 10 fps below the category average, but on a par with the Envy 17 3D (47 fps). When we turned 3D off, that figure jumped to 61 fps. Dedicated gaming rigs such as the ASUS G73Jw saw 130 fps at those same settings.

On the more demanding Far Cry 2, the XPS 17--with 3D turned off--managed 126 fps at 1024 x 768, and 41 fps at its max res of 1920x1080 pixels, on a par with the Envy 17. When we activated 3D, frame rates dropped to an unplayable 19 fps at the max resolution.

Battery Life and Wi-Fi

The 9-cell battery included with our Dell XPS 17 3D lasted 2 hours and 8 minutes on the LAPTOP Battery Test (Web surfing over Wi-Fi). While it's below the category average (2:32), it's almost an hour longer than the HP Envy 17 3D (1:15), and several minutes longer than the G73Jw (1:56).

The Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 wireless radio pulled in 29.8 Mbps at a distance of 15 feet from our wireless router and 16.5 Mbps from 50 feet away. Both scores are short the category average of 32.3 and 19.9 Mbps.

Warranty and Software

The XPS 17 3D comes with the usual slate of Dell software. The most prominent app is Dell Stage, a dock that provides quick access to photos, documents, games, music, and websites; we suspect some users will opt to disable it, since it clutters the desktop. Webcam Central adds visual filters to recorded video and still shots; DataSafe is for online and local backup; Dell Instant Launch Manager can be used to customize a touch sensitive shortcut; and Dell Support offers speedy access to the manufacturer's technical support.

Also bundled in is a 30-day trial of McAfee Security Center, Roxio for burning DVD/CDs, and Skype.

Dell backs the XPS 17 3D with a one-year limited hardware warranty that includes 24/7 phone support and free shipping. To see how Dell performed in our Tech Support Showdown. You can also see how Dell stacked up in our Best & Worst Brands report by.

Configurations

Our $2,434 XPS 17 3D was a top-end configuration. It includes a Core i7 2820QM CPU, 8GB of RAM (available on 3D units only), Nvidia GeForce GT555M graphics with 3GB of video memory, a 3D-capable display, Nvidia 3DTV technology, one pair of 3D glasses, and a 9-cell battery. The only thing missing was an additional 8GB of RAM, the optional TV tuner ($50) and Intel Wireless Display, which can't be added to configurations with a 3D display.

While our XPS 17 came with dual 750GB hard drives, due to the recall of some Intel Sandy Bridge processors, this configuration won't be available until late spring. The closest configuration available now is dual 640GB hard drives ($2,349).

You can get 3D for much less, though. The base model XPS 17 3D is $1,099 and includes a 2.3-GHz Intel Core i5 2410M CPU, 4GB of RAM, 500GB 7200rpm hard drive, Nvidia GT550M discrete graphics card with 1GB of video memory, a CD/DVD burner, 6-cell battery, 2-MP camera, and a 17.3-inch 3D display with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Unfortunately, Dell doesn't offer a 3D-less XPS 17 with a 1080p display. However, you can get a 2.30-GHz Core i7 2820QM CPU, dual 640GB 7200rpm hard drives, 8GB of RAM, Nvidia GT555M graphics with 3GB of video memory, Optimus switchable graphics, and a 17.3-inch 1600 x 900 pixel display for $1,764.

Verdict

Like its smaller brother, the XPS 15, the Dell XPS 17 3D delivers one of the richest multimedia experiences yet. Its bright and crisp display and excellent audio makes it a powerful system for those who want to play and watch content in 3D. However, the XPS 17's price--$2,434--is steep, and frame rates take a serious hit with 3D enabled. An HP Envy 17 3D with the same processor, hard drives, and memory, but a much more powerful ATI Radeon HD 6850M graphics card with 1GB of RAM, costs $2,164. Yet, the XPS 17 has a wider selection of ports and better audio, making it an entertainment notebook to be reckoned with.

Toshiba Portege R705

Stuck on the Toshiba Portege R705's magnesium alloy palmrest is a shiny sticker celebrating the company's 25 years of "laptop innovation." Now, we're the first to hate on the plethora of decals that festoon Windows laptops these days -- and this one also deserves to be peeled off and tossed into the garbage -- but the sticker actually happens to speaks volumes about why the $800 R705 is such a big deal. We promise to keep the history lesson short, but for years the Portege series has been Toshiba's top-of-the-line ultraportable brand, featuring the latest CPUs while usually setting the standard for portability, and always been attached to seriously hefty price tags. Take the Portege R500, which was the worlds lightest laptop in 2007, and cost two grand. 

The Portege R705, which is exclusive to Best Buy for now, changes that formula. And in celebration of the big two-five, Toshiba's put out a 3.2-pound, Core i3-powered stunner that's less than half the price of past Porteges. Oh, and did we mention it has an on-board optical drive, 500GB of storage, Intel's wireless display technology and promises 8.5 hours of battery life? We won't beat around the bush -- it's impressive.

Performance-wise, the R705 was very comparable to the number of Core i3 laptops we've reviewed lately. Actually, just like the Acer TimelineX 4820T and the Sony EC Series, it's configured with a 2.26GHz Core i3-350M and 4GB of RAM. It kept up with our everyday routine of writing in Microsoft Word, checking our Twitter feed in TweetDeck, surfing the web in Firefox, and chatting through Trillian. Watching a DVD with those programs open in the background was also a breeze. For those that demand more power, the Toshiba R700 has the same chassis, but will be configurable on Toshiba's site with Core i5 / i7 CPUs as well as with solid state drive options. Our unit had a 500GB hard drive with Windows 7 Home Premium. The hard drive accelerometer is a nice safety addition, but it's rather sensitive, so you'll probably want to disable the alerts. 

The R705 relies on Intel's integrated HD graphics, and though we've been thinking the machine would be a perfect candidate for NVIDIA's Optimus, unfortunately for now we've yet to see any laptops with the two technologies (though, NVIDIA claims they can live in harmony). Regardless, the integrated option was fine for playing back high-def YouTube videos and regular flash video on Hulu and Amazon, but it won't satisfy those that want to play some high resolution games. 

One of our major – and frankly one of our only -- concerns about the R705 has to do with its warm temperatures. Toshiba has worked on a new Airflow cooling technology that pulls fresh air from the fan on the bottom left of the system, and then directs the warm air out the left vent. It's a cool idea (oh yes, pun intended), but the left edge of the laptop does become incredibly warm during CPU-intensive tasks like playing Flash content -- and when we watched an episode of Mad Men the bottom of the system became quite warm as well. We'd say the heat on the R705 was worse than that on the TimelineX 4820T, actually. However, during our normal everyday usage -- surfing the web, chatting, listening to music -- we weren't bothered by the heat even when we had the machine on our lap. 

Toshiba's promised 8.5 hours of battery life seemed quite unrealistic to us, and in reality it was actually about half of that. The R750's 66Wh six-cell battery lasted four hours and 25 minutes on our video rundown test, which loops the same standard definition video with screen brightness set at 65 percent. That's very comparable to the TimelineX 4820T, and in our everyday use with WiFi on and brightness at 85 percent we squeezed about five hours out. It's a decent runtime, but it's not going to last the flight from New York to London. 

It was a relief to boot up the R705 and find the desktop virtually spot free – the little Recycle Bin icon in the top left corner was no bother. However, Toshiba still loads up the ultraportable with some added software, including its Bulletin Board and webcam programs. Also, because the system is a special to Best Buy, it comes with Best Buy's own software installer. Blech. 

Wrap-up

Remind us to thank Toshiba for celebrating its 25th year in the laptop business with the R705. Despite some heat issues, the $800 Portege R705 was simply impressive. Flat out, consumers haven't been able to get such a feature-packed ultraportable at such an affordable price until now, and the cheaper price tag doesn't result in a shoddy build as we expected it might.

Toshiba's DX1215 All-in-one

When it comes to Toshiba and computers, it's all about the notebooks. At least, that's what most people think, here in the U.S. The company does make the occasional desktop, however, dipping their toes into the all-in-one arena, and now those products are coming to the West with the new DX1215 all-in-one.

Toshiba was also once known for producing capable television sets, and that experience shows in their new all-in-one. Looking at it from the right angle, and you might just mistake it for a small HDTV. This 21.5-inch powerhouse packs a lot more than just a 1080p screen, however, with a touch-enabled display.

The DX1215 sits on top of a curved aluminum stand, like Apple's own iMac. Unlike Apple, Toshiba is willing to add in a bunch of fun technologies, like two USB 3.0 ports sitting on the side. Those USB ports also support the USB Sleep and Charge standard, which means that even when your desktop is sleeping quietly, the ports are still active enough to charge whatever you might hook up to them. 

There's also an HDMI-in port, so the DX1215 can be used as an external display. This is a great feature for users looking to save space in a dorm room or small apartment, since the PC can double as a place to watch TV or play a gaming console. Adding to its media cachet is a reportedly premium audio system that features Onkyo stereo speakers that have been "professionally tuned". If they're that good, HP might have a fight on its hands with their Beats Audio.

“We are honored to work with Toshiba to tune the audio system in its first All-in-One desktop for the U.S. market to create an impressive audio experience,” said Tomer Elbaz, general manager of Waves Semiconductor and Licensing Division. “Whether listening to music, watching a movie, playing a game or talking on Skype, users expect superior performance and advanced features. The new Toshiba DX1215, powered by Waves MaxxAudio processors, takes All-in-One PC sound to the next level.”

Inside of the new desktop beats an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, depending on the model selected, as well as a 1TB hard drive spinning at 7200RPM. In back are four more USB ports, but USB 2.0, this time, as well as a DVD+/-RW. Toshiba has also built in a couple of unique features, including "Sleep and Music", which lets customers take advantage of the Onkyo sound system even if the computer is asleep, and "Resolution+", which adds in some video upconversion tech in order to make non-HD content look better than ever. Toshiba also plans to offer select models with an integrated TV tuner. A pre-paired Bluetooth keyboard and mouse come in the box, so users don't have to worry about setting things up.

Toshiba plans to market the DX1215 all-in-one exclusively at Best Buy stores as well as at BestBuy.com. The new system will be available starting on July 3rd, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price. of $929.99.

Origin PC EON 17-S (Clevo P170HM)

The brand new 17-inch EON 17-S  from Origin PC based on the Clevo P170HM is now available with either of the two fastest mobile GPUs ever–the GTX 580M from Nvidia or the HD 6990M from AMD. The engineers over at Origin PC have also managed to get the latest quad-core Core i7 Extreme Edition to run at up to 4.8GHz in Turbo Boost, thus beating even the mighty M18x in the CPU department. In combination with the fastest single-GPU graphics solution on the market and (in its class comparatively) lightweight chassis (8.6lbs) this is a very desirable laptop. If you don’t want to pay a premium for the fastest of everything, you can also opt for the base configuration, which includes a capable GTX 460M. The EON 17-S has four memory slots with room for up to 32GB of DDR3 1333MHz or 16GB of DDR3 1600MHz. Moreover, it has room for dual hard drives or SSDs that can be configured in RAID 0 mode. Or you could use an ultra-fast Vertex 3 as the boot drive and a secondary 7,200rpm hard drive for storage.

Clevo X7200

If you are looking for the most powerful laptop in the known universe, there is no doubt that the Clevo X7200 (also known as the Eon 17 from Origin PC) is it. However, you will have to account for the fact that it’s just barely a laptop–it uses desktop processors, so you can equip it with a hexa-core (12 threads) desktop Core i7 Extreme Edition and up to 24GB of triple-channel DDR3 RAM. On the graphics side you can configure this monster with dual Radeon HD 6990M’s in CrossFireX or Nvidia GeForce GTX 580M GPUs in SLI. The most powerful mobile GPU solutions on the planet in combination with desktop processors make this laptop’s performance unbeatable, with the rather obvious downside that it will only run for up to an hour on battery. Other than that it also has room for three hard drives or SSDs in RAID 0, 1 or 5. It’s a large, heavy, and if you want all the bells and whistles, very expensive machine, but this kind of performance comes at a price.

Alienware

The Alienware M17x R.3 is an updated version of the popular 17.3-inch gaming laptop, and this year's model is slimmer, lighter, and fast with a new 2nd generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor. The M17x R.3 sports an AMD Radeon HD 6870M graphics card, which albeit isn't as fast as the upcoming 6970M, but still offers excellent frame rates for the price. A multitude of upgrades are also available, such as a 1080p 3D display. While the hard drive is adjustable at 500GB, the premium design elements and updated hardware make even this base configuration an excellent buy. Where as its price ranges at 1499$(USD)

Advantages

Excellent Display
Fast Sandy Bridge Processor
Nice Soft Touch Finish
Disadvantages

Insufficient Memory
Lot of system heat due to AMD Graphics
Description

Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.2GHz (3.1GHz Turbo Mode) with 6MB of Cache
4GB DDR3 1600MHz Memory
17.3-inch 1600x900 WLED Display
AMD Radeon HD 6870M 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
802.11 g/n Wireless
Dual Layer DVD Burner
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
16.14" x 11.96" x 1.77" @ 9.4 Pounds

Asus G74SX

The world of portable gaming has a new reigning king. The G74SX is a performance notebook that imposes its will with the combined power of a second generation Intel® Core™ i7 CPU and NVIDIA® GTX 560M GPU with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM. A score of P2008 in 3DMark11 and P9180 in 3DMark Vantage takes over the reins as the fastest notebook in the land. Support for DirectX®11 ensures that you’ll not only have the fastest rig in town, but also the ability to play games as they were meant to be seen for a long time.

The harder you work, the more heat you generate. A computer is no different, and with the amount of power in the G74SX, some serious cooling is needed. A unique venting design pulls air from underneath the notebook, cooling the system down, then vents it through the rear, keeping hot air away from the user and reducing ambient noise for prolonged gaming.

Configurations

·         i7- 2630 QM Intel 2^nd Generation Processors

·         3GB NVidia GTX 560M

·         12GB DDR3 Ram

·         1080p Screen resolution

·         750GB HDD

·        

Dell XPS 15

The Dell XPS 15 starts at just $849. With the base configuration, which is what we tested except for our optional ($25) backlit keyboard, you get a 2.4-GHz Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 500GB 7,200-rpm hard drive, Windows 7 Home Premium, and Nvidia GT420 graphics. If you shop at Dell.com, you can configure the notebook with a full HD screen ($130), processors ranging from a 2.6-GHz Core i5 to a 3.2-GHz Core i7 ($500), a faster Nvidia GT435M graphics chip ($100), or a graphics chip with TV tuner ($50 to $100). A larger 640GB hard drive ($40) or a 256GB SSD ($550) are also available. You can step up to a Blu-ray drive for only $100, or get a 9-cell battery ($40) which promises to boost the notebook's meager endurance.

We highly recommend splurging for the 1080p display panel, because the notebook's strong media prowess is wasted on the default 1366 x 768 resolution screen. If you're a media enthusiast, the Blu-ray drive is a good choice too.

Configuration

Processor – Intel Core i5-480M
Random Access Memory ( RAM ) – 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Disk Drive ( HDD ) – 500 GB SATA
Display Monitor – 39.6 cms ( 15.6 ” ) WLED Display with TrueLife ( 1366 x 768 res. )
Operating System ( OS ) – Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics Processing Unit ( GPU ) – 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M
Sound – Subwoofer – high-fidelity JBL speakers and Waves MaxxAudio technology

Dell XPS 15z Complete review

Dell's original XPS 15 rivaled the 15-inch MacBook Pro in terms of power, price, and (arguably) style, but it couldn't compete when it came to portability. Along comes the XPS 15z, which is now just under an inch thick and weighs a pound less than its predecessor, while still packing an Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia graphics, and loud speakers. Starting at $999 ($1,534 as configured), the XPS 15z is a fair bit less expensive than the Mac, but it has a full HD display and about six hours of battery life. Has this Dell usurped the MacBook Pro as the best 15-inch notebook on the market?

Design

If it weren't for the hinge and the raised Dell logo on the lid, the XPS 15z might be confused for the 15-inch MacBook Pro at a quick glance. Its aluminum lid, magnesium-alloy chassis, and chrome trim around the edges exude more style than the regular XPS line. The deck is a slightly darker metallic color than the lid, and the two speaker grilles on either side of the keyboard have a diagonal pattern that continues on the vents on the bottom and back. Some might find this pattern to be a bit much.

The one design feature that seems out of place is the ribbed barrel hinge. We think it clashes with the grille pattern, and the section connected to the lid doesn't quite line up with the sections that are connected to the deck. We wouldn't raise a fuss if this were a budget notebook, but it's a borderline eyesore on a system in this price range.

At 15.2 x 10.3 inches, the XPS 15z's footprint is slightly larger than the MacBook Pro's (14.4 x 9.8 inches), but at just 0.97 inches thick, it's marginally thinner than Apple's notebook (1 inch). It's enough for Dell to boast that the XPS 15z is the thinnest 15-inch notebook on the planet, but you're not likely to notice the difference. Still, the regular XPS 15 (1.5 inches thick) looks positively chunky by comparison.

The XPS 15z's 5.6-pound weight is equal to that of the 15-inch MacBook Pro (and a full pound less than the XPS 15), which didn't make it all that uncomfortable to carry around. However, the smaller MBP is easier to fit into a messenger bag.