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MSI X-Slim X430 gets an Athlon Neo CPU, Windows 7 and Blu-ray

AMD spoiled MSI’s surprise a bit by snagging an X-Slim X430 early for its VISION gala back in September, but now that Windows 7 is out and about, MSI has decided to officialize its latest thin-and-light. Unlike most of its rivals, this one shuns Intel’s CULV lineup and instead relies on a dual-core AMD Athlon Neo X2 CPU, and with Win7 Home Premium at the helm, performance shouldn’t be too much of an issue when it comes to handling basic tasks. There’s also a 14-inch display (1,366 x 768), 2GB of RAM, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, HDMI / VGA sockets, an SD card slot, a 320GB or 500GB HDD and even an optional Blu-ray drive (albeit an external one). 4 and 8-cell batteries will also be available, and at 3.3 pounds, we’re guessing you won’t need to bulk up before slapping this in your knapsack.

MSI X-Slim X430 gets an Athlon Neo CPU, Windows 7 and Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Darren Murph on November 26, 2009
filed in Laptops
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REVIEWS: HP Mini 311 notebook

Can this be the HD netbook you’ve always wished for?
HP Mini 311 notebook. Hardware, Netbooks, HP, HP Mini 311, Nvidia, Intel, Verizon, Mobile broadband 0

As netbooks continue to grow in popularity, so do the lines that define them. The HP Mini 311 spec sheet reads more like a traditional notebook rather than something only costs ?349 in the UK and $399 in the US. But is it trying to punch above its weight??

HP has over the last 12-18 months started making a radical change to its design ethos and it’s finally starting to show. Gloss plastic in its design, it’s no HP Envy, however that isn’t to say it’s Ugly Betty either.?Aesthetics are swish and stylish with a patterned top, silver interior and gloss black framed 1366 x 768 resolution, 11.6-inch, screen that is crisp and the highlight of the netbook. It really is sharp.

That screen pretty much determines the 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.2in dimensions and the 1.45kg (3.2lbs) weight. Ports and sockets are displayed down both sides rather than the back or front. The left gives you a single USB and HDMI output, while the right gives you a SD/MSPro/MMC/xD Card reader, a further two USB sockets, headphones and line-in socket, VGA out and Ethernet. Those looking for an optical drive won’t find one.?

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<!– The trackpad has been changed making it easier to use –>

With a 92% keyboard typing is tight, but by no means impossible and the trackpad has been improved over previous netbooks from HP thanks to the extra space created by the bigger screen. What that means in practice is that the two click buttons are now found underneath the trackpad rather than to the side.

In use and the trackpad is considerably easier to use as the buttons sit ready to be clicked by your thumb. Larger than previous outings, it has a software-based vertical scroll element to it (on the right-hand side) making it easy to scroll up and down web pages for example. What doesn’t help though is that it’s made from the same material as the rest of the chassis and this can mean that you slide off it or go to click without realising that your thumb or finger has moved elsewhere.

Centre top there is a webcam for video calling and aside from the power on key the only other button is a Wi-Fi toggle switch. Clicking it off changes it from blue to orange. It will let you save power quickly without having to find a software tab (not hard) or help you prove to the air hostess that you really have gone into airplane mode.

Peer inside and the HP Mini 311 can come with a 1.6GHz or 1.66GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, integrated Nvida ION graphics chip, 1GB RAM upgradeable to 3GB, a 160GB, 250GB, 320GB hard drive or 80GB SSD, Wi-Fi connectivity g or n, Bluetooth, and the option of a mobile broadband module.

The netbook now comes with Windows 7 Home Premium as standard over the previous XP when it first launched in at the beginning of October 2009.

The ?349 / $399 is the base model and that will get you the 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, wireless g connectivity and no Bluetooth or mobile broadband. Those looking to save some cash can opt for Windows XP over Windows 7.?Maxing out on everything gets you to almost $1000.

In performance and the Mini 311 does well on day-to-day tasks with the Atom processor working hard to make your experience as best as it can be. Microsoft gives it a Windows Experience Index rating of 2.3 let down by the processor.

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<!– HP have opted for Windows 7 Home Premium rather than the Starter edition –>

We tested a model with Verizon’s built-in SIM card allowing you to surf on the go. The software lets you manage your connection and once you’ve run through the initial set-up, a very quick process to getting online. The benefit as with all netbooks that have built-in connectivity is that you don’t have to fuss with a 3G dongle that sticks out of the side.

Of course where this netbook appeals is that it packs the Nvidia ION graphics chip, which promises to deliver better video and graphics performance, with the graphics processor taking over on the tasks normally assigned to the main processor (in this case the Intel Atom chip) which isn’t really up to the job.

The biggest and easiest test to see what can be achieved is playing back HD content. While a 11.6-inch screen is going to give you minimal benefit from going “HD”, the built-in HDMI out socket means you can pump it out to an HD Ready TV screen in your home, office or shed.

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<!– This video shows the HD performance at 720p and 1080p –>

To be able to enjoy HD content via YouTube (i.e., Flash) you’ll have to download the newly released Flash Player 10 so you can benefit from the GPU (the ION) doing some of the work rather than just leaving it all to the main processor. Failing to do so will get you nowhere.

You don’t need Flash Player 10 to watch HD content you’ve got stored on the computer. We played 720p footage with no problem, something that isn’t really possible on a regular netbook, however pushing the machine to the limit and playing 1080p does give it trouble.

In our tests 1080p DivX HD files weren’t watchable by any stretch of the imagination, while a 1080p trailer viewed in iTunes lost lip sync very quickly. Footage stuttered violently. YouTube wasn’t much better, and neither was VLC for 1080p footage.?Back to what it can do – this is a sub ?350/$400 netbook after all – and we could happily watch 720p footage without qualms.

But what about games? We fired up the recently released Left 4 Dead 2 to see how it would cope. We were able to enjoy a full online experience running graphics at 16:9 1280 x 768 without any drop in performance. While we weren’t able to run it with all the settings on, the graphics performance was more than good enough for gaming on the move. 10 years ago this rig would have cost you over ?1000 for graphics performance like this: that’s how far we’ve come.

While we wouldn’t recommend this replacing a dedicated desktop rig or your more powerful laptop, if you are an occasional gamer, or one that isn’t playing high-end first person shooters this will be more than enough juice to quench your thirst.

Verdict:

The HP Mini 311 looked impressive in our First Look and after using it for a couple of weeks now those first impressions were spot on. As a netbook that lets you surf the web, write the odd email it performs as you would expect and good enough to be one of the top performing netbooks out there. The fact that HP has gone with a standard version of Windows 7 (Home Premium) rather than Starter is also welcomed.

But where the HP eases out over the rest of the pack is the inclusion of the ION chip from Nvidia allowing you to push the limits of what has until now not been possible on a netbook.

There are limitations to the HD element and the 3D gaming. This isn’t the answer to everything, however if you want to watch or play movies and games on occasion, as long as you aren’t too demanding (1080p or full graphics settings), then the HP mini should serve you nicely.

Tags:
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HP Mini 311 notebook originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:02:37 +0000

by Stuart Miles on November 24, 2009
filed in Laptops
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Early Core i9 benchmarks promising, make you wonder why you even bothered with Core i7

Immediate obsolescence is an age old problem in the computer industry, but it doesn’t look like the upcoming Core i9 “Gulftown” processor is going to do anything to solve it. Word is from early benchmarks of the upcoming Intel processor is that it bests the current Core i7 at the top of the heap with speed gains as large as 50% — directly in line with its addition of two cores on top of the Core i7’s existing four. Of course, six 2.8GHz cores aren’t quite as exponentially helpful when applied to non-optimized tasks, but with most major modern software development aimed at better utilizing multiple cores, the core overkill of Core i9 will likely prove increasingly useful over time. At the start, however, Core i9’s improvements will come at a premium: 130W power consumption instead of 95W in Core i7, and of course a high-end only price tag to match. Word is we’ll be seeing these chips hit the market in early 2010, possibly as soon as January.

Early Core i9 benchmarks promising, make you wonder why you even bothered with Core i7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Paul Miller on November 24, 2009
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REVIEWS: Samsung X120 notebook

A serious rival for high-end netbooks?

Samsung X120 notebook . Hardware, Laptops, Netbooks, Samsung, Samsung X120 0

With a very compact design, small screen, cheap price and no optical drive, it’s easy to think of the Samsung X120 as a netbook. Look at the specs though, and it’s a no-brainer – the Samsung beats most netbooks hands down – but does it deliver in other areas?

The 11.6-inch screen is a stunner, for a start, offering incredibly crisp images and excellent colour reproduction. With a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, there’s enough space to work with a couple of windows open simultaneously – unlike on the vast majority of netbooks – and it’s also great for movie playback. This is also an area in which it copes fine – the integrated Intel GMA 4500M chipset running films without dropped frames.

The X120’s distinctive design features a lip that runs around the edge of the chassis – with the interface sitting slightly lower. It looks great, and with the lip fitting snugly against the screen lid, there’s no chance of anything falling between the display and keyboard when you’re on the move.

The unusual design stretches to the keyboard location, which sits smack in the centre of the chassis with a lot of vacant space above it. As a result, the palm rest is very small, leading to your hands sitting on the desk or hovering as you type. There are no touchpad buttons below the touchpad – they’re located on each side instead, which takes some getting accustomed to.

The keyboard is excellent, with a design reminiscent of Sony’s previous-generation VAIO laptops. The centres are raised, with a slight dip around the edges that makes it a bit easier to type. The keys are well attached and very comfortable to type on, providing a good travel, although it’s not the quietest board during use.

Instead of an Intel Atom processor, you’ll find a CULV Intel Pentium chip running at 1.3GHz. A dual-core chip, and backed by 3072MB of memory, it offers far better performance than you’ll find in similarly priced netbooks, with the ability to multi-task without too much lag. A battery life of around 3 and a half hours is reasonable, although those looking for all-day use will be disappointed.

All three USB ports are located on the right-hand side of the chassis, although with a large amount of space between each one you’ll be able to connect bulky peripherals without fear of blocking the other ports. On the left side, Samsung has fitted both VGA and HDMI ports. There’s a memory card reader on the front, where the power button is also hidden.

Verdict:

We like the Samsung X120. With netbooks all offering the same specifications, and prices rising rather than falling, this product is a refreshing change. There’s enough performance to use for regular home and office tasks, and although it’s still not the fastest machine it features a great specification for the price.

It also provides excellent quality, the screen is top-drawer, and it offers a high-end ultra-portable experience that’s out of sorts with the budget price tag. If you’re on the lookout for a compact machine, then the Samsung X120 is highly recommended.

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Samsung X120 notebook originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:06:23 +0000

by Andrew Tiney on November 23, 2009
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Powermat retrofitted into plank of wood, new world of opportunies discovered

The Powermat may have slung “inductive charging” into the mainstream (at least to some minor extent), but it’s still far too niche to be taken seriously by any electronics aisle in Target. Take that same technology and shove it into wood, however, and you’ve got something that each and every table owner on the planet could appreciate. Jason V decided to retrofit a Powermat charging pad into a slab of wood, and while it wasn’t the easiest of tasks, the fact that he managed to successfully integrate it opens up all sorts of possibilities for the woodworking crowd. If you’re hungry for more details, hop on down to the how-to guide at Instructables; otherwise, the demonstration vid is just past the break.

Continue reading Powermat retrofitted into plank of wood, new world of opportunies discovered

Powermat retrofitted into plank of wood, new world of opportunies discovered originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Darren Murph on November 23, 2009
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REVIEWS: HP Envy 15 1060ea notebook

HP goes MacBook crazy
HP Envy 15 1060ea notebook

HP have finally bitten the bullet and made what many have been waiting an age for: a MacBook clone. It’s been in the back of consumer’s minds for a while. Why can’t PC manufacturers follow through with the design leads laid down by Apple? Why redesign the wheel? We’ve seen many models that pick up some Mac-alike elements, but the Envy perhaps goes further than most. In fact, the Envy adds detailing that brings some interest where the Mac is just a little too minimalist for some.

The Envy 15, as the name suggests features a 15.6-inch widescreen display. The resolution stands at?1366 x 768 so it qualifies for the HD tag, but not the Full HD variety, unlike the US versions, which do get a higher quality screen (as well as more RAM in their models). However, the LED backlit HD display looks glorious as it is, with nice bright colours. It doesn’t have the same wow factor as the Mac’s edge-to-edge panel and the black plastic bezel around the screen is perhaps the only part of the notebook design that we’d criticise. It has a gloss finish which is great for movies at home, but suffers reflections if you sit near a window or are out and about.

It is a compact notebook for its size, measuring 38 x 24.4 x 2.65cm and weighing in at only 2.35kg.

The substantial hinge on the screen lets it drop over the back of the body of the notebook, so it will fit into cramped spaces, although unlike the Envy 13 little brother, it is probably a little too large for Economy Class tray tables on planes or trains. There is a small amount of flex in the screen, but the solid construction means it is well protected from the rear. A light sensor to adjust the brightness of the monitor, the webcam and mic sit in the bezel of the screen too.

The Envy gets a great premium look thanks to liberal use of aluminium in its construction, with the keyboard keys neatly poking through their holes, the same, ahem, as a MacBook. The etching on the back of the screen and on the palm rests might not be for some, but we liked this little addition, giving something of a tactile feel whilst you sit and drum your fingers. The trackpad is larger than you’d normally find on a PC, with HP offering some multi-touch functions -? the pinch zooming works well enough, but the scrolling is a little hit and miss. This is one area where they can’t quite match the MacBook Pro. At the bottom of the trackpad are two built-in button sections in lieu of real hard buttons. We like this move as they are still perfectly functional, but give a smoother, cleaner finish, and allow you to move the cursor on-screen across the entire area of the trackpad.

The keyboard is a definite strong point of the Envy. There is no sign of flex at any point, and the travel and response of the keys was very good – we were soon typing up to full speed. There is a full complement of keys however, including shortcut keys down the left and function keys across the top which offer various media controls. We’re pleased to see that HP has not resorted to dubious touch controls for these media functions. Unfortunately there is no backlit keyboard option.

Ominously missing from the Envy is a optical drive, although an external USB 8x DVD rewriter is supplied in the box. Opinion is divided on whether this is an acceptable omission on a notebook of this size, but by bundling a drive in the box, you can at least install software or play movies at your desk, but it’s an extra lump to carry around on your travels. The drive worked perfectly well for use, but can be a little noisy when spinning. With a 320GB hard drive inside, you’ve a fair amount of space to store your content, perhaps even a few movies.

Around the body of the Envy you’ll find all the connections are located on the right-hand side. You get Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, 2x USB 2.0, a shared eSATA/USB port and a 3.5mm jack which is both an audio input and output. The leading edge features an SD card slot, with a little hinging door, giving a neat finish. When a card is inserted it slots in flush too, so you can stick in a card and leave it in there without worrying about it getting caught on things. The Envy 15 comes with a 2GB SD card containing the user guide.

Of course these are all merely external trimmings. Sitting at the heart of the Envy 15 is the Intel Core i7-720QM, running at 1.6GHz and backed by 4GB RAM (expandable up to 16GB), making this a veritable powerhouse indeed. Our review model came running Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) which ran very smoothly. Dedicated graphics are handled by the ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4830, giving you 1GB of dedicated graphics memory.

The results are impressive. Switching between documents and everyday computing tasks are handled in a flash. Movie playback is fantastic too, with Full HD content playing smoothly both on the screen or output via HDMI onto a larger display. You also have the power on hand to play most modern games and we found that Crysis ran smoothly on medium settings. Sound quality from the onboard speakers is a little on the tinny side, but we’ve heard much worse. There is plenty of volume on offer to provide the sound FX for your gaming or movie watching needs, or merely to keep you in touch with colleagues via Skype or similar.

One thing that is noticeable is the cooling fan located on the left-hand side of the Envy. When going gets tough, it will spin up to life to cool things down. The Envy doesn’t get too hot to be used on the lap, but you’ll feel a noticable warmth throughout the notebook when in use. Ventilation holes are liberally spread around the edges, but this does seem to be an issue.?

Unfortunately the battery life isn’t too impressive. If you plan on stepping away from the mains for any longer than about 1 hour 20 minutes, which we found to be the average battery performance for general office tasks, you might want to look at getting an extra battery, or the accessory “slice” battery, which claims to extend the life up to 7 hours. The limited battery life does push the Envy 15 towards the desktop replacement end of the notebook market, rather than being a truely portable powerhouse.

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Verdict:

The HP Envy 15 has some real strengths: the design is sensational, the keyboard is excellent and the power on offer makes this a really versatile machine. This has to be balanced against the lack of internal drive and poor battery life, which means that this is a PC that will complement your plush office or home better than it will accompany you on your travels. There is no doubting the style on offer however and it will look good wherever you put it and whatever competitor you sit it next to.

It is a bit of a gripe that the UK version of the Envy doesn’t get the same specs as the US market, something to bear in mind when it comes to purchase.

We love what HP have done from a design perspective and the time and effort they have put into creating a great looking notebook will appeal to some users, who will be happy to pay the premium price this notebook commands. For some though, the asking price might just be too high.

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HP Envy 15 1060ea notebook  
HP Envy 15 1060ea notebook  
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HP Envy 15 1060ea notebook originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:56:22 +0000

by Chris Hall on November 19, 2009
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Sony Mobile HD Snap Camera MHS-PM1

Sony’s first entry in the mini-camera Arena was in 2007, the NSC-GC1. This model did very well in our tests, but Sony seems to have learned its lesson, because they have demonstrated their mobile cameras HD Snap-MHS-PM1 budget camcorder.

1 Comment by Matthew Bell on November 13, 2009
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Review: Acer Aspire 3935-744G25n

Blending style with performance and portability, the Acer Aspire 3935-744G25n is a great laptop that will appeal to a broad array of users seeking functionality on the go.

The keyboard won’t suit all users, but otherwise this is a fantastically well rounded machine. Despite weighing only 1.9kg – placing it in ultraportable territory – this laptop boasts powerful components which offer great performance.

The Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4096MB of DDR3 memory produces impressive test results, so concurrently running multiple office programs at speed won’t prove an issue.

An integrated GPU is in place, so apart from light photo-editing, this laptop isn’t suited to multimedia tasks. To watch DVDs you’ll need to purchase an external optical drive, as a built-in drive is not included.

Portability is great and you’ll easily get a very handy five hours from the battery, meaning you can leave the charger at home or in the office when you are out and about. The laptop is also very compact, making it easy to slip into a bag.

Build quality is excellent and the metal chassis provides good protection for the machine and also looks great.

The keyboard, using Acer’s FineTip design with keys that stand up independently from the board, will not suit all users, as it’s quite easy to get lost on the very flat keys. There’s also a sizeable gap between the keys and the board beneath, which may gather dirt over time and hinder the action.

The touchpad is responsive and features multi-gesture capabilities and also a fingerprint reader between the mouse buttons. This will suit those looking for an extra level of protection for their data.

Striking screen

The screen features an edge-to-edge design, which makes a striking impression. It’s also detailed and produces vivid colours.

Thanks to the LED technology employed, it’s also very bright and is less resource-intensive on the battery, providing the excellent portability mentioned above. A shiny Super-TFT screen coating is in place, but we found that reflections are well contained.

Connectivity is suitably high-end, with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet providing the fastest wireless and fixed network access currently available.

There are also three USB ports for attaching peripherals, such as an external mouse. A VGA port for hooking up external analogue monitors is included, but the omission of an HDMI port seems an oversight.

We’re very impressed by the Acer Aspire 3935-744G25n. Its great performance is coupled with style and usability, and those after a well-priced ultraportable should take note.

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by Tech Staff on November 13, 2009
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Review: MSI X600-055UK

The X600-055UK is the second machine we’ve seen from MSI’s ultra-slim X-series range, following on from the smaller X340.

With a 15.6-inch screen, this machine is a more rounded package, while still providing excellent mobility. The 15.6-inch screen features a glossy Super-TFT coating, which is reflective in direct sunlight.

With LED backlighting, it’s also a bright panel, however, and so is easy to view in most conditions. There’s enough space onscreen for comfortable multi-tasking and the 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio prove ideal for watching films.

You’ll find a mid-range ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4330 graphics card supporting the display. It provides the X600 with enough performance to handle basic graphics tasks with ease and you’ll even be able to play older games.

Photo and video editing tasks are carried out with aplomb, making this lightweight laptop a surprisingly adept multimedia choice. The widescreen display creates plenty of space for the user interface, with a decent keyboard that proves comfortable even over longer periods of use. Unlike the X340, there’s no sign of flex when typing and the keys move with a reassuringly accurate action.

A numeric keypad is crammed in alongside and, although it’s not the largest we’ve seen, it aids data entry nonetheless.

Despite measuring just 25mm at its thickest point, the chassis is remarkably tough. The plastics are strong and the screen remains free from vibrations when typing, but the left-hand side of the palm rest heats up after prolonged use, and the display flexes slightly in the centre.

CULV processor

As with the smaller X340, this machine uses an Intel CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) processor, but this is the first system we’ve seen to feature a CULV Core 2 Duo chip.

Running at 1.6GHz, and backed by 4096MB of DDR2 memory, performance is akin to regular Core 2 Duo processors, proving easily able to carry out intensive tasks and run multiple programs smoothly. Battery life is also good, letting you work for 248 minutes.

There’s no optical drive, but there is plenty of storage space on offer, thanks to the 500GB hard drive. There’s also a 2-in-1 flash memory card reader, making it easy to access photographs from most digital cameras.

Networking features come in the form of 802.11n Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet.

Providing excellent performance in a large yet thin and light chassis, the X600- 055UK offers a great compromise between size and power. As with much more expensive systems, you’ll be able to work on the move without resorting to a smaller and slower form factor.

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by Tech Staff on November 12, 2009
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Review: Cyberpower Explorer X7-Xtreme S1

Cyberpower uses generic designs and fits the latest components, offering good value for money. However, while the Novatech X1 Pro uses a recent chassis, Cyberpower’s Xplorer X7-Xtreme S1 features a design that’s around two years old and looks boxy and cheap in 2009.

As with its rivals, the 17- inch screen is fantastic when watching films and playing games, with pin-sharp high-definition (HD) images on offer from the 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution. Colours aren’t quite as vivid as they could be, however.

Nvidia’s range-topping GeForce GTX 280M GPU handles the graphics, although, in this case, it’s a single card rather than the two sported by the Alienware and Novatech. As such, it can’t match the best around when it comes to high-end gaming power.

That said, we had no trouble playing the latest games – it just meant that settings had to be toned down slightly in more demanding titles. This is the first laptop we’ve seen to use Intel’s cutting-edge Core i7 processor, and the results are frankly astonishing.

With the ability to change its clock speed, this processor is a lot more adaptable than previous Intel chips – running at lower speeds when power isn’t required and upping the ante when serious performance is needed. It’s also a quad-core chip, offering excellent multi-tasking abilities.

Cyberpower explorer x7-xtreme s1

Windows 7

Backed by 6144MB of memory and running a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium, this is a seriously fast laptop during daily use, running applications with ease. We found no sign of lag, even when running several demanding tasks.

The keyboard is quite poor, however, and is lacking in support. The board itself flexes and the keys rattle noisily during use.

Costs have also been cut in the rest of the chassis design, which uses low-grade plastics that bend under pressure, and it lacks the premium feel expected of a machine costing this much.

There’s no Blu-ray drive, unlike the other laptops at this price point, although you do get an integrated TV tuner.

A comprehensive selection of ports include eSATA and HDMI. There are also four USB ports, although they’re all clustered too closely together on the right-hand side of the chassis, restricting usefulness somewhat.

The Xplorer X7-Xtreme S1 is a capable machine, with the Core i7 processor offering amazing power.

The dated chassis and single GPU make it difficult to recommend over its rivals, however, and if you’re seeking a Core i7 machine, you may prefer to wait for it to appear in a more modern chassis.

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by Philip Barker on November 11, 2009
filed in Laptops
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