Laptop Pimp Blog - Laptop Reviews for Laptop Whores

Friday Laptop News Roundup and How To Stream to an XBox

andrew — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:18:49 +0000

Sad day! It’s official, Apple has added a new form of copy protection to it’s MacBooks. That means no fun TV nights for most everyone. Sorry gang. Looks like Apple users and copyright advocates are getting up and saying something, more news as that all unfolds.

It seems this whole XO laptop craze isn’t ending anytime soon. Oh, that’s not a bad thing, wither. It was announced today that NFL QB Tom Brady will be buying 1,500 of the little netbooks, which he will send off to Uganda. Excellent move Tommy Boy.

Dude! Bad news for Dell. The computer giant posted a 5% drop in net income and a 3% decline in revenue for its fiscal third quarter, the WSJ reported. Looks like the once mighty supplier of all notebooks will need to do a little rebranding and mix up the market a little bit if they want to keep doing what they’re doing.

Today’s How To is relatively simple, but it may not be something a lot of you laptop lovers might have tried. Today, you will learn how to use an XBox 360 to stream media from a laptop. That means all those great movies you have on your computer, can wirelessly blast to your TV. Hey, it’s Friday. Make it a movie night!

Enjoy, thanks to the Geek Squad folks:

Thanks for reading, and check back next week for more laptop reviews, news and how-tos. From all of us here at Laptop Pimp, have a great weekend!

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Friday Laptop News Roundup and How To Stream to an XBox

Thursday Laptop News Roundup

andrew — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:14:55 +0000

Today Dvice reported that Samsung has started pumping out solid-state hard drives with 256GB storage space. The blazing fast drives will help revamp the laptop market, putting Samsung in a solid position to blast right to the top. They have already hit us hard with some amazing laptops this year. And now with a drive like this in their pocket, the tech giant might just keep growing. Not just speed, these new drive will help keep heat and noise down, as well.

In super nerdy science news, Science Daily is reporting that a new, more efficient Lithium battery is being developed. The new battery could help save energy and add life to almost any laptop. New battery news is always great news.

And, if you think I was making up laptop theft problems, I’m not. Check out these two super bold thieves from a N.C. Walmart.

Thanks for reading today. The Pimp will return tomorrow with more news and a hack or two for you.

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Thursday Laptop News Roundup

MSI GX720 Review and Specs

andrew — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:01:17 +0000

MSI has made some fantastic notebooks, no one can deny that. For instance, the MSI Wind has been one of the most talked about netbooks out there. But when it comes to gaming machines, the Laptop Pimp was wondering how MSI stacks up.

For that reason, I wanted to take a look at the MSI GX720, just one of a number of gaming setups from MSI.

For starters, the GX720 looks great. The red-orange accents really make the laptop look fast and sleek. And, as it turns out, the speedy look translates to a speedy core, too. With a 2.5 GHz Intel Centrino 2 processor and 4 GB of RAM supporting a nVidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card, you can’t really complain about speed. But, the Intel processor isn’t from the Extreme line and the graphics setup isn;t top of the line, either. Both are just suitable.

And at 7 pounds, the GX720 is a pretty slim 17″ semi-gaming machine. And while this slightly older gamer may not last as a top gaming platform for too long, the media capabilities will keep it relevant for a while. Blue-Ray and HMDI support are present and accounted for.

Overall, the GX720 is a great setup for casual gamers who like surfing the internet and playing with media more than shooting aliens at full speed. So, if you are going to game, go Alienware. But, if you want a nice mix for around $1,800, the GX720 is a safe bet.

As for the laptop pimp, I’m going to go shoot same aliens.

The specs:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor: Intel Centrino 2
Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 7 lbs.
Display Size: 17 inches
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 9600M GT
Storage Capacity: 320 GB
Networking Options: 802.11 n
Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray

More infor at MSI’s website.

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MSI GX720 Review and Specs

Laptop Theft: A real problem

andrew — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:41:06 +0000

It’s no lie, laptops go missing more often than car keys. Only, missing laptops are never under the couch cusion, are they?

That’s why the folks over at Absolute Software, are capitolizing on the facts, launching a PR push to help sell their software and keep your laptop safe.

Absolute let me know about a study by the Ponemon Institute, which found 12,000 laptops are lost in any given week. That breaks down to about one laptop stolen every 50 seconds!

So, what do you do to make sure your data is safe and you laptop won’t walk away from you? It’s a solid question, and maybe everyone should think about it before heading out on business with the laptop in tow.

Absolute came up with the following tips:

    1.  Back up valuable data before traveling. Back up your data as
        frequently as possible to minimize the risk of data loss in the event
        that your laptop is stolen. Use an encrypted thumb drive to back up
        sensitive or valuable files and keep it separate from your laptop.
        Because the information stored on the laptop is often more valuable
        than the laptop itself, it is important to treat the data with as
        much care as possible.

    2.  Use laptop recovery and data protection software. Laptop recovery
        tools are highly effective in the event thieves do make off with your
        gear. If you've installed Absolute Software's Computrace(R) LoJack(R)
        for Laptops, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team can use information
        sent from the stolen laptop to track it down, assist your local
        police in recovering it and help prosecute the alleged thieves. And,
        while the laptop is being recovered, Absolute can remotely wipe
        sensitive information from the hard drive, rendering it inaccessible
        to the thieves.

    3.  Don't put your laptop in your checked luggage. Checking your laptop
        is a big gamble; always keep it with you. Apart from not having your
        valuable and expensive gear under your control, baggage handlers
        don't know what is in your bag. You run the risk of having your
        laptop broken or stolen in transit. Keep your laptop inconspicuous.
        Laptops especially should always be carried in nondescript carrying
        cases, such as backpacks or tote bags, instead of tell-tale laptop
        bags.

    4.  Clearly label your laptop to distinguish it from others at security
        checkpoints. When going through the metal detectors, hold on to your
        laptop until the last second. Clearly labeling the laptop itself will
        help you find it among other laptops once through the metal
        detectors. Make sure to put your name, contact information and
        address on the label, as most airport lost-and-founds won't power up
        the laptop to find out whom it belongs to.

    5.  Ask to put your laptop in the hotel safe when you're not using it.
        Most hotels have a safe that guests can use in their room or at the
        front desk. When making a reservation, ask whether the hotel offers
        this service. If they do not, stow your laptop in a secure cabinet in
        the room.

    6.  If you are using a public computer, be aware of keyboard
        loggers/trackers. Identity thieves will often install keyboard
        loggers on to public computers (like those in hotels or public
        libraries). These programs invisibly track the keystrokes of
        unsuspecting victims. A thief can come back at any time and see where
        you've been on the Internet and gather the usernames and passwords
        you've entered.

    7.  Do not log on to unsecured wireless networks. If the wireless network
        you're logging on to doesn't require you to enter a password, don't
        use it. Unsecured networks are a two-way street. While anyone can
        access the network, anyone on the network may be able to access your
        laptop, and subsequently your information.

    8.  Do not access financial or bank records while traveling. Avoid
        accessing financial or banking records while traveling, especially on
        public wireless networks. This will help to prevent your bank records
        and financial information from ending up in the wrong hands.

    9.  Deselect "remember me" when browsing the Internet. Clicking "remember
        me" on websites, or allowing the Internet browser to remember
        passwords or usernames, negates the security those username and
        passwords offer. If a thief gets a hold of your laptop, they will
        have the ability to easily steal your online (and possibly offline).

    10. Clear your history and cache after using a Web browser. Web browsers
        remember everything about your session even after you've logged off.
        Before ending an Internet session - particularly on a public laptop -
        clear the private data (cookies, history, Internet files) stored in
        the browser. This can be accessed through the "tools" menu on most
        Internet browsers.

Post from: Laptop Pimp Blog - Laptop Reviews for Laptop Whores

Laptop Theft: A real problem

HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition Review and Specs

andrew — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:23:56 +0000

A few days back, the Laptop Pimp took a look at the HP Mini 1000 and he was pretty interested in the little netbook from HP. But, will the Vivienne Tam Edition of the Mini 1000 make the cut? Let’s find out.

When it comes down to Specs, you are looking at the exact same computer as the normal Mini 100. The $150 price difference between the two machines is a matter of the case. This makes sense, seeing that Tam is a fashion designer, and this edition of the Mini has a beautiful red case with a flower detail.

But the Pimp wants to know something. Do people buy it? Is a case worth $150?

I mean, the Mini is a slick looking computer to begin with, and the red case is wonderful. But I’m not sure it’s worth the cash. If you are spending money on a netbook, you want a simple computer at a good price. The HP Mini’s $400 price point is perfect, offering a great XP-based system for a price far lower than a number of other netbooks.

But, the Tam edition just adds cost for a product you want to be inexpensive to begin with. Special edition designs have a better market as true laptops, in my opinion.

Just leave the pimping to us. You don’t need to do it yourself HP.

The specs:

Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
Processor: Intel Atom N270
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Display Size: 10.2 inches
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Storage Capacity: 60 GB
Networking Options: 802.11 g
Primary Optical Drive: External

HP’s website can tell you more.

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HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition Review and Specs

Arbella Laptop Cool Table Review

andrew — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:08:22 +0000

When it comes to laptop accessories, the standard mice and bags are all to common. But the Arbella Laptop Cool Table might help reinvent the laptop-couch-potato’s’ habits.

There are a number of plastic-slab tables out there, but none quite like this one. And as any Laptop Pimp will know, a hot laptop on the “important area” can;t be good for the “troops.” Overall, the Laptop Cool Table is really simple. Two USB powered fans frun on the bottom of the table to keep your lap and laptop cool.

This is great for new powerful laptops or older laptops with cooling problems. So if heating is a problem, this might be a solution.

Now, I didn’t get a hands on trial of the Laptop Cool Table, so I can’t speak for its design or quality. But, I can see that it’s a good idea.

One downside may be the table’s need to take up one of your USB ports. But, you don’t need another wall socket to plug it in, so there is a trade off there.

Other than that one possible downside, the Laptop Cool Table seems like a smart solution to the hot balls problem.

The table’s “specs:”

Size: 18″L, 10.75″W, 1.125″D
Weight: 2.5 lb

Find more information on the table at Arbella’s website.

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Arbella Laptop Cool Table Review

Wednesday Laptop News Roundup

andrew — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:11:59 +0000

The biggest news today came from HP, as the company released information about the first consumer-targeted multi-touch tablet notebook, the TouchSmart TX2. (Catch our coverage here.) cNet dug through the dirt and found a great video from N-Trig, which partnered with HP to produce the new notebook:

And just as I got to bitching about the excess of netbooks out there with the release of a Epson netbook in Japan, AMD is making me one happy Laptop Pimp. The processor giant said today that it will be focusing production on notebooks, kissing off the netbook market. AMD is going to let the slumming fall into Intel’s hands alone. They won’t compete in the low-price, low-spec market.

And speaking of pimping, Dailymotion has teamed up with One Laptop Per Child to launch a contest to promote the cause of bringing notebooks to everyone. Learn more with this video:

Check back tomorrow, when we will look at more new laptops and some great new accessories. Until then, Pimp out!

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Wednesday Laptop News Roundup

Epson makes netbooks? (Epson Endeavor Na01 Mini Review and Specs)

andrew — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:52:06 +0000

Who knews Epson was in the netbook game. Apparently, they are, and they rolled out the new Endeavor Na01 mini today in Japan. Available for about $484, teh Na01 mini can’t print your photos, but it can display them on a 10.2″ display.

Just what we needed, another netbook.

I won’t get too much into the specifics, as I doubt too many of the LaptopPimp readers are going to rush out to Japan and pick one of these up. But, just in case, here are the specs:

Operating System: Windows XP
Processor: Atom N270
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Weight: 2.83 lbs.
Display Size: 10.2″
Graphics: n/a
Storage Capacity: 160 GB
Networking Options: 802.11b/g
Primary Optical Drive: external

Every tech blog on the net has something on this little guy, must be a slow day: Engadget, Slash Gear, Boing Boing. Or, you can go over to Epson Japan’s website and play with google translator until you track down a product page. Best of luck.

Post from: Laptop Pimp Blog - Laptop Reviews for Laptop Whores

Epson makes netbooks? (Epson Endeavor Na01 Mini Review and Specs)

Gateway M-7818u Review and Specs

andrew — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:27:04 +0000

Ringing in at around $780, the Gateway M-7818u is tricky. It sure looks a lot like the Samsung X460, with its stylish red accents. But, the comparisons stop right there. Beyond a flashy coat, the M-7818u is a clunker.

The first thing to realize is that the M-7818u is a special configuration on the Gateway M-series made only for Office Max. Yep. Office Max. Friends, if you are going to Office Max to buy a computer. Well, you shouldn’t be.

Before anything else, this is a budget model notebook, and it shows with the specs. While the fairly standard Gateway configuration of nice components make up the heart of the machine — a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB of RAM — that’s about where the sexy stuff ends. In tests, Laptop Magazine found the M-7818u to be fast on boot and application launch, but molasses slow when it came to multi-tasking. And, for a everyday consumer’s home notebook, with internet browsing and music needed at the same time, multitasking is a necessity.

With the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, don’t expect fast, current gameplay either. Sorry.

So, if it’s not good at multi-tasking or gameplay, why woulnd’t you just buy a netbook instead?

LaptopPimp says pass this little lappy by.

The Specs:

Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5800
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 6.28 lbs.
Display Size: 15.4″
Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 250 GB
Networking Options: 802.11a/g/Draft-N
Primary Optical Drive: 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD-RW

More infor at Gateway’s website.

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Gateway M-7818u Review and Specs

R.I.P PC Magazine

andrew — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:36:36 +0000

It’s a sad day for the Laptop Pimp. One of his favorite print magazines, PC Magazine, will be pulling its mags off the news stands and taking it all online. The Ziff Davis glossy has been a mainstay in the computer news and review industry for 27 years. And while it isn’t over completely, say good by to reading it on the train or plane.

According to AdAge, the magazine’s move to strictly online is a natural progression, as print advertising is falling and online readership is growing. And while the 7 print employees who lost jobs due to the decision probably don;t feel like it’s a natural progression, the numbers are there to support the news.

How are we going to learn about what computer to buy if it requires a computer to check out PC Mag’s reviews? Seriously, though, the end of PC Magazine’s print edition is a step toward a new media market on the Internet, and we’ll just have to wait and see if there are any plans to expand or change the coverage offered by PC Mag as it develops its new strategy.

So from us here at LaptopPimp, cheers to PC Mag’s print edition.

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R.I.P PC Magazine

HP Touchsmart TX2 Early Review and Specs

andrew — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:40:43 +0000

The LaptopPimp sees a lot of laptops, but rarely does he drool over one like this! HP unveiled the Touchsmart TX2 this morning, and boy am I excited to see what the first-ever consumer multi-touch tablet has to offer, other than the obvious presure it puts on the PC and Mac laptop market.

Starting around $1,150, the TX2 is a trend setter for sure. Not only does the multi-touch display offer a tablet orientation, you can use any number of the movements we have been craving since Minority Report featured Tom Cruse soving crime with hand gestures. That means dragging, resizing, pinching, selecting, flicking and double taping — all with your fingers! So put some gloves on, it’s cold out there and you’re going to need those fingertips.

The gestures will work with the built-in Windows Vista environment, as well as with HP’s Mediasmart software, which will transform the TX2 into a home entertainment system. (Mediasmart is adding MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon programing this year.)

Weiging in at 4.5 pounds, HP packed one hell of a system into the bottom half of the TX2. The high-end guts include a 2.4GHZ AMD Turion X2 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 400 GB hard drive, a 8x DVD drive and a sick ATI Radeon 3200, making the TX2 prime fro both heavy internet application and flash use, as well as light to moderate gaming.

THe TX2 will ship in late November, but I’ve never wanted to touch an HP laptop more in my life. LaptopPimp knows what he wants for Christmas.

What do you guys think?

The high-end specs:

Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor: AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-86
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
RAM: 8 GB
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Display Size: 12.1″ integrated touch-screen
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics
Storage Capacity: 400 GB
Networking Options: 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth
Primary Optical Drive: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support

More info at HP’s website. And Gizmodo has a great collection of pics.

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HP Touchsmart TX2 Early Review and Specs

MacBook Hack: the old four-finger discount

andrew — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:09:28 +0000

Want to know haw to make your old-school Mac more like a new MacBook with four-finger touchpad sensitivity? Well, you don’t need to spend a bundle on a new machine, as the old MacBooks can offer the same functionality with one simple hack.

Breaking out in the MacRumors forum, this little tip is just too good to pass up. It will take some time, patience and the desire to reinstall your entire system. Plus, you’ll need access to a new Mac’s install disc.

But, if you’re willing you can make a four-finger trackpad without installing new hardware. Click the above link to be taken to the forum and to see the step-by-step.

If you happen to pull this off, leave a comment to let me know if it works.

Post from: Laptop Pimp Blog - Laptop Reviews for Laptop Whores

MacBook Hack: the old four-finger discount

Tuesday Laptop News Roundup

andrew — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:01:36 +0000

It seems major-media is picking up on the netbook trend. The Washington Post — hosted from PC World — has an article about what might or might not be a netbook, and Business Week has a larger spread on the netbook craze, too..

With laptops becomming ever more popular, so is laptop theft. But, in the spirit of givign, Front Door Software is offering its Retriever Security software, a $30 setup, for free to nonprofit and charity groups. I assume a lot of charities use laptops but don’t have a lot of room in the budgets if laptops go missing. And, I know that there is a lot of theft from earching the web everyday for laptop news — about half of it is about theft! Thanks to Front Door for helping out the good guys.

AppleInsider reported that Apple has released a fix for the new glass trackpads on the late 2008 MacBooks and MacBookPros. Apparently, the trackpad could error and end up not being recognized. The fix should fix that.

More news and reviews tomorrow! Thanks LaptopPimp readers. Be sure to leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments section.

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Tuesday Laptop News Roundup

MacBooks go HDCP? Oh no!

andrew — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:37:36 +0000

The rumor mill is churning over a Ars Technia post claiming that the new aluminum MacBooks will be using HDCP copy protection.

According to the Ars folks:

When my friend John, a high school teacher, attempted to play Hellboy 2 on his classroom’s projector with a new aluminum MacBook over lunch, he was denied by the error you see above. John’s using a Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, plugged into a Sanyo projector that is part of his room’s Promethean system. Strangely, only some iTunes Store movies appear to be HDCP-aware, as other purchased media like Stargate: Continuum and Heroes season 2 play through the projector just fine. Attempts to play Hellboy 2 or other HDCPed films through the projector via QuickTime also get denied. Other movies that don’t work include newer films like Iron Man, Star Wars: Clone Wars, and Love Guru, but older films like Shawshank Redemption are restricted as well.

Looks like Apple DRM is getting in the way of justifiable fair use once again. While I love my Mac, sometimes Apple makes the little guy get in my way more than help.

What do you guys think about this DRM hurdle?

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MacBooks go HDCP? Oh no!

ASUS N10Jc Review and Specs

andrew — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:28:07 +0000

The new Asus N10Jc is a netbook. But, it’s unlike any netbook Asus has pumped out before. That’s because while it might be a $650 laptop with some pretty basic specs, there are a few ges hidden in the spec list that make it stand out.

First, the N10Jc ships with a 6-cell battery, a nice option for netbook users who want to get off the couch and away from the power plug. Plus, little improvements like a 95% keyboard and a full set of ports are nice additions. Of course, this comes with a weight boost. But keeping withing the three ound target with 3.5 pounds is okay by me. That extra half a pound translates directly to battery life.

Overall, PC Magazine was really impressed with the N10Jc, saying that for the price, it can’t really be beat in the netbook catagory:

The line between netbooks and mainstream laptops blurs every time ASUS launches a new netbook. The N10Jc-A1 has some features worthy of an ultraportable: the six-cell battery, switching graphics, a fingerprint reader, and an HDMI port aren’t the usual netbook fare, and its slightly higher price is justified because of these additional features. But it’s branded a netbook because it runs on the Intel Atom platform and has a small screen and keyboard.

The basic specs:

Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
Processor: Intel Atom N270
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Weight: 3.5 lbs.
Display Size: 10.2 inches
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Storage Capacity: 160 GB
Networking Options: 802.11g
Primary Optical Drive: external

Full specs and more infor at the Asus website.

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ASUS N10Jc Review and Specs

Dell Studio 15 Review and Specs

andrew — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:58:07 +0000

As promised, today I’d like you to meet the Dell Studio 15 laptop, the latest offering from Dell. Jumping on the color bandwagon roughly half a decade years after Mac started the whole trend, Dell’s colorful lineup of Studio machines are nice to look at, but do they have the specs to stand up against the MacBook and all the great home media center options from otehr PC makers like Samsung?

Well, let’s take a look. Starting between $599 and $849, the bare-bones system won’t quite cut it. For starters, the low end Studio 15’s ship with 6-cell batteries, and these days the demand for power makes me want to start with a 9-cell battery right off the bat. Plus, the 2 GHz processor speed is worth the couple hundred dollars.

As soon as you start to customize, you’ll learn that to add color, you’re going to need to fork out $25 for a color and $75 for a design. And while color is nice, to make users pay for it seems a little silly. If there is only one color difference, like the black or white option, I can understand it. But if you are going to offer a number of colors and designs, why not let users picks from a number of free base colors with a few high end options for power spenders? I guess that is sort of the idea here, but it seems forced.

As far a basic specs go, the 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo is an option, as is an advanced 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 graphics card. So, with about $200 more buck, you get a lot more bang. Plus, with a built-in webcam and fingerprint reader, the Dell Studio 15 has a few extra gimmicks up its sleeve.

Based on specs alone, the Dell Studio 15 is one of the best home media laptops Dell offers, if not the best. Plus, with its fun designs and great specs, for once getting a Dell isn’t a bad deal.

I’d love to hear more about teh Studio 15. So, if you happen to build one of these for yourself, let the LaptopPimp know about it, will you?

Dell Studio 15 assorted starter specs:

Operating System: 64-bit Windows Vista Ultimate
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 6.11 lbs.
Display Size: 15.4 inches
Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 500 GB
Networking Options: 802.11 a/g/n
Primary Optical Drive: 6X Slot Load Blu-ray/CD/DVD

Learn more and play with customization at Dell’s website.

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Dell Studio 15 Review and Specs

Monday Laptop and Notepook Review and News Roundup

andrew — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:07:10 +0000

Today, the buzz in the laptop world is surrounding the XO $100 computer, which is available in Europe for the first time this afternoon. Also, Wired has coverage of the ne “get one, give one” promotion from the company, which allows first-world users to pick up one of the laptops for $400 and, at the same time, have a second computer delivered to a child in a third-world county. The simple, well designed laptops are WiFi ready and can bring students all over the world up to the standards of first-world computing. It’s a great project and we here at LaptopPimp love the idea of the “get one, give one” promotion.

Dell announced today a new series of laptops and other computer accessories. The sleek new line, called the Dell Studio Line, will help Dell compete with the MacBook, as it will be marketed toward home entertainment. The line is available in a number of cloros. The Sun has more, as will we tomorrow as welook at the new line in more depth.

If you happen to be one of the million-plus Indian laptop users, or a world business traveler who spends a lot of time in India’s tropical enviornment, the new HCL laptop might be just what you need to keep working in the sticky heat. The new notebook will have thermal heat and dust protection built in. Sify has more.

Have a great Monday afternoon, and check back tomorrow for more laptop rerviews, news and general good times.

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Monday Laptop and Notepook Review and News Roundup

Toshiba Satellite M305 review and specs

andrew — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:44:22 +0000

We took a look at the Toshiba Satellite E105-S1402 the other day, so I figured comparing the new Toshiba Satellite M305-S4835 specs might be appropriate. The M305, which runs about $1,050, is almost identical to it’s Best Buy cousin. However, the M305 is set up to be a little more powerful at home.

Primarily, the M305 can be used as a home media center, with a nice display size and a reasonable processor setup. From what I can gather though, the M305 is two things; sort of standard and really adequate. And that’s great, right? For a smidgen over $1,000, you should expect a standard, adequate laptop. No frills here, but nothing huge missing, either. And while it’s sorting specs comparable with the more expensive MacBook, PC Magazine seemed unimpressed with the M305 in speed tests, making me wonder if there are better Mac beaters out there. Probably.

The specs:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P7350
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Display Size: 14.1 inches
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 320 GB
Networking Options: 802.11 n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Get more info at Toshiba’s website.

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Toshiba Satellite M305 review and specs

Laptop Mice reviews and top picks

andrew — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:08:49 +0000

While a well designed trackpad can be every laptop user’s best friend, even the most dexterous of us want a classic mouse sometimes. That’s why I wanted to take a look at some of the top-rated mice out there and give my picks for what you should bee looking for.

For Gamers:

While a optical mouse is nice, most gamers, who tend to use their laptops like a desktop anyway, can choose to go with a clissic wired mouse. By doing so, you get the added security of knowing your mouse battery won’t give out in the middle of a death match. That’s why the Razer Lachesis is a solid choice for laptop gamers. The Razer Lachesis even has nine customizable buttons and onboard memory to keep your setting safe no matter what machine you happen to be gaming on. It will set you back about $80.00, but for safe, secure, cuztomizable gameplay, it might well be worth it. More infor at the Razer Zone.

For the business person:

For the Microsoft business fan on the go, the Microsoft Arc Mouse is a stylish, smart traveling mouse that really looks sharp. It might set you back $60, but the folding body and ultra-small wireless USB connection make it perfect for long plane trips. Plus, isn;t just one of the best looking things you have ever seen Microsoft make? More at the old mainstay’s website.

My Pick:

To me, a simple, small mouse is the best thing in the world. I love my Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse. With a simple two button + scroll wheel setup. I know what I’m getting. Plus, the scroll wheel allows for left and right scrolling and clicking. The battery life is great and the design and feel are top of the line. Better yet — it’s only $30. Find it at Logitech’s site.

Post from: Laptop Pimp Blog - Laptop Reviews for Laptop Whores

Laptop Mice reviews and top picks

Laptop Pimp Blog - Laptop Reviews for Laptop Whores

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