Sony Vaio L Series touchscreen PC

Sony Vaio L Series touchscreen PC

Sony has gone all touchy feely with its latest Vaio L Series PC.The all-in-one design means the innards are out of view, hidden behind the 24in touch sensitive display. You can prod, poke and flick your way through your documents, music and movies thanks to the included touch support in Windows 7.

There's Blu-ray built in for your high def needs and there's even an HDMI input so you can hook up other devices to view on the big screen.The Vaio L Series will be available from 22 October, see Sony for further details.

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

The Nikon D3S features a redesigned 12.1-megapixel (effective) full frame FX CMOS sensor, with a new Dust Reduction System and a new Hi3 ISO option, which brings the effective ISO range up to 102,400.

Nikon are pitching the D3S as the best camera for low light work, frequently mentioning that the D3S will let you shoot things "your own eyes can't see clearly".

Of course you get that 720p movie mode, at 24fps too, although some might question why there is no Full HD option. Nikon addressed this question in their briefing, responding that the D3S is a professional stills camera and the video should be judged by its quality.

Movies are captured in AVI format, using Motion JPEG, which will only support file sizes of 2GB, which gives you 5 minutes of 720p video. It does have the option to trim start and finish points in-camera, as well as grab a JPEG straight from the movie, although it is only really good for web use or smaller prints (e.g. 6 x 4). You do get full aperture control in movie modes as well as access to the full ISO range, opening up the possibilities for low light filming.

Various other tweaks have been made, including some minor changes to buttons and the battery to make it easier for gloved hands, responding to customer feedback. You also get 100% viewfinder coverage in FX shooting mode.

There is a new NEF RAW image editing system built-in, which is designed to enable you to tweak an image and extract the JPEG you want, so you can send it straight out for publishing or print directly from the camera.

Toshiba Satellite P505 notebook computer

Toshiba Satellite P505 notebook computer

The Toshiba Satellite P505 is one of the best Windows-based laptops I've had the pleasure of reviewing. With its beautiful, large display, excellent Harmon/Kardon speakers, large hard drive,and blazing fast processor and graphics, this is a top-notch laptop that will fit virtually anyone's mobile computing needs. From the student all the way to professionals, this is a great system.

System SpecsTwo striking features of the P505 are the beautiful 18.4-inch display and the incredible Harmon/Kardon speakers. With full HD resolutions (1920 x 1080p), this is a terrific laptop for gaming, watching movies, HULU, or just checking email, writing, surfing the web, and any other tasks that you'd want to perform. The display is terrific and reproduces colors faithfully, and the speakers are among the best in laptops I've used, Mac or Windows.

Underneath the hood, you'll find a fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB or 6GB of RAM, up to a large 500GB hard drive to store all your files, music, videos, photos, etc.; and a great ATI Radeon HD 4000 series graphics card if you choose it. There's also the option for a Blu-ray ROM drive. Keep in mind, you can customize your laptop to fit your needs, especially if you don't need that kind of power for your work.

I/O ports include the usual you'd find on any laptop (including USB 2, etc.), but I'm happy the P505 features an HDMI output port to hook up to a monitor with full 1080p support. That's very cool and you can connect a second monitor and really get some work done.

PerformanceI installed Sony Vegas Pro 9 and Sony Production Assistant to do an earlier review, and the P505 did a fantastic job handling video editing and rendering with ease. Sure, the Qosmio is one of the absolute top-of-the-line laptops that Toshiba makes, but I'm very impressed with how the P505 handled video editing.

I did download a game from Big Fish Games, and it played back very well. The game is "The Cameron Files: Secret at Loch Ness;" nothing that will stress a system, but it still played back nicely. I'm not the biggest gamer in the world, but I can assure you this is the kind of system that will do well for PC gamers.

Windows VistaI know Windows Vista gets a bad rap, and really all of that's kind of a mute point now that Windows 7 is out, but I never really had any issues with Vista on any of the Toshiba laptops I've reviewed in the past. As usual, I had no problems with Vista on this new Satellite, and both handled some high-end software I installed, including Sony Vegas Pro 9 and Production Assistant.

I've seen other, lesser systems (you know which ones I'm talking about--the cheap laptops and desktops) that seem to just have problem after problem, but I wonder if it's more hardware-related than software? At any rate, I just wanted to mention that I have no problems with Vista, and this is coming from a Mac OS X user.

ConclusionI've used a few Windows-based laptops, and I still find Toshiba to be among the best. The starting price is $799.99, which makes the Satellite P505 a great deal for the kind of power, display, and speakers it comes with. Whether you're a student, a gamer, video editor, graphics artist, CAD designer, or working professional, this is a terrific, flexible system that can fit your needs. Visit www.toshiba.com for more information and to check out all of Toshiba's laptops and custom-build your own.

Asus K50IJ Notebook [Review]

Budget notebooks seem to be improving in ergonomics and quality and are no longer the victim of shoddy build quality or lackluster features. In the past we've seen good budget notebooks from LG like the R510 and R410 that were priced at 40K and below. They delivered good performance along with a very good build quality and ergonomics making it one of the best notebooks for general use.

Today we have a similar type of offering from Asus targeting a similar audience from their K series line up. Known as the Asus K50IJ, this notebook sports a typical configuration you'll find in this segment. We have Core2Duo T6400 processor (2.0GHz), 4GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, 15.6" screen, and Wi-Fi with 802.11n support, so all your basic needs are covered. Apart from the specifications is the overall finish of the notebook. It has a hint of gloss but does not attract finger prints, thanks to the embossed pattern all over. The notebook is definitely built well with toughened plastic that doesn't bend much even under pressure. If it performs well, it might just give the LG and Dell Inspiron some good competition.

Hisense HL81V68P LCD TV

The Hisense HL81V68P is a 32in (81cm) LCD television aimed at budget buyers. It’s not as advanced as TVs from the big-name brands but it has acceptable picture quality for the casual viewer.

The styling of the Hisense HL81V68P is not anything exceptional, but it’s a step up from the squarish sets of Kogan and Tyagi (the Tyagi 2298 and Kogan 1080P-47 spring to mind).

It reminds us of the smooth, piano-black curves of Sharp’s D53X series, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The bundled remote control isn’t exceptional either, but it’s clearly labelled and doesn’t feel too cheap.

The interface is easy to navigate, with all the options for tuning channels and adjusting picture and sound quality laid out intuitively. The in-built hybrid tuner picks up analog and digital television channels, and after a painfully slow initial scan of just under 10 minutes it picked up the entire suite of channels in the area.

The Hisense HL81V68P is a no-frills television; there are none of the fancy content libraries or wireless networking services that televisions from Sony and Samsung possess. Its three HDMI ports are on par with big names, though, and analog inputs range from VGA all the way down to composite.

When viewing free-to-air Freeview digital television content, we found picture quality to be acceptable. A static contrast ratio of 4000:1 (the panel doesn’t have dynamic contrast) is reasonable but not spectacular, with broadcast television displaying well but Blu-ray content exhibiting some black crush and loss of detail.

With no 100Hz mode, the television exhibits some motion blur in fast-moving scenes. A response rate of 6.5ms isn’t very fast when compared to panels from manufacturers like Toshiba and Sharp, so this television isn’t fantastic for watching motor racing, for example.

Hisense’s HL81V68P is a good choice if you intend to watch predominantly free-to-air broadcast television with a little movie watching thrown in on the side. We’ve seen it advertised for under $900 from some bricks-and-mortar stores.

3K Computers RazorBook 400 CE gets price slash

3K Computers RazorBook 400 CE gets price slash

When the RazorBook 400 CE first came out, it was priced at $299 and that was quite a steal. It launched just a little under a year ago but it’s already seriously underpowered and not exactly flying off the shelves, necessitating a price cut.

Now priced at $155, the RazorBook costs less than half of what it did when first released. Can I be the one to say that’s just sad? Regardless, $150 makes for a seriously cheap netbook and that might still pique some people’s interest–especially in this economy.

In cast you’ve forgotten, the 3K RazorBook 400 CE has a 7-inch display with a 800 x 480 resolution, 128MB of DDR2 memory, a 4GB SSD and an ARM 400MHz processor. Also included is Windows CE, Wi-Fi, three USB ports, a SmartMedia Card reader, Ethernet and a 2-cell 2100mAh battery. You can get it now at TheNerds.net for just under $155.

Archos 2 PMP appears; Archos 4 tipped

Archos 2 PMP appears; Archos 4 tipped

Considering part of their plan for 2009 is to produce more entry-level PMPs, we shouldn’t be too surprised to see the Archos 2. A compact 8GB or 16GB media player, capable of playing MP3, WMA, WAV, AVI and JPEG files, the Archos 2 PMP is just 9mm thick and weighs 50g.Other specs include a microSDHC card slot and an FM radio.

The display is a simple 1.8-inch 128 x 160 resolution LCD, and battery life is rated as up to 12hrs music playback or 4hrs video playback. There’s also an audio recorder with a built-in microphone.

Two colors will be available - white and black - and the full dimensions are 84 x 41 x 9 mm. It’s already listed on Amazon Germany (in 16GB form) and Amazon US (in 8GB) for €68.50 ($93) and $59.99 respectively, though isn’t yet shipping. According to Archos Lounge, there’s also an Archos 4 PMP in the works; no specific details as yet, aside from either 16GB or 32GB of storage

Asustek announces the Eee PC 1004DN netbook

Asustek announces the Eee PC 1004DN netbook

Asustek Computer has announced the Eee PC 1004DN, the first in the Eee PC range to feature a super-multi optical disc drive (ODD), enabling users to read and write optical discs for data back-ups. The netbook also features an Express Card slot for expansion capabilities, along with plug-and-play compatibility and auto-configuration access.

Asustek's Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) technology provides extended battery life. The netbook is equipped with a 10-inch LCD display that supports 720p high definition (HD) playback and an Intel Atom N280 processor paired with GN40 chipsets.

Nikon Coolpix S220 digital camera review

If you don’t fancy the touchscreen interface of the S230, then the S220 is both more affordable and benefits from a longer battery life for losing the touchscreen on the back. But is this a compact camera worthy of consideration? Compact in form, measuring only 89.5 x 55.5 x 18mm, it shaves a couple of millimetres off its thickness by featuring a standard 2.5-inch LCD display on the back. The result is a 10-megapixel camera that is pretty well loaded, but won’t weigh down your pocket. The metal body also feels solid and well constructed making this a camera you won’t be scared to show off.

Sony Announces PSP LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm & Buzz

Any disappointment that the imminent closure of Sony's Go!Messenger service has just been well brought with it has been and truly eradicated. As rumoured, a PSP LittleBigPlanet game is, indeed, in development. Better still, SCEE isn't just bringing the (brilliant) LittleBigPlanet to its portable console, though.The MotorStorm franchise will also make a transition in the form of MotorStorm: Arctic Edge and, less interesting to me at least, Buzz will see a portable reworking.

Claims from SCEE that 2009 would be a good year for the PSP don't sound quite as far fetched now, do they? If you're not interested in seeing LittleBigPlanet and MotorStorm on the PSP, then maybe a purple lilac console will do it for you. I actually quite like it, thought I doubt I could suffer the humiliation of buying a Hannah.

Sony V5500 internet enabled LCD TVs in the UK

With some exciting features designed to access on line content, Sony's V5500 series LCD TV's are now available in the UK. AppliCast technology gives viewers access to online content via Ethernet. The V5500 can display a range of RSS feeds such as News, Weather and stock quotes.

Via Sony's XMB on-screen interface, there’s a choice of handy 'widgets' that can be selected for displaying alongside the normal TV picture. Widgets from a list that includes Calculator, Alarm, World Clock and Picture Frame Online.

Through DLNA users can stream music, digital photos and video content stored on a networked PC or home media server. Via the TV's remote you can control playback functions like pause, fast-forward and rewind.

The latest incarnation of Sony's impressive 'Bravia' picture processing technology also makes its debut in the form of 'Bravia 3'. With four HDMI inputs, USB and Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolutions the V5500 series comes with some impressive credentials. Available in 32in, 37in, 40in, 46in and 52in sizes, the V5500 series is now available in UK stores.

Toshiba and Sun Microsystems To Offer OpenSolaris Laptops

Toshiba Corp and Sun Microsystems Inc have announced a new partnership to build a new line of OpenSolaris laptops.

The new laptops will come with OpenSolaris pre-installed and are available through Sun Microsystems.

"We are very pleased to announce plans to include the OpenSolaris OS pre-installed on several of our award winning business Laptops," Carl Pinto, vice president of product planning and product marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, said in a statement.

OpenSolaris provides a platform for developers to deploy their work. The latest OpenSolaris upgrade features Time Slider. Time Slider is a new graphical interface and includes ZFS functionality to deliver instant snapshots. Sun says the new version expands on open source solutions.

"Customers wanting to improve their datacenter efficiency and reduce environmental impact can trust Sun to deliver cost effective, highly-efficient open source solutions such as OpenSolaris, GlassFish and MySQL," John Fowler, executive vice president of Sun Microsystems, said in a statement.

OpenSolaris has achieved several world-record benchmarks and top performance results during the past six months. Sun Microsystems says its latest version makes it easier for companies to deploy the software. The product now has a new automated installer which lets users decide which packages to install within its Web service.

Your card reader has been canned

Gratitude to gadget leaders Brando, the modest memory card reader at the present comes in the form of a can while throwing in a trio of USB 2.0 ports for your convenience as well. Supported formats include SD, xD, Memory Stick, miniSD, and microSD (sans adapter), so Compact Flash folks are out of luck. This tiny device measures a mere 59mm x 59mm x 49mm and weighs 60 grams. You can pick one up today for $17. This makes a great traveling companion, as you can never have too many USB ports. Now I’m hungry for a tin of minestrone soup.

Panasonic launches new Blu-ray/DVD range

The Olympic games have historically been a big mover of home entertainment products, giving consumers that excuse to splash out on that new big screen TV, home theatre or recorder to enjoy the really soak up the two weeks of sporting highlights. Recognizing this Panasonic has announced that the DMR-BW500, the first stand alone Blu-Ray Disc Recorder to be launched outside Japan will be available just in time for the Games. The DMR-BW500i can record up to 72 hours of Full High Definition 1080p recording onto the built in 500GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or 6 hours 40 min on a 50GB double layer Blu-ray Disc. In addition to video, it can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound broadcasts and Blu-ray movies are played in studio-master quality at a frame rate of 24 frames per second.

The DMR-BW500 offers a twin DVB-T High Definition (HD) tuner with 1 second quick start for recording and support for 7-day Electronic Program Guide. Panasonic's intelligent VIERA Link offers single-remote control of Panasonic AV devices via HDMI and streamlining operation with features such as Pause Live TV, Direct TV Record and Auto Preset Download. The unit also features HDMI V.1.3, Deep Colour, DVB-T adaptive noise reduction, silence technology, 1080p Up-Conversion with HDMI and 7.1-channel surround sound of BD movies. It also supports the 'Bonus View' (formerly Final Standard Profile) Blu-ray standard and bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio and on-board decoding of Dolby Digital and DTS.

The Blu-ray Recorder's SD Card slot lets users with a Full High Definition SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card camcorder simply insert the SD card to play AVCHD home movies and then record to Blu-ray Disc, HDD or DVD without a PC. The SD Card slot can also play still JPEG images as a slide show on a TV while the USB terminal allows playback or archiving of JPEG and MP3 files directly from a USB storage device. Fast dubbing allows the unit to transfer a one-hour recording from the HDD to a Blu-ray Disc in as little as 15 minutes and backwards compatibility with DVDs and CDs as well as supporting recording and playback of BD-R/-R DL, BD-RE/-RE DL, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, +R, +R DL and -RW discs means just about all bases are covered in the compatibility stakes.

For those without the desire, or bank balance, to upgrade to Blu-ray, Panasonic is also releasing a new line-up of DVD Recorders (for Australia) including the DMR-XW300 DVD Recorder, which can simultaneously record two HD channels with Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound onto the 250GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). The new range also features three more DVD Recorders with SD Digital Tuners - the DMR-EX88 with 400GB HDD, the DMR-EX78 with 250GB HDD and the DMR-EZ48V, a combination DVD and VHS Recorder.

The new line of DVD and Blu-ray recorders and players are currently only available only in Japan but will be available in other markets in August.

A Colorful Dice Shaped CD Holder!

Do you have a bunch of CDs or DVDs messing up your desk? How about getting organized with this dice shaped CD holder that keeps up to 60 of your discs protected and away from your curious eyes of strangers? There are a lot of different CD holders on the market, but none of them is as cool as this one, at least in my opinion.

Fujifilm F200 EXR receives Award at PMA 2009

Fujifilm F200 EXR receives DIMA camera Award : Fujifilm USA announced that the Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA) has named Fujifilm’s new FinePix F200EXR digital camera a 2009 Innovative Digital Product Award winner. Today’s announcement was made at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show and convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award recognizes products or services that are technologically innovative or first of their kind. “DIMA’s recognition of the FinePix F200EXR underscores Fujifilm's commitment to creating unique products and rich new technologies that meet the evolving imaging needs of today's customers,” said Ron Gazzola, vice president, Fujifilm USA.Fujifilm F200 EXR digital compact camera As Fujifilm’s most advanced digital camera to date.

The FinePix F200EXR is the world's first production point-and-shoot digital camera to offer Fujifilm’s new Super CCD EXR sensor. The FinePix F200EXR’s sensor and color array generates high quality vivid images with its three selectable sensor modes such as Fine Capture Mode for high resolution, Pixel Fusion Mode for high sensitivity and low noise with ISO up to 12800, and Dual Capture Mode for wide dynamic range up to 800%. Innovative Digital Product Award winner.

The FinePix F200EXR digital camera also features an EXR Auto Mode, combining automatic scene recognition with automatic sensor mode selection. In addition to the new Super CCD EXR sensor, the F200EXR has 12-MegaPixels, a powerful Fujinon 5.0x wide angle optical zoom lens and a large 3.0" high-resolution LCD and offers the most advanced technologies available.

Including Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection 3.0, and ISO settings of up to an unprecedented ISO 12800. This combination of features allow consumers to capture any shot, any place and at any time with the lowest noise signature to date.