Sexy Gadgets, Cool Gadgets and Concept Gadgets

THE HTC SENSATION 4G ($200 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile) pretty much has it all: a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the latest version of Android (Gingerbread), and 4G speeds on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network. When I first played with the Sensation 4G, I was blown away by its beautiful hardware, gorgeous display, and slick user interface. But I did run into troubling issues with its antenna. In some cases, how I held the phone seemed to affect its data-streaming speeds. Read the rest of this entry »

Many people have ditched traditional telephone service for mobile phones, but others aren’t quite ready to make that leap, particularly those with spotty mobile coverage at home. If you’re in this category and have a high-speed Internet connection, NetTALK DUO is a terrific option; in fact, it’s the best Internet-based solution for making calls within the U.S. Read the rest of this entry »

The 24-inch Sony VAIO VPC L218FX/W is a real beauty, but unfortunately it carries a daunting price tag of $2049. Our test model, came configured with a 2GHz Sandy Bridge Core i7-2630QM processor, which features four physical cores that can jump to a virtual, eight thanks to Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology; automatic overclocking—aka Turbo Boost-can power the CPU up to 2.9GHz. You also get a capacious 2TB hard drive and 8GB of DDR3-677 memory. The L218FX/W delivered a WorldBench 6 score of 116.

This powerful, high-end GPS has the best live Internet connectivity we’ve tested yet, and includes lifetime maps, traffic updates, and Google Local, all without annoying ads. It’s not perfect, and isn’t as slim or sexy as the Garmin nuvi 3790T, but it has the best routing, audio, and traffic performance on the market today. Read the rest of this entry »

While iPad competitors like the Motorola Xoom and RIM BlackBerry PlayBook basked in the spotlight these past few months, HP worked quietly in the background, readying its webOS-based Touch-Pad for release. Unlike Motorola and RIM, HP held off on the release until all major features were ready. Good decision. Read the rest of this entry »

This 23-inch, $999 all-in-one desktop is impressive for quite a few reasons. First, and perhaps most noticeable, is the system’s curved design—a departure from the standard square build we’ve seen on just about every all-in-one that has come through our gates. Second, and a bit less noticeable, is the machine’s very respectable speed: This 1920-by-1080-resoLution model parlayed its 3.2GHz Intel Core i3-550 CPU and 4GB of DDR3 memory into a score of 121 on WorldBench 6. The ZX6951-53 provides 640GB of storage space and comes configured with a Blu-ray combo drive, too. Read the rest of this entry »

MSI’s latest all-in-one is all about accepting compromises in performance in return for achieving a very attractive sticker price ($680). Running AMD’s low-cost, 1.6GHz Fusion E-350 CPU, the Wind Top AE2050 ambled to an unimpressive WorldBench 6 score of 53. Read the rest of this entry »

Facing criticism for its outdated operating system in comparison to the Apple iOS, Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows Phone, Nokia finally joined hands with Microsoft, but before completely ditching its favored OS, it isn’t unmindful of Symbian’s loyal users. So one more blow. The new Symbian update, named Anna, brings much-awaited changes. New better-looking circular icons, improved web browser and an onscreen QWERTY keypad in portrait mode along with a few tweaks in downloading apps from Ovi Store are the long overdue enhancements. And to reap the benefits of the upgrade, the X7 is Nokia’s first full touch smartphone. Read the rest of this entry »

Every now and then we run across an unbelievable bargain. The Lenovo IdeaPad V570-1066A9U is one clear example. For a mere $629, you get a 15.6-inch screen, a second-generation Intel Core i5 processor, a spacious hard drive, plenty of connectivity options, WiDi 2.0, and WiMAX connectivity. Read the rest of this entry »

PLACE-SHIFTING technology allows you to watch your home TV programs remotely by streaming them over the Internet to a PC or mobile device. Monsoon Multimedia’s Vulkano Flow costs about S100, supports high-def video, and works well if your remote broadband connection meets its modest bandwidth demands. But you must accept some image-quality compromises, and its controls for remote access react very slowly. Read the rest of this entry »

Awesome yet baffling, breathtaking yet frustrating, the HTC EVO 3D is a super-cool, super-powerful phone that requires some patience. As the first glasses-free 3D phone in the United States, the EVO 3D was a conversation starter everywhere I went with it. But Internet connection problems, bits of missing hardware and software, and a very narrow 3D-viewing angle make this a phone for adventurous early adopters rather than the masses. Read the rest of this entry »

Spending a fortune on a Dell Latitude is often unnecessary for companies that don’t need an extensive feature and parts list. That’s why Dell has the Vostro line for small businesses. The Dell Vostro 3350, a 13-inch small business laptop, caters to professionals who prize battery life and mobility above everything else. The power of its second-generation Core i5 processor, over nine hours of battery life, and budget-conscious price earn the Vostro 3350 an Editors’ Choice in the small-business category. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking for an inexpensive Inkjet printer that offers a tabloid-size printing option, look no further. The Brother MFC-J6710DW is a terrific choice for small businesses that need to print on both sizes of paper on a regular basis.

This printer is nearly identical to the Brother MFC-J6510DW inkjet MFP, which costs $50 less, except that the MFC-J6710DW has two 250-sheet paper trays instead of one. Both can print on tabloid-size (ll-by-17-inch) paper, but the MFC-J6710DW offers a dedicated tabloid tray. Read the rest of this entry »

The Alienware M17X (Sandy Bridge) is the epitome of a dedicated gaming laptop, offering a wide selection of Sandy Bridge quad-core processors, the fastest Nvidia and AMD graphics chips, and some of the most advanced features known to laptops. In addition, its menacing looks complement the menacing parts, making for a package that’s bound to strike fear in your LAN opponents and boost your gaming cred. Read the rest of this entry »

The Samsung Epic 4G ($150 with a two-year contract from Sprint) stands out from its Galaxy S siblings for several, reasons. Unlike any of the others, it has a physical, keyboard and a front-facing camera—and it runs on Sprint’s 4G network. Among the many QWERTY keyboard phones that we have reviewed, the Epic is one of the best. The keys are properly spaced and have a pleasant luckiness to them. If you don’t want to use the physical keyboard, the touchscreen offers even more options: the Touch Wiz keyboard, the Swype keyboard, or the native Android keyboard. The display is quite responsive, and it’s big enough to type on comfortably. Read the rest of this entry »