Jan 26

Introduce Laptop Dell XPS 14z

Not so long ago we looked at the laptop Dell Inspiron 14z. And now we have a model on the operating table with a similar name. Twins? Just relatives? Or is it namesakes and nothing more? Try to understand.

Outwardly, the two “chetarnadtsatzed” resemble each other only vaguely. The same, by and large, only joint cap to the body: in both notebook hinges are “upright” and not on the edge of the shell, and indented. In the case of Dell Inspiron 14z is more pronounced, and in the Dell XPS 14z is noticeable only at certain angles. The most important aspect of mismatched design – the materials used. In the low-cost Inspiron 14z plastic housing, with a decorative ornament from the “shredded” the metal.

In the XPS 14z all noticeably more interesting: the lower half of the body and the outside cover is made of anodized aluminum, like the MacBook. But, unlike the MacBook, “working surface» Dell XPS 14z – that is, the plane on which the keyboard and touchpad – not aluminum and plastic. The plastic is painted in gray color and looks much darker than aluminum.

In general, highly original approach: all the beauty of metal, for which the user actually pays to hide at the bottom and the back of the lid. A user is referred to propose the same realm of synthetic materials, as in the cheaper models. For example, openwork lattice air intake holes on the metal bottom of the XPS 14z looks just wonderful. And the same pattern – speaker grille – on the plastic panels for painting turned out pretty oplyvshim.

Typically, a company copying creatively reinterpreted design Apple, limited to the exterior. But the Dell decided to go one step further: to heighten the resemblance copied More innovative thinking and OSD-will adjust the volume, brightness, and the like. And rethink the most creative – even cleaned. Keyboard Dell XPS 14z looks interesting and somewhat unusual, and has the correct layout is well established.

Perhaps the main advantage of the keyboard XPS 14z – the presence of illumination. It is made less accurately than in Samsung 700Z5A, But its function copes well: in the dark buttons clearly visible. The touchpad is quite large, covering the right, the finger glides on it good and comfortable. Physical buttons that can be called a pleasant surprise, considering that the design of this laptop is innovative thinking you know someone.

In front of the case, obviously, is the battery. Therefore, no Front useful elements at all – there simply is empty. By the same token is not used, and about a third of each side. So the right fit only optical drive, and the left – a memory card reader, audio jacks and one of the two “exhaust” vents. The bulk of the ports are concentrated behind. Use them, of course, inconvenient. Terribly uncomfortable, to be exact to the end.

Jan 19

Samsung 700G7A Gamer: Talking Surname

Theoretically, ‘gambling’ notebooks from Samsung were before. However, their performance in discriminating gamer kicked so big tears that call their game without the quotes we’d feared – laughed at the same. This time, the company rejected jokes and marketing to create a really decent laptop for gaming. no nonsense. Despite the fact that Gamer is one of the most recent Samsung notebooks and name of the model is consistent with the modern system of naming the company to fellow lineup Samsung 700G7A not like.

But an abundance of decorative elements, which in common with last year’s Samsung. The impression is that the Koreans did finally empty the bag with the old design finds. In 2012 to have them not to come back and go completely to the new style, which the company, the right word, it is to face. Laptop case is made entirely of plastic. Working panel at first glance looks like a very “shredded aluminum.”

But is it enough to touch her, and the illusion disappears: it is not even a thin tin on top of plastic, and synthetics with just an imitation – a good imitation, it must be recognized. Samsung Gamer has a spacious keyboard: with large keys, proper layout and dedicated digital unit. The latter even separated from the main part of the keyboard a solid gap. It is almost unique in the world of laptops, as a rule, manufacturers of molded “numpad” as close as possible to unify the keyboard unit 17-inch models and “pyatnashek.”

With regard to mechanical properties, with the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, openly delighted increased key travel and correct their elasticity. On the other hand, the substrate is strongly keyboard flex on the left side – just under the most necessary keys, WASD. In the right part with it just fine. And this is puzzling. Even if we assume that reinforced concrete provide rigidity to the entire area of ​​the keyboard was absolutely impossible, it is still unclear – why it was impossible to make a “soft” right-hand side instead of the most important for gamers left?

The keyboard includes backlit. In normal mode, the keys are illuminated pale blue. If the switch to game mode, then highlight color changed to bright blue, and the WASD keys highlighted in red. Modes are selected by a special physical switch located on the right edge of the shell. Very nice point of view with tactile wheel, I must say. Speakers in Samsung Gamer only three – two normal plus a subwoofer.

It seems the number is modest, and fashion label some of the manufacturers of Hi-Fi-equipment there, but the volume and sound quality is very, very decent. Good external speakers these speakers, of course, not replace, but to watch a movie or play in the field with them is quite possible. Touchpad Samsung Gamer has a large size, suitable for right thumb sliding cover and convenient buttons.

It is a pity that such a fit pad will remain unused in most cases – a gaming laptop itself begs the corresponding mouse.

Jan 10

Lenovo 3000 N100 – Powerful And Easy-Home System

Over a year ago thundered the news that IBM personal systems division sold to Chinese company Lenovo. And this winter the new owner has announced the first models of notebooks under its own brand, built “using the technology IBM”. In great detail the issue covered in the report on the announcement, here. It’s time to see what kind of laptop computers, and what they should use.

By the way, once again want to point out the “work” the Russian representative office of a large company – Lenovo inherited from IBM wonderful position consists in the fact that journalists should run for representation, and not vice versa. So the laptop once again had to take the distributor – a company that does not seem to be engaged in communication with the press.

As you may remember or have read at the February presentation was presented live model C100, the cheapest in the new line of Lenovo. Despite the good equipment, on closer inspection the model produced a painful impression of quality plastic and the body, as well as having several characteristics supercheap laptop, to suppose that the construction of specially worsened. Somewhat later, were presented and the model with higher positioning and, in particular, a multimedia series N100.

If you try to select any address details change from Lenovo.com on IBM.com. Lenovo website is made in blue tones, similar to the site IBM. In testing, I have repeatedly faced with the “legacy IBM”, and in places where it would seem, they can be easily corrected. The site is sufficiently “severe.” Choose a laptop is difficult – almost all of the descriptions and specifications nerusifitsirovanny, plus at IBM is rather complicated system, where it is very difficult to deduce just a table with the configurations of the various models.

For example, selecting notebook series 3000, we get on this page is already in the domain pc.ibm.com. Next, click “more”, we English-language description of the N100. By clicking “Watch Episode”, Go to the table with a brief description of models and prices in British pounds. IBM and Lenovo have two types of model numbers have tested the laptop it looks like a 0768-5hg, and the second – TY05HXX. On the laptop is written only the first, and on the site – only the second.

As a result, considerably suffer, I found out that the manufacturer directs this model for small business. N-Series, according to the information – reliable and performance notebook, addressed to professionals from small businesses. Stress, notebook-oriented business applications. It is emphasized multimedia, including: “Stereo speakers on either side of the keyboard, creating a more powerful and rich sound and increase the area of ​​audibility.”

Laptops theoretically sold in the same place and laptops thinkpad, repaired in the same service networks. The warranty period is 1 year.

Jan 05

Battery Comparison Between Lithium, NiMh, NiCd, LiPo, Lead

This is a discussion on Batteries: Comparison Lithium, NiMh, NiCd, LiPo Batteries Lead on the board of the Analog Design category; Lately I’ve been studying a bit about batteries and found some information that may be interesting.

Lately I’ve been studying a bit about batteries and found some information that may be of interest when deciding on one technology or another:
- NiCd: They have a ‘moderate’ energy density. Used in applications where battery life, high discharge rate, and a wide range of temperature are important factors. They contain toxic metals.
- NiMH: They have a higher energy density than NiCd batteries. But this is not free because his life is therefore shorter. They contain toxic metals and have been widely used in mobile phones, laptops, etc.. to be almost replaced in its main applications for lithium ion batteries.

- Lead-acid (Lead): These are the most economical and are suitable for applications where a lot of energy and weight is not a problem. It is an extended option for wheelchairs, as a source for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS / UPS), emergency lights.
- Li-Ion: They offer high energy density and low weight. Require a protection circuit to limit current and voltage for safety reasons. Widespread in mobile phones and laptops having contributed significantly to reduce its weight. This technology has also enabled the development of high discharge batteries for applications requiring a lot of energy in a short period of time or medical applications.

The picture above provides a comparison of different technologies. Lithium batteries are divided into 3 subcategories cobalt being the most widespread in cameras, phones, laptops. The Li-Po batteries are not already exhibiting a behavior almost identical to those of Li-ion cobalt.

The internal resistance of a battery pack varies with consumption, and wiring the same number of cells. In the case of Li-Ion batteries also influences the circuit they protect. Based on size cells 18650. The size and design determines internal resistance. Larger cells have an impedance of less than 15 mOhms. Life cycle based on a normal battery maintenance. If not applied full discharge cycle periods can reduce the number of life cycles in a factor of 3.

Life cycle based on the level of discharge. The more you run the battery the worse the effect on its duration. The self-discharge is higher immediately after the load. The capacity loss in NiCd batteries is 10% during the first 24 hours and then drops to 10% every 30 days. At higher temperatures, increases the self-discharge. Internal protection circuits typically consume 3% per month of the stored energy.

The nominal voltage is 1.25V traditional, more commonly used 1.2V as 3 in series correspond to the nominal voltage of the Li-Ion battery (3.6V) The voltage of the Li-Ion batteries are usually placed above the nominal 3.6V. It is based on the average voltage when no load. Capable of delivering high current pulses shaped. Recovery time. Applies only to download. It offers less capacity the lower the temperature. Maintenance can be matching or limiting loads to prevent sulfate.

Dec 29

Pioneer DreamVision S18: PC All-In-One

Pioneer launches new in-one computer for the market, without a doubt the manufacturer is world famous for its car stereos but in recent years the company has focused much on the field of computers and electronic products that have nothing to do with their sound equipment. No doubt the new global trends in the automotive sector is factory fitted multimedia systems in their cars.

Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and several manufacturers and put some time and now the big problem for manufacturers Pioneer is also as massive as Peugeot, Citroen, Volkswagen and others are taking this strategy. Pioneer Thus little by little tends to disappear in the segment and so we are moving to another place, who says in a few months if the company does not launch a tablet or smartphone, without a doubt would not be surprising.

Pioneer is well investigated in the domestic computer market and more specifically in the segment of the computer all in one, his latest release DreamVision S18 model is noted for robust configurations satisfying users who intend to use it for business purposes or of entertainment. The desktop has a manufacturer’s typical understated design with interesting materials, in front and behind a shiny material an opaque black plastic all.

At the bottom we have three supports one central and two lateral in acrylic. What is striking is its table of specifications, the model features an Intel Core i7-2600 3.4 GHz quad-core processing, this is undoubtedly one of the best processors available in the market and is perfect for a computer of this type which requires power to work when and versatility for entertaining.

On the screen that has a 18.5-inch LED monitor with a maximum resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and the graphics card is an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3650 up to 1.7 GHz The new computer all-in-one S18 Pioneer DreamVision can support up to 8 GB of RAM in modules of 1,066 or 1333 MHz ensuring a flawless performance in diverse activities. For those who need plenty of space to store files, games, videos and other desktop applications.

But if we still have a higher performance in terms of operating system undoubtedly can also opt for a solid state drive SSD of 256 GB. Reinforcing the aspirations of also being the home entertainment center new Pioneer model has a 1.3 megapixel webcam, a DVD recorder or Blu-ray option and a digital TV tuner which is also optional. The model has six USB 2.0 ports, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and it also works under Windows 7 operating system.

Dec 21

Introduction Of HP G Series Notebooks

The G series notebook combines a Hewlett-Packard quality with an attractive design. The model that we know today is G42-372br version, this is considered an intermediate notebook but it has great results in demanding activities. For many users who are looking for a machine to do the basics with a good performance this is an option to be considered by the balance of its features and MSRP which attracts a lot.

The design of the G42-372br Hewlett-Packard is one of the main highlights of this team. The notebook is really nice, dark gray outer shell gives her a sober tone while the texture and gray accents a little clearer to give you a smoother appearance to the notebook becoming very visually pleasing. The model has at its base straight lines which further strengthens the professional air. By using the notebook is perceived the use of solid materials in its construction.

Also it is a lightweight equipment weighing 2.2 kg. This is the type of notebook that perfectly combines the use anywhere. Your screen has good viewing angle and 16:9 aspect ratio which gives us a more than interesting for viewing videos. The screen is fourteen inches with a maximum resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. An interesting detail is the touchpad which is primarily necessary to calibrate but then gives us a great performance.

If we talk about team performance Hewlett-Packard comes with an AMD dual core Turion II P560, this processor has a clock of 2.5 GHz and AMD graphics card is a Radeon HD 6370 resulting in satisfactory performance most daily activities. During testing with equipment that is perceived performance could be even better if the notebook had 4 GB of RAM instead of 3 GB and a version of Windows 7 64-bit is present instead of the Windows 7 version Home Basic 32-bit.

Such restrictions were made for the price of the product is ultimately more accessible. In addition to this within the G-series models are more robust configurations. So nothing prevents the user can perform an upgrade to a RAM 8 GB such as the team to support this amount of memory, as well as the user can change the operating system present.

One bright spot of the notebook from Hewlett-Packard is the 500 GB hard drive with a speed of 7,200 revolutions per minute and usually in this type of equipment we record with a speed of 5,400 revolutions per minute. Meanwhile the battery is six cells and offers a range more than reasonable allowing 3 hours of use. If finally we talk about the relationship between cost and benefit the Hewlett-Packard G42-372br is an option to be considered by those who need a laptop that offers performance and flexibility in the daily mobility.

In a final conclusion on Hewlett-Packard team definitely has an excellent design and finish, an attractive price than a hard drive with a speed more than niche appeal, the disadvantage we have little memory and an operating system version little basic.

Dec 13

ZTE V9 Tablet — Simple But Complete

The ZTE tablet is standing in the market for a very interesting, since it comes with some interesting partnerships with online magazines and newspapers, as well as having a reasonable price through various agreements with telephone operators. Thus the new model does not give us anything innovative but also brings all the basics for users who do not know if hesitant to purchase a tablet or not.

In the back we have just the camera while the front we have the native buttons for Google Android operating system along with the logo of the company, the front camera, LED warning and a typical display. On the right side is the power button and volume, we have the entry above for headphones and speaker whose pair is at the bottom next to the microUSB connection. This presentation or rather the structure of the speakers gives the team the need to use almost horizontal mode.

The screen has a resolution of just 480 x 800 pixels being the same used in approximately four inches smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S II. For these smaller screens is not a bad resolution, but if we talk about a 7 inch screen everything is a little strange. Besides this it is of resistive type or it will be necessary to press your finger a little of the ordinary so that the commands are accepted. In turn, the tablet can be used with any stylus on the market.

If we talk about the tablet processing performance ZTE V9 is a bit basic. Its 600 MHz processor is still the same medium present in the smartphones market, even for common tasks that acts in good shape. As we have WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS with A-GPS support and the normal resources of this type of tablets. As we have just one camera of 3.1 megapixel camera on the back. So we have neither flash nor video recording.

As the operating system version 2.1 we Eclair and apparently could be updated to Honeycomb shortly. As applications we have for example Gmail, Gtalk, Maps, YouTube and other Google services. With music and multimedia requires having a widescreen display that is ideal for playing multimedia files. Unfortunately we do not have HDMI, but in spite of this, the tablet is compatible with video formats MP4, H.264 and H.263 can be extended to other formats using some applications.

If we talk about the battery storage and the ZTE V9 has only 512 MB of internal memory but to compensate for the model brings a memory card of 4 GB which can be expanded to 32 GB. The tablet’s battery lasts for 8 hours of use. So in conclusion, the model has basic functions with a low price and 3G connectivity. The disadvantages your screen is resistive, low resolution and an operating system that is now rarely used.

Dec 06

Overview Of The Tablet Acer Iconia Tab A500 OS-based Android 3.0

The expansion of tablets on the market continues, and every month on store shelves get more and more interesting models. One of the most promising new products is the tablet Acer Iconia Tab A500, running an operating system Google Android 3.0.

The first thing that makes pay attention to it – actually, the operating system Android 3.x: most current flatbed operating system in 2011! The second – and by no means least – attractive price. Thus, Acer Iconia Tab A500 for less cost than the iPad 2, and at the same level with the first iPad. But there are comparable features Iconia Tab tablet and Apple? Note that the tablet Acer Iconia Tab A500 we tested running Android 3.0, and is currently available to upgrade to version 3.1.

Externally, Acer Iconia Tab A500 produces very good impression. Finally, the producers realized tablets that do not make clones iPad – need to invent their own, individual design. Acer has this personality is. The enclosure has rounded top and bottom edges, slightly rounded corners and all devices. These faces, as well as the entire rear surface made of metal, painted in a bronze color. In the center of the back cover logo emblazoned Acer.

Bottom near the left and right corners are the dynamics near the upper right corner – the camera and flash. The top of the device we can see: volume rocker key, the lock lever change the screen orientation, and slot for microSD, hidden under the lid unnecessarily long. The right side posted The following connectors : Power, Micro-USB and full port, USB, as well as the Reset. Bottom – just dock connector to the left – Micro-HDMI, a standard headphone jack and on / off button.

10.1-inch screen with 1280 × 800 – one of the main advantages of the tablet Acer. Some sources claim that the matrix is ​​MVA, and it can be believed: the color saturation and viewing angles are very good. Tilting the tablet on all sides, we did not see significant color distortion, but the screen was removed bright colorful picture. In general, from having visited us on test plates – the Acer is one of the best screens. Responsiveness also did not cause any complaints.

The only disadvantage of the screen – not a large supply of brightness. To ensure a comfortable level of brightness when using the tablet in the room, I had to set the brightness to near maximum. It is clear that the sun will not be enough. And, again, all people have different preferences – some people may seem that when using the tablet in the room gives a vivid enough picture.

With autonomous operation in the device, things average. Thus, the video playback in standard definition tablet worked for about five hours. In active use, which includes the study of the interface, web browsing, a number of 3D-games, etc., the tablet is “lived” in the region of six hours. Clearly, if our purpose is only to read or just surfing the web, the result will be significantly better. If, however, without a break, “cut” in 3D-games, while still not turning off Wi-Fi, on the contrary, the tablet will work on a single charge even less.

Nov 28

Mobile Workstation HP EliteBook 8760w Review

It may seem that the idea to buy for personal use, mobile workstation – a serious professional tool – it looks a bit strange. But if you think it’s the only way to get a thoughtful and practical design with serious performance. And in what other notebook offers a smart IPS-display?

In large corporations there is one problem: their ambitions are sometimes hampered by a sober and articulate to the customer a coherent reason why he should choose a product thereof, of the corporation. Take, for instance, is from HP laptop – Mobile Workstation HP EliteBook 8760w. He has a lot of positive features, but there is a most striking and perhaps unique: it uses a display technology built by IPS.

It would seem that – any marketing material unless it makes sense to start with this abbreviation, the familiar fans of high-quality images, then certainly at least a generous pour its first few pages of each presentation, the description of the press release. Because, for example, durable metal case has a lot for anybody. Not to mention the quad-core Core i7, which, if you’re willing to pay for it, you will install at least in a juicer. But worthy of display in the notebook market there are vanishingly rare.

But no. The fact that the HP EliteBook 8760w is equipped with IPS-matrix, you can learn from the reviews that did – such as this, for example. Because the company prefers to call the display name of his own invention – DreamColor. Maybe it would work well in a perfect world. But in our reality, and all sorts of SuperMegaView UltraMultiExtraColor bred so much and they mean is usually so small that for this kind of “brand” works reliably integrated into the brain of any modern human system AdBlock.

Externally EliteBook 8760w recalls a more compact model of the same series, we tested a couple of months ago, – EliteBook 8460p. However, the workstation has its own characteristics, which strongly affect the general perception of the appearance of your laptop. The dark gray color of the body instead of light gray, large size and slightly at an angle of the side faces are changing the style of all recognition.

Cover artwork HP EliteBook 8760w reminds ultrabuk ASUS UX31E – the same grinding of concentric circles, which plays in the light. However, here the game is not so pronounced, in most cases. Housing EliteBook 8760w is completely made of metal. Plastic, by and large, only the frame around the display. Despite the impressive size, rigidity body is flawless. It may be that break through the brick wall of this laptop does not work, but the opposite is also unlikely.

Classic hinges, so the laptop is able to unfold in all 180 degrees – and even more. Also, fans will be pleased to know the tradition that the lid is held closed with a physical latch mechanism rather interesting – it is opened by pressing the large button in the center of the front side of the body.

Nov 22

Sony Introduces High-End Notebook — Soyy Vaio Y

The Japanese manufacturer Sony returns to bet on the more advanced configuration netbooks and renews its 11.6-inch model. The new Sony VAIO Y VPCYB39KJ was updated in Japan and designed for users who want a little more performance in a small size computer. Apparently the new Sony VAIO Y does not have great aesthetic modifications in relation to the model and is sold in the world. This maintains the same compact lines, presented in a rather sober gray.

In his side can clearly see the activity indicator and equipment in the typical green color of the line Sony. No doubt the aesthetic shows a simple and versatile product adapted to the new type device designs that Apple launched its MacBook Air. So long ago Apple introduced the chiclet keyboard layout that makes typing extensively and in turn the simpler designs we see in this Sony VAIO Y.

One of the windows of this netbook is a 11.6-inch display which offers a better display of information. Besides this, with 1.5 inches in size the manufacturer was able to place larger size keys becoming more comfortable typing. Combine these features with its low weight, we can conclude that the Sony VAIO Y is a good choice for many who needs digital texts anywhere. The screen has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels display, ensuring sound and video files from the work area of ​​the operating system.

The processor is an AMD E-450 of 1.65 GHz that works in partnership with a Radeon HD 6320. The netbook also has 2 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB hard drive, webcam, memory card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and HDMI port. The operating system model is the Windows 7 Home Premium. For its part, Sony disclose the price of memory cards PS Vita, with the launch of Playstation Vita closer promising some details about the Sony laptop are being revealed as the battery that has displeased many people and now the price of memory cards used by this.

Probably looking to reduce the cost of production and consecutively the final price of the device to the public, Sony chose not to include internal memory in the Vita and therefore have to buy storage cards for content such as movies, games and songs. The big problem is as usual in the Japanese firm will use the game cards themselves and some people that something suspicious was confirmed, the price charged by them will be well more than what I paid on an SD card for example.