Electrovaya Scribbler SC 3100

It shows that Electrovaya makes only tablets. This industrial-grade slate design is costly, but it gives a stylus diehard what he pays for in a long-lasting tablet. This premium three-pounder sports a fast 1.6-GHz processor, lots of memory (768MB), hard drive storage (60GB), and up to ten hours of battery life (with an optional 90Wh Li-ion SuperPolymer battery). All the tablet accoutrements are exceptional: strong stylus handling, sensitive microphone, and an ultra bright screen with wide-angle viewing for outdoor use. A real asset to the Scribbler line is the snap-off cover that includes an embedded keyboard, touchpad, and stand; while not a true convertible, the unit connects to the inverted lid for keyboard input. For active, pen-based computing, the SC 3100 earns its keep.

Lenovo ThinkPad X41

A year after it was first introduced, the Lenovo ThinkPad X41 remains the exemplar of convertible tablet design; it's a model of usability, portability, and dual-mode computing without compromise. Discriminating buyers will get the best notebook and tablet experience possible in a single package.
At 3.5-pounds (4 pounds with the six-hour battery), the X41 is exceptionally light for a unit with a 12.1-inch display, yet has the typically solid ThinkPad construction. An optical drive is optional and it will add weight and bulk. The keyboard is unmatched in its responsiveness, layout, and roominess.
However good the notebook experience, the tablet mode isn't far behind. Generous launch buttons and a comfortable stylus with a fat hover zone make pen-based navigation and gesturing a breeze. The LCD works very well indoors and out. Some entry-level ThinkPad X41s can be a little slow, so you may want to consider recent models with 1 .8-GHz CPUs and 60GB hard drives. Overall, the X41 is the best convertible on the market.

Lenovo ThinkPad T60

To many business travelers, a T-series notebook is as essential a traveling companion as their airline club membership card - they don't leave home without it. The 5.4-pound ThinkPad T60 looks and feels much like past models, but the all-new machine boasts major improvements.
You'll find dual-core processors and embedded wireless broadband (EV-DO), as well as a fingerprint reader, dual pointing devices, a hard-drive protection system, plus a magnesium-alloy inner cage protecting the machine's vitals. You will appreciate the handy ThinkVantage Productivity Center, which makes connectivity, support, backup, and other utilities accessible with a single button push.
This 5.4-pound notebook is the closest to sexy in a sea of bland business systems. The glossy paint job would look just as good on an Audi, and the 14.1-inch glossy widescreen panel for comfortably working (or watching movies) on the plane is exceptional.
For a very reasonable price, you get a 1.66-GHz Intel Core Solo processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 60GB hard drive, plus a DVD burner. Security features include a fingerprint reader, TPM 1.2, and an accelerometer that protects the hard drive in case of a fall.

Dell Latitude D620

The Dell Latitude 0620 delivers the perfect blend of cutting-edge features and traditional business appeal. While other makers have stuck with a 4:3 aspect ratio-screen in this class, Dell went out on a limb and designed a 14.1-inch 16:9 widescreen. The panel gives you more screen area than the traditional squarish display and greater convenience on an airplane tray table (and it provides better movie watching).
Then Dell engineered not one but your choice of two wireless broadband solutions: EV-DO (Verizon Wireless) or HSDPA (Cingular Wireless). This lets multinational corporations standardize on the 3G wireless solution that best suits the entire organization, not only U.S.-based workers. Add in a high-performance 1.83-GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 processor and a host of security and durability features, and it becomes clear why the five-pound Latitude 0620 is the best choice for road warriors.

Sony VAIO VGC-RA830G

The Sony VAIO VGC-RA830G is Sony's latest high-end Windows Media Center Edition desktop tower. We've always liked the clean look and quiet operation of this computer family, and the RA830G raises the bar with loads of hard drive space, improved 3D performance, 5.1 speakers, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. In its tower form factor, the system is better suited to a central location in the home (like a home office or a bedroom) than it is to the living room. That said, it's remarkable enough to join the HP Digital Entertainment Center z545 as an Editors' Choice among Media Center PCs.

HP Pavilion a1120n

HP has a knack for putting Media Center Edition on PCs. The latest HP Pavilion a1120n ($980 direct, with monitor) is no exception. Like the eMachines T6520, the a1120n uses Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 on a value desktop, also sans TV tuner. For the student or multimedia hobbyist on a budget, the a1120 might be a good fit

Gateway 7310S

The Gateway 7310S ($1,290 direct, as tested, with monitor) is a solid, inexpensive system that can get your daily computing jobs done efficiently, while throwing in enough multimedia features to keep it interesting. But there are a few details that hold it back from reaching the top of its class.

Dell Dimension E310

Dell considers the Dell Dimension E310 ($929 direct, $746 without monitor) an entry-level entertainment PC. Though a little more expensive than what we consider entry-level, as far as bang for the buck, it's hands down one of the best PCs available. The system we tested came with Dell's new DataSafe option, which combines passive (RAID 1) and active (Norton Ghost) backup technologies. The E310 is a good starter (or second) PC for those with plenty of digital photos and video—and no current backup solution.

HP Compaq dx2200 Business Desktop PC

By name, the HP Compaq dx2200 Business Desktop PC ($509 direct, $709 with 17-inch LCD monitor) is a mouthful. It's also a very good value business PC for those who really don't want or need to spend more than $710. It isn't sexy, but if your needs are more clerical than graphical, the dx2200 is a business PC that will fulfill your requirements without hurting your bottom line.

Lenovo ThinkCentre M51

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M51 ($1,329 direct with L190 19-inch monitor, $980 without) is a tall black behemoth with power, corporate credibility, and just enough expansion space. The tower fits the small-business owner who wants a name-brand PC with a proven track record as well as the enterprise IT manager who needs to outfit an internal workgroup with expandable workhorse PCs.

Acer Aspire X1700-U3700A

The Acer Aspire X1700-U3700A ($480 list) is a small-form-factor desktop, shoehorning a full-powered PC into a smaller chassis. It's got enough oomph to run some serious programs, yet is priced under $500. It could be the replacement for that primary PC you have in your den, or slot right into your home-theater system so that you can surf and watch Web videos on your HDTV.

Intel to launch 2.0GHz Atom CPU next month?

Intel is reportedly planning to expand its Atom range of processors with a couple new models for the Z500 series that will alternately raise performance and lower power consumption compared to existing chips. Unlike the Atom N200 series, these processors are normally reserved for UMPCs and MIDs, but that is not to say they haven’t found their way into a netbook or two already, like the Sony Vaio P for example. First up is the Z550, which will boost the maximum clock speed from 1.86GHz to 2GHz while still needing no more than 2.4W of power and claiming an average consumption of 0.22W. This will allow the chip run in the same environments as the currently available Z540 and should likewise keep the same 533MHz bus and 512K L2 cache of the older part. Meanwhile, the Z515 will target smaller devices with a dynamic clock speed ranging between 800Mhz and 1.2GHz and peak power consumption of only 0.65W and 1.4W respectively.

Average power consumption for the latter would purportedly sit at around 0.16W, which is pretty impressive, but it is also expected to come with a slower 400MHz system bus and a 100MHz slower graphics core. The new processors will reportedly start shipping next month – perhaps faster N-series CPUs are on the way too?

Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch Unibody)

Although the MacBook and MacBook Pro line was initially relaunched last fall with the 17-inch version intact, it was recently revamped to sport the same sleek, unibody construction as its 13- and 15-inch siblings. Although it shares their design and the 15-inch Pro’s switchable graphics, it’s different in two key ways: its nonremovable battery promises up to 8 hours on a charge, and its display has a 60 percent increase in the 15-inch Pro’s color gamut. It’s also the thinnest and lightest 17-inch laptop on the planet. Starting at a hefty $2,799, the 17-inch MacBook Pro is not for everyone, but for creative professionals who can afford it, this machine is close to perfect.

Apple MacBook Air (2009)

The updated version of Apple's strikingly thin and strong ultraportable adds plenty of graphics punch, but its battery life is too short. Read Review...

Samsung NC20

This affordable 12-inch netbook provides comparable performance to the 10-inch competition while boasting a larger screen and keyboard for a more comfortable mobile computing experience. Read Review...

Dell Inspiron Mini 10

Dell's first 10-inch netbook has a compact chassis, good keyboard, and a crisp 10-inch display, but we wish it offered better battery life for the price. Read Review...

Lenovo IdeaPad Y650

This budget 16-inch notebook has a sleek, thin design along with powerful speakers and unique face-detection software. Read Review...

MSI GT627

This notebook offers impressive performance for gamers on a budget, if you don't mind a cramped keyboard. Read Review...

Gateway P-7808u FX

This refresh to Gateway’s gaming notebook line offers the same design but seriously beefed-up performance.In 2008, Gateway made a splash with the P-7811 FX, a gaming rig that offered blistering performance for just $1,399. A little more than a year later, Gateway is following that effort up with an even more powerful (and expensive) system in the P-7808u FX Edition. This latest version (priced at $1,799) packs an Intel Core 2 quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS graphics with a full gig of dedicated video memory, which lets it breeze through the latest 3D titles. However, while the guts have improved, the industrial design remains the same and is starting to feel a bit stale. This rig is worth the splurge, but in this price range, it’s not quite as good as the competition.

HP Pavilion dv3z

Over a year ago, we called the 13-inch screen size the new sweet spot for notebook buyers: although highly portable, it’s still large enough to work comfortably and even watch movies. Sure enough, we’ve been seeing more 13-inch budget systems recently, including the HP Pavilion dv3z, HP’s first configurable notebook of this size, which starts at $679 (our review unit was priced at $1,043). It boasts a stylish design, above-average graphics performance, and excellent Wi-Fi performance. We also like the Altec Lansing speakers. However, mediocre battery life and a few other drawbacks keep this machine from earning a higher rating.
HP’s latest 13-inch notebook offers a sleek design and good performance at a reasonable price.

Dell launches a whole new line of laptops today

Dell just unveiled its new luxury line of laptops, called Adamo, today. I just received one from the company to look at while I’m in Austin. It’s as slim as the supermodels the company features in its promotional materials for the device, and features some nice, etched geometrical patterns on its aluminum case. It’s not as sleek as a MacBook Air (which, full disclosure, I use at home for my own personal computing) but maybe that’s its strength—it seems sturdier.

The keys are shaped so they are slighly concave in the middle, and feature a stylish, bold typeface for the characters. I met recently with Ed Boyd, who oversees the consumer-products design at Dell, who said the work of architect Frank Gehry—best known for his dramatic, swooping buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain—influenced the design of this computer, among other inspirations.

At $1,999, it's more than an Air but less than HP's Voodoo laptops. So some might see it as a relatively affordable high-end product. Or a much more expensive alternative to one of Dell's mini-notebooks or laptops, which have been getting more stylish in terms of available colors and patterns but maintain a low price-point (now even lower than $300) and could be more recession-relevant. Without giving up style.

I also have with me some samples of Dell's collaboration with Tumi, the luxury-luggage maker. One that is quite impressive is a laptop case for women that's reminiscent of the classic Hermes Kelly handbag. It's clearly an example of how the company is hoping to appeal to buyers who are style-conscious yet who would rather invest in something more necessary than discretionary--i.e., a laptop case versus a high-end purse. I'll have the Adamo and its Tumi bag on hand with me at my panel on the convergence of fashion and technology at South x Southwest on March 17 at 5pm, and would be happy to show anyone who's interested in seeing it first hand. I know, I know, fashion seems very un-recession right now. And of course we'll address that. But I hope to also address how researching fashion and hiring designers as consultants on interface and form-factor issues for technology projects might actually help companies drive invention.

Asus Eee PC 1000HE Black Netbook