Dell have just launched a new range of ultra-portable laptop computers on as they battle to regain market share in the laptop space.

Dell Latitude E6500

Dawn of the Connected Era

Dell unveiled several updates to its line of Latitude and Precision laptops, aimed toward business users. They claim to have broken the 19 hour battery barrier, meaning you should be able to use your laptop on continent to continent flights and be fully productive.

They have re-engineered the Latitude series and have broken it down to four models:

Essential, Mainstream, Ultraportable and Semi-Rugged

• Ultra-Portable - Dell Latitude E4200 is a 12.1-inch laptop that starts at 2.2 pounds, making it the lightest commercial notebook in the company’s history. The 13.3-inch Latitude E4300 has a starting weight of 3.3 pounds. Designed for road warriors and executives who demand maximum performance and light weight, the systems will be available in the coming weeks.
• Mainstream – The Dell Latitude E6400 and E6500, available today, are 14.1- and 15.4-inch laptops that start at €749($1,139) and €779($1,169), respectively. The systems are ideal desktop replacements for high-performance users.
• Essential – The Latitude E5400, a 14.1-inch notebook, starts at €499 ($839), and the E5500, a 15.4-inch notebook starts at €479 $869. Available today, the systems include everyday features at a cost-effective price.
• Semi-Rugged – The Latitude E6400 ATG is a 14.1-inch semi-rugged laptop that starts at $2,399 and will be available next week. It is built and tested to meet Military 810F standards for dust, vibration and humidity.

Dell Precision M4400

Under the Mobile Workstation label Dell have the Precision Series and there are two new models: the M2400 and M4400 to choose from.

The 15.4-inch M4400 starts at €1029 ($1,569)comes with:

• Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz)
• 1GB DDR2-800 SDRAM
• 80GB Hard Drive
• 512MB nVidia Quadro FX 770M
  

The 14.1-inch M2400 starts at €949 ($1,449) is very similar but with a 256MB nVidia Quadro FX 370M graphics card and the smaller screen.

Both offer a Free External 19″ UltraSharp WideScreen monitor.

This the newest edition in the ever popular A305 series is the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6864, the last one reviewed here the S6837 was a fine piece of kit and this newer version has taken that laptop and added some superior upgrades to make this notebook even better.

The addition of a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3470 dedicated graphics card is a welcome improvement and one that will please gamers however games like Crysis are playable on fairly low detail and resolution. The graphics card inside is rated just slightly better than the nVidia GeForce Go 6800 in 3DMark 05.

It comes complete with a 320GB hard drive that is adequate capacity for a laptop and leaves plenty of room for music and video. The processor has been upgraded to a 2.26GHz from a 1.8 so applications run with ease and most other games run on medium settings.

Specifications:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 - 2.26GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB
• ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3470 with up to 2046MB memory (256MB + up to 1790MB shared memory)
• 4096MB  PC6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM
• 320GB HDD:* (5400rpm, Serial ATA)
• eSATA port

As you can see from the list of upgrades this model really is a bit of a powerhouse and comes in just over the $1000 mark after you account for the rebate.

Limited time Special Offer from Toshiba

Take $150 Off the purchase of a customized Satellite? laptop priced at $699 or more. Use coupon code LNK150. Offer valid from 9.2.08 - 9.8.08.

An astonishingly well equipped and ultra modern laptop that offers excellent performance.

Also known as the 8920G-934G64Bn in the UK, this is one of the new niche notebook computers based on the Hi-Def media trend, it really is one of the most stunning laptops we have in our latest reviews, it features the new Gemstone blue styling concept and incorporates a 3d effect finish that’s extremely pleasing to the eye.

Build and “Big” Display

It sports a true 16:9 widescreen panel compared to most other laptops on the market which have a 16:10 aspect ratio, coupled with its unusual 18.4″ Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution display this laptops was built for watching High-definition movies. I have to say that without doubt this was the most immersive and pleasurable laptops I have ever watched a movie on.

Performance and Battery

In our review model the AS8920-6671 there is a 2.6Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 processor, 4GB DDR2 667 SDRAM and a 320GB hard drive that makes for a laptop that offers superb performance and allows applications to open near instantly. I was able to get about three hours on a full battery which should provide ample time to source a recharge point.

Features

Also included is a blu-ray drive to maximize the viewing experience of the impressive display. Add an NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GS graphics card in to the mix and you have one of the most cutting edge graphics solutions available today as ideal for movies as it is for games.

Included as standard is 5.1 surround sound audio with three speakers above the keyboard, two on the front and a sub-woofer, its good but it still cant beat an external setup.

Another unusual feature is the ACER CineDash, a touch sensitive media console that gives control over quite a few aspects of use, it seems to be a little big at first but after some use its quite a useful addition and looks very cool.

The keyboard and touchpad are excellent due to the fact thats there is so much space available, large keys make it easy to type and really does feel like an ideal desktop replacement.

Conclusion

An excellent laptop that although a little pricey really delivers as one of the most impressive media machines I have ever used. The specifications are top notch and the HD display is just amazing, if your thinking of spending in and around this type of money then you really need to take a look at the ACER Aspire AS8920-6671, you will not be disappointed.

Technical Specifications

• Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9500 (6MB L2 cache, 2.60GHz, 800MHz FSB)
• 4GB DDR2 667 SDRAM
• 320GB hard drive
• Integrated Blu-ray Disc drive / Super-Multi drive (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM) combo
• 6-in-1 card reader
• Acer CineCrystal 18.4″ WUXGA+ (1920 x 1080) TFT display
• NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GS graphics
• 802.11a/g/n WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem
• Integrated webcam
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• 3 year limited warranty

Build and Display

The Dell XPS M1530 laptop sports a very impressive 15.4″ Wide Screen display, coupled with the availability of four distinctive colors the M1530 has undergone some seriously stylish changes over its predecessor the M1330 to bring us an an excellent gaming package.

Performance

The system we reviewed has the upgraded 2.5Ghz Intel dual core and 3 Gigs of RAM. Coupled with the 256mb 8600 GT this machine was well able to handle whatever we threw at it. Performing well in games like Company of Heroes, Supreme Commander, or F.E.A.R, running at high detail at 1024 or similar resolution. Crysis and COD4 however would benefit from a 8800M card as it will only run well at lower detail levels. The overall gaming performance of the Dell XPS M1530 is good and most games can be run at 1280×800 the native resolution of the Dell, except for DirectX10 games.

If its a 15inch laptop your after then you will be hard pressed to find one that can compare to this one for your gaming pleasure.

Keyboard and TouchPad

The XPS M1550 keyboard impressed everyone and it makes it a pleasure to have to do so some typing compared with some other laptops, the keys are firm and are well cushioned, the touchpad too is excellent and the usual media controls add to a very well designed layout.

Ports and Features

One small niggle I have would be the fact that there are only 3 USB drives which is a bit of a problem in today’s world when I seem to be plugging more and more things into my computer, not to worry though that can easily be remedied by getting a USB hub.

Fingerprint reader can be a little tricky to master at first but once you have the hang of it its an excellent feature.

Integrated 2.0 MP camera

Battery

The battery lasts well and its possible to get up to 4 hours with the 9 cell Li-Ion Battery with some tweaks to Vistas power management settings.

Conclusion

While it has some downsides such as noise from the DVD and hard drive and a lack of USB ports, overall its a well built laptop. The performance is excellent in all but the most resource hungry of todays games, Crysis being one that slightly disappointes due to the need to turn down the settings but it is afterall a seriously intense game.

Pros

• Beautiful Design and customizable colours
• nVidia 8600M GT card is good for gaming
• Good battery life
• Excellent keyboard

Cons

• 3 USB ports
• Speakers could be of a better quality
• Hard drive and DVD drive are somewhat noisy

Tech Specs

• Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
• Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1
• Widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280×800) & 2.0 MegaPixel Camera
• Slot Loading DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
• 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
• 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
• 256MB nVidia GeForce 8600M GT

Build and Design

The Toshiba Satellite A305 S6837 is beautifully sleek and smooth, with rounded edges and reflective finish. It has a very appealing and modern look. The construction is solid and holds up well under stress, mine was accidentally stepped on but thankfully survived with no damage. The rounded edges make it comfortable to set on your lap, ideal for close quarter occasions such as a bus journey. The finish does get fingerprints on it quite easily and are noticeable, but aside from that, the only other flaw would be the lack of a lock.

Display

The 15.4″ sized display gives a crisp picture, and features a sturdy screen. The widescreen resolution is best suited for 1200×800 display. It also offers power saving options to conserve battery via display properties when not plugged in along with the ability to output display to another monitor. The down sides to the display are that it dims when not plugged in, and some websites are incompatible with the widescreen display.

Keyboard and Touchpad

It comes with a very good keyboard. The keypad is responsive as well as area sensitive. It also features a scrolling feature on the touchpad for easy navigation. It includes no side keypad because of the size of the notebook, and lacks an independent mousewheel button. Sadly, this button is not always emulated by keypad scroll. Also, the keyboard accumulates fingerprints like the finish.

Performance

The 1.8Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo can handle even the newest applications, with 4 Gigs of RAM that allow the dual core to operate well, and run Vista efficiently. The notebook has a quick startup and instantaneous response, featuring a 64-bit operating system for compatibility with newer software and improved performance. The notebook’s graphics are decent, but lacking, with only accelerated integrated graphics. Not all software is 64 bit compatible, so some things must be downloaded for the 32bit OS.

Heat and Noise

The notebook is nearly silent when running, and quiet on startup. The keyboard is quiet as well. On the downside, there is only one heat outlet, and the fan can become overburdened after several hours of extended use, causing the system to shut down. For best performance, a cooling dock is probably wise.

Ports and Features

The notebook features a Firewire port for camcorder support and other devices, USB sleep and charge system to charge USB items without running laptop and wasting battery, S-Video port for graphic output, Ethernet and Phone modem ports, DVD Re-Writable drive with LabelFlash useful for authoring media DVDs or system backups, built in WiFi support and easy to access disable/enable switch. It comes with a built-in memory card reader for easy management of photos or mobile content. On the inside there is a convenient media panel with lit-up display, useful when watching movies in the dark, along with a built in Webcam and microphone ready for video authoring or Skype chat. The 320gb hard drive has plenty of space for anything. The laptop has only 4 USB ports, but then again, it is a laptop. It comes loaded with useless DVD theater software when the included Windows Media Center software works well, and the webcam software is slightly irritating and engages on startup but is fairly easy to disable. Other than that, it is riddled with useless offers from Toshiba, but then again, all factory computers are. They are easily removed.

Sound

The Harmon Kardon speakers look as impressive as they sound, and the built in microphone makes sound recording quick and easy. There is however, no surround sound card. The speakers are small, and are still only notebook speakers. Also worth noting, the microphone is low-quality, even though it is convenient.

Battery Life

The battery will run for two and a half hours on balanced settings. The settings can be set to increase battery life, sacrificing visual quality or vice versa, and it recharges fairly quickly. The extended battery is required to watch videos on high quality visual settings if unplugged.

Toshiba Satellite A305  S6837

Conclusion

Toshiba have produced a laptop that is perfect for work, or for the casual college student who is not looking for a gaming monster. Even then, the laptop is powerful and is only slightly lacking in the graphics department. The laptop works well as a media center when plugged in, and between the huge hard drive and the widescreen display, is perfect for movies on the go. If you’re looking for something that is sleek, modern, powerful, and means business, this laptop does a wonderful job and has enough extra features to do pretty much anything you need. It is very solid and ergonomic, and I have been more than satisfied with my purchase.

Pros:

-Widescreen display with easy access media panel and large hard drive make it excellent for movies.

- The dual core and 4gb of RAM combo make for a very powerful machine.

- The laptop features a 64 bit OS which allows for future compatibility.

- Body, design, speakers, and keyboard are all very sleek and stylish.

Cons:

- Lacking a sturdy graphics card to please gamers.

- No surround sound audio card.

- Might need to purchase the extended battery and a cooling dock for extended use.

20% off when you customize select Satellite® laptops at ToshibaDirect.com. Offer expires 9.8.08.

At home, at school, or even for work, these brilliantly designed Satellite® A305 laptops let you live brilliantly too.

Use the TruBrite® 15.4-inch high definition diagonal widescreen display* to get more from movies, games, spreadsheets and multitasking. Keep in touch with friends, family and co-workers with onboard wireless, plus a Webcam and microphone. Burn home movies on DVDs, and keep them organized with Labelflash™. Game all night with a choice of outstanding graphics systems. Use the power the Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor* to make the most of the latest software and keep all your stuff in one handy place thanks to some serious storage capacity.

20% off when you customize select Satellite® laptops at ToshibaDirect.com. Offer expires 9.8.08.

Toshiba Satellite Reviews

A305-S6837

A305-S6864

Search for other products at Toshiba Direct

Save $50 when you purchase a Satellite A305D-S6849 Laptop. Offer ends 8.31.08.

The HP DV9646 laptop sports a 17 inch widescreen display, a quality design and a sleek, stylish finish.

The screen is slim but a high gloss finish on it makes it hard to see in high ambient light areas or even a lamp behind you reflects and makes viewing awkward. The viewing angle is rather slim so you need to be straight in front of it to view the screen properly.

It is based around media center, it comes with trial versions of Word 07 and associated packages, Norton is a 60 day trial.

There are no recovery discs so you’ll have to burn them yourself using the supplied software. It comes with Vista Premium and HP’s own software Quickplay which is similar to windows media player but it is a more powerful and useful program.

The laptop comes supplied with a remote that works well with most software, giving you some basic functions for listening to your music or playing video’s.

More Savings on Some of the Hottest Laptops at Newegg.com

The specs on the HP Pavilion DV9646:

• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit
• AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-58
• 2048 MB (2 x 1024 MB)
• 160 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 5400 rpm
• 17″ WXGA+ High Definition BrightView Widescreen
• NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS
• Up to 895 MB total graphics memory with 128 MB
• dedicated
• IEEE 1394 FireWire® Interface
• Lightscribe Super Multi DVD Writer (+/-R +/-RW) with
• Double Layer support
• Bluetooth® wireless networking
• 802.11 pre-n
• HP Mobile Remote Control
• HP Pavilion WebCam with stereo Integrated
• Microphones
• 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure
• Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick,
• Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards