No matter which laptop wins this match up, both are excellent buys.  But for the sake of comparison, let the protagonists enter the ring and slug it out with each other.

Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880
 

The 3810TZ-4880 is part of Acer’s Aspire Timeline series that seeks to balance portability, computing power and the buyer’s pocket.

The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 is powered by Intel’s Core 2 Duo U9400 processor that clocks at a low 1.4 GHz.  The U9400 is a CULV processor, which eats up less power when processing.  This allows the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 to stay on for more than 10 hours.  The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 is supported by up to 4 GB of memory and is graphically muscled by an integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD.  With just this chipset, the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 cannot perform heavy graphics rendering, making 3D gaming a big no-no.

The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 could store up to 500 GB of digital files like movies, music and even important digital documents.  One does not have to worry where to save those large files with the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880.

This Acer 13-incher boasts of a glossy black finish with box measurement of 12.7 inches x 8.9 inches x 1.1 inches, making it one of the thinnest laptops for sale.  The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 only weighs 3.7 pounds, thus giving it a very high portability score.

The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 comes with a 16:9 LED backlit display and a native 1366 x 768 resolution, and is ideal for HD movie watching.

Pros:

The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880’s dimension and weight makes the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 very portable.  The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 is also stylish to begin with.

The good thing is that Acer did not sacrifice performance when they designed this machine. The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 could do more than average computations, thanks to its powerful processor and memory backup.

The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 offers a large disk space – a nice partner around when storing files such a HD movies, high-quality music and important office documents.

The greatest thing about the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 is its battery life of more than 10 hours. This is more than enough for those who travel a lot.  This is also twice the battery life other laptops in the same size category has.

Cons

The Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 lacks optical drive for DVD viewing and data burning.  Its single mouse button as well as its bad quality audio may annoy some users.

Lenovo Ideapad U330
 

In the limelight is Lenovo’s pride in the thin chic laptop category.  A descendant of the Lenovo Ideapad U110 laptop, the Lenovo Ideapad U330 sports a glossy black finish with its 12.5 x 9.3 x 0.9 inch box dimension. It weighs a measly 4.32 pounds

The Lenovo Ideapad U330 is powered by Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo P7350 Processor that runs at 2.0 GHz and backed by 3 GB of DDR3 read access memory, allowing lagless performance even performing heavy computing.

The Lenovo Ideapad U330 is endowed with switchable graphics, courtesy of the ATI Radeon HD 3450.  This feature allows the user to access two graphics option – an integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD or 258 MB of ATI Radeon HD 3450.  For regular graphics, the power-saving integrated graphics chipset will do.  When heavy graphics rendering is needed, one may switch to the dedicated graphics card without rebooting the system.  With this, some 3D games may be played, although memory hungry ones may just put a lag on the Lenovo Ideapad U330.

A Lenovo Ideapad U330 could be loaded with up to 320 GB of digital files. The good news is that Lenovo enabled its Active Protection System on the U330’s hard disk.  The APS has an integrated motion sensor that detects sudden change in motion and stops the hard drive to protect it from the impact.

The Lenovo Ideapad U330 comes with a LED backlit display and 1280 x 800 resolution.  And is fitted with an optical drive for external data reading and burning.

Pros:

The Lenovo Ideapad U330 is endowed with the capability to process more than average applications and may also render some heavy graphics – thanks to its Intel Centrino processor, 3 GB RAM and a switchable ATI Radeon HD 3450 dedicated graphics.

The Lenovo Ideapad U330 offers an impact-proof hard drive that could house up to 320 GB of digital files.

Even with an optical drive fitted in, the Lenovo Ideapad U330 remains a very portable machine.  Aside from being good-looking, the Lenovo Ideapad U330 is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops in the market today.

Cons

The Lenovo Ideapad U330 reeks of inferior battery life at around three hours.  Aside from that, the Lenovo Ideapad U330 could get uncomfortably warm.

Conclusion

Comparing also specs, the Lenovo Ideapad U330 should knock out early in the fight.  It has more powerful processor and better memory support.  While the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 relies on an integrated graphics chipset, the Lenovo Ideapad U330 offers better video processing with a dedicated graphics card.

Both laptops are slim, yet the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 is lighter than the Lenovo Ideapad U330.

The Lenovo Ideapad U330, however, is fitted with an optical drive while the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 is not.  The win for this category goes to the former.

Audio performance also goes to Lenovo Ideapad U330, but this laptop loses by a mile in terms of battery life.

Although the Lenovo laptop knocks out its Acer rival in this comparison fight, both laptops are very good buys.

Related posts:

1. HP Envy 15 vs. Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 – Laptop Comparison
2. DELL XPS M1530 vs. LENOVO’S IDEAPAD Y530 (40512AU) – Netbook Comparison

The HP Compaq 6820s and the Dell Latitude XT are quite different since one is pure business laptop while the latter is cross between a small laptop and a tablet.  Both were released quite some time ago, but both still pose a threat to present laptops as their prices have dropped quite a bit since they were introduced to the market.

Dell Latitude XT

First up is the Dell Latitude XT.  The Latitude XT is Dell’s pioneer product competing in the Tablet PC category, that is, machines that function both as a laptop and a tablet.

As a beautiful hybrid of a laptop and a tablet, the Dell has blessed Latitude XT with some of the best technologies from the laptop and tablet industries.  The Dell Latitude XT is laden with the N-Trig touch screen technology, which allows the use of either a pen or one’s finger — without using a mouse or the touchpad – to click, double-click or zoom an image.  This unit has good palm rejection that detects unnecessary pressure when the hand rests on the Dell Latitude XT’s 12.1-inch screen. The Dell Latitude XT’s screen sports a 1280 x 800 resolution.  This laptop’s screen also comes with LED backlight, which represents power savings.

The Dell Latitude XT is powered by Intel’s Ultra Low Voltage processor in Core 2 Duo U7600 that clocks at 1.2 GHz clock.  The ULV processor, unlike others, consumes less energy.  This tablet PC is loaded with up to 2 GB of RAM and an integrated graphics in ATI Radeon Xpress X1250.

The Dell Latitude XT sports a good solid business look with its black finish, with a little smear of aluminum on the lid.  The Dell Latitude XT weighs only 3.12 pounds and is only an inch thick – making it easy to carry when moving to one inventory rack to another.

Pros:

The Dell Latitude XT’s N-Trig touch technology allows dual and capacitive touch, making it easy to use around as a tablet.  The Dell Latitude XT sports a solid keyboard, which doesn’t bend when pressed.

The Dell Latitude XT comes with an adjustable pen – which could be conformed according to one’s writing preferences.  The Dell Latitude XT boasts of a fast start-up, thanks to its Intel’s Core 2 Duo processor.

Cons:

The Dell Latitude XT warms up easily, but the heat does not aggravate to the point that it becomes a threat to comfort.

HP Compaq 6820s

The HP Compaq 6820s is part of the business laptop trio released by HP sometime ago.  The 6820s is the eldest of the trio, sporting a 17-inch display and a large resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels.  The 6820s comes with a silver finish.

The HP Compaq 6820s is powered by a an Intel Celeron Processor running up to 2 GHz, but maybe upgraded to Intel Core 2 Duo clocked up to 2.4 GHz.  One could also load up to 4GB of RAM, to ensure hitchless performance when handling business software.  The HP Compaq 6820s’ graphics is backed by an ATI Mobility Radeon X1350 card, making it capable of handling some hardcore graphics.

Pros:

The HP Compaq 6820s has a very nice keyboard as well as touchpad.  The keys are full-sized and well-positioned. The keys also have good response rate when touched.

The touchpad of the HP Compaq 6820s sports a scroll zone, which makes it easier to browse long pages of documents.

Cons:

The HP Compaq 6820s has a slight slow start up. Another negative thing about the HP Compaq 6820s is the heat issue.  When the HP Compaq 6820s is subjected to use, its bottom gets quite warm even for just a short time of usage.

Conclusion:

Both laptops in review are good buys.  Both perform well as expected and still dish out some powerful processing performance even when they are run by older processors.

Since the laptops in reviews are aimed for different usages, it is quite hard to choose which one wins this round of comparison.  However, we will give the win to the Dell Latitude XT.  The Dell Latitude XT could perform at par or better than the HP 6820s when used as a laptop. Aside from that, the Dell Latitude XT could serve as a tablet – something the HP Compaq 6820s could not do.

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For our first foray in comparing laptops head to head, we feature the Hewlett Packard ProBook 4510s versus the Dell Inspiron 15. The HP ProBook 4510s is marketed as a budget business notebook for small and medium businesses. The Dell Inspiron 15, on the other hand, is being marketed as a mainstream multimedia notebook.

Setting aside the niche that their respective companies are targeting them for, these laptops share many things in common – size, processing abilities, standard features and price range.

HP PROBOOK 4510s

Let’s have a look first at the HP ProBook 4510s.

Packed with a 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and pre-installed Windows Vista operating system, the ProBook 4510s can take on normal business tasks with ease. Basic video editing is not much of a problem; however, this is still no multi-media or gamers device. That is why the user who wants to edit HD videos or play graphics-rich games would be advised to purchase something else.

We find that the 15.6-inch screen delivers better images than its competitors. The LED backlight means lesser power consumption for this model. A big plus for audiovisual users is the availability of an HDMI port.

Build quality is solid but it does feel plasticky. The design is simple and easily gives away what it really is – a budget laptop.

It has better port options than the Inspiron 15 – more USB ports with 4, plus both VGA and HDMI ports and an RJ11 Modem jack.

On the whole, the ProBook 4510s is a solid choice for the business user on a budget. However, many other laptops offer the same features for the same price, so we wonder how this device will fare in a crowded market.

DELL INSPIRON 15

Dell promotes the Inspiron 15 as a mainstream multimedia laptop. The Inspiron 15 is an obvious attempt to cash in on the popular Inspiron 1520. Lighter, thinner, less powerful and, yes, cheaper than the 1520, the Inspiron 15 is for the non-gamer or non-multimedia consumer.

It definitely looks better than the HP 4510s with its hip, clever design. The edges are smooth and the customizable lid cover is eye candy. Dell says there are ten designs to choose from – something that we believe buyers in this niche will rave about.

Once you open the lid and turn the power on, you’ll be amazed by the quality of the LED backlit screen. The images are crisp and clear and the screen is coated with a glossy finish.

The Inspiron 15 is not as powerful as the 1520 as it does not have a dedicated graphics chip. However, as long as you are only doing run-of-the-mill tasks, it will perform without any hitches. Overall performance of this trendy device is commendable in that it loads fast and executes programs in a snap even with Vista as its operating system.

The basic Inspiron 15 is upgradeable and while that sounds promising, it actually means the opposite. The lowest model has very few features and limited capabilities (limited 160GB hard drive; wireless networking is via 802.11b/g which does not support 802.11n; and only Vista Basic).

Pros and Cons – HP PROBOOK 4510s

Pros: We find that the ProBook 4510s offers good specs for the price. The LCD screen is above average and there’s an available HDMI port. The Keyboard is easy to use and there are more port options than the Inspiron 15. Battery life is also longer than its Dell counterpart.

Cons: We do not like its plasticky feel as it betrays its true nature of being a budget laptop. Some business users would prefer something that feels better when touched. The ProBook 4510s also has no easy access panels to allow easy upgrading. Its design and features do not make it stand out in an already packed market.

Pros and Cons – DELL INSPIRON 15

Pros: Head to head with the ProBook 4510s, we like the Inspiron 15’s more creative, eye-catching design. The range of color options makes it appealing to most buyers in its intended market. We also like the excellent LCD-backlit display and the fact that it is easier to upgrade than the Inspiron.

Cons: Our biggest complaint is that in its basic configuration, the Dell Inspiron 15 has few features and limited capabilities. There’s no getting around the need to upgrade. When you do so, it drives up the price of the laptop. The absence of a dedicated graphics translates to below-average 3D performance. There is also no Blu-Ray drive available at this time.

Conclusion

The HP ProBook 4510s is a conventional choice for the small and medium business user. It will serve well as a good mobile computing device for the small business owner or for his staff.

But, overall, we’d go for the Dell Inspiron 15. The design and build is much better, upgradeability is easier and there is a wider set of options. We strongly suggest not settling for the basic configuration

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For this toe-to-toe event, we will compare a bantamweight to a welterweight, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 versus the HP Mini 311.  In sports, particularly boxing, they have this pound-for-pound list intended to rank fighters who cannot beat each other up because of weight restrictions.  We don’t have that kind of list for laptops, but it is interesting to note how two thinking machines would fare in terms of something a buyer always consider when purchasing anything – price.  Both the Asus K50IJ-RX05 and HP Mini 311 are priced below $500, with the former having a tag of $420 and the latter having a price of $400.

Asus K50IJ-RX05

The K50IJ-RX05 is one of Asus’ laptops in the entry-level category of below $500.  Powered by Intel’s less-advanced dual core processors, the Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 could still run applications with perceptible hitches due to 3 GB of read access memory backup and an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 graphic chipset.

The Asus K50IJ-RX05’s 15.6-inch TFT active matrix display has a max resolution of 1366 x 768, which would be good news for multitaskers and HD content watchers.

A user could store up to 360 GB of digital files in the Asus K50IJ-RX05.  One could install other programs and even watch DVD films with this 15.6-incher’s optical drive.  The Asus K50IJ-RX05 has slots for a memory stick, a multimedia card, an SD memory card as well as four hi-speed USB ports.

Unlike other laptops with a low battery life, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 could last nearly four hours of continuous usage.

Specifications:

Pros:

The Asus K50IJ-RX05 is sleek and slim.  It sports a bronze black finish giving it a professional look. Its chassis carries a dimension of 14.6 inches x 10.1 inches x 1.4 inches, and weighs only 5.7 pounds.

The Asus K50IJ-RX05 boasts of a stylish and comfortable keyboard.  The keys are big and the keyboard and touchpad are well integrated with the chassis.

This 15-incher has longer battery life than an average entry-level laptop.

Due to its high memory and graphics card, the Asus K50IJ-RX05 allows a high-quality computing performance. Despite being powered by an older Intel processor, this laptop still is comparable to other laptops in its price category.

Cons:

The Asus K50IJ-RX05 cannot be given upgrades.  Better specs are not an option.

HP Mini 311

The HP Mini 311 is a netbook powered by the single-core Intel Atom N270 processor that clocks in at 1.6 GHz.  Just like other netbooks, the HP Mini 311 features a gigabyte of RAM and 160 GB of disk space.  As with all netbooks, the lack of optical drive is a given.

But while other netbooks offer the usual stuff – high portability and price scores but dismal computing performance (primarily due to less powerful features) — the HP Mini 311 goes beyond expectations by installing a graphics chip and a high-resolution display.

An 11.6-incher netbook, the HP Mini 311 has a box dimension of 11.46 inches by 8 inches by 1.2 inches. It is slim, lightweight (at 3.22 pounds) and can fit in a small bag.

Despite its small size, the HP Mini is loaded with a 5-in-1 digital media reader, three USB ports, RJ-45, VGA and an HDMI port for high-definition media viewing on external monitors.

The Mini 311 sports a black lid, silver deck, keyboard and touchpad. The keyboard offers a surprisingly pleasant touch-typing experience.

The HP Mini 311 could stay on for more than five-and-a-half hours with a six-cell battery – at par with other netbooks.

Specifications:

Pros:

Despite being powered by a single core processor, the HP Mini 311 dishes out an above-average performance.  While other netbooks allow a user to consume digital files and media, they lack the vital graphic support for producing and editing these files.

An integrated Nvidia Ion LE GPU supports the HP Mini 311.  With this GPU, the HP Mini 311 could play a high-definition movie, as well as edit digital files without some hitches.  This netbook may slow down on heavy games, but could handle medium-core games with ease.

The HP Mini 311 allows several applications to run simultaneously without experiencing a performance lag.

Cons:

It takes a while for this netbook to boot, which is frustrating for those who want to get started right away. We’ve received complaints about the touchpad being rough and we agree that it is a minor annoyance.

Conclusion:

For someone who values portability more, does graphics editing, and views HD on a regular basis, it’s best to take the HP Mini 311. On the other hand, those who derive pleasure from viewing various media while on the road and needs a laptop to store large files in would be satisfied with the Asus K50IJ-RX05.

Considering the price range that they’re in, both laptops are laudable. The decision would be based on the users’ requirements and preferences.

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1. HP 2133 MINI-NOTE vs ASUS EEE PC 1000HE – Netbook Comparison

We are now comparing two different laptops in terms of size and target users, but of the same price.

HP Envy 15

The HP Envy 15 is designed as a multimedia laptop, generaled by the powerful Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 1.6 GHz.  This prowess is backed by 8 GB of RAM (upgradeable up to 16 GB) and 1 GB of ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 dedicated graphics.

This multimedia laptop could store up to 500 GB of files, including movies and other rich digital content.

Specifications:

Pros:

Certainly, the HP Envy 15 is one powerful laptop.  It could outperform any other mobile machines out there practically due to the next-generation Intel Core i7 processor, which uses faster memory at 1333 MHz FSB and excellent cache size of 6 MB.  This allows great multitasking performance when needed.

With lots of memory at its disposal, the HP Envy 15 is a speed beast when loading certain memory-hungry multimedia applications.  Its user could even play hardcore games thanks to its  ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 graphics card.

Despite having just 15.6 inches of display, the HP Envy 15 could choke out a native resolution of 1080p, something a normal 15-incher cannot do but 18-inchers can. But with this resolution size, Full High-Definition media can be now played.

Aside from the superb video, the HP Envy 15 could also unleash good quality sound – a requirement for any multimedia laptop.  That is largely due to its Beats sound system.

Despite being a monster in performance, the HP Envy 15 is a sleek chick on the outside.  Weighing only 5.5 lbs and having a thickness of an inch, the HP Envy boasts of great stylish design.

Cons:

Due to its powerful performance, the HP Envy 15 has a short battery life.  Well, power-hungry specs like the Intel Core i7 and the Radeon HD 4830 could drain any laptop’s energy at a short time.  Such is the case for the HP Envy 15.  It can only stay up for less than two hours.

Another downside for the HP Envy 15 is the absence of an optical drive. It is somehow puzzling how other 15-inchers can stick in an optical drive while a supposed multimedia laptop like the HP Envy 15 can’t.

A buyer, however, could have an external optical drive as this laptop’s partner, but for an additional price.

Acer Aspire 8930G-7665

The Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 is made to appeal towards hardcore gamers who want to play despite not having the luxury of their gaming rigs.  Powered by Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 that runs on a 2.53 GHz clock, the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 could render the latest games on great details thanks to 512 MB of NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT graphics and 4 GB of RAM.

Like its opponent in this review, this gaming laptop has a disk space of 500 GB, enough to store rich digital contents and other multimedia files.

Specifications:

Pros:

Although the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665’s Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 is a little older than its more powerful cousin Intel Core i7, it could still dish out a powerful performance for multithreading tasks like video editing and rendering.  To support Acer Aspire 8930G-7665’s tackle on high-definition media and hardcore games is 4 GB of RAM and 512 MB of NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT.

The Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 boasts of a full-sized keyboard.  Combine that with its Dolby sounds system and a 1080p of native resolution on an 18-inch display, the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 does make an excellent mobile gaming device.  Playing on an 18-inch screen is more enjoyable than on a 15-inch display, although of the same resolution.

The Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 also features a Blu-ray/DVD drive, something that its opponent does not have.  With this feature, it makes the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 a bit better than the HP Envy 15.

Cons:

Though it stays up longer than the HP Envy 15, the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 is just an hour better.

Conclusion:

Between the HP Envy 15 and the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665, it is a draw.

While the HP Envy 15 is a mile faster and more powerful than the Acer Aspire 8930G-7665, it certainly lacks something essential for multimedia handling – an optical drive.  Plus, serious gamers would certainly frown at its 15-inch display.

The Acer Aspire 8930G-7665 also loses on dedicated graphics, but by only a point.  More people prefer having Radeon HD 4830 installed on their systems than the 9700M GT.

For travelling multimedia buffs, a light powerful laptop is a must. The HP Envy 15 is a thing for them.

For hardcore gamers-on-the-run, a mobile machine that could dish out great visual and audio experience is essential.

Both laptops could store the same amount of files, and both have a battery life that’s less than ideal.

Related posts:

1. Acer Aspire Timeline 3810TZ-4880 vs Lenovo Ideapad U330

HP 2133 Mini-Note

The HP 2133 Mini-Note signals the debut of Hewlett-Packard’s mini notebook division. Compared to its competitor, the ASUS EEE PC 1000HE, HP deviates from the norm and installs a Via C7 processor instead of the Intel-branded processors found not only in the 1000HE but also in a majority of the notebooks out in the market.

HP has equipped its debut offering with a relatively small screen at 8.9 inches, but it nonetheless is able to sustain a resolution of 1200×800. The display is powered by an integrated Via Chrome9 graphics card.

Hard drive capacities vary. There is an option for a 4GB Flash module that runs on a Linux OS or a 64GB solid state drive. You can also choose from 120GB or 160GB hard drives with options of 5400 or 7200 RPM’s. With the exception of the Flash module, all hard drive options run on Genuine Windows Vista operating software.

ASUS Eee PC 1000HE

From the forerunner of the mini netbook comes the 1000HE, the latest in Asus’ offerings. It boasts of an improved chicklet style keyboard, which blends in nicely with the aesthetics of the interior.

AS a netbook, the Asus EEE PC 1000HE is limited to a 10-inch liquid crystal display but this is better compared to previous models, which had smaller screens. It has a resolution of only 1024×78. As for processing power, it is spurred on by an Intel Atom N280 processor running at a speed of 1.66 gigahertz. For hard drive capacity, the Asus EEE PC is an improvement over previous models as it is now armed with a 160-gigabyte hard drive coupled with a 1-Gigabyte DDR2 memory.

Compare this with the Asus 900, for example, which has only a 20-gigabyte solid state hard drive, 900 MHz Intel Mobile processor and an 8.9-inch LCD. It does, however, match up with the 1000HE in terms of memory.

PROS AND CONS of HP MINI 2133

PROS

Since the Mini 2133 comes from computer giant HP, it’s surprising that it’s quite inexpensive. Its aesthetics are impressive. It has a nearly full-sized keyboard as well. The display screen has excellent contrast and backlighting so they are easy on the eyes despite prolonged use.

CONS

While the display resolution is a plus for the HP Mini 2133, its downside is that it is powered by a Via chipset and not a more powerful graphics card. In fact, it is the CPU and chipset that puts it at a disadvantage when placed head-on with the ASUS EEE PC 1000HE, which despite its lower resolution performs better because of its Intel Atom chipset. Battery life is unimpressive with the Mini 2133 as well.

PROS and CONS of ASUS EEE PC 1000HE

PROS
One of the pros in purchasing the ASUS EEE PC is its display screen. Horizontal angles don’t introduce distortions so more than one people can view it side-by-side. As for vertical angles, the 1000HE’s screen does not invert colors as much as the screens of full-sized notebooks do. Display is friendly to the eyes as well.

The 1000HE boasts of a very sensitive and comfortable keyboard. The keys are decently spaced and are comfortable to use. The new keyboard layout also allows for one-handed scrolling without having to resort to the touchpad.

CONS

The touchpad is one of the weak points that the 1000HE has. While it does allow for dual finger control, it is not as responsive as other laptops.

Another complaint one is likely to make using while using the 1000HE is the limited resolution of only 1024×768 that may cause problems in the display when using certain software.

SPECS

CONCLUSION

Compared side by side, it is easy to conclude the ASUS EEE PC 1000HE is better. It has superior battery life, a more powerful CPU and greater performance. The only downside is its limited resolution, but it more than makes up for it with a lot of other useful features.

Related posts:

1. Asus K50IJ-RX05 vs. HP Mini 311 – Laptop Comparison
2. DELL XPS M1530 vs. LENOVO’S IDEAPAD Y530 (40512AU) – Netbook Comparison

Dell Vostro 1720

Marketed specifically for small business users, the Dell Vostro 1720 at first glance packs a decent arsenal of specifications that are intended for common tasks an entrepreneur must do.

First it has an impressive 17-inch liquid crystal display. With a resolution of at least 1440 by 800, you have enough space to multitask with several applications by simply putting the windows side by side.

Connectivity options are excellent for the 1720 as well. With a total of six USB ports, you can connect more than enough for your data transfer needs (flash drives) or for external devices like printers, mouse, extra keyboards, webcam for business conferences, and many others. You can also install eSATA ports through the ExpressCard/54 expansion slot as well. For reading media cards, the 1720 has an SD media card reader for that task.

The 1720 comes with a fingerprint reader as well as a hard drive encryption, which is very important when a computer is used for business.

The only thing absent in the Dell Vostro 1720 is an HDMI port. This means that the user would be unable from viewing HD content located at the 1720 in a true HDTV set. This could be unnecessary though as the 17-inch screen is enough for HD display.

Hewlett-Packard DV7 2180US

The Hewlett-Packard Pavilion DV7 2180US, on the other hand, has more features for gaming as opposed to the 1720.

It comes with a 17.3-inch LCD screen, which allows for enough detail for the player to recognize the elements of his game. Plus, the HP DV 2180US’s 64-bit Windows Vista operating system allows for FULL access to memory. This enables the HP DV7 2180US to do complex gaming operations especially 3D display processing.

Unlike the 1720, the HP DV7 2180US has an HDMI port allowing the user to connect to an HDTV for a larger display. However, it lags behind in USB ports as it only has two ports as compared to the 1720’s six. It also has the eSATA port for connecting with external hard drives unlike the 1720, which only has the ExpressCard/54 expansion slot. Another thing it has over the 1720 is the 5-in-1 media card reader, allowing it to read different compact media formats as compared to the 1720 that can only read SD.

SPECS

PROS AND CONS of Dell Vostro 1720

PROS

The 1720 is excellent in data security with its encryption option as well as the built-in fingerprint reader. These are very essential for any businessman with company secrets to protect. Importing and exporting data from external sources are easily done with its many connection ports.

CONS

The 1720 is weak at the graphics section when compared side by side with the DV7 2180US, as it is incapable of processing 3D graphics.

Pros and Cons of HP Pavilion DV7 2180US

PROS

Compared to the 1720, the HP DV7 2180US is more powerful in terms of graphics processing since it is able to process 3D graphics with ease.

CONS

Compared to the 1720, the HP DV7 2180US has a weakness in the connectivity portion as it only has two USB drives compared to the Dell notebook. It does, however, have all the other connectivity ports found in the 1720 with the exception of the 5-in-1 media card reader.

CONCLUSION

Each notebook is supposedly designed for different purposes but at face value, the HP Pavilion DV7 2180US is the better choice because it allows for more applications run and this is something that the 1720 cannot do. This makes it more powerful than the 1720, which is better suited for the businessman and not the gamer.

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For this round, we are comparing two laptops that are priced similarly but are marketed towards different computer user groups – the Dell Precision M6400 Covet vs. Asus G71 Quad-Core Gaming Laptop. The Dell Precision M6400 Covet is designed to appeal to professionals who need mobile workstations to work on, while the Asus G71 Quad-Core Gaming Laptop is intended to appeal to gamers who crave the mobility of a laptop.

Dell Precision M6400 Covet

Pros:

Just look at the Dell Precision M6400 Covet’s specs, one can tell that it is not your ordinary working mobile machine. With a processing power of 2.53 GHz and 8 MB of RAM, this machine could take on any application the user wants without encountering glitches. Add to that prowess is its graphics backup: the 1024 MB Nvidia Quadro FX 3700M, which is touted as a professional high-end workstation graphics card for laptops. With this dedicated graphics support, using memory-hungry applications like CAD, photo editing software and even video processing programs is worry-free.

Cons:

The main downside of the Dell Precision M6400 Covet is its low battery life of about two hours. While other laptops may be able to function on a single charge for more than six hours – enough time for someone on-the-go to work on what they have to work on – the Dell Precision M6400 Covet will only disappoint a user who has to take up more than two hours of dedicated working time.

Asus G71 Quad-Core Gaming Laptop

Pros:

If you’re in the market for extreme processing prowess, buffer memory, and graphics, then you’re in luck since the Asus G71 has all of those. Its manufacturer even threw in a huge storage space and a sleek gaming look for good measure.

These specifications are in excess of what a typical traveling gamer seeks. With four cores of processors working together, the Asus G71 takes multithreading tasks to another level, despite clocking at only 2.53 GHz. Well, this laptop has overclocking options that allow its user to raise its processor’s speed a notch to conform to the gamer’s needs.

It isn’t only its processing power that impresses. With 4 GB of RAM and 512 MB of dedicated graphics memory, the Asus G71 can render game resolutions of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Any gamer would be pleased to have a GeForce 9700M GT dish out detailed and clear 3D graphics – a common trend in today’s gaming environment.

With such power, the Asus G71 could also render other applications and software with ease.

Tired of small storage space? While most laptops offer 250 GB of disk space, the Asus G71 boasts four times that figure. With one terrabyte of storage space to offload one’s game and multimedia content, the Asus G71 could really make business a pleasure and pleasure a business.

Cons:

Have you ever been in a situation wherein you’re at the most climactic part of a game and then the laptop system shuts down? Utterly frustrating, isn’t it? A battery life of less than two hours is awful. It isn’t even enough for the user to watch a favorite movie or episode. That would discourage many users and we don’t blame them at all.

Conclusion:

Despite losing to the Dell Precision M6400 Covet in terms of battery life, the Asus G71 Quad-Core Gaming Laptop is better in a significant number of ways – primarily when it comes to the processing prowess, the storage space and the graphics. It is pricey but then it has these excellent features to back it up. If you’re not scrimping on money, Asus G71 would definitely be a choice. Anyway, the battery lives in each of these laptops aren’t that much different. Nevertheless, the Asus G71 wins by early knock out, technically.

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DELL XPS M1530

Dell’s XPS series stands for Xtreme Performance Series and was originally targeted at the gaming section of the laptop market. However, the launching of the XPS M1530 (especially in its Multimedia Entertainer Edition) has shown Dell’s intention of using the popularity of the series to tap into the multimedia segment of the laptop market.

 The Dell XPS M1530 was released in November 2007 and was built around Intel’s Santa Rosa platform. Processing options include Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processors up to T7800 and the T9500.

Display options for the XPS M1530 consist of a 1440 x 900 pixel LED backlight LCD or a full high-definition 1920 × 1200 resolution.

The XPS M1530 is available in Tuxedo Black, Red, Midnight Blue and Flamingo Pink and comes in basic, Multimedia Entertainer and Mobile Powerhouse editions.

The basic model is geared with an Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 (2.0 GHz, 2MB cache) while the special editions come with an Intel Core Duo T7500 (2.2-GHz) or an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz, 3MB Cache).

The XPS M1530 is also loaded with special features like a biometric fingerprint scanner for security and Dell’s proprietary MediaDirect – which provides instant access to the unit’s multimedia features. In addition, the M1530 also features an integrated 2.0 megapixel webcam and enhanced-capture microphone array.

PROS

The XPS M1530’s beautiful display made fans out of us. It has to be one of the best we have ever seen. We also like the fact that it has not abandoned its gaming roots; that it is still a gaming device at its core but with the special abilities to take on multimedia tasks. Battery life is great, too.

CONS

Its webcam visuals are so-so. For a multimedia device, we had great expectations towards its sound system but sadly we’re left disappointed. Some of the preloaded Dell programs are plain junk.

LENOVO IDEAPAD Y530 (40512AU)

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Y530, in its 40512AU iteration, makes a great audio-visual impression with its bright colors and a great sound system. It is touted as the successor of the Y510 that comes with better processing prowess with its Intel Centrino 2 processing chip.

The colors may be eye-catching but, like other users, we are disappointed by the overall design. The feel of the chassis does give it a sense of being sturdy and the touch of its surface makes it a bit elegant.

The IdeaPad Y530’s 15.4-inch display is almost as gorgeous as that of the XPS M1530’s until you get to check its viewing angles and that’s where disappointment sets in. The screen is also too reflective for our taste.

This Lenovo is powered by a 1.66-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 processor that comes with 2GB of memory that can be upgraded to 4GB. Multitasking is a breeze in this configuration.

As typical multimedia users, we were satisfied with its graphics performance but serious gamers might not be as impressed with the Nvidia GeForce 9300M graphics card with 256MB of memory.  

PROS

The LENOVO IDEAPAD Y530 (40512AU) has a great sound system that is even better than the DELL XPS M1530. The LCD display design is sleek and tastefully made. We also liked the proprietary facial recognition feature. These are awesome features for the relatively low price.

CONS

The design is a turn-off; its appearance just simply lacks appeal. The display produces glare and there is no Blu-Ray option.

CONCLUSION

The Dell XPS M1530’s combination of features, design and performance makes it a winner in this head-to-head comparison. It does have its faults (poor speaker system, so-so webcam) but these are minor and are not bad enough to pull it down much against its Lenovo competitor. The IdeaPad Y530 is still a safe investment if you can put up with its design. Still, the Dell XPS M1350 is the better multimedia laptop for us.

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