The 500GB Hitachi LifeStudio Mobile is an external 2.5inch hard drive does not require external power. It is in an attractive light blue and grey shell and comes supplied with desk cradle complete with a double-headed cable about 1 metre long plus a separate USB cable about 50cm long. Thus, together, the user is provided with the cradle for desktop use and the short cable for use while on the move.

646862 samsung RC510 ultra light weight laptop computeSamsung Notebook RC510

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 18 Jul 2011
No shiny black, is the first thing most will notice about this latest Notebook from Samsung, if only there was not a reflective screen nothing would be shiny at all. So what does the RC510 have to offer once you start it up?

646266 Viewsonic VG2436WM LED plat panel monitoViewsonic VG2436wm

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 11 Jul 2011
It is amazing the difference viewing a video or photo using a decent flat panel makes even if the source is a decent laptop. Most videos today are shot in HD and viewing at less – whatever the size of the panel – is a determent.
While I personally am quite happy using a Trackpad I know a lot of people do not like them but in certain situations such as using a laptop on your lap there is nowhere to put the mouse not so here. Having a mouse platform then this is the ideal mouse to use with it.
The first item is from Iomega and is the first 1TB drive that I have seen that does not need external power even on a Netbook. The second is a device around the size of a credit card and as such will probably be kept in a wallet.

645373 samsung netbook nc11Samsung Netbook NC110

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 13 June 2011
Often for the person who just does Word Processing, works the family accounts using a Spreadsheet, sends and receives Email, and of course browses the Internet a Netboot is all one will need. One to consider might be this Samsung offering.

645270 Acer Aspire 5750G 15.6 inch Notebook Intel Core iAcer Aspire 5750G

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by mfereday on 11 June 2011
Walk into any branch of Dixons, Currys or Comets and you will be faced by numerous laptops from various manufacturers. One of them could well be the topic of this review.

644932 kingston ssdnow solid state flash disKingston SSDNow 100V

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 8 June 2011
At the start of last year I told you about an early SSD unit from Kingston. Now around 18 months later the next generation of units are available in sizes giving a much larger capacity and of course the real advantage faster access.
Now 1 and 2GB USB sticks are common and cost not a lot, 4GB and 8GB are almost normal but 16GB are still something a little bit special. The smaller sticks are coming in fancy clothing even as a small paperclip type device.

644928 hanns .G HL245DBB LCD display LED backlighHANNS.G HL245

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 1 June 2011
I know I have a weakness for reviewing flat panels and then buying them. So here I will try to avoid it, lack of funds makes it easier, however when you use a panel without problems for a couple of weeks then you become attached.

Prestigio 330CZ

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 27 May 2011
A lot of men are obsessed with size; here perhaps the ladies will like this because of its lack of size. This computer from Prestigio is tiny and can be shipped either with Windows 7 or as was here with a version of Linux.

644470 asus N53Jg notebook laptoAsus Notebook N53J

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 13 May 2011
I first saw this when USB3 was very new, now a number of months later it still seems new. However the thing that stuck out for me then – and still does now when I finally got to review it – are the superb Bang & Olufsen speakers.
A new netbook from Asus comes with two "firsts". One was to do with Asus while the other was a first for me.
This is a small neat Netbook with the faster Intel 1.66GHz processor and Windows Starter edition. Ideal for travelling as with the larger battery you could get a days use. While colour is not important to me this cream and grey offering is nice.

641654 hp touchsmart tm2 2100 touch screen tablet laptop computeHP TouchSmart TM2

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 18 Apr 2011
Yes I know it’s been a long time since I have reviewed any HP PC’s but once a company changes agencies it often takes a long time to get involved again. Now of course almost everything is Notebook, Netbook or touchscreen Tablet, here all three.

639255 Acer Aspire 5745PG Touch Screen laptoAcer Aspire 5745PG

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 23 Mar 2011
This is exactly what a modern notebook should be, well specified and easy to use. The latter is handled by it having a full suite of touch modules built it so things that used to need the mouse can now be completed using your fingers.
Netgear’s N300 RangeMax wireless gigabit ADSL2+ modem router DGN3500 has been designed to provide the higher speeds that users increasingly demand. In addition to its wide range of LAN and WAN features it can also support an external USB storage device.
On the face of it very like the professional notebook that I recently reviewed from Samsung however despite having USB3 ports gone is the non reflective screen and back has come the normal shiny black that shows fingermarks.

635057 pogoplug pro external hdd hard disk drivPogoPlug Pro

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 2 Mar 2011
My first joy on opening the box was that it was not P I N K (the original PogoPlug was) this was a far more normal black. So what can the PogoPlug Pro do – apart from save your eyes – that the original PogoPlug cannot.

633851 LG E2360V PN LED LCD 23 inch MonitoLG Flatron E2360

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 13 Feb 2011
The last long term test panel I reviewed I ended up buying. That was when flat panels were in their infancy. This one I have been using for several months and yes I have purchased it yet again, it’s lighter, bigger and brighter.
I have been fortunate to have this longer than a standard test which means I have been able to test a larger range of software and hardware with it than normal. This is a high end offering and the differences can be found.

632407 acer aspire one d255 netbooA Dual Booting Netbook

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by mfereday on 1 Feb 2011
Adding to its popular Aspire One family of products, Acer has released the D255 model. This is a 10.1-inch netbook.

629956 archos 5 androis internet tablet computeArchos Internet Tablet

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by mfereday on 29 Jan 2011
Archos has brought together media player features and Internet tablet functionality with the Android operating system
Two solutions for those who do not have a Blu-ray player and those who do not have USB3 ports that are required to run the first solution. Buffalo provide the USB3 Blu-ray drive and Lindy provides the solution for those needing US3 ports.
The Netgear RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Modem Router DGND3300 offers both versatility and high performance and, despite lacking Gigabit Ethernet, should meet the needs of the majority of users. In addition to its connectivity, security and other features its USB port allows external storage to be shared by attached PCs.
This seems to be the main push in the UK for Packard Bell at the moment given the amount of advertising I am seeing in newspapers and magazine. So is it all hype or is the Easy Note a Notebook to go on a very short list.

626768 lenovo IdeaCenter A700 touch screen all in one computeLenovo Touchscreen PC

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 1 Dec 2010
I requested to see this in the early summer, now shortly before Christmas after many delays it has arrived. I can see why a touchscreen notebook would be possible but unless short sighted I think reaching out to touch this screen puts it a little near.

627184 acer aspire one happA “Happy” Experience

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by mfereday on 30 Nov 2010
Those kind people at Laptops Direct were responsible for supplying this next product from the Acer stable of netbook/notebook catalogue.
While panels over 20inches are becoming normal, 23inches is no longer regarded as large but this monster from Acer at a true 27inches must still qualify. Remembering the weight of my first 17inch monitor this panel is far less.

626765 Samsung N210 Plus 10.1 inch netbooSamsung N210Plus

Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple by paul_smart on 24 Nov 2010
This is another small Netbook this time from Samsung. Like the Acer one in the previous review it has remarkable battery life in fact I used wireless for a continuous review period of very close to seven hours use.