HP TouchSmart IQ816 Review
November 10, 2008
The HP TouchSmart IQ816 PC ($2,099.99 list) is the big brother of the TouchSmart IQ506, which I reviewed earlier this year. Like its sibling, the IQ816 is an all-in-one PC with a touch screen that can work as its primary interface. The IQ816 has a largish 25.5-inch widescreen with a 1,920-by-1,200 native resolution, making it primed for HDTV content. Combined with the built-in ATSC/HDTV tuner, the IQ816 could replace the TV in one’s kitchen, bedroom, or den. It’s a decent performer but loses a couple of points because it’s loaded with crapware and the screen doesn’t quite fit the bezel. The IQ816’s real strength is that it’s more touch-centric than its all-in-one rivals. Read more
Apple iMac 20-inch Review
November 6, 2008
After a great deal of speculation on the latest update to the iMac, it turns out that the rumour mongers were correct.
Brushed aluminium and glass it is, and it’s a bit thinner – doesn’t sound like much on paper. Even once the announcement was made and pictures flooded the internet, it didn’t look as though Apple had done a great deal this time round. So it’s a bit thinner, they’ve used new materials and given the keyboard an eating disorder – big deal, you’re probably thinking. Until you see it all in the flesh, that is. Read more
HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f
August 10, 2008
The HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f ($580 direct) is HP’s customizable version of the Slimline PC configuration we’ve seen before in the Slimline s3330f. It uses the same case, but the s3500f is a little more than half the price of its predecessor. Obviously the new system has fewer bells and whistles, but then again, you don’t always need all the optional extras to get a useful PC, especially for the midrange user or student.
Dell Studio 17 Review
July 31, 2008
Last year Dell finally realized that consumers don’t want another nameless, faceless black and gray laptop that gets lost in the crowd. Today’s mobile generation wants notebooks that are as unique and stylish as possible. The result was the amazingly attractive and amazingly popular 13.3″ XPS M1330 and the 15.4″ Dell XPS M1530. Taking things one step further, Dell announced the highly customizable Studio 15 and Studio 17 notebooks.
