Apple iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G)

 By Sascha Segan  PCMag.com Staff

The Apple iPad is a revolutionary, addictive Tablet PC with Wi-Fi. Add in 3G, and it becomes even more useful, just perhaps not $130 more useful, which is the premium you'll pay for always-on connectivity. And with 3G you have to tack on another $15 to $30 a month for service. The 3G model ($829, 64GB) costs enough more than the Apple iPad (Wi-Fi-only version) that you have to seriously consider where you'll use the 3G. Remember, this isn't likely a device you'll whip out on the street. Considering that even adding a paid Wi-Fi subscription will save you money over the 3G model, you may find that there are enough Wi-Fi hotspots and other ways to get online to make up for the lack of built-in cellular connectivity.

None of this dulls the overall attraction of the iPad—whether it's the Wi-Fi-only tablet or the 3G model. It's safe to say that this is the only tablet we'd recommend to most people, with its thousands of apps, useful productivity software, and well-executed e-book platform.

The Basics, Pricing, and Design

In this review, I'll focus on the 3G model's differentiating features. For an in-depth look at all of the iPad's features and capabilities see our original Apple iPad review. And for more information, check out our reviews of key iPad apps like iBooks (Free, ) and iWork ($9.99, ).

The iPad 3G comes in three capacities, each tacking $130 on to the same-capacity Wi-Fi-only version; $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB), and $829 (64GB). The tablet isn't locked to AT&T, but it's the only U.S. carrier that supports the iPad's 3G frequency bands. If you cut down a standard T-Mobile SIM card with an X-Acto knife, it will fit in the iPad's micro-SIM slot, and will work, but you'll have an iPad Wi-Fi + 2G—since you can't hit T-Mobile's 3G network. Basically, this is an AT&T-only device in the U.S.

Specifications

Storage Capacity (as Tested): 64 GB

Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches

Networking Options: 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 3G

Screen Size: 9.7 inches

Practically identical to its Wi-Fi-only counterpart, the iPad 3G looks a lot like a giant iPod touch ($299, 32GB, ), except for its brushed aluminum back (the iPod touch has a shiny metallic back). The 3G model has a strip of black plastic along the top of the back panel that boosts the 3G antenna's signal, and there's a tiny pinhole on the tablet's side, which releases the MicroSIM card. Also, the 3G tablet is slightly heavier, weighing 1.6 pounds (compared with the Wi-Fi version's 1.5 pounds).

Apple hasn't released details for the iPad's on-board 1GHz A4 processor, but various benchmarks we've run show that it performs like an ARM Cortex-A8 chip, similar to the one used in the iPhone 3GS ($199, 16GB, ). It's just about 30 to 40 percent faster, which is what we'd expect; the 3GS has a chip in the 600MHz range, and the iPad is running at a 1GHz.

The power efficiency of the chip translates to a battery life that Apple rates at "up to ten hours" with Wi-Fi switched on. In Wi-Fi mode, we achieved a battery life of 9 hours and 25 minutes. Running the 3G modem nonstop, streaming video from the TVU global TV application, we managed to eke out 8 hours 5 minutes, which is still very respectable.

The iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G) starts with 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology and adds support for HSDPA 7.2 (850/1900/2100 MHz) and quad-band EDGE on AT&T's and foreign networks, along with assisted GPS.

3G and GPS Performance

Setting up the iPad 3G on AT&T's network is nearly effortless; just go to Settings, select Cellular Data, choose a service plan, and enter your credit card information. The $30 unlimited-use service plan costs the same you'd pay for data on the iPhone (which makes sense), but without an onerous two-year agreement; you can cancel or restart service any time. There's also a no-contract $14.99 service plan, which gives you 250MB per month, but beware, you'll eat up 250MB very quickly on this device. The iPad's Settings app lets you monitor your data usage and warns you when you're running out of data, so you can buy more. You can also use the iPad's 3G overseas, with one-time roaming add-ons; 20MB of data will run you $24.99 a month, 50MB is $59.99, 100MB is $119.99, and 200MB is $199.99. At those prices, you should probably just go find a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 3G iPad managed somewhat faster 3G speeds than the iPhone 3GS ($199, ) in side-by-side testing using the Speedtest.net app. With the iPad, I averaged speeds around 1,400 Kbps down and 180 Kbps up—yes, uploads were much slower than downloads. Both Google Maps and Web browsing feel slower on the iPad than on the iPhone 3GS. The iPad has to render so much more screen real estate that it takes longer for the page to fill in.

Many apps work well over 3G. Netflix movies were visibly reduced in quality, but still watchable. ABC TV shows looked razor-sharp, albeit in a window that only covers half the screen. TVU's global TV player was also watchable. Pandora and NPR music streamed just fine. But AT&T and Apple have restricted or cut down the quality of some applications. Joost doesn't work over 3G. YouTube videos are reduced to seriously low quality. Skype, Trufone, and Talk2 won't make calls over 3G, either, so don't think about using your iPad as a replacement for a smartphone.

The iPad's GPS performance blows the iPhone 3GS away. Both standing still and on a moving bus, I got a full GPS lock more quickly and it tracked my location more accurately on the iPad. Sometimes the iPhone was a full block behind me while the iPad was spot on. If you could figure out how to mount this monster in your car, it could be one heck of a navigation system. (The Wi-Fi-only iPad, of course, has no GPS, although it can sometimes figure out your location based on nearby Wi-Fi hotspots.)

To 3G or not to 3G?

If you're already sold on the idea of the iPad, the biggest question is whether to plunk down $130 more for the 3G version. If you spend a lot of time on commuter trains, or you're a road warrior who will travel with an iPad rather than a laptop, the 3G model might make more sense for you. Also, if you want to use your tablet for GPS, you'll need the 3G version.But for most people, the extra cost is tough to justify unless you can clearly envision when and where you'll use 3G rather than Wi-Fi.

Again, the iPad is, at its heart, not a mobile device. In fact, when I did carry it around the streets of New York City it was awkwardly cradled in my arm and the reflective LCD was much more difficult to read in sunlight than the iPhone's screen. When you're not sitting down, an actual handheld device is just far more practical.

The vast majority of places you'd use an iPad—home, a friend's house, the office, or a coffee shop—already have free Wi-fi, or are likely covered by a $7.95 per month Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot subscription. Boingo has thousands of hotels, cafes, airports, and other public facilities under its umbrella.

But if you really do see yourself whipping out the iPad in places where you won't find Wi-Fi, there are more flexible ways to get online than built-in 3G. Verizon Wireless is currently running a deal where if you buy a Palm Pre Plus ($149.99, ), you can use it as a mobile hotspot for no extra charge. Considering you'll still need a smartphone anyway, that makes the Palm Pre and the Wi-Fi-only iPad a terrific combination. T-Mobile's HD2 ($199.99, ) smartphone will connect your iPad to the Net, as well.

Mobile routers like Sprint's Overdrive or Novatel's MiFi are more expensive than the iPad's AT&T subscription, but they can link up five devices at once. If you travel with both an iPad and a laptop, this may be the best solution. We have a rundown of your best options in a recent story on how to use your Wi-Fi iPad with any carrier.

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How to Buy a Laptop

By Cisco Cheng (http://www.pcmag.com )

Go online or walk into any store's electronics section to find a laptop and chances are you will feel paralyzed at the sheer variety of laptops available. Most shoppers have a general idea of what their laptop should look like and what they want in terms of features, but are often intimidated by their sheer number and baffling complexities of the laptops available, which have grown to include terms such as netbooks, and CULVs, and small business (as opposed to enterprise) laptops.

But don't lose heart. This buying guide will point you in the right direction, whether you're shopping for a tiny netbook or a massive media center, because your decision to buy what you thought was the perfectly configured laptop can suddenly be affected by unknown forces, such as a price changes. We're here to help you get back into the right mind-set, immediately spot the trends, and finally, bring home that perfect laptop for you.

Laptop Design is a Key Differentiator

Plastic is still the most commonly used material in laptop frames, and while inexpensive, manufacturers have managed to turn them into art forms. The most common technique is a process called In-Mold Decoration (IMD)—a process made popular by HP, Toshiba, and Gateway—in which decorative patterns are infused between plastic layers. This process has evolved into textures and etched imprints, where the patterns can be felt by running your fingers over them.

In the end, though, plastics are often associated with cheap laptops. What you should be on the lookout for are designs that employ metal. The most common of those is aluminum, found in laptops such as the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz), Asus U45Jc-A1, and HP Pavilion dm4-1160us. They have a more luxurious look and can be made thinner than plastic. In fact, HP is moving its entire laptop line to metals this year, and Toshiba and Acer are already deploying a fleet of laptops with this fancy material. A metal such as magnesium alloy is more commonly found in business laptops that place a strong emphasis on durability (check out our business laptop buying guide). Carbon fiber is yet another attractive material, but is less used than aluminum and magnesium, as it is expensive to make. If metals aren't exotic enough for you, check out the Asus U33Jc-A1.

Bigger Screen, Heavier Weight

Weight and screen size are directly correlated to one other. The cutoff point between a laptop that should stay permanently on your desk and one that can be a commuting companion is a 14-inch widescreen. There are exceptions, of course. The Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Core i5) and Samsung R540-11 are two of the lightest 15-inch laptops—lighter, in fact, than many of the 14-inch ones in the market. A 13- or 14-inch widescreen means that you can still be productive without sacrificing portability. The Toshiba Portege R705-P35 and Sony VAIO VPC-Z1390X are prime examples of superb 13-inch laptops. Fourteen-inch models like the HP Pavilion dm4-1160us, Dell Inspiron 14R, and Gateway ID49C13u offer a terrific blend of features and components, but they won't weigh you down. Below that, you'll be venturing into netbook territory, which is an entirely different category of laptops.

Get a screen larger than 14-inches and you'll have to contend with deeper and wider dimensions, which your laptop bag may not have room for. Screen sizes that range between 16 and 18 inches are usually reserved for media centers, gaming rigs, and desktop replacements, such as the Acer Aspire AS8943G-6782 (18 inches) and Dell XPS 15. These massive systems often have luxuries like high resolutions, hardcore gaming graphics, and a wealth of state of the art features.

What to Look For in a Laptop

Even the cheapest laptops come with many of the features you would find on a $2,000 laptop. Ample USB ports (3 to 4 minimum) are pretty standard nowadays. USB 3.0, which offers faster transfer speeds and greater connectivity bandwidths than USB 2.0, can already be found in laptops like the Sony VAIO VPC-F136FM/B and the Samsung RF701-S02US. Look for a laptop with one of the USB ports doubling as an eSATA port, so you can expand storage capacity when the internal hard drive isn't roomy enough. Most of the time, you won't even use a port like eSATA since most laptops nowadays come with at least 320GB of storage (Netbooks are averaging 250GB). Upgrading to a 500GB hard drive won't cost you an arm and a leg either, but do so only if you're a video junkie or an aspiring video content creator. Most people don't need all that hard drive space.

Although VGA is still the most common way to present Powerpoint slides on a big screen, technologies like DisplayPort and HDMI are better equipped to stream high quality videos and audio. With the exception of netbooks and sub $600 laptops, most laptops have an HDMI port or DisplayPort. The Dell XPS 15, for example, has both.

Aside from 802.11 Wi-Fi, Mobile Broadband (3G), and Bluetooth, wireless technologies have grown to include two new onea. The first one is called WiMax, a wireless broadband access technology that provides performance throughputs similar to 802.11 WiFi, except the coverage area spans an entire city rather than one occupied by a house. These embedded chips can literally replace your current internet package for less than you're paying now. You can find these chips in the Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM/BJ, the Asus K52F-A1, and the Toshiba Satellite A665-S6086.

The other up-and-coming wireless technology is called Intel's Wireless Display, or WiDi, for short. It's very similar to a wireless version of HDMI, except there's no dongle or piece hanging off of the USB port—the technology is built into the laptop. With WiDi, you can wirelessly connect your laptop to an HDTV, without the use of clunky VGA or HDMI cables. You do, however, need to purchase the Netgear Push2TV receiver that has to be tethered to your HDTV. WiDi is available in laptops like the Dell Inspiron 17R-2950MRB, the Toshiba R705-P35, and the Samsung R580-JBB2.

Unless you're talking netbooks, a DVD burner is the de facto standard for internal optical drives. Look for one that burns dual layer discs (twice the capacity of a single layer disc), and don't settle for a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive. Blu-ray drives are coming down in prices, and you can find one in the Samsung R580-JBB2 and HP Pavilion dv7-4183cl for under $1000.

Of course, the lack of an optical drive isn't a deal breaker anymore, especially if you're intent on minimizing weight. The Alienware M11x (Core i7) and Toshiba Satellite T235-S1350, for instance, give you everything but the internal optical drive. A Webcam and a media card reader are already integral parts of any laptop or netbook, as video conferencing and digital photography are as common as surfing the Web.

Once you check off all of these standard features, you can go on to look for ones that are specific to your individual needs.

Buying an Extended Warranty

Most laptops are backed by a complimentary 1-year parts and labor warranty. Asus and Costco sell laptops that come with standard two-year warranties. The standard warranty is a limited one, so it won't cover accidents that stem from a spilled drink, a key that was scraped off by a finger nail, or a drop to a hard surface. Extended warranties are also available.

Most laptop manufacturers also sell accidental coverage as a separate plan, on top of extended warranties that work on top of a standard one, so you might end up spending close to $300 for three years of comprehensive coverage. Apple offers a maximum 3-year extended warranty ($250), while most Windows-based laptop manufacturers will offer up to 4 years.

Our rule of thumb is that if the warranty costs more than 15% of the laptop, you're better off spending the money on backup drives or backup services that minimizes downtime. Of course, you can't put a price tag on peace of mind. There are instances when the logic board or the display—the most expensive pieces of a laptop—fail, and while rare, it can cost you half of what the laptop is worth. Faulty components usually break down during the first year; anything after that is probably your fault.

Weighing the Netbook Option

As the competition grows more fierce in the netbook category, these little laptops, which were once considered as mere Web surfing and word processing devices, are now being pegged as primary laptops for everyday tasks. Had you bought a netbook a year ago, you would have been dealt with a 10-inch widescreen, a small keyboard, and a basic set of features. For $500 today, the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 (Ion), Asus EeePC 1215N, and Lenovo ThinkPad X100e have screens that range between 11 and 12 inches, a full-size keyboard, and an HDMI port. Though smaller, the Toshiba mini NB305-N410 and HP Mini 5103 have the best typing and navigating experience on a 10-inch platform.

You'll also find the Intel Atom platform, made up of the Atom processor, integrated graphics, and memory (usually 1GB) in almost every netbook. The Intel Atom may not be the fastest processor, but it's the most energy-efficient chip you can get on a netbook platform. The dual core Atom, dubbed the Intel Atom N550 (1.5GHz), has already appeared in a handful of netbooks, including the Asus EeePC 1015PEM, HP Mini 5103, and Acer Aspire One AOD255-1203. The fastest netbook processors, though not necessarily the most energy efficient, belong to AMD. The company is making a run at the netbook market, performing as well, if not better than their Intel counterparts.

Many of these netbooks will run fine on 1GB of memory, and most of them can be upgraded to 2GB (highly recommended), provided you can make this simple upgrade yourself. These days, you won't find many netbooks that run on the Windows XP operating system; all of them are either using Windows 7 Starter Edition or Home Premium Standard. Netbook batteries start with 3-cell (30Wh) units, but many netbooks are now standardizing on 6-cell batteries. Our battery tests have shown that the smaller batteries will get you anywhere from 3-4 hours of battery life on a single charge, while the bigger ones range between 7-9 hours. If your activities include trips abroad and all-day classes, consider looking for netbooks that ship with 6-cell options.


New Intel Technology Already Here

As for the rest of the laptop market, the most dominant processor chips come from Intel. For instance, you can choose one that maximizes performance or one that favors battery life. Or you can choose one that plays to both strengths: The Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7s are currently the most popular processor brands and have the benefits of both power and battery efficiency. If you desire all-day battery life, it's best to go with a low-voltage (ULV or LV) or an Atom processor, such as those found in the Toshiba T235-S1350 and netbooks, respectively.

Intel also has quad-core Core i7s for laptops, which currently ranks as the most powerful, not to mention, hottest processors in the world. AMD has its own multi-core processors as well (triple or quad core), called the Phenoms, Most of these processors can be found in desktop replacement and gaming laptops, but Intel and AMD claim that these processor will find their way into mainstream laptops—as small as a 14-inch laptop.

Unless you're a part-time gamer or a CAD user, most students will find that integrated graphics is more than enough for graphics related tasks. High-end graphics cards are terrific for 3D games, decoding a 1080p video, or watching a Blu-ray movie, but like a fast processor, they also feast on the battery. Nvidia (Optimus) and Apple (Automatic Graphics Switching) have technologies that leverage two graphics chips—an integrated and a discrete version—and the switch is done seamlessly, depending on what application the laptop is running. You can find switchable graphics technologies in laptops like the Asus U45Jc-A1 and the Gateway ID49C13u

Battery Life

A big battery can be your biggest ally in a day travel hectic day. Many laptops, including netbooks, are sold with multiple battery options. Apple laptops, on the other hand, have non-removable batteries. In this case, figure out where battery life ranks in the grand scheme of things. For instance, netbooks, which come with a 6-cell battery option, last between 7 to 9 hours on a single charge. Business laptops, on the other hand, come with the largest variety of battery options. It might be a good idea to purchase an additional battery, if an extended one isn't available. The more "cells" you buy, the better the battery life. And look at the battery's capacity, which is usually measure in Watt-hours. Two batteries claiming to be 6-cells can have different capacities. A big battery is accompanied by some heft, but the weight gain is well worth it if it means leaving the system unplugged from dawn 'til dusk.

For full, detailed reviews of the latest laptops on the market, check out our laptop product guide.
 
 
 

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Sony VAIO VPC-Z1390X

Cisco Cheng
Lead Analyst, Laptops and Tablet PCs

Those who live in the lap of luxury recognize that they have to pay a premium for true exclusivity, craftsmanship, and quality. As an ultraportable laptop, the Sony VAIO VPC-Z1390X ($3,800 direct) embodies all of these things. It's the lightest 13-inch ultraportable with an optical drive, yet packs enough CPU and graphics horsepower to rival laptops three times its size. The twin 256GB solid-state drives (SSDs), a backlit keyboard, and a high resolution screen aren't offered anywhere else in such a small package, which is why we consider it one of our best laptops. Of course, no other ultraportable costs this much, either. 

Design

The Z1390X is made up of magnesium metal, topped with a carbon fiber lid—some of the finest materials in the world, though you couldn't tell how sturdy it was by its incredibly scant, 3-pound frame. The metal is hammered into sheets as thin as the magnesium ones found in the Toshiba Portege R705-P35 ($899.99 list, 4 stars) (3.1 lbs), which explains why these two 13-inch ultraportables are also the lightest. The sound the metal makes when you tap on it truly gives you a sense of how thin it is. In contrast, the thicker, more ruggedized magnesium frames found on the Dell Latitude 13 ($860 direct, 3.5 stars) (3.5 lbs), Lenovo ThinkPad X201 ($1,625 direct, 4 stars) (3.8 lbs), and HP EliteBook 2540p ($1,629 direct, 4 stars) (3.9 lbs) aren't as delicate.

The 13.1-inch widescreen is nothing special by itself, but paired with a 1,600-by-900 resolution, the clarity and vividness of photos, videos, and movies are superb. In addition, a higher resolution creates a larger workspace on the screen by packing in more pixels, allowing users to compare documents and websites side-by-side. By comparison, the Dell Latitude 13 and Toshiba R705-P35 have standard resolutions of 1,366 by 768. As if this resolution wasn't enough, Sony also offers a 1,920 by 1,080 option, which, on a 13-inch screen, might be overkill.

As the originators of the "chiclet" keyboard, it was only fitting that the Z1390X continued the tradition. Though the actual keys are smaller than the ones found in the R705-P35 and Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz) ($1,199 direct, 4 stars), there's enough spacing so that the typing experience doesn't feel cramped. There's also a backlit option now, similar to the one found in the MacBook Pros. The navigating experience, which comprises of a roomy touchpad and soft-clicking mouse buttons, rivals the ThinkPad X201 and Dell Latitude 13.

Specifications

Type: Gaming, Media, Ultraportable, Business, Small Business, Gaming Ultraportable
Processor Name: Intel Core i5-460M

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional

Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz

RAM: 4 GB

Weight: 3 lb

Screen Size: 13.1 inches

Screen Size Type: widescreen

Graphics Card: Intel GMA HD

2nd Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce GT 330M

Storage Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB

Networking Options: 802.11n

Primary Optical Drive: Blu-Ray Disc

Features

There are some improvements to the feature set since we last reviewed the Z-Series. Mobile broadband, which wasn't offered when the last Z-series was introduced, is now a $50 option (this feature was included with my review system). It's a Qualcomm Gobi 2000 chip, which will allow you to sign up with numerous GSM (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) 3G wireless providers. In a situation where you can't find a Wi-Fi or wired connection, embedded 3G can acquire broadband speeds from any of the million cell phone towers nationwide. You know it's a luxury laptop when the only hard drive options are SSDs. The Z1390X is the only ultraportable in the world that uses twin SSDs—two 256GB drives, for a total of 512GB. These SSDs alone ($1,300 option) cost more than the Toshiba R705-P35. On top of that, I can't think of a single 13-inch laptop that bundles a Blu-ray drive, but high-rollers can have one with the Z1390X.

Otherwise, it has solid list of connectivity ports, including 3 USB ports, HDMI-Out, and separate card slots for SD and Memory Card formats. It has an ExpressCard 34 slot, if you decide against embedded 3G and opt for an external 3G wireless solution. A finger print reader, which sits between the two mouse buttons, provides an extra security blanket for logging into the laptop. With wireless, it has Bluetooth and uses the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi cards from Intel. 

Performance
 

What makes this ultraportable special is despite being a featherweight, it doesn't compromise performance. It runs a standard volt 2.53GHz Core i5-460M processor, similar to the ones that power the Lenovo X201, HP 2540p, and Toshiba R705-P35. It's a faster machine than the Dell Latitude 13, which had to settle for a previous generation Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Combined with the speed of the SSDs and 4GB of DDR3 memory, it didn't take the Sony Z1390X much effort to blow past its peers in PCMark Vantage (8,736) tests—a good gauge of overall PC performance. It also rallied to the top in Handbrake (2:49), Cinebench R11.5 (2.19), and Photoshop CS5 tests (4:57).

As if that weren't enough, the Z1390X houses both integrated (Intel GMA HD) and discrete graphics chipsets (the Nvidia GeForce GT 330M), in the form of switching mechanism. That way, 3D intensive task can make use of Nvidia's powerful graphics, while the integrated graphics will help conserve battery life. The Z1390X also has a third physical setting called the Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System, which switches the graphics system automatically by, say, unplugging the AC adapter (switches to integrated graphics) or connecting an HDMI cable (switches to the Nvidia chip). Every other switching scenario boils down to a two step process: Flip the physical switch and wait for a 2-second screen flicker. A three switch mechanism is awkward and somewhat confusing, though, especially when Nvidia's Optimus technology—a more seamless graphics switching technology—is already prevalent in many laptops.

The Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics chip is more powerful than the one found in its competitors. That's because most business ultraportables don't bother with a high-end gaming chips. Its 3DMark 06 score of 6,686 was only beaten by its predecessor—the Sony VPC-Z116GXS ($1,800 direct, 4 stars) (6,867). It clobbered the integrated graphics found in the Toshiba Portege R705-P35 (1,986) by a three-fold margin, and it didn't drop a single frame during Crysis (35.1) and Lost Planet 2 (29.2) game play.

Despite its processing and 3D muscle, the Z1390X performed admirably in battery tests. The 57WH (6-cell) battery lasted 5 hours 19 minutes in MobileMark 2007, which was tested using the integrated graphics chipset. The Z11390X couldn't make it past 3 hours when I switched over to the Nvidia graphics chipset. Five hours of battery life is plenty for the average commuter, but others in this class did much better. The Toshiba R705-P35, for instance, amassed over 7 hours of battery life, while the Lenovo X201 (9:36) and HP 2540p (8:02) took battery testing to another level.

The Sony VAIO VPC-Z1390X is a unique and unprecedented in this space. Hands down, it's the most powerful and most luxurious laptop in the ultraportable category, having parts that you would normally find in media centers and desktop replacements. It's unusually pleasant to find dual SSDs, switchable graphics, and a Blu-ray drive in a 13-inch laptop. Alas, Sony prices out a lot of globe trekkers who would probably love to include this laptop in their travelling plans. The Editors' Choice Toshiba Portege R705-P35, on the other hand, is a more affordable alternative for those who can't afford Z-series prices.

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Build It: A Cheap Gaming Desktop

Article of Matthew Murray in http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/desktop-computers 

Giving gifts to family and friends isn't the most frustrating part of the holiday season—that would be watching them get exchanged or, even worse, gather dust. Watching a present you picked out with thought and care land with a resounding thud when its wrapping is yanked away (or soon after) can be so upsetting, you may be driven to drown your disappointment in leftover eggnog.

Such troubles are only exacerbated when giving the gift of technology: How can you know for sure that your best guess topped the recipient's wish list and won't be good only for holding down the floorboards in another few months? The best insurance against obsolescence when you're giving a computer is to spend what you can to get the most your budget will allow now, while also making sure the system—and its intended user—have room to grow.

The best way to do that is to build it yourself. There are other advantages to this, too: You get to intimately personalize the computer you put together; you get the pleasure of giving away something you crafted with your own hands; and, if you're going this route for a child, assembling it with him or her can be both major-league quality time and a valuable learning experience—for both of you. If the final system is something everyone can enjoy, well, so much the better.

With that in mind, we decided to spec out a gaming system that would do justice to recently released titles a bit more intense than merely the World of Warcraft and FarmVille variety. We chose a maximum of $850: That's more than enough money, but it's also little enough that we knew we wouldn't be able to go wild—we still had other people to shop for. And it also meant that we had to be really smart about picking components so that, in another six months or a year, when we had more money to spend and technology had advanced forward another mile or two, we'd be able to swap out a few crucial pieces and still have a darn good system.

Elemental to our money-saving strategy was the processor. We wanted something that would be powerful for games and other kinds of applications, but it had to be reasonably priced. CPUs can cost as much as $1,000 just by themselves, and many of the most expensive ones are worth the money, but we didn't want to go there. We selected an AMD Phenom II X6 1055T, for $179: Its six processing cores would give it choice multithreading capabilities, and though its 2.8-GHz clock speed isn't exactly slow, there are even faster six-core chips we'll have the opportunity to upgrade to later.

Leaving that upgrade path open is easy with AMD, as almost all of the company's processors can be used in any motherboard, from the least-expensive budget offerings to the priciest enthusiast parts. It's easy to lose your head with motherboards, too, so we stuck with an upper-midrange model from MSI, the 890GXM-G65, which uses AMD's gaming-oriented 890GX chipset. There were a couple of significant benefits to this. Sure, the two PCI Express (PCIe) x16 slots are nice, for reasons we'll get to presently, but we caught an outstanding deal on Newegg: The 890GXM-G65, originally $129.99, was marked down to $119.99, had a $20-off promotional code offer, and included a $10 rebate. This meant we could get this motherboard for only $89.99—a terrific deal.

Of course, when you're compiling a gaming system, the video card just may be the most important element. It certainly has the most immediate impact on the performance of 3D games, but it can also make or break your entire budget. Unfortunately, with video cards, you almost invariably get your money's worth, and we knew we couldn't justify spending upwards of $500 on one of the best cards in the market. Luckily, AMD and Nvidia have been engaged in a fierce competition for the $200 space ever since Nvidia released its GeForce GTX 460 this past summer. AMD retaliated a couple of weeks ago with the Radeon HD 6850, which offers comparable power at a comparable price ($199.99). In our tests, the two cards ran essentially neck and neck, but we went with the AMD, in no small part because our motherboard's two PCIe x16 slots will let us add a second card later for a major 3D boost without having to even break $400. Expandability: It's a good thing.

For everything else, we knew we'd have to stick with sensible, even safe, choices that would give us a solid framework—but might not blow us away. So we grabbed 4GB of OCZ RAM for $59.99; two sticks would let us get a nice performance boost from the motherboard's dual-channel memory configuration. The hard drive was a straightforward WD 1TB model ($69.99), the optical drive a basic Lite-On DVD burner ($19.99). Our power supply was destined to be a middle-of-the-road Thermaltake, not just because its 600 watts would be more than enough now and for the foreseeable future, but because a $20 rebate meant we'd only need to shell out $49.99. The operating system had to be the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium ($94.99)—there's not really any way to skimp on that. But we did allow ourselves a bit of personality with the case: The NZXT Vulcan ($69.99) is a smaller model, but it would have no trouble housing our modestly sized components, and it's got a built-in handle that makes it easy to carry the computer from place to place.

When we were finished, we'd been able to craft a more-than-respectable gaming system for a grand total of $837.92—well under our $850 goal. The money we saved doing this ourselves means we'll get to spread a bit more holiday joy to others, as well save more down the line because we can safely upgrade individual parts rather than buying everything again from scratch. That means that the forethought and research we invested into this project now will make the next holiday season, and the one (and maybe even two or three) after that, that much merrier. If that doesn't rate a hearty "Ho ho ho!", what does?

 

PARTS:

Motherboard: MSI 890GXM-G65 ($119.99, 109.99 with rebate, $89.99 with promo code)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T ($179)
Video card: AMD Radeon HD 6850 ($199.99)
Memory: 4GB Crucial Ballistix RAM ($63.99)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB ($69.99)
Optical Drive: Lite-On DVD burner ($19.99)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 600W ($69.99, $49.99 rebate)
Case: NZXT Vulcan ($69.99)
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit ($94.99)
TOTAL: $837.92

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Verizon to put location-tracking warning sticker on phones

By Julianne Pepitone, staff reporterApril 29, 2011: 6:17 PM ET

(http://money.cnn.com )

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- In the wake of a giant brouhaha over the news that Apple's iPhones record and store users' locations, Verizon Wireless says it will start slapping 'we can track you!' warning stickers on its products.

Verizon's announcement came in the form of a letter to Representatives Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and Joe Barton, a Texas Republican. In March, they asked the four major wireless carriers to explain how and why they track mobile location data.

All four carriers acknowledged that they store location data for varying periods of time, but Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) was the only company to suggest a warning label.

The company says it will begin including the removable sticker on all new devices it sells.

The sticker warns: "This device is capable of determining its (and your) physical, geographical location and can associate this location data with other customer information. To limit access to location information by others, refer to the User Guide for Location settings and be cautious when downloading, accessing or using applications and services."

 

Why Apple and Google need to stalk you

Verizon also disclosed that it stores location data and other customer information for seven years. Sprint (S, Fortune 500) keeps the details for three years, while AT&T (T, Fortune 500) retains it for anywhere from a few days to five years. T-Mobile did not give a timeframe.

The carriers' responses came earlier in the month, but Congress first released them Thursday.

Each of the letters pointed to third-party applications as the real culprit.

Verizon said location-based apps "should give customers clear and transparent notice," while Sprint complained that it could no longer act as consumers' "trusted carrier with whom they have a trusted relationship to answer all of their questions."

Markey was unimpressed. In a statement on his site, he said the carriers' responses left him "with a feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty ... the disconnect is when third-party applications come in to play."

Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) has been cleaning up the PR mess made after two British researchers released an open source application that let Apple's customers see the location data stored on their iPhones and 3G iPads.

The smartphone maker released a 10-part Q&A and statement on Wednesday admitting to a lack of transparency. It also promised a software update to fix a "bug" that retained data for more than a year instead of the intended few days .

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