Laptop News: Toshiba, Game Laptops and Sony

Toshiba Goes For Bargain Prices

Tech company Toshiba has stepped up its game to meet the rising demand for low budget laptops. Reports state that the company recently announced its intention to launch a new budget friendly line of laptops this month. The timing couldn’t be better too, with Christmas fast approaching. Starting at $300, the company will offer new laptops for the Toshiba Satellite C600, L700, L735D and P700 lines.

Users will have different sizes to choose from, starting at 13.3 inches and going up to 17.3 inches. Even the smallest of the bunch is no lightweight when it comes to features. Both AMD and Intel chips will be offered giving more choice to users. The company is including a notebook in the lineup, the Toshiba Mini MB505 which is also priced at $300.

The Satellite P700 will continue to deliver performance with top of the line processors from Intel. The company is also capitalizing on the demand for more entertainment based options with the ability to add a Blu-ray optical drive. The Satellite P700 comes in ranges ranging from 14 inches to 17.3 inches.

The company’s mid-range option, the L700 will start at 13.3 inches going up to 17.3 inches, with a beginning price of $455. The specs will match those of the C600 which starts at $349, and which will only be offered in 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch sizes.

Company Reveals Its Gaming Laptop Rankings

In a move that reflects the continued evolution of the laptop gaming market FullText Media has issued an updated ranking of hardware in this area. Its BestGamingLaptop.Net will act as a guide for avid gamers who want to buy a gaming laptop or who just want to see where their own machines rank on the list of top gaming computers.
The editors at FullText Media acknowledge the vast nature of the undertaking, and claimed to go to great lengths to fully assess the capabilities of each system. The company will be relying heavily on feedback from the users themselves in addition to in-depth research by the editors. After all their hard work, they are confident they have listed the 10 best gaming laptops on the market today.

The company is also committed to keeping the list up to date as new entrants keep making their way into the market. Reports state that popular gaming laptop Alienware is constantly being challenged by lesser known brands. This indicates that brand name is not the only consideration for users. Of course, the full extent of the capabilities of each system, as well as add-ons and pricing will continue to influence buying decisions.

The Vaio Gets 3D Upgrade

There is no denying that 3D is hot these days, and the technology has moved from the big screen to the smaller screens of televisions and laptops. Now Sony has gotten in on the action with the release of a special attachment for its popular Vaio brand. According to online reports, it will enable the viewing of 3D images without the need for 3D glasses.

The S and the C series will each have their own type of 3D attachment. Sony has also overcome a hurdle typical of some glasses free 3D options, that is, many users complain that if they don’t look at the screen head on, the 3D effect is lost. Sony has overcome this by using the laptop’s camera to monitor the user’s position and the image is then shifted to keep the 3D effect.

The technology utilizes a transparent panel, lenticular device that fits over the screen and transmits a different image to each eye, thus creating the 3D effect. This is not Sony’s first foray into the 3D arena; the company already has the Sony VAIO F 3D laptop on the market. The VAIO F 3D is priced at roughly $1,799 and has won rave reviews from the tech community.

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Sony Joins the 3-D Laptop Arena: Can it Match Up?

It was only a matter of time before Sony released its own version of the 3-D laptop, given current technology trends. Earlier this year the tech giant hit the market with its VAIO® F Series 3D laptop. Like other offerings, the VAIO® F Series 3D is meant to deliver quality video and enhance the experience for users.

Currently, the 3D laptop is one of the hottest and newest trends in the tech world. The biggest names have scrambled to capitalize on the ‘3D without the glasses’ idea. Sony’s relatively late entry might be a good thing. It has enabled the company to tweak the already innovative offering, helping to change the face of entertainment as we know it.

That electronics companies are moving fast on 3D is hardly surprising. The format has reenergized the movie box office, with the most notable example being 2009’s Avatar. Now the makers of television sets and some handheld game systems are trying to cash in on the technology. It would seem then that Sony unveiled its latest offering at just the right time.

A Look at the Features
Reviews so far has shown that while late to the field, Sony has gotten it right for the most part. While reviews for any tech product can vary, Sony’s 3D laptop is being widely regarded as a game changer. One feature which has caught the attention of users is the convenient 3D button. This allows you to watch standard 2D movies on DVD or Blu-Ray in 3D format with one click. This is not a basic feature of most other laptops, but we can expect to see more manufacturers adding it as demand for 3D products increases.

Naturally the display is not limited to the small laptop screen for those who think 16 inches might not be enough. The new Sony offering can be connected to HDTV via its HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port. This feature, which has been around for a while allows the connection of both digital video and voice via one cable. This allows for better picture and sound quality. Another standout feature is the presence of what are known as shutter glasses which enhance the 3D experience. These have an independent power supply which is rendered inactive once there is no 3D content being viewed.

Other specs worth noting on this laptop include:
· Windows 7
· 640GB HDD
· S-Force front surround 3D system and Dolby® Home Theater v3
· A 3D compatible LED backlight
· 3D glasses with sync capabilities
· Blu-Ray player
· Bluetooth and WiFi

Gamers are expected to warm to this Sony offering as it delivers the kind of high end performance they would expect. Naturally the specs are subject to change depending on the market. Buyers may also have their own preferences when it comes to memory, operating system and hard drive size to name a few.

Some of the top 3D laptops on the market currently are:
· HP Envy
· Asus G51J
· Lenovo Ideapad Y560d
· Alienware M17xR3
· Toshiba 3D Dynabook TX/98MB

Releasing this laptop under the VAIO banner practically ensures that this product will have a ready audience. The brand is well established because of its reliability and spectacular features and most Sony Vaio reviews are positive. The VAIO F series 3D laptop is expected to retail for roughly $1,700 as its basic price. This is considerably higher than the standard price for most laptops on the market today, but it is in line with other 3D offerings. Price is not considered too big an issue when the power of these laptops is considered.

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Laptop News: Eye-tracking laptops, 3D Sony VAIO, ...

The latest laptop news includes new releases with 3D and eye-tracking technology, and the new 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Coming Soon:  An Eye-tracking Laptop

How would you like to control your laptop with your eyes?  The first eye-tracking laptop will be unveiled at the CeBIT trade show in Germany on March 1st.  The laptop is a collaboration between Lenovo and Tobii Technology.  By tracking the user’s eye movement, the computer is able to center photos on the user’s gaze, scroll the screen automatically when viewing documents, and save power by reducing the brightness of the screen when the user is not looking at it.  This technology will not replace the keyboard and mouse, but it could still revolutionize the way people interact with their computers.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro

Mac lovers who like small laptops will be pleased to learn about the new 13 inch MacBook Pro.  The Intel Core i5 processor is incredibly fast and makes use of Thunderbolt technology to provide fast data transfer between the laptop and other devices.  The 13-inch MacBook Pro has long battery life and a large touchpad that is easy to use.  The keyboard is backlit for use in low lighting conditions.  The biggest drawback is that the battery cannot be replaced by the end user.  If it ever stops charging, you’ll need Apple’s tech support to replace it for you.

 Sony’s 3D Laptop Goes on Sale in March

Sony’s first 3D laptop computer is being released in March.  The Sony Vaio VPCF21Z1E/BI has a 16-inch stereoscopic screen and comes with 3D active shutter glasses.  It has a built-in HD web cam, and the 3D effects can be switched on and off easily by pushing a button.  The processor is a quad-core Intel Core i7-2630QM with Intel Turbo Boost technology.  Other features include a Blu-ray disc drive with DVD SuperMulti, two SuperSpeed USB ports, one Hi-Speed USB port, and Dolby home theater technology.

Lenovo’s New Laptops Designed for Teleconferencing

Lenovo has released six new laptops that include technology to improve noise suppression.  The company is marketing the new laptops as being better suited to teleconferencing because they are so quiet.  Lenovo also claims that the new models have a battery life of up to 23 hours.  This includes both the internal and external batteries.

Best-Selling Laptop Deals at Dell

Dell has deals on their top-selling laptops that range from $279.99 to $899.99.  You can save up to $233, depending on which model you choose.  The deals start with the Inspiron Mini 1018 for $279.99, which is its regular price, so it’s not exactly on sale, but it’s still a great deal.  The Dell Inspiron 15 is on sale for $399.99, and you can get an Inspiron 15R for $499.99 to $609.99.  There are two versions of the Inspiron 17R listed, with prices of $599.99 and $679.99.  There is also a Dell Inspiron 14R for $599.99 and two XPS 15 laptops for $799.99 and $899.99.  If you qualify, you can purchase any of these laptops using Dell’s financing plan.

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Laptops On Sale This Weekend: Sony, Asus, Dell

Laptops on sale for 1/29/2011:

1. Walmart.com has a Sony Vaio laptop on sale for $548.00. It’s normally $598.00.
From their site:
Sony 15.5″ Laptop PC, EE3WFX Vaio
AMD Athlon II Dual Core P340 Processor 2.20Ghz, 1MB L2 Cache
4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel 1066MHz memory
500GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
CD/DVD burner
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN; 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Certified
15.5″ HD widescreen LCD
Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone with face-tracking technology
Digital media card reader
4 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x VGA connector, 1 x headphone/speaker/line-out jack, 1 x microphone-in jack, 1 x Ethernet port (RJ-45), 1 x DC-in jack for AC adapter

2. CircuitCity.com has an Asus Refurbished Notebook on sale for $430. It’s normally $500.
From their site:
Intel Pentium T4400 2.2GHz processor
4GB of DDR2 memory
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system
500GB hard drive
Multi-format DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Supports the 802.11b/g/n wireless protocols

3. BestBuy.com has a Dell Inspiron Laptop on sale (until tonight) for $750.
From their site:
6-cell lithium-ion battery
Intel® Core™ i5-460M processor
6GB DDR3 memory
Blu-ray Disc-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
17.3″ WLED high-definition display
Intel® Wireless Display
640GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Intel® HD graphics
Built-in 1.3MP webcam
7-in-1 media reader
3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
Built-in Dell 6250 wireless networking mini card (802.11b/g/n)

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Buying A Laptop For Your Teen

Well, it’s that time of year again. Ads and emails are whirling around, all promising the best laptops for sale online. Shiny new netbooks are lining the store shelves, and your teenage child is begging for a laptop of his or her own. So now the question is: which laptop to buy?

With some careful shopping you can find one that suits your child’s needs, fits within your budget, and has the power to run all the newest applications. The first place you want to go are the online consumer reports sites - they will provide general feedback from consumers like you on trustworthy brands and models. Unfortunately, for the most part, the models listed on those sites will be a generation older than the current models. This is due to the fact that those sites rely on consumer feedback, and there is very little consumer feedback for the cutting edge technology that is emerging. However, they are a good place to start to get a general understanding of brands to look for and brands to avoid.

The next thing you want to do is weigh the options for the best type of laptop. From the most portable to least portable they are – netbook (such as Acer Aspire One) compact laptop (Apple AirBook, or Sony Z series), balanced laptop (Apple MacBook or HP G62t) or the “desk-top replacement” model (Apple MacBook Pro or HP Pavilion DV6z).

If the primary purpose of the laptop will be internet use I would suggest a netbook, however they are very limited when it comes to upgradability, and you will need an external DVD player since because of the size of the device it is impossible to put on in the netbook. You can get a good deal if you find one of these small laptops for sale. If the primary purpose will be some internet, some word processing and maybe some light gaming then the compact or so called “balanced” laptops are the way to go. The compact and the balanced models are slightly less powerful than the “desktop replacement” but they provide enough power to get most things done, usually all ship with a DVD burner and have relatively good upgradability. If the laptop is going to be used for graphic manipulation, video editing, gaming or other data intense projects then go with the “Desk top replacement” these laptops tend to be larger, but pack a big punch when it comes to what they can do, most have cutting edge processors as well as powerful graphics chips and great upgradability. A look at some gaming laptop reviews can get you started.

Now that you have decided which kind to buy, go to your local electronics store and play with them. Ignore most things the clerks tell you, nine times out of ten the people working at the stores will have a mandate to sell a certain model and that may not be the model you want to buy. Ask questions, look for their big sales on laptops, don’t be afraid to really test one of the floor models, and let you child play with it too. A thourough laptop comparison will save you money and time. Remember this is going to be a computer that travels with your child, make sure it feels sturdy, and has a good warranty. Most of all, make sure you like it, there is no sense in spending money on a laptop that may do everything you want, but you dislike the screen or feel of the keyboard. Have fun!

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