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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Black Friday Online: Shopping For Laptops

This Black Friday guest post is from Jenna who writes about online shopping and getting good deals.

In the past, I’m the person you see starting their Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Whether it’s because I was working late, or because I had other commitments, I’ve always been a procrastinator, when it came to shopping for Christmas gifts. And the fact that I’m slightly claustrophobic, keeps me from malls during the holidays.

I’ve always heard the stories about Black Friday; people lining up outside the stores at 5 AM waiting for the doors to open, making a mad rush for the discount items. But because of my phobia, I wouldn’t even consider going to the malls on Black Friday. Now, however, since shopping online is so easy, I have no problems shopping on Black Friday. 

This year, my 13 year old is asking “Santa” for a laptop. He actually saved up about a third of the money himself, but I’m going to surprise him and buy him an HP laptop this year. I read a few gaming laptop reviews and this seems to be the best for his needs. Like I said, I would never, ever, consider going to the mall, especially on Black Friday, looking for laptops. I would not fight parking, nor would I fight the crowds, looking for a big sale on laptops. Online shopping is so easy! Now, I can go online and see the various Dell, HP, and Toshiba laptop that are new to the market. And, I can surf various websites faster than I can travel to any store looking for the cheapest laptops for sale.

The only benefit that I can see by going to the store and shopping there is that there may be an opportunity to barter and try to get a better price for the gift I’m shopping for, in this case, a laptop. But the reality is, if shopping at a Wal-Mart or K-Mart type store is there is NO opportunity to barter. If you were to ask them for a better price, they’d look at you like a puppy dog, with tilted head, with a response similar to that of a 5 year old; uh, nope. And, imagine how much gas (and time) I’d waste driving from store to store looking for the best price on laptops. Now, I can shop online and travel to as many stores as I want to, in as little (or as long) amount of time shopping for the best deal. I can surf from manufacturer’s websites, to store websites, and I can do it at the convenience of my schedule, without spending money on gas, and without wasting time and energy driving from store to store. And, with Internet security being as good as it is now (compard to when I started writing about online shopping), I don’t worry about shopping and having my identity being stolen, as long as I’m going on secured and reputable sites.

The various merchants won’t want you to hear this, but I don’t understand why anyone would shop at the stores on Black Friday. It makes no sense. I can get the same discounts online that are being offered at the retail outlets, but I can get it at my convenience, without the headaches of fighting crowds and parking, and I can do it in luxury of my own home!

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Black Friday Laptop Deals

Black Friday 2010 is just around the corner, and with it the opportunity to find some excellent deals on all sorts of products. There’s no guarantee you’ll find any particular item or that you’ll be able to get the Black Friday pricing — often, the biggest savings are strictly limited in quantity and sell out within moments. But if you have some flexibility in terms of what you’re looking for, and do a little research, Black Friday can be a great time to purchase cheap laptops on sale.

Your first task is to check around on the Internet beforehand to see if any Black Friday deals are leaked. Some chain stores such as Best Buy may intend to offer a big sale on laptops, and this can help you plan which stores to visit to maximize your chances of finding what you want. Also, bear in mind that people are more likely to compete with you for the items if you go to the stores commonly associated with electronics, so remember to check out other locations such as Staples or Office Depot as well.

Another strategy is to look to Internet retailers for specials. Many popular laptops for sale such as Toshiba, Asus, Sony, or Samsung are available through a number of online stores. Again, the most commonly thought of retailers for laptops are also the most likely to be sold out quickly, so build a list of all online stores you can think of that has laptops in their inventory. And don’t forget places like Dell or Sony’s online store — sometimes the manufacturers themselves will offer you great deals on Black Friday and you might be able to score laptops under $300.

What features should you look for in a laptop? You should try to buy a system with at least a dual-core CPU, 250GB hard drive, 4GB memory, a DVD+R/DVD-R/RW drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi built-in, and Windows 7 installed. This combination costs around $650-700 online, but look to buy for $100-150 less on Black Friday (or 15-25% off). Also look for TV-out capability, which will likely either be S-Video or DVI if present on the laptop; this can allow you to use your laptop to stream services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon On-Demand to your television set. Blu-Ray drives have also come down in cost lately, so keep an eye out for those as well if that interests you. Lower-end laptops are available for around $500 if you are unconcerned with performance, but you should ensure they come with a better operating system than Windows 7 Starter and more than 2GB of memory.

Before you shop, make a list of the features that are important to you in a laptop, and carefully compare them before you buy. Sometimes Black Friday electronics are stripped-down versions of regular electronics with a minor modification to the model number, so check each feature line-by-line. If in doubt, don’t buy; it’s better to pay a little extra down the road than to regret your purchase for years to come. If you’re planning on playing games, read as many gaming laptop reviews as possible, before you buy.

Hopefully, this will help you work out a plan to find the best deal on the laptop you want on Black Friday. There’s no one place to go or one perfect strategy, but between research of stores in your neighborhood and stores online you can maximize your chances of finding the deals that suit you.

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How To Get The Best Deal On A Laptop

Purchasing a laptop is an important and rewarding process. If you do it right, you can find a product that fits your needs at a good price. If you do it wrong, you can wind up spending too much money on a piece of technology that does things you don’t want it to do, doesn’t do things you wish it did, or doesn’t work at all.

So, where to begin my search, what should I look for and how will I know what is the best laptop brand for my needs? I think you need to evaluate a series of questions about yourself and your computer usage to begin narrowing down the number of options. There are at least a few hundred choices, but you can quickly narrow it down once you know the following: *Apple/Mac or PC? *10-12 inch, 14-16 inch, or 17-19 inch? *Gaming or heavy video editing? *Speed and memory? *Price? *Brand? *Deals? Let’s walk through each one and by the end you should have a good sense of a few solid choices.

Apple computers are known for being slick, simple to use, beautifully designed, great for video editors, and generally expensive. PCs are known for being technically adaptable, fast, great for business, and generally affordable. Those are stereotypes that have begun changing over the years but still generally hold true.

The next major decision is size. Smaller 10-12 inch computers, also known as netbooks, make great portable devices. They work best as a secondary computer for use in web browsing, notetaking, and general work on the go. Medium sized 14-16 inch laptops are ideal for general use and can be either portable or used as a stationary computer. The screen is large enough to be comfortable but not so large as to be cumbersome. Larger 17-19 inch screens are beautiful and functional but not so portable. They’re best for graphic designers, gamers, and those who want a sleep alternative to a desktop computer that they can still unplug and pack into a suitcase.

Gaming and heavy video editing requires special features. For one, speed is a primary concern, so you’ll need a top of the line processor with lots of RAM (random access memory). You’ll also need a high end graphics card. Gaming usually happens on PCs, but video editing tends to happen on Apples.

As for speed, even those not doing heavy gaming or editing may want a zippy device which can handle multiple programs and windows running at the same time. If you tend to do 15 things at once, make sure that you opt for a faster chip with more RAM. If you are more of a simple web-browser and occasional document writer, you’ll be fine with less.

More costs more. Price is where all of these options come together. Apple is more expensive. Better chips, graphic cards, and more RAM are all more expensive. If you’re looking for the best laptop deal, a cheap 10 inch computer with full capabilities can be had for $300 dollars. An average, fully loaded 15 inch computer could be had for $700 if its a PC and $1200 if it’s an Apple. A high end, large screen gaming/graphics/business laptop could run into the $2500-4000 range. Brand choice is partly a matter of preference and partly a matter of reputation. Apples are known for being well made, so there is no concern there. PC brands with the best reputation are HP and Dell laptops, followed by Toshiba, Sony, and Acer. A newer company ASUS has been making neat devices that many people like.

Whatever brand you buy, try it out in person to see how it feels. Laptops are a very personal device and you need to like using it. Deals and checking out popular laptops for sale are the final concern. Like cars, laptops will come down in price before the next year’s new models come in. The worst time to buy a laptop is typically around the holidays or when students are going back to school. That’s when everyone buys one. A good idea is to select a few models that suit your needs and shop around for prices over a month or two. When a big sale on laptops pops up, take advantage of it. If you follow all of these tips, your laptop purchase should be a successful one.

Final thoughts: only buy the software you need. Great anti-virus software is available *free* online. Try AVG, Malware Bytes, and CC Cleaner. Microsoft Office-like applications can be had for *free* in the open source Open Office suite. Most insurance is not a great buy. The first year is always covered by warranty, and laptops rarely last more than 3 or 4. Just take good care of it and you should be ok. Good luck!

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