Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1

If you're considering a Panasonic Toughbook, it's likely that your priorities are relatively different from that of the average consumer. Rugged laptops are designed to meet the adverse conditions that people in the military, construction, and various outdoor professions may face—and come through unscathed. That said, a laptop still needs to have some basic elements in order to ensure a decent user experience. Although the Panasonic CF-U1 ($2,500 street) has some neat features—like hot-swappable twin batteries and options for GPS, 3G mobile broadband, and extensions like fingerprint readers and bar code scanners—its basic usability is lacking. The CF-U1's screen is tiny, its keyboard is nearly impossible to type on, and the labsence of any sort of navigational aid (like a touchpad or pointing stick) for its otherwise finicky screen make this pricey tablet extremely difficult to use, let alone recommend.

The CF-U1 is nothing if not compact. It's a slate tablet, and it measures only 2.2 by 7.2 by 5.9 inches (HWD). It comes with an attached strap and can easily be supported in the palm of your hand. It also weighs a mere 2.3 pounds, less than all but the tiniest systems we've looked at. Although it's a slate tablet, it's better compared with systems in the netbook category, with which it shares a similar form factor and the Atom platform. The CF-U1 doesn't get any points for aesthetics, but that's not its goal. Being a Toughbook, it's all about the rugged features, like its magnesium-alloy cage chassis, sealed all-weather design, and port covers that snap into place. Though we didn't put it through ruggedness testing, we know that the CF-U1 is tough enough to be considered fully ruggedized since it passed the complete MIL-SPEC testing regimen (developed by the U.S. Military to test the durability of electronic gear under adverse conditions). According to Panasonic, it's resistant to rain, spills, dust, and vibration, and should be able to withstand a 4-foot drop.

The CF-U1 screen's 1,024-by-600 resolution is what you'll find on most netbooks nowadays, though the 5.6-inch screen is tiny by netbook standards. If the resolution were any higher, text would be virtually unreadable. Case in point: the Fujitsu LifeBook U820, which has a 1,280-by-800 resolution on the same-size screen. Though photos, videos, and movies look better on the Fujitsu, text readability suffered. Moreover, the CF-U1's small text presents a unique challenge: The tablet is a touch screen, meaning that when you are clicking links or selecting text, you have a much smaller target to aim for. You have the option to zoom in with a handy toggle switch to the left of the screen, but even then, it's difficult to navigate. And although Panasonic claims that the widescreen has received an anti-reflective treatment, I noticed some glare under direct light. On the bright side, the CF-U1 does boast an efficient LED backlight, which likely contributes to its impressive claimed battery life. (More on that later.)

A tiny keypad is situated beneath the screen. Panasonic made some interesting choices, like including a dedicated Windows key and placing the numeric keypad in the center (between QWERT and Y). The keys are raised, glossy buttons, and you have to press each deliberately before it registers. Forget typing with any sort of speed. Touch typing is out of the question—typing on this is more like thumb-typing on a cell phone. You'll often have to go back and fill in any missing letters if you don't press a key hard enough.

The feature set is par for the course when it comes to handheld PCs. Like the U820, the CF-U1 has only one USB port, which led to an interesting conundrum. For most of my review process, I used an external mouse to navigate. This meant that if I wanted to use any other USB device, like a thumb drive, I was limited to navigating with the touch-screen interface. Dragging and dropping files using the touch-screen interface proved to be far more of a challenge than it should have been. The CF-U1 also offers an SD slot, though it's missing the multicard reader that many of its competitors, like the MSI Wind and the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, feature. Storage space is pretty minimal. The CF-U1's solid-state drive makes sense (it's more likely to withstand impacts), but our review unit had only 16GB of storage space. Panasonic also offers a slightly roomier 32GB option, but even that seems paltry compared with the IdeaPad S10's 160GB, 5,400-rpm spinning hard drive.

The small hard drive was one of the reasons we weren't able to report most of our usual benchmark test results. SYSmark and MobileMark couldn't run because of space constraints, while CineBench R10 was limited by the CF-U1's single-core processor. Our Photoshop test wouldn't work, either, because the screen's resolution was too low. The one score I can report is the U1's Windows Media Encoder time of 6 minutes 25 seconds, nearly 2 minutes behind that of the IdeaPad S10. The lag is attributable mostly to the CF-U1's slower processor. While the other two netbooks we compared it with, the S10 and the MSI Wind, have 1.6-GHz Atom processors, the U1's is only 1.3 GHz.

Though we couldn't run MobileMark on the CF-U1, under anecdotal testing it lasted 4 hours 31 minutes on a DVD rundown test using both of its 21-Wh batteries. The hot-swappable batteries are a plus: You can leave both in the U1 and let it the U1 run on full battery power, or remove one to charge while the system continues to run on juice from the remaining battery. The batteries are easy enough to access, residing behind panels that pop out on the back of the system.

Our review unit ran Windows XP, but you can also opt for Vista when you're configuring the system. I wouldn't recommend this, however, unless you opt for more than the 1GB of RAM our review unit came with.You would need a minimum of 2GB to run Vista properly. The U1's integrated graphics are nothing to brag about, but Toughbook users aren't likely to be too concerned about graphics performance, as that isn't the point of the system.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 is certainly rugged enough for you to take into any extreme conditions. Still, this slate is frustrating to use at best. The Editors' Choice MSI Wind weighs only slightly more and offers a far better user experience for roughly one-fifth of the CF-U1's price. Then again, aggressively priced systems like the Wind and the Lenovo IdeaPad S10 just don't offer the same rugged features or battery stamina. The question to consider is if it's worth the CF-U1's expense—and its frustrating user experience—to get a tablet PC as tough as it is tiny.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com

Sony Vaio VGC-LS1

Only a few major manufacturers of all-in-one desktop computers remain, and Sony—along with Gateway and Apple—is one of them. And now comes Sony's latest salvo, the Sony VAIO VGC-LS1 ($2,099 direct). With its gorgeous widescreen monitor, this all-in-one desktop may look like a 19-inch LCD HDTV, but it is so much more: It's a Media Center PC that even my wife wouldn't throw out of the bedroom. If it weren't for a couple of glitches, I'd call it the perfect all-in-one PC. As it stands however, the LS1 is a PC/TV combo I would almost be willing to rush out and buy tomorrow.

The LS1 comes with a pretty 19-inch WSXGA (1,680-by-1,050 resolution) screen with XBrite technology. The screen is a wonder to look at and is a good size: It's visible from across the room, but not too big up close. The screen and its silver bezel "float" in a clear polycarbonate base, a look I really like. Carvings in the polycarbonate are backlit for the power indicator, drive light, and Wi-Fi lights. The keyboard is similar to the one I saw earlier on Sony's previous all-in-one, the VAIO VA11G, but this time it's silver, with a silver-colored metal cover instead of the black plastic on the VA11G's keyboard. The entire PC is built into the screen, which is a vast improvement over the VA11G, which had the PC built into the base. A slot-loading dual-layer DVD drive (compared with a tray loader on the VA11G) and the addition of ExpressCard and SD slots round out the improvements. With such a slim body, it's no surprise that the LS1 uses an external power supply—an acceptable compromise, since the rest of the system is wireless. Just about the only thing detracting from the LS1's sleek lines is the infrared receiver required for the Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition remote: The usual square USB dongle looks out of place next to the system. I wish Sony had built the IR receiver into the face of the LS1, like WinBook did with the Jiv mini.

The LS1 comes with some of the accoutrements you'd find on a $2,000 notebook, such as an integrated webcam, a 1.83-GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 processor, integrated Intel graphics, and slot-loading dual-layer DVD burner. But since this is a desktop, the LS1 also boasts a 250GB hard drive (notebooks top out at 200GB) and a built-in TV tuner. Thanks to the TV tuner and MCE, the LS1 can replace both a TV and a DVR in your bedroom or other space-constrained room. The only thing keeping it from being a full-blown HDTV replacement is the lack of an HDTV tuner or HD inputs (such as HDMI, DVI, or component-video inputs). This rules out the use of just about all HDTV-compatible cable or satellite set-top boxes. You could theoretically input HD video via the LS1's FireWire/i.Link port, but there aren't any HD set-top boxes now available that work with FireWire. Since the system features a DVD drive, rather than a Blu-ray drive, you're limited to standard-definition video. (As everyone knows, Sony has backed the Blu-ray standard over HD DVD.) You can, of course, run HD-WMV videos, but those are still rare and unlikely to become the prevailing standard, since HD-WMV has been on the market for a couple of years now. If you can overlook the lack of HDTV support, the LS1 makes a really nice TV/DVR replacement.

The system's integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics don't handle 3D games that well, but the LS1 isn't meant to be a gaming system. It is a great multimedia system. With a dual-core processor, 2GB of system memory, and a 250GB hard drive, the LS1 achieves Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Windows Media performance similar to that of tower PCs such as the Sony VAIO RC310G. Built-in SD card and MemoryStick readers make the LS1 a great base station for your digital life (photos, videos, music).

Compared with the class leader, the Apple iMac, the LS1 comes out ahead only in terms of having a TV tuner and included wireless keyboard and mouse, which come standard. Both the iMac and LS1 are design leaders that will look perfect next to a Herman Miller office or easy chair. As on the iMac, all of the LS1's components are housed in the display, so it is prettier than the Gateway Profile 6 all-in-one systems. The Profile 6 does have more expandability options, though—the LS1 is meant to be turned on out of the box and never updated. The only thing keeping the LS1 from a higher score is the ugly external IR receiver and that there is no way to view "consumer" HD video content (either Blu-ray or HD from a set-top box).

The LS1 is perfect for TV addicts who don't care about HDTV. It works well with SDTV cable and satellite broadcasts and serves as a good base station for digital cameras and music players. It could replace the bedroom or office TV while adding Web-surfing and Media Center to the mix. In my opinion, the LS1 gives the iMac a real run for its money, but doesn't go far enough. If only it had built in the IR receiver into the screen bezel and included HDTV, it would have been a shoo-in for an Editors' Choice nod. As it is, if you can overlook a couple of unmistakable glitches, the LS1 is still a good-looking, powerful Media Center PC.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com

HP Pavilion dv7t (2043CL)

There's no shortage of big-screen laptops these days. With the advent of the 16:9 aspect ratio, a screen format that widens the horizontal view while narrowing it from top to bottom, laptop screen sizes are filling in the gaps left by the current 16:10 formats. The HP Pavilion dv7t (2043CL) ($1,000 street) is a fantastic yet affordable big-screen media center, and instead of a traditional 17-inch (16:10) widescreen, it has a wider 17.3-inch (16:9) one. Overall, the multimedia experience will leave you starry-eyed, and this configuration is available for under $1,000 at your local Costco or online at www.costco.com.

Design selections are limited when laptops are sold through a giant retailer, but though black is the only option for the dv7t (2043CL), its looks may surprise you—in a good way. The glossy finish is fused with wavy lines and circular patterns, saving the design from being boring and incidentally providing camouflage for any smudges and fingerprints. The HP Pavilion dv6t (1054CL)—a 16-inch system—is also available at Costco with exactly the same decor. As usually happens when systems climb the screen-size ladder, there's a significant bump in weight—1.5 pounds—between the dv6t (6.1 pounds) and the dv7t (7.6 pounds). The HP HDX18t, with its 18-inch screen, weighs 8.7 pounds.) Among its peers, though, the dv7t is lighter than the Dell Studio 17 (8.2 pounds) but slightly heavier than the Toshiba Satellite P305 Series (7.5 pounds).

A 17.3-inch screen is ideal for those who are transitioning from a desktop or are in need of a really big screen. The BrightView display is magnificently sharp and the type multitaskers yearn for, while its 1,600-by-900 resolution can turn a movie or a slideshow into an immersive experience. Resolution is usually the first thing that gets chopped when manufacturers seek to drive prices down to and below $1,000, so give HP credit for offering a decent one on the dv7t. That said, increasing your budget to over $1,000 opens the door to 1080p resolutions (1,920-by-1,080 or 1,920-by-1,200), which you can get from the Studio 17 and the HDX18t. (The dv7t doesn't provide a higher-resolution option.)

A full-size keyboard is guaranteed on a media center, but the advantage of a 17.3-inch widescreen is that it creates enough width to accommodate a full-size numeric keypad as well. The dv6t, on the other hand, uses a keypad with smaller keys. The dv7t's mouse buttons are as quiet and as pleasant to use as those on the Studio 17. A button that lets you disable the touchpad (for those times when you don't want to make contact inadvertently and move the cursor while you're typing) is unique to HP laptops; you can find it right above the dv7t's touchpad.

Despite its larger and more spacious frame, the dv7t doesn't offer any real extras in features over the dv6t. Ports include one FireWire and four USB; one USB port doubles as an eSATA port. Not that you'll need eSATA, as the dual 250GB hard drives (500GB total storage) should be enough for any avid video and photo collector. The dv6t (1054CL), the Studio 17, and the HDX18t also have 500GB hard drive configurations. The dv7t includes an HDMI port, a now-common media-center feature that lets you stream videos and photos to that big HDTV in your living room. This configuration comes with a dual-layer DVD burner, but Costco's custom configurations will let you add a Blu-ray drive ($150) or other features like a bigger battery and a TV tuner, if you buy the laptop online. Your purchase comes with a two-year parts and labor warranty.

Parts are give-and-take with the dv7t (2043CL). On the one hand, its 2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor is a grade below the one found in the dv6t (a 2.13-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7450). However, the dv7t is equipped with a better graphics card (ATI Mobility Radeon 4650) than the dv6t. And it comes with 1GB of video memory, as opposed to the dv6t's 512MB. In fact, the dv7t has a faster and more powerful graphics card than either the Studio 17 or the Satellite P305 Series. On 3DMark 06 its scores topped those of the dv6t, the 17 by over 2,000 points (more than 60 percent). And it took top honors on the World in Conflict and Crysis gaming benchmark tests, even besting the more expensive HDX18t. On video encoding and CineBench R10—tests that stress the processor and memory—the dv6t and the Studio 17 prevailed because of their faster processors.

The energy-guzzling big screen and the powerful graphics card were simply too much for the 73-Wh (eight-cell) battery, which is the biggest battery available for this system. On our MobileMark 2007 test, the battery couldn't even make it past 2 hours (it scored 1:57). Battery life may not be an issue: The sheer size of this laptop will prevent it being much of a traveling companion anyway, so most of the time it'll be on your desk and plugged in. If you need more battery life, you can purchase an additional eight-cell battery from Costco (or from HP's Web site) for $31—or you might consider getting the Studio 17, which scored 3:30 on the MobileMark test.

For as long as I can remember, big honking screens were the culprits that drove laptop prices up beyond $1,000. The HP Pavilion dv7t (2043CL) is a very nice media center that can be bought from Costco for well below historical prices for these behemoth laptops. Then again, both the Dell Studio 17 and the Toshiba Satellite P305 series have similar configurations that cost about the same, available through the manufacturers' Web sites. The HP Pavilion HDX18t is still our Editors' Choice, however, because it houses a bigger screen and offers options for higher resolutions.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com