Samsung Q310

Samsung’s Q310 comes packing a good reputation but and with lots of features and a dash of style. But can it live up to it’s name?

…continue reading Samsung Q310

Asus G50v

The Asus G50v may well be the best gaming laptop on the market, but can it really match the competition when it comes to the other functions? Read on… …continue reading Asus G50v

MSI specs up new Wind U123 netbook

Netbook-maker extraordinaire MSI has unveiled yet another small, cheap laptop. The U123 is a mid-range 10.1-inch model due to launch in Japan next month.

…continue reading MSI specs up new Wind U123 netbook

Spec test: Sony VAIO P vs Asus Eee PC Touch T91

Tiny netbooks are big business at the moment so, with that in mind, we thought we’d bring you a sort of head to head with two of the most awe-inspiring netbooks coming to the market in the near future: the slinky, dinky Sony VAIO P, and the eminently twistable and touchy Asus Eee PC Touch T91. …continue reading Spec test: Sony VAIO P vs Asus Eee PC Touch T91

Asus F50 and F70 laptops incoming with 16:9

We’ve already brought you news on the updated plastic MacBook today and Toshiba’s Satellite A350, and in yet more laptop news, Asus has announced that it will be releasing two new models in the UK this year – the F50 and F70.

Why should our ears prick at this announcement? Well, Asus has told us that these two lappies are especially large, with delicious measuring 16 inches and 17.3 inches respectively, with 16:9 aspect ratio, built-in Blu-rayand HDMI ports – so you can even hook them up to that 50-inch plasma that we know you’ve got hanging on your wall for even bigger HD thrills.

They’ll come packing a whole Terabyte of storage. That’s enough to store your whole music collection, movie library, and then some! With an NVIDIA 9400M graphics card and Core 2 Duo or AMD Turion 64 processor they can more than handle a spot of fragging, but top of our interest was the quick launch option, which allows you o access email, internet, a media player an Skype without the interminably long start-up times.

Being Asus they won’t be the wrong side of affordable either. No figures have been quoted as of yet, but they’ve assured us that they won’t cost “an arm and a leg”, which is handy, because we quite like our limbs.

(Via Electricpig)

Like the sound of these laptops? Get talking about it on the PriceRunner forums.

Laptop group test (£800+)

There was a time when all laptops cost well over a grand, but that was back when they were seen purely as business tools or toys for the affluent. Now, it seems you only need to turn to such a price point when you want your notebook to feature something extra, such as a Blu-ray player, a High-Definition screen or just the best gaming abilities in the business. …continue reading Laptop group test (£800+)

Laptops group test (£400 – £800)

Last month we brought you a group test of all the best laptops under £400. So do you really need to spend up to £800 on a laptop when there are plenty of perfectly usable machines for less than £400? Sure, those cheaper portables are fine if you’re just looking to surf the web or check your email. However, if you’re thinking of doing more, such as editing holiday photos or videos, playing games or even watching the latest Hi-Def content, you’ll need a considerably more powerful machine.

…continue reading Laptops group test (£400 – £800)

Acer Aspire 2920

This laptop from Aspire is stylish little number wrapped up in a compact shell. But does it have the substance to match? Find out in our review.

…continue reading Acer Aspire 2920

New MacBooks are go!

Apple has raised the bar again in the laptop computer stakes. Steve Jobs has just unveiled the new MacBook range, and they’re possibly even sexier than the new iPods, but if, like us, you were hoping for high-def next-gen additions you’ll be sorely disappointed. …continue reading New MacBooks are go!

Top tips on the hottest gadgets for Christmas – part 1

Christmas shopping for gadgets and gizmos can be a real pain in the baubles. Fail to spot the hottest product before it becomes so scorchingly popular that it’s out of stock and you’ll be left putting an IOU under the tree. We don’t want any repeats of last years Xmas Nintendo Wii crisis!

Don’t worry though. The Insider is here to help, and save you spending a fortune in the process. Our first in a series of Christmas top tips, read on for a list of must-have high-tech goodies in a few of the most popular categories, and get ordering with plenty of time until Christmas day!

LCD TVs
If you’re buying a new TV this year, make it a black Christmas, with Pioneer’s new Kuro LCDs. They use special filters and screen technology to produce dark tones better than any other LCD around, although that excellence can come at a price. For similar performance, try a brand new Sony Bravia KDL-40V4000 or Samsung LE-46A786. The Samsung even features next-gen LED backlighting, for deeper blacks and lower power consumption.

Mobile phones
Mobiles make great Christmas presents, and your loved ones can always call you up to say thanks later on! There are tons of new handsets headed for wrapping paper by December, but top of the pile is the Apple iPhone 3G. Its touchscreen abilities are second to none, but beware, its camera is a little on the weedy side.

More megapixels can be found inside the 8 megapixel LG KC910, which also packs a touchscreen, or the Samsung i8510 which also has an 8 megapixel camera, but uses more traditional buttons.

If you’re really looking for the latest phone to wow your loved one, bag a T-Mobile G1. It’s the first to challenge the iPhone in terms of extra applications, even if its megapixels aren’t the most.

Laptops
Shove a laptop under the tree for guaranteed merriness this Christmas, and for added brownie points, make it a tiny ultra-portable model. Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 should be top of your shopping list, since it’s a full-blown laptop in a titchy shell, as well as better designed than most. But there are other options.

The MSI Wind is just as powerful, but not quite so pretty, while the Eee PC 1000H, although similar in specs to the Dell and MSI models, looks less polished, but is still highly coveted.

Toys
Predicting the hottest toy each year is tricky, but you can’t go wrong with a cuddly toy, and this year they’re more advanced than ever. The FurReal Biscuit toy dog is more than just a loveable stuffed puppy. It’s a robot that’ll respond to voice commands and noise, as well as responding when it’s touched. It’ll sit up and beg, bark, react to toys and treats, and best of all it’s life size! Less girly toys bound to be a big hit this year include the Razor Electric Scooter, reaching up to 15mph for up to 45 minutes a time!

MP3 Players
The quirkiest MP3 player ever will hit the UK just before Christmas: The Sony Rolly. It’s a combination robot and music player that’ll even stream sounds from a Bluetooth-capable phone. It’ll dance too, using motorised wheels, and includes built-in speakers.

There’s also the new iPod nano, available in more colours than ever, or the Wi-Fi equipped iPod touch, now refreshed with a built in speaker. If you don’t fancy handing over an iPod, check out Archos’ new Series 5 MP3 players, with bigger screens and more features than ever!

Camcorders
Give a camcorder as a Christmas present and you’ll guarantee the day’s captured for all to see. Top of the list this year is Sony’s HDR-TG3. It’s small, light and records in full HD. It’s also made from scratch-proof titanium, and features ultra-advanced anti-shake and image stabilisation technology. Sony even includes memory and a docking cradle into the bargain. For a more traditional design, check out the Canon FS100. It packs in a whopping 32x zoom, but doesn’t capture recordings in HD.

GPS Receivers
Next-gen satnavs will be huge this Christmas. The new TomTom Go 540 Live doesn’t just serve up maps, but gathers live traffic information, local information and even offers Google search on the go. Also consider the Navman S30 3D, which features new 3D maps with pop-up style landmarks.

Game Consoles
Plonking a games console under the tree is a dead cert for gleeful squeals on Christmas morning. The Wii sold out in record time last Christmas, and since Nintendo has struggled to meet demand ever since, there’s a good chance of it selling out again. Of course, the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 will also score you a double thumbs-up too.

Blu-Ray players
Dodgy Christmas TV can be avoided by shoving a Blu-Ray player into the arms of your loved one, but make sure it’s Profile 2-ready to be certain it’ll get the most from every disc put inside. A good choice is the Sony BDP-S350. It supports all the latest Blu-Ray technology, as well as loading films faster than its predecessors. Also consider the Panasonic DMP-BD50 and Sony BDP-S550 Profile 2 compatible.

Watch this space over coming weeks as we explore even more gadget categories, loaded with top tips on the hottest products to cross off on the Christmas list.

Get chatting about what to get for Christmas over at the PriceRunner forum.

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