HP Envy 13 Notebook

HP Envy 13 Review

Now that house windows 7 is starting to near the gap with Apple's operating system, it is only fitting that it runs on models that can be found closer to Apple's vaunted design. among the important thing to approach this perfect could possibly be the HP Envy 13 (starting at $1,699; $1,899 as configured). In the two appears and performance, this method meets or exceeds all of its house windows competitors. However, the Envy 13 costs $500 even more compared to 13-inch MacBook Pro. For that premium, HP positive aspects you with more quickly performance, switchable graphics, a brighter screen, and as very much as 14 several hours of battery lifestyle (with the optional slice). However, the Envy 13 has many flaws that otherwise prevent this method from getting the ultimate ultraportable.

As is our wont, we're composing up this evaluation inside the pc itself, delivering us owning a superb vantage place for getting in all from the laptop's triumphs and flaws. The whole pc runs relatively awesome for that touch, specifically all through the palm rest, that is textured with an odd (but not distracting) pattern of dug out squares. The curved metal borders that runs near to the pc arrives to some instead sharp edge, comparable to that of the MacBook Pro, and is also slightly unpleasant if our wrists are laid heavily throughout it. Ports-wise there's relatively tiny to preserve observe of, owning a energy plug and SD card slot inside the left (the Envy 13 truly arrives with its operator handbook on the 2GB SD card, a great touch), and two USB ports, HDMI and hybrid audio tracks plug for headphones and / or perhaps a mic within one of the most appropriate side. relatively comparable for that MacBook, there's truly a tad of probability for pinching your do it yourself all through the dropped hinge, although HP opted for vents inside the left and most appropriate element from the pc instead of up through the hinge -- certainly to exceptional effect. The buff is typically on, but quiet adequate not getting a bother. The back again from the lid is plain gunmetal, with merely a tad of indication of which way is as very much as help us find out the tiny lip to lift the show available -- it's held in area with a just-right magnetic latch. The whole pc is relatively lighting "enough" for that size, balances properly on the lap, and could possibly be carried one-handed available relatively very easily for that impromptu relocation from armchair to couch.

The ENVY 13 and 15 are packaged in new "green" however trendy cardstock carton bins utilizing minimal ink. To even more HP's environmentally-friendly goals, the only paperwork enclosed all through the packaging is routinely a simplified set up poster. All even more documentation - through the operator handbook for that ensure guides - are contained on the SD card all through the box. The energy adapter, VGA show adapter and optional outside Blu-ray generate meet neatly within safe-keeping spaces below the notebook.

As noted above, the Envy 13 carries a full-size island-style keyboard. Its plastic material dark keys are smooth and cozy for that touch, and snap back again responsively when pressed. There are no dedicated multimedia buttons, however the purpose important operations come going to be reversed, which means you no extended telephone call for to press Fn so that you simply can adjust the volume, alter music, and so forth; it is a welcome change.

Port assortment is disappointing inside the Envy 13. you receive a SD card slot, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI out as well as a combo audio tracks jack. that is merely depressing granted that most 11-inch notebooks provide more. Frankly, granted the worth from the laptop computer moreover to the quantity of unused space near to the edges, HP could a minimum amount of include just one even more USB port moreover to FireWire or eSATA. on the even more good be aware there are three huge heat vents inside the sides and back, so a minimum amount of overheating shouldn't be considered a problem.

Overall we're relatively conflicted concerning the Envy 13. Hardware smart it's just one of our favored laptops ever, however the trackpad almost destroys all of that exceptional will created up in one other components -- no subject how superb a pc is, if it's agonizing to interact with inside the go (without an outside mouse), what's the point? We also telephone call for to say that house windows 7 doesn't make this pc loco delicious in any particular manner. It's certainly a much better OS than Vista, but it's not so very much much better to create it an enormous marketing place within our guide or perhaps a lure for individuals who don't typically stroll your house windows path, granted that numerous from the conventional pitfalls are nonetheless present. All we are able to say in summary could possibly be the actuality that people wish HP manages to update the trackpad motorists very, relatively soon, and that other PC producers steal a tad from HP's and / or Apple's in other respects, granted that it appears getting working.

HTC Rhym

HTC Rhyme 

The HTC Rhyme is between the newest additions toward the Verizon wireless line-up, setting by itself apart away from your relaxation from the loved types because it's especially for girls -- or hipsters who like purple. This time around, the institution made the decision to concentrate for the accessories, top its advertising campaign using a glowing purse charm to stay obvious of missing calls -- a fate all as well common for gals whose phone is oftentimes buried in the bottom of the Louis Vuitton.

Unfortunately, we've been skipped over with regards to some from the attributes favored with higher-end, extra macho mobile devices such as the Droid RAZR or even the Galaxy Nexus. Sorry, ladies, no 4- or 4.3-inch touchscreen, no 4G LTE and undoubtedly no dual-core processor. Instead, this phone is pretty run-of-the-mill, using a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, single-core, 1GHz processor, a WVGA display, a 5MP rear-facing and VGA front-facing camera, as well as an 8GB microSD card. operating the newest perception 3.5 UI atop Gingerbread, the Rhyme provides a special operator information for all those people that like HTC's customized UI and, of course, the coloring purple. But is this phone potent adequate to sustain up using the multitasking mayhem that could possibly be every evening while in the lifestyle of the present woman? start previous the break to locate out.

Watching film for the Rhyme's glossy 3.7-inch 800 x 480p resolution WVGA awesome fluid crystal display show was a blast. The YouTube trailer from the upcoming The three Musketeers film was a feast for that eyes. Milla Jovovich's wardrobe was especially stunning, specifically an eye-catching red-colored and gold frock whose colours danced throughout the display as she battled guards decked out in sapphire-blue uniforms.

Despite the phone possessing only only a tiny slit for just about any speaker, the Rhyme's audio tracks is obvious and loud. We do uncover some distortion at increased volumes. Otis Redding's typically husky, soulful voice sounded brassy on "O.T.I.S." as do Jay-Z and Kanye's rap. Synth-heavy music that consist of Katy Perry's "E.T." fared no better. Perry's lilting voice congealed using the keep track of in to a tinny cacophony. We favored making utilization of the accompanying phone dock, which carries a speaker produced in.

The HTC Rhyme arrives using a Qualcomm MSM8655 1GHz processor, which allows the equipment to really feel a lot fast when operating Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread and HTC perception UI 3.5 using the 7 homescreens. There can be 768MB of RAM on board, and when we ran the Quadrant benchmark app, we obtained a rating of 1452, that is slightly reduced compared to HTC ThunderBolt's rating of 1700. When operating the AnTuTu benchmark app, the Rhyme obtained a mark of 2489, once more reduced compared to ThunderBolt's mark of 2718.

Call high quality was common while speaking for the phone, as voices on equally ends sounded good, but there is only a tiny amount of the qualifications "hiss" that people could listen to whatsoever occasions on our end, and we experienced to sustain the earpiece amount arranged at medium, as any increased would finish off cause distortion while in the speaker. Signal reception was on-par with most other Verizon smartphones, as we would get 2-3 bars within our place and do not decline any calls.

Verizon's trio of proprietary apps is incorporated while in the Rhyme's app bundle: the Bing-powered VZ Navigator, VCAST Music, and VCAST videos. It ought getting noted that it took upwards of 5 seconds for that apps to load, specifically VZ Navigator.

A widget for that deeply engaging training app Endomondo occupies between the home screens. making utilization of Endomondo, we have been in a location to keep track of how several kilometers we ran as well as calorie consumption burned while hearing to music. It even has an audio tracks coach, which gave us some extra motivation.

If you such as the plum color, then you definitely need to think about a appear in the HTC Rhyme, since it provides a lot, which consists of the brand new HTC perception 3.5 interface, 5MP camera, good call up high quality and battery life. But we cannot help but believe that some guys and girls can be turned-off from the plum color, and would not consider into account the Rhyme because of it, regardless of it getting a superb phone otherwise. because of this, it may be great once the Rhyme have been obtainable within a few other coloring selections to appeal to some broader audience. Also, using the Rhyme's current price of $199.99 using a 2-year contract, you may consider going using the HTC ThunderBolt at $249.99 should you are within a 4G area, when you would advantage away from your a lot quicker details speeds.

Dell Vostro V131 Notepad

Dell Vostro

Most companies strive to create distinctions in between their small-business and customer laptop computer lines, occasionally in the direction of the place of making complete new styles that aren't obtainable otherwise. the majority of those institution laptops aren't of the great offer consciousness in the direction of the common person, but occasionally a sleek design and design as well as a fabulous worth create a laptop computer attractive to practically anyone. The Dell Vostro V sequence has long been that way for us for properly over a twelve weeks now. These slim ultraportables resemble distant cousins inside the Adamo, but start at a fraction inside the price. The only catch: the last product we reviewed, the slim Vostro V130, experienced a battery lifestyle that was much as well short, as well as a low-voltage processor that wasn't fast, either. the brand new Vostro V131 addresses equally processor and battery life, with new second-gen standard-voltage middle i-series processors as well as an ideal offer much better battery performance, even although preserving an aggressive price.

The V131's chassis is just as lavish as that of the Dell Latitude laptop. Its Aberdeen Silver enclosure is created from magnesium—a powerful metallic that's also utilized in enterprise-class laptops such as the Dell Latitude E6420 ($1,788 direct, 4 stars) and Lenovo ThinkPad X220. Press the palm of your hand on best inside the lid, and you'll can be found throughout how the V131 held firmer compared to aluminum-based HP Probook 5330m ($899.99 direct, 3.5 stars). At 13 by 9.1 by 0.8 inches (HWD), it's about as slender since the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 ($1,499 direct, 3.5 stars) and HP 5330m—all of which, such as the V131, lack an optical drive. The large 65WH battery provides the V131 a slight lift away from your back, regardless of the simple fact that not as steep of the slope since the Dell 3350's 8-cell battery. Its four-pound frame falls in between the Lenovo X1 (3.7 pounds) and Dell 3350 (4.8 pounds).

The V131 consists of a relatively great array of ports. It not just consists of just one USB 3.0 port, but two; it also has HDMI, an 8-in-1 card reader, just one USB 2.0, and VGA. I would've liked to ascertain one more USB 2.0 port - and even a bare minimum of the docking station port so customers could possess the option of more. Other than that, some potential purchasers could possibly be build away with the insufficient the SmartCard reader, but this laptop does possess a fingerprint reader - to be certain that may replace it in some terms, that consist of basic laptop security. The laptop can be missing a DisplayPort - which may possibly or may possibly not be considered a tremendous offer as a complete result of the simple fact it has VGA and HDMI instead.

The 13.3-inch display consists of a native resolution of 1,366x768 pixels and consists of a matte coating, which allows shield in opposition to glare. We need we could say we loved the show more, but coloring and pictures rinse out relatively quickly at even moderate viewing angles. regardless of the top borders inside the Vostro V131 looking like it has stereo speakers, it only consists of a mono speaker. It reaches an acceptable quantity and appear fabulous isn't overly tinny, but most people will favor headphones.
The bundled Webcam consists of a 1,280x720-pixel greatest resolution, and looked an ideal offer much better than average. The array microphones bundled within your Dell Vostro V131 are also much far better compared to common laptop; our recorded voice sounded crisp and distinct.


The top complaint concerning the Dell V130 was its small 30WH battery, which lasted a paltry three several hours within our MobileMark 2007 battery test. Dell addressed this receiving a bigger 65Wh battery within your V131, as well as the payoff was huge. Its MobileMark rating of 8:27 doubled that inside the HP 5330M (3:49) and practically tripled that inside the V130 (3:02). Its amazing show was only bested with the Dell 3350's 80WH battery, which lasted 9:32.

The variations in between only a tiny institution and business laptop computer utilized to acquire even more clear-cut, but now the lines are blurring. The Dell Vostro V131 has long been updated to consist of the standard-voltage middle i5 processor and large 65WH battery. It has most inside the attributes found out in its business siblings and doesn't worth practically as much. The only small institution laptop computer which has the V131 beat is its sibling, the Dell 3350, whose battery is lengthier lasting and all round worth is even more budget-friendly.