845

My non-touch Windows 8 world

Unlike most of my colleagues, my recent Windows 8 experiences have been distinctly nontouch. As it turns out, the only two laptops I've reviewed with Microsoft's new operating system preinstalled both lacked touch screens: the Sony Vaio E17 and the Toshiba Satellite U845W. Both are what you'd consider "classic" laptops -- although the U845W has a unique, extra-wide screen.

Based on these early experiences with two "Windows 8-optimized" laptops, I'm not a fan of the nontouch Windows 8 world.… Read more

Toshiba serves up ultra-wide-screen, budget Satellite U845W and U845 ultrabooks

Toshiba used to have just one ultrabook line: the Portege Z835. Toshiba's added to its ultrabooks arsenal with a new pair of Satellite models: one's an affordable mainstream $749 model, the other's a wide-screen 14-incher that feels like it escaped the concept lab. And as for that Portege, it's been upgraded to Ivy Bridge processors and renamed the Portege Z935. We took a look at all of Toshiba's latest ultrabooks up close; here are our impressions and details on the ultrabook trio.

All three of Toshiba's new ultrabooks sail under $1,000: the Satellite … Read more

Epson WorkForce 845 printer review: They should call it the WorkHorse

For $200, the Epson WorkForce 845 isn't meant for light-duty use; such would be a waste of its features.

On top of the standard printing, scanning, faxing, and copying you get with most all-in-one machines, this guy also packs in an 8-inch touch-screen control panel and two adjustable input trays that can hold up to 500 total sheets of paper (photo or otherwise), and you can connect it to a computer via USB or a wireless network.

You'll get the most use out of that last function, because it means you'll also be able to use Epson's e-mail print feature. Each WorkForce 845 has a unique e-mail address, so when you're away from the printer you can just attach a document to a message and send it off to that e-mail address, and it'll be waiting for you in the printer.

It works for office-friendly documents like presentations, Web sites, and spreadsheets, but don't take the "WorkForce" name too seriously--it's just as good for family members who want to send quick photos to Grandma, and you can use any device with an Internet connection to send print jobs.

None of those features would prove useful without the printing horsepower to back it up, and the WorkForce 845 certainly performed well in our speed and quality tests. No surprise there, as it's powered by the same print engine as the Editors' Choice Award-winning Epson WorkForce 840.

The WorkForce 845 topped the competition in three out of the four print speed tests we put it through, and we'd put its print quality up against any of the other devices on our Best 5 Printers list.

Still unconvinced? Check out our full review of the Epson WorkForce 845.… Read more