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To succeed, ultrabooks need displays like the iPad, MacBook

For ultrabooks to succeed, the display needs to approach an iPad's quality or least match that of a MacBook--which uses higher-end displays.

A lower quality display can be a deal breaker for consumers in the age of the iPad, which boasts a high-quality, high-resolution in-plane switching (IPS) display.

IPS and high-quality TN displays offer viewing angles and contrast typically better than those used on most ultrabooks today.

This shortcoming has become apparent in more than a few reviews of the Dell XPS 13 ultrabook, which in almost every other respect is generally considered an excellent design. (Another review here … Read more

Monitor tech: Panel technology and you

It recently occurred to me (thanks to a few e-mails I've received in the last few months) that many people shopping for monitors are completely unaware of the panel technology driving them and how it affects, not only their buying experience, but their user experience as well.

If you've read our Monitor Buying Guide then you're aware of the different types of panels your monitor can house. If you haven't read it, I certainly recommend you do, but if you'd actually like to get some work done today, you can get a small piece of it here.

The three main panel technologies currently used in modern LCDs are: Twisted Nematic (TN), Vertical Alignment (VA), and In-Plane Switching (IPS).… Read more

Motorola MotoNav TN765t: A Cinderella story

Motorola took a pretty serious beating last year when we reviewed its MotoNav TN30, a portable navigation device that received an embarrassingly low 2-star rating. However, instead of dropping out of the PND market or simply releasing an incremental update with fixes, Motorola went back to the drawing board and came back swinging with the all new MotoNav TN700 series.

Here's the surprising part. The first model in this series, the MotoNav TN765t, is a surprisingly good GPS. This device features an ultrawide form factor, a plethora of physical controls, and a well-balanced feature mix with a few innovative … Read more

CNET's top-rated IPS- and VA-based LCD monitors

Oh, monitor panel types. You're so exciting and not at all nerdy to talk about.

There are many of you out there unaware of the different panel types available in LCD computer monitors. In the Monitor Buying Guide, each panel type--Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS), and Vertical Alignment (VA)--is explained.

Not surprisingly, most monitors use the cheapest panel of the bunch, TN. IPS and VA panels are rarer, as they are usually more expensive. Most of the monitors I review are TN, but there have been a few that aren't. Here are the five top-rated, non-TN … Read more

HP's 26-inch, feature-rich behemoth

I haven't tested a 26-inch (25.5-inch) monitor in a good long while, and now I have two in testing: the Planar PX2611 and the HP w2558hc.

While the HP uses a typical TN panel, Planar saw fit to use an IPS panel as its underlying tech. The best thing about IPS displays are their viewing angles. In these shots of the Planar, you can see how wide its viewing angles are, especially when compared with the same shots of the HP.

Look for full reviews of both coming here, and in the meantime, take a look at the … Read more

Motorola Motonav TN30 review: Likeable, with limits

Motorola takes its first step into the portable navigation device market with its Motonav TN30 GPS navigation system. The TN30 is a handsome device, with slick graphics and a cleverly organized menu structure. I really liked the Bluetooth hands-free calling and text-to-speech directions, as keeping hands on the wheel while driving is top priority.

I had an opportunity to test the TN30 on a cross-country road trip from Atlanta to San Francisco and learned that all that glitters ain't gold, especially with first-generation gadgets. One day into the trip, I noticed that the device was noticeably less responsive than … Read more

HTC TyTN II debuts in Europe; U.S. launch far behind?

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. For all of you who are dreaming sweet thoughts of the HTC Kaiser like I am, we're one step closer to seeing the vision come true. Today, the company announced the HTC TyTN II for Europe; hopefully signifying that the U.S. launch won't be too far behind.

Despite the different naming scheme, the TyTN II is the same smart phone as the Kaiser we've discussed before on Crave. The Windows Mobile 6 device features a 2.8-inch, QVGA touch screen that slides out and tilts up to give you a … Read more