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Photos: Top-rated reviews of the week

Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week including the Wacom Intuos4, Onkyo HT-S9100THX home theater system, and the 2009 BMW 335d.

CNET Reviews staff
1 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

2009 BMW 335d

Here's our weekly roundup of the new products CNET reviewers liked best.

2009 BMW 335d

Editors' rating: 4

The good: The 2009 BMW 335d's diesel engine delivers excellent fuel economy, with little performance compromise. The new iDrive controller works very well, and hard-drive-based navigation provides very detailed maps. iPod integration and Bluetooth phone support prove capable and easy to use.

The bad: BMW puts too much control on initial acceleration. Options run up the price of the car quickly.

The bottom line: The 2009 BMW 335d is an economical performance car with room for four people and cabin electronics that measure up with the latest and greatest.

Read CNET's full review

33560252-2-440-SD-3.jpg
2 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

2009 Nissan Maxima SV

2009 Nissan Maxima SV

Editors' rating: 4

The good: The 2009 Nissan Maxima features sporty performance thanks to its V-6 engine and finely tuned continuously variable transmission. The cabin tech is highlighted by a hard-drive-based navigation system showing live traffic. Audio sources include onboard music storage and excellent iPod integration.

The bad: The Bluetooth phone integration doesn't import cell phone contact lists, and the navigation system doesn't automatically reroute around traffic incidents.

The bottom line: Nissan gives the 2009 Maxima a serious performance treatment, making the car fun to drive while offering practical cabin technology in this comfortable sedan.

Read CNET's full review

3 of 10 Onkyo

Onkyo HT-S9100THX

Onkyo HT-S9100THX

Editors' rating: 4

The good: Outstanding audio quality; 7.1 surround sound speaker system with full-size speakers and subwoofer; component-style AV receiver included; four HDMI inputs, onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; can upconvert analog sources to 1080i.

The bad: Upconverting video quality is mediocre; speakers are large and boxy, so they need a lot of room and may detract from your decor.

The bottom line: The Onkyo HT-S91000THX breaks the HTIB mold, offering four HDMI inputs, full-size speakers, and the best sound we've heard to date from an all-in-one system.

Read CNET's full review

Price: $999

4 of 10 Transcend

Transcend StoreJet 25 Mobile (250GB, red)

Transcend StoreJet 25 Mobile (250GB, red)

Editors' rating: 4

The good: Triple layered chassis protection; cheap; quick transfer speeds; convenient one touch backup; two year warranty.

The bad: No FireWire port.

The bottom line: The Transcend StoreJet 25 Mobile stomps the competition and lives to fight another day, thanks to its rugged military-grade exterior. It also delivers chart topping transfer speeds and offers the cheapest cost per gigabyte on the market today. We fully recommend this tough little drive.

Read CNET's full review

Price range: $80.00

5 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

Wacom Intuos4 (extra large)

Wacom Intuos4 (extra large)

Editors' rating: 4

The good: Beautiful, slim and well-thought-out new design; extremely fluid pen operation.

The bad: Schmutz very visible on black pen grip; buttons could use a bit more tactile differentiation; mouse still a bit awkward; still pricey; need more real-time feedback when configuring; glossy plastic panel shows fingerprints.

The bottom line: With a beautiful and more functional new design, Wacom's Intuos4 tablet demonstrates that a lack of competition doesn't necessarily keep you from innovating.

Read CNET's full review

Price range: $789.00

6 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

HP Pavilion dv7-1285dx

HP Pavilion dv7-1285dx

Editors' rating: 3.5

The good: Attractive design skips the usual gray and black; excellent battery life for a desktop-replacement; big hard drive; discrete graphics card.

The bad: Low-resolution screen not ideal for HD content.

The bottom line: HP's Pavilion dv7-1245dx is a slick multimedia machine with great battery life, but for $1,200, we want a full 1080p display.

Read CNET's full review

Price: $1,199.99

7 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

Motorola Stature i9 - black (Nextel)

Motorola Stature i9 - black (Nextel)

Editors' rating: 3.5

The good: The Motorola i9 Stature offers a sleek design, brilliant displays, useful features, and good call quality.

The bad: The Motorola i9's controls and keypad are flat and stiff. The camera is rather slow and photo quality is just average.

The bottom line: The Motorola i9 Stature is the sexiest Nextel phone we've seen. Apart from the disappointing camera, it offers decent features and admirable call quality.

Read CNET's full review

Price: $249.99

8 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

TomTom XL 330S

TomTom XL 330S

Editors' rating: 3.5

The good: The TomTom XL 330S offers accurate directions with text-to-speech functionality and is easy to use. The GPS is also sleek and features a spacious 4.3-inch touch screen.

The bad: Route recalculations could be a little faster. The mini USB port/power connector is difficult to access. The price is too high, especially without integrated Bluetooth.

The bottom line: Stylish, easy to use, and accurate, the TomTom XL 330S is a great all-around GPS but we wish it was just a little cheaper.

Read CNET's full review

Price range: $179.99 - $296.95

9 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

Velocity Micro Edge Z-5 (Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Overclocked)

Velocity Micro Edge Z-5 (Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Overclocked)

Editors' rating: 4

The good: Best in-class gaming performance; strong day-to-day application performance; plenty of upgrade room; compact, attractive case.

The bad: No Blu-ray drive option; outpaced on multithreaded applications and multitasking by a competing Dell of the same price.

The bottom line: By tweaking its internal components to achieve maximum 3D performance, Velocity Micro has made its $999 Edge Z5 one of the most impressive lower-end gaming desktops we've ever seen. As long as you don't mind sacrificing a bit of productivity speed to get it, we recommend this system to any PC gamer on a budget.

Read CNET's full review

Price: $799.99

10 of 10 Corinne Schulze/CNET

Vizio VSB210WS Sound Bar

Vizio VSB210WS Sound Bar

Editors' rating: 3.5

The good: Stereo sound bar speaker with 2.4GHz wireless subwoofer; easy setup; gloss black finish; includes remote; eliminates the need to buy an AV receiver.

The bad: Has trouble emulating true surround sound; skimps on video connectivity options; frustrating LED indicator system; some remote control limitations.

The bottom line: The VSB210WS, Vizio's very first sound bar system, delivers reasonably full-bodied sound for a very affordable price.

Read CNET's full review

Price: $350

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