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2010 BMW X5 M

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

2010 BMW X5 M

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: BMW throws every tech trick in the book, and invents some new ones, to make the 2010 BMW X5 M one of the best performing SUVs on the road. The hard drive-based navigation system includes satellite imagery and dynamic routing around traffic congestion, while reserving 15 gigabytes of space for music storage. A top-down view is included in the parking system.

The bad:All this horsepower results in dismal fuel economy. A poor color scheme makes the navigation system's street maps difficult to read. The cabin tech interface has some quirks, such as two different settings menus.

The bottom line: Technically stunning, the 2010 BMW X5 M works as track car and sport driver, but its bad fuel economy will make the daily commute costly. The cabin tech also offers a lot, but a few features fall short of the cutting edge.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $85,400.00

Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 (T-Mobile)

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 (T-Mobile)

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 boasts a sleeker design that includes an optical trackpad, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a brilliant display. The smartphone is 3G capable and offers Wi-Fi with UMA support, Bluetooth, and GPS. It also gets a faster processor and updates to BlackBerry OS 5.0.

The bad: The BlackBerry browser doesn't compare to the competition. The handset's compact size results in a smaller display and keyboard, but they aren't deal-breakers.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 brings T-Mobile its first 3G BlackBerry and improves on its predecessor with a sleeker design and more power. We only wish it had a better browser to complete the package.

Read CNET's full review

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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AKG K 518 LE headphones (fuschia)

AKG K 518 LE headphones (fuschia)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The AKG K 518 LE headphones offer a stylish yet understated design, a secure fit, and balanced audio quality.

The bad: Not everyone will find the AKG K 518 LE headphones comfortable, and some songs sound overly muddy.

The bottom line: The AKG K 518 headphones are a good value for eclectic listeners who want a portable earphone that needn't be stuck into the ear.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $119.95 - $139.95

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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Casio Exilim EX-FC100 (black)

Casio Exilim EX-FC100 (black)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Amazing high-speed features for size, cost; integrated Eye-Fi support; very good regular performance.

The bad: Mixed photo quality; narrow lens; noisy AF system; high-speed modes require low resolutions; no optical zoom while recording movies.

The bottom line: Casio provides affordable, advanced high-speed shooting for the masses with the Exilim EX-FC100, but other aspects lag behind its class.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $222.95 - $349.99

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Sarah Tew/CNET

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Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 (4TB)

Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 (4TB)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 NAS server has good performance; RAID configurations; easy-to-use Web-based interface; offers plenty of storage without breaking the bank.

The bad: The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 NAS server's Web interface is sluggish at times. Its advanced features, such as self-downloading, IP camera support, and remote access, have limited functionality. It also runs hot.

The bottom line: The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 NAS server makes a good, affordable backup and storage center for home and small office environments where only simple file sharing and data backup are needed. Keep looking for alternatives if you want more-advanced NAS features.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $699.99

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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2010 Lexus RX 450h

2010 Lexus RX 450h

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The 2010 Lexus RX 450h enhances its luxury ride and cabin with a hybrid power train that achieves fuel economy unheard of for an SUV. Both navigation and phone systems offer advanced features.

The bad: The navigation system requires too many button pushes to reroute around traffic problems, and the audio system doesn't mute for route guidance instructions.

The bottom line: Lexus' new cabin tech suite helps the 2010 RX 450h keep on par with other car tech leaders, but the hybrid power train gives it a greater edge, delivering superior fuel economy and low emissions.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $42,110.00

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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LG 60PS80

LG 60PS80

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Superb suite of interactive features including Netflix, Vudu, Yahoo Widgets, and YouTube; accurate color; extensive picture controls including a unique Picture Wizard; solid connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input; beautiful styling.

The bad: Produces relatively light black levels; cannot properly process 1080p/24 content with consistency; exhibits some temporary image retention; no S-Video input.

The bottom line: Despite image quality a notch or two below competing plasmas, the LG PS80 series will win over shoppers who prioritize built-in video streaming.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $1,999.99 - $2,699.95

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Sarah Tew/CNET

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Onkyo SKS-HT870

Onkyo SKS-HT870

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: A 7.1 surround sound speaker system; excellent sound quality; subwoofer blends well with speakers; can fill relatively large rooms; relatively inexpensive, especially for a 7.1 system.

The bad: Relatively large speakers; boxy design; wood finish lacks refinement compared with other options; spring clip connectors.

The bottom line:The Onkyo SKS-HT870 speaker package offers up tons of performance for the price, but it's not the most stylish speaker system.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $360.63 - $399.00

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Sarah Tew/CNET

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Samsung Freeform - teal (Alltel)

Samsung Freeform - teal (Alltel)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Samsung Freeform has a 3.5mm headset jack, e-mail with corporate e-mail support, GPS, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and a music player.

The bad: The Samsung Freeform's keyboard feels a little cramped and the photo quality could be improved.

The bottom line: The Samsung Freeform is overall a decent multimedia messaging phone for Alltel customers.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $199.99

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Josh Miller/CNET

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Sony Vaio X (VPC-X115KX/N Signature Collection, gold)

Sony Vaio X (VPC-X115KX/N Signature Collection, gold)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Amazingly thin and light; great battery life with extended battery; faster than other Netbooks; big 128GB solid-state hard drive.

The bad: Underpowered for such an expensive system; default battery is short-lived.

The bottom line: Sony's bold experiment--a high-end luxury system with essentially Netbook components--makes an enviable coffee shop conversation piece, but one that includes some serious sticker shock.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $1,499.00

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Sarah Tew/CNET

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Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980

Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Large screen, great speakers; excellent battery life.

The bad: Heavy; massive battery; no Bluetooth.

The bottom line: Good design and some really nice-sounding speakers round out the Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980, a very affordable mainstream laptop with excellent battery life for its size.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $629.99

Updated:November 6, 2009Caption:CNET Reviews staffPhoto:Sarah Tew/CNET

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