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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
