Here's our weekly roundup of the new products CNET reviewers liked best.
Dell Studio XPS 8000
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Strong visual appeal; competitive features for its price.
The bad: Minimal upgrade room; no out-of-the-box overclocking; no option for AMD's latest graphics cards.
The bottom line: The Dell Studio XPS 8000 offers a strong combination of midrange performance parts that should satisfy anyone looking for a midtower desktop for general productivity, digital media editing, or gaming. It lacks a few performance-oriented extras, but it makes up for any deficiencies with its attractive looks.
Amazon Kindle wireless reading device (U.S. and international wireless, latest generation)
Amazon Kindle wireless reading device (U.S. and international wireless, latest generation)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Large library of tens of thousands of e-books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs via Amazon's familiar online store; built-in free wireless "Whispernet" data network that works in the U.S. and some countries abroad (no PC needed); built-in keyboard for notes; with 2GB of internal memory, it's capable of storing 1,500 electronic books; font size is adjustable; good battery life; displays image files, and plays MP3 and AAC audio; compatible with Windows and Mac machines; Text-to-Speech feature allows you to have text read to you aloud; text appears slightly darker on this model than on the earlier U.S.-only version.
The bad: No Wi-Fi; no expansion slot for adding more memory; no protective carrying case included; battery is sealed into the device and isn't removable; isn't compatible with loaner e-books from your local library that use the ePub format; if you're using the wireless service overseas, you're charged extra fees for downloading full books and periodicals.
The bottom line: While the new internationalized Kindle looks exactly like the earlier U.S.-only model, this e-reader, which uses AT&T's data network for wireless access, represents an incremental improvement to the Kindle line--just as serious competition is ramping up in the e-book market.
The good: The Palm Pixi features a remarkably thin design and an improved QWERTY keyboard. An updated OS brings Yahoo integration as well as enhanced messaging features. It also offers Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G support.
The bad: Lacks Wi-Fi. The smartphone can be sluggish and battery can drain quickly. The camera's picture quality is subpar and still lacks video recording and editing options.
The bottom line: While not as powerful as the Pre, the Palm Pixi offers first-time smartphone buyers a decent set of features in a sleek little package. However, to be really competitive, we think it needs to come down in price just a touch.
The good: The HTC Droid Eris offers a slim design, plentiful features, and satisfying performance. It also has pinch and zoom multitouch.
The bad: The HTC Droid Eris has mixed multimedia quality. It comes only with the Android 1.5 OS, there's no file manager, and internal performance was occasionally sluggish.
The bottom line: Though its performance wasn't completely top-notch and we would prefer a more recent Android OS version, the HTC Droid Eris is a satisfying Android device that offers a nice contrast to the Motorola Droid. And you can't beat the price.
The good: The Dell UltraSharp U2410 has a plethora of connection options and ergonomic features.
The bad: The Dell UltraSharp U2410 has a slightly narrow viewing angle when compared with other IPS and VA monitors. It also has a slight pink tint and its RGB presets produce dithering when viewing dark gray colors.
The bottom line: The Dell UltraSharp U2410 is a feature-rich monitor that performs great while watching movies and playing games.
The good: Fantastic design; impressively compact; great padding; holds a 16-inch laptop plus books.
The bad: Slightly small for a backpack.
The bottom line: Armed with one of the most eye-catching designs around, the Booq Boa Squeeze is one of the most compact yet capacious laptop backpacks we've seen.
Mobile Edge Ultra Portable Netbook Messenger Bag - notebook carrying case
Mobile Edge Ultra Portable Netbook Messenger Bag - notebook carrying case
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Versatile design and extremely comfortable shoulder strap; excellent for smaller laptops.
The bad: No top handle; bulky look.
The bottom line: The checkpoint-friendly Mobile Edge Ultra Portable Netbook Messenger Bag is among the most comfortable laptop bags we've ever used--but not everyone will be wild about the design.
The good: Excellent control system for manual, semimanual shooting; fantastic wide-angle f2 lens; very good low-light photo quality.
The bad: Performance is merely average; no HD movie mode or optical zoom while recording; a couple design miscues.
The bottom line: As long as you're not expecting dSLR speed in a tiny body, the Canon PowerShot S90 is an excellent compact camera for advanced amateurs.
The good: Excellent design; great battery life; seamless 3G connection.
The bad: Slower CPU leads to frustratingly sluggish performance.
The bottom line: Nokia's entry in the crowded Netbook field shows that the company's hardware know-how translates to computer design, but a poor choice of CPU should give you pause.
The good: Excellent pedestal design makes it disappear on your TV stand; dynamic sound on movies; two analog audio inputs; adjustable controls for treble, bass, and stereo width; built-in subwoofer; subwoofer output allows you to add a separate sub to the system.
The bad: Both audio inputs are always active, so sound gets mixed with devices that are always on, like DVRs; no digital audio inputs; can't fill a large room with sound; doesn't compare to separate speakers for music; remote's button layout is uninspired; can't support large, heavy plasmas.
The bottom line: The Zvox Z-Base 525 sound bar delivers better-than-average sonics and its unique pedestal design will make you forget it's even there.
The good: Very thin; solid design; good battery life.
The bad: Slower than a typical Core 2 Duo laptop; no Bluetooth.
The bottom line: The design and portability of the Asus UL50AG make it one of the slickest 15.6-inch DVD-drive-equipped laptops we've seen, but an ultralow-voltage processor compromises its computing power.
The good: The Magellan RoadMate's OneTouch menu puts the most commonly accessed destinations and searches at a user's fingertips at all times. The smartly designed destination confirmation screen gives users a good deal of flexibility as to how they get where they're going. Large 4.7-inch touch screen gives users more real estate for maps and menus.
The bad: Poorly designed cradle interferes with power cable when mounting. The onscreen keyboard cannot be changed from its alphabetical layout to a more familiar QWERTY layout.
The bottom line: The Magellan RoadMate matches the competition's performance and user-friendliness, while providing a larger screen at a lower price.
