Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)
Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including the Marantz NR1601 AV receiver, the Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR camera, the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300, and more.
Audyssey Audio Dock
Audyssey Audio Dock
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Excellent sound with good detail and bass; GSM-shielded so iPhone doesn't need to be switched into airplane mode; built-in Bluetooth for wireless streaming from iPhone, other mobile devices, or Bluetooth-enabled PC; speakerphone capabilities; USB PC syncing.
The bad: Fairly expensive; vertical styling may not appeal to some buyers.
The bottom line: Though the Audyssey Audio Dock is on the expensive side, it's one of the better-sounding--and versatile--iPod/iPhone audio systems with built-in Bluetooth and speakerphone capabilities we've tested.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $400
Marantz NR1601
Marantz NR1601 AV receiver
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: 7.1-channel AV receiver; excellent sound quality; four HDMI inputs; stylish slimline design; can connect an iPod/iPhone directly via USB; analog video upconversion; audio return channel support; standby pass-through; 3D compatible; three-year warranty; fully backlit remote.
The bad: Competitors offer more HDMI inputs; text-based graphical user interface; no true second-zone functionality.
The bottom line: The Marantz NR1601 has a stylish, slimline design and excellent sound quality, although other AV receivers offer more features for less money.
Acer Aspire Predator G7750-U222
Acer Aspire Predator G7750-U222 desktop PC
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Distinctive design makes an unmistakable statement; strong gaming performance; overclocking potential; room to expand; front-panel hard-drive-bay access.
The bad: Design not for everyone; getting inside the case means detaching the front face plate; no Blu-ray; weak online support.
The bottom line: You'll probably decide pretty quickly whether you like the Acer Aspire Predator's looks. Those in favor will also find a higher-end gaming PC with reasonably fast performance and plenty of room to expand and upgrade. Not everyone will appreciate the Predator's visual charms, but we recommend this PC to those who do.
Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3820T-5246
Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3820T-5246 laptop
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Thin design; long battery life; large keyboard.
The bad: No optical drive; not as exceptional as it used to be.
The bottom line: Acer's TimelineX is still a slim-profile, long-lasting 13-inch laptop, but it's no longer the only contender in that category.
Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202
Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202 speaker
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Dual docks for two iPods or iPhones; compact, elegant design; decent sound for small size; two free apps deliver full alarm clock and dual iPod mixing functionality; electromagnetically-shielded so iPhone to be used without switching to airplane mode; USB port for charging other portable devices; included remote control magnetically attaches to the back of the speaker.
The bad: Take away the iPhone apps and the Octiv Duo is a fairly basic iPod speaker; app doesn't automatically launch when you dock your device; circular remote control takes some getting used to.
The bottom line: If you're looking for a compact, affordable speaker for your bedside table that charges two iPhone or iPods simultaneously, the Octiv Duo is well designed and offers reasonably good sound for the money.
Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR
Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR digital camera
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Reliable Auto EXR mode; very good dynamic range and good high-ISO performance in EXR modes; small for having a 10x zoom, wide-angle lens.
The bad: Limited aperture settings; menu systems take some getting used to; two EXR modes use 6-megapixel resolution.
The bottom line: The Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR is an overall very good compact megazoom for its street price and size, though it's not without compromises.
Ricoh GXR S10 (with 24-72mm lens)
Ricoh GXR S10 (with 24-72mm lens)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Feels nicely constructed.
The bad: Relatively expensive; soft photos; poor noise reduction; no HD video capture.
The bottom line: The Ricoh GXR S10 is too expensive for what it offers and has nothing that makes it stand out from the competition. The GXR+S10 24-72mm module is solid, but it is far from being a best-in-class enthusiast compact camera.
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 (U.S. Cellular)
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 (U.S. Cellular)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 has Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and 512MB of onboard memory. It has a nice display and a great optical trackpad. It is a dual-mode device and can work on both GSM and CDMA networks.
The bad: The RIM BlackBerry browser can be tricky to navigate, and it doesn't have OS 6 yet.
The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 is one of a few phones that will please globe-trotting U.S. Cellular customers.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $159.95 after a two-year service agreement and a $70 mail-in rebate
RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 (T-Mobile)
RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 (T-Mobile)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G has a slim profile, a responsive optical trackpad, and external media keys. It also has Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth, GPS, 3G, and a 2-megapixel camera.
The bad: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G is almost identical to its predecessor save for a few changes. The photo quality is poor as well.
The bottom line: Though we're disappointed that the RIM BlackBerry Curve 3G didn't have more improvements over its predecessor, it's still a decent upgrade with the addition of 3G and GPS. Plus, it's quite affordable for an entry-level smartphone.