Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)

2011 BMW M3 Coupe

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: Extraordinary performance technology changes the 2011 BMW M3 Coupe from mild-mannered sports car to track star at the push of a button. Excellent navigation and audio systems are available for cabin tech.

The bad: The 2011 BMW M3 gets hit with the gas-guzzler tax, burning through gas like a pyromaniac in a napalm factory. The idle stop feature is annoying in many driving situations.

The bottom line: Performance technology makes the 2011 BMW M3 Coupe a thoroughbred performer, yet it can be optioned with plenty of cabin gadgets. Poor fuel economy limits its daily utility, but we still give the M3 an Editors' Choice Award.

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Prices start at $58,900

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Boston SoundWare XS 5.1 speaker system is one of the most compact and style-friendly systems we've seen. It sounds much better than you'd expect given its size, and it's very affordable.

The bad: The Boston's cramped speaker wire connectors are difficult to use. And if you don't need extremely small speakers, you can find better-sounding (and still stylish) speakers for the same price.

The bottom line: The Boston SoundWare XS 5.1 is an exceptionally compact system and sounds great for its size--although larger systems sound even better.

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Prices start at $498

Contour+ sports camera

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Contour+ sports camera is highly configurable, yet also extremely easy to pick up and use. An included Connect View card allows the Contour+ to connect to Contour's iPhone app for live viewfinding and settings adjustments. HDMI output, microphone input, and Bluetooth connectivity offer expandability.

The bad: The Contour+ is noticeably more expensive than the competition and Contour's other models. The flush-mounted lens glass seems vulnerable to scratching.

The bottom line: The Contour+ sports camera is simple to use, with pro-level flexibility and quality; however, Contour's lower-priced options may be more appropriate for casual users.

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Prices start at $499.99

Crucial m4 solid-state drive (128GB)

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Crucial m4 solid-state drive (SSD) is competitively priced and offers fast performance. The drive supports SATA 6Gbps and works in any SATA-based storage applications.

The bad: The m4's performance could be better comparatively, and it doesn't come with a drive-bay converter to work with desktop computers.

The bottom line: So far, the Crucial m4 offers the best value among SSDs. Though it's not the fastest, it's by far the most affordable among its peers.

Read CNET's full review
Prices start at $209.99

The Crucial m4 also comes in a 256GB version for about $440 and a 512GB version for about $800.

Dell XPS 17 3D laptop

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Dell XPS 17 3D is a sharp-looking desktop replacement that can handle 3D content, as well as output 3D movies and games to a compatible 3DTV. Highly configurable, the more-expensive options are powerful indeed.

The bad: Some wonky stereoscopic 3D issues make this less plug-and-play than a 3DTV, and the 17-inch version of the XPS has not gotten the same slim makeover the 15-inch version has.

The bottom line: Dell's XPS 17 3D is for those who want a powerful media and gaming 17-inch laptop, but in a more aesthetically upscale package than offered by Dell's Alienware brand. The stereoscopic 3D is gimmicky, but a certain breed of PC gamer will love it.

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Prices start at $1,409.99

HP TouchPad (16GB)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The HP TouchPad uses Palm's unique WebOS interface and delivers Adobe Flash-enabled Web browsing, Beats audio enhancement, and impressive compatibility with third-party calendar, messaging, and e-mail services.

The bad: The TouchPad has a thick, smudgy design, offers no rear camera or HD video capture, includes a limited app selection, and its unique cards system of multitasking isn't as fully utilized as it could be.

The bottom line: The TouchPad would have made a great competitor for the original iPad, but its design, features, and speed put it behind today's crop of tablet heavyweights.

Read CNET's full review
Prices start at $499.99

Canon PowerShot A2200

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Canon PowerShot A2200 is a simple, reliable, and affordable compact camera that produces nice photos and movie clips.

The bad: The camera's shooting performance is slow.

The bottom line: The Canon PowerShot A2200 is a solid point-and-shoot for basic snapshot needs with just enough extras to make it worth its price.

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Prices start at $112.97

We also liked the ultracompact Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 (with 14-42mm lens)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 delivers great photo quality and useful features like an articulated LCD and extended bracketing in a comfortable--if somewhat big--shooting design.

The bad: While not bad, its performance is in the middle of the pack, and the battery doesn't last long enough.

The bottom line: If you're looking for a camera that's not quite as big as a dSLR but doesn't skimp on hardware controls or features like an articulated LCD, EVF and stereo full HD video, the G3 is a top option. But performance is hit-and-miss for shooting action, so you may end up having to go with something just a bit bigger, anyway.

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Prices start at $664.05

HP Pavilion dv6t-6000 laptop

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Improved design, Beats audio, new USB 3.0 ports, an HD Webcam, fingerprint sensor, a variety of configurations ranging from budget to high-end, and second-gen Core i-series processors are all part of the HP Pavilion dv6t's design makeover.

The bad: Underperforming AMD graphics, too many confusing configuration options, and a flexy keyboard make for a less-than-overwhelming overall experience.

The bottom line: The HP Pavilion dv6t is a solid improvement on HP's previous 15-inch mainstream consumer laptop with numerous tweaks, bells, and whistles, but the wide variety of options means you'll get wildly different systems based on what you can afford.

Read CNET's full review
Prices start at $749.99

We also liked the HP ProBook 5330m, a 13-inch business laptop.