Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)
Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including the Canon EOS 60D, HTC Evo Shift 4G, and the Acer Aspire AS5742G-7200.
_-_Canon_EOS_60D_(body_only).png?auto=webp&width=1200)
Canon EOS 60D (body only)
Canon EOS 60D (body only)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Very fast; articulated display; excellent video quality and options.
The bad: Some annoying interface conventions.
The bottom line: The Canon EOS 60D is in many ways a great camera: fast, feature-packed, and with excellent photo and video quality. Some annoying aspects of its control layout dim its shine a little, however, so try before you buy.
HP Pavilion dm1
HP Pavilion dm1
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Nearly mainstream performance at premium Netbook prices; excellent battery life; capable graphics.
The bad: Plastic look and feel; thick and chunky compared with some 11-inch laptops.
The bottom line: The first laptop to offer AMD's power-efficient Fusion platform delivers on much of its promise, combining great battery life, decent performance, and basic graphics for less than $500.
Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $450.00
_-_HTC_Evo_Shift_4G_(Sprint).png?auto=webp&width=1200)
HTC Evo Shift 4G (Sprint)
HTC Evo Shift 4G (Sprint)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The HTC Evo Shift 4G has a solid design with a comfortable physical keyboard. The Android 2.2 smartphone is 4G capable and can be used as a mobile hot spot.
The bad: Lacks a front-facing camera and HDMI port.
The bottom line: For those who crave a physical keyboard, the HTC Evo Shift 4G is a solid choice with a more wallet-friendly price than its 4G competitors, and it doesn't sacrifice too many features.
_-_.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Jawbone Era (Midnight)
Jawbone Era (Midnight)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Aliph Jawbone Era has a unique and attractive design, with updated features that include caller ID by name, a built-in accelerometer, and HD-quality audio.
The bad: The Aliph Jawbone Era doesn't have a dedicated volume rocker, and the way it fits the ear is not as easy and comfortable as we would like.
The bottom line: The Aliph Jawbone Era knocks it out of the park with high-end features, amazing audio quality, and innovative design.
Read CNET's full review
Pricing unavailable
Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router offers true dual-band with 450Mbps on the 5GHz band; Gigabit Ethernet; fast throughput; a long range; NAS functionality; a nice set of networking features; and a good Web interface. The router also comes in a nice and compact design, and includes Cisco Connect, an intuitive software application that helps home users set up and manage their home wireless network with ease.
The bad: The Linksys E4200 doesn't offer 450Mbps throughput on the 2.4GHz band; its guest networking feature is limited to only 10 clients; the included desktop application doesn't allow for managing all of the router's settings, doesn't work well with the Web interface, and requires a live Internet connection for the initial setup. The router also runs warm, and its power adapter is bulky.
The bottom line: The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router is the first advanced router from Cisco that will make both novice and savvy users happy, thanks to its easy-to-use desktop application, comprehensive Web interface, great design, and stellar performance.
Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400
Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 supports true dual-band and offers fast wireless performance and long range. It has a useful set of networking features, such as Guest zone, network storage, traffic meter, and USB external hard-drive support for network storage. Also, it's aesthetically pleasing and affordable and comes with an intuitive Web interface.
The bad: The Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 doesn't offer Gigabit Ethernet and its network storage performance could be better.
The bottom line: The Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 is a great dual-band router for any home at an affordable price. Its lack of Gigabit Ethernet might steer enthusiasts away, however.
_-_Origin_Genesis_(Intel_Core_i7_2600K).png?auto=webp&width=1200)
Origin Genesis (Intel Core i7 2600K)
Origin Genesis (Intel Core i7 2600K)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Impressively overclocked Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge CPU sets new price-performance standard; overclocked graphics card provides gaming performance boost; polished build quality; comparatively power-efficient.
The bad: Drive bay cable rigging could be tidier; you'll want a beefier power supply than the one configured here to support a second graphics card.
The bottom line: The Origin Genesis is the first system we've seen with Intel's new Sandy Bridge Core i7 2600K chip. Fast, and extremely overclockable, the new chip has provided Origin with a platform for a remarkably value-friendly gaming rig. Shop around for pricing as Sandy Bridge spreads among other vendors, but right now this is the $2,499 gaming PC to beat.
Parrot Minikit Smart
Parrot Minikit Smart
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Parrot Minikit Smart holds and charges a smartphone or mobile device with its cradle and powered USB connection. Bluetooth connectivity supports hands-free calling and audio streaming. Phone book syncing allows for easy initiation of calls, manually or with voice commands.
The bad: The cradle and smartphone combo is fairly heavy, requiring users to double- or triple-check the suction cup mount lest the whole kit come tumbling down while driving.
The bottom line: The Parrot Minikit Smart combines an easy-to-use Bluetooth speakerphone with a sturdy smartphone windshield mount and charger, making it useful for both hands-free calling and turn-by-turn navigation when paired with an app.
Acer Aspire AS5742G-7200
Acer Aspire AS5742G-7200E
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Robust Nvidia graphics; affordable price; competitive performance for a Core i5 laptop.
The bad: Lackluster design; short battery life; weak speaker; no USB 3.0 or Bluetooth.
The bottom line: On a price-to-performance basis, the Acer Aspire 5742G-7200 is one of the better laptop buys on the market, but better-designed alternatives can be had for a little more money.
_-_Nikon_Coolpix_S8100_(black).png?auto=webp&width=1200)
Nikon Coolpix S8100
Nikon Coolpix S8100 (black)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Excellent shooting performance; great LCD; stereo mic; 10x zoom in an attractive compact body.
The bad: Soft photos on either side of ISO 200; white balance is a little off; no manual or semimanual shooting modes.
The bottom line: With fast performance, good photos, and an excellent feature-to-price ratio, the Nikon Coolpix S8100 is a compact megazoom worth considering.
More Galleries
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
9 Photos
2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty
22 Photos