Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)
Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including the LG Thrill 4G, Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers, and the Toshiba Portege R835-P70.
Toshiba Portege R835-P70
Toshiba Portege R835-P70
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: With a new Intel Core i5 CPU, sharp design, and nearly all-day battery life, the Toshiba Portege R835 is a smartly priced alternative to the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The bad: Intel's integrated graphics are better than they used to be, but still not gamer-friendly, and features such as Bluetooth and mobile broadband are missing from some configs. There's no Blu-ray option (only DVD), and the speakers are somewhat anemic.
The bottom line: Excellent battery life, a light weight, and great pricing make the Toshiba Portege R835 hard to beat, even in the highly competitive 13-inch laptop category.
LG Thrill 4G (AT&T)
LG Thrill 4G (AT&T)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The LG Thrill 4G offers a glasses-free 3D display and comes preloaded with 3D content, as well as stereoscopic cameras for capturing 3D photo and video. The Android smartphone features a dual-core processor and an HDMI port.
The bad: The smartphone is large and heavy. It ships running Android 2.2 Froyo and can be sluggish at times. Camera quality could be better.
The bottom line: For the price, the LG Thrill 4G makes for a decent and fun Android device that includes 3D capabilities, but if you're after power and performance, there are better alternatives.
Read CNET's full review
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Deck 82 keyboard (Ice Blue)
Deck 82 keyboard (Ice Blue)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The backlit, compact 82-key layout helps the Deck 82 keyboard fit in tight spaces, and its affordable price tag makes it an excellent mechanical keyboard for first-time adopters and mod-freaks alike.
The bad: The keyboard lacks an integrated palm rest, which may limit its appeal for heavy typists.
The bottom line: The Deck 82 keyboard's space-saving design, adjustable backlit luminescence, and low price tag make this fully customizable keyboard a win for mechanical keyboard typists.
SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip (blue, 8GB)
SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip (blue, 8GB)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip is an audio Swiss Army Knife that plays most audio formats, works with audiobook and subscription music services, can be used as a voice recorder, and tunes in to FM radio--all for under $50.
The bad: You get what you pay for in terms of construction quality.
The bottom line: SanDisk's tongue-twister of an MP3 player is a stupefying value and its practical clip-on design is perfect for the gym.
Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers
Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers have an attractive, compact design, and offer good sound with lots of bass. They're also one of the few powered stereo speakers to have an optical digital connection (for Apple TV or the PS3, for instance) in addition to an analog input.
The bad: The speakers don't play terribly loud and they overemphasize detail. There's no remote, and no way to toggle between inputs.
The bottom line: While we didn't like their sound as much as the Audioengine 2s, the Audyssey Lower East Side Media Speakers are an attractively designed set of powered multimedia speakers that offer good sound and the added bonus of a digital optical input.
Dell Inspiron 620 MT
Dell Inspiron 620 MT
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Dell Inspiron 620 offers a welcome departure from the glossy black sea of desktop conformity, along with some helpful case features and a strong traditional configuration.
The bad: Upgrade options are limited for this system due to some corner-cutting on the motherboard.
The bottom line: Look no further than the Dell Inspiron 620 if you're interested in a mainstream PC with strong computing features housed in a case that dares to stand out in a sea of desktop conformity.
Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band N Router - wireless router - 802.11 a/b/g/n - desktop
Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band N Router - wireless router - 802.11 a/b/g/n - desktop
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The affordable true dual-band Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band N router is easy to use, thanks to the included Cisco Connect software and the well-organized Web interface. The router is also stylish and compact.
The bad: The Linksys E2500's range is short and its 2.4Ghz-band performance is subpar. The included Cisco Connect utility provides limited access to its features, doesn't work in sync with the Web interface, and requires a live Internet to work.
The bottom line: Though far from perfect, the Linksys E2500's ease of use, nice design, and friendly price tag help make it a very good router for a small home or apartment.
Monster Cable Heartbeats 2.0 by Lady Gaga In-Ear Headphones (Black)
Monster Cable Heartbeats 2.0 by Lady Gaga In-Ear Headphones (Black)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Monster's Heartbeats 2.0 by Lady Gaga have a unique look that improves the design of the original Monster Heartbeats earphones. We also liked the flat, tangle-resistant cord, the integrated mic for making cell phone calls, and its pop-optimized sound.
The bad: Sound isn't terribly detailed, and the ControlTalk mic lacks volume control.
The bottom line: The Heartbeats 2.0 by Lady Gaga have a better design than the original Heartbeats and offer pleasant sound with good bass.
Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Wii Pack (Black)
Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Wii Pack (Black)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Nintendo Wii Hardware Bundle (with Mario Kart) has a lot going for it: clean, accessible design; a great library of family-friendly games; a still-iconic controller design that can be used for motion games or more traditional button-based games; Virtual Console library and WiiWare games that offer a unique and affordable collection of classic titles; the Wii Remote Plus controller, updated with built-in MotionPlus; and Netflix streaming.
The bad: Online connectivity is hampered by closed-garden design; graphics and video playback cap at 480p; other than Netflix, the Wii has no other video-streaming or entertainment offerings, and can't play CDs or DVDs; its graphics continue to look ever more outdated compared with rival consoles, and the unique qualities that motion gaming offered are now available in accessories from rival consoles; and, finally, the decision to replace both Wii Sports games with Mario Kart in this bundle may disappoint casual consumers.
The bottom line: For families and lovers of casual games, the even more affordable Wii still represents the best console bundle value in terms of dollars spent, but it's also the system that's first on deck to be outdated. With the announcement of the Wii U, the Wii is a declining console. Still, its sizable and often unique back library of games is still worth playing.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V (Black)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V (Black)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V is overflowing with shooting features, has excellent photo and video quality, and solid shooting performance for its class.
The bad: The HX100V might actually be too much camera for some users and it has a couple minor design issues.
The bottom line: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V has a lot of features and a lot of lens with photo and video quality that's just good enough to back up its hefty price tag.
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