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Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)

Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including the Panasonic TC-P54Z1, Nokia E72, and Sony Vaio Eco VPC-W212AX.

CNET Reviews staff
1 of 9 Josh Miller/CNET

Panasonic TC-P54Z1

Here's our weekly roundup of the new products CNET reviewers liked best.

Panasonic TC-P54Z1

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: Superb black-level performance with excellent shadow detail; relatively accurate color in Custom mode after adjustment; solid color saturation; properly handles 1080p/24 sources without flicker; improved bright-room picture quality; very slim panel design; wireless connection between components and TV works well; VieraCast provides access to select Internet services; plenty of connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input.

The bad: Extremely expensive; less accurate primary and secondary colors in non-THX modes; minor video processing issues; somewhat limited picture controls; uses more power than comparable TVs.

The bottom line: Panasonic's flagship TC-P54Z1 plasma sails far beyond most buyers' price range, but the yacht enthusiasts who can afford it will enjoy superb picture quality and style in a wireless package.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $4,099.88 - $4,798.00

2 of 9 Josh Miller/CNET

Nokia E72 - black (Unlocked)

Nokia E72 - black (Unlocked)

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Nokia E72 brings upgrades such as a faster processor, more memory, and a better camera. The phone's design is both sleek and sturdy. It offers excellent messaging capabilities, 3G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

The bad: The optical trackpad doesn't work very well. Speakerphone volume is a bit low. It has a lower-resolution screen compared with some of its competitors. Without carrier backing, the E72 carries an expensive price tag.

The bottom line: Though the price might be off-putting to many, the Nokia E72 is a well-designed and full-featured messaging smartphone for business users.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $349.99 - $429.99

3 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony Vaio Eco VPC-W212AX

Sony Vaio Eco VPC-W212AX

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: Use of recycled materials doesn't affect cost or attractiveness of the Vaio W; comes with its own bag; next-gen Atom offers long battery life; HD display.

The bad: Cramped keyboard; mediocre video playback; more expensive than similar Netbooks.

The bottom line: With a chassis made from recycled materials, the Sony Vaio W Eco Series Netbook offers a great example to manufacturers looking to make their laptops greener--as a Netbook, however, its features are pretty much industry standard with the exception of a high-res 10-inch screen.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $480

4 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Epson WorkForce 310

Epson WorkForce 310

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Best in class print speeds; inexpensive; all-inclusive control panel; five separate ink cartridges.

The bad: No Wi-Fi or autoduplexer; underwhelming photo quality.

The bottom line: The Epson WorkForce 310 is a cost-efficient all-in-one printer that gives you five separate ink cartridges with an automatic document feeder and a detailed control panel. Combine those features with its lightning-fast print speeds, and the WorkForce 310 is a worthwhile addition to your office arsenal.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $74.13 - $130.13

5 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Pavilion All-in-One MS225

HP Pavilion All-in-One MS225

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Strong performance among low-cost all-in-ones; classy, understated design; 802.11n Wi-Fi comes standard.

The bad: HP could have made this the perfect kitchen PC with a mouse-driven version of its TouchSmart Recipe Box software; audio output a bit soft.

The bottom line: Don't expect the world from HP's low-cost Pavilion All-in-One MS2255, but as a basic day-to-day PC for light-duty productivity or Web and media accessibility in the kitchen, it's a very good deal. You'd be wise to look here before considering an Atom-based Nettop.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $596.67 - $599.99

6 of 9 Jabra

Jabra Extreme

Jabra Extreme

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Jabra Extreme's features include multipoint technology and A2DP compatibility. It has a dedicated power switch, and the call quality is excellent.

The bad: The Jabra Extreme has small volume controls, and it didn't feel very comfortable in the ear.

The bottom line: Despite our fit issues, the Jabra Extreme's advanced features, excellent noise-cancellation, and affordable price tag make it a great Bluetooth headset.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $59.99

7 of 9 James Martin/CNET

Motorola Brute i680 (Sprint)

Motorola Brute i680 (Sprint)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Motorola Brute i680 has a rugged, durable design, well-designed controls, and a functional feature set. Call quality is top-notch.

The bad: The Motorola Brute i680 is missing a dedicated Back button and an exterior camera shutter. The headset jack is 2.5mm, and photo quality is forgettable.

The bottom line: The Motorola Brute i680 isn't pretty or flashy, but it delivers on call quality and its design should withstand the elements.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $119.99

8 of 9 Josh Miller/CNET

Trendnet TEW-639GR Wireless N Gigabit Router

Trendnet TEW-639GR Wireless N Gigabit Router

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Trendnet TEW-639GR Wireless N Gigabit Router has good throughput performance, an easy-to-use Web interface, support for Gigabit Ethernet, and a comprehensive set of home networking features.

The bad: The Trendnet TEW-639GR Wireless N Gigabit Router lacks high-end features, such as support for a USB device, dual-band wireless networking, and guest networking. Also, its range and wireless connection stability could be better.

The bottom line: The Trendnet TEW-639GR Wireless N Gigabit Router is a decent investment for Wireless-N home networking, offering a decent package at an affordable price.

Read CNET's full review
Price range: $64.99 - $84.99

9 of 9 Josh Miller/CNET

Yamaha EPH-30 Inner Ear Headphones (black)

Yamaha EPH-30 Inner Ear Headphones (black)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Yamaha EPH-30 Inner Ear Headphones offer surprisingly good sound quality for the money. They're comfortable and provide some passive noise isolation. Plus, they're very energy efficient.

The bad: The Yamaha EPH-30 headphones seem pretty fragile; there's no carrying pouch; and the white version gets dirty fast.

The bottom line: The Yamaha EPH-30 Inner Ear Headphones are a fantastic option for anyone on a budget, offering sound quality on par with the sound of sets that cost at least twice as much.

Read CNET's full review
Price: $39.95

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