X

Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)

Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite gadgets from the past week, including the Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2, the Samsung UN55D8000, and the Maingear Vybe Super Stock.

James Martin
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
James Martin
34648501_OVR_440x330.png
1 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2

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

Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: Lightweight design, a well-constructed, compact keyboard, and its function as a travel case make the Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2 easy to pack.

The bad: The keys are inevitably more cramped than on a full-size keyboard, and the case offers no protection for the iPad 2's back and can't be easily put on and taken off when commuting.

The bottom line: The Logitech Keyboard Case for the iPad 2 does exactly what it promises, offering a highly portable Bluetooth keyboard for use with an iPad; however, it's a better keyboard than it is a case.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $99.99

_OVR_440x330.png
2 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Maingear Vybe Super Stock

Maingear Vybe Super Stock

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: Maingear's Vybe Super Stock boasts best-in-class gaming desktop performance in a tidy, well-built package.

The bad: You may find a few games give this system trouble at the highest image quality and resolution settings.

The bottom line: With few limitations and strong value in its enthusiast category, Maingear's expertly built, impressively fast Vybe Super Stock earns an Editors' Choice Award.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $1,699

34503721_OVR_440x330.png
3 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung UN55D8000

Samsung UN55D8000

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Samsung UND8000 series has a unique, visually stunning design that minimizes the frame around the screen for a nearly all-picture look. It produces deep black levels with accurate color, along with excellent video processing and improved 3D picture quality. The Smart Hub Internet portal boasts more apps and streaming services than the competition, along with a functional Web browser, and is easier to use thanks to the included dual-sided Bluetooth keyboard with a screen and QWERTY keyboard. Samsung includes two pairs of 3D glasses.

The bad:The UND8000 series is extremely expensive and exhibits poor screen uniformity with excessive brightness variation and banding. Details in shadows were obscured somewhat, and the glossy screen reflects a lot of ambient light. Smart Hub lacks Amazon Instant, its search is next to useless, and its interface can be cluttered and confusing.

The bottom line: The Samsung UND8000 TV delivers best-in-class looks and features, but its picture quality--thanks to uneven screen uniformity--is ultimately not as good as that of many less expensive models.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $2,699 from 11 stores

34643932_OVR_440x330.png
4 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Blu Speed - black (unlocked)

Blu Speed - black (unlocked)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Blu Speed has a decent QWERTY keyboard and features that include a dual SIM card slot for two different numbers, a front-facing VGA camera for video calls, Skype Mobile, the Opera Mini browser, Wi-Fi, FM radio, and even an e-book reader.

The bad: The Blu Speed has a rather cheap flimsy construction, the optical mouse takes some getting used to, and call quality was a little muddy at times.

The bottom line: Despite its bland and cheap appearance, the Speed has an impressive array of features that belie its affordable price.

Read CNET's full review
Pricing unavailable at this time.

TalkXD_440x330.jpg
5 of 10 MoGo

MoGo Talk XD Bluetooth Headset and Protective Case for iPhone 4 (Black)

MoGo Talk XD Bluetooth Headset and Protective Case for iPhone 4 (Black)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The MoGo Talk XD is a solid protective iPhone case with a built-in Bluetooth headset. The headset has a comfortable fit and comes with a variety of earbud tips.

The bad: The MoGo Talk XD lacks a few advanced Bluetooth headset features like A2DP and multipoint. You have to use the phone to adjust the volume. Call quality was also not as good as we hoped.

The bottom line: The idea behind the MoGo Talk XD is clever, but we don't think the features fully justify its retail price.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $58.97 from 2 stores

34647317_OVR_440x330.png
6 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Headphones (Black)

Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator Headphones (Black)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The stylish Roc Nation Aviator headphones reach beyond Skullcandy's tween demographic and bring a sophisticated look and detailed sound design to the mobile market.

The bad: The Aviators are light on bass and may not satisfy those expecting thumping sound.

The bottom line: The style-savvy Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator headphones earn our recommendation for balancing a unique thematic design with exceptional clarity in spite of a slightly passive low-end response.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $149.95 from 5 stores

_OVR_440x330-1.png
7 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 (Black)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 (Black)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 has a compact, lightweight design and good features and photo quality for the money.

The bad: The DSC-H70's 16-megapixel photo resolution doesn't improve photo quality from its 14-megapixel predecessor, and its shooting performance is slow.

The bottom line: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 is a very good basic compact megazoom, if not the best value.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $219 from 16 stores

34629437_OVR_440x330.png
8 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Sprint MiFi 4082 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot

Sprint MiFi 4082 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Sprint MiFi 4082 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot is good looking, compact, easy to use, and features wireless N. The device comes with an affordable unlimited 4G data plan, includes GPS and network storage functionality, and has decent battery life.

The bad: The Sprint MiFi 4082 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot sporadically doesn't work well with certain Wi-Fi mobile devices and can support only five wireless clients at the most. The device runs hot at times and its 4G connection is comparatively slow.

The bottom line: For mobile users who travel within good Sprint 4G coverage areas--especially those traveling with laptops-- the Sprint MiFi 4082 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot makes a good companion.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $0.01 from 7 stores

34660154_OVR_440x330.png
9 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot ZTE MF61

T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot ZTE MF61

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot ZTE MF61 mobile router is good-looking and compact, and offers a fast cellular Internet connection and long battery life. The device can send and receive text messages and comes with multiple and relatively affordable data plans that include T-Mobile's Wi-Fi hot-spot service.

The bad: The T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot operates at significantly reduced Internet speeds when the data allowance is reached, doesn't feature Wireless-N, and takes a long time to apply changes. It supports a maximum of five wireless clients.

The bottom line: For mobile users who want a fast and flexible mobile Internet access solution and who have moderate data usage needs, the T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot ZTE MF61 will make a good investment.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $169.53 from 4 stores

34629438_OVR_440x330.png
10 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Toshiba Satellite M645-S4118X

Toshiba Satellite M645-S4118X

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: An excellent package of Blu-ray, Nvidia graphics, a fast processor, and great speakers help the M645-S4118X rise above the pack.

The bad: The thick plastic chassis and a bad battery life could ruin the equation for some.

The bottom line: The Toshiba Satellite M645-S4118X has a killer combination of Blu-ray, high-end graphics, and a fast processor at a price slightly north of $1,000, but poor battery life is the Achilles' heel on what would otherwise be an ideal 14-inch laptop.

Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $999.99 from 9 stores

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos