HP TouchSmart PC 520-1070 review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Product Reviews

The HP TouchSmart 520-1070 ($1,399.99 direct, or $1329 on Amazon) is the high-end entry in HP's current TouchSmart line of touch-enabled all-in-one desktop PCs. Equipped with powerful components, like a quad-core processor and 2TB hard drive, it's also packed to the gills with entertainment options, offering a big 1080p display, Beats Audio, a Blu-ray drive, TV-tuner, and a remote control. An HDMI-in port is just icing on the cake, extending the life of this desktop even further for use as a monitor.

Design and Features
The 520-1070 has a glossy black plastic chassis, but it's more than just a monolithic 23-inch screen. Two vertical arms hold the touch screen aloft from the silvery plastic base, with a single immense hinge to adjust the angle. But while the hinge is housed in the base, the components are housed behind the widescreen display, which provides 1,920-by-1,080 resolution as well as a large multitouch surface. Thankfully, HP took the time to get this hinge right, and you'll find that despite your touching and tapping, the 520-1070 stays firm though it all, without the wobble that mars the experience on competitors, like the Samsung Series 7 (DP700A38-01) or Asus ET2410-06. It also has a decent range of motion, sitting at a vertical 90-degree angle that can be adjusted all the way back to a comfortable 60-degrees.

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Apple iMac 27-inch (2011) review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews

The Apple iMac 27-inch (Thunderbolt) ($1,999 list) is the newest top-of-the-line iMac, and it adds second-generation Intel Core i processors (aka, Sandy Bridge) to Apple's class-leading all in one Mac desktops, along with Thunderbolt ports first seen on the new MacBook Pro laptops. It has that huge, beautiful high-resolution screen, killer (if aging) design, and it is fast, fast, fast. Your "Mac OS or die" art director already wants one. Still, it's not enough to unseat the HP TouchSmart 610-1065qd as our high-end all in one desktop Editor's Choice, given that the latter offers quad-core power, a touch-screen display, and an innovative screen reclining feature, all for about $200 less. That said, read on for our full review of the 2011 27-inch iMac with Thunderbolt.

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New Apple iMac brings Thunderbolt, next-gen quad-core processors

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop

Today, Apple announced updated iMac desktops with second-generation Intel Core processors and Thunderbolt interconnect technology. The new iMacs are available in the familiar 21.5-inch and larger 27-inch form factors, starting at $1,199 for the 21.5-inch model with an Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics, and a 500GB hard drive.

Thunderbolt is Apple's implementation of Intel's Lightpath interconnect technology, first seen on Apple's MacBook Pro laptops. As before, Thunderbolt on the iMac is compatible with USB, FireWire, and Gigabit Ethernet via adapters. Thunderbolt supports mini DisplayPort monitors without an adapter, and can support (via adapters) VGA, DVI, HDMI, and full-sized DisplayPort with an adapter. Thunderbolt has a theoretical 10Gbps throughput, so it can accommodate all of these interconnects simultaneously using only one port. The iMac 21.5-inch models come with one Thunderbolt port, while the 27-inch features two Thunderbolt ports.

On the software side, all new iMacs come with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, along with Apple's iLife '11 software (iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes, GarageBand, etc.). New for the iMac line is the inclusion of FaceTime HD, which allows video chat with FaceTime equipped iPhone 4, iPod Touch, and iPad 2 devices.

All iMacs are EPEAT Gold certified and meet Energy Star 5.2 requirements. The iMac's LED backlit display is mercury free and Apple uses PVC free cables and components. The new iMacs use Apple's familiar aluminum and glass chassis, and come with a SD card slot, wireless keyboard, and a choice of Apple's Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.

The new iMacs are available now through Apple Stores, store.apple.com, and authorized Apple Retailers. The base 21.5-inch iMac starts at $1,199 and $1,499, the base 27-inch iMac starts at $1,699 and $1,999. Configure to order options include high end Intel Core i7 processors, 2TB hard drives, 256GB SSD, additional system memory, and AppleCare.

If you're not looking for the latest and greatest, new iMacs also mean that there will be a ton of cheap iMacs hitting eBay.

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Deal of the Day: Up to 41% off Lenovo All-in-One A700, B305, A310, C315 desktops

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, PC / Laptop

Today we’ve got a deal that brings you an extra 15% off of four already discounted Lenovo all-in-one desktop computers, saving you up to 41% in total, depending on the model. All of these desktops have Wi-Fi built-in, webcams, and ship with Windows 7 installed. These are the newest models available from Lenovo, so a deal like this is super-rare. Here’s what we’ve got:

• The Lenovo C315 has got a 1.6GHz dual-core processor with touchscreen and TV tuner. With the coupon, you are getting 41% off the list price, saving you $404.85!
• The Lenovo IdeaCentre B305 has a 21.5-inch touchscreen display that also incorporate multitouch gestures, and it’s powered by an AMD processor. You are getting 26% off, saving you $204.85.
• The Lenovo IdeaCentre A310 is the thinnest all-in-one in the line. It has a 21.5-inch 1080p display, TV tuner, Bluetooth keyboard, Bluetooth mouse, and remote control. With the coupon you save 23%, a savings of $242.35.
• The Lenovo IdeaCentre A700 has a 23-inch 1080p display, Intel 2.66GHz Core i3 processor, and with the coupon you are getting 23% off the list price, saving you $249.85.

Here are the links:

• Save 41% on Lenovo C315
• Save 26% on Lenovo IdeaCentre B305
• Save 23% on Lenovo IdeaCentre A310
• Save 25% on Lenovo IdeaCentre A700

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Apple iMac gets updated, 24-inch model cheaper

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop

Yup, even more Apple update news for you guys today, as it would be irresponsible of us not to inform you of the spec bumps to the iMac line. Like all the other Apple computer products, the iMac picks up a Mini DisplayPort with this revision, but that’s not all. Prices are looking good, with a 20-inch model starting at $1,199, and the 24-inch model starting at a price of $1,499. There is only one 20-inch model, which hits you with a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, 320GB hard drive space, and a GeForce 9400M graphics chip. The baseline 24-inch model includes the same processor, but 4GB RAM and a 640GB hard drive. You can move up from there if you want a 2.93Ghz, or 3.06 GHz, processor. You can pick up a new iMac now.

Read More | Apple iMac

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