Dell today introduced the all new XPS 15z laptop, a thin 15-inch multimedia notebook wrapped in a strong aluminum shell. The Dell XPS 15z offers 2nd-generation “Sandy Bridge” Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, optional 15.6-inch Full HD (1080p) WLED display, a backlit keyboard and up to eight hours of battery life (according to Dell).

The new XPS 15z is the first in a series of upcoming thin “z” laptops under the Inspiron and XPS brands. Dell believes the XPS 15z fills a gap between business-rugged laptops designed for road warriors and stylish multimedia notebooks with powerful processors and graphics. The NVIDIA graphics inside the XPS 15z will not only handle HD video playback but also provide 3DTV play capabilities when connected to a 3D HDTV or 3D Monitor.

In addition to the powerful graphics, the thin XPS 15z is loaded with built-in Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity as well as optional Intel Wireless Display which lets you wirelessly stream videos and phots from the XPS 15z to an HDMI-equipped TV. That, and the exclusive “Dell Stage” user interface is designed to make it easier than ever to share your music, photos and videos.

The XPS 15z is currently available for order on the Dell website and has a starting price of $999.99. Dell expects retail availability to follow shortly.

Dell XPS 15z Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz or Intel Core i7-2620M processor 2.70 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.40 GHz
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
• Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz or 8GB DDR3 1333MHz
• Chipset: Intel HM67
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M 1GB graphics with Optimus or NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M 2GB graphics with Optimus
• Display: 15.6-inch display (1920×1080 or 1366×768 resolution options)
• Hard Drive: Up to 750GB SATA hard drive (7200RPM)
• Optical Drive: Slot load 8x DVD+/-RW (reads & writes to CD/DVD)
• Power: 90 Watt AC Adapter
• Battery: 8-Cell Lithium Polymer (64WHr, 2.2AHr, up to 8 hours, 22 minutes of battery life)
• Webcam: 1.3MP HD with dual array digital microphones
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet network standard, opt external USB Modem
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 802.11 agn wireless
• Bluetooth 3.0
• Intel Wireless Display ready
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 0.97 x 15.15 x 10.25 inches
• Starting weight: 5.54 lbs
• Color: Anodized aluminum in “Elemental Silver”; Formed aluminum base, Magnesium alloy palmrest
• Starting price: $999.99

Ports and Connectors:

• HDMI 1.4 (1), Mini DisplayPort (1), RJ-45 (1), headphone (1), microphone (1)
• 3 total USB ports; USB 3.0 (2); USB 2.0/eSATA combo with PowerShare (1)
• 9-in-1 media card reader supporting SD, SDIO, SDXC, SDHC, MS, MS Pro, MMC, MSXC, xD
• Standard full size, backlit chiclet keyboard; spill-resistant

A powerful notebook that combines the durability and features of a business-class Thinkpad with the style of a consumer laptop.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Full Review

Although the ThinkPad line of notebooks from Lenovo is synonymous with business laptops, there hasn’t been a 13-inch ThinkPad since the old X301. The all new ThinkPad X1 promises to deliver all the features and dependability you expect from a ThinkPad inside a thin and lightweight 13-inch laptop.

Our review unit of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 features the following specifications:

• Intel Core i5-2520M dual-core processor (2.5GHz, 3MB cache, 3.2GHz Turbo frequency)
• Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
• 13.3-inch HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit Display with Corning Gorilla Glass
• Intel Integrated HD 3000 Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 (1333MHz)
• 320GB Hitachi Travelstar hard drive (Z7K320)
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (Taylor Peak) 2×2 AGN wireless card
• Bluetooth
• 720p High Definition webcam
• Fingerprint reader
• Integrated 6-cell battery (38.92Wh) and optional slice battery (36Wh)
• Warranty: 3-year
• Dimensions: 13.26 (L) x 9.1 (W) x 0.65-0.84 (H) inches
• Weight: 3.75 lbs.
• Price as configured: $1,399.00 ($1,549.00 with external slice battery)
  

Build and Design
Lenovo took a lot of time developing the X1 before bringing this notebook to market. As previously mentioned, the last 13-inch ThinkPad was the X301, and while that particular notebook wasn’t wildly popular for Lenovo, business customers have been asking for a 13-inch business laptop with a thin and light design that still delivers serious performance and is loaded with more ports than a 13-inch MacBook Air.Can the ThinkPad X1 be the spiritual successor of the X301 and offer the attractive consumer appeal of a MacBook? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

In terms of build quality and durability, the new X1 offers many of the same hallmarks of previous generation ThinkPads. You get a well-made chassis with roll cage protection that passes 8 separate MIL spec tests (humidity, low temperature, high temperature, extreme temperatures, sand, altitude, vibration and mechanical shock). You also get a spill-resistant keyboard with drain holes and that traditional matte-black rubberized paint finish that resists scratches and fingerprint smudges.

One interesting quirk of the design of the X1 is that the hinge, although very durable, allows the screen to open until the notebook is perfectly flat. This wouldn’t typically be worth mentioning, but since the X1 has a screen with Gorilla Glass the lid is heavier than usual. If you hold the palmrests of the X1 in your hands and shake the notebook the screen will swing completely open.

A quick look at the bottom of the ThinkPad X1 reveals little in the way of expansion possibilities. There is a hard drive access panel on the right side of the notebook which is held in place by a screw on the bottom of the X1. If you want to upgrade the RAM or swap out the wireless card you’ll need to remove the keyboard and possibly part of the chassis depending on the type of work you’re doing.
Ports and Features
The ThinkPad X1 features a unique port layout as a result of the thin side profile which is just 16.5mm. You’ll see a headset jack and USB port on one side of the X1, a media card slot on the other, and the rear of the laptop is packed with more ports than you’ll find on any other ultra-thin notebook. All the port descriptions below are listed from left to right.

Front: No ports

Rear: Ethernet, SIM card slot, USB 3.0 port, HDMI, mini DisplayPort, eSATA/USB 2.0 combo port, power jack and security lock slot

Left: Headset jack and USB 2.0 port (located behind the rubber door)

Right: Wireless on/off, SD/SDHC card slot, hard drive access panel

In case you didn’t notice, the ports on the left side of the X1 are hidden behind a rubber door. Words simply can’t express how much I dislike that particular design element. I know that Lenovo’s engineers put the rubber door on the notebook to keep the edge of the notebook “clean” on that side, but there are other (better) ways to hide the ports on the edge of a notebook. The biggest problem that I have with the rubber cover is that it partially blocks the headset jack and also occasionally gets in the way of the USB port.

Review Summary:

A powerful notebook that combines the durability and features of a business-class Thinkpad with the style of a consumer laptop.

Pros

• Thin design with lots of ports
• Excellent performance
• Bright screen with Gorilla Glass

Cons

• Integrated battery
• Glossy screen
• Annoying touchpad issue

 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Full Review

Although the ThinkPad line of notebooks from Lenovo is synonymous with business laptops, there hasn’t been a 13-inch ThinkPad since the old X301. The all new ThinkPad X1 promises to deliver all the features and dependability you expect from a ThinkPad inside a thin and lightweight 13-inch laptop.

BUY the Lenovo ThinkPad X1

LENOVO $1,199.00

see all pricing for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1

Our review unit of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 features the following specifications:

• Intel Core i5-2520M dual-core processor (2.5GHz, 3MB cache, 3.2GHz Turbo frequency)
• Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
• 13.3-inch HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit Display with Corning Gorilla Glass
• Intel Integrated HD 3000 Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 (1333MHz)
• 320GB Hitachi Travelstar hard drive (Z7K320)
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (Taylor Peak) 2×2 AGN wireless card
• Bluetooth
• 720p High Definition webcam
• Fingerprint reader
• Integrated 6-cell battery (38.92Wh) and optional slice battery (36Wh)
• Warranty: 3-year
• Dimensions: 13.26 (L) x 9.1 (W) x 0.65-0.84 (H) inches
• Weight: 3.75 lbs.
• Price as configured: $1,399.00 ($1,549.00 with external slice battery)
  

 

Build and Design
Lenovo took a lot of time developing the X1 before bringing this notebook to market. As previously mentioned, the last 13-inch ThinkPad was the X301, and while that particular notebook wasn’t wildly popular for Lenovo, business customers have been asking for a 13-inch business laptop with a thin and light design that still delivers serious performance and is loaded with more ports than a 13-inch MacBook Air.Can the ThinkPad X1 be the spiritual successor of the X301 and offer the attractive consumer appeal of a MacBook? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

 

In terms of build quality and durability, the new X1 offers many of the same hallmarks of previous generation ThinkPads. You get a well-made chassis with roll cage protection that passes 8 separate MIL spec tests (humidity, low temperature, high temperature, extreme temperatures, sand, altitude, vibration and mechanical shock). You also get a spill-resistant keyboard with drain holes and that traditional matte-black rubberized paint finish that resists scratches and fingerprint smudges.

 

One interesting quirk of the design of the X1 is that the hinge, although very durable, allows the screen to open until the notebook is perfectly flat. This wouldn’t typically be worth mentioning, but since the X1 has a screen with Gorilla Glass the lid is heavier than usual. If you hold the palmrests of the X1 in your hands and shake the notebook the screen will swing completely open.

A quick look at the bottom of the ThinkPad X1 reveals little in the way of expansion possibilities. There is a hard drive access panel on the right side of the notebook which is held in place by a screw on the bottom of the X1. If you want to upgrade the RAM or swap out the wireless card you’ll need to remove the keyboard and possibly part of the chassis depending on the type of work you’re doing.
Ports and Features
The ThinkPad X1 features a unique port layout as a result of the thin side profile which is just 16.5mm. You’ll see a headset jack and USB port on one side of the X1, a media card slot on the other, and the rear of the laptop is packed with more ports than you’ll find on any other ultra-thin notebook. All the port descriptions below are listed from left to right.

Front: No ports

Rear: Ethernet, SIM card slot, USB 3.0 port, HDMI, mini DisplayPort, eSATA/USB 2.0 combo port, power jack and security lock slot

Left: Headset jack and USB 2.0 port (located behind the rubber door)

Right: Wireless on/off, SD/SDHC card slot, hard drive access panel

 

In case you didn’t notice, the ports on the left side of the X1 are hidden behind a rubber door. Words simply can’t express how much I dislike that particular design element. I know that Lenovo’s engineers put the rubber door on the notebook to keep the edge of the notebook “clean” on that side, but there are other (better) ways to hide the ports on the edge of a notebook. The biggest problem that I have with the rubber cover is that it partially blocks the headset jack and also occasionally gets in the way of the USB port. Review Summary:

A powerful notebook that combines the durability and features of a business-class Thinkpad with the style of a consumer laptop.

Pros

• Thin design with lots of ports
• Excellent performance
• Bright screen with Gorilla Glass

Cons

• Integrated battery
• Glossy screen
• Annoying touchpad issue

 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Full Review

Although the ThinkPad line of notebooks from Lenovo is synonymous with business laptops, there hasn’t been a 13-inch ThinkPad since the old X301. The all new ThinkPad X1 promises to deliver all the features and dependability you expect from a ThinkPad inside a thin and lightweight 13-inch laptop.

BUY the Lenovo ThinkPad X1

LENOVO $1,199.00

see all pricing for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1

Our review unit of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 features the following specifications:

• Intel Core i5-2520M dual-core processor (2.5GHz, 3MB cache, 3.2GHz Turbo frequency)
• Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
• 13.3-inch HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit Display with Corning Gorilla Glass
• Intel Integrated HD 3000 Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 (1333MHz)
• 320GB Hitachi Travelstar hard drive (Z7K320)
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (Taylor Peak) 2×2 AGN wireless card
• Bluetooth
• 720p High Definition webcam
• Fingerprint reader
• Integrated 6-cell battery (38.92Wh) and optional slice battery (36Wh)
• Warranty: 3-year
• Dimensions: 13.26 (L) x 9.1 (W) x 0.65-0.84 (H) inches
• Weight: 3.75 lbs.
• Price as configured: $1,399.00 ($1,549.00 with external slice battery)
  

 

Build and Design
Lenovo took a lot of time developing the X1 before bringing this notebook to market. As previously mentioned, the last 13-inch ThinkPad was the X301, and while that particular notebook wasn’t wildly popular for Lenovo, business customers have been asking for a 13-inch business laptop with a thin and light design that still delivers serious performance and is loaded with more ports than a 13-inch MacBook Air.Can the ThinkPad X1 be the spiritual successor of the X301 and offer the attractive consumer appeal of a MacBook? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

 

In terms of build quality and durability, the new X1 offers many of the same hallmarks of previous generation ThinkPads. You get a well-made chassis with roll cage protection that passes 8 separate MIL spec tests (humidity, low temperature, high temperature, extreme temperatures, sand, altitude, vibration and mechanical shock). You also get a spill-resistant keyboard with drain holes and that traditional matte-black rubberized paint finish that resists scratches and fingerprint smudges.

 

One interesting quirk of the design of the X1 is that the hinge, although very durable, allows the screen to open until the notebook is perfectly flat. This wouldn’t typically be worth mentioning, but since the X1 has a screen with Gorilla Glass the lid is heavier than usual. If you hold the palmrests of the X1 in your hands and shake the notebook the screen will swing completely open.

A quick look at the bottom of the ThinkPad X1 reveals little in the way of expansion possibilities. There is a hard drive access panel on the right side of the notebook which is held in place by a screw on the bottom of the X1. If you want to upgrade the RAM or swap out the wireless card you’ll need to remove the keyboard and possibly part of the chassis depending on the type of work you’re doing.
Ports and Features
The ThinkPad X1 features a unique port layout as a result of the thin side profile which is just 16.5mm. You’ll see a headset jack and USB port on one side of the X1, a media card slot on the other, and the rear of the laptop is packed with more ports than you’ll find on any other ultra-thin notebook. All the port descriptions below are listed from left to right.

Front: No ports

Rear: Ethernet, SIM card slot, USB 3.0 port, HDMI, mini DisplayPort, eSATA/USB 2.0 combo port, power jack and security lock slot

Left: Headset jack and USB 2.0 port (located behind the rubber door)

Right: Wireless on/off, SD/SDHC card slot, hard drive access panel

 

In case you didn’t notice, the ports on the left side of the X1 are hidden behind a rubber door. Words simply can’t express how much I dislike that particular design element. I know that Lenovo’s engineers put the rubber door on the notebook to keep the edge of the notebook “clean” on that side, but there are other (better) ways to hide the ports on the edge of a notebook. The biggest problem that I have with the rubber cover is that it partially blocks the headset jack and also occasionally gets in the way of the USB port.

In our review of the Eee 1215N, we said the build quality was very good thanks to the strong hinges, display cover, and chassis. We also liked the attractiveness of the design; it feels and looks nice both while in your hands and while sitting on a desk. The netbook also features a webcam privacy cover which you can conveniently slide over the lens of the built-in webcam when you’re not using it.

System performance with the dual-core Atom processor for the netbook was better than most netbooks, but (of course), not as saavy as the Alienware m11x or CULV notebook as far as gaming goes. However, users will still be able to use the netbook to multi-task fully, and similarly play games such as World of Warcraft and Left 4 Dead on lower settings.

The screen display will be great for doing practically anything: browsing the Web, watching HD movies, using applications or doing work, etc. The color and contrast on the 1215N are good for viewing due to the glossy LED screen and color saturation.

Although the near-full sized Chiclet-style keyboard will innately take some getting used to if you’ve never used a netbook regularly before, we still said that it’s comfortable to type on and features an attractive design. And, we tested the default battery in the 1215N and found that it delivered 5 hours and 34 minutes while the netbook was unplugged from the outlet.

More specs and features include:

• 4-in-1 media card slot
• 500GB of Online Storage
• 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery (5200mAh, 56Wh)
• Dimensions: 11.65 x 7.99 x 1.46 inches

ASUS Eee PC 1015b Full Review

This 10-inch netbook has an AMD Fusion processor and retails for just $289. Is it worth recommending? Read our review to find out.

Our ASUS Eee PC 1015b-MU17 review unit has the following specifications:

• 10.1-inch display with anti-glare coating (1024×600)
• Windows 7 Starter Edition (32-bit)
• AMD C-30 single-core processor (1.2GHz, 512kb cache, 9W TDP)
• AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics; HDMI out
• 1GB DDR3 RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM Western Digital hard drive (WD2500BPVT)
• Atheros AR9285 802.11n wireless LAN
• No internal Bluetooth
• No internal optical drive
• 6-cell li-ion battery (56Wh)
• 1-year limited warranty
• Weight: 2.8 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• MSRP: $289.99

The Eee PC 1015b uses one of AMD’s latest creations, the C-30 processor. Technically, this is an “Accelerated Processing Unit” (APU) which combines a traditional CPU and graphics processing unit (GPU) on a single chip. The C-30 features integrated AMD Radeon graphics and is rated for very low power consumption. The C-30 has just one processing core, which is not promising, and having just 1GB of RAM will also hurt performance. Windows 7 Starter is a limited functionality version of Windows 7; even at this price, ASUS should have used Home Premium or increased the price accordingly to include it.

Build and Design
The 1015b is part of the ASUS Eee PC “Seashell” series; it does not look as blocky as older Eee PC designs. This netbook has a rather generic look and feel; it is 100% black plastic. The matte finish the palm rest and lid is appreciated; the glossy plastic in the keyboard surround and the screen bezel is not as it gets smudged and scratched easily. Matte plastic is significantly more durable and easier to clean. The 1015b’s exterior has no notable design features; it is not bad looking but certainly does not win any style points.

The 1015b is constructed entirely out of plastic. The plastic feels thin; I was able to produce numerous rattles by tapping on the palm rest with my fingernail. The fit and finish could use some work; most of the edges where parts come together are rough. Generally the chassis feels sturdy and resists flexing. The lid of the netbook, on the other hand, is not well made; it flexes too easily and pushing in from the back yields ripples on the screen. Something annoying about the screen is that it does not tilt back far enough, only about 15-20 degrees past vertical.

In terms of upgrade capabilities, the 1015b has little going for it. The access panel on the bottom of the chassis only holds the single RAM slot; upgrading the hard drive requires taking the netbook apart. RAM upgrades are limited since the C-30 processor only has a single-channel memory controller. Overall the build quality needs improvement; thicker plastic with smoother edges would do it.

Ports and Features
The 1015b includes a respectable array of ports for a netbook. HDMI is a notable inclusion. Honestly, most modern netbooks include these ports so we aren’t too impressed by what we see here. All picture descriptions are left to right.

Front: Speakers

Rear: Battery pack

Left: AC power, VGA, USB 2.0, HDMI out, cooling exhaust vent

Right: Multimedia card reader, headphone and microphone jacks, 2x USB 2.0, lock slot, Ethernet