r

We've seen a number of redesigned business laptops lately. "Not your father's business laptop." "A business laptop for the cooler set." Whatever you want to call them, these notebooks are defined by thin profiles, sleek bodies, and features more often seen on "consumer" laptops. In other words, they're trying to be business laptops in disguise.

The ThinkPad X1 and ThinkPad Edge E220s. The Dell Vostro V130. The HP ProBook 5330m. All of them are, in their own way, worth considering for nonbusiness users.

Why, then, call them business laptops?

Today Nvidia unveiled its latest high-end laptop GPUs, the GTX 570M and 580M. That's not a huge surprise: the new GTX cards round out the "500 series" of GT and GTX graphics that have been available throughout the year. One feature Nvidia's particularly touting is the GTX 580's Optimus automatic switching, which should offer up "5 hours of battery life in Facebook," in case you measure your juice through social networking.

Nvidia promises that the GTX 580M is the fastest laptop graphics card anywhere, ever--the benchmark comparisons were leveled against the AMD Radeon … Read more

Thunderbolt became more than just a Mini DisplayPort with potential this morning. The iMac and MacBook Pro both received Thunderbolt-related software updates yesterday, and this morning the Apple store has added the first Thunderbolt cable, as well as the first Thunderbolt peripheral in the form of the Promise Pegasus R6 external RAID array.

The cable costs $49 and works for both data and display connections. The RAID drive is a bigger commitment, starting at $1,499 for the 6TB model. Apple has previously mentioned eight Thunderbolt devices, ranging from external storage to video capture hubs, but as of this morning, … Read more

In the Hyundai Genesis sedan's search to define itself, the 2012 refresh may be a success. First off, the 2012 Genesis has a new front fascia with reworked chrome accents, a new grille, LED daytime running headlights, and no branding.

We got to test out the new R-Spec on a hot afternoon drive last week through the Valley of Fire, about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

We stayed cool in the 111-degree weather as the R-Spec, boasting a 429-horsepower engine with 376 pound-feet of torque, carried us through the incredible red rock valley.

The interior of the new … Read more

This week's game demos are intended for mature audiences only. Viewer discretion is advised.

With Mark back in the preGame lineup, we're set to demo two very dark and creepy titles on today's show. First up is Shadows of the Damned, the collective offspring of an all-star Japanese development team. Talent from such series as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and No More Heroes have collaborated to form a truly unique and remarkably odd tale of a man who must travel through hell to save his girlfriend.

Next up is the third title in the F.E.A.R. series. The tone in F.E.A.R. 3 is creepier than ever, but the game's iconic mechanics--like distinctive slow-motion effects--are still well in tact. Players will be greeted (or terrified) by Alma over and over again as her dark presence still runs rampant through the universe.… Read more

Hey, do you remember that funky orange Honda CR-Z Mugen concept we showed you about a month ago? You know, the one with a supercharger that boosts power to 198 horsepower while keeping the IMA hybrid system intact? No? Well, take a minute and check the specs, then check out the freshly minted video below that showcases what's likely the coolest concept in Honda's current stable.

We could do without the massive wing spoiler, but for a nigh 200-pony sport compact offering Civic Type-R levels of performance, we think we'd be able to deal with it (or … Read more

ANAHEIM, Calif.--After being closed for more than a year for a major redesign, the 24-year-old Star Tours ride at Disneyland reopened this past weekend as Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Disney and Lucasfilm have equipped the re-imagined ride with new 3D technology, HD screens, and improved audio animatronics, so CNET strapped into the simulator to test the the new attraction.

Since the original Star Tours based on the first three "Star Wars" films ("A New Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi") opened in 1987, George Lucas and company released a second trilogy of films introducing new characters and locations into the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile, improved audio technology and animatronics, HD screens, and 3D imagery have made their way into popular consciousness. The new Star Tours joins of all those elements together into a more modern entertainment experience.

While I managed to get a look at the new attraction with a press pass, park visitors waited in two-hour lines. As they wove through the traditional theme park wraparound lines, new high-def screens presented themed messages about possible destinations and the ride's security procedures. A new and improved animatronic C3PO and R2D2 bicker while they prepare your shuttle for travel through a galaxy now ruled by the Galactic Empire. While the ride remains similar in feel to its predecessor prior to boarding that shuttle, its art direction and technology got a serious upgrade. … Read more

Depending on how you look at it, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec is either a step down in trim from the Track trim level or a step up. For some, the R-Spec's deletion of comfort and luxury features like GPS navigation constitute a step down, but for driving purists the R-Spec's luxury omissions mean that they can get all of the performance parts they want with the bonus of trimming the fat, both in weight and in complexity.

Regardless of how you look at it, the R-Spec is a huge value. For your $26,750, you get a … Read more

"The EPA issues new stickers, the Chevy Volt invades Japan, Mitsubishi takes you for a death ride, and we drive the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R spec. "