Toshiba's 13-inch U405.
With Apple's MacBook so popular and well-regarded, we're always surprised that there aren't more 13-inch laptops out there. After all, one of the reasons the MacBook resonates so well with people is because its 13-inch size hits the perfect balance between portability and usability. Put another way, a 13-inch laptop is the biggest we'd consider carrying around on a regular basis, and the smallest we'd consider usable as our main everyday computer.
We've already seen one new 13-inch that was an impressive MacBook alternative, the HP Pavilion dv3510nr, which offered a backlit keyboard, a 320GB hard drive, an Nvidia GeForce 9300 GPU, a tiny remote control, and an HDMI port -- all for $1,099.
Less impressive was another recent 13-inch laptop, the Toshiba U405D-S2874. This model was only $100 less than the HP, but had a much slower AMD processor, a smaller hard drive, integrated graphics, and none of the cool extras, such as the backlit keyboard and remote control. It's still worth noting that both of these laptops are still less expensive than the standard $1,299 MacBook.
Both are part of our Holiday 2008 Retail Laptop Roundup, which compares specific new configurations of popular laptops found in retail stores, making it easy to see which systems give you the best bang for your buck.
The ladies love lavender.
(Credit: Archos)In a move that will surely delight Prince, the latest Archos 405 portable video player will apparently be available in purple at tomorrow's launch. The purple version will have the same price and 2GB capacity as its silver brother. Despite my suspicions, it will not smell like potpourri or grape Kool-Aid. For more information on the Archos 405, check out our full review and photo gallery.
Whatever Apple's bringing, the Archos 605 is ready to meet it head-on. Click the photo to launch the Archos 605 WiFi slide show.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze / CNET)Jet-lagged travelers of the world rejoice! The latest portable video players from Archos promise new cures for inflight boredom, and the prices are staggeringly cheap. We've just posted full reviews of the (CNET Editors' Choice Award-winning) Archos 605 WiFi and Archos 405 portable video players and regardless of what next Wednesday's announcement reveals from the Apple camp, I think it's safe to say that these new Archos players will top more than a few holiday wish lists.
The Archos 405 may not have WiFi, but the little guy's price tag is too good to be true. Click the photo for the slide show.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze / CNET Networks)How can we be so sure? For starters, the 605 WiFi includes a shortcut for wirelessly downloading purchased or rented movies from Cinema Now, including all the content from Cinema Now's adult site (alladultchannel.com). iTunes is great and all, but I seriously doubt that Apple is ready to integrate porn into the squeaky clean iTunes universe. Secondly, both the 605 WiFi and 405 can switch between multiple USB modes, making them platform agnostic while maintaining their ability to play DRM-protected music and video content. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPod, but I also love companies like Archos that let my ripped DVD files and DRM-protected WMA files live on the same player.
To take a closer look, check out our separate slide shows for the Archos 605 WiFi and for the Archos 405.
(Credit:
Crave UK)
We reviewed one of our favorite gadgets of 2007 earlier this month--the all-sexed-up Archos 605. It was quite literally the most bootylicious piece of tech we'd seen all year. However, for those of you who can't afford the class "A" model, the cheaper, stripped-down version sells for half the price but with half the spec. This younger sibling goes by the name 405.
The Archos 405 is a small and portable multimedia player, with an 89mm (3.5-inch) colour screen and superb sound quality. Initially you may be disappointed about the 2GB internal memory capacity, especially since there are no other capacities available. But don't be disheartened, media freaks--Archos has built support for SDHC into this baby. That means you could theoretically shaft the player with a 32GB SD card and store thousands of MP3s, heaps of pictures and a plethora of video clips.
Take ten such cards with you on holiday and enjoy a third of a terabyte of media during your trip. (Click here for more.)
(Source: Crave UK)
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The Archos 605 Wi-Fi, with the kickstand extended
(Credit: Archos)Archos announced its 2007 lineup of media player/recorders today at press events in both Europe and New York, introducing four new portable models as well as the company's first set-top DVR.
The big news--as reported earlier--is that the new Wi-Fi-enabled portables include direct access to an online "Content Portal" and offer a Flash-supported Web browser option. The portal offers pay-per-download CinemaNow movies--just use the touchscreen to pick the movie you want to buy and download it to the internal hard drive, no PC required. The Opera browser--a $30 option on Wi-Fi models--includes a Flash plug-in. The pre-production model I was using smoothly delivered YouTube videos, even offering an option to toggle them to full screen. (By contrast, it's worth noting that the iPhone can't access the iTunes Store directly--content needs to be synced from a host computer--and Flash support is said to be absent from the included Safari browser.) With optional paid plug-ins, the higher-end Archos models will also offer customized widgets and even support for high-definition playback (24-frame, 720p video).
All the Archos portables are scheduled to ship in the first half of September. The line features four base models, some of which are available in multiple capacities and price points:
Archos 105: The entry-level, 2GB flash model is intended for very basic audio, photo, and video playback, but includes a 1.8-inch OLED screen and will sell for just $90.
Archos 405: In addition to the 2GB of built-in flash memory, the 405 includes an SD expansion slot and a larger, 3.5-inch LCD screen. It also offers wider file format support, including optional compatibility made available via downloadable (paid) plug-ins.
Archos 605 Wi-Fi: The sweet spot in the Archos line adds Wi-Fi and a PSP-sized 800x480-pixel, 4.3-inch LCD screen. The 605 can stream video files from networked PCs on a home network, as well as offer direct access to the CinemaNow online video store and (with an optional upgrade) Web surfing and Flash-based video via the Opera browser. The 605 will be available in three configurations: 4GB flash with an SD expansion slot for $200, a 30GB hard-disk model for $300, and a 160GB hard-disk model for $400.
Archos 705 Wi-Fi: The deluxe Archos portable offers the same features as the 605, but boasts a massive 7-inch screen. It will be available in 80GB and 160GB hard-disk models (pricing still to be determined).
While the 2007 models appear, at least on the surface, to be more affordable than last year's versions (Archos 104, Archos 404, Archos 604 Wi-Fi, and the Archos 704 Wi-Fi), there's a catch: to enable some of the more compelling features of the 405, 605, and 705, you need to purchase optional accessories and software plug-ins. Most notably, the DVR Station ($100) lets a docked Archos record TV shows (with cable/satellite box control and even a built-in electronic programming guide). Somewhat more onerous, however, is that the Web browser is a separate purchase ($30), and six separate A/V codecs and features are a la carte downloads at $20 a pop (MPEG-2/Dolby compatibility for ripped DVDs; H.264/AAC compatibility; widgets plug-in; HD video support; Real Video support; and Internet radio playback). That's $150 extra dollars for the full Archos experience--not including the DVR add-on.
Archos' nickel and diming notwithstanding, the Wi-Fi-enabled models look to deliver an impressive mixture of features and value, including some impressive media recording and playback options that even the vaunted iPhone won't be able to match--at least, not until its own string of firmware and accessory upgrades is announced. (Of course, none of the Archos players will replace your cell phone.) Look for full in-depth CNET reviews of all four Archos models when they hit the market in September.
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