The Legion of Gaming Masters- Top Three Gaming Laptops of 2010
matthew | 11:02 pm | August 15, 2010 | Laptop Reviews
No one can judge the performance of a laptop better than a gamer can.
Those unbelievably close to reality graphics, a gameplay that requires super human reflexes, and controls that can take full control of player’s imagination – with all that and so much more, modern 3D games have now changed the meaning of ‘virtual reality’.
Despite so many gaming platforms available, the idea of having a portable machine, which can also serve your other computing needs has always fancied a responsible gamer. Yet, as much as these games have the power to take you to the extremes, they also demand the same extreme power from your machine. Generally, most work and home use laptops soon surrender to these power drainers, and each and every weakness begins to show up.
Fortunately, most manufacturers were smart enough to realize their shortcoming, and we now see a line up of laptops designed and built specifically to meet gaming requirements. Some do live up to the expectations, but some are merely using the title to bluff the clueless gamers. So, no more falling for that trap fellow gamers, here is a list of the best that awaits you in stores this year.
Alienware M17x
Doesn’t it sound like the best weapon to take on the whole league of outer-space invaders? So it is! And the best part is- it even looks like one.
It is to-date the most fastest portable gaming laptop. Typically, you can get a Core 2 duo CPU in fair prices, nothing compare to the priceless gaming experience you are going to get. Yet, if you are willing to pay more, you can get a Core i5 or I7. And before you go hands on with your laptop, you might consider a little customization with colours and laser etching.
MacBook pro 15 inch
If we restrict this list to the laptops launched in 2010 only, the whole list would have been filled with Alienware, so, we decided to choose a runner-up from yester years. Don’t panic, these machines were quite ahead of their times and still are among the best you can get in a little less price than that of the winner.
No matter whose side you choose in the PC vs. Mac debate, you can’t deny MACs superior gaming ability. So don’t get fooled by the size of this little notebook here. This 15 inch machine unleashes a longer and better gaming experience with its unbeatable battery life. Now you know what a genie in a bottle can do.
iBUYPOWER Battalion 101 CZ-10 touch
If you wish to go hands-on with your ultimate gaming laptop, The iBUYPOWER Battalion 101 CZ-10 touch can help you with that- literally. It is the first ever multi-touch gaming laptop. Sounds like there really are some people who really care about the gamers. CZ-10 is one seriously cool machine, which was again designed specifically to meet a hard core gamer’s requirement and it did live up to the expectations. Despite its 15 inch size, it comes equipped with a DVD SuperMulti burner.
“Old books” will protect your laptop from theft
Alexandra | 5:13 pm | February 2, 2010 | Laptop Accessories
There is no need to buy a portable metal safe or a steel chain with a solid bracelet, in an attempt to prevent loss of your laptop and your data. Twelve South, the company that manufactures accessories for Apple computers, released BookBook, a new leather case for laptops. It looks a lot like an old book with a worn cover.
According to the information from the manufacturer, BookBook has sufficient rigidity to protect your notebook from mechanical damage, and soft interior finish to keep the laptop scratch-free.
Cover of this case is decorated with leather subjected to artificial aging, so each BookBook gets some exclusivity (it’s a vivid example of handicraft). The Twelve South Company offers two variants of its hardcover case for 13 and 15-inches Apple laptops. But nothing prevents you from using BookBook for any other mobile computer. You can check if your laptop fits it:
- 13-inch model – 330 x 232 x 28 mm,
- 15-inch model – 364 x 249 x 28 mm.
Moreover, by paying $ 80 for a new accessory for your MacBook or MacBook Pro you also get theft protection, because thieves don’t like books as much as modern laptops. 
Source: Twelve South
The most reliable notebooks and netbooks — no conjectures, facts only
Alexandra | 10:08 pm | November 20, 2009 | Laptop News
According to the latest research conducted by the analytical department of the SquareTrade company, Asus laptops are the most reliable among other popular brands. It is a real surprise for many Apple fans that mobile computers from their favorite company are only on the fourth place, yielding to Toshiba and Sony laptops in reliability characteristics. SquareTrade provides after-sales warranty services for consumer electronics. The company based its new study of notebooks / netbooks reliability on the analysis of more than 30 thousand mobile computers from different manufacturers.
Result #1: HP, Gateway and Acer are the least reliable laptops
The results show that almost one of three laptops fails during the first three years of use. It’s difficult to imagine a more fragile electronic gizmo than a laptop (just imagine that every third TV set or car breaks down in 3 years after the purchase).
So the 1st place has been given to Asus laptops, problems with them occur during the first three years in 15.6% of cases. It may not sound too good, but it’s the lowest failure rate among 9 largest producers which laptops were used for the research.
Toshiba with the rate of 15.7% has taken the 2nd place, Sony laptops with 16.8% has become the 3rd. The failure rate for Apple (17.4% and the 4th place) was calculated for two popular models — MacBook and MacBook Pro.
Vince Tseng (VP of Marketing at SquareTrade) said that analytics were not surprised that Apple laptops had appeared in the middle of the list, but the victory of Asus had come as a real surprise.
Hewlett-Packard, the company, which production volume of notebooks was the biggest in the world last year, was pronounced as the most risky brand (more than a quarter of HP laptops is in danger). It may be not so bad taking into account that this company offers a 3-year guarantee for its products, it even started selling of HP laptop batteries that had a guarantee of 36 months.
Result #2: laptop users have only one year without worries and problems
The report also states that the risk of any problems with the laptop is growing rapidly after one year of usage:
- 4.7% — failure rate after the 1st year;
- 12.7% — after the 2nd year;
- 20.4% — after the 3rd year.
Mr. Tseng explained that mobile computers have high rates of usage. People often leave them running, laptops components are shock-sensitive. At the same time they are portable, and it often leads to falls and blows. And moreover, it is one of the most complex devices compared to other customer electronics.
Result #3: netbooks are characterized by a low price and a high rate of failure
The researchers also has found that netbooks break down more often than notebooks. The average rate is 23% higher than similar data for entry-level notebooks (with price from $ 400 to $ 1 000) and 38% higher than premium portable gadgets (more than $ 1 000).
iButcher
maksim | 5:10 pm | July 10, 2008 | Laptop News
What is the difference between a girl and a laptop? You would not say “You look like a breadknife, babycake” to a girl, as a compliment to her slim shape. She will take her revenge by comparing you with Chandler from “Friends”, or worse, beat you to death with steak tenderiser.
Yet, when it comes to laptops, this is as good a compliment as it gets. And Macbook Air deservedly holds the crown as the next best thing to a bread knife in the world of laptops. There has been several attempts to cut bakery with it, and at least one recorded case of hurting a human, yet not in a severe way.
Understandably, people are reluctant to use it as a cutting tool on a regular basis by the high cost of the “knife”, and the fear of damaging the blade. After all, it is not as if you can just sharpen the sides after it gets blunt. You may shave off the hard drive after too many grindings. Yet, this may change now.
A Macbook Air was dropped on a Moscow street, with the screen open, flipping while flying towards the ground, and then hard-landing on asphalt. It has not only survived and is working “as new”, according to the owner, but has also sustained surprisingly minor damage. There are just a couple of small dents and a slightly bent top corner that looks like it can easily be bent back.
While this will definitely come across as great news for people who like to cut, slice, and chop in style, there can also be a flipside to this. How about the Air being classed as a weapon and not allowed on airplanes anymore?
Seal Your Air Nicely
Christine | 2:29 am | April 23, 2008 | Laptop Bags
Thin body often means fragile nature – both metaphorically and literally. Macbook Air has been designed to look very light, and although this airy design catches the eye, the body of the laptop seems to be a bit too slim – so slim that it always makes me think of all kinds of damage that it may be prone to. And when there’s something to be protected, there will always be something to protect it. In case of Macbook Air a strong, cleverly designed laptop bag can be a life-saver.
There are not many bags to fit this graceful laptop at the moment, and Orbino bags with their truly Italian design and hand-crafted leather are bound for success. The only thing that may put the owners of precious Airbooks off is the price, but they really don’t have much choice now (in fact, they will probably not have much choice in the future either, as Macbook Air is very unlikely to become as popular as basic Macbooks).
Via Shiny Shiny
10 Handmade Laptop Accessories You Can Buy On Etsy.com
maksim | 11:07 pm | February 21, 2008 | Laptop News
Etsy.com is a great source of unique, unusual, ecologically correct things to buy. In case you never heard of it, it works somewhat similar to eBay, everybody can buy anb sell everything. The only requirement is that the product has to be handmade.
We have scanned the website in search of laptop accessories. There are lots. Here is our 10.
10. Macbook Air Envelope. Everybody has already seen a manila envelope. Manila envelope is a terrible choice, it does not protect against damage and it will attract thiefs, since now people expect envelopes to contain laptops instead of letters. This one is discreet, safe against impact, and will fit many other laptops with 13″ screen or smaller.
5 Things You Need To Know About Macbook Air
Boris | 11:58 pm | January 17, 2008 | New Laptops
Apple started year 2008 by introducing MacBook Air, the new ultra-thin notebook. Rumors ran wild the weeks before the show, and not surprisingly a lot of them came true. A trademark Apple feature, MacBook Air is recognizable more for what it doesn’t have than what it does.
All the people who don’t like the new notebook automatically assume that Apple was targeting them and missed horribly. Well, this was not intended to be a mainstream hit. The paper thin laptop is marketed to a specific market, one where weight and portability is of utmost concern.
2. World’s thinnest notebook
MacBook Air is so thin that it fits in a regular post envelope. It measures an unprecedented 0.16 inches at its thinnest point, while its maximum height of 0.76 inches is less than the thinnest point on competing notebooks.
3. No User Replaceable
Selling devices that are not owner serviceable is now the Apple way, after people tolerated this in the iPod and reluctantly accepted it with the iPhone.
With MacBook Air you can wirelessly borrow the optical drive from any other computer or rent movies from the iTunes Store. Even Apple haters should appreciate the way Apple introduces new and bold concepts that has the competitors tiptoeing behind.
5. Limited Connectivity
Getting that thin has meant sacrificing connectivity, ports and storage. There is no Ethernet, no Firewire, no express card or PCMCIA slot either and single USB port. What you get is 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.0 + ERD connectivity, micro-DVI socket, headphones jack and iSight webcam.
“Thinness” being the major selling point is a doubtful advantage, with the price of over £2000 for a solid state harddrive version, enough to buy seven Asus Eee Pcs for every day of the week. Still, you don’t loose inches overnight, there is some groundbreaking advanced technology inside that fragile body, and it comes with the price. Air might not be a revolution, but it certainly is a remarkable innovation.
Brown Macbook, Anyone?
maksim | 3:21 am | December 14, 2007 | Laptop Mods
In the
When it comes to laptops, there are three accepted colours: black, silver and white. Anything else is considered bad taste, apart from pink, which can go down well with female law students on high heels and in company of a tiny dog. Laptop manufacturers realise that there ARE people willing to buy khaki, maroon, or peach-coloured laptops, but never actually produce them in fear of losing money if they don’t get the colour combination right for the public eye.
Colorware, a US-based company, is on a mission to blow the world of laptops up with colour. A laptop can be customised online using special online painting tool, and then ordered directly from the company. And, as well as selling new, they also repaint used laptops. The only drawback is the limit of brands they can do- at the moment only Apple and some of IBM.
A brown Macbook Pro, anyone?
Source: Colorware
Christmas Shopping 2.0
maksim | 3:53 am | December 6, 2007 | Laptop Accessories, Laptop Bags
Without any intention to hurt anyone’s feelings, we have to say that traditional brick-and-mortar Christmas shopping is now as out-of-date as shooting foxes on Sunday afternoon. Edgy, joyless customers attacking shops all over the world, tired shopping assistants, barely able to cover apathy under laboured smile, hours of desperate search for a perfect present- is this really the way to spend December weekends?
Shopping has evolved. Ultimate selection, products tailor-made for your needs and taste- this is pretty much what any trend-setting online retailer has to aspire to now.
