Sony Reader Daily Edition

This pricey but touch-friendly eReader delivers a Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery large screen, 3G connectivity, and an easy-to-use interface.

You might not remember it, but Sony introduced its first Reader device way back in 2006, long before eBooks were cool. Then Amazon introduced the Kindle the following year, adding the convenience of wireless downloads. Because Akku Sony VGP-BPS8 Sony was slow to add this functionality, it would become an also-ran in a category it helped pioneer. The Sony Reader Daily Edition is the company’s effort to get back in the game, combining 3G wireless with a bigger touchscreen display than what you’ll find on the Amazon Kindle 2 or Barnes & Noble Nook. However, at $399, this device costs $140 more than the competition. Is it worth the premium?

Design

The 8.1 x 5 x 0.6-inch Daily Edition is essentially a longer Sony Reader Touch Edition with 3G. Both readers VGP-BPS9/B have the same type of screen, touch interface, ports, and minimalist design. The Daily Edition is the same width as the 6-inch Touch Edition, so it fits comfortably in one hand. However, the longer 7-inch screen allows for more lines of text and two-column reading in landscape mode.

Below the E-Ink screen sit five physical buttons: Previous/Next Page, Home, Zoom, Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery and Options. A stylus is tucked into the upper left hand corner next to the power slide. Media slots for SD and Memory Stick Duo Cards are hidden behind a cover on the right edge. Along the bottom is a wireless on/off switch, mini-USB and headphone ports, volume controls, and the power port.

Adding to its premium air, the Daily Edition VGP-BPS9/S includes a portable zipper case and a built-in leather cover to protect the screen. We particularly appreciated the magnetic closure on the cover that kept it secure even as the reader jostled around in our bag.

User Interface

As with the Touch Edition, the Daily’s menu consists of large icons designed to be navigated with a finger (or stylus). The home page VGP-BPS9 offers quick access to the most recently read book or periodical, a list of the most recently added books, as well as Collections, Notes, and Periodicals. Along the bottom of the screen are tabs for accessing the Reader Store, other applications (such as handwritten notes and the audio player), and Settings.

The interface is simple, but that’s to the user’s advantage. We had no trouble navigating and understanding how to use the good battery Daily Edition right out of the box. As is appropriate for a device designed for touch navigation, all of the elements were a bit oversized, so we never had to struggle to click the element or text we wanted with the pad of our finger.

Unfortunately, another attribute the Daily inherited from the Touch Edition was battery sluggishness. After tapping an icon or other selector, the Daily often took a few seconds to respond. About a third of the time the device wouldn’t follow the command at all even though it appeared to register our taps or swipes.

Sony VAIO F Series

As if a full HD screen, Blu-ray, and Core i7 processing power Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery weren’t enough, Sony includes its new TransferJet technology in this multimedia laptop.

When it comes to big-screen notebooks packing Intel’s blazing Core i7 processor, Sony is definitely playing catch-up with the rest of the field. But the VAIO F Series ($1,719) proves that there’s nothing wrong with being late to Akku Sony VGP-BPS8 the party: this 16.4-incher sports a full HD display, Blu-ray player, and discrete graphics. Sony also includes an innovative technology called TransferJet, which allows users to move photos from select cameras by merely placing them on the laptop’s palm rest (albeit with added cost and time). This multimedia machine has some drawbacks, but when it comes to performance, the F Series is one of the best Core i7 notebooks battery around.

Design

Although the VAIO F has clean lines, the overall look almost feels too safe. The notebook has an understated VGP-BPS9/B matte lid embossed with the VAIO logo, and a matching chassis underneath, complete with a subtly textured palm rest. In the lower left corner of the palm rest is an icon indicating where users can transfer data wirelessly using TransferJet (more on this later).

The keyboard, of course, has an island-style layout, something Sony Sony VGP-BPS9A/B Battery was known for long before other PC makers jumped on board and started ditching those pillowy, closely arranged keys. Below the thick speaker strip (but above the keyboard) you’ll find multimedia keys, as well as buttons to launch Sony’s VAIO Care and Media Gallery software. The glowing green power button is still built into the side of the hinge, which is an attractive touch.

At 6.6 pounds and 15.3 x 10.4 x 1.6 VGP-BPS9/S inches, the VAIO F is still light enough to carry around the house with ease.

Heat

For the most part, the VAIO F Series never became uncomfortably hot. After 15 minutes of streaming a Hulu video VGP-BPS9 at full screen, we measured temperatures of 86 degrees Fahrenheit on the underside of the notebook, 97 degrees in the center of the keyboard, and 98 degrees on the touchpad. (While temperatures in the 90s are warm, we don’t become concerned until they break 100 degrees.) On the bottom of the notebook—near the vents on the left side—we measured temps of 110 degrees.

Panasonic Toughbook C1

The lightest convertible tablet delivers durability, speed, Akku Sony VGP-BPS8 and a display that supports pen and touch input.

There's something oddly satisfying (and a little scary) about dropping a notebook from 30 inches to see it if can survive. The Toughbook C1, the world's lightest 12.1-inch convertible, barely flinched. Then we did it again. Nothing. And that's not all this multitouch tablet can take. The C1 (starting at $2,499; $2,829 as configured) can shrug off 6-ounce liquid spills and up to 225 pounds of pressure. Just as important, demanding Akku Sony VGP-BPS8a healthcare and field sales workers will appreciate that this Core i5 notebook performs like a champ and lasts up to 10 hours on a charge--if you pay for the second battery. While too pricey for most road warriors, the durability and versatility Panasonic offers will easily win over its target audience.

Design and Durability

You could try to find a lighter 12-inch convertible, but you won't. At just 3.2 pounds with a single battery and 3.7 pounds Sony VGP-BPS8 Battery with an optional battery in the second bay, the C1 weighs less than the Lenovo ThinkPad X201 (starting at 3.5 pounds), the Dell Latitude XT2 (3.6 pounds) and every other competitor on the market. On the other hand, this Toughbook is on the chunkier side, measuring 1.2 to 1.7 inches thick. The XT2 has a 1.1-inch profile, and the X201 is 1.3 inches.

What you get in return for that extra girth is serious durability. The C1's magnesium VGP-BPS9/B alloy case has been tested to withstand 12-inch drops to any side (non-operating), as well as a 30-inch drop on the base (while operating). We know this Toughbook is tough because we tried the latter torture test during this review. The first time a rubber bumper on the back right of the machine popped off, but we easily put it back on. The second time nothing happened at all; this business rugged machine just kept running. We even dropped the unit a third time from 30 inches to no ill effect. The C1 also survived a 6-ounce water spill and VGP-BPS9A/B a 180-pound man standing on top of the lid (with a board in between to evenly distribute the weight).

Whether you're roaming the hospital or you're out in the field, the C1 is easy to use and carry. That's because this convertible features an ergonomic hand strap on the bottom of the unit, along with a raised dome underneath that makes the machine easier to grip with one hand. A unique triple-hinge design--two for opening and closing the lid VGP-BPS9/S and one for rotating the screen--makes this tablet less susceptible to failure over time. We needed to use more force than we're accustomed to when switching into tablet mode and back again, but the screen location lock was reassuring.

Heat

The Toughbook C1 is one of the coolest notebooks of any size we've tested. After playing a Dell Studio 17 Battery Hulu video for 15 minutes, we measured temperatures between 78 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit on the touchpad, between the G and H keys, and on the underside of the system. Most notebooks register in the mid 90s or higher. The C1's fan got a little loud at times, but it's definitely working.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Because the C1's keyboard

is flanked by rubber bumpers (designed to protect Dell Studio 1737 Battery the screen bezel when the lid is closed), the layout doesn't extend to the edges of the desk. This results in some undersized keys, especially the space bar. The keys are also shorter than we're accustomed to, which made typing feel cramped at first.

However, the keys provided solid, springy feedback, and we noticed zero flex. In addition, the two rubber bumpers on the back Dell Studio 1535 Battery of the C1 raise the laptop, resulting in a more comfortable angled typing position.

We've never been huge fans of the circular touchpads on Toughbooks, but this one VGP-BPS13B/Q gets the job done. Though it's a somewhat small 1.8 inches in diameter, moving the cursor was easy. You'll find two dedicated mouse buttons underneath that are easy to activate.

Ports

The left side of the C1 houses two USB ports, Ethernet and modem jacks, good battery and the power connector. You'll find an old-school PC Card Type II slot on the right side, along with the digital pen holster, a third USB port, and a VGA connector. The front edge of the notebook has a power switch, wireless switch, headphone and mic jacks, and an SD Card slot.

This configuration did not include a webcam, but it's available as battery an option, as is a fingerprint reader.