A 27’’ 1ms from ViewSonic!   Posted on 07/05/2010 at 00:01 by Marc

	ViewSonic has announced the VX2739wm, a 27" LCD screen at 1920x1080 with a response time of just 1 ms! While this is impressive, we should of course verify it in practice to see if it is really faster than the 2ms screens currently on the market. The panel, apparently a TN, displays a contrast ratio of 1200:1 and brightness of 300 cd/m². In terms of connectivity, the VX2739wm offers VGA, DVI and HDMI ins, as well as a 4 port USB hub. Energy consumption has been announced at 58w in standard mode and 38w in energy economy mode. The VX2739wm is already on pre-order on the other side of the Atlantic for $349.

Tests: Asus MS238H, Gaming on 3D Vision / DVersus   Posted on 06/05/2010 at 11:03 by Vincent

	Launched earlier this year in the US, the Palm Pixi Plus and Pre Plus smartphones are now ready to hit Europe. Both models run on Palm's custom Web OS, which already featured in last year's Pre handset. The Pixi is the lower-end model of the two with a slightly more attractive price tag, but does that make it a good deal? Find out in our product test ... which will begin in just over two minutes while we wait for the phone to start up ... > Mobile Phone Test: Palm Pixi Plus lightweight, budget smartphone Wireless technologies offer more or less decent performance, depending on the standard used. Today, we're looking at two very different technologies. On the one hand, the very standard Bluetooth with the Jabra Stone headset and the Halo headphones, also by Jabra. On the other, Kleer, a technology which is on the rise and is now being used by brands such as Sennheiser. We're also seeing rival usages for wireless audio with the Jabra products targetting mobile phones, whereas the Kleer technology is more audiophile orientated. > Wireless technology test: Bluetooth and Kleer, Jabra and Opera Your reliable P.A., the iPhone, can also transform itself into a health coach. Very practical daily reminders and health and fitness advice! The iPhone has your well-being at heart. Or at least some of the available apps do. Veritable swiss army knife 2.0 that it is, the Apple phone could hardly escape our health and well-being obsessions. After all, given that you've got the thing at your side all day, might as well use it to save your skin if the occasion arises. What with advice on diagnosis and treatment, dieting, sleep patterns, first aid and fitness, today's Appzone is given over to the body. > AppZone: 7 health and well-being apps With a 29.8 mm wide-angle lens and a 3.5'' LCD screen, the new CX550 has certainly got a lot to show for itself. It has 64 GB of flash memory, where it records AVCHD video at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, using a new higher bitrate of 24 Mbps. Golf players and tennis fans can use it to analyse their performance movement by movement thanks to a new slow motion mode, which is apparently already a big hit amongst sports clubs. But is the new Golf Shot mode really worth it? How does the camcorder actually do when out filming? > Camcorder Test: Sony HDR-CX550 with a 29.8 mm wide angle For a few months now, we've been using a PC with Nvidia's 3D Vision system, so now we're ready to take a step back and see how it's affected the way we play games in 3D. It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it ... The scores that we have given here aren't for the overall quality of the games in question. Instead, they're based on the quality of the graphics and the extra impact that playing in 3D brings. For instance, I loved playing Mass Effect 2 in 2D, but it only gets one star here because the conversion to 3D is an absolute disaster. In the same way, the 3D version of Dragon Age isn't different enough to deserve a high rating. We've tested all these games thoroughly and have completed most of them--this isn't just missed on a five-minute preview. > Round-Up: Gaming on 3D Vision A couple of days ago we told you about a new range of stylish monitors from Asus. Well, Asus was quick off the mark to send us a test model, so let's see how the 23-inch version gets on when put through its paces. The MS238H is a central model in Asus' new monitor range. You may remember that we've already tested this range's superstar monitor, the LS246H, which got a pretty decent score. Just like the LS246H, the Asus MS238H has the same unusual design with a photo-frame-style stand at the rear. It has a 2 ms Full HD TN panel and unlike the LS246H, the MS238H has a matte screen with LED backlighting that helps push down power consumption. > Monitor Test: Asus MS238H Asus is pursuing its incursion into the small world of gamer laptop computers. The G51J 3D, first gamer laptop to adopt NVDIA's 3D Vision, as well as the G73Jh, one of the highest perforance models currently around, have been through the lab! The Asus G51J 3D is showing the way. It's the first laptop PC to come with NVIDIA's 3D stereoscopic 3D technology: 3D Vision. Takes you right in there! Pure performance is what the next Asus model has been set up for. The G73Jh is one of the most powerful laptops around right now. With a nice Full HD screen and an unusual design, it has plenty of appeal! > Gamer PC laptop test: Asus G73Jh and G51J 3D Today, we'll be taking a look at two media centres that stand out from the crowd. The first is a hybrid model with an integrated Blu-ray player. The second has a DVD player that can also rip your your favourite films to the media centre hard drive. > Media Centre Tests: Dune BD Prime 3.0 and RadioGears iTab 38HD After the tests of the two 3D TVS (the Samsung UE46C7700 then the Panasonic Viera TX-P50VT20) here's the first 3D player. The DMP-BDT300 is the first Blu-Ray 3D compatible player we've tested. How does it do compared to the 2D models? > Blu-Ray player test: the 3D Panasonic DMP-BDT300 As a brand that regularly builds on existing ranges, it's no surprise that Samsung has decided to expand its selection of Genio mobiles. So after the original Genio Touch, we take a closer look at the Genio Qwerty and the Genio Pro. We'll spare you the trouble of having to plough your way through two full tests, as these new phones are pretty much the same as the original Genio Touch. Instead, we'll just outline what's changed and what's new in each model. > Mobile Phone Tests: Samsung Genio Pro and Genio Qwerty

Monitor Tests: 120 Hz LG and Medion P56005/DVersus   Posted on 10/04/2010 at 11:03 by Vincent

	Sony's new Vaio E range is being billed as comfortable, powerful and affordable, but the manufacturer hasn't scrimped on quality in producing the Sony Vaio VPCEC1, an all-rounder with no big weaknesses. This laptop even had a few surprises in store for us … Toshiba, meanwhile, is hitting back with the X500. It has great display whose 1080 lines enjoy excellent contrast. The Toshiba Qosmio X500 isn't lacking in powerful though and will allow you to enjoy the most powerful games of the moment. > Full HD Laptops: Sony Vaio VPCEC1, Toshiba Qosmio X500 We’re continuing our series of interviews with the world’s leading media centre manufacturers. So after Syabas, the people behind PopcornHour, it’s time for Dvico to step into the hot seat. We interviewed Jeff Lee, CEO of Dvico head office in Korea. For this first interview, our questions focused on the future of the user interface, the implementation of micro-transaction platforms, and HTPCs. > Interview: Dvico talk to us about Flash, Android and more The Logitech MK710 keyboard and mouse pack puts user comfort first. The keyboard is pleasant to use thanks to its slightly convex keys and spongy, padded wrist rest. Plus, both devices offer all the convenience of wireless operation and have enormous 3-year battery lives. As well as all this, the MK710 features ‘longer key travel’ for deeper typing and a discreet black and white LCD showing battery life, Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock statuses. Sounds pretty much perfect doesn’t it? > Keyboard Test: Logitech MK710 high-end keyboard and mouse pack The HTC Hero was the first Android phone to feel like a finished product and it made a very big impression. But even a Hero can't live forever, and so it's been replaced by the Legend. HTC has put a lot of work into making the Legend a worthy successor to its popular, well-liked predecessor. Fortunately, its charms weren't lost on us--starting with a unibody shell that seems all too familiar ... > Android Mobile Test: HTC Legend replaces the Hero With its 23-inch, touch-sensitive, Full HD screen, the Aspire AZ5610 is the first of Acer’s all-in-one computers we’ve tested. Acer is marketing the AZ5610 as a PC featuring next-generation touch-screen technology and no-compromise performance all packed into a space-saving, all-in-one design. However, our test showed that in order to offer an alternative to Apple's 27” iMac at half the price, Acer has, on the contrary, had to make a few compromises. Find out more in our product test. > PC Test: Acer AZ5610 All-in-One Computer If you're working in an office and need to change your printer, listen up! The Lexmark X203n and X204n are identical apart from one detail: the latter has a fax machine but the former doesn't. What they have in common, though, is that they're thoroughly businesslike printers offering affordable multifunction printing with no frills. But don't worry, we're not turning into a site just for pros: both of these printers are widely available to individual customers too. If you've got a lot to print, scan and copy in black and white, then these printers could be just the job. > Laser Printers: Lexmark X203n, X204n We're starting the four-day week with a pair of monitors that have plenty of potential: one is a low-cost option from Medion, while the other is a new member of the small--but growing--club of 120 Hz monitors, this time from LG. The LG Flatron W2363D is the latest 120 Hz monitor we've tested, and until now, every new iteration of this technology has brought a slight improvement that pushed the previous generation back a little. Does that mean LG can beat the last contender, Acer's GD245HQ? Medion has remained more conservative with its Akoya P56005--or so it would seem from the specs in any case. This is a 25'' TN display with a 2 ms response time and a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, something that's increasingly rare. It comes with VGA, DVI and HDMI, and if it lives up its promises, will be excellent value for money. > Monitor Tests: 120 Hz LG W2363D and good value Medion P56005 Canon’s Ixus range is all about style and performance, and the sleek, super-small new Ixus 130 is the brand’s latest point-and-shoot camera to hit the market. In spite of its compact design, the Ixus 130 is packed with the latest must-have technology, including 720p HD video, a 14-Megapixel sensor, a stabilised wide-angle optical zoom lens, functions such as face and smile detection, and creative shooting modes like Fish-eye and Miniature. But are 14 Megapixels really necessary? And do they noticeably improve picture quality? Find out in our product test. > Camera Test: Canon Ixus 130 Today it’s a new Toshiba TV that’s on its way to our product survey. This 42-inch television has a good selection of features and it won’t break the bank. So how will it get on in our product test? The ZV625D is one of the brand’s mid-range models and, on paper, the spec looks like it could rival the best. Noteworthy features include an integrated multimedia player and an Active Vision M200 HD image processing system for smooth, flowing pictures in fast-action scenes. Connections can be found on the rear and the side of the TV and there’s a good selection on offer, including four HDMI sockets, a component connection and a VGA connection. This ZV-series TV has a USB port for access to multimedia files stored external storage devices, as well as a JPEG-only memory card reader. > TV Test: Toshiba 42ZV625D Touchscreen devices are everywhere. Not so long ago, they were a futuristic vision, but now, finger-powered interfaces seem to be ready to contribute to the birth of a whole new type of product: the tablet computer. Let's take a look at this next generation of mobile devices. Our video round-up looks at the first of these high-tech gadgets to arrive. We're still not entirely sure how these products will be received, and tablets, like netbooks before them, seem to suffer from a lot of uncertainty. But do they have a role in the ever-expanding mobile Internet? What can we expect in the coming months? > Round-Up: Tablet Computers for 2010 Not everyone has the funds to purchase specific computers for all their different activities. For most of us, one laptop has to do it all. This is what the Asus K52Jr sets out to do: give a good work experience combined with satisfying entertainment for the relaxation afterwards. A mid-range allrounder, the Asus K52Jr offers a 15.6 inch screen, a good Intel Core i3 CPU and a latest gen ATI graphics card. There, then, the introductions are going well. Are the two of you going to make a thing of it? > Laptop test: Asus K52Jr

TV Test: The very first active 3D TV / DVervus   Posted on 02/04/2010 at 08:47 by Vincent

	I know lots of you have been eagerly awaiting this moment, so drumroll please … the Samsung UE46C7700 will today be the first active 3D TV to enter our product survey. It features edge LED backlighting and 200 Hz Motion Plus technology for smooth-flowing pictures, not to mention 2D-to-3D conversion. It’s also got plenty of multimedia functions with DLNA compatibility, the Internet@TV content service, PVR-Ready functionality and an integrated multimedia player. It’s worth bearing in mind that our UE46C7700 is one of Samsung’s pre-issue models, although the picture quality is not likely to change much between this and the final version. To help us get the best out of the TV’s 3D functionality, Samsung lent us their BD-C6900 3D Blu-ray player and the 3D version of the film Monsters vs. Aliens. So were we impressed? Find out in our product test. > Test: Samsung UE46C7700 3D Television We’ve got two eagerly-awaited media centres to add to our product survey with these mid-priced models from Dvico and PopcornHour. But is it really possible to get a great media centre on a shoestring? And how will they stand up to the competition? The Dvico Tvix N1 is a network gateway that looks great on paper. It has the same interface as the five-star Tvix 6632N, an SDHC card reader plus networking functions, all for an RRP of around £130. Could it be a must-have media centre? The PopcornHour A-200 is effectively a budget version of the five-star C-200. It has no screen, but features the same decoder chip and firmware. Will that be enough to temp you? Chances are it will … > Media Centre Test: DViCO TViX N1 and PCH A-200 From the look of its solid tech specs, which include a 3.5'' WVGA touchscreen, 5 Megapixel camera and GPS, as well as an accelerometer and a well-placed 3.5 mm headphone jack, the Liquid S100 (or A1) might just have what it takes to answer the critics who were quick to mock Acer's rather late conversion from computers to Google smartphones. You'll have to make do with version 1.6 of Android, aka Donut, but Acer has added its own set of apps, some of which are more useful than others. With a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor running at 768 MHz, it also promises to be speedy. But what are its strengths and weaknesses? Can the Liquid, a smartphone with a very accessible price tag, stand up to its more high-end competition? Let's take a look. > Mobile Test: Acer Liquid S100 on Android 1.6 It’s tough at the top in today’s product duel. In one corner we’ve got the iPod touch, a serious commercial heavyweight, and in the other, it’s the S9, a plucky underdog that can put up a seriously good fight in several key areas. But which product will come out on top? Riding high on the hype surrounding the iPhone, no-one can doubt the commercial success of the Apple iPod touch. It is, nevertheless, a media player that’s not without its faults. The Cowon S9, on the other hand, is working its image as product aimed at serious music fans and audio enthusiasts. It’s also one of the few portable media players to be awarded a five-star rating in our product survey. It’s a duel that’s been waiting to happen … > Duel: Apple iPod touch vs Cowon S9 Intel recently launched its first six-core processor available to the general public. The Core i7 980X is now its flagship product, with a price tag that matches, and will no doubt leave out of the reach of most people. In technical terms, it's similar to its younger brother, the Core i7 975, and has the same clock speed of 3.33 GHz, along with a Turbo mode which can push that speed up to 3.49 GHz when not all of the cores are used at once. Both chips also have Hyper-threading, which means that the CPU reports to the OS that it has twice as many cores. > Test: Intel's i7 980X CPU with 6 cores! Sony’s new Bloggie pocket camcorder is now out, but will its 270° swivel lens and horizontal playback mode be enough to make it stand out from the crowd? Available in blue, pink, white or black, the Bloggie films in FullHD and records to Memory Stick Pro Duo. On paper, it all looks quite promising. Look closer though, and you might find yourself asking a few questions … Are there better FullHD pocket camcorders on the market? Is it really that practical to film with a swivel lens? What’s that weird black thing that attaches to the lens? Is it compatible with SD cards too? Find out all this and more in our product test. > Camcorder Test: Sony Bloggie swivel-lens pocket camcorder New for 2010, the BD65 succeeds one of the Panasonic bestsellers: the BD60. Armed for the same success? Check out our test. > Blu-ray Player test: the Panasonic BD65 If you thought all Full HD projectors were the same, then take a look at today's tests. One came away with five stars, but is twice as expensive. What's the big difference between the Epson EH-TW5500 and the Mitsubishi HC3800? Epson's EH-TW5500 is a top quality Tri-LCD projector, with all of the features we'd expect from such a high-performing projector. With impeccable hardware, great image quality and plenty of improvements, it's only missing a few little extras. After testing nearly half a dozen LCD projectors from Mitsubishi, the manufacturer has gone back to DLP with the HC3800. It's half the price of its rival from Epson, and does without some of the handy features available on the EH-TW5500. That said, it's still a very workmanlike Full HD projector that does the job without any fuss. > Full HD Projector Tests: Epson EH-TW5500 and Mitsubishi HC3800 Let's burn a Panasonic plasma, season 2, part 2! The P50V10 came out unscathed from the the first test: exposure to the same test card for an hour. We’re now going to put it through the second, 8 hours of static logos in cinema mode. Obviously such a test is extreme. No one would put their TV through such an ordeal on purpose. Unless perhaps you were to link it up to a computer. Well, we’ve decided to push the envelope. We are after all looking to find how far you can go with plasma technology. Will the TV be able to return to an unblemished state, perhaps after a period of rest, even after this rather unrealistic test? > Final episode: 8 hours plasma burn-in on the Panasonic P50V10 Two more monitors are heading for our product survey today with the much-awaited Philips 240PW9, complete with 5 ms IPS panel, and LG’s Flatron E2340T budget display. With its IPS panel, the Philips 240PW9 offers wider viewing angles than TN displays. It has a height-adjustable stand that’s mounted on a swivel base, and can even be spun round into portrait mode. On paper, at least, it looks fantastic! The LG Flatron E2340T isn’t aiming quite so high with its 5ms TN panel plus VGA and DVI entries. Even the inclusion of LED backlighting won’t be enough to keep the attention of some of our readers. This model does, however, mark a turning point in the history of the LCD monitor, as it proves that LED technology is now within the grasp of the entry-level market! > Monitor Test: Philips 240PW9 and LG Flatron E2340T Luxury netbook or economical ultra? This is what we're going to look at in today's duel between the Asus Eee PC 1201N and the HP Pavilion dm1. Sure, these aren't 5 star products but they're strong 4 star ones and are among the current best sellers. Most of the time, netbooks are synonymous with poor performance, limiting them to Internet and office doc use. Over the last few months however, we've seen the appearance of some larger, better set-up, more powerful models. 3D gaming and HD video can now be envisaged on machines that are on the borderline between netbooks and ultra-portable laptops. The Asus Eee PC 1201N and the HP Pavilion dm1 are perfect representatives of the current trends. The first is clearly a netbook with its Intel Atom processor, while the HP would usually be considered a budget ultra with its ULV processor. They are nevertheless priced similarly, which makes the choice a difficult one. Which one wins over? Check out our duel to find out! > Duel: Asus 1201N vs HP dm1

Tests: Panasonic TZ10, Samsung 46C7700 3D /DVersus   Posted on 26/03/2010 at 11:59 by Vincent

	I know lots of you have been eagerly awaiting this moment, so drumroll please … the Samsung UE46C7700 will today be the first active 3D TV to enter our product survey. It features edge LED backlighting and 200 Hz Motion Plus technology for smooth-flowing pictures, not to mention 2D-to-3D conversion. It’s also got plenty of multimedia functions with DLNA compatibility, the Internet@TV content service, PVR-Ready functionality and an integrated multimedia player. It’s worth bearing in mind that our UE46C7700 is one of Samsung’s pre-issue models, although the picture quality is not likely to change much between this and the final version. To help us get the best out of the TV’s 3D functionality, Samsung lent us their BD-C6900 3D Blu-ray player and the 3D version of the film Monsters vs. Aliens. So were we impressed? Find out in our product test. > Product Test: Samsung UE46C7700 3D Television Samsung's increasingly large range of touchscreen handsets has another new member: the Monte (also known as the S5620, or the Player Star 2). Showing off the updated version 2.5 of the TouchWiz interface, running on the in-house OS and offering 3G+, WiFi and a 3.2 Megapixel camera, it seems to be targeting anybody who wants a connected phone in their pocket that's 'ready to go'. But what's it like? Let's take a look … > Mobile Test: Samsung Monte In spite of stiff competition from the latest generation of huge-screened, feature-rich GPS units, there’s still a market for more compact models. The Navigon 2410 is one such small-sized sat-nav that’s easy to carry around. Its pedestrian mode is certainly worth taking a look at too. Could it be the perfect pocket PND? With its stylish design, Navigon’s 2410 is not much bigger than a mobile phone. It has a comprehensive range of route guidance features and it’ll do pretty much everything you need to help you reach your destination on time, whether on foot or in the car. > GPS Test: Navigon 2410 A revision of the WDTV for you today. Some good ideas but do the changes make it the perfect product for those looking to set themselves up at the lower end of the price range? What a surprise when we discovered, by accident we have to admit, the existence of a new revision of the WD multimedia centre, the Western Digital WD TV. Known as the "WD TV rev2" let’s see what innovations it brings. > Media centre test: the WD TV rev2 Sennheiser began spring cleaning its extensive range of headphones a few months ago, which is why these two headphones, which have such similar names, are actually very different … The HD 201s are designed for use at home, plugged into your computer, TV or stereo. The HD 202s, on the other hand, are descendants of the HD 212 Pros, and are aimed at professional DJs. > Headphone Tests: Sennheisers for the home or on the decks From HP's Photosmart family of touchscreen multifunction inkjet printers, I've been testing the Photosmart and Photosmart Plus, two clones of the Photosmart Wireless, which we tested back in January. The Photosmart has a small display, only part of which is touch-sensitive, and doesn't come with WiFi. The Photosmart Plus has a larger touchsreen, which is much more attractive and user-friendly. Inside, though, it's just like the Wireless, so we're expecting to get the same quality of printing, speeds and running costs, especially as both printers use the same cartridges. > HP Printers: Photosmart and Photosmart Plus We'll admit it: we didn't make that much of a song and dance about it earlier, but along with the Panasonic TZ10 and Sony HX5V, we've also been testing their challenger form Nikon, the S8000. We weren't sure if we were going to get all three tests ready on time, so we decided to tell you more about the first two, as the third, without either a wide-angle lens or GPS, is a little different. But we're finished, and so here are the first three superzoom compacts of 2010 … > New Superzoom Compacts: Panasonic TZ10, Sony HX5V, Nikon S8000 Cameras are often said to be similar in structure to the human eye, as both systems use a lens and light-sensitive components to ‘see’ the surrounding environment. So why, then, do digital cameras take photos that sometimes look completely different to what our eyes see? How can two perceptions of the same scene be so different? Why can’t technology just mimic what our eye does? Read on and I’ll do my best to explain. > Why doesn’t my camera capture a scene exactly how I see it? If the Logitech Performance MX and Razer Abyssus mice have got one thing in common, it's that they're anything but modest! Logitech's mouse comes right at the top of its range, and is supposed to unite the manufacturer's know-how, ergonomic research and quality materials. But can it beat our all-time favourite, the G500? Razer's mouse might cost a little less, but it's no less ambitious. Announcing a 'back to basics' approach, and getting rid of all of the unnecessary extras, will the Abyssus have the essential ingredients of a great mouse? > Mouse Tests: Logitech Performance MX and Razer Abyssus Two new monitors are on their way to our product survey today. Some of our readers have high hopes for one of them, whereas the other has a handy PowerSensor to help save electricity. The HP LP2475w is a 24-inch monitor with a 6 ms IPS panel, a height-adjustable stand mounted on a rotating base, plus a portrait mode. The list of connections is pretty impressive too, with HDMI and DisplayPort sockets to name but two. The Philips 225P1 may only have DVI and VGA entries but it has another trick up its sleeve: a presence sensor that can help cut down your electricity bill and boost your monitor’s lifespan. > LCD Monitor Test: HP LP2475w and Philips 225P1 Media centres are constantly evolving, offering web connectivity, new services and more ways of creating video jukeboxes. But what does the future hold, and what do the main players have planned for the months ahead? Our series of interviews hopes to answer these questions, and more besides. To start with, we talked to the management of Syabas, the parent company of media centre manufacturer PopcornHour, which successfully drove the market forward at a time when growth was relatively static by developing incredibly flexible products. For them, a media centre isn't a product that's fixed in time: it evolves, adding new features not just via firmware updates, but also with tools developed by users themselves. The topics we covered include the new Flash-based interface, controlling your media centre with a mobile, the competition from HTPCs and what benefits web services can offer. > Interview: Syabas and PopcornHour: media centres, mobiles and markets At a time when when everyone’s talking tablets, HP and Asus haven’t yet had their last say in terms of mobile devices and are still offering very interesting products: an ultra-portable touch screen that converts into a tablet from HP (the tm2) and a slim nicely designed netbook from Asus (1201NL). With the HP Pavilion TouchSmart tm2, you can see that HP is no novice when it comes to ultra-portable touchscreen laptops. You can convert it into a tablet just by rotating the screen and this machine has plenty of advantages in terms of battery life and performance. After the Eee PC 1201N which surprised us nicely, Asus has decided to bring out a lite (and cheaper) version of its ION model. The Asus Eee PC 1201NL retains the same design and has an Atom and ION based configuration in Windows XP. > Laptop Test: HP Pavilion TouchSmart tm2 and Asus Eee PC 1201NL Today we're looking at the much disputed territory of mobile machines that is also much coveted by electronics component manufacturers. The two US giants, Intel and Qualcomm, are jostling for position, certainly not holding back when it comes to areas dominated by the other. Their common objective? To make the most of the lucrative opportunities offered by convergent products and gain a presence under the hoods of smartphones, notebooks, smartbooks, tablets, netbooks and other MIDs. > Intel, Qualcomm: the mobile market under assault LCD or plasma? The debate still rages on, so to decide once and for all, what could be better than a fight between two heavyweights: the LCD Sony W5500 and the Panasonic G15 plasma. On the left, we have the Sony W5500, an LCD TV, backlit with fluorescent tubes, powered by the popular XrossMediaBar interface and one of most popular TV tests we published last year. Opposite it, the Panasonic G15. Because it uses a plasma screen, this TV should be able to offer great contrast and wide viewing angles. Let battle commence! > TV Duel: Sony W5500 LCD vs Panasonic G15 Plasma As sat nav systems become more affordable and more readily available, the number of functions they offer also seems to be growing. In fact, even entry-level models now come equipped with a huge range of features. To stand out from the ever-growing crowd and find new ways to appeal to drivers, manufacturers are pushing the standards higher and higher. So will Navigon’s 8410 top-of-the-range GPS meet the needs of the most demanding drivers? A brushed steel finish, 5-inch capacitive glass screen, 3D views and voice recognition are just some of the features on offer in the Navigon 8410. With the exception of connected services, which are only available on LIVE models, this high-end sat nav is packed with functions and has pretty much everything you could ask for. > GPS Test: Navigon 8410 The Canon Pixma MP270 is the definition of an entry-level multifunction printer. Apart from a few details, it provides the same printing speeds and quality as the manufacturer's professional models, which, if the Pixma MP640 is anything to go by, can cost up to four times as much. Canon is offering a basic set of services (printing, scanning and copying), without any extra options that would probably go unused on a product like this. Unlike more advanced printers, the MP270 uses a single cartridge for colour printing, with cyan, magenta and yellow all in the same cartridge, rather than available separately. > Printer Test: Canon Pixma MP270