Apple Computer Inc. http://www.apple.com
The Apple MacBook 13-inch has captured the hearts of several generations of users frustrated with the complexities of Windows. It's a campus favorite and a hit among teens and novice users. Now, the MacBook 13-inch has made the transition to Intel's latest "Penryn" processor core, which has boosted speeds and battery life across every laptop we've seen it on. Thanks to this upgrade, Apple 's impeccable customer support network, and the MacBook's overall sex appeal, we expect sales of the new incarnation—the Apple MacBook 13-inch (Penryn), priced at $1,299 direct—to thrive for now. But other laptops are offering more features and cool designs for less money. Apple needs to work on a makeover, as well as improving the feature set and price, in order to keep the 13-inch MacBooks flying off the shelves.
Two years ago, the 13-inch MacBook's glossy white frame was a design marvel that had other manufacturers rushing to emulate it. With the MacBook Air clad in aluminum and decorative patterns appearing on competing laptops, the MacBook 13-inch (Penryn) is no longer leading the way. Still, subtlety has its benefits. The look bespeaks simplicity; it is clean of unnecessary labels, contrasting colors, lines and crevices. The polycarbonate plastic used for the exterior is similar to the kind used in bulletproof windshields, durable enough to protect the laptop from accidents.
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Although the 4.9-pound frame is light in weight relative to the HP Pavilion dv2500t, the Dell Inspiron 1420, and the Toshiba Satellite U405-S2830, it's too heavy considering Apple's reputation as an innovator. The MacBook Pro 15-inch (Penryn), with a 2-inch-larger screen, is only half a pound heavier. The MacBook Air and the Lenovo ThinkPad X300, with similar screen sizes, are 40 percent lighter. Three pounds doesn't have to be the target weight, but Apple needs to slim its 13-inch MacBook a bit further.
The 13-inch 1,280-by-800 LCD screen is superb for all things multimedia, including photo editing and or viewing YouTube videos or a DVD. Typing on the raised keyboard is slightly different from working with conventional laptop keyboards, but the overall experience was pleasant. The gesture-based touchpad, which debuted on the MacBook Air, wasn't implemented on the Macbooks, which is unfortunate. It's a standard touchpad instead, but you can still perform the two-finger scrolling function.
I appreciate that Apple has updated the MacBook 13-inch (Penryn)'s storage capacity to 160GB (from 120GB), but a 250GB drive is becoming the standard for mainstream laptops, such as the Toshiba U405-S2830 and the Gateway T-6828. The particular configuration of the MacBook 13-inch (Penryn) that I tested comes with a dual-layer DVD burner, but you have to pay at least $1,299 to get one, and you can't upgrade to one from the $1,099 base configuration—meanwhile, DVD burners are already standard among laptops at the $800 price point. Apple partly makes up for these deficiencies by implementing other cool features such as the Front Row remote, the MagSafe adapter (which magnetically connects power cord to laptop), and the iSight webcam.
These complaints aren't new to readers, yet the MacBook continues to climb in popularity. The advertising campaigns factor into the overall equation, taking cheap shots at Microsoft's Windows Vista—the competing operating system—at every opportunity. Fact is, MacBook owners are happy with the user experience and the idea of a more secure and stable Leopard operating system. The MacBook 13-inch (Penryn) includes a raft of free and useful software that you would have to pay an arm and a leg for on a Windows operating system. I rarely talk about customer service, but when PC Magazine and other publications rank Apple at the top of the totem pole in service and reliability, credit has to be given where it is due. Imagine if you're away at school and your MacBook experiences technical difficulties. A support network with a knowledgeable staff, short wait times, and quick turnaround times is priceless.
About the only reason why MacBook owners would want to upgrade or Windows users switch is the recent installation of a new Intel "Penryn" processor core. Keep in mind that a new Intel platform (code-named Montevina) is due to arrive in the summer of 2008, so you'll probably see another upgrade and perhaps a design overhaul later this year. Of course, this is only speculation. My configuration runs a 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 processor and 2GB of RAM, producing SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall scores that ranked behind those of the Toshiba U405-S2830 and the Gateway T-6828. On the SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall and the Windows Media Encoder tests, the Penryn-equipped MacBook tallied a 10 percent and 37 percent improvement, respectively, over its predecessor, the MacBook 13-inch (Core 2 Duo T7200). The MacBook 13-inch (Penryn) also topped the competition in other categories, such as video encoding and CineBench R10 results. Granted, the HP Pavilion dv2500t and the Dell Inspiron 1420 haven't been updated in a while, so please stay tuned.
As always, my benchmark tests are compatible only with a Windows operating system; therefore Windows Home Premium was installed and run with Apple's Boot Camp application. Even so, the MacBook 13-inch (Penryn) scored 3 hours 41 minutes on MobileMark 2007—a 16 percent improvement over the previous version. It topped the battery scores of both the Toshiba U405 and the Gateway T-6828. Apple didn't switch batteries; the Leopard operating system was not the cause; and a super power-management utility wasn't involved. Improved battery life was a direct result of the Penryn processor's deeper sleep states and a more energy-efficient processor core.
Although the MacBook 13-inch (Penryn) is still a darling in the laptop space, Apple needs to work on several things in order to pick up more market share. You can get a lot of laptop for $800 these days, and the MacBook's $1,299 price tag might scare off many would-be Apple converts. You can configure a Dell Inspiron 1420, an HP Pavilion dv2700t, and several other systems exactly the same way for under $1,000. And with the glut of UMPCs infiltrating the marketplace, the Apple MacBook, or at least the base configuration, has to hit the three-digit mark. For now, the processor upgrade, improved battery life, and top-of-the-line support services will hold the fort until Apple can revamp the line.
Apple MacBook 13-inch
Alienware Area-51 m9750
Alienware Corp http://www.alienware.com
Alienware has a knack for creating gaming designs that'll appeal to just about anyone. The Alienware Area-51 m9750 ($4,708 direct), for instance, is a testament to how a touch of simplicity can enhance the design. It moves away from the flashy neon paint jobs in favor of a stealthier look Batman would love. Stealth Black, as Alienware likes to call it, is an intuitive approach to adding subtlety while retaining the unearthly look of an Alienware gaming rig. There's a lot to like about the design, but pulverizing the gaming opposition is still the main objective. That's why an SLI-enabled graphics chipset and a high-performance, mobile dual-core processor are ready for the task at hand. For this, the m9750 supplants the Dell XPS M1710 as the gaming king, or at least until Dell can come up with a new rig.
Speaking of Batman, it may not be Alienware's intention, but I look at the m9750 as an ode to the Dark Knight himself. I say this in jest, because last year the company released a Superman limited-edition laptop that drew a lot of hype. The Stealth Black (yes, that's really the name of the color) exterior is reminiscent of Batman's ensemble, particularly the rubber-like layer draped around the chassis and the ridges that, to me, resemble his rib cage. (Again, this is my take, not Alienware's.) The outermost layer also repels smudges, unlike the fingerprint-prone HP Pavilion HDX9000. The frame is held together by a magnesium-alloy composite, which safeguards your laptop from commutes between LAN tournaments. Of course, the design wouldn't be complete without the LED-lit alien-head logo.
I like the way the m9750's keyboard responds using the W, A, S, D keys, Arrow keys, and Shift and Enter keys. These keys are typically associated with shoot-'em-up games such as Unreal Tournament, Half-Life, and Prey. On the other hand, I found the mouse buttons difficult to press and impossible to use—this went for other tasks as well as gaming. Most gamers will use an external mouse, anyway.
The m9750 is as much a media center as it is a gaming rig. To start, it has three dedicated audio ports for a set of analog speakers and a subwoofer. It includes an optical-out port for digital audio, in case you want to hook up your system to your home theater. I was hoping for an integrated ATSC (HD) tuner instead of the standard NTSC one. The inclusion of a standard tuner is still better than the Dell XPS M1710 (Blu-ray), which doesn't offer one at all. You can find an S-Video-in port that'll connect a gaming console or camcorder. A DVI-D port is typically the norm for a gaming rig, but since the m9750 has an option for a Blu-ray burner, I think an HDMI-out port would've been a better fit because it would let you stream both video and audio from the same cable. The hefty feature set also includes a swivel 1.3-megapixel webcam and a cavernous 320GB hard drive in a RAID 0 array. There are touch-sensitive volume control buttons, music, DVD, and TV toggle buttons above the keyboard. The m9750 is easily one of the most media-rich gaming laptops available.
This is all well and good, but performance is the thing that really counts when your opponent is talking trash. The Area-51 line uses Intel processors, which is what you want, as they tend to be faster than the AMD Turion X2 processors you find on Alienware's Aurora line. Alienware does not use the latest Intel Santa Rosa processors or chipset, instead opting for the previous-generation Intel components. Regardless, a 2.33-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 is a fast processor that will help drive up those frame rates. If fast processing is a must, the Eurocom D900C Phantom uses an Intel Extreme Edition desktop processor (Core 2 Duo Extreme X6800). It also requires four fans to cool the system, but at least you have the bragging rights with processor speed.
Most gamers will tell you that the processor isn't as important as the graphics card. The m9750 integrates two SLI-enabled nVidia GeForce Go 7950GTX cards. The Eurocom Phantom has the same graphics setup, but its overall gaming scores were slightly behind that of the m9750. The m9750's 3DMark 06 scores (at 1,024-by-768) surpassed the Eurocom's by 3 percent. The gap grows wider against the Toshiba Satellite P100-ST9772 and its single nVidia GeForce Go 7900GTX card. The m9750 nearly doubled Toshiba's 3DMark 06 scores. Its Prey scores are significantly higher (23 percent) than those of the Eurocom at 1,024-by-768 resolution. Oddly, results for Company of Heroes, a DirectX game, were dead even between the Alienware and Eurocom. On SYSmark 2007, the Alienware's overall scores beat the Eurocom's by a very slight margin, despite the Eurocom's Extreme Edition desktop processor. One reason could be that the Alienware has dual 7,200-rpm hard drives. Last, as with all gaming laptops, don't expect too much from the battery. The 96-Wh battery can get you only 1 hour 15 minutes into a DVD movie, which is the system's only pitfall.
After numerous paint jobs, performance configurations, and media bundles, Alienware finally got it right with the Area-51 m9750. You'll need to cough up nearly five grand to buy one, but that's the price range you can expect with an Alienware machine. The Stealth Black look is simple yet elegant, and its media components are some of the best in the industry. What matters most for gamers is that their laptop can eliminate any kind of performance lag in a gaming tournament. With its SLI graphics configuration, Alienware is primed and ready for that task.
Acer TravelMate 8210-6038
Acer Inc. http://www.acer.com
The Acer TravelMate 8210-6038 ($2,999 list) is a desktop replacement that's designed to perform. Although it is considered a business laptop, it has features that cross over to the media side. The carbon-fiber lid is reminiscent of the Acer Ferrari 5000 , and a 15.4-inch widescreen screams multimedia. The biggest addition, however, is the BD-RW (Blu-ray) recordable drive, which enables burning high-definition video discs. But despite adding such a high-profile component, Acer is clearly gearing the Blu-ray drive for backup purposes. The system is missing the media accessories, such as a remote control, a built-in sensor, and even playback buttons, that are needed to enhance the HD playback experience.
I'm a big fan of carbon fiber. Sony and Acer are the only two laptop vendors that make much use of it, and they use it well. Sony's VAIO VGN-TXN15P comes to mind, and Acer is very generous in draping its lids with the material, as evidenced by the Acer Ferrari 4000 and Ferrari 5000. The TravelMate 8210-6038 succeeds the TravelMate 8204WLMi, which garnered an Editors' Choice and also uses carbon fiber on its lid.
The Acer TravelMate line of business laptops is well known overseas, especially in Europe and Asia, and it's gained a strong foothold in the U.S. market. The 8210-6038 is not something you would want to travel with, however, because with a battery, it weighs a hefty 7.7 pounds. Much of the weight is in the matte-finished 15.4-inch widescreen, which is ideal for working with several applications side by side, viewing additional cells on spreadsheets, and watching a full-length movie. The keyboard has a comfort curve, or "smile," that is unique to Acer laptops. The mouse buttons are too noisy in a quiet setting, but the touchpad is responsive.
You can burn Blu-ray media, too, using NTI's CD & DVD-Maker Titanium 7. It's equipped with NTI's EasySteps, a friendly user interface that creates Blu-ray discs, although the process is still slow. It took 2 hours 50 minutes to burn a 22.4GB file directory. Like the Dell XPS M1710 (Blu-ray), the 8210-6038 supports digital video-out using the DVI-D port, which doesn't stream audio in the same way its HDMI counterpart does. I tend to prefer HDMI because it eliminates the additional audio cable. Granted, most business displays will have DVI ports, but you can always get an HDMI-to-DVI-out converter cable.
Since most businesses won't be switching to Windows Vista quite yet, the 8210-6038 comes loaded with Microsoft Windows XP Professional. But you can get the same exact configuration with Vista Business loaded under a different model (the Acer TravelMate 8210-6632). Because the system doesn't come with Windows Media Center Edition, Acer does not ship a remote for video playback. It doesn't have physical playback buttons, either, so you're stuck with using the mouse and touchpad for navigation. Not exactly an ideal media experience.
You get a plethora of connectivity ports with the 8210-6038, including four USB ports, a FireWire port, S-Video, and VGA-out. It has an SPDIF or digital audio-out port for use with the DVI-out port. Acer combines the old with the new by including both an ExpressCard 34 slot and PC Card slot. And security is not overlooked with a built-in SmartCard reader. You have 802.11a/g and Bluetooth 2.0? as your wireless options. A 1.3-megapixel webcam is integrated into the screen for video chatting and capturing still images.
As the successor to the 8204WLMi, the 8210-6038 inherits the power to go along with all the features. It moves to the Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.16 GHz) and loads 2GB of RAM to make it a true powerhouse, and its impressive performance scores reflect those components. In our testing with Adobe Photoshop CS2 scripts, it sped past the Lenovo ThinkPad T60p—a workstation, mind you. It finished encoding an HD file faster than the Gateway NX570X. The system also loads discrete graphics via the ATI Mobility X1600, which plays its part in optimizing HD playback, as well as ensuring that Vista's 3D interface will run smoothly. The 8210-6038's graphics chipset is a better prospect for 3D gaming, given the gaming scores, than the ThinkPad T60p's card (ATI Mobility FireGL V5250). The Acer 8210-6038's card, though, is still midrange and is not as impressive as the nVidia GeForce Go 7950 GTX card that the Dell XPS M1710 (Blu-ray) uses. Then again, the Dell Blu-ray laptop is a top-end gaming machine. The 8210-6038's 3 hours 8 minutes of battery life is not bad at all, considering that my DVD rundown tests are a little more aggressive than what would be considered normal use. You'll get at least 4 hours running less intensive tasks such as spreadsheets, word processing, and Internet work.
The Acer TravelMate 8210-6038 is an excellent business or media laptop that has all the performance characteristics of a powerful desktop. The Blu-ray drive is a questionable addition, as it drives the cost of the machine to $2,999, and the system lacks some features that could have improved the overall high-definition experience. On top of that, Blu-ray media are insanely expensive, so you can't even justify the drive as a backup or content-creation solution. If you really want a high-definition laptop, take a look at the HP Pavilion dv9000t (Vista). Otherwise, opt for a configuration of the 8210-6038 that doesn't include the Blu-ray drive.
Acer Aspire 9300-5005
Acer Inc. http://www.acer.com
The Acer Aspire 9300-5005 is an ideal desktop-replacement laptop if all you care about is a bright 17-inch screen. It provides a low-cost alternative for those who salivate over an Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch but can't bring themselves to spend that kind of money. At $1,000 (street), the Acer 's price is barely one-third of the MacBook Pro's, which is a boon especially for media beginners who don't demand a whole lot. If you're at all picky, however, the low-powered AMD processor, measly graphics, and Windows Vista Home Premium's hefty requirements might steer you in another direction.
At this price, you're going to have to compromise on a lot of features, and one of them is looks. It is one thing for the machine to weigh 7.7 pounds—that's what you'd expect from a laptop with a 17-inch screen—but quite another when it looks as if it weighs even more. I can't quite describe the color of the 9300-5005's chassis—silvery with a hint of green? Clearly, both its weight and looks are reasons to keep the laptop tethered to your desk. The 17-inch screen, however, is bright and spacious enough for working with several photos, video screens, and office applications, side by side. The 1,440-by-900 resolution is the same as that of the Dell Inspiron E1705 (Vista), very good for watching DVD-quality movies as well as downloaded high-definition clips. The transflective coating is common in media laptops—even cheap ones—and displays better color saturation than matte-finished screens.
The keyboard doesn't feel mushy, but I prefer the E1705's keyboard because it's more responsive. Unlike the E1705, however, the Aspire 9300 squeezes in a number pad, which I applaud. I found the mouse buttons a little noisy, but the touchpad is responsive. The speakers are weak for a desktop replacement. I had to crank the volume all the way up when playing a DVD movie. In contrast, the HP Pavilion dv9000t (Vista) uses name-brand speakers (Altec Lansing), and the improvement in audio quality is obvious.
Given that the 17-inch screen accounts for most of the cost, the components aren't the best available. The Aspire 9300 uses a Turion X2 TL-50 (1.6 GHz) AMD processor. It's a dual-core processor much like the E1705's Intel Core 2 Duo processor, but way slower. The 1GB of RAM meets Windows Vista's recommended requirements, but I would double that to get the most out of this system. You'd see a big improvement in performance for a nominal fee. CineBench 9.5 scores are about 11 percent below those of the Toshiba A135-S4467, which has a 1.6-GHz Intel processor. The Aspire 9300 didn't do as badly on the video-encoding tests, equaling the Toshiba in performance. Battery life, as you might imagine, is horrible. The 1 hour 28 minutes it took to run down a DVD is expected for such a large system. The Aspire 9300 does have discrete graphics, but the nVidia GeForce 7300's performance numbers are equivalent to an integrated graphics chipset. Basically, you won't be able to run 3D games effectively.
The Acer Aspire 9300-5005 is a bargain for those who are looking for a desktop-like experience on a laptop. The gorgeous 17-inch screen will play a large role in your buying decision, but it also sucks up a large percentage of the $1,000 price, leaving you with below-average (thus, cheaper) components. It's ideal for those who have basic computing and media needs, such as watching an occasional DVD movie or editing family photos. Otherwise, you might want to spend more to get the Dell Inspiron E1705 (Vista) or the luxurious Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch.
ASUS U6S
AsusTek Computer Inc. http://www.asus.com
The endless proliferation of ASUS-branded laptops is growing by the minute—not that this is a bad thing. In ultraportables alone, the company has four different lines, with countless sub-models belonging to each. The ASUS U6S ($1,700 street) is the company's latest bid at challenging the likes of the Sony VAIO SZ series and the Dell XPS M1330 by cramming in as much raw horsepower as possible without climbing above the 4-pound mark. The standard-voltage processor and nVidia graphics are integral performance enhancers, while its signature leather interior is one of a kind. If only ASUS had paid more attention to the U6S's battery life, it would rank right up there with the Sony and the Dell.
ASUS has made quite a name for itself when it comes to industrial design. The U6S incorporates the same design principles as its ASUS ultraportable brethren, the S6F and the U1F. According to ASUS, the lacquer finish on the mocha-brown lid uses a new technique called "shimmering fiber," wherein blue sparkles are processed into the magnesium alloy cover. But the consistent theme, and an impressive one at that, has been ASUS's knack for integrating leather accents in the interior. The U6S has it draped across the palm rests, conveying the feel of leather car seats even if it's only meant for your hands. I've seen ASUS go as far as putting leather on the lid, a feat few can accomplish because of heat issues.
The U6S's 12-inch LED screen is essentially the same as on the Fujitsu LifeBook P8010. Both are brilliant when you're watching videos or viewing photos, and they're energy savers in the long run. By contrast, the Apple MacBook Air, the Sony SZ791N, and the Dell M1330 have bigger, 13-inch LED screens. As more and more ultraportables emerge this year, LED screens will be the common denominator; the variables will be the screen size.
Besides having an integrated dual-layer DVD burner, the ASUS U6S is one of only two ultraportables to load an HDMI port—an ideal video-out option that streams both digital video and audio. The only other ultraportable to sport HDMI-out is the Dell M1330. Its four ports—impressive for an ultraportable—beat the heck out of the single USB port on the Apple MacBook Air. The U6S doesn't, however, have a FireWire port, which you can find on the Sony SZ791N, the Dell M1330, the Fujitsu P8010, and the Acer Ferrari 1100. Although both Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth come standard on this system, I would have liked an option for a cellular modem, like Verizon's EV-DO, which ASUS doesn't offer on any of its laptops.
ASUS did everything right in selecting parts for raw performance on this ultraportable. The components are on a par with those of the Dell M1330 and the Sony SZ791N in that the U6S runs a standard-voltage processor—a 2.2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500—rather than the low-voltage (LV) and ultra-low-voltage (ULV) stuff that hampers performance over time. The Sony SZ791N bested the U6S by 13 percent on SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall scores because it has a new-generation Intel Penryn processor core. The U6S and the Dell M1330 have previous-generation Merom processors. Combined with 2GB of RAM, the U6S produced a very good SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall score. It easily beat out the Fujitsu P8010, which has a 1.2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo L7100 low-voltage processor.
Broader game compatibility is another bragging point for the U6S, thanks to its nVidia GeForce 8400M GS graphics card. This same card is also available on the Dell M1330 and Sony SZ791N. Although a discrete option like the 8400M GS will undoubtedly deliver a richer gaming experience than integrated graphics, it's not enough to play games like World in Conflict and Crysis. The U6S's 3DMark score surpassed that of the Acer Ferrari 1100, with its ATI chipset, by 170 percent, but couldn't catch up to those of the Sony SZ791N, falling behind by almost 10 percent. One big drawback to loading powerful performance parts like these is that battery life takes a huge hit. The Sony SZ791N (63 Wh) and the Dell M1330 (85 Wh) come with big batteries to offset this issue. The U6S's 53-Wh battery produced only 2 hours 4 minutes on MobileMark 2007 tests, clearly not enough for an ultraportable.
Because of its faster parts, the U6S's energy consumption is higher than that of ultraportables that use low-voltage processors, like the Fujitsu LifeBook P8010 and the Apple MacBook Air. The 26W it consumed in idle mode is almost double that of Energy Star 4.0's maximum requirements, which explains why it is not certified for Energy Star. The same goes for EPEAT certification, because of the system's power draw. It does, however, follow RoHS standards for recycling.
The U6S is part of a growing list of ultraportables being introduced by ASUS, a powerful OEM and retail brand. Its knack for industrial design is comparable to that of companies like Apple and Sony, while the powerful innards reflect the philosophies of the Sony SZ791N and the Dell M1330. The one drawback that might raise some eyebrows is that ASUS failed to put in a big enough battery to offset the power drain from the Core 2 Duo T7500 processor and the nVidia discrete graphics.
