Gadgets & Electronics: amd

Thin and light often means slow and shoddy when it comes to 3D processing, but the Valo Z confounds that expectation.

It doesn't meet the full set of specs lntel requires to use the Ultrabook branding, but it has something none of its rivals do: a plug- in graphics card that gives it the power of a desktop PC when docked. The dock uses a proprietary connector that combines both the Thunderbolt technology used in Apple's MacBooks and a USB3.0- compatible port. Hook it up and it takes the role of charger, Blu-ray player and graphics card. The AMD HD6550M inside the dock won't run Battlefield 3 in super HO, but it's exponentially better than the lntel HD3000 graphics that feature in the laptop itself (and every other machine tested here), making the Vaio a viable desktop replacer.

The rest of the Vaio is less exciting, however. The carbon fibre body may make it lighter than the metal Zenbook, but it feels flimsy and unstable with it. That might not matter if it weren't so expensive, but you can buy a MacBook Air and a proper gaming desktop PC for less. Which means that, impressive as it is, the Vaio remains off - limits to people with only one house.

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Posted in 3D , amd , america , computer , europe , laptop , macbook , pc , Sony , Sony Vaio Z , ultrabook , usa , Vaio , Z

This week we saw the release of the Lenovo ThinkPad X130e that has beendesign as an notebook for students. It has an 11.6 –inch display, an overallweight of 4 pounds, and a runtime of maximum 8,5 hours making it one of thebest batteries you can find on a laptop.

Buyers will have several models to choose from like AMD or Intel processors.Beside this all models will include a rubber bumper on the top, reinforced andrecessed ports and strong rounded corners, meaning that the laptop will be fineeven in tough conditions.

On a hardware level, beside the option between and AMD and Intel processors,buyers can benefit from an up to 8GB of RAM, 500 or 320 GB hard-drive and avariety of ports so there will be no devices that you can’t use (for example 3USB2.0, an Ethernet port, flash card reader, HDMI port etc.). Also the ThinkPadX130e includes a low light sensitivity webcam, so your friends can see you evenin the dark.

At a 469$ (on the Lenovo site) you can say that it’s an extremely cheap laptopfor what it offers. And you are right. This is due to the fact that it’s anotebook destined to students who may not have the money to buy an expensivelaptop and we all know that Lenovo is one of the best. So either is a red oneor a black one this should really be a top choice for any student and not only.