Alienware Area 51 Laptop

June 17th, 2010

On the bundle and packaging, we can not express ourselves beyond measure since all may be different from what we have had hands. Here is what accompanied our m5500:

We see here the power supply and all Boot CD / DVD image used for restoration. For the rest, Alienware does not much except a single output cable TV … damage. For a brand with such prestige, it was expected, as Asus, for example, a profusion of small accessories available, even a bag or a power cinema Cyberlink. But no. The bag is, admittedly, but it pays off, and accessories are offered a t-shirt and a mouse pad. It’s still fun, but we could expect more.

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Turning to the animal itself. First thing that shocks, the logo of the brand, the famous alien head which illuminate blue when the night (or light off …). In side view, we also notice that the laptop has a certain inclination. Question of aerodynamics? No, just comfort. It is indeed a lot nicer to have slightly elevated above the keyboard to work.

Level design, we can find the hull pretty nice. It comprises a large part in “grip” which gives a certain style to the mix. Unfortunately this material tends to deteriorate slightly over time. The look blue night, he is really superb, enough to blow up the serious LAN party. This reverses a keyboard zone frankly feeble. Indeed, it is commonplace in the final of this side. This dish is standard keys allow only basic functions, and even then we can not even turn off the pad with a predetermined combination …

This works quite well indeed, it is quite wide and has a vertical space of course. In addition, it comes with a driver rather complete Synaptic.

But a keyboard and a connection area a fair bit

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For the rest, you are entitled to three hits over the keyboard. They can launch your browser, media player and enable / disable WiFi … Innovator, is not it? The whole is accompanied by a “Power” button. No system reset is present. Given the range of phones, one would have expected something more multimedia touches the play / pause, stop … Even.

In terms of connectivity, it is a little better, but again, nothing really exciting program. On the sides, you are entitled to a Gigabit network port, an RJ11 plug and optical drive on the left while on the right are three USB 2.0 ports, four pin FireWire port, TV output S-VHS a PCMCIA slot. Taking used for food and the hot air outlet located on the same side.

At the back, you can connect a VGA monitor, one would prefer a DV-I with adapter, even if only for the connections on the latest LCD TV. A Kensington security system is also present. On the front, finally, we are entitled to an innovation. Indeed, it was for audio, plus jacks for headphones and microphone, an output S / PDIF. A switch, which we had already spoken in a previous news, also allows to choose between the party GMA 900 and the GeForce Go 6600 in order to gain autonomy.

Of course, this change will not happen on the fly, you must restart the machine to move from one to another. Regrettably, the detailed operation is not better specified via a sticker for example. But the final manual should explain it more thoroughly. To the left is a simple card reader 4 in 1 was chosen.

Consider now our finest screwdriver and dismantle see a little beast.

Alienware M7700 Laptop

June 17th, 2010

SMALL ROUND THE OWNER: Given the number of details to address, I’ll go step by step, the first part of the screen and keyboard, then the sides and bottom of the machine. Screen:

At the top you can see the two enormous hooks. At least you’re sure never to open it by mistake. However, it is at once impossible to open with one hand …

Just below, a very interesting option, an integrated webcam. It is becoming more common on laptops, which is not displeasing to us. This is very good, the image was very dark, and I have not managed to solve, by any software whatsoever (ALIENWARE do not include it).

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Let us just at the screen. The model was therefore received with the magnificent slab 1920 * 1200 resolution is found generally on the 23-inch LCD desktop. On a 17-inch, it gives us a resolution in dots per inch (DPI) 133. This is high, but without being exaggerated. To recap, AVERATEC 1000 series gives us a PPP of 141 (10.6-inch panel with 1280 – 768).

The screen is very readable, but you will find the fine print. Indeed, watching a 17 inch is not the same as watching a 12 inch. The surface is really great when the computer is on your knees, and the space seems even greater because of the resolution. During the test, the notebook was sitting next to a 20-inch LCD screen (resolution 1680 – 1050), and it seemed much larger.

But this screen is not only to retain for its resolution, it is simply the best I have seen today. HD movies in 1080p pass perfectly, and are more beautiful than ever. It was not counting on a more than acceptable afterglow. Finish the game Quake 4 while I’m used to playing on a CRT I have not caused any problems. This screen is very bright, the viewing angles are above other phones, even if not at an IPS LCD panel (which allows the best angles).

The attachments of the screen are fairly standard, in two small parties, one on each side. With a screen so wide, it would surely have had larger fasteners, as they seem fragile and move from time to time (nothing too serious, the screen will not fall).

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At the bottom of the screen you will find part three small LEDs which light up blue or orange. The left means that the computer is turned on, it is the right AC. They are blue in business. The middle will be orange when you are in the process of recharging the battery and turn blue when it is filled to 100%.

Surrounding the huge keyboard, you will find the first 2 speakers. Because yes, this computer takes over the hull of the 51m AREA I mentioned in the introduction, and therefore has a unique sound system for a computer portable. But I shall return to the impression left by these speakers a bit later.

The keyboard is a must in this matter! One has the impression of using a landline. As you can see below, the keys are absolutely huge, which makes the strike very close to a Logitech Ultra X Flat For example, harder. Usage is truly unique, it’s like a DiNovo, so it’s quiet and efficient. They differ somewhat from 12 inches to bring the pleasure felt on a fixed, but so much better. Diodes functions are located in the top of the keyboard, multimedia buttons on the left.

Reviews Alienware Laptop

June 17th, 2010

So far, we can say that our conclusions are mixed. In the case of the Alienware mALX, it is obviously excited about the equipment and simply stunning graphics performance, but the Turion 64 are probably the primary limiting factor of this stupid race and we have little evidence in favor of the AMD processor.

Before commenting on the results obtained with BatteryMark autonomy, it is again worth clarifying that this software simulates use rather “nice” of the machine. Due to work primarily “office”, the raw power of the laptop is not particularly necessary and thus, the battery lasts much longer than if the machine used to play or even watch a DVD. However, the results of Turion processors are more interesting ways.

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Note first that despite the integration of SLI GeForce Go 7900 and a screen 19 inches, the Alienware mALX increases the outcome of the Area-51m almost 15 minutes. Despite this progress, the machine still has a ridiculous autonomy (under 90 minutes) and fortunately the Turion 64 uses less power than the Pentium IV 560, one of the most greedy in this area!

More interestingly, if the Turion 64 X2 built by MSI enables us to reconsider some characteristics announced by AMD. At the launch of its chip, the chipmaker had actually said that new energy-saving features were added. Thus, in the manner of its Intel Core Duo processor, the Turion 64 X2 is capable of managing the sleep of each of its cores independently. The HyperTransport link can also pass through different states in order to save battery and one inside the other, these two components can significantly reduce processor power consumption.

So and so only “full speed” with a Core Duo (31W) consumes a little less than a Turion 64 X2 (between 31W and 35W), the latter takes advantage at each stage of sleep. Sleep lightest (13.1 W cons 10W) at the deepest sleep (1.8 W 0.85 W cons), the Turion 64 X2 seems to prevail every time.

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Always, we end this double test phones with a quick glance at the noise and heat. Given the proximity of a mobile unit, the noise issue is particularly difficult, especially when it comes to focus on its S271 to complete an article particularly late example (note: it smells lived!). In contrast, and because of its orientation gamer, the Alienware mALX is less sensitive. Measured using a sound level meter positioned at the ear of the user’s laptop, noise of the MSI S271 and Alienware mALX were compared with those of their predecessors, the MSI S260 and Alienware Area -51m.

What the graph does not show is that generally, the MSI S271 has been very discreet office work, data compression, photo editing or viewing the DVD did not exceed 40 dB. However, it quickly became very noisy when 3DMark 05 was launched. The ATI Xpress 1150 can therefore significantly increase the performance of the beast, but it is paid for by very high noise (to 46.6 dB, it is very noisy).

Besides that, we have the case of the Alienware mALX which is really not long at 37.7 dB. The motion puts less stress on some fans of the machine and within seconds you already happening in Word to 41 dB. The next step was taken with the use of the DVD (it is approaching 43 dB), and finally testing in 3DMark 05 have completed the “surge” of ventilation: 45.8 dB, it is not Far Cry embarrassed, but parts of Civilization IV are less pleasant.

Alienware Laptop M15x

June 17th, 2010

Alienware has an excellent reputation, especially in the hearts of gamers. The machines of the brand boarded the best, offer an inimitable look and still exude an element of dream.

As always, the mutant cell arrives in his black box. Black box that displays a large white logo Alienware followed by the words, “High performance mobile systems. The device is packaged in a fabric cover, then in foam to protect it from possible shock during his teletransporting galaxy.

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On unpacking, we discovered the m15x in its head with its gray alien specific. In the bundle, in addition to AND, we have CD’s: food, for Vista Home Premium and software Nero7. Also present: a small leather folder with the image of the brand that embeds the user manual, and charger. This new measure UFO 36.95 27.25 x 03.30 cm x 3.18 kg, which is quite large for the class of 15.4 “.

Unlike his brothers marsiens, the m15x is in sobriety losing its gills and then design Skull Cap, characteristic of the brand. The cover is much smoother, and the signature Alienware is only visible through the tiny head of the Alien and midrib. The gray is set with a painted metallic paint the most beautiful effect and perfect application. On the front, we note immediately the absence of any latch and connectors.

Only the IR receiver is available. We note, in the center, a slight indentation, which allows the screen to grab the opening. It is retained by a magnet system.

At the rear, there is no connection. We only found two metal mesh grills that allow the expulsion of hot air to the cooling system and central battery of 5200 mAh.

Finally on the right side, there are: Kensington Lock, Mini Firewire, USB 2.0, HDMI output, a port Express Card 54 mm and 4 in 1 reader for memory cards. Alienware has had the good sense to hide the card reader and express card port behind doors that switch when inserting, changing radically “poor caches that are usually found on laptops. Maybe it is just a detail, but it brings some uniformity to all, and does not distort the machine.

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As usual, the quality provided to the machine is good. The paint is of good quality and does not suffer criticism. The adjustment of the various ports is also excellent. By cons, we were disappointed by the top cover, because it is too flexible and produces a cracking sound when pressed, as if something mechanical moved inside.

The underside of the m15x is surprising because it has a special care, and offers more exuberance than the rest of the machine..

On the left we have the first cooling device, which consists of a small fan, heater, copper, and a heat pipe. The system dissipates the heat from the Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5 GHz, but also that of the 965GM chipset. In the center is placed the memory in the form of two strips of 1024 MB of DDR2 667. They are brand Qimonda and offer timings in 5.5.5.12. Just below these bars, is the wireless card N. Note the presence of a port PCI Mici eX free. On the right, enclosed in an aluminum box is the 8800 GTX 512 million.

A heatpipe is recovering heat from the GPU to transmit to a broken radiator copper. Finally on top you have the hard drive 200 gigabytes Hitachi 7200 trs, and embarking 16MB cache, and the 1GB Turbo Memory module mounted to its right.

DELL Inspiron E1705 Laptop Batteries

June 14th, 2010

A very different path in this respect, the Dell XPS M1530. This is seen as a very slim design and a very elegant lines. The base unit is running out to the front edge along narrow, and suggested by one slope of the side edges have a lower height.

The now common for almost all multimedia notebooks, the Dell XPS M1530 also has a number of additional buttons, placed above the keyboard in the right pane. The individual printed symbols are designed as touch-sensitive buttons, but compared to other systems, but an ordinary pressure input need to address it. This will be signaled by flashing a blue LED in each key area of the user.
About the proposed additional keys you can about the ejection of the disk slot-in DVD drive to activate, regulate or control media player functions but also the volume of audio playback.

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Another key to the left of the on / off switch starts the Dell Media Direct Media Center. This is a software which is specifically designed for playback of multimedia content such as audio files, images and videos, and even without the launch of Windows Vista can be run directly.

Last but not least the Dell XPS M1530 offers a hardware switch to disable the wireless function and a separate button with which to display available wireless networks. Both are located on the right edge of the front.

If you have about the Dell XPS M1330 will be spoiled for choice between conventional displays or a display with LED lighting, shall be limited supply in the XPS M1530 so far only on a display variant. This is a reflecting panel which WXGA Dell under the name “UltraSharp CCFL Display with TrueLife” in the online quotes configurator.
According to a Dell technician will be shortly a WXGA + panel with CCFL technology and an LED display in WXGA format to be available. All offered TrueLife display versions will have a surface.

TrueLife refers to the reflecting surface, which provides, unfortunately, even indoors again and again for disturbing reflections, but this a little later. The maximum resolution of 1280×800 pixels of the WXGA display is to be designated as the current standard. Users who want to attach importance to overview and to work simultaneously on multiple windows would be operated at higher resolutions may be more.

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In the test the display’s brightness in the central area was a maximum of 172.8 cd / m² can be determined. It should be noted was also a significant loss in brightness of the display edges, especially in the corners. This minimally 136.6 cd / m² were measured. Thus, a variance of at least more than 20%. On average, delivers WXGA display panel and a luminance of 148.8 cd / m², a more moderate result.

The measured black value of 0.75 cd / m² (minimum representable brightness) determined in conjunction with the maximum brightness of good 172 cd / m² an acceptable maximum contrast ratio of 230:1.
Subjectively, the displayed image and also shows well saturated colors when the viewer is positioned somewhat perpendicular to the display.

Outdoor taken into account with regard to evaluation of the outdoor fitness of the Dell XPS M1530, and thus an important point in the mobility of the notebook has two important factors. First, the display brightness with an average of just under 150 cd / m² just in the realm of possibility for an outdoor use is, and then of course also the nature of the display surface.

DELL Inspiron E1705 Laptop Batteries

June 14th, 2010

Getting acquainted with the new XPS design line so we could already do the Dell XPS M1330, the smaller brother (13 inches) of the M1530. The Dell XPS M1730, the 17-inch Gaming DTR variant but differs significantly in its design of its smaller peers. It seeks above all with impressive LED lighting to draw the attention on himself.

The now common for almost all multimedia notebooks, the Dell XPS M1530 also has a number of additional buttons, placed above the keyboard in the right pane. The individual printed symbols are designed as touch-sensitive buttons, but compared to other systems, but an ordinary pressure input need to address it. This will be signaled by flashing a blue LED in each key area of the user.
About the proposed additional keys you can about the ejection of the disk slot-in DVD drive to activate, regulate or control media player functions but also the volume of audio playback.

dell-inspiron-e1705-laptop-batteries

Another key to the left of the on / off switch starts the Dell Media Direct Media Center. This is a software which is specifically designed for playback of multimedia content such as audio files, images and videos, and even without the launch of Windows Vista can be run directly.

Last but not least the Dell XPS M1530 offers a hardware switch to disable the wireless function and a separate button with which to display available wireless networks. Both are located on the right edge of the front.

If you have about the Dell XPS M1330 will be spoiled for choice between conventional displays or a display with LED lighting, shall be limited supply in the XPS M1530 so far only on a display variant. This is a reflecting panel which WXGA Dell under the name “UltraSharp CCFL Display with TrueLife” in the online quotes configurator.
According to a Dell technician will be shortly a WXGA + panel with CCFL technology and an LED display in WXGA format to be available. All offered TrueLife display versions will have a surface.

TrueLife refers to the reflecting surface, which provides, unfortunately, even indoors again and again for disturbing reflections, but this a little later. The maximum resolution of 1280×800 pixels of the WXGA display is to be designated as the current standard. Users who want to attach importance to overview and to work simultaneously on multiple windows would be operated at higher resolutions may be more.

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In the test the display’s brightness in the central area was a maximum of 172.8 cd / m² can be determined. It should be noted was also a significant loss in brightness of the display edges, especially in the corners. This minimally 136.6 cd / m² were measured. Thus, a variance of at least more than 20%. On average, delivers WXGA display panel and a luminance of 148.8 cd / m², a more moderate result.

The measured black value of 0.75 cd / m² (minimum representable brightness) determined in conjunction with the maximum brightness of good 172 cd / m² an acceptable maximum contrast ratio of 230:1.
Subjectively, the displayed image and also shows well saturated colors when the viewer is positioned somewhat perpendicular to the display.

Outdoor taken into account with regard to evaluation of the outdoor fitness of the Dell XPS M1530, and thus an important point in the mobility of the notebook has two important factors. First, the display brightness with an average of just under 150 cd / m² just in the realm of possibility for an outdoor use is, and then of course also the nature of the display surface.

DELL Inspiron E1705 Laptop Batteries

June 14th, 2010

Very well designed, the Hinges of the notebooks have been lying at the outer edge and develop harmoniously to the display down. The screen is not fully hinged, with a maximum opening angle of 160 ° but this should not be any restrictions. When adjusting the opening angle also a slight wobbling of the display was observed.

So for example in the back to pages total de 3 USB 2.0 ports (two left, one right), an S-Video and one VGA port, one Firewire port and an HDMI port for connecting external high-resolution screens and for transmitting digital image and audio signals available.

Although the place is a bit short on the sides due to the shape of the base unit was the individual connections but rather tried to place in the back. To the front edge toward the left side is the hard drive installed while on the right side of the Express Card slot and the slot-in DVD drive is attached. Disturbing cables near the notebook can therefore largely be prevented. Only the audio ports (two headphone ports and a microphone jack) are on the leading edge in the central area.

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Alternative to the sample used in the test 8x DVD + /-RW drive can be equipped the Dell XPS M1530 with a Blu-Ray drive, which can be up to 50 gigabytes of data (dual layer) on a suitable medium can be stored. For this version of the XPS M1530 features but actually 400 $ extra charge is due.

Like the other XPS models also have the XPS M1530 with an optional UMTS module. The Aufnahmeslot Simcard for the respective network provider is located in the battery slot of your notebook.

The keyboard of the Dell XPS M1530 presents a color well adapted to the remaining casing. The silver buttons do indeed to any particular organization, the key size is still quite out well. Especially with the Enter key was given particularly generous. Something had to lose height to the top row of keys, so Escape and the following F-keys and several function keys such as Insert and Remove. Striking impairment in the operation resulted in this but no.

Typing on the keyboard turned out quite nice. So wise each key on a clear pressure point and give the end of its stroke path to even slightly. Under the influence of pressure on the keyboard though, a slight deflection of the entire unit be established, but overall this is acceptable and is more likely a rather soft typing feel too good.

The keyboard is also quite more extensive paperwork. In particular, the rapid tapping sounds of the keyboard remains very much in the frame and is only a faint clicking noise.

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The touch pad like in the first place by a simple shape which fits perfectly into the overall look of the Dell XPS M1530. It is barely noticeable in the surrounding aluminum cover embedded, so that you can indeed touching a comfortable over it yet sufficient feedback on the position on the pad gets. A horizontal and a vertical scroll area on touchpad are shown visually.

The cursor is read by means of the pad passable scroll across the screen. Now and then, slight misfire noticed. On the positive on the one hand and sliding the pleasant surface touch pad and touch pad is on the other hand, the two can be very soft and press it to give virtually no sound.

Cheap Apple Mac Laptops

June 9th, 2010

The 2010 version of the Apple MacBook Pro (MC373D / A) looks like its predecessor. But the technology in the new unibody enclosure MacBook rapid progress has been made – a Core i7 now provides powerful power, but the notebook now makes a little earlier flabby.

The Macbook Pro in the 15-inch version is one of the perennial favorites in Apple’s laptop program. The new year has clearly risen to power, our tester, the top model of the current series, has a Core i7 processor (620M, 2.67 GHz), the mobile series (Arrandale). The CPU is supported by four gigabytes of DDR3 RAM. For benchmark measurements, this combination led to consistently top results – but also to a significant heating of the metal casing to send up to 57 degrees Celsius.

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The change to the current processor led to changes in the chip: instead of Nvidia comes now from Intel (HM55) and features its own graphics engine (Intel HD). To the chipset graphics to make legs, Apple also built a separate graphics solution Nvidia GeForce 330M GT with 512 MB of memory. Our measurements also show there are good results.

Toll at the new MacBook Pro: Mac OS, depending on the application automatically switches between the two graphics chips. If, however Windows via Boot Camp to use, always runs the faster, but also energy-hungry Nvidia chip.

The downside of the new performance class is the battery life significantly – despite increased capacity of the current memory (77.5 Wh to 73 Wh). Could the predecessor – but the best option without a separate graphics chip trumps – even more than the new hours of battery life, must the new MacBook Pro is already after 6:45 hours back to the grid; Windows after nearly five hours end.

Still, compared to other notebooks of this class is the battery stamina is still good and enough for a place in the endurance-Top-Ten. The battery itself is built solid and should hold 1000 charging cycles. A replacement from Apple costs about 140 $.

Other facilities are seen almost unchanged: it remains as stable unibody housing with the connectors on the left. There you will find two USB 2.0, Firewire 800, Gigabit Ethernet and an SD card reader which is clearly even with the new SD-XC cards. The hard drive holds 500 GB, optional at extra charge hefty SSDs with up to 512 gigabytes to choose from.

There is a small but important improvement is the mini-DisplayPort reported: It can be output finally video and audio signals and convert to HDMI with an adapter. To connect to a TV so goes a cable. Apple remains steadfast, however, the optical drive: Also, there is still no Blu-Ray, but only one in operation quite loud DVD burner.

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The 15.4-inch display with backlight enthusiastically continue with outstanding brightness and a very good contrast ratio. The calls for a higher resolution has heard Apple, but wants extra money: As an option, the display with 1,680 x 1,050 pixels (supplement: 90 $) – and on request also with a matte surface (Add: 150 $).

The operation succeeds elegant as its predecessor: the glass, large multi-touch pad replaces the mouse and understands gestures with up to four fingers. The keyboard has a good pressure point and is in the dark illuminated by LEDs.

An even longer battery life is more important than maximum performance? Then you pick up the predecessor from 2009. The 15.4-inch MacBook Pro (MC118D / A) without a separate graphics chip holds by more than nine hours with one battery charge. And the best part: You can save almost 900 $.

Apple Laptop Pink

June 8th, 2010

The range was not known Macbook Pro update for months. While the proposed competition models with modern processors (Intel Core i3, or i5 i7), Apple remained faithful to the Core 2 Duo, without lowering its prices to a configuration that began seriously dating.

However, with the arrival of new models, only the Macbook Pro 15-inch and 17 favor of more powerful mobile processors at the time. Thus, the 13-inch MacBook Pro remains confined to the Core 2 Duo and the explanation is ultimately quite simple as we shall see later.

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On the design side, nothing changes and we will not complain. The aluminum chassis has no equal today, especially since its unibody design carved directly into a block ensures durability. There is no assembly or even screws. There is also a system of open magnet handy. The backlit keyboard is a model of its kind with large keys and spacing. Entering the text poses no problem and the whole is very solid and does not sag.

Even better, the keys are backlit to work in the dark. This is a detail that is important and those who are used to reduce their screen to illuminate the keyboard know what it is. Adjusting the backlight can be accessed directly via the function keys while an ambient light sensor can automatically control the brightness. Point here dedicated shortcuts, Mac OS X is full of all kinds of tricks anyway. Finally, the screen provides a wide spectrum of colors plus deep blacks.

The multi point mastered, The touchpad Macbook Pro 13 is broad and devoid of buttons. It is sufficiently sensitive and responds perfectly to the slightest finger pressure. Coupled with better operating system Mac OS X, you can use one, two, three or even four fingers! For example, by pinching two fingers on the touchpad, you can make zoom in on photos or web page.

Dragging two fingers up and down, there is no need to use elevators to scroll through the pages in any application. This n’al’air said nothing like that but working on both PC and Mac, it happens often to regret this type of functionality with Windows. On the other hand, a clean sweep of the fingers can browse images in your library. Finally, using four fingers you can see at a glance all the windows open or show the desktop (no need therefore shortcut).

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And of course, if the default right click is not available, a detour through the system settings is enough to activate. As such, he must praise the efforts of Apple offers video tutorials really well made directly in the preferences of the operating system Mac OS X. Within minutes the touchpad has no secrets for you so that one regrets such a system very practical and innovative in our good old PC that just discovered the multi-point. Finally, nice little novelty, a new function scroll pulse appeared.

Apple Laptop Pink

June 8th, 2010

The MacBook Air from Apple. Hard to miss this high-profile machine. However, it is not the first ultraportable computer from Apple and this takes quite common concepts.

A few years ago, Apple offered two ultraportables in its range. We take here as the term ultraportable on the screen size, not weight (Apple has never been known for his heavy small mobile). The 12-inch iBook and PowerBook 12-inch were complementary, one for the general public, the other for professionals. Then came the switch to Intel, Apple and its segmentation range: 13.3-inch MacBook consumer, 15.4 and 17 inches for professionals. They waited for nearly two years a laptop that would be more appropriate to their use, their wishes have come true in January 2008 with the MacBook Air and 13.3 inches.

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The MacBook Air is very thin, and it is the slogan for Apple: the thinnest notebook in the world. For a machine that does not exceed 1.94 cm thick, Apple had to make some concessions, and these are all accusations to the MacBook Air (which is also absolutely not without benefits). More interestingly, while traditional ultraportables are usually limited to 11 or 12-inch diagonal screen, Apple uses a slab of 13.3 inches, as on the MacBooks.
The interesting points of finesse

Want a mobile end has advantages, oddly enough. Some technologies are needed, and are advantageous to the consumer (but not necessarily of its portfolio). The first comes from the screen, the traditional CCFL backlight is replaced by an LED backlight. This helps produce finer screens (in the case of laptops) and brighter. The second comes from the use of aluminum for the hull. Rather light, the metal is rigid and provides a solid feel (sometimes false) to the MacBook Air.

The screen of the MacBook Air offers a resolution of 1280 x 800 and brightness of 300 cd / m². It is very readable in bright sunlight (when set to maximum) and the definition of 113 dpi was pleasant. It is regrettable that it is brilliant, but it is very tolerable and it is much less annoying than the iMac, for example.
The problems induced by the thickness

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By cons, trying to make a computer very end also has defects. Apple had to drastically reduce the connectivity of the MacBook Air and remove some functions which are essential. It offers only one USB port, remove the FireWire and Ethernet uses a proprietary connector for video output.

In addition, the optical drive has been deleted. Both this last point is common in ultraportables, all the others are annoying. Finally, Apple has followed the same path that many manufacturers using a 1.8-inch hard disk instead of the classic 2.5 inch.

Apple has incorporated a feature already present on these professional machines, an illuminated keypad. Unlike the Thinkpad that illuminates the keyboard from above (with a lamp in the housing of the screen), Apple illuminates the keyboard. This is a very effective way it goes hard when it is tasted. The brightness sensors are placed on either side of the webcam.

The keyboard itself takes the design of the MacBook and the Apple keyboard: keys with a separate race very low. We love it or hate it, but it is generally appreciated. Note that the keyboard is black, while the MacBook Pro have a silver keyboard, like the color of the hull. Finally, thanks to the 13.3-inch screen, the keyboard offers full-size keys, unlike most ultraportables.