Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Amazon Kindle DX first hands-on (with video!)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/amazon-kindle-dx-first-hands-on/


We just got a quick first in-person look at Amazon's new Kindle DX. It looks bigger! Some quick thoughts on the device:

  • It's not really drastically different from the Kindle 2. Not in any way. The ability to auto-rotate is nice, and the big screen is definitely easier on the eyes when it comes to reading newspapers, but largely this is the same beast.
  • The screen looks great. It may just be the demo units here, but the blacks seem to be darker than they are on the Kindle 2. We'll have to hold this judgment for when we've got a review unit in our hands.
  • Screen refresh is largely unchanged. You'll still see those black flashes when you turn the page.
  • The keyboard seems better to us than the Kindle 2's. The keys are more raised, and there's more real estate for typing. It's still not an awesome experience, but it's improved.
  • The size difference really is notable. The DX is a large device. It's not the kind of thing you'll be throwing into a purse, though it's not so large that you wouldn't consider it over the Kindle 2. In fact, if we had to choose right now, the Kindle DX wins hands-down.
  • $489 is a lot of money for a device like this. Amazon is really going to have to show some considerable cuts on pricing for their deals with the NYT / schools to make this attractive to end-users.
And check out the videos after the break!

Continue reading Amazon Kindle DX first hands-on (with video!)

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Amazon Kindle DX first hands-on (with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 1:28 PM

Dell Studio XPS 13 reviewed, loved, and respected

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/dell-studio-xps-13-reviewed-loved-and-respected/


There's been much talk of Dell's leather-bound Studio XPS 13 ever since it made its first appearance... and now the fine folks over at Hot Hardware have put it through the motions for you, and we can tell you that they really liked what they found. Really really. In terms of overall build, they were very impressed, specifically with the chunky hinges and that decorative leather strip (the one which we found to be rippled in our own hands-on). They also claim that the Studio XPS 13 might have the "best keyboard" they've "ever touched" on an ultraportable, and they similarly loved the trackpad's clickiness (although we found the trackpad cramped and awkwardly placed). Performance-wise, they consider themselves blown away by the laptop, though they noted a few hiccups here and there (while tabbing around Firefox), and said that they felt the Studio XPS 13 outperforms others in its class. Hit the read link for the full on, glowing review -- one more shot after the break.

Continue reading Dell Studio XPS 13 reviewed, loved, and respected

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Dell Studio XPS 13 reviewed, loved, and respected originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 1:28 PM

Samsung's PRAM chips hit mass production in June

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/samsungs-pram-chips-go-into-mass-production-in-june/

Mark your calendars, memory enthusiasts, for the date you've all been waiting for. Samsung's phase change RAM will go into mass production starting in June. The PRAM chips -- not to be confused with paramter RAM, often what you curse / reset if you've got a Mac on the fritz -- can rewrite data without having to erase what's already on there first. The company's still boasting it's 30x faster and has 10x the lifespan of traditional flash memory. You want to know what gadgets and gizmos will first use these chips? Us too, but we're all gonna have to wait because Sammy's not talking yet.

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Samsung's PRAM chips hit mass production in June originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 7:31 AM

RealD LP makes 3D projection a touch more portable

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/05/reald-lp-makes-3d-projection-a-touch-more-portable/

It may be stretching the definition of what we'd call "portable" around here by quite a large margin, but RealD's touting its latest creation as the world's first mobile, single-projector 3D solution. The RealD LP can blast video on screens up to 17 feet wide with a 150:1 contrast ratio -- glasses still required for the full effect, of course. No price mentioned, but we reckon it's still in the realm of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

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RealD LP makes 3D projection a touch more portable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 23:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 7:31 AM

LaCie adds to NAS catalog with Big Disk, d2 Network

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/lacie-adds-to-nas-catalog-with-big-disk-d2-network/

Looking to add some color to your extensive NAS collection? Well, you find it here, save for the company's characteristic blue button. If you're willing to look past that cold, aluminum exterior, however, LaCie's Big Disk and d2 Network storage solutions should serve you well. The former sports up to 1.5TB capacity with eSATA port for expansion, while the latter goes up to 3TB by concactenating two drives in RAID 0. Both support the usual array of backup software, including Apple's Time Machine, and work with all DLNA-compliant devices. LaCie says they're on sale now, $190 for d2 Network and $380 for Big Disk Network.

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LaCie adds to NAS catalog with Big Disk, d2 Network originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 00:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posted by Augustine at 7:31 AM

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