This week we've reviewed the awesome Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1V Android 3.0-toting iPad rival as well as the Sony VAIO S Series.
Also check out our review of the amazing 50-inch Panasonic TX-P50GT30B 3D plasma as well as the Sony KDL-46NX713 2D LED set.
We've also looked at the INQ Cloud Touch and we've also got hands on with the new Nokia X7.
Top five reviews on TechRadar
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1V review
There are two versions of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. This is the original one, now a Vodafone-exclusive. It's got Android 3.0 onboard, while the standout hardware feature is the 8MP camera which, to be frank, blows the iPad's equivalent clean out of the water and into the realm of total inferiority. The tablet is powered by Nvidia's dual-core Tegra 2 chip, and is thus a pleasure to use. The drawback though, is that Honeycomb is by no means a mature OS – compared to the iPad's App Store, the Android Market's tablet-offerings are tiny in number. And until that changes, the iPad is going to stay ahead.
While LCD TVs might lead the way in terms of sales, plasma still has the edge when it comes to 3D. 3D LCD TVs suffer from a ghosting effect known as crosstalk. Plasmas too have the same problem, but Panasonic has found a way to keep this distortion to an absolute minimum. And that, combined with favourable prices, has led to a resurgence in plasma TV sales. This set is a case in point – it's a gorgeous 50-inch 3D plasma, and while it doesn't quite reach the heights of Panasonic's brand-leading VT30 series, it's still a fantastic option both in 2D and in 3D.
The problem with smartphones is that most of them are too expensive to buy outright, and getting them on a contract is equally as wallet-taxing. However, the Orange San Francisco proved that it is possible to build a budget Android phone that's not a nightmare to use. The latest budget Android phone comes in the shape of the INQ Cloud Touch, a phone very much revolving around social networking, and in particular, Facebook. It's got its own custom overlay on top of Android, and comes with all sorts of widget wonders. Worth checking out if you feel the high-end phones are a step too far.
This LED TV from Sony is a 2D stunner. Pictures are brilliantly clear, colours are natural, the picture is bright and vibrant and motion is handled with skill. So it's a real shame that this 46-incher is so dreadfully let down by poor 3D performance. As with many other 3D LCD panels, this telly is stricken with crosstalk issues, making the 3D picture ghosty and unwatchable.
If you find you're regularly stuck on malfunctioning public transport, with a dire need to conduct some urgent spreadsheet analysis, then an excellent solution is an ultra-portable laptop such as a Sony VAIO VPC-SB1V9E. These slender devices pack an impressive amount of power into a tiny chassis, perfect for taking on your travels.
Amplifiers
Onkyo M-3000R and M-5000R review
Blu-ray players
Compact cameras
Desktop PCs
Sapphire Edge HD Mini PC review
HI-fi Accessories
Antelope Audio Zodiac Plus DAC review
Audio-Technica AT120E/T review
Home cinema systems
Laptops
Monitors
Portable media players
Projectors
Receivers
Software
Channel D Pure Music 1.74a review
Paragon Drive Copy 11 Professional review
Corel VideoStudio Pro X4 review
Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 review
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection 15 review
Cyberlink PowerDirector 9 Ultra64 review
Speakers
Canton Vento 800 Series review
Storage
Pioneer BDR-206MBK BDXL writer review
Tablets
Turntables
Funk Firm Vector 3 (FXR II tonearm) review
Pro-ject Xperience 2 Pack review
Rega P7 (RB700 tonearm) review
Scheu Analog Cello (Jelco SA-250 tonearm) review
TVs
This week's hands on reviewsMobile phones
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tannerfaragher@...
April 23, 2011 at 12:22pm
Why are you saying this on MAC|LIFE??? iPad is WAY BETTER!!
