2011 Dodge Charger

2011 Dodge Charger

Posted: 28 Oct 2011 01:48 AM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The new infotainment center in the 2011 Dodge Charger uses Garmin software for navigation and gets weather and gas prices from Sirius. Blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control are available.
Bad: The automatic transmission only has five gears, and there's no Sport mode. Voice command doesn't cover destination entry.
Bottom Line: The 2011 Dodge Charger is a competent driver with very useful cabin electronics. But the 2012 model will feature a much-improved transmission. [Read more]

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350

Posted: 28 Oct 2011 01:14 AM PDT

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Good: A new direct-injection V-6 in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 delivers plenty of power and good fuel economy. The retractable hard top comes down in 20 seconds. The stereo interface shows album cover art and the Harman Kardon audio system creates detailed sound.
Bad: In sedate driving, the seven-speed automatic can shift uncomfortably hard. The exterior styling is not cohesive from front to back.
Bottom Line: A fun, luxury roadster, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 carries an excellent cabin tech suite and delivers aggressive performance, but those looking for a cruiser might find the SLK350 too much of a beast. [Read more]

T-Mobile Sonic 4G Mobile HotSpot

Posted: 27 Oct 2011 07:08 AM PDT

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Good: The compact and good-looking T-Mobile Sonic 4G Mobile HotSpot offers mobile Internet access for up to five Wi-Fi clients via T-Mobile's 4G and 3G networks. The device has long battery life, works as a tethered modem, features an SD card slot, and supports text messaging.
Bad: The T-Mobile Sonic 4G Mobile HotSpot data speeds could use some improvement, comparatively. Its included limited data plans are rather expensive, and the router's connection speed is throttled when the monthly data caps are reached.
Bottom Line: Well-designed and reliable, the T-Mobile Sonic 4G Mobile HotSpot makes a very good travel companion. [Read more]

2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T Turbo

Posted: 24 Oct 2011 07:55 PM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo's Fender premium audio system is one of the best in this class. The turbocharged engine and DSG transmission work together to provide fun driving.
Bad: The navigation system does not include traffic data. Turbo lag adversely affects off-the-line acceleration.
Bottom Line: Fans of Euro-retro styling, zippy performance, and great audio will find much to love about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. [Read more]

HTC Evo Design 4G (Sprint)

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 02:20 AM PDT

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Good: The HTC Evo Design 4G has an understated black-on-black design, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, two cameras, and is a world phone. It comes with 8GB of memory preinstalled.
Bad: The stubborn back cover is hard to remove and the speakerphone could be better. A dedicated hardware shutter button wouldn't go amiss.
Bottom Line: The HTC Evo Design 4G gives you a lot of smartphone for an excellent value--fast 4G speeds, a good camera, a strong processor, and a sophisticated design. It's an excellent choice for Sprint customers, except those who are specifically looking for a dual-core phone. [Read more]

Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 08:39 AM PDT

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Good: The Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D delivers great overall performance, and has a useful assortment of connections, including three USB 3.0 ports. The monitor's stylish but practical design provides many ergonomic options.
Bad: Compared with other professional monitors, the S27A850D lacks a few OSD configuration details. Also, HDMI would have been useful.
Bottom Line: The Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D is a well-designed, stylish, professional monitor with great options and performance. [Read more]

HP Deskjet 3050A e-All-in-One - multifunction ( printer / copier / scanner ) ( color )

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 08:19 AM PDT

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Good: The HP Deskjet 3050A features a refreshing design and its wireless Web connectivity lets you print in the cloud with HP ePrint technology.
Bad: The printer lacks an Ethernet port for wired networking and its dual ink cartridge bay is a money sink if you print a high volume of photos and color documents.
Bottom Line: The HP Deskjet 3050A All-in-One printer marries an attractive design with the latest cloud printing technology in a multifunction device that works for small offices that don't need to print a lot of full-color photos. [Read more]

Asus U46E-BAL6

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 04:51 AM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The Asus U46E-BAL6 has an excellent keyboard and a well-designed frame, and comes packed with a fast processor, ample connectivity features--WiMax and USB 3.0 included--and plenty of hard-drive space and RAM for an aggressive price.
Bad: The laptop doesn't have dedicated graphics, and the battery life is good, but we've seen better.
Bottom Line: A strong design, tons of features, and plenty of performance make the Asus U46E-BAL6 one of the best 14-inch laptops we've seen all year. [Read more]

Toshiba DX735-D3201 All-in-One

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 04:46 AM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The Toshiba DX735-D3201 all-in-one offers a basic set of features, including a touch screen and an HDMI input, for a reasonable price.
Bad: This system has few standout features, and only baseline acceptable performance relative to others in its price range.
Bottom Line: The workmanlike Toshiba DX735-3201 won't dazzle you with cutting edge aesthetics or innovative features, but its affordable, capable-enough configuration should have a certain appeal for general purpose users. [Read more]

Apple iPhone 4 - 8GB - white (Sprint)

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 10:36 PM PDT

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Bottom Line: Along with the iPhone 4S, Sprint adds an 8GB version of the iPhone 4. [Read more]

Apple iPhone 4 - 8GB - black (Sprint)

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 10:30 PM PDT

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Bottom Line: Along with the iPhone 4S, Sprint adds an 8GB version of the iPhone 4. [Read more]

Samsung Stratosphere (Verizon Wireless)

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 01:02 AM PDT

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Good: The Samsung Stratosphere has Verizon's ultrafast 4G LTE speeds and is the first LTE phone in its arsenal to have a QWERTY keyboard. Plus, it has Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and VPN support. Its 5-megapixel camera takes good photos.
Bad: A sibling of the original Galaxy S line, the Stratosphere at times feels a little rehashed. Call quality was also hit or miss.
Bottom Line: The Samsung Stratosphere's blazing 4G LTE speeds, QWERTY keyboard, and business tools lend it credence as a handset for corporate minds, but its last-season specs may fail to lure those looking for the ultimate smartphone. [Read more]

Sony MDR-NC200D Digital Noise-Canceling Headphones

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 05:57 AM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The Sony MDR-NC200Ds are compact noise-canceling headphones with a creative design, deep bass, and adequate noise cancellation. The headphones fold up to fit into a convenient carrying case and can still play music without the noise cancellation engaged.
Bad: Slight, but audible hiss with noise canceling on, and the headphones lack an integrated microphone for making calls.
Bottom Line: If you can't afford Bose's QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones, the attractively designed and more affordable Sony MDR-NC200Ds are worth your consideration. [Read more]

Kyocera Milano - black (Sprint)

Posted: 03 Sep 2011 01:59 AM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The Kyocera Milano has a great physical keyboard, and ships with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile hot-spot support.
Bad: The Kyocera Milano is hampered by a small and lackluster display, and it doesn't take great photos.
Bottom Line: The Kyocera Milano is certainly an affordable entry-level Android phone, but Sprint customers have better options available to them. [Read more]

BlackBerry Curve 9360

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 09:59 PM PDT

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User Rating:
Good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 is slim and compact with a tactile physical keyboard. It supports NFC and the BlackBerry 7 OS, and can make calls over Wi-Fi.
Bad: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360's side buttons are a little too skinny for us, there's no HD video capture, and it doesn't support T-Mobile's high-speed HSPA+ network.
Bottom Line: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 makes a great entry-level offering for those already in the BlackBerry camp. [Read more]

LG 42LK450

Posted: 07 Mar 2011 11:43 AM PST

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Good: Numerous picture controls enable the inexpensive LG LK450 LCD TV to achieve accurate color. Surprisingly for a 60Hz TV, it handled 1080p/24 cadence properly, and its matte screen is a boon in bright rooms. It also exhibited a relatively uniform screen and offers better connectivity than most entry-level TVs.
Bad: The LG LK450's picture quality falls short of its entry-level competition, mainly because it produces a significantly lighter shade of black. Its image also suffers more when seen from off-angle. The TV's styling is lackluster and we noticed lag when using the menu system.
Bottom Line: While the picture quality of the LG LK450 has its strengths, they're overcome by its grayish reproduction of black. [Read more]

LG 32LK450

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:15 PM PST

Editor's Rating:

User Rating:
Good: Numerous picture controls enable the inexpensive LG LK450 LCD TV to achieve accurate color. Surprisingly for a 60Hz TV, it handled 1080p/24 cadence properly, and its matte screen is a boon in bright rooms. It also exhibited a relatively uniform screen and offers better connectivity than most entry-level TVs.
Bad: The LG LK450's picture quality falls short of its entry-level competition, mainly because it produces a significantly lighter shade of black. Its image also suffers more when seen from off-angle. The TV's styling is lackluster and we noticed lag when using the menu system.
Bottom Line: While the picture quality of the LG LK450 has its strengths, they're overcome by its grayish reproduction of black. [Read more]

Sony Bravia KDL-32BX420

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 02:21 PM PST

Editor's Rating:

User Rating:
Good: The inexpensive Sony KDL-BX420 series evinced good performance for an entry-level non-LED-TV, with deep-enough black levels and accurate color in mid-bright areas. It also, surprisingly for a 60Hz TV, handled 1080p/24 cadence properly, and its matte screen is a boon in bright rooms. Its styling is clean and its remote is among the best in its class.
Bad: The BX420 only has two HDMI inputs when most of its competitors have three or four. Its color was too blue in dark areas and too red in bright areas and its screen showed brighter corners.
Bottom Line: If you don't expect the world from the entry-level Sony KDL-BX420 LCD, its picture quality may be a pleasant surprise. [Read more]

Sony Bravia KDL-40BX420

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 01:57 PM PST

Editor's Rating:

User Rating:
Good: The inexpensive Sony KDL-BX420 series evinced good performance for an entry-level non-LED-TV, with deep-enough black levels and accurate color in mid-bright areas. It also, surprisingly for a 60Hz TV, handled 1080p/24 cadence properly, and its matte screen is a boon in bright rooms. Its styling is clean and its remote is among the best in its class.
Bad: The BX420 only has two HDMI inputs when most of its competitors have three or four. Its color was too blue in dark areas and too red in bright areas and its screen showed brighter corners.
Bottom Line: If you don't expect the world from the entry-level Sony KDL-BX420 LCD, its picture quality may be a pleasant surprise. [Read more]

Sony Bravia KDL-46BX420

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 01:56 PM PST

Editor's Rating:

User Rating:
Good: The inexpensive Sony KDL-BX420 series evinced good performance for an entry-level non-LED-TV, with deep-enough black levels and accurate color in mid-bright areas. It also, surprisingly for a 60Hz TV, handled 1080p/24 cadence properly, and its matte screen is a boon in bright rooms. Its styling is clean and its remote is among the best in its class.
Bad: The BX420 only has two HDMI inputs when most of its competitors have three or four. Its color was too blue in dark areas and too red in bright areas and its screen showed brighter corners.
Bottom Line: If you don't expect the world from the entry-level Sony KDL-BX420 LCD, its picture quality may be a pleasant surprise. [Read more]