HP’s Pavilion notebooks aren’t known as thin and light, but the new HP Pavilion dm6 brings thin to the Pavilion notebook line.

HP describes the Pavilion m6 as a thinner notebook for users who aren’t ready to step up to an ultrabook just yet.

The slimmer Pavilion m6 has a 15.6 inch display wrapped inside a brushed aluminum finish and plenty of consumer requested features.

HP Pavilion m6 Hands On Video

HP Pavilion m6 Specs

The HP pavilion m6 comes with AMD or third generation Intel Core i processor options and discrete graphics options for users that need more new power. HP didn’t provide specifics, but claims the m6 will come with large hard drive storage options.

We expect full specs when the notebook arrives on the market this summer.

HP Pavilion m6 Features

The HP Pavilion m6 packs in many consumer requested features like premium audio and more.

• Beats Audio – Listen to music the way artists want you to hear it with this premium audio solution from HP and Dr. Dre. The m6 includes a subwoofer.
• HP CoolSense – CoolSense knows when the notebook is getting to hot and can sense when it is on a lap or on a table to adjust cooling, fans and performance to keep the notebook from overheating.
• ProtectSmart – If the m6 is dropped, ProtectSmart will lock the hard drive to prevent damage from impact.
• SimplePass – When equipped with a fingerprint reader users can swipe their finger to login to online accounts using HP SimplePass
• Backlit keyboard – Opt for the optional backlit keyboard for a better experience working in dim locations.

HP Pavilion m6 Battery Life

HP rates the Pavilion m6 battery life at up to 8 hours. In the real world, this number will likely drop by a few hours as users crank up screen brightness.

HP Pavilion m6 Price and Release Date

HP hasn’t announced the price of the Pavilion m6, but it will be available this summer at Best Buy and HP.

HP Pavilion m6 Gallery

HP Pavilion m6 Hands On Video is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

HP announced the launch of a stylish new special edition HP dm1 notebook created in partnership with Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.

The Alexandre Herchcovitch Special Edition Notebook PC from HP joins earlier HP special notebooks from other designers like Chinese fashion designer Vivienne Tam and Dutch designer Tord Boontje.

The cover of the new Alexandre Herchcovitch themed dm1 will come with a scheme inspired by the designer’s fall and winter 2012 collection. It comes with …

…an intricate black lace pattern against an iridescent olive pearl color which envelopes the chassis, keyboard deck and keycaps for an increased visual “glow” effect and stunning design worthy of any catwalk.

The HP dm1 weighs only 3.5 pounds and packs an impressive 9.5 hour battery into the special edition ultra-portable notebook. The 11.6-inch screen and AMD processor will grace this little machine. it also comes with typical wireless networking (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) and the typical ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet and VGA). The notebook runs Windows 7 Home Premium. Like a lot of HP consumer notebooks you get Beats Audio as well.

Even the packaging carries the same designer’s style pattern. You may want to save the box of the little beauty.

Packed inside the pretty cover you receive a nice collection of bundled software. HP includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Premiere Elements 10. You also get the online game It Girl by Crowd Star a fashion design game.

Along with the dm1 HP offers a pair of accessories carrying matching style. They will offer a gold sleeve and mouse with the same design that covers the notebook.

You can’t run out to Best Buy to get this special edition computer. QVC has the exclusive deal selling the special HP dm1 for $629.95 in the US. Residents of Brazil, Mexico and Argentina can also buy the Herchcovitch dm1.

Alexandre Herchcovitch Special Edition HP dm1 Unveiled is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

In the HP Pavilion DV4T, with its 14″ display and Intel Core i3 processor, you get a decent general-use laptop that won’t wow your friends or colleagues, but will help you with the basics at work and has just enough chops to entertain you a little on your off time. Starting at around $500, you get a budget all-rounder with just a few compromises.

I used this laptop for about a month and wasn’t blown away, yet it quietly impressed me. For someone with basic needs who wants enough horsepower to occasionally tackle more demanding tasks — like making movies, working on family vacation pictures or playing a few causal games at a great price — the DV4T is your computer.

Pros and Cons

Video Review

Design

In the day of MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9 styling, a small machine like the DV4T actually seems chunky, but pick it up and you realize you have a decent mobile machine with a screen large enough for older eyes. The dark lid with a subtle diagonally crossed patter would have grabbed attention ten years ago, but today looks more business than consumer. The metallic accents add a little to the design, making it stand out a tad more than the run-of-the-mill budget laptop.

Despite the glossy finish on the lid and wrist rest, the computer doesn’t show as many fingerprints as some machines. I have naturally oily skin so almost all laptops attract my fingerprints, but this one doesn’t collect them as badly as some.

The DV4T has all the ports you’d expect on a budget all-rounder. Along the right side (below) you get a DVD burner, mic/audio ports, USB 2.0 port and charging connector.

On the left (below) there is a Kensington lock, the air vent , VGA out, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and 2 USB 2.0 ports. Closest to the front left corner you have two LEDs for power and disk activity.

The front only sports an SD card reader on the left side (below) with the rest taken up by decent Altec Lansing speakers with Dolby Home Theatre 4 sound.

The back features nothing but the hinges and HP’s name.

Keyboard

The island or chiclet style keyboard gives the user a full-sized feel and keys are spaced well. After awhile you to get used to the feel and I was banging away on it without much trouble. I’d say the DV4T keyboard is middling at best.

The fn/F-keys along the top row give the user a typical set of features like brightness and volume control among others. You can get a nice upgrade over the baseline configuration with a backlit keyboard, something that makes typing in lower light a dream. At just $25 more I’d jump on it if you’re configuring your own system at HP.

Touchpad

The DV4T has a typical under-sized Synaptics touchpad with split keys for right/left click. Touch was responsive but the two finger scrolling gesture needs to be smoother. Also, why can’t PC makers learn from Apple? They have great trackpads on MacBooks.

The HP trackpad had a textured feel that seemed grimy. It’s not dust, since I cleaned it. I didn’t like the feel.

Display

For a budget laptop, the DV4′s 14″ inch display with a 1366 x 768 resolution provided a decently bright image. I prefer brighter screens and am willing to sacrifice battery life to get it. Few laptops give me a bright enough screen at a frugal 50%, but this one was plenty bright enough with enough contrast to make it very usable at half brightness. The resulting battery life was a pleasure, giving me over 6 hours most of the time.

The wide viewing angle makes the DV4T  useful for working with a some coworkers flanking you on either side without either missing out.

Text and color both looked good. Text was crisp enough for long typing or reading sessions, and colors were faithful. Pictures and videos looked nice.

Sadly, it still has a glossy finish, making it hard to view in direct light. While not as bad as some laptops I’ve tested, I won’t be using it out on the porch at my favorite local coffee shop, something I can do with better screens. However, in a normally lit room it works fine.

Audio

The Altec Lansing speakers with Dolby Sound may not have the richest sound, but they do provide ample volume for use in the average work environment. Headphones or external speakers are better still. Most budget laptops skimp on sound, but not HP. These speakers create a good listening experience compared to other budget laptops. Music, movies, and video all sounded fine.

Performance

The DV4T provides enough power for simple tasks and a little headroom for occasionally performing more demanding tasks. I am the kind of user that HP had in mind when configuring this machine. I seldom play graphics-intensive games and mostly do office work or Internet browsing. While I do like to do some visually creative tasks like photo and video editing, I don’t fault this computer for not measuring up in those area at this price point. You don’t buy a $500 laptop and get mad because it takes a little longer to encode video.

Still, I do wish the video card was beefier. An Intel HD Graphics 3000 handles most of my tasks but I do have one application that takes most computers to their knees if they don’t measure up in hard drive speed, processor speed and graphics power. Soon after launching it the fans started whirring and everything slowed down.

If you have powerful software that needs a lot of high-end specs thrown at it, then look elsewhere. If you type papers, work in an office, or just need a basic computer for around the house but not for serious gaming, then the DV4 has enough power without making you tear your hair out.

Battery Life

With the basic 6-cell battery HP promised 7.25 hours. In my real-world test I was able to get a little over 6 hours. In our battery drain test using it still hit the 5:45.

The HP power brick is standard. I’m spoiled by the Apple Magsafe power cords, which are small with great cord management. Why can PC manufacturers get a little imaginative in the little things, like power bricks. With the decent battery life, you may not need to carry it.

Value

For the average Windows 7 user, the HP Pavilion DV4T will serve you well. At $500 it competes with netbooks and low-end laptops. With a machine like this available I’d never get a netbook, since I can have a little more screen real estate at just $100-$150 more. With some customizations at HP’s web site, you can overcome a few of the limitations by adding a faster 7200 rpm hard drive or jumping to a 750GB 7200 rpm hard drive without adding too much expense. As I suggested above the backlit keyboard only adds another $25. With the upgrades you still have a decently priced computer with just a little more power and function at around $700. And remember that just after shipping me this review unit HP updated the processor to a faster Core i5.

With my oldest son going off to college soon, this would be a great machine for him. I might just get him one to replace his 5-year-old HP DV5T, which died only recently.

Function trumps specs every time, so, I can say that I’d recommend this system to friends and family if they were looking for an inexpensive computer to get some basic work done at home or while on the road. So long as you are not a creative type or a gamer, you should be happy with it.

Head on over to HP to configure yours starting at $479.99 or check out the deals at Amazon.

Pros

• Decent value for the price
• Nicely spaced keyboard
• Decent display with good viewing angle
• Good battery life
• Better than average sound
• Glossy cover and wrist rest don’t attract fingerprints

Cons

• Under-powered graphics card
• Grimy feeling touchpad that’s too small

HP DV4 Gallery

HP Pavilion DV4T Review: A Decent All-round Laptop for a Good Price is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

With students getting ready for school in the next couple of weeks, here are some suggestions for five hot laptops. Included are a:

• budget Windows Notebook,
• all around Windows system,
• gaming powerhouse computer,
• high-end Ultra-portable system,
• and a high-end Powerhouse Money-Doesn’t-Matter system

Because your needs are different than the next student, it’s worth spending a decent amount of time to find a good notebook. We’ve covered student needs in a variety of articles, but this list includes a wide range of notebooks in a variety of prices. Returning upper class students may be interested in a more business centric notebook like these selections.

Budget Windows Notebook – Dell Vostro V131 – $499

The new Dell Vostro V131 looks like a really nice, inexpensive system for the budget minded student or parents who want long battery life. The base price is just $499, but for the model you would actually want to use it will cost closer to $700-$800. These are thin and light, with colorful options if you are into flair, or a basic black chassis if $30 is too much to part with for a touch of color.

The chiclet style keyboards often make for easier typing. With 4GB of RAM, 500GB of hard drive space and an optional Intel Core i5 processor, it has enough power for light gaming and creative content editing.

Windows Budget All-Rounder – HP DV6T Series – $599.99

If you need a little more than a budget system because you want more entertainment options, the HP DV6T series is a good all-rounder choice. The budget level starts at a penny under $600, but with some add-ons you will have a fairly powerful system that won’t break the bank.

I have an older version of this laptop and used it for a few years before handing it down to my son, who loves it. The system has the power to run most software, other than hard-core games. If you select some key upgrade options you can put together a really nice system for not a lot of money. We added the following to the base configuration at HP:

• Intel Core i5 from an i3 for $50
•  AMD Radeon 6489M Graphics Card for $100
• 750GB 7200rpm hard drive from a 500GB 5400 rpm drive for $50
• 9-cell battery from 6-cell for $21 offering a promised 9.75 hours (6-7 likely)

The total, after the above upgrades, is $820.99. You can also bump the display resolution up to a full HD 1920×1080 and add a Blu-ray drive for a few hundred more.

This is a nice system that can serve as a jack-of-all trades computer that should be future-proof enough to last a student most of their high school or college career.

Windows Power User Gaming and Media System – Toshiba Qosmio F755 3D – $1,699

Do you like to play the latest and greatest games? Do you enjoy 3D Blu-ray movies? Toshiba put gamers and movie/music lovers in their cross hairs with the Qosmio F755 3D. The powerful laptop does glasses-free 3D movies thanks to a cool new face tracking technology making it the “first” glasses-free 3D laptop, according to Toshiba.

The built-in webcam tracks your face as you are viewing a 3D movie or game. The computer adjusts the images so that you can see both 2D and 3D content simultaneously. You can watch your favorite 3D Blu-ray movie, but the computer also transforms other movies into 3D too.

3D is cool, but the F755 offers more than that one trick. The 15.6″ entertainment computer comes with a high-end Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge processor, which means the processor won’t be your bottleneck for any intense tasks. The 8GB of RAM and a fast 750GB hard drive should tear through games, video encoding and converting or processing huge RAW digital photographs.

The Harmon Kardon speakers should pump out some great Dolby sound. Hook this rig up to your HDTV via the HDMI out port and share the fun with friends. Electronista says it will be ready to chew up your credit card on August 16th. See the company’s Qosmio page after that date to find the system.

High-End Ultra-Portable – Apple MacBook Air 11″ – $999

Some students only want a nice looking laptop to write papers, take notes in class and surf the web with. Throw in a few light casual games, watching fun stuff on YouTube and what you need is the new Apple MacBook Air. The graphics processor on this system isn’t that powerful, but the CPU and flash storage drive make up for that weakness nicely. You can easily throw an 11″ MacBook Air into a book bag and whip it out at a moment’s notice to take notes or work on a group project in the library. The five-hour battery life keeps you going through most of your day. You can buy cheaper systems, but you can’t get a better ultra-portable. Throw in another two hundred bucks to get the one with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD and your student will be much happier.

The 13″ model costs more but might satisfy students who want to do more than just type documents or surf the web. I love my 13″ MacBook Air and use it for most of the tasks needed other than hardcore gaming. If you only want an 11″ model, get this one for $1,199. If you want to jump up to the 13″ model, I recommend this model for $1,299.

High-End Power Money Doesn’t Matter – Apple MacBook Pro 17″ – $2,499

For the student who wants to be able to do anything they could on a desktop on their laptop, we recommend the biggest MacBook Pro Apple makes. At 17″ it can serve as an entertainment hub in a dorm room. With the Intel Core i7 processor and 4GB of RAM it is ready for processor intensive tasks like making the next cinematic masterpiece. You can also frag bad guys with the best of them thanks to those specs plus the powerful AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 1GB GDDR5 RAM. This screaming powerhouse ain’t cheap, but you won’t feel handcuffed by the specs your senior season if you bring this beast along your freshman year. I wouldn’t recommend this system for everyone, but for the student who wants a desktop replacement system and money is no object, you can’t beat he 17″ MacBook Pro.

A few recommendations: get 8GB of RAM for another $200. Add a $19 Apple Remote for making presentations and controlling it from across the dorm room.

5 Hot Back to School Laptops is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Father’s Day is just around the corner and rather than ties and the odd gift boxes offered at department stores we suggest you get dad one of these awesome Father’s Day gifts. These tech gifts for Father’s Day 2011 aren’t just for geeks. We have all types of consumer electronics, thumb drives, eBook readers, tablets, smartphones and more that are sure to impress.

21 Awesome Tech Gift Ideas for Dad

If you order within the next week most of these gifts will arrive in time for Father’s Day 2011 which is on Sunday June 19th.

Verbatim Tuff N Tiny USB Flash Drive – $10 and up

The Verbatim Tuff N Tiny USB Flash Drive has become our go to drive for two reasons. It is tough and as you can guess, it is tiny. We have it attached to the our key ring and so it is always there. Because of its size we barely notice it. Because of how tough it is we don’t worry about breaking it. We tested this drive and really beat it up. Our data was safe despite dunking it in water, stomping on it, and plunging into dirt. The drives start at $22 for a 2GB model and range on up to $158 for the 32GB model. But you can find them cheaper on Amazon.

Mimobots – $22 and up

If you are looking for a thumbdrive that shows off dad’s love for comics or science fiction, then you need to check out the licensed Mimibot thumb drives. These incredibly detailed drives don’t just carry your documents, they show off your geeky side with licences from Star Wars, Marvel and more.

We’ve been using several of these drives over the past few weeks and everyone we show them to loves the fun look of the Mimobots. The drives look as good in person as they do on the Mimibot website and with a large collection of characters you have a good chance at finding dad’s favorite comic book hero. The backside of the drive is flat enough we could use it with the MacBook Air, which sits close to a table, but if you are trying to plug into the recessed ports on some desktops you may have trouble.

iPhone, Android & iPad Protection – $30 and up

Some of our favorite cases for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices come from Speck and OtterBox. These two companies offer a range of solutions for multiple Android devices and the every popular iPhone. Speck offers a collection of colorful and fun cases mainly focused on Apple products, offering all types of looks and protection.

OtterBox on the other hand is known for their incredible protection for devices including drop protection. For fathers who work in construction, like to go outdoors or are just rough with their phones, an OtterBox case is the perfect gift.

ScotteVest Travel Vests and Jackets – $25 and up

It wouldn’t be a Father’s Day gift guide without ScotteVest travel vests, jackets and shirts. We’ve been big fans of the ScotteVest gear for a while now because it allows dad to carry all of his gear from cameras to the iPad without looking like a dork. Seriously, the pockets in these devices will accommodate all types of gear for around town or heading off on an adventure.

ScotteVest is having a Father’s Day sale right now, that allows you to get jackets, hoodies and shirts at 30% off. The standard ScotteVest Travel vest isn’t on sale, but is well worth the $100 price tag.

LightScoop – $30

If Dad is a shutterbug, the Lightscoop is a great choice. This handy little DSLR accessory will snap on to his camera and bounce the flash off the ceiling or the wall for better photos. Rather than washing out the image or delivering a deer in the headlights look, the Lightscoop bounces the photos off your surroundings for better lighting.

The Lightscoop is probably a better fit for budding photographer dads, rather than a pro photographer who likely has a full lightbox and studio setup on hand.

Eye Fi – $49.99 and up

Another good Father’s Day gift is the Eye-Fi X2 SD card which connects to wireless networks and iPhone or Android devices to upload your photos to your computer and to the web without any wires.

We really like the ability to upload our photos automatically to our computer and to the Eye Fi Center which allows us to share them with family members on the iPad rather than the small screen of our camera. Dad can choose to selectively upload photos to Facebook and many other websites to automatically share. We like the control, which keeps unwanted photos from going public. Check out our Eye Fi Review.

WetCiruits 4 Outlet Water Resistant Rugged Power Strip – $70

This is not an ordinary power outlet. Sure it is a little expensive but how many power strips from WalMart will withstand pouring water into them or having Junior stick a pair of metal tweezers in one of the outlets and survive without even a shock? With the WetCircuits power strip pouring water on it while it is plugged in and in use has no effect. The water is kept out of the actual circuit. Putting a set of tweezers down into the outlet will not shock anyone. We know because we tested it. Check out the video below.

This thing is great for plugging in a number of things like a laptop, a video projector, and your cell phone while you are working at a table with people drinking coffee or while outdoors at a beach or park.

Razer Orochi Bluetooth Laser Mouse – $79.99

There might be a better mobile mouse out there, but after testing a bunch of Bluetooth mobile mice, we don’t think there is a better Bluetooth mobile mouse available. Designed primarily for gamers in mind, this mouse is also great as an everyday mouse. In fact, we use it that way with the notebooks we use most o the time. You can view our full review and video and decide for yourself. Dad will love this mouse whether he’s a gamer or not.

Cadence 4-bit Binary Watch – $90

This is less a tech gift and more a gift for a techie. If your dad is a geek he will love this binary watch. From a distance it looks like any casual analog watch. Up close you realize that instead of Latin or Roman numerals each hour is represented by a four digit binary number.

Fitbit – $99

If dad is a data geek, tracking and analyzing anything he can put into a number, he may like the fitbit. This small device clips onto his pocket or belt and tracks steps, miles walked, activity, calories burned and can even track his sleep habits. The fitbit is $99 and includes access to the fitbit website for tracking fitbit stats and can log eating habits(he’ll have to do this manually though). If he wants to go deeper into the data and gain comparisons to other people in his age group he can upgrade to the premium account for $49 a year.

We’ve been using a fitbit for the past few weeks and we really like that the fitbit can handle being worn day to day at the office, in the yard or out on a long walk without any worries of it falling off or breaking. The fitbit battery lasts a whole week and uploads data to the fitbit website whenever you get within 15 feet of the base station which is attached to your computer. The fitbit isn’t waterproof, but it can handle being washed off and reportedly can survive a drop into the toilet. Below you’ll see just a snippet of the data fitbit records.

One of our favorite uses has been to monitor our sleep habits. With the included armband dad can wear the fitbit while you sleep and it will monitor how often he wakes up and moves during the night.

Booq Bag Computer Backpack – Starting at $129.95

We think Booq makes some nice computer bags and backpacks. They have almost any style you prefer, but we like the backpack style the best. The Boa Squeeze is their least expensive backpack bag. They sell sizes that fit anything from a 13″ up to a 17″ computer. They offer great protection and will look cool doing it. Dad will be very happy with this bag or any of the other styles. Maybe he likes a something more like a messenger bag with a flap, a simple sleeve, or a briefcase style bag. They have them all. We also like the Cobra Courier which is a messenger style bag with a sleeve to protect your notebook. It comes it at $195.

Plantronics Voyager Pro UC 2 Bluetooth Headset – $199

Bluetooth headsets are for the most part poor performers when you actually start to use them, but not the Plantronics Voyager Por UC 2. This headset is the smartest Bluetooth headset we have ever used and the only one we have stuck with for more than a few weeks. It’s so good, we gave it an Editor’s Choice award at GottaBeMobile.com.

The reason we love this bluetooth headset so much is that it is smart enough to know when you want to use it and when you don’t. With a normal Bluetooth headset, audio will be sent to the headset even if it is in your bag or out in the car. The Plantronics Voyager Pro UC 2 knows when you have it on your ear and when you don’t, allowing it to route the audio to the right place. The headset will even auto answer calls when you put it on your ear. This model includes a Bluetooth adapter so that you can use it with your PC or Mac as well.

Android Phone – Various Prices

As popular as the iPhone is, we think an Android phone might be a nice way to reward dad this year. They are easy to use and have a lot of powerful features. Recommending just one is hard since not all phones are available with all carriers. So here are our recommendations for the carrier that old dad is using. These come from our sister site’s list of the top 5 phones for May 2011.

LG G2x – T-Mobile – $200

It has a fantastic 4-inch LCD display, HSPA+ 4G speeds and it has the ability to capture 1080p which is something most top of the line smartphones aren’t able to do.

HTC Droid Incredible 2 – Verizon – $80

We recently previewed the HTC Droid Incredible 2, the successor of the wildly popular Droid Incredible, and came away very impressed. The increase in display size from 3.7 to 4-inches works well and doesn’t add any additional bulk.

Its single-core 1GHz processor is quick and it comes with almost an identical form factor to the original Droid Incredible.  Add in all the other bells and whistles and you have yourself a fantastic 3G phone.

Motorola Atrix 4G – AT&T – $99

The Motorola Atrix is the flagship Android device on AT&T and like the G2x, it can be considered a superphone because of the fantastic specifications it has on board. It packs a high-resolution display, dual-core processor and a massive battery to boot.

HTC Thunderbolt – Verizon – $249

The ThunderBolt is essentially an HTC EVO with 4G LTE speeds, which as you’ll see in a second, isn’t a bad thing whatsoever. The hardware is solid, the software as well and with an upgrade to Gingerbread coming in the not-so-distant future, the ThunderBolt is worthy of this list.

Amazon Kindle eBook Reader – $114, $139, or $189

There are a number of good eBook readers available, but the best one for the simple task of reading books is still the Kindle. The iPad is the premium do-it-all device. The Nook Color wants to be. But if all you want is an eBook reader cheap, the ad-supported Kindle is the best option. It is only $114 and the ads are not that intrusive. It requires a Wi-Fi signal to shop, download books, and sync things like bookmarks, highlights or notes, but can be read anywhere.

HP dm1z Notebook Computer – $449

Not quite a netbook, the diminutive HP dm1z series of notebooks is a great choice for an ultra-portable budget notebook for the mobile dad who needs a business notebook that can handle almost any basic task you throw at it. More powerful than a little netbook, he will be more happy too. It is an 11.6″ system with a dual-core AMD Fusion processor. The AMD Radeon 6310 graphics makes this little system a lot more powerful than you would think. The 1366×768 display makes it 720p HD capable, great for watching HD videos downloaded from one of the various video buying or rental sites. For an extra $129 you can get dad an external Blu-ray drive too. HP promises 9.5 hours from the battery. If you only get the typical two-thirds of the promised battery life that it still around 6 hours. It has VGA and HDMI output for presentations or hooking up to a TV.

Apple iPad 2 – $499 – $829

This is likely one of the number one requested tech gifts this Father’s Day. It is still the standard for tablet devices despite all that people are trying to do to unseat it with Android-based devices. The huge app ecosystem and accessories market make it the number one device. It is dead simple to use and one of the most versatile computing devices ever made.

Our sister site did a very comprehensive iPad 2 review if you want to read up before taking this big a plunge. Just know that if you can afford it, dad will be extremely happy with you. We suggest a sweet spot of 32GB with 3G if you can afford it. That model is $729. Take one step back and go with the 32GB wi-fi only model for $599 if possible.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 – $1399

Not officially ready till May 24, this business class notebook is one of the nicest we’ve seen this year. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 was give the editor’s choice award by our editor, Josh Smith. He said:

The ThinkPad X1 shows a now look for Lenovo and includes a collection of features and design changes which exciting and new. Lenovo has been able to add to the ThinkPad features we love, like durability and an amazing keyboard, without compromising on why businesses choose to equip their employees with ThinkPads. The ThinkPad X1 shows that the company can adapt and bring consumer features like high-end audio and backlit keys to the traditional ThinkPad line. Lenovo may still need a bit more time to perfect the mousepad, but the ThinkPad X1 is without a doubt the best ThinkPad we have had a chance to use.

The ThinkPad X1 we looked at had a 2.5GHz 2nd generation Intel Core i5-520M processor. It also included 4GB RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The display is powered by Intel 3000 HD integrated graphics. The glossy 13.3″ screen is made with a gorilla glass wich makes it durable and particularly scratch resistant. The computer is 3.73 pounds and between .65″ and .84″ in thickness. The 6 cell battery gives you over four hours and the optional slice adds another four hours. Please read our comprehensive review for more detailed information.

Additional Reporting by Josh Smith

Father’s Day 2011: 21 Awesome Tech Gift Ideas for Dad is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

HP launched a battery recall back in 2009, which covered a broad range of notebooks with the HP and Compaq labels, and now thanks to additional investigations HP is expanding the battery recall to a larger number of notebooks and batteries. Because of the increased recall, HP is asking customers to re-verify that they are using a safe battery by checking their battery on the HP Notebook PC Battery Pack Replacement website, even if they have already checked.

The Battery recall is due to a safety hazard affecting a small number of batteries shipped in HP and Compaq notebooks. The issue with this recall is that the batteries could overheat and cause a fire or burn users. If you have an HP notebook, you should spend a few minutes to make sure your battery is not part of the recall. Continuing to use a recalled battery is a safety hazard. The Battery Recall website provides easy to follow instructions for identifying any affected batteries.

HP and Compaq Notebooks With Recalled Batteries

HP Battery Recall Expanded: How to Find Out if Your Battery is Bad is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Hp is finally offering a full HD screen option on select HP Pavilion notebooks. Starting now, the HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Edition and Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition notebooks can be configured with a 1920 x 1080 resolution display when ordered direct from HP.

Up until now, the HP Pavilion dv6t only had a 1366 x 768 resolution for the 15.6″ display and the Pavilion dv7t only had a 1600 x 900 resolution. Commonly these resolutions are referred to as 720P and 900P respectively. The new 1920 x 1080 resolution, known as 1080P, allows you to see more on the screen at the same time.

If you had a 15.6″ HP Pavilion dv6t with a 1920 x 1080 display next to the HP Pavilion dv7t with a 1600 x 900 resolution screen you would still be able to fit more on the smaller screen because of the higher resolution. Up until recently many consumers had not paid much attention to screen resolution, but as we begin to multitask more and more, it is becoming a bigger deal.

It is also something that movie buffs may appreciate, even though we’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between a movie played back in 720P and 1080P on such a small screen.

The 1080P High Definition display option is currently only available on the HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Edition and Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition notebooks and adds $150 to your system cost. In our opinion, if you work in multiple windows this upgrade is well worth it. If only HP offered a higher resolution display on the high end HP Envy 14.

Via NotebookReview

1080P HD Screen Options Come to HP Pavilion dv6t and dv7t Notebooks is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The HP ProBook 6560b is a new business class notebook from HP which features the latest Sandy Bridge processors and a new bead blasted aluminum cover that delivers an impressive look and feel as well as adds to the durability which is enhanced by a magnesium reinforced ABS chassis.

The HP ProBook 6560b is the largest of the new ProBook models which include the 13″ HP ProBook 6360b and the 14″ ProBook 6460b. These new models are designed with business users in mind, and are a few steps down from the EliteBook models, but like the new ProBook 5330m, it’s getting hard to distinguish based on looks.

HP ProBook 6560b Quick Specs:

The HP ProBook we tested came with a 2.50GHz Intel Core i5 2nd Gen mobile processor with the ability to TurboBoost up to 3.20GHz when you have more demanding tasks. The notebook uses the more powerful Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics and has a 15.6″ anti-glare display with a 1366 x 768 resolution.  The notebook has a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive and 4GB RAM.

The model we reviewed has a DVD RW Drive, but you can swap out the drive for a secondary hard drive or leave the spot empty to save on weight. The notebook also has an integrated 720P webcam with dual array microphones, wireless a/b/g/n and comes with a 6 cell battery.

The model we reviewed is priced at $899. A Core i3 Sandy Bridge configuration is available starting at $799.

Who is the HP ProBook 6560b For?

The HP ProBook 6560b is designed as a mainstream business notebook which ca be deployed across an organization. The notebook has a professional look, but is a more contemporary design than on some competing notebooks. While the EliteBook models are aimed at high demand users, the ProBook 6560 is designed for mobile professionals with business performance and durability in mind.

HP ProBook 6560b Hands On Review Video:

HP ProBook 6560b Build and Design:

The build and design of the HP ProBook 6560b is impressive. While there is some flex in the display and in the base of the unit, it is not enough that we would be concerned about issues during normal business usage. The beadblasted exterior and magnesium ABS reinforced chassis do a good job of prevention scratches and providing a very solid notebook.

Another nice addition is the rubber seal which runs around the outer edge of the ProBook display. When closed this will keep objects out of the keyboard and display area to protect your screen.

HP ProBook 6560b Features:

In addition to the design enhancements that set the ProBook 6560b apart from other notebooks, especially entry-level business notebooks, is the inclusion of many HP notebook tools which add to the user experience. This is a welcome change from the many consumer notebooks that pack in useless tools.

HP ProtectTools – This application will help you setup the security options on the 6560b even if you aren’t an IT pro or expert. This tool will help you manage your passwords, face recognition, credentials, set up theft recovery through Computrace, perform hard drive encryption and much more.

HP Power Assistant- Take charge of your power usage with the easy to follow and customize HP Power Assistant app. This tool will track your power usage and provides an easy to use tool to customize how your notebook uses power and responds in certain scenarios.

HP Connection Manager – The HP Connection manager has received an overhaul and provides a new front end to get you connected to wired and wireless connections. You can use the built-in Windows tools, but some users will prefer the look and feel of this app.

HP QuickWeb 3.0 Browser

HP QuickWeb – HP Quickweb 3.0 allows you to quickly get into a web browser environment so that you can check your email or confirm a reservation without waiting for Windows to boot. This may not seem like a needed feature, but you will eventually use it and love it so we suggest trying it out first thing. The new version supports applications like Skype, allowing you to do more without booting up.

HP DayStarter – This feature will allow you to see your calendar as the notebook boots up if you have Outlook connected so that you can review your day instead of staring at a logo.

Docking - The HP ProBook 6560b is compatible with the current ProBook docks which allow you to connect peripherals and accessories in the office with a snap.

HP ProBook 6560b Display:

The 15.6″ LED backlit display is an antiglare display which can be comfortably used even in harsh lighting conditions. If you need to go outdoors you will be able to get by, though it isn’t a notebook we would want to use outside everyday.

Viewing angles are pretty good as is brightness which can go to a decent level when you go outdoors. The display can tilt all the way back so that you can find a comfortable angle while working in an airport lounge, coffeeshop, bed or wherever your work takes. you.

One downside is that we wish the display had a higher resolution. 1366 x 768 is standard for consumer notebooks, but we expect a higher resolution on business notebooks with this large of a display. HP does offer an HD+ option with a higher resolution.

One nice touch is the ability to drive 4 external displays with the included HDMI, VGA and DisplayPort and a dock. This wasn’t something we were able to test, but a nice feature for sure.

HP ProBook 6560b Keyboard and Touchpad:

The HP ProBook 6560b keyboard is a pleasure to type on. The island style keyboard has great spacing and travel which allowed us to type this review as fast as we would have on our MacBook Air, which is to say pretty fast. The keys themselves have a nice feel to them that makes touch typing easy. There is a dedicated number pad which is a welcome addition for number crunchers and the addition of a calculator button to the upper right of the keyboard means even sporadic math is easier on the 6560b.

The mousepad is pretty good with a very nice surface that allows you to glide smoothly across the surface. The sensitivity is spot on for mousing and it does support multitouch gestures. The two finger scrolling and pinch to zoom were both smooth in Chrome, which is a feat in and of itself. Unless you hate touchpads you will be able to leave the external mouse at home. If you must use an external mouse you can turn off the touchpad with a double tap in the left corner.

HP ProBook 6560b Processor and Performance:

When it comes to the processing power, the ProBook 6560b did not disappoint. The 2nd Gen Intel Core i5 processors was able to handle whatever we threw at it, which matches up with tasks we would have performed in our previous job as a database admin.

This included using multiple Chrome windows and tabs to research an item, running word and working in large Excel files that would make most user run for their system administrator. Even with multiple applications open and running the notebook did not slow down.

If your work includes doing some photo and video editing, this notebook would also fit in well with your workflow, but if you are creating professional caliber graphics or video the integrated Intel graphics will leave you wanting and you should look into a higher end notebook or look into higher end models with discrete graphics options.

IT Managers will love the easy access bay which gives quick no tool needed access to the hard drive, RAM and system components. This door can be secured with a security screw if needed, but by default delivers easy access to the components.

HP ProBook 6560b Audio and Speakers:

The HP ProBook 6560b includes SRS Audio which is part of the consumerization of the enterprise which brings consumer features to business notebooks. The SRS Audio and integrated speakers do deliver better sound than we were used to on business notebooks and will come in handy if you need to show a video demo to a client. Keep in mind you are using a notebook so you won’t be blown away by bass, but the sound is loud and clear with a good amount of depth to the music.

HP ProBook 6560b Heat and Noise:

During extended usage, we didn’t end up with a noticeable amount of heat, though the fan runs fairly often on the 6560b. Thankfully the fan is fairly quiet so we didn’t notice it in most settings and you could use the notebook in bed while watching TV without the noise being drowned out.

HP ProBook 6560b Battery Life:

The included 6 cell battery was able to last for just over 6 hours using the Laptop Mag Battery testing tool which is fairly good for web surfing with the display at a still usable 40% brightness. The notebook could likely stretch out close to 7 hours if you dimmed the display or were working with the WiFi turned off, but 6 hours is representative of what most users will see.

HP ProBook 6560b Connectivity:

The  ProBook 6560b has all of the ports you would expect on a notebook designed for the business professional.

Left: USB 2.0, USB 2.0, SD Card, Firewire, Vent, eSATA USB Combo, VGA, ExpressCard 54

Right: Headphone, Microphone, USB 2.0, USB 2.0, DVD Drive, Ethernet, Kensington

Back: Serial, Displayport

HP ProBook 6560b Webcam:

The 720P HD webcam is a nice extra over the typical VGA resolution cameras packed in many notebooks. The images and video appeared bright and offered good color, providing a better video experience that we would expect in a business environment. As part of the SRS audio update HP has tweaked the notebook and the dual array microphones for better audio. In test calls, our caller could hear us well over the built-in microphones which are located above the display, though on some calls to a normal phone through Skype our caller reported some echoing.

HP ProBook 6560b Value:

The HP ProBook 6560b starts at $899, which will likely be discounted as sales come and go, but even at $900 this business class notebook delivers considerable value for mobile professionals that need power, style and a collection of options that fit their workflow.

HP ProBook 6560b Conclusion:

The HP ProBook 6560b is a welcome upgrade to the ProBook line and includes hardware and software improvements that end users will notice. The processor is more than capable and notebook has a great case that looks nice and provides durability. Inside, you will find one of the best keyboards we have used and a number pad which will come in handy more than you imagine. Combine the superb hardware with the software and it is clear that the ProBook 6560b is a notebook that IT managers need to consider before deploying notebooks to mobile professionals.

Pros:

• Build and Design
• Keyboard
• Power and Ability to Stay Cool
• SRS Audio
• HP Easy Access Bay for Upgrades

Cons:

• Low Resolution for Business Notebook

HP ProBook 6560b Gallery:

HP ProBook 6560b Detailed Specs:

HP ProBook 6560 Review: Business Class Notebook With Looks & Performance is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

In light of my earlier post about using my MacBook Air primarily for running Windows 7, it was somewhat ironic to learn that Microsoft Canada has a page suggesting that we consider whether we would rather “Surf the web or surf Hawaii.” The premise is that they are comparing Macs and PCs saying that since a PC of similar specs is so much cheaper than a Mac, one should seriously consider buying the PC and use the different co go on a nice Hawaiian vacation. But is a PC that much cheaper when you do a real – ahem – apples to Apple comparison?

They have an extensive chart comparing various computers to each of Apple’s offerings. There is also a contest for you to try and win by liking their page and then you have to “Do the Math.” It allows you to select a particular Mac computer. I have a MacBook Air, so let’s see how much I could have saved if I had purchased a similarly specced PC. Microsoft offers up the HP Pavilion dm3 or the Samsung 900 X3A.

I chose the Samsung because I can assure you that the dm3, while it may be a very nice notebook, is absolutely no MacBook Air. The Samsung 9 Series notebooks do look appealing. This model is $900 compared to the MacBook Air starting at over $1300. I could save over $400 with this choice. The question we have and cannot answer till we see a Samsung 9 Series PC is how good are the keyboard and touchpad? Also, will the battery hold out as long as they say? My MacBook Air gets around six hours running Windows and nearly that long on Mac OS X. Will the promised 7 hour battery life compete with that?

As for the HP Pavilion dm3, the promised price on the Facebook page cannot include an SSD. They quote it being under $700 but with an SSD the lowest price is over $800. Add an OS install disc, something Apple gives you automatically, Bluetooth, and Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements since the built-in photo and video editing in Windows is nowhere near as good as iLife on the Mac, and that puts you over $1,100. The savings is only a couple hundred dollars. We aren’t sure you could do a Hawaiian vacation even if you stowed away on a fishing boat from San Diego and didn’t get caught till you arrived in Honolulu. With the MacBook Air you get a far better keyboard and trackpad and the computer is so much thinner and a little lighter than the dm3.

While we get the point Microsoft is making and think it is a good one, we also think that Apple’s notebooks are just a lot better than the options they are providing. You don’t get the versatility of being able to run both Windows and OS X when you buy one of these PCs. You will pay more, but we say you get what you pay for. If you don’t want a premium notebook and care nothing about OS X, then a high-quality Windows notebook is a great choice.

Microsoft Does the Math on Mac v. PC Cost – And So Do We is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

HP has updated the HP Mini 210 netbook with a new design and look as well as the addition of Beats Audio, a first in an HP netbook. The new HP Mini 210 will be available starting on June 15th with a new lower $299 starting price tag.

HP Mini 210 Quick Specs

The new HP mini 210, updated for summer 2011, will use the Intel Atom N455 processor (expect Intel Atom N570 options soon), come standard with 1GB RAM and include a 250GB hard drive.The Mini 210 keeps the same 10.1″ display with a 1024 x 600 resolution. The Mini 210 also includes wireless networking and a built in webcam.

The HP Mini 210 comes with a spill resistant 93% full size keyboard and a mousepad with built in buttons.  Also included is the new HP QuickWeb 3.0 which allows you to quickly hop online to check email or social networks in less time than it would take Windows to boot.

HP Mini 210 Hands On Video

HP Mini 210 Design Changes

The new HP Mini 210 keeps much of what we liked on the last version, included a 6 cell battery that fits into the body without jutting out the rear, a fold flat display and a collection of colors. New to the updated Mini 210 is a wrap around color, that starts on the lid and continues over to the palmrest for a more unified look.

The new HP Mini will come in charcoal, crimson red, luminous rose, ocean drive and sweet purple.

HP Mini 210 Beats Audio

The HP Mini 210 comes, for the first time, with Beats Audio. Beats is an audio technology exclusive to HP that delivers a higher quality audio experience, with music that sounds like how the artiste intended it.

On a netbook, you obviously won’t be experiencing music exactly how the artist meant it to be experienced, but HP has taken steps to ensure that the line out, or headphone jack, is optimized to deliver the best audio possible. You should be able to notice this with a decent pair of headphones or when connected to a stereo system. The speakers in the Mini 210 won’t knock your socks off, but HP claims that they are optimized to deliver the best sound possible in a small netbook form factor.

HP Mini 210 Battery Life

The standard 6 cell battery is rated for 9.5 hours of battery life. Based on past models, this will likely be less in real life, but the netbook should last most of the day.

HP Mini 210 Pricing and Availability

The HP Mini 210 will be available on June 15, 2011 with a starting price of $299.

HP Mini 210 Gallery

HP Mini 210 Specs (Summer 2011 Refresh)

HP Mini 210 Updated With Beats Audio & New Design (Video) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.