Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Dell Latitude E6520 Business-rugged Laptop review

After receiving the new Latitude E6520 Business Laptop from Dell, I couldn't help thinking about the old heavy and boxy-looking Dell laptop I used to use in the '90s, and how this new Latitude E6520 laptop instantly impressed me with its modern design. As part of Dell's Latitude E Family of business laptops, the Latitude E6520 line (starting at $1090.00) certainly means business, but it is also rugged and ready for travel. The durable system is built to resist scratches and potential damage from extreme temperatures, vibration, and dust thanks to its MIL-STD 810G tested Tri-Metal casing, anodized aluminum display back, powder-coated base and reinforced metal hinges. The Latitude E6520 is tough and yet it is not bulky and ugly as most other "rugged" notebooks out there. For added protection, the E6520 also has a protective LCD seal and 360 degree bumper for the screen, and my favorite feature - a spill-resistant back-lit keyboard.

If you're familiar with Dell computers, you know that the company is very good a letting customers customize products, and the Latitude E6520 is no exception. Processor options include Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 Dual Core and Quad Core processors, while operating system options include Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Vista, and Linux Ubuntu 10.10. Display options available on the Latitude E6520 include a 15.6” HD (1366x768) Anti-Glare LED, 15.6” HD (1366x768) Anti-Glare LED with two finger multi-touch touchscreen, 15.6” HD+ (1600x900) Anti-Glare LED, or 15.6” Full HD (1920x1080) Anti-Glare LED. There are also 4, 6, and 9-cell battery life options with ExpressCharge, and swappable media module options supporting optical, hard drive, and USB 3.0.  Wireless connectivity options include Wifi, Bluetooth 3.0 and high speed 4g Wimax.

The Dell Latitude E6520 laptop model that I received features a 15.6” HD (1366x768) Anti-Glare LED, which is nice, but I can only imagine how sweet a Full HD 1920x1080 display would have been on this machine.  Running Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OS, this mid-range E6520 model is powered by a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2520M processor with 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and Intel HD Graphics 3000 on board. We've got a host of ports on the laptop, and they include 3 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, 1 ethernet, 1 ExpressCard slot, and an SD card slot. For security, there is Dell's Data Protection options on the laptop and both a Fingerprint reader and contactless smart card reader.

HTC Droid Incredible Phone Demo Video and Reviews

As pre-orders have begun for the HTC DROID Incredible phone from Verizon Wireless today, why not check-out the juicy details in this demo video from Verizon and the latest Droid Incredible reviews?

This Android 2.1 smartphone will officially arrive on April 29, priced at $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Verizon Wireless Motorola DROID Phone Reviews

Now that Verizon Wireless’ Motorola DROID phone has finally landed on Earth (nice DROID Ad!) and available in over 2,000 Verizon Communications Stores since Friday Nov. 6, customers will probably want to know all there is about this new Google Android 2.0 touch smartphone before buying the device. The DROID by Motorola is priced at $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate which Verizon Wireless customers will receive in the form of a debit card that can be used as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

Check out these trusted sites for full Verizon - Motorola DROID smartphone reviews:

LG W53 Smart Series - W2353V Full HD 1080p 23” Widescreen LCD Monitor Review

Review by Tony Edwards - Editor, Digital Tech News

We’ve come a long way in monitor display design and innovation since the days when bulky beige monitors occupied most desk tops years ago. Let’s fast-forward to LG Electronics’ W53 Smart Series monitors, the LG W2353V-PF 23” LCD display to be specific, which I've had the pleasure of using over the past few weeks.

LG has combined a sleek, modern design and new innovative “SMART” technologies in the W53 Smart product line, with monitors available in sizes ranging from 18.5 to 27-inches. Models measuring 21.5-inch and up boast Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, while all of these Energy Star Rated W53 monitors feature a digital contrast ratio of up to 50,000:1, ultra fast 2ms response time, 300-Nits brightness, and a 170º/160º viewing angle.

Sprint Palm Pre Smart Phone on Sale at 8 AM on June 6 - Palm Pre Review Links

Alright folks, it's on!  The highly anticipated Palm Pre smart phone will get an early morning release starting at 8 AM on Saturday, June 6th.

Check Sprint's store locator to find one near you, and if you haven't already, Sprint wants you to "Meet the Palm Pre." A bunch of Palm Pre reviews have appeared in the past few days, so you'll want to have a read before dishing out your hard earned cash.  The Palm Pre costs $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new 2 year service agreement, but you may have heard that Best Buy will be selling the device with an instant rebate, meaning you'll only have to pay $200.

Twitter Tips and Tricks - How-to Twitter Guide from Switched

That Twitter how-to video that we posted a while back was very informative, but now that Twitter has gone mainstream there are a bunch of new Twitter tips, tricks, and guides showing up. Switched has put together an excellent Twitter 101 guide that covers just about everything you'll need to start tweeting, and if you already tweet, I bet you'll learn something new. The site compiled a list of questions and answers on how to get started, the basics of what to do once you're signed-up, and some advanced Twitter tips.

OnLive Game Service Demo Video

Crunchgear got a hands-on demo of the impressive OnLive Games Service which was announced during the GDC show yesterday. The "cloud gaming" service gets tested in the video below, and at least for now it's so far, so good. We will have to see if there are any major problems with latency and bandwidth issues as the game streaming service gets rolled out later this year.

Wii Fit and Wii Balance Board launched in the U.S. - Demo Video and Review

Nintendo is aiming to start a new fitness revolution with its new Wii Fit and Wii Balance Board combination. Your average couch potato should have some fun while getting back into fitness using Wii Fit, but I have the feeling this thing is going to catch on with trainers as well. I can see it now, Wii Fit classes in your local gym. The Wii Fit package, priced at $89.99, includes the Wii Balance Board which is described as "a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance." Nintendo rolls out the exercise device with some 40+ activities and workouts, including a mix of aerobic, yoga, strength training and balancing exercises.

Wii Fit gets you started on your road to health by first measuring your Body Mass Index, calculating if you are overweight and out of shape. After you get the bad news, you can hop on the Wii Balance Board and get moving twirling a virtual Hula Hoop, shredding on a virtual snowboard, performing leg extensions or doing a downward-facing dog yoga pose. The important thing is, you'll be moving and burning calories. Wii Fit is said to be the first video game system ever included in the President’s Challenge program, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports that encourages Americans to make physical activity a part of their daily lives.

1up.com gave Wii Fit a go and review it, having built up a good sweat. Wii Fit Demo video below.

Dell XPS One Review

PCMag.com has a review of the new Dell XPS One PC which is expected to be available for purchase on its site today, Monday, November 19, 2007. PC Magazine's editors like the design of the new Dell XPS One, and they have made it an Editor's Choice and write: "Just when you thought that nothing could top the Apple iMac, the Dell XPS One has you thinking twice." 

iMac Unboxed

This iMac Unboxing video from GearLive shows just how sleek and elegant the new Apple iMac computers are. Apple really knows how to keep it modern and minimal, yet packed with power. The new iMacs feature 20 and 24-inch glossy widescreen displays encased in aluminum and scratch-resistant glass. You'll also find a sweet new ultra-thin aluminum Apple Keyboard, along with a wireless Mighty Mouse and Apple remote control.