Sony VAIO VGN-BZ11MN Review

Sony’s BZ-range is aimed at the corporate user, and the BZ11MN is an affordable, comfortable and attractive laptop. You’ll find similar styling aspects to those found on the more expensive VAIO models – such as the cylindrical hinge and green LED lighting – but finished in dark grey it’s more conservative than consumer models.

The 15.4-inch screen is the best in the group. It lacks the glossy Super-TFT coating found on its rivals – so it’s a much better choice for those working on the move in direct sunlight. Colours proved equally vivid and lifelike, and this machine is just as good for watching movies or editing photographs on.

Product information:
Name: Sony Vaio VGN-BZ11MN
Description: Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.26 Ghz, 2048 MB, 160 GB
Platform: PC
CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed: 2.26 GHz
Internal Memory: 2048 MB
Hard Drive Size: 160.0 GB
Screen Type: TFT
Screen Size: 15.4 in
Screen Resolution: 1280x800
Optical Drive: DVD-RW / -RAM / CD-RW
Dual Layer: Yes
Graphics Card: Intel GMA 4500MHD
Graphic Card Memory Size: N/A
Multiple GPU: No
WLAN: Yes
WLAN Standard: 802.11a/b/g/n
Modem: Yes
Network Card: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
FireWire: Yes
VGA (D-sub): 1
USB Ports: 3
Memory Card Reader: 4-in-1
Mouse Type: Touchpad
Operating System: Windows Vista Business
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Battery Time: 3.5 hours
Weight: 2.7 kg
Dimensions (HxWxD): 29.8-37.7x362.4x266.8 mm mm

Sure it's stylish and easy to handle, but more importantly Sony knows that efficient and accessible PC design is critical to keeping your employees up and running. That's why the VAIO BZ notebook was designed to provide hassle-free access to the components IT professionals most frequently access, including the RAM slots, hard drive, optical drive and keyboard. Hit the road with confidence. The Sony VAIO VGN-BZ11MN battery is built to endure the knocks, bumps and accidents common to frequent travel and day-in day-out computing. Backed by unprecedented processing power, expanded wireless connectivity, enhanced multimedia support and greater efficiency, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology delivers the robust performance you require, whether you're running heavy applications, closing deals on the road or editing images for a presentation during a long flight.

The Vaio VGN-BZ11MN is a cost-effective workhorse of an office laptop, whose integrated webcam could prove to be a boon for professionals who like to keep in touch with a set of distributed contacts. We like the manual switch for wireless networking, and the keyboard is good enough to allow fast touch typing.

There are some definite budget elements to this laptop, however. The screen resolution is lower than we would like, for example, and there aren't enough USB ports. Build quality is solid, but the design uninspiring -- which is a surprise coming from Sony. And for a laptop aimed squarely at office use, we're puzzled by the enormous amount of preinstalled software. Some of it will be welcome, but many customers would prefer to have it on CD, available to install if it's required. If you opt for the more expensive Sony VGP-BPL21 battery model, you'll get a higher-resolution LED-backlit screen, 3GB of RAM and a 200GB hard disk.

The keyboard is a revelation, offering just the right amount of travel for comfortable touch-typing. It's also responsive and the keys move quietly.

The touchpad is large, offering a simple and accurate way of navigating the Windows Vista Business operating system.

Build quality is good, with magnesium-alloy used throughout, which adds a nice feel. The Sony looks like a machine that costs considerably more than its rivals. Our only gripe was the back of the screen, which flexed under pressure.

Sony claims 3.5 hours of life from the supplied Li-ion VAIO VGN-BZ11MN battery. Anecdotally, we easily managed half a day's work on battery power, with heavy internet use over Wi-Fi during that period. A full day's work will almost certainly require access to mains power at some point, which shouldn't generally be a problem for a 2.7kg machine that's likely to spend most of its time on the desktop.

The BZ has Bluetooth and built in Wireless to keep you connected where ever you may roam and a spacious 160GB hard drive will keep all your documents, music and video with room to spare.

Sure its stylish and easy to handle, but more importantly Sony knows that efficient and accessible PC design is critical to keeping your employees up and running. That's why the VAIO BZ notebook was designed to provide hassle-free access to the components IT professionals most frequently access, including the RAM slots, hard drive, optical drive and keyboard.

The Windows Experience Index (WEI) rating of 3.4 (out of 5.9) puts the VAIO VGN BZ11MN towards the top end of the Windows Vista notebooks we have reviewed to date.

The Vaio VGN-BZ11MN is a cost-effective workhorse of an office laptop, whose integrated webcam could prove to be a boon for professionals who like to keep in touch with a set of distributed contacts. We like the manual switch for wireless networking, and the keyboard is good enough to allow fast touch typing.

There are some definite budget elements to this laptop, however. The screen resolution is lower than we would like, for example, and there aren't enough USB ports.

Build quality is solid, but the design uninspiring -- which is a surprise coming from Sony. And for a laptop aimed squarely at office use, we're puzzled by the enormous amount of preinstalled software. Some of it will be welcome, but many customers would prefer to have it on CD, available to install if it's required.

If you opt for the more expensive 748 BZ11XN model, you'll get a higher-resolution LED-backlit screen, 3GB of RAM and a 200GB hard disk.

Acer Aspire 5740 Laptop Review

Priced at an aggressive $649, the Aspire 5740 (6378) combines serious multitasking muscle (thanks to Intel's Core i5 processor) with a rich multimedia experience for considerably less money than Acer's rivals. How much less? A similarly configured 15.6-inch machine from Dell or HP would cost you at least $150 more. This 6.2-pound mainstream notebook also includes a comfortable keyboard and third-generation Dolby Home Theater surround sound. However, Acer's Gemstone design is starting to feel a bit dated, and the Acer Aspire 5740 battery life is below average. Still, bargain hunters will find a lot to like about the 5740.

This laptop's case design manages to include a full keyboard--including a number pad--and a 1366-by-768-pixel, 15.6-inch screen without feeling bloated. At 5.8 pounds, it's as comfortable on a lap as on a desk. We're used to bigger-screen laptops elbowing into everything nearby, but this system was surprisingly svelte.

The Aspire's basic performance earned it solid scores for its price level. It earned an overall score of 101 in our WorldBench 6 test suite, putting it on an even footing with many costlier systems. The 2.27GHz Core i5-430m processor and 4GB of RAM provide that speed. A 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium comes preinstalled. In real-world use, we easily rifled through dozens of Firefox windows, worked with Office and other productivity applications, and otherwise used the system for typical multitasking.

Key Specs
Processor: 2.26GHz Intel Core i5-430M
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 320GB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Screen: 15.6 inches (1,366x768 native resolution)
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (1GB)
Weight: 6.2 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 1.1x15.1x9.9 inches
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

The Acer Aspire 5740's basic performance earned it solid scores for its price level. It earned an overall score of 101 in our WorldBench 6 test suite, putting it on an even footing with many costlier systems. The 2.27GHz Core i5-430m processor and 4GB of RAM provide that speed. A 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium comes preinstalled. In real world use, we easily rifled through dozens of Firefox windows, worked with Office and other productivity applications, and otherwise used the system for typical multitasking.

Gamers, however, should consider another system. At low resolutions (and expectations), we wrung out just enough speed to play Left 4 Dead 2, but nearly every other recent game was too demanding. As noted, this Aspire 5740 battery lacks a dedicated graphics processor. At least you can fill dull moments in the college dorm or between business meetings with casual, untaxing games.

Acer Aspire Series is best known for its focus on computing performance but when it comes to entertainment, Acer 5740 is simply a wonderland. Listen to your favourite music online or offline on the Dolby optimised surround sound system that reproduces crip and clear sound effects. Keep in touch with your work and family contacts whilst on the move. Acer 5740 is a wireless enabled notebook which lets you connect to any wireless network for smooth internet connectivity. You can also enjoy the webcam which comes fixed on the front screen.

When it comes to both wire and wireless connectivity, Acer Aspire 5740 offers plenty of options including HDMI, VGA output, 5-in-1 Digital media card reader and 4 x USB ports. Considering the overflowing features, the 4 hours battery life looks relatively justified and practical.

Powered by a 2.13GHz Intel Core i3 330M processor, the Acer Aspire 5740 is one of the most powerful laptops in this category – although Samsung’s R530-JA03 just edges ahead in our WorldBench 6 performance test. Still, the 88 points scored by the Acer place it well ahead of the remaining competition in raw speed.

Built into the Acer Aspire 5740-333G32Mn's Core i3 processor is Intel’s new Graphics Media Accelerator HD graphics technology. While it can’t match the performance of the discrete ATI Radeon HD 4330 found in MSI’s X600, it’s a huge step up from the older and still more common GMA 4500M. This is a distinct advantage of the Core i3 processor over the Core 2 Duo T6600 found in the Samsung laptop, as it’s able to deliver roughly double the 3D graphics performance in our game tests.

The 15.6" Aspire 5740 series delivers comfortable, accessible computing and entertainment wherever you go. Equipped with the latest processors, ultra-fast DDR3 memory, high-definition audio and video support, this notebook has what it takes to let you multitask effectively and indulge in quality gaming, video editing, music, photo viewing and Internet surfing.

The chassis is made from tough plastic that is finished in a rather dull and business-like grey. We found it a well built machine that offers decent value for money. With an overall weight of 2.8kg, there is a degree of portability to be had with the Acer Aspire 5740 battery replacement. That said, this is a rather bulky machine that is better suited to the desktop than life on the move.

The keyboard is a great size and while we found the keys tended to rattle as we typed, they proved well-space and responded well. The casing is large enough to fit a separate numeric keypad, so replicating the layout of a standard PC keyboard.

In recent years, Acer has been doing an admirable job of condensing respectable hardware into affordable machines. Each successive generation, Acer has usually had one or two solid notebooks that were able to squeeze a decent gaming GPU into a reasonable price tag, and with the Aspire 5740-6979, that trend continues. Today we're able to take a look at a machine that features Intel's still relatively young Core i5 paired with – and this is the particularly compelling part – AMD's new mobile DirectX 11-class hardware.

Acer offers a wide variety of machines – all direct to retail – in their Aspire 5740 lineup, but the 6979 is one of only two models available off of Newegg. The other model, the 6395, trades up the processor to a 2.4 GHz model and raises the price from the 6979's $799 to $849 while reducing hard drive capacity by 180GB. Note that wholesale-laptop-batteries.com and Provantage both list a price of $749, though it's out of stock at Buy.com and shows as a "special order" (i.e. ships from the manufacturer) for Provantage. If you're not in a rush, you could potentially save $50, but Newegg is otherwise a safe bet. Frankly, the 6979 we received for review should be the more attractive of the two: the modest bump in clock speed on the CPU isn't worth an extra $50 on the price tag and a loss of hard drive capacity.

The Acer Aspire 5740 laptop is a perfect desktop replacement for performance enthusiast at affordable price but lacks in terms of looks and Acer laptop battery life.

Dell Inspiron 1464 Review

The chips inside the Dell Inspiron 14 (1464) should push this average laptop beyond midrange quality. A 2.13GHz Intel Core i3-330M processor and 4GB of RAM should power any typical home or office workload. A decent, 14-inch display gives room to edit side-by-side documents or to watch videos. Why, then, does the Inspiron 1464 end up feeling more low-end in actual use?

Without a dedicated video processor, games and high-performance applications stumble. The 3-hour, 20-minute battery falls short of mobile demands. And the ho-hum, faux-metal case feels a little cheap. Nearly every aspect of this model feels adequate without being impressive.

Dell Inspiron 1464 Laptop Technical Specification:
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
14″ inch (1366×78 pixels) WLED Glossy Display
Intel Core i5-430M Processor (2.26Ghz (turbo boost up to 2.53 GHz), 3MB cache)
Intel HD Graphics
3GB DDR3 RAM
320GB Sata Hard Disk
8X DVD Writer
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11 b/g/n
1.3 Megapixel Webcam
Bluetooth
Memory Card Reader
6 Cell Battery

With Core i5 and ATI graphics, the mid-end laptop is good for graphics and gaming needs. I tested this machine with the SIM-3 and Modern Warfare 2nd Both games can be played without problems with good graphic details, but it begins to overheat, play a little after 1 hour. That’s pretty normal for a laptop with heavy graphics applications. In addition, run smoothly when running multiple applications at the same time, perhaps, thanks to Windows 7 Ultra capacity will also be used. The disadvantage is the limited storage capacity, I expect to 500GB memory for this notebook. However, given this price, this notebook is still very decent. This small laptop runs good, looks good and handles your wishes for the coming years.

The Dell Inspiron 1464 is an affordable 14-inch notebook that delivers good performance and acceptable battery life at the expense of durability. If your child or your family is looking for a convenient laptop for general use then the Inspiron 1464 can handle daily multitasking with ease. That said, if you're willing to put up with a smaller screen I'd have a hard time recommending the Inspiron 14 compared to the Alienware M11x at the same price.The fact that the Inspiron 1464 includes an optical drive and a Core i3 processor helps make this laptop an attractive purchase. However, the abundance of flexible plastics and lack of special features like backlit keyboard or more advanced ports make the Dell Inspiron 1464 battery far more average than exceptional.

Pros
Speedy, modern Core i3-based configuration. Size and weight make it a versatile laptop. Big audio. Little bloatware. Sleek yet understated design. Comfortable keyboard and touchpad.

Cons
So-so battery life.

Bottom Line
The latest Intel mobile platform, a pleasing design, and booming audio highlight the Dell Inspiron i1464-4382OBK, a versatile 14-inch mainstream laptop.

Lighter than its predecessor and offering a sleeker design, the Dell Inspiron 14 (i1464-4382OBK) in Obsidian Black weighs under 5 pounds and measures just 1.27 inches thin. And this Dell Inspiron 1464 features include a 7-in-1 memory card reader, up to 4 hours of battery life, and an HDMI port that lets you connect your laptop to a compatible HDTV or external monitor for uncompressed high-def video and audio.

The Dell Inspiron 1464 model i1464-4382OBK is all-in-one performance laptop, It’s ideal for office-task, travels or multimedia. Comes with 14.1″ HD display with Integrated Intel GMA HD engine, the i1464-4382OBK is powered by 2.13GHz Intel Core i3 330M Processor, 4GB System Memory, and 500GB 5400RPM Hard Drive and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) Operating System.

This Inspiron 1464 battery also loaded with Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, 6 cell battery, 1.3MP webcam, 7-in-1 Media Card Reader, High Definition Audio 2.0, as well as WiFi LAN. Price, staples offers Dell Inspiron 1464 model i1464-4382OBK – for $629.98

The design of the Inspiron 14 hasn't changed much in the last year since Dellreleased the Inspiron 14, Inspiron 14z and Studio 14z laptops. As mentioned in the specifications above, our review unit comes with the newer Intel Core i3 330M dual core processor. We're calling this laptop the "Inspiron 14" in our review, but it's worth mentioning that Dell markets this system as the "Inspiron 14" as well as the "Inspiron 1464." You can also find this system selling on the Dell website under the older configuration name "Inspiron 1440" with older Intel processors. Of course, there's also the Inspiron 14z (also called the Inspiron 1470) that uses the Intel CULV processors for extended battery life. Are you confused yet? We sure are.

Moving beyond the superfluous model names for essentially the same laptop, the Inspiron 14 looks like an average budget notebook with a 14-inch display. The plastic construction, average screen resolution, and lack of a backlit keyboard certainly don't give this laptop the same premium look and feel as the Dell Studio 14z. You might think that the palmrests and area surrounding the keyboard are made of metal at first glance, but upon closer examination you'll find that it's just plastic with a fancy metallic finish.

We’re of two minds when it comes to the Inspiron 14’s keyboard. The keys provide strong, springy feedback, and their terraced design makes them easy to grip. However, the right Shift key is undersized, which will frustrate touch typists until they get the hang of the layout. We also wish the Backspace key was slightly larger; at first we kept hitting the Home key to the right. Surely Dell could find a better home (ahem) for that key and others in this row, such as Page Up, Page Down, and End. Does anyone really use those?

Although the palm rest on this notebook has a shiny finish, it thankfully doesn’t carry over to the fairly large touchpad, which has a slightly grittier surface; it’s easy to find because it sits slightly lower than the rest of the deck. Navigating the desktop was easy and only a bit slow at the standard setting, though it should be noted that this system lacks multitouch. Strangely, the mouse buttons underneath don’t stretch across the length of the touchpad, so they’re needlessly small. They also felt somewhat mushy, but that’s not a deal-breaker.

Many of the ports fall below that minimum threshold. Sure, you get an HDMI and VGA port. Audio-in and -out appear alongside a 7-format memory-card reader. A Webcam captures video and photos. 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth handle wireless connections. But the Inspiron includes only three USB 2.0 ports and a 10/100 ethernet jack. Additional USB, gigabit ethernet, and even eSATA would have been welcome additions.

All together, the Dell Inspiron 1464 battery replacement is missing that certain something that would boost its overall quality, and Dell fares poorly in our reliability survey of PCWorld readers. A more-impressive battery--even one running 5 hours--would offset most of the midrange features, but the Inspiron 14's died after 3 hours, 20 minutes in our tests. Better graphical performance, a higher-resolution display, or brighter colors could make a difference. Even excellent sound could propel this laptop above competitors. But all of the features are just adequate, and no single spec can offset this midrange aesthetic. The speedy processor comes closest, but today's great laptops include more than a good CPU.

Dell Inspiron 1545 Laptop PC Review

Dell is one of the most popular computer brands worldwide, and a default choice for many shoppers. Located right in the middle of the company's lineup, the Dell Inspiron 1545 is one of the most versatile and affordable midrange laptops, offering configurations for as low as $379. We tried a configuration from Dell with a Core 2 Duo processor and 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, which cost $794, which is not far off from the cost of more fully featured multimedia machines.

The 1545's 15.6-inch widescreen represents the shift to the new 16-by-9 screen format, part of an industry-wide effort to conform to consumer television dimensions. You may not be getting more screen real estate than a comparable screen with a 16-by-10 ratio, but there's plenty of room to roam around. The ability to indulge in your digital hobbies such as photo editing, taking in a Netflix movie, or watching the latest YouTube video is a huge benefit of having a big screen. At this price, however, you're limited to a 1,366-by-768 resolution, which is consistent with systems like the Gateway MD7801u and HP dv6t. A higher resolution, like the one found in the Dell Studio XPS 16 battery (1,920-by-1,080), packs in more pixels for a better photo and movie experience.

Further Details below:

• Name : Dell Inspiron 1545
• Colours : Purple, Pink, Black, Aqua blue, Orange, Lime green
• Memory : 3GB DDR2, which is plenty for home use, takes thousands of standard
• size photographs and large files.
• Battery life : around 4 to 4 and a half hours
• Screen: 15.6 inches widescreen

The feature set is pretty cut and dried, and a bit below average. It lacks ports such as HDMI-Out (for video streaming) or FireWire, and the 802.11n Wi-Fi standard is not supported—just 802.11g. If you can look past these omissions, the Dell Inspiron 1545 battery has ample USB ports (3), a multi-card reader, a 2-megapixel webcam, and an ExpressCard slot for expansion devices. It comes with a dual-layer DVD burner for DVD playback and burning of most every disc format short of Blu-ray. Though you can't get this laptop with an internal Blu-ray reader from Staples, it can be added on for $150 if you buy this model on Dell's Web site. More importantly, the 320GB hard drive is very generous at this price and more than enough to store at least several years' worth of files.

With Intel core 2 duo GHZ or 2.4 GHZ power processor, it gives the extensive experience of what processing could be and with 15.6 HD Display True Life LCD for a optimum bright display. Dell has not enhanced its features specification in inspiron series – which are same as of XPS series, maybe Dell didn’t want to hurt its XPS range.

Dell Inspiron is loaded with 3GB Dual DDR2RAM while DVD burner gives it a life for watching movies and burning your important data on the DVD. Again, Here Dell Inspiron has missed the light Scribe technology that its competition HP is offering for laptops with same price tag. However, optionally you can get BlU-Ray or light scribe, which will definitely add value to its price.

Connectivity is also a little light-on, it consists of three USB ports, an Ethernet output, a headphone and microphone jack, a 34mm ExpressCard slot, a 7-in-1 card reader and a VGA video connector. For wireless, the Dell Inspiron 1545 sticks to 802.11g rather than its zippier 802.11n counterpart.

Compared to other notebooks in its price range, the Dell Inspiron 1545 is a very able performer. It comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 running at 2.1GHz, 3GB of DDR2 RAM (upgradable to 4GB) and a 320GB hard drive (5400 RPM). The only downside is an underpowered Intel GMA4500 graphics accelerator, but these are still impressive components for the asking price.

Thanks to Dell's decision to specify a 6600mAh Inspiron 1545 battery, longevity isn't one of the Inspiron 1545's greatest assets. Light use stretched to a mere 1hr 28mins, while heavy usage saw the Dell expire after just 45 minutes.

It's a shame the Dell doesn't acquit itself better, as in terms of looks and build quality it's rather promising. The chassis feels sturdy despite its modest 2.58kg weight, and the glossy blue and black colour scheme is attractive.

In terms of performance, our benchmarks found that - once we'd unloaded the usual Dell pre-installed clutter - the machine performed well, with the Core 2 Duo processor outperforming reference Dual Cores and also leaving AMD equivalents in the rear-view mirror. In the sub-£500 price bracket the Dell machine was steadfast, and we've found in recent times that the endurance of the company's machines is extremely impressive too.

We were pleased with both the service and the product that Dell delivered here. There's little to shift our thinking that the firm doesn't produce spectacular laptops, but when it comes to efficiency and reliability, it's hard to quibble with what Dell does provide.

As with many new budget notebooks, Dell is the latest in a few different colors, if purchased directly. Matt black is standard, but for more money, you can Micro Satin Blue, Red or Pacific High Gloss Blue Lid. Not exactly a lot of choices, especially in view of Dell usually productive adaptation options, but the choice is better than none. While not quite as bad as piano black fingerprints to show it is still a regular attention, and there is no material available.Opening of the 9 cell Dell Inspiron 1545 battery is even worse because in addition to the pages of the notebook, keyboard and touchpad all visible inch glossy black. During this shiny surface looks attractive, each time you make or use the touchpad on your notebook stripes and prints. After only one day in office, the 1545 looked like it was the meeting for a week.

The glossiness doesn't end there, there's more on the inside as well. It is quite the stripped-down minimalist look. Only the keyboard, speaker grille and mousepad (which looks very integrated into laptop itself) break up the look. Sadly, for the money, the laptop doesn't include a webcam (it costs an extra £30 if you buy direct from Dell).

The build quality does not scream budget at all it has to be said. Where the cut back have been made to get this on budget are the connectivity options. While there is a 34mm ExpressCard slot, there is not the 54mm version, imiting upgrade options. But there is headphone and microphone jacks, an Ethernet port, three USB ports and a VGA-out. Some netbooks (such as the Asus N10J) even manage to fit in an HDMI port, whereas this Dell didn't).