XFX Radeon HD 5850 Black Edition

The suffix ‘Black Edition’ suggests that this variant of the Radeon HD 5850 by XFX is factory-overclocked. The core and memory aren’t supercharged, but they run slightly faster than their stock speeds. The core runs 5.5 percent faster at 765 MHz and the memory is clocked 125 MHz higher than the stock speed at 1125 MHz.

The card sports AMD’s reference design and standard cooler, which is good enough to handle the additional heat. The cooler is about the length of the card, with a fan at the end that draws air in from the top and cools the heatsink within the chamber. Hot air is blown out from the vents at the rear and side of the card. The heatsink has copper heat pipes running through it for efficient and uniform dissipation of heat from the GPU to the fins. The card draws power from a pair of 6-pin PCIe power connectors at the end. With support for AMD Eyefinity multiple display technology the XFXRadeon HD 5850 Black Edition supports triple monitor setups for which it has three digital outputs on the rear panel—DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort.

Test rig
CPU: AMD Phenom X4 965 Black Edition
Motherboard: Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7
RAM: 2x 2 GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1600
Hard disk: Intel X25-M SSD, 80 GB
Power supply: Tagan BZ 1300
Operating system: Windows 7
ATI Catalyst Control Center: Version 10.3

Dell Studio XPS 7100

Dell today unveiled Studio XPS 7100 desktop designed for busy multi-taskers who demand their technology keeps pace with their up- tempo lives. Featuring AMD’s VISION Technology,Dell Studio XPS 7100 desktop deliver a seamless intersection of social networking, entertainment and multimedia creation.

The Dell Studio XPS 7100 is one of the first desktops available to support the powerful AMD Phenom II X6 six-core processor with AMD Turbo Core technology, as well as available quad-core Athlon II processors, for incredibly fast HD media creation, advanced multimedia capabilities, multi-tasking and gaming. With six-core processor power available at Rs. 49,900/-, the Studio XPS 7100 offers exceptional multitasking performance and features a cutting edge, tilt-back design in premium Carbide Silver color. Other key features include:

• 6GB DDR3 1333Mhz RAM, upgrade-able to 16GB 1333MHz DDR3 RAM
• Dell ST2210 21.5" Full HD Widescreen Monitor, upgradeable to 24"
• 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450 DDR3 Discrete Graphics, upgradeable to 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5870
• 750GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with Native Command Queuing, upgradeable to 2TB
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit Edition
• Dell Wireless Desktop Keyboard and Mouse
• Dell Datasafe Backup Service: 1 Year Online backup

HP Pavilion All-in-One 200-5020

Processor: 2.7GHz Intel Pentium E5400
Memory: 4GB DDR3
Storage: 500GB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Monitor: Integrated 21.5-inch LCD (1,920x1,080 native resolution)
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA X4500
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

After reviewing the HP Pavilion MS214 and HP Pavilion MS225, a pair of similar-looking entry-level all-in-one (AIO) PCs, we assumed the Pavilion 200-5020 would be just a larger-screened variant. But after examining the spec sheet, we knew we were in for something a bit different. Rather than the underpowered (by typical desktop-PC standards) low-voltage AMD processors found in those earlier Pavilion AIOs, the Pavilion 200-5020 comes better-equipped for HD video playback and other serious computing tasks, thanks to its much speedier dual-core 2.7GHz Pentium CPU and larger 1080p, 21.5-inch screen. Still, despite these additions, the Pavilion 200-5020 faces stiff competition in its price class (around $800) from the likes of Lenovo and Averatec. This model is well equipped for serious for productivity work, but several competing machines outmatch in terms of entertainment-friendly features for the price.

Aesthetically, HP borrowed heavily from its earlier designs with the Pavilion 200-5020, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This machine looks nearly identical to the HP Pavilion MS225 and MS214, the only differences being the larger display (the previous models have an integrated 18.5-inch LCD) and a black stand in place of the silver one found on the less-costlier models. The display’s bezel is made of glossy black plastic, with a silver accent that runs along the bottom, separating the screen from the speakers. The system’s duo of integrated Webcam and microphone live at the apex of the bezel, while the power button resides on the bottom right corner, accompanied by a teal activity light directly to its left. You can tilt the screen roughly 45 degrees forward or back, and while the stand doesn't swivel from side to side, it's easy enough to rotate the whole machine to meet your viewing needs. The speakers are passable, though not powerful by any stretch, so high-quality headphones are recommended for the best space-saving listening experience.

From a style perspective, HP scored a couple of hits, but committed a couple of errors as well. First the bad news: An external power brick subtracts from the minimalist quality that's supposed to be the flagship feature of AIO desktops, especially if you can't find a place to hide the brick behind your desk. The optical drive is a standard tray-loader, rather than the slot-loading drives we strongly prefer with AIOs. On the bright side, the mouse and keyboard are wireless, which wasn't the case with the Pavilion MS225. So while there's definitely room for improvement on the design front, especially for those hoping to place this machine on a countertop, where the power brick will be hard to hide, this PC is an overall improvement over earlier Pavilion AIOs we've seen.

While the peripherals aren't exactly exciting, they do at least match the decorative theme of the system itself. The mouse is a standard three-button rodent with a glossy black body. The keyboard is adorned with silver volume and mute buttons, but devoid of any other media- or browser-centric keys.

Back on the system itself, the port selection is pretty standard. The display’s left side houses two USB 2.0 ports, along with a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a six-format flash-card reader. The right side serves as a base for the optical drive, as well as buttons to adjust screen brightness. (Why most AIO designers continue give brightness controls priority over dedicated volume buttons is still a mystery to us.) The rear of the chassis houses five additional USB 2.0 ports (for a total of seven), along with a Gigabit Ethernet jack (wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi is also included), and an audio-out jack for adding more powerful speakers.

nside the Pavilion 200-5020, an Intel Pentium E5400 dual-core CPU clocked at 2.7GHz handles everyday computing tasks quite well, aided by 4GB of DDR3 RAM, Intel GMA X4500 integrated graphics, a 500GB hard drive, and a DVD±RW optical drive. The CPU and the RAM earn the Pavilion 200-5020 scout badges, but the integrated graphics hold this system back from being a real gaming-capable AIO ace. Nevertheless, the steady uptick in AIO components is much appreciated; we've slogged through testing countless machines packing anemic, low-voltage CPUs, bite-size hard drives, and aging DDR2 RAM.

But does this roster of parts make the Paviliion 200-5020 a champion of the sub-$1,000 AIO world? Not exactly. Lenovo sells an $849 version of its IdeaCentre A600 that holds a fairly significant edge over the Pavilion 200-5020 in several areas. The IdeaCentre A600 packs a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 CPU, which is clocked lower than the 2.7GHz CPU here. However, the Core 2 Duo T6600 is a newer CPU than the Pentium E5400, and both CPUs are plenty fast enough to handle productivity and HD video tasks. The IdeaCentre A600 at this price has slightly less DDR3 RAM (3GB, as opposed to 4GB), though 1GB less RAM won't make a noticeable performance difference in the tasks most users will perform with these PCs.

Classmate PC (Quanta NL)

Processor: 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450
Memory: 1GB RAM
Storage: 160GB hard drive
Optical Drive: None
Screen: 10.1 inches (1,024x600 native resolution)
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA 3150
Weight: 3.8 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 1.5x10.6x8.4 inches
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional (32-bit)

The Classmate PC has certainly come a long way since its first iteration. No longer a better-than-nothing netbook for children in third-world countries, the Classmate PC has enough unique and compelling features to make educators in first-world regions sit up and take notice. Intel has updated its Classroom PC and rebuilt it using Pine Trail architecture, the latest standard for the guts inside netbooks. Hardware-wise, we're impressed with the durability of the Classmate PC and with its tablet abilities. But hardware is just the beginning for this system.

While we focus on the laptop (because that's the part we can test and review), you need a little more background on Intel's Learning Series, which is the company's ecosystem that encompasses hardware, software, infrastructure, content, training, and support. Basically, Intel has come up with a reference design of an educational mini-laptop here, which then gets sold to different manufacturers in various regions of the world. As part of the package, Intel offers capabilities beyond mere hardware blueprints. Those who buy a variation of the Classmate PC can opt for other features for "enhanced collaborative learning." In layman's terms, this is a classroom system that keeps the teachers connected to the students, allowing them to push information to—and pull information from—students in real time, enabling everyone to be on the same page.

Intended for schoolchildren aged 6 to 12, the Classmate PC is available in custom configurations from manufacturers worldwide, and prices are set accordingly. (CTL, Equus Computer Systems, M&A Technology, and MGD are the options for North America.) That being said, some Classmate PCs are sold at retail, too. (Check Amazon.com and the manufacturers listed above to get started.)

All models are built around an Intel Atom N450 processor and offer integrated Intel GMA 3150 graphics. Hardware, software, design, and warranty options will vary depending on the manufacturer, however. The reference model we looked at was the Quanta NL, with a 160GB hard drive and running Windows 7 Professional (a bonus, considering how prevalent Windows 7 Starter is in the netbook market). It's powered by 1GB of RAM, which is still pretty standard among netbooks.

While the main reason netbooks exist is sheer portability, the Classmate PC’s big differentiatior is instead durability. Weighing 3.8 pounds and measuring 1.5x10.6x8.4 inches, this is not your average netbook. The rugged features add more than a pound to the weight, but we think it’s worth the extra heft. These PCs will likely be spilled on, dropped, and stuffed into cluttered backpacks without regard for the delicate internal components. Wisely, Intel has included hardware protection that can help the device survive drops from desk height.

With its somewhat drab gray-and-white color scheme and its scratch-resistant frame coated in no-slip-grip rubber, the Classmate PC we looked at looks similar to the no-nonsense PeeWee Pivot Tablet Laptop, an educational PC we reviewed back in 2009. Like with the PeeWee, the Classmate’s screen swivels 180 degrees and converts the system from a clamshell notebook to a tablet. Topping the Classmate’s display is a 1.3-megapixel Webcam that rotates 270 degrees—a feature standard notebooks omit, but one that works well, for example, with kids taking pictures on a field trip.

The keyboard’s springy letter keys are responsive, although the tiny right-Shift key takes some getting used to, and overall, we did feel a little cramped when typing. The keyboard deck is water-resistant, so it’s easy to keep clean without risking damage to the system. (Some manufacturers even offer an antimicrobial keyboard treatment in their versions of the Classmate.) The touch pad, on the other hand, is a decent size and is responsive to taps and scrolling, though it doesn’t support multi-touch navigation (touch control using two or more fingers, similar to what you see in the iPhone commercials). The pad's dual rocker buttons function well, too.

Along the sides of the chassis are a basic array of netbook ports, such as VGA, two USB ports, a microphone jack, two headphone jacks, a five-format flash-card reader, and a cable-lock slot. As for connectivity, the Classmate PC has an Ethernet jack and an option for Bluetooth. Manufacturers may also include options for mobile broadband with GPS functionality. There is also a slot for the stylus, which is anchored to the system by a nonretractable cord looped into the lock slot. Tethering the stylus might keep you from losing it, but the cord is short and limits the stylus’s reach. Not only that, but the cord just dangles from side of the system—it’s an accident waiting to happen, and we recommend removing it.

HP LaserJet Pro P1102w

Printer Technology: Monochrome laser
Interface: USB 2.0; Wi-Fi
Maximum Paper Size: 8.5x14 inches
Maximum Resolution: 600x600dpi (1,200dpi effective)
Dimensions (HWD): 7.7x13.7x9.4 inches
Weight: 11.6 pounds

We've seen a bunch of basic, low-cost monochrome laser printers come through our labs in recent weeks, so we've been excited to put them to the test and see how they stack up. They offer many of the same features: Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, high-quality output, and reasonably fast printing. Each model, though, has had one or two features that make it stand out. With the HP LaserJet Pro P1102w, it's the size. If you're looking for a low-cost laser to sit unobtrusively in your home or small office, this model fits. But given the merely average performance we saw from it and the high per-page cost for its output, we strongly suggest looking at a slightly bigger model for the same price, such as the Samsung ML-2525W, before jumping in.

Unpacking the printer, we found it neatly nestled between two Styrofoam blocks, with the USB and power cables tucked into the packaging. Plastic bag and shipping tape were the only other items between the printer and our desk, and once they were removed, we plugged in the svelte, black unit and pressed the power button. You can opt for a direct USB connection or wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi, but regardless of which you ultimately want to use, you need to make an initial USB connection before you'll be able to install the driver. We did so, inserted the software-install CD into the computer, and chose to install the printer to work over our wireless network. The onscreen directions were self-explanatory, and we had the printer up and running within 5 minutes of removing it from the box.

With the front paper tray closed, the LaserJet Pro P1102w is comparable in size to a large toaster oven. When open, the tray protrudes about 5.5 inches from the front, making the total footprint when the printer is in use about 13 inches by 14 inches. The simple control panel on the top left hosts two buttons (power and Wi-Fi on/off) and three LEDs (power, attention, and Wi-Fi). The USB and power cables plug into the right rear of the printer. Paper enters via the trays in the lower front and exits into the tray at the top, which holds up to 100 sheets.

The LaserJet Pro P1102w has two ways to accept paper: a 150-page main tray, and a 10-sheet "priority" slot for fast-feeding special media or envelopes. We can’t complain too much about the measly paper capacity, because fitting larger paper-input and -output trays would compromise this printer’s small size and light weight. And not entirely surprising for a printer in this price class, it lacks a feeder for automatic two-sided printing (auto-duplexing). Indeed, this model is not designed for high flexibility in executing print jobs or for large amounts of output. The latter is reflected in the very low maximum monthly duty cycle (the maximum number of pages it can print per month): 5,000 pages. Even worse, this model's recommended duty cycle is a mere 250 to 1,500 pages. (That's only about eight to 50 pages per day.) As a result, don't expect to use this model as a page-churning workhorse; it's more of a "convenience printer."

That said, there are some nice nods to economical operation, stemming from HP's company-wide initiatives toward greening tech. The P1102w incorporates both auto-on and auto-off power-saving functionality. The former wakes the printer from the off mode when it senses a print job; the latter turns it off after a user-set idle time, ranging from one minute to two hours. In addition, several settings allow you to conserve toner. To make the output lighter, you can use a Print Density slider in the Device Settings tab of the Printer Properties dialog box, or you can save toner by checking the Econo Mode box in the Paper Quality tab. In terms of paper, you can feed the unit stock in letter, legal, executive, postcard, and envelope sizes. Acceptable paper weights range from 16 to 43 pounds, which encompasses media types such as photocopy paper, photo paper, vellum, envelopes, labels, cardstock, transparencies, and postcards

Lenovo IdeaPad Y460

Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-520M
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 500GB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Screen: 14 inches (1,366x768 native resolution)
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA HD graphics and ATI Radeon HD 5650 (1GB)
Weight: 5.1 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 0.75x13.6x9.3 inches
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Y460 is all about entertainment on the go. This stylish thin-and-light notebook offers Core i5 processing power and lets you switch between a powerful dedicated graphics chip for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks and an integrated graphics chipset to conserve battery life. Priced at $1,049 in the model we saw (Lenovo also offers a dialed-back version of the Y460 at $899), the IdeaPad Y460 is reasonably affordable given its powerful configuration, which propelled it to the top of its category in terms of performance. Our gripes with this model were comparatively minor: an overly reflective LCD screen, and merely mediocre battery life.

As with the IdeaPad U450p we tested not long before this model, the IdeaPad Y460 features a patterned black finish. Instead of a weave print, though, it is decorated with a series of intertwined hexagons and other geometric shapes. A sliver of glossy copper trim frames the lid, complementing the matte finish. The notebook weighs 4.6 pounds and measures three-quarters of an inch thick, so you’ll have no trouble hauling it around town.

Raising the lid exposes a roomy keyboard deck that's gunmetal gray on the lower half and piano black at the top. In the middle is a typical world-class Lenovo keyboard; the black keys are well-spaced and have just the right amount of give without feeling too mushy. The gesture-enabled touch pad (which lets you navigate the screen with multiple-finger motions, just like you would on an Apple iPhone) is also a pleasure to use and features a lightly textured finish that provides effortless cursor control. The dual mouse buttons are whisper-quiet and highly responsive.

At the top of the keyboard deck is a small pair of JBL speakers that are surprisingly loud and crisp for their size. Predictably, they lack bass (most laptop speakers do), but their audio output is nonetheless a cut above the norm. To the left of the backlit power switch is a hotkey that launches Lenovo's backup and restoration application, OneKey, and to the right of that are wireless-network- and drive-activity indicators.

in the center is Lenovo’s SlideNav bar, a touch-sensitive slider control that lets you launch items such as Calculator, Notepad, and Sound Recorder, as well as other items that you can add on your own. You can also change the wallpaper by sliding from right to left and “zip the screen” by sliding from left to right. (Zipping the screen disables the keyboard, mouse buttons, and touch pad.) You can unzip the screen by dragging your finger from right to left. This is a pretty cool feature and one we haven't seen before.

To the right of the SlideNav bar is a button that launches Lenovo’s Energy Management utility, which lets you change power schemes on the fly, and a Theater button that switches among three preset display modes (normal, movie, and intelligent). At the far right are volume-up, volume-down, and mute buttons. As with the power switch, all of these upper-deck buttons are illuminated with white backlighting. A backlit IdeaPad logo is on the lower right-hand portion of the keyboard deck.

The 14-inch display has a 1,366x768 resolution and uses a glossy coating to provide rich color reproduction and wide viewing angles. The screen is very reflective, however, and under bright lighting it exhibits mirror-like characteristics. That said, the movie Avatar on DVD looked wonderful on the LED-backlit screen, as did the action-packed game Far Cry 2, one of our favorite first-person shooters. Video and gaming action displayed smooth and artifact-free, and the small speakers did a fine job of filling the room without distorting.

Whether you’re focused on watching movies or sharing photos, you should be able to find the right port to supplement what you're doing. HDMI and VGA video connections (for outputting the display to an external monitor) are joined by two USB ports, an Ethernet jack, and headphone and microphone jacks on the left side of the chassis. On the right are an additional USB port, an eSATA/USB combo, an ExpressCard slot, and a DVD drive that reads and writes. On the front edge of the chassis are a multiformat flash-card reader, a Wi-Fi switch, and a switch that toggles between the discrete graphics chip and the integrated graphics. (A white LED lights up when the dedicated chip is selected.) This implementation isn’t as seamless as Nvidia’s Optimus technology, which switches automatically according to what you're doing with the laptop, but you don’t need to shut down when switching. So as long as you understand the appropriate time and place to switch, it’s pretty straightforward. A 1.3-megapixel Webcam and a dual microphone array are embedded in the display’s upper bezel.

Gateway NV5933u

Processor: 2.13GHz Intel Core i3-330M
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 320GB hard drive
Optical Drive: Blu-ray reader/DVD±RW combo
Screen: 15.6 inches (1,366x768 native resolution)
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA HD
Weight: 5.8 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 1.5x14.7x10.2 inches
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

Most of the notebooks with 15-inch screens that we’ve seen this year have been priced over $800, so a feature-rich budget entry like the Gateway NV5933u always grabs our eye. This $649 model uses Intel’s Core i3-330M processor, and the more laptops that we see based on this chip family, the more we're convinced that it's an excellent performance choice for low-cost laptops. Plus, for the price, this machine packs in a Blu-ray disc drive and a 320GB hard drive. Could this be a budget shopper’s dream come true?

As we examined the NV5933u's exterior, what we saw kept our hopes alive. The red honeycomb lid design gives the notebook a more upscale look than the price suggests it should, and the pattern helps mask the dust and scratches that the glossy plastic attracts. A silver screen hinge, silver trim, and a reflective mouse button break up the otherwise all-black keyboard deck. The design is simple and understated, something that other manufacturers could learn from. At 5.8 pounds, this laptop is a bit heavy to throw in your shoulder bag (and a bit too bulky, considering its 1.5x14.7x10.2-inch frame). Then again, the same applies to most midsize laptops.

We certainly did a double-take when we first saw the Blu-ray drive—a rarity not just for this price class, but also for its size class. In addition to the Blu-ray drive, the NV5933u features a decent range of ports, including a multiformat flash-card reader, four USB ports, microphone and headphone jacks, and both VGA and HDMI ports for connecting to a larger screen. For connectivity, Gateway includes both an Ethernet and a modem jack, plus 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. The power button caps the screen hinge on the right side, and a lock slot occupies the left. Absent were an ExpressCard expansion slot and an eSATA port, two ports more often found on big-ticket systems. As it is, budget shoppers should do fine with what Gateway has included, although Bluetooth would have been a nice addition.

The chassis deck proudly displays a roomy keyboard with broad keys and a dedicated number pad. We noticed good vertical key plunge and a springy response during typing, but the broad, flat keys provide little tactile grip. While the keyboard felt a bit insubstantial, it’s not as flimsy as the keyboard on the NV5933u’s cousin, the Gateway NV7901u. The decently sized touch pad, sunken slightly into the chassis, responds well and offers support for multi-finger gesture commands. Less satisfying is the too-skinny seesaw button below the pad; it feels mushy when pressed.

Above the deck, a 15.6-inch LED-backlit display is embedded into a glossy black bezel. (The bezel also hosts a basic 0.3-megapixel Webcam.) This spacious wide-screen display features a native resolution of 1,366x768 pixels, allowing for 720p video playback. For true high-definition (1080p), you’ll have to output to a higher-resolution screen via HDMI, but those who can make do with 720p will be satisfied with the beautiful, clear picture that the NV5933u's screen affords. When we inserted a movie into the Blu-ray drive, we enjoyed a sharp picture coupled with rich audio from powerful speakers.

With its 2.13GHz Core i3-330M processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 64-bit version of Windows 7, the Gateway NV5933u delivered some excellent benchmark-test scores considering what it costs, in some cases performing like a more expensive system. On our PCMark Vantage test, which measures overall system performance, the NV5933u scored high among budget PCs, scoring 4,824 on the 64-bit version of this test. In this class, the budget notebook to beat is the Core i5-equipped Acer Aspire 5740-6378, which scored 367 points higher and cost $100 more in our test configuration.

We evaluate laptop processor performance based on three tests. The first, Cinebench 10, taxes all available cores on the CPU. The NV5933u yielded a score of 6,726 on the 64-bit version of this test. While this falls far short of high-end notebooks, such as the four-grand-plus Malibal Lotus Series (which scored 13,506), the NV5933u beats out other budget competitors like the $849 Asus UL50Vf (3,858) and the $649 Gateway EC5409u (2,850).

The other two CPU-centric tests we run are tests involving conversion of media files: an iTunes test, and a Windows Media Encoder (WME) test. The NV5933u completed the first in 4 minutes and 31 seconds, and the second in 5 minutes and 10 seconds. Both of these scores stack up well against the Acer Aspire 5740-6378 (3:59 in iTunes, 4:27 in WME) and trounced the Asus UL50Vf, which stumbled on both tests (6:05 for iTunes, 8:10 for WME).

Despite its good marks for productivity-program and raw-CPU performance, the NV5933u did show its limitations during our 3D-graphics tests. The integrated Intel GMA HD chip was the culprit that kept its scores on our 3DMark06 test well below average. The NV5933u scored a measly 1,693 at its native resolution and 1,878 at 1,024x768. (Two budget competitors, the HP ProBook 6545b and the Acer Aspire 5740-6378, neither of which is meant for gaming, scored similarly.) If you want stronger graphics performance from a 15-inch budget PC, your best bet is the $799 Acer Aspire 5738PG Multi-Touch, which is equipped with reasonably muscular ATI Mobility Radeon HD graphics. The Acer Multi-Touch scored 3,007 (at its native resolution) and 3,384 (at 1,024x768), scores that approach those we often see on better-equipped systems.

To continue exercising the graphics, we ran our Company of Heroes test, which reflects the laptop's abilities at real-world gaming. During our run of the test under DirectX 9, the NV5933u cranked out 18.2 frames per second (fps) at a resolution of 1,024x768, with some of the game's eye candy turned off. Meanwhile, at its native resolution (1,366x768) and with lots of game eye candy turned on, the NV5933u scored 11fps. Both scores indicate that playing some older mainstream 3D games might be possible on this laptop, but you'll probably need to crank back the resolution and visual features a good bit. (Also note that the laptop could not run the DirectX 10 version of this test.) Based on these lackluster 3D results, we can predict that the Gateway NV5933u isn't a good fit for serious players of demanding games, but it should suffice for Flash-based social-media games or light titles like The Sims.

Finally, to test battery endurance, we popped a movie into the Gateway NV5933u’s Blu-ray drive and set the brightness and volume levels at half-power. The six-cell battery lasted for 1 hour and 36 minutes, considerably shorter than the average of 2:20 we've seen on this class of laptop. Also, most comparable budget laptops lasted longer than the NV5933u on this test. The Gateway EC5409u, for one, stood out on our tests with a commendable 4:18, while the Acer Aspire 5740-6378’s 2:11 is more typical. Still, it's good to put these numbers in perspective: Even though the NV5933u’s battery life might seem a disappointment, 15-inch laptops typically don’t spend too much time used far from a power plug. So the short battery life might not be a big issue for you.

Processor: 2.27GHz Intel Core i5-430M
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 500GB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Screen: 17.3 inches (1,600x900 native resolution)
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (1GB)
Weight: 7.4 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 1.4x16.2x11 inches
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

As a rule, big notebooks don't come cheap, and for that reason alone, the $849, 17.3-inch Gateway NV7901u caught our attention. And once we started testing it, this budget desktop replacement won us over for its speed, feature set, and spacious feel. The typical desktop-replacement laptop that comes through our labs averages close to $3,000, and we rarely see competitive models that are budget-price. (We define desktop replacements as laptops with screens 17 inches or larger.) However, Gateway's entrant performs like a much pricier machine and is a good choice for budget-minded consumers who need a laptop with a big, roomy screen and keyboard.

The NV7901u looks just like another competitively priced Gateway PC, the $649 Gateway NV7915u, which also features a large 17.3-inch display, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 500GB hard drive. For $200 more, the NV7901u offers a couple of worthy hardware improvements. While the NV7915u was built around an Intel Core i3 processor with integrated graphics, the NV7901u boasts Intel’s beefier Core i5 processor and a dedicated ATI graphics chip for better overall performance and 3D capability.

Weighing 7.4 pounds and measuring 1.5x16.2x11 inches, the NV7901u is a bit bulky to travel with. The outside has a honeycomb pattern that tends to show up fingerprints readily. (Our system came in black, but you can also get it in red.) The keyboard and touch pad are positively spacious, but we did note an uncomfortable amount of flex in the keybed during typing. And even though the keys are large and responsive, their flat design provides little tactile grip. The roomy touch pad, sunken slightly into the chassis, responds well and offers support for multi-finger gesture commands. A skinny, reflective seesaw button that serves in place of the usual pair of mouse buttons shines beneath the touch pad and stands out against its matte-black surroundings. Though the button looks nice, it feels mushy when pressed.

Making up for in features what it lacks in a sturdy-feeling build, the NV7901u hosts a satisfying range of ports for a budget model. Around the edges, you’ll find a five-format flash-card reader, four USB ports, microphone and headphone jacks, and both HDMI and VGA ports for connecting the laptop to a larger screen. Likewise, for network connectivity, you get both an Ethernet jack and a modem, combined with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. The hinge sports a locking-cable slot on the left and a power button on the right. And Gateway rounds out the system with a DVD±RW drive on the right and a VGA Webcam in the screen's bezel. Though most big-ticket desktop-replacement laptops feature a wider range of ports (such as an eSATA port, a 54mm ExpressCard slot, a DVI video output, and a Blu-ray drive), the NV7901u’s modest selection should suffice for budget shoppers. Bluetooth connectivity for peripherals and VoIP headsets would have been a nice touch, though.

The highlight of this system is its 17.3-inch LED-backlit LCD screen, which is well-suited for movies. Slightly recessed into a glossy bezel, the bright screen is capable of displaying HD video at a native resolution of 1,600x900 (720p). The HDMI-out port lets you connect the NV7901u to a higher-resolution screen for true HD viewing. When we popped a movie into the DVD drive, we were able to enjoy a crisp, clear picture coupled with rich audio from the laptop's surprisingly powerful speakers.

Considering this is a budget machine, the NV7901u’s benchmark scores are far above adequate. On our PCMark Vantage test, which measures overall system performance, the NV7901u scored 5,480 (32-bit) and 5,358 (64-bit). (This is a 64-bit system, but we run this test under both 32- and 64-bit modes and provide the results for comparison's sake.) That’s 550 points higher than the average 32-bit score (4,930) for desktop-replacement laptops and only slightly behind the average score on the 64-bit test (5,488). We don’t often see budget rigs giving laptops that cost three times as much a run for their money on this test, but we credit the NV7901u's 2.27GHz Core i5 processor with the high scores. For a little more perspective, the only real competitor in the 17-inch category is Gateway’s own $649 NV7915u, which couldn’t quite keep up with the NV7901u, scoring 4,339 and 4,838 on the 32- and 64-bit tests, respectively.

Asus Republic of Gamers G73Jh

Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Core i7-720QM
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 1TB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Screen: 17.3 inches (1,920x1,080 native resolution)
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 (1GB)
Weight: 7.4 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 2.2x16.3x12.6 inches
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

t’s rare that gamers on the prowl for high-end gear get a price break. Most gamers are used to paying top dollar for bleeding-edge parts and systems—with the downside of sacrificing precious power for any money they try to save by settling for older or less capable components. But the Asus G73Jh, branded under the Republic of Gamers (ROG) line, manages to offer, seemingly, way more than its price tag’s worth of juice.

The G73Jh has some of the specifications you’d expect to see on much pricier notebooks. A quad-core Intel Core i7 CPU? Check. A fat bank of 8GB of memory? Check. A 17.3-inch display at full 1080p resolution? Check. A cutting-edge, HD 5800-series ATI Radeon graphics subsystem? Check again. We’d expect a price of well over $2,000 for this configuration, so we’re left scratching our heads as to how Asus crammed it all into a stylish chassis and charges just $1,599 for it.

The G73Jh looks like a stealth fighter. It's a nifty-looking, unique system, with a matte-black finish and a streamlined, contoured lid. It's definitely not your father's Dell Inspiron, that's for sure, and it's sure to turn heads at gaming parties. The only downside of the form factor is the included power brick, which weighs more than a pound on its own and is one of the largest we've ever seen.

The input devices alone, including a black, backlit keyboard and a huge, 4.5-inch-diagonal touch pad, are worth the price of admission. The keyboard features surprisingly large keys with plenty of room between them, and it even includes a numeric keypad. Plus, somehow, enough room is left over for one of the largest laptop touch pads we’ve seen. They keys and the pad are both gloriously responsive, and thanks to an innovative cooling system that draws air through the front and blows hot air out two rear exhausts, the palm rests stay cool throughout any computing session.

Furthermore, the G73Jh features a 2-megapixel camera that performed well in all lighting situations. You’ll also find an eight-format memory-card reader, Bluetooth 2.1, and a full range of connectivity, anchored by Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. Of course, you'll find the rest of the standard ports along the sides of the laptop, including four USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, a VGA port, and audio jacks. One specification that floored us is the full terabyte of hard drive space, divided into four partitions on two physical notebook drives. One partition is expressly for the operating system; the rest are for the whims of the user.

Output is equally remarkable, via the huge, bright display. Driven by the powerful ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 chipset, which features a full gigabyte of DDR5 VRAM, the display features excellent visuals no matter what you choose to do. On our tests, video-playback quality was brilliant, without hiccups, artifacts, or blurring. Audio playback through the onboard speakers proved muffled, typical for any notebook, but throw on a decent headset, and the aural sensation goes from blah to fantastic. That's because the built-in Realtek audio chip supports Creative’s EAX technology up to version 4.0, allowing for positional audio in games that use it.

Indeed, gaming is a pleasure on the Asus G73Jh—as it should be, because that’s what it’s built for. And our gaming benchmark tests came back with excellent scores. On our 3DMark Vantage test, for instance, the G73Jh scored 8,234. On the first of our real-world gaming tests, Company of Heroes, it scored a very nice 139 frames per second (fps) on the DirectX 9 (DX9) version of the test and an excellent 51.2fps under DirectX 10 (DX10). When we ran our second gaming test, Far Cry 2, the G73Jh scored a strong 92fps for DX9 and 53fps for DX10. Considering the price, these are all very impressive scores. Only the most expensive laptops, such as the $4,849 Alienware M17x, trump these numbers.

Apple MacBook Pro

Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 250GB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Screen: 13 inches (1,280x800 native resolution)
Graphics: Integrated Nvidia GeForce 320M (256MB shared)
Weight: 4.5 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 1x12.8x8.9 inches
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).

At first glance, you may not notice anything different about Apple’s latest line of MacBook Pros, introduced in April 2010. The new models, which feature 13-, 15- and 17-inch screens, sport the same sleek, minimalist design, the same keyboard, and the same touch pad as the previous iteration. Even the ports haven’t changed. To tell the difference, you really have to get down and dirty and actually start using one of these new members of the MacBook Pro family. Once you do, you’ll see advancements in performance in a line of laptops that was already well ahead of much of its market, and battery life that blows the competition out of the park.

We got our hands on an entry-level $1,199 MacBook Pro, built around a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 250GB hard drive, and a 13-inch screen. This is the base model of the group. For $200 more, you can bump up your processor to 2.66GHz and your hard drive to 320GB. The 15-inch models start at $1,799, and the 17-inchers at $2,199. The 15-inch and 17-inch models now come standard with Core i5 processors (you can upgrade to Core i7) and advanced switchable graphics technology. The 13-inch offers only Core 2 Duo CPUs and integrated Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics in both its models. Take note: With this generation of MacBook Pros, the base price of the 15-inch model has increased by $100; the 17-inch base price has decreased by $200; and the 13-inch base price stays the same.

On the outside, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is almost exactly the same as the previous version. Design-wise, we think Apple was smart to approach the new line with the attitude that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The previous line of MacBook Pros was as stunning as it was stark, and the new line carries that torch onward. The silver case, dominated by an aluminum shell with just one seam around the underside, feels plenty solid. Nothing much mars the design of the MacBook’s body: On the top of the lid is a simple white Apple logo that lights up when the laptop is in use. And, well, that’s about it. The case snaps shut with a magnetic latch, making opening the lid easy without compromising the durability of the body.

Like the previous version, the ports are located on the left side of the chassis and include an Ethernet jack, a FireWire 800 port (backward-compatible with FireWire 400, 200, and 100), a mini-DisplayPort connector (for attaching an external display), two USB 2.0 ports, an SD-card slot, and a headphone jack. Toward the front left of the chassis are indicator lights that allow for a quick look at remaining battery power. On the right side of the body are a security-lock slot and the opening for the slot-loading optical drive, which is a dual-layer DVD burner. As with previous MacBook lines, it doesn’t support Blu-ray discs.

Once you open the lid, you’ll also notice that little has changed in the design of the keyboard and touch pad (which Apple terms its "trackpad"). The full-size keyboard comes with backlit keys, and it remains perfectly spaced and nicely responsive to the touch. An ambient-light sensor adjusts the key backlighting according to the brightness of the area where you’re working.

On the keyboard deck is the generously sized, buttonless multi-touch trackpad, which has a glass surface. Instead of the two-button pad you’ll find on most other laptops, the entire pad on the MacBook Pro acts as a button, allowing you to press anywhere to enact a function; you use two fingers to right-click. One new feature related to it is that if you swipe up or down on the pad with two fingers, you’ll continue to scroll through the page until it reaches the top or bottom, just as an iPad or iPhone works. We appreciate these touches that Apple keeps adding to further bridge its products together. We also discovered that you can even toggle in and out of full-screen mode when watching a DVD by pinching and pulling on the touch pad, a nice enhancement. We found the trackpad very easy to get used to, especially since it functions much like the touch screen on an iPad or iPhone.

As with previous MacBook Pros, the pad also allows you to use a four-finger swipe to show your desktop, view all open windows, or change programs. Of course, the now-requisite multi-touch functionality is built in here as well. (This is the same as the touch features on an Apple iPhone or iPad, allowing you to zoom, rotate, and slide images around with two fingers.)

Apple MacBook Pro

Processor: 2.53GHz Intel Core i5
Memory: 4GB RAM
Storage: 500GB hard drive
Optical Drive: DVD±RW
Screen: 17 inches (1,920x1,200 native resolution)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 330M (512MB) and Intel HD Graphics (switchable)
Weight: 6.6 pounds
Dimensions (HWD): 1x15.5x10.5 inches
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)

At first glance, you may not notice anything different about Apple’s latest line of MacBook Pros, introduced in April 2010. The new models, which feature 13-, 15- and 17-inch screens, sport the same sleek, minimalist design, the same keyboard, and the same multi-touch trackpad as the previous iteration. Even the ports haven’t changed. To tell the difference, you really have to get down and dirty and actually start using one of these new members of the MacBook Pro family. Once you do, you’ll see advancements in performance in a line of laptops that was already well ahead of much of the pack and battery life that blows the competition out of the park. There's also a pretty significant price drop: The base model of the 17-inch version, which we tested, is now $200 cheaper.

We put a $2,299 MacBook Pro model, built around a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor and a 17-inch screen, through our labs testing. For an extra $200, you can bump this model up to a 2.66GHz Intel Core i7-920 processor. Both models employ the same Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics processor, with 512MB of dedicated video memory.

Apple has also refreshed the 13-inch and 15-inch versions of its MacBook Pro. The entry-level 13-inch model costs $1,199 (with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and a 250GB hard drive). The base-model 15-inch MacBook Pro costs $1,799 and features a 2.4GHz Core i5 processor and a 320GB hard drive. You're also able to upgrade certain components on these base models through the online Apple Store. To clarify: With this generation of MacBook Pros, the base price of the 17-inch model has decreased by $200, the 15-inch model's base price has increased by $100, and the 13-incher's base price stays the same.

On the outside, the 17-inch MacBook Pro is almost exactly the same as before. Design-wise, we think Apple was smart to approach the new line with the attitude that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The previous line of MacBook Pros was as stunning as it was stark, and the new line carries that torch onward. The silver case, dominated by an aluminum shell with just one seam around the underside, feels plenty solid. Nothing much mars the exterior design of the MacBook’s body: On the top of the lid is a simple white Apple logo that lights up when the laptop is in use. And, well, that’s about it. The case snaps shut with a magnetic latch, making opening the lid easy without compromising the durability of the body

Like the previous version, the ports are located on the left side of the chassis and include an Ethernet jack, a FireWire 800 port (backward-compatible with FireWire 400, 200, and 100), three USB 2.0 ports, a mini-DisplayPort connector for attaching to an external display, headphone and microphone ports, and an ExpressCard/34 slot for expansion. Toward the front left of the chassis are indicator lights that allow for a quick look at remaining battery power. On the right side of the body are a security-lock slot and the opening for the slot-loading optical drive, which is a dual-layer DVD burner. As with previous MacBook lines, this model doesn’t support Blu-ray discs.

Once you open the lid, you’ll also notice that little has changed in the design of the keyboard and multi-touch trackpad. The full-size keyboard comes with backlit keys, and it remains perfectly spaced and nicely responsive to the touch. An ambient-light sensor adjusts the key backlighting according to the brightness of the area where you’re working.

On the keyboard deck is a generously sized, buttonless trackpad with a glass surface. Instead of the two "mouse click" buttons you’ll find on most other laptops, the entire trackpad on the MacBook Pro acts as a button, allowing you to press anywhere to enact a function; you use two fingers to right-click. One new feature on the trackpad is that if you swipe up or down with two fingers, you’ll continue to scroll through the page until it reaches the top or bottom, just as an iPad or iPhone works. We appreciate these touches that Apple keeps adding to further bridge its products together. We also discovered that you can even toggle in and out of full-screen mode when watching a DVD by pinching and pulling on the touch pad, a nice enhancement. We found the trackpad very easy to get used to, especially since it functions much like the touch screen on an iPad or iPhone.

As with previous MacBook Pros, the trackpad also allows you to use a four-finger swipe to show your desktop, view all open windows, or change programs. Of course, the now-requisite multi-touch functionality is built in here as well. This is the same as the touch features on an Apple iPhone or iPad, allowing you to zoom, rotate, and slide images around with two fingers.

The 17-inch screen on the model we tested has a native resolution of 1,920x1,200, allowing for high-definition video viewing at its full 1,900x1,080 resolution. Our test model's screen had a glossy finish; you can upgrade to an anti-glare screen for $50. We found the glossy screen to be impressive, displaying movies and photos with vivid, accurate colors. Artists might want to consider upgrading to the anti-glare screen, however, as we did see considerable reflectivity when we toted the machine around our offices.

Top 3 LED Monitors

Regular readers of tech2 will know that "LED monitor" means that the backlight is LED, and the monitor display panel is still LCD. Now that that confusion is out of the way we should proceed. Slowly but surely, after LED backlights have taken over notebooks' screen lighting responsibilities, we are seeing them appear more frequently in every LCD monitor brand's latest endeavors. LED backlights claim better contrast, and moreover better power efficiency, than the regular CCFl backlights, that used to be the norm for LCD screens.

One thing about LEDs that is different from CCFL backlight is that the latter can diffuse very well, to show different levels of brightness. But LEDs use Pulse Width Modulation to show that they are dimming in brightness, meaning that the light actually is emitting at its full brightness whenever on, and to actually show different levels of brightness, the light is put on and off at fast flicker rates. So if you need a darker image, it is put off for longer periods. But of course the human eye cannot see this happen, it’s all above the fusion threshold of the human eye. These are 3 of our favorite LED-lit LCD monitors released in the very recent past.

Winner : BenQ V2200 LCD Monitor (LED lit)
Rs. 14,999

This one is a clear winner due to a number of factors. I agree it does not have any fluff in the form of webcam and speakers, but pure contrast-wise, none come anywhere close to this. The detail and sharpness also are on a higher level altogether. A few points need mention here - the colors were spectacular, but weren’t theoretically perfect, as all the 3 channels in our color plug had merging issues in highest intensity bars. This again is directly related to the backlight baring overpowering luminance to the shades. Thus one needs to actually reduce the brightness to below 50, to get the deep blacks and well gradated whites. Connector-wise we have a single HDMI in, and a VGA in, no DVI. This too is odd, and surely is a cost cutting tactic. This model has a screen size of 21.5 inches, and a native resolution of 1920 x 1080. The slim bezel makes it look wider, actually, but it’s a true 16:9 aspect ratio. The LCD panel itself is assumed to be a TN panel. Brightness is rated at 250 Cd/m2 but one must remember that the backlight is an LED backlight. Response time is 5 ms. The contrast is rated at 1000:1, and the dynamic contrast is rated at 5,000,000:1.

Dell Studio 15 Desktop

Dell laptops are known for their rugged build, the value for money they offer, and for the options for customization. In fact, Dell has taken the customization part a rung higher with its partnership with OPI, a leading nail care company. So while you customize your Dell laptop online, you can choose from various OPI designs for the lid of a laptop.

Design and build quality
The Dell Studio 15 is essentially a desktop replacement mainly because it offers a 15.6-inch screen and weighs about 2.65 Kg. It sports a fantastic design and is superb in terms of ergonomics too. Even as far as the aesthetics go, it looks stylish, yet professional. The model that came to our test labs featured a stylish OPI design called ‘I’m Not Really a Waitress’. Now, this design isn’t bad, and, with its rose-pinks, whites and dark shadows, it is most likely to attract a female audience. On the other hand, the quality of the print is a big turn-off, mainly because it is grainy, its colors aren’t deep and look washed out. You might want to consider other designs if not the standard solid color options.
Apart from the custom design, the unit follows a black-grey theme, where the screen frame and keyboard rim are black and the wrist rest is grey. Except the sides and the base, the entire unit has a glossy finish, hence prone to dust and finger prints.

Take a cross section view and you’ll notice a wedge-like tapering design and a drop hinge which is common to Dell’s XPS series of laptop such as the XPS 16, minus the use of metal ofcourse. Though the shell is mostly plastic, it is ruggedly built overall and is rather bulky to carry around. In terms of ergonomics, the keyboard has well-sized and aptly placed keys, which makes usage quite comfortable. Although the touchpad is smaller than what you’d find on other desktop replacements, it is comfortable to use. The good part is that unlike the rest of body, it has a matte finish. Overall, it’s a very comfortable machine to work on.

Features
The Dell Studio 15 offers excellent performance and an above average feature set. Built around an Intel HM 55 chipset, it is powered by an Intel Core i3 350M processor. It has 4 GB DDR3 RAM and a roomy 500 GB hard drive. The discrete graphics is courtesy an ATI Radeon HD 5470, and the 15.6-inch screen is glossy and has a native resolution of 1366 x 768, which is common to most laptops.

Here’s the interesting part, this particular unit with its custom design costs Rs 49,300, and, on the company’s website, the OPI design which costs around Rs 3,000, is not selected by default . So, with the standard option, you can buy the unit at a lesser price. In this case, the Studio 15 offers good value for money. On the other hand, we compared the Studio 15 (with OPI design) to a laptop which features almost identical hardware, hence same performance, but is much richer in features, the Asus N61Jv . While the N61Jv costs higher (Rs 50,490, excluding taxes), it is equipped with Nvidia’s Optimus technology, Asus’ Sonic Master and it features has a USB 3 port too. Above all, the GPU in it is more powerful and the audio quality is better too, so the game-play and overall audio-visual experience is obviously superior. Therefore it offers more value for money (from the price-performance ratio and features point of view). But if you don’t want all of this and if sheer CPU power suffices, then the Dell Studio 15 (without the design ofcourse) is a better pick. On a side note, you even have the option to get more processing power from the Studio 15 in a sub-50K price, just opt for the one with an Intel Corei7 processor.
The rest of the features include 2 USB, an eSATA and a FireWire port. Common display options are HDMI and VGA. The laptop has a slot-loading DVD-writer, a 2 megapixel webcam, a PC-card slot, a memory card reader, and 3 audio jacks. The connectivity options are gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth. The machine is pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium and bundles with it a number of discs for, Dell’s FastAccess Video capture utility, Webcam Central software, CyberLink PowerDVD and so on.

Highlight
The recent partnership between Dell and OPI Products Inc. has much to offer people who like to give a personal touch to their laptops. If you want to take a quick look at the color and design options, logon to Dell's Flickr site . Also, the latest designs, inspired by the city of Hong Kong are available on all Dell Inspiron and Studio laptops, including the Studio 14 and the new Mini 10 laptops.

New to Gaming? Start With the PS2

Gaming is growing in India, and more and more people are getting into it now. So one question that I get asked a lot is, “Should I buy an Xbox 360 or PS3?”. Strangely, the Wii never makes that shortlist, but what’s really surprising is that these people, most of who have never been into serious gaming, completely overlook the PS2. Why would you want a PS2 when there’s the PS3, right? Well, it’s not quite that simple. If you’ve never gamed before, then you don’t quite know whether it’s something that’s going to hold your interest for too long. Do you then want to sink over Rs 20,000 into something that you might not use? How about a console that instead shows you what video games are all about at only the fraction of the price of a PS3? If that sounds good to you, you need to get yourself a PS2, and I’m about to tell you why.

Firstly, video games are an art form, so while today’s games look better and employ cutting-edge tech, the classic games, many of which are on the PS2, are just as much fun to play today as the day they released simply because of the ideas that went into making them. The PS2 has arguably the best games library of any home console. Ever. So if you’re a new PS2 owner, you’re never going to run out of good games. The second point in favor of the PS2 is reliability. I’m still using the PS2 that I bought in 2001, while I’ve had my Xbox 360 (purchased in 2006) replaced four times, and I’m on my second PS3 in three years. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve neglected my PS2 since moving to the newer consoles, but even after gathering dust for months on end, the old timer fires right up when I’m in the mood for some giant slaying in Shadow of the Colossus. It’s the kind of hardware reliability that current generation consoles can only dream of.

Another important factor is compatibility. HDTV penetration is still quite low in India, and owning an HDTV is an important prerequisite before buying an Xbox 360 or PS3. For those who don’t own an HDTV, these consoles are an absolute no-no, because the games that are available for them are designed for high definition displays. So if you’re still on a standard definition CRT TV, a PS2 is a much better proposition. Last, but certainly not the least, is the price factor. The PS2 console will set you back Rs 5,990. Add Rs 2,000 more to get yourself four great games, and you’re good to go. By contrast, the PS3 console is priced at Rs 19,990, with games starting at Rs 999 (although the good ones cost a lot more). So you can get gaming on the PS2 at almost one-fourth the cost. Of course, once you do get hooked, you’re going to want to move up to the newer consoles and the high definition goodness they bring.

If you’re willing to pay the price of admission, I certainly wouldn’t discourage you from opting for the Xbox 360 or PS3 instead, because they too offer great gaming experiences. I, for one, find it hard to go back to many older games after being spoiled by the HD eye candy that the newer consoles offer. But I also know that with these consoles, your expenses don’t stop at just the hardware. Games are expensive, and so are the accessories that you will inevitably buy. So if you’re just looking for a taste of what video games have to offer, the PS2 will give you that in abundance. It’s the perfect entry-level console and home to some of the best games ever made. You just can’t go wrong with it.