Google Nexus 10

A jaw-dropping 2560-by-1600-pixel ultra-high-resolution display paired with a powerful new Samsung Exynos processor makes the Google Nexus 10 (Est. $450) the most compelling Android alternative to the fourth-generation Apple iPad . The lightweight slate is well built, but the lack of tablet-optimized Android apps hurts. The Google Nexus 10 includes the newest version of the Android operating system.

Performance

Powerful and pretty. The Samsung Exynos 5 Dual processor powering the Nexus 10 and its display provides punchy and responsive performance, although the ultra-high resolution can cause the most cutting-edge of 3D games to hiccup a bit as they struggle to fill all those pixels. Everyday performance screams along just fine, and reviewers say the audio is loud and excellent. On the downside, battery life is just average and the micro-USB charger fills the battery slowly.

Features

Android's latest software. Aside from the stunning display, the Nexus 10's biggest claim to fame is the inclusion of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the latest build of Google's operating system. This upgrade adds a 360-degree panoramic photo mode with the 5-megapixel rear camera, multi-user login capabilities, enhanced security features, a much-improved virtual keyboard and support for the Miracast streaming wireless display standard. As a flagship Nexus device, the 10 should also receive timely operating system updates.
Reviewers' two biggest criticisms are a complete lack of expandable storage or cellular data capabilities and the poor state of the Google Play Store from a tablet perspective. Simply put, developers simply haven't created many tablet-optimized Android apps, much less any capable of admirably taking advantage of the Nexus 10's plentiful pixels. The Nexus 10's high-quality overall package makes it an enticing proposition at $450, which is less than the fourth-generation iPad. But just be sure you're happy with the Android app selection before spurning Apple's tablet.

Ease of use

A mote in the high-resolution eye. Navigation is simple most of the time, but the Retina-beating display has one weakness: poor viewing at off-center angles. Experts say the Nexus 10's lightweight and thin build makes it easy to hold for hours on end, but if you're looking for something a bit more portable, they point to the 7-inch, quad-core processor-powered Google Nexus 7 (Est. $230 and up) as an alternative. It's also available in a cellular data-equipped version (Est. $310). 
 strength :

• Highest-resolution display available
• Powerful performance
• Android 4.2 operating system
• Good build quality

weakness :

• No expandable storage or cellular options
• Limited tablet-optimized Android apps available

 Buy now...!!!

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (Est. $450) boasts powerful performance and productivity-focused features such as the touch-sensitive S Pen stylus and an efficient multitasking mode. There's even an IR remote to control home-theater electronics, along with a host of other extras. But if you don't need those bells and whistles, other tablets deliver just as much performance and nicer screens for a similar price. Performance Fast on the inside, fuzzy on the outside. Reviewers say the quad-core Exynos processor powering the Galaxy Note 10.1 screams through tasks and responds in a snap, although there's a hint of lag when you have two apps open simultaneously. The S Pen works well most of the time, but isn't 100 percent accurate. Battery life is epic, and audio rings out loud and clear. The screen's brightness outshines the competition, but experts say the 1280-by-800-pixel resolution is a disappointment in a premium Android tablet. That's the same resolution found in the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 (Est. $230 and up) , and less than that of the highly regarded Google Nexus 10 (Est. $350 and up) . Features Stacked with extras. The entire Galaxy Note 10.1 experience revolves around the touch-sensitive S Pen stylus; the tablet ships with several drawing and handwriting apps designed to take full advantage of the input device. Unfortunately, few Android apps aside from those support stylus functionality, although Samsung's helpful S Suggest app identifies stylus-friendly apps in the Google Play Store to which the Galaxy Note 10.1 has full access. The device includes an IR blaster paired with the Peel Remote Control app, along with Samsung's AllShare Play app that lets you stream pictures and movies to DLNA-compatible TVs on the same Wi-Fi network. Additional apps make sharing with other Samsung mobile devices seamless. Galaxy Note 10.1 owners also get a free two-year, 50 GB Dropbox cloud storage subscription, which augments the 16 GB of onboard storage that's comparatively paltry for a premium tablet. The tablet's two cameras work well, but aren't anything special. The base Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 sports only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but 4G LTE-equipped versions are now available for AT&T and Verizon networks. Ease of use Little to complain about. This 10-inch tablet is a bit heavier than its competitors, but we see no complaints about the Galaxy Note 10.1 being too bulky. As noted, the quad-core processor proves highly responsive, although some lag occurs when two apps are open simultaneously in multitasking mode. Reflections make it difficult to see the screen if you move too far to one side, although reviewers say this shouldn't be a problem in everyday use. strength : S Pen stylus and handwriting/drawing apps IR remote functionality Side-by-side app multitasking Great performance .weakness : Relatively low-resolution display Few stylus-friendly apps available . Buy now...!!!

Sony Xperia Tablet Z

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z (Est. $500 and up) is a capable 10-inch tablet that performs well, but doesn't do any one thing particularly outstandingly. However, reviewers rave about how lightweight it is. Its unique selling point of being water-resistant to a depth of three feet for 30 minutes is useful if you plan on using your tablet around water, but otherwise you may find all the flaps covering the plug-ins for connectors and headphones a bit annoying.

Performance

OK performance. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z's performance draws neither raves nor complaints. It has a fast processor and good graphics, though its "better than full-HD" resolution isn't quite up to that of the Google Nexus 10 screen (Est. $350 and up) or that of the iPad (Est. $500 and up). Reviewers also report that the Xperia Tablet Z's speakers are passable.

Features

Ultra-stylish and thin. The design of this 10-inch tablet is the wow factor and matches the thin, sleek and smart design of the Sony Xperia smartphone. Sony claims that the Xperia Tablet Z is the thinnest 10-inch tablet in the world, being a mere 0.27 inch thick -- a pencil is 0.35 inch thick. The unique selling point of this tablet, though, is that it's waterproof, to three feet deep. Several reviewers tested this out by holding their tablets under running water for 10 minutes or more, and found this claim to be true. Unlike some other tablets, the Tablet Z has expandable storage, an HDMI connection to connect to your TV, an IR blaster to control your TV, and Near Field Communication as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

Ease of use

Water-resistant. Reviewers key in on the incredibly light weight of the Xperia Tablet Z and state that it means that you can easily hold it for extended periods of time. A reviewer reports that the soft-touch, tactile finish of the rear of the tablet is prone to fingerprints, and another calls it "the biggest fingerprint magnet we have ever seen." Because the Xperia Tablet Z is water-resistant, there are flaps covering all the ports, so you have to lift them up to access all the connections and headphone sockets. Operating system-wise, Sony has added its own tweaks to the latest version of Android, including themes and shortcut icons, to make it more user-friendly.
strength :

• Very light in weight
• Water-resistant
• Remote TV and media device control
• Expandable storage

weakness :

• Flaps cover all slots
• OK performance

Buy now...!!!

cyberpower FangBook Evo HX7-200

A gaming laptop that's a great bang for your buck, the CyberPower FangBook Evo HX7-200 packs everything you probably want and more into a sturdy boutique body for a reasonable price. You get the latest Haswell processor, powerful Nvidia graphics, Blu-ray Disc drive and more, but size suffers. Prepare to haul around more than 10 pounds of notebook to get your gaming fix.

Performance

Outpaces older gaming notebooks. The FangBook Evo HX7-200 was already one of experts' favorite gaming laptops before it got a Core i7-4700MQ Intel Haswell processor. "Our Worldbench 8.1 benchmark suite is still relatively new, so we haven't amassed a large collection of scores that we can compare to the FangBook Evo, but a Notebook Worldbench 8.1 score of 417 indicates the FangBook is clearly in a different league," PC World writes. The only way to get a better gaming laptop? Drop $3,000 to $4,000 or so on one with even more powerful graphics. That'll get you higher frame rates at max settings, but rest assured, the FangBook can handle any title you throw at it. Of course, you can always configure your Evo HX7-200 for more power when you buy it. Battery life isn't great with the last-gen processor -- just over two hours, about average for a gaming laptop -- but the energy-efficient Haswell chip should improve that (however, while the Evo has now been out a while, no expert review we could spot directly addresses that).

Ergonomics

"As elegant as a water buffalo." This is one of those old-school, 2-inch-thick gaming cinderblocks. It tips the scales at 8.5 pounds, plus the 2.2-pound power brick you'll haul wherever you go, and looks "about as elegant as a water buffalo," PC World says. That's not unusual for a serious gaming laptop, but the 4-pound Razer Blade (Est. $1,800 and up) , our Best Reviewed choice, is sleek by comparison. There's no touch screen and the trackpad isn't multi-touch, but gamers will probably use the keyboard and an external mouse, anyway. A full array of ports includes wired Ethernet, as well as a memory card reader and Blu-ray Disc drive, all of which the Razer jettisons in the name of skinniness.

Design

Big screen, nice speakers. Unlike the Razer Blade, which could almost pass for a MacBook, there's nothing subtle about the FangBook's design. "CyberPowerPC wants the FangBook to stop traffic," HotHardware.com says, so it's wrapped in "what looks like space-age armor." Reminiscent of RoboCop, angular black and silver panels surround a glowing red CyberPowerPC logo on the lid. Inside, the Evo HX7-200's 17.3-inch, full 1080p HD screen is perfect for gaming and watching Blu-ray movies. Even the audio sounds really good for a laptop, thanks to stereo speakers with an integrated subwoofer.

Support and reliability

Most improved (for desktops). In 2011 and 2012, PCMag.com surveyed its readers to find the most reliable computers. The first year, CyberPower desktops had "by far the worst repair rate of any company," but by 2012 it had soared to second place among all brands. At the time there weren't enough CyberPower laptop owners to make the ratings, and the brand doesn't appear at all in the 2013 survey. The FangBook comes with a standard one-year warranty, plus lifetime tech support.

Value

Do you mind buying in bulk? If you're a gamer, the FangBook Evo HX7-200 has all the features you probably want. If you're looking for the most powerful gaming laptop under $2,000, look no further. But it's gargantuan. If you can do without the Blu-ray Disc drive and a few ports, you can get competitive power from the Best Reviewed Razer Blade in a 4-pound, Ultrabook-thin package that you can actually carry around.

strength :

• Powerful gaming performance
• Big 1,080p display
• Nice speakers

weakness :

• Not very portable at 10 pounds plus
• Battery life questionable
• No touch screen

Buy now...!!!

Acer Aspire S7

Breathtakingly slim and gorgeous, the aluminum and glass Acer Aspire S7 wows testers with swift performance to match. Only a lower-resolution though still very nice display keeps it from the top of the Windows Ultrabook pack. Performance Super-fast, and the battery lasts. The newest configurations of the Acer Aspire S7 (the Acer Aspire S7-392) come with the latest Intel Core processors code-named Haswell -- choose between Core i5 and Core i7 -- 8 GB RAM instead of 4 GB and faster RAID 0 solid-state drives. The integrated graphics chip with 128 MB of dedicated system memory is fine for light gaming. Battery life is good at 8.5 hours in tests, but is bested by other Haswell-based machines and trounced by some, such as the 13-inch MacBook Air (Est. $1,050 and up) . Ergonomics One of the thinnest you can buy. The Acer S7's stellar touch screen makes navigating Windows 8 a breeze: You can pinch, tap and swipe to your heart's content. However, the display is lower resolution than some competitors. For example, the Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus (Est. $1,400) boasts a QuadHD+ 3,200-by-1,800-pixel screen. At just a half-inch thick and well under 3 pounds, the Acer is even thinner and lighter than the 13-inch Air, but its svelte profile is matched by other Windows Ultraportables, including Samsung's offering, which also weighs nearly a half-pound less. If the absolute lightest laptop is a must, the 1.9-pound Sony Vaio Pro 11 (Est. $1,150 and up) blows both away, though at the expense of lower performance. Keyboard ergonomics are upgraded from earlier-generation S7's, but Laptop Magazine holds that there's still some room for improvement. Port selection is still slim, as usual for an Ultrabook; you get two USB 3.0 jacks, an HDMI port, headphone jack and memory card slot. Design Gorgeous design, with a few practical bobbles. Critics wholeheartedly agree that few laptops look as stunning as the S7. Its tapered aluminum unibody looks minimalist and clean, with a scratch-resistant white Gorilla Glass lid. CNET complains that the glass-covered lid does feel a little top-heavy, however. Laptop Magazine notes that the lid is a hair shorter than the deck, resulting in "a configuration that is interesting to look at, but makes opening the notebook a bit of a hassle." The sturdy hinge takes a little more effort to move past 100 degrees or so, but PCMag.com notes that it gives the S7 "a rock solid screen during touch operations, without the bounce you'll see in some other touch ultrabooks." Support and reliability Facebook and Twitter are best for tech support. Acer's one-year warranty is nothing special and doesn't win it a Readers' Choice award at PCMag.com, whose editors consider reliability. It does score highest among all brands for ease of setup, however, with everything almost always working perfectly right out of the box. Acer's tech support continues to improve according to this year's Laptop Magazine tech support "showdown" but scores relatively poorly in the site's rankings of best and worst laptop brands. Value The best doesn't come cheap. You can get Haswell-powered Ultrabooks for less cash, but they won't have the Acer Aspire S7's super-svelte body or gorgeous design. However, some competitors have closed the distance -- if not caught up -- by delivering systems with similar performance, similar build quality, similar profiles, but added features such as higher-resolution screens.
strength :

• Exquisite design
• 1,080p HD (or more) touch screen
• Incredibly thin, light
• Fast performance
• Improved keyboard, battery life

weakness:
Screen resolution falls short of some competitors

Buy now...!!!

Asus Zenbook UX51VZ

Inside the slim, sleek aluminum shell of the Asus Zenbook UX51VZ lays a great Windows-based multimedia laptop, experts say. But the more expensive 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Est. $2,000 and up) is a more powerful performer. Performance "A power users' ultraportable." The Zenbook UX51VZ comes absolutely stuffed with goodies, Engadget.com says. There's a quad-core Core i7 processor, but not the latest Haswell processors as of this update; 8 GB of RAM; powerful Nvidia graphics; and blisteringly fast dual 128 GB solid-state drives. Step-up drives and processors are available. The Zenbook can play most games but runs alarmingly hot on graphics-heavy titles even with the settings turned down. It manages to web-surf or play video for four to six hours in tests, leading PCMag.com to dub it "a power users' ultraportable," though Haswell-based Ultraportables now have longer battery life. Ergonomics Comfortable, even without a touch screen. You'll navigate Windows 8 via the multi-touch clickpad, which testers say works well, and the UX51VZ's comfy keyboard helps. The Asus is just under 0.8 inch wide and light enough to commute with at 4.6 pounds, and it squeezes in more ports than most Ultrabooks. You get three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, mini VGA, a combo headphone/microphone jack, Ethernet and SD/MMC card reader. However, there's no DVD or Blu-ray Disc drive. The Zenbook UX51VZ normally runs cool but gets very hot trying to play demanding games like "Batman: Arkham City" in more than one test. Again, it's not designed for heavy gaming. Design Splendid screen, speakers, even a subwoofer. "Beautiful," Laptop Magazine calls the brushed-aluminum Zenbook case, crafted with subtle concentric circles on the lid. Inside is the 15.6-inch, 1080p HD matte display that multimedia lovers crave. It's relatively glare-free, with nice, wide viewing angles and bright, vivid colors, adjustable through Asus' Splendid Utility. It's not as high-res as the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display but is very nice nonetheless, experts say. Audio sounds equally rich thanks to the Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers and a tiny 3.5-inch, tube-shaped, plug-in subwoofer that makes the sound "immediately fuller," CNET says. You can fine-tune the audio through the Zenbook's built-in Waves MaxxAudio and MaxxLeveler software. Support and reliability Great warranty, but mixed reviews for tech support. Owners say Asus laptops rarely break down, and that dependability helps the brand win a Readers' Choice award at PCMag.com. The UX51VZ is backed by a one-year warranty that includes free two-way standard shipping and 24/7 tech support; one year of accidental damage coverage against drops, spills, power surges and fire damage; and a 30-day display guarantee. However, PCMag.com readers rate Asus low for tech support. Value "Worth the money." If you want a fantastically portable Windows multimedia laptop and you're willing to pay for it, the Asus Zenbook UX51VZ won't disappoint. You'll enjoy tremendous power, a big beautiful screen, rich-sounding speakers, rock-solid build and a high-end warranty. "Yes, it's pricey," CNET says. "But as a multimedia machine that can do business and casual gaming, the UX51VZ is a four-star Windows 8 laptop and worth the money."
strength :

• Powerful performance
• Full-HD screen, speakers
• Thin, light aluminum design

weakness:

• No touch screen
• No optical drive
• Mediocre battery life

Buy now...!!!

Sony Vaio Pro 11

The lightest Ultrabook on Earth, the Sony Vaio Pro 11 catches critics' eyes with its stylish carbon-fiber shell and beautiful full-HD touch screen. Performance is on par with other Ultrabooks equipped with Intel's latest Core processor. The responsive touch screen is well liked, but the keyboard isn't. Performance Standard Ultrabook stuff. Performance compared to the current crop of Haswell-powered Ultrabooks isn't earth-shattering, but experts say you'll get peppy performance for day-to-day tasks whether you pick the Core i5 or i7 version. You can configure either one with a 128 GB or 256 GB solid-state drive. Integrated graphics mean no intense gaming, but that's standard for an Ultrabook. Battery life, however, isn't consistent in tests. In ComputerShopper.com's "grueling" video-playback test, the Sony lasts for just four hours and 20 minutes. PCMag.com gets the same numbers, but other testers get six to seven hours, even while playing video. An optional sheet battery (Est. $150) doubles the juice, but it adds about 10 ounces. Ergonomics "Impossibly light." The Sony's featherweight feel is the first thing you'll notice. "Impossibly light," says Engadget.com. "You can imagine what a convenience that is on a day-to-day basis," especially if you're a business traveler. A fantastic touch screen and mostly smooth touchpad make it easy to navigate Windows 8. The Vaio Pro 11's small keyboard feels somewhat flexy and cramped, however; some testers get used to it, but others never do. Ports are standard Ultrabook fare: two USB 3.0 jacks, an HDMI port, headphone/microphone combo jack and memory card slot. Design Rich-looking, inside and out. Sony's carbon-fiber body looks "delicious," Engadget.com says. Plus, it just feels great: "Its construction exemplifies quality," reports ComputerShopper.com. Yet both the black and silver models scratch easily in tests. The Vaio Pro 11's 11.6-inch, full 1080p HD display looks sharp and brilliant, but there's no option to upgrade to an even sharper 2,560-by-1,440-pixel screen like you can with the Acer Aspire S7 (Est. $1,330 and up) . The speakers are OK, but nothing special, reviewers say. Support and reliability Rock solid. Sony outclasses all other laptop brands, even Apple, in Laptop Magazine's tech-support test. Staffers throw anonymous questions at Sony's live chat, Twitter, Facebook and phone techs, and all prove friendly, prompt and helpful. Searching Sony's website turns up useful answers, too. PCMag.com's reader survey, which also considers reliability, ranks Sony laptops near the top for overall satisfaction. Value Lightness costs extra. Small but mighty, the Sony Vaio Pro 11 is an excellent choice if a lightweight laptop is paramount. If you can deal with an extra pound, however, you'll find bigger screens and more comfortable keyboards on the Acer Aspire S7 and 13-inch MacBook Air (Est. $1,050 and up) .
strength :

• Lightest Ultrabook you can buy
• 1,080p HD touch screen
• Award-winning Sony tech support

weakness:

• Battery life gets mixed reviews
• Cramped keyboard

Buy now...!!!