Review Archive

Results 1 to 25 of 62.

Droid by Motorola mobile phone
Is this the Android handset to own? 30 October 2009 20:09 GMT

The Good
Screen, Verizon network, Wi-Fi, QWERTY keyboard

The Bad
No multi-touch browsing, no emotion

Verdict
This is a fantastic phone, but would we personally choose it over the Hero? Not, if the Hero, as suggested by HTC, will be getting Android 2.0
Left 4 Dead 2 - Xbox 360 / PC - First Look
Is this really a new game? 30 October 2009 17:15 GMT

The Good
Vast amounts of fun

The Bad
Is it really a new game?

Verdict
It's most definitely a better game than the already-excellent original
BlueLounge Refresh charging station
Will this keep your charging tidy? 30 October 2009 16:12 GMT

The Good
Simple, expandable using your own cables, keeps everything tidy

The Bad
The top is only held in place by gravuity, it is expensive

Verdict
The price is the biggest stumbling block for the BlueLounge Refresh, which otherwise does what it says on the tin
Public Enemies - DVD
Another Michael Mann classic? 30 October 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
It’s beautifully shot, with some sumptuous photography

The Bad
It feels like it doesn’t do enough with its subject matter, while Bale is fast developing into a predictable and tedious character rut

Verdict
Undoubtedly suave, beautifully shot and smoothly put together, Public Enemies still weirdly fails to hit the spot
Apple Magic Mouse
Is this worth the fingering? 30 October 2009 8:38 GMT

The Good
Touch scrolling up and down is a breeze

The Bad
Side swipe is hard to master

Verdict
This is a nice idea and one when we heard the news very tempted by. While touch certainly is the future of the mouse, the Magic Mouse isn't that future just yet
Casa Bugatti Vera Kettle
The Veyron of the kitchen? 29 October 2009 16:07 GMT

The Good
Head-turningly good design, clever LED display, super fast boil and programmable timer

The Bad
Eye-wateringly expensive, tricky to fill, fiddly controls and wasteful

Verdict
A must have accessory for kitchen fashionistas, but as a basic water boiler it’s harder to use than a cheap plastic student kettle
INQ Mini 3G mobile phone
Social mobiling on a budget? 29 October 2009 15:24 GMT

The Good
Social network integration, affordable, HSDPA

The Bad
Poor keyboard, no 3.5mm jack, no FM radio, could take a step further with integration

Verdict
For those who want a compact and affordable phone, which offers the integration of the major social networks, then the INQ Mini 3G is well worth a look. But do try the keyboard as we found this the most annoying aspect of the device
Wildcharge wireless charger
Will this free you from wires? 29 October 2009 9:34 GMT

The Good
Works well with compatible gadgets, no charge-time overhead, compact solution, charges multiple devices at once

The Bad
An expensive solution to a minor problem, still have to plug devices in with multi-adaptor

Verdict
The WildCharge isn’t going to revolutionise the industry in its current guise, but it’s an intriguing solution none the less
Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera
We get down with the advanced mid-range model 28 October 2009 14:52 GMT

The Good
Build, image quality, viewfinder, performance and speed, AF, flash control, HD video, ergonomics, LCD

The Bad
Looks pricey, purple fringing on some high contrast shots with 18-135mm kit lens

Verdict
An accomplished and well-equipped semi-professional camera with professional build and specification that’s capable of stunning results and at high resolution too. It looks expensive, but as a step down from canon EOS 1D Mk III, it makes a lot of sense indeed and without that much of a compromise on performance. This is simply a superb new EOS and one that should be a hot contender for your cash
Griffin Simplifi dock
Will this do more than just recharge your Apple gadget? 28 October 2009 12:30 GMT

The Good
Simple, works, CompactFlash support

The Bad
Only two USB sockets

Verdict
It's simple, but it gets the job done.
Sony VAIO VPC-X11Z1E/X notebook
We put the X-series on trial 28 October 2009 9:22 GMT

The Good
Amazingly small, thin and light, great screen, battery life

The Bad
Atom processor limits multi-tasking, expensive

Verdict
Incredibly small and light, this laptop sets the bar for portability, but it’s expensive and has the entire netbook market snapping at its heels
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 beta
Do the improvements make it better or worse? 27 October 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
New features, quicker, more options, flickr support, no current information on whether you'll be able to export catalogue into full version

The Bad
Can't currently import Lightroom 2 catalogue, Not the full package, Beta runs out in 2010

Verdict
Promising, but in its current state you'll find this is a weekend intrigue rather than your new favourite software package until the final version is released.
Sony S-Frame DPP-F700 digital photo frame - First Look
Can this show off your photos and your prints? 27 October 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Can make borderless prints at the press of a button, card reader, nice screen.

The Bad
Form factor, no Wi-Fi, menu system is awkward

Verdict
This really is one of those moments where the end result could have been so much better
LG W2230S monitor
Will this brighten up your computer? 27 October 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Great design, small foot print, colour options

The Bad
Lacks connectivity, no swivel

Verdict
We like the size and simplicity and it's inoffensive footprint makes it a great partner for a netbook or nettop PC where space is limited.
HP SimpleSave 320GB hard drive
Can this take the hassle out of backing up? 26 October 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Automatic, simple to use

The Bad
No Mac support

Verdict
Simple by name, simple by nature
Canon PowerShot G11 digital camera
Do less pixels than the G10 make for a better camera? 26 October 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Solid feel construction, vari-angle LCD, better results at higher ISOs than we’ve witnessed from competing brands (if staying at or below ISO 3200)

The Bad
Standard definition video, still priced the same as an entry level DSLR (albeit a cheaper option than buying DSLR plus lens with equivalent focal range)

Verdict
Solid feel contender for enthusiastic amateurs wanting a more portable back up for their existing DSLR, without sacrificing too much in the way of manual control. Shame no HD video though, and the price may cause eyes to water
Windows 7 Ultimate
Is Microsoft's latest OS up to scratch? 23 October 2009 16:11 GMT

The Good
Easy to use, quick to install, stable, great for both work and play

The Bad
Difficulties with 64-bit

Verdict
Stable, speedy and usable. Microsoft has created a great OS.
Buffalo MiniStation Metro hard drive
Is this robust hard drive up to the fight? 23 October 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Looks good, big sizes, price, USB cable tucks inside

The Bad
Not really that robust, large

Verdict
Travellers will like the no cluttered cable approach
Drag Me To Hell - DVD
Can Raimi still put the frighteners on? 23 October 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Sam Raimi’s flair for horror remains intact, as does his eye for memorably twisted set-pieces

The Bad
It feels shorter than its 1hr 40m running time, and the thin extras on the standard DVD make the single-disc package feel a touch on the light side. And where's Bruce Campbell?

Verdict
Swapping brutality for good old-fashioned primal fear and imagination, Drag Me To Hell turns out as a striking, enjoyable, and at times startlingly visceral shocker
Apple Mac mini 2.53GHz
An ideal starter Mac? 23 October 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Compact design, near silent operation, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and plenty of power

The Bad
No SD card slot, USB slots close

Verdict
So there are few niggles with the Mac mini. It's the usual seamless operation we've come to expect from Apple. You take it out of the box and it just works. With the upgrades coming in at the same prices as the last versions, the new Mac mini looks very tempting indeed
Altec Lansing Orbit iM237 USB speaker
Can this improve your laptop's sound? 22 October 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Small, powered via USB, good enough for your hotel room

The Bad
Poor bass, distortion at loud volumes

Verdict
This is a way of enhancing your laptops speakers on the cheap rather than making your tunes sound the best they possibly could
Microsoft Mobile Mouse 4000
A mouse to take on your travels? 22 October 2009 9:53 GMT

The Good
Small, portable, and full of useful features

The Bad
Becomes uncomfortable with protracted usage

Verdict
Great addition to a mobile worker's laptop bag
BlackBerry Bold 9700 - First Look
An update worth getting excited about? 21 October 2009 19:04 GMT

The Good
Great keyboard, excellent screen

The Bad
Nothing in the user interface has really changed

Verdict
Overall, in our short time with the device, the Bold 9700 seems like a solid improvement on the old Bold. It doesn't do anything terribly revolutionary - focusing on the communications experience above everything else - but it's a solid smartphone choice for those who put messaging above everything else
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - PS3
Will this be Sony's big Christmas hit? 21 October 2009 16:42 GMT

The Good
Incredible aesthetics, total non-stop action, keeps you thoroughly hooked

The Bad
Some strangely over-powered enemies

Verdict
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to play an Indiana Jones film, then Uncharted 2 is what you've always dreamed of. Sheer bliss
HTC Tattoo mobile phone
Does this mass market device have mass market appeal? 21 October 2009 9:33 GMT

The Good
Affordable, compact, HTC Sense, full tech spec sheet

The Bad
Marketplace currently a little sparse, resistive touchscreen downgrades the experience, onscreen keyboard a little too small

Verdict
If you are looking for an affordable and friendly entry to the Android world then the HTC Tattoo is worthy of consideration, but if you can stretch to the Hero, you'll get so much more out of it