Review Archive

Results 1 to 25 of 63.

Current Cost CC128 ENVI electricity monitor
Will this help you save money and the environment at home? 31 July 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Easy to read display, easy to set-up, ability to download data

The Bad
Not much, but it won't physically reduce your energy consumption

Verdict
After the first couple of days the information it provides you with ceases to scare and become matter of fact
Knowing - DVD
All numbers and no action? 31 July 2009 15:33 GMT

The Good
The action sequences are powerful and striking, more humanised than traditional Hollywood fare thanks to its subject matter

The Bad
There are a few elements and clues along the way that feel like they should be tied up, but are left hanging. Oh, and there are some god-awful parenting techniques on display

Verdict
It won’t be to everybody’s liking, but is intriguing enough to take a punt on
LaCie LaCinema Black MAX media streamer
A streamer worthy of LaConsideration? 31 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Slimline design, easy to set up and use, excellent streaming performance, impressive PVR functionality

The Bad
Basic remote control, basic interface, expensive

Verdict
It’s difficult to criticise the LaCinema Black MAX in terms of usability and performance, but for this price it’s difficult to give it a full recommendation as well
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - PS3 - First Look
Can this build on the first outing? 30 July 2009 18:09 GMT

The Good
Updated gameplay, good graphics, easy to get into, story looks good too

The Bad
No offline multiplayer, short

Verdict
If you liked the first outing you'll love this
Grand Designs Self Build and Development - PC
Dreaming of a self build home? 30 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Massive range of objects and interiors, drag and drop system makes it very fast to use, extremely flexible

The Bad
Presentation a little disappointing, wealth of options available can be daunting, occasional graphical glitches

Verdict
Self Build & Development is an approachable way to design a home and offers an impressive level of detail and fine-tuning
Samsung Highlight mobile phone
Can this offer you an alternative to everything else? 29 July 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Smaller than the iPhone, responsive touchscreen

The Bad
No Wi-Fi, screen is on the small side, no 3.5mm jack

Verdict
The problem the Samsung Highlight suffers is not that it's a bad handset, but that it believes it's better than it really is
Toshiba Qosmio G50-127 notebook
A perfect desktop replacement? 29 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Outstanding keyboard, great everyday performance

The Bad
Still no support for Blu-ray, screen could be sharper

Verdict
A huge, comfortable multimedia laptop, but it’s lacking some of the features found on high-end rivals. Good, but could be better
BlackBerry Curve 8520 mobile phone - First Look
Looking for a cheap BB hit? 28 July 2009 13:39 GMT

The Good
Optical trackpad works, great keyboard, multimedia buttons mean easier access to music control, 3.5mm jack

The Bad
Limited hardware specs mean some essentials are lacking

Verdict
As an entry-level device, RIM have produced a reliable device, but might have limited its appeal
Kensington SlimBlade TrackBall
Thinking of ditching your mouse? 28 July 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Excellent build quality, innovative scrolling technology, accurate for moving and scrolling

The Bad
Expensive, not portable, needs drivers for extra buttons

Verdict
The Kensington SlimBlade TrackBall is a really nicely made piece of kit but comes at a hefty price tag
Sony Alpha A380 DSLR camera
Can Sony challenge in the DSLR stakes? 28 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Lightweight, user friendly, intuitive, reliable performance, warm, colour rich images, adjustable LCD, less expensive than immediate rivals

The Bad
No HD video, hinges for adjusting LCD are stiff, obvious plastic elements of build, kit lens could be sharper, noisier than rivals at higher ISOs

Verdict
A reliable performer delivering richly detailed and colourful images, though you might want to trade up from the kit lens fairly quickly
Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
Virtual Club La Santa? 27 July 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Fantastic fun in multiplayer, incredibly accurate, free Motion Plus

The Bad
Shallow in single player, Motion Plus can get confused

Verdict
Yet another Wii based multiplayer masterpiece. But definitely not something for the lonely gamer
Ixos Neo iPod dock
Would you want to wake up to this in the morning? 27 July 2009 13:00 GMT

The Good
Decent design

The Bad
Only average sound quality, expensive

Verdict
Average sound quality dogs this iPod dock and alarm clock and it’s a touch expensive too
Leyio personal sharing device
Share and store wirelessly 27 July 2009 9:24 GMT

The Good
16GB + 2GB of storage, USB, fast transfer speeds

The Bad
Really need a second Leyio device to be completely useful

Verdict
The first "smart" flash drive with high speed wireless data transfer, useful for sharing data without relying on a computer or even without a second Leyio device
Dyson DC31 handheld vacuum
Does this handheld vacuum suck? 24 July 2009 17:03 GMT

The Good
Unrivalled looks, ridiculously lightweight and the fastest motor in the world … ever

The Bad
Emptying the dust holder can be messy; it’s pricy as a second vacuum and only has a 10min battery life

Verdict
Gorgeous styling, hair-trigger operation and an unbeatably good motor make the Dyson a class act, shame you have to use it for cleaning
Watchmen - DVD
One to watch? 24 July 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
From a visual point of view, the casting, set design and locations capture the look of the comic beautifully

The Bad
Damn, it needed some serious editing

Verdict
Overlong and overblown, the greatest ever comic has become the greatest disappointment
HTC Touch Pro2 mobile phone
WinMob QWERTY slider for business? 24 July 2009 9:05 GMT

The Good
Large touch screen, slide-out keyboard, much improved UI

The Bad
Awkwardly placed power button, could have had a higher megapixel camera, no 3.5mm jack

Verdict
A good second generation model or successor to the original HTC Touch Pro, with decent improvements from the first with only some minor flaws
FINIS SwiMP3v2 waterproof MP3 player
Will this liven up your swimming? 23 July 2009 15:39 GMT

The Good
Lets you listen to music under water, easy to transfer songs

The Bad
You'll have to wear goggles, not that stylish, you'll get funny looks from other swimmers

Verdict
If your session down the pool is starting to get a little dull, this will certainly liven it up
LG W2353 monitor
Looking for a Full HD monitor? 23 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Full 1080p HD, range of useful features and controls, good black levels, tidy design

The Bad
Colour reproduction could be a little better, control panel can be awkward to operate

Verdict
We say: This is a very capable new entry from LG that addresses a wide range of environments for the modern user
Google Voice
Is this the end of the phone company? 22 July 2009 16:27 GMT

The Good
Easy to set-up, easy to use, cheap international calling, can use with your phone

The Bad
Not much

Verdict
If you get an invite it's worth checking out, but bare in mind, it's yet one more piece of your life entombed in the Googleplex data banks
Epson Stylus SX415 printer
Impressive printing credentials? 22 July 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Decent design, separate ink tanks

The Bad
Poor copy performance, draft text a touch anaemic

Verdict
Not too bad, but neither is it a stand-out all-in-one device, with a few too many shortcomings to be recommended above others
MSI Wind Top AE1900 desktop PC
Top dog? 22 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Small footprint, touchscreen, DVD drive

The Bad
Wired keyboard and mouse

Verdict
As computer displays go. it’s bright, sharp and lovely to view - not to mention it has a full computer built-in and is touchscreen capable
HTC Hero mobile phone
Android comes of age 21 July 2009 14:14 GMT

The Good
Sense UI, build quality, design, integrated social networks, Android OS, 3.5mm jack

The Bad
Few minor software quirks, video capture rudimentary, lacks onboard storage, no radio

Verdict
We've waited a long time for a smartphone to be confident about challenging the iPhone as number one, and finally the HTC Hero arrives as a viable contender
Epson EH-TW5800 projector
Will this put your home cinema in the frame? 21 July 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Clean, detailed pictures, no blur, deep blacks, realistic colours, easy set-up

The Bad
Utilitarian design, large size, occasional flicker when using frame insert system

Verdict
An almost silent runner that provides stunning colour accuracy, realistic blacks and decent motion blur-suppressing circuitry. If you’ve got the cash there’s few better
Amethyst iPig iPod Speaker Dock
Oink, oink: is this speaker more than just snorting noises? 20 July 2009 18:43 GMT

The Good
Looks cute, volume control is easy to use, one for the kids

The Bad
You might get laughed at, sound good but not great, no battery option

Verdict
You just have to remember this is a fun speaker option rather than one that will gain you respect from your audiophile mates
Toshiba TG01 mobile phone
Biggest screen. Fastest processor. What could go wrong? 20 July 2009 13:28 GMT

The Good
Slim design, great screen, compatibility with workplace, potential with 6.5 upgrade in future

The Bad
Windows Mobile 6.1 outdated, all the extra power doesn't seem apparent, screen not responsive enough, Toshiba's interface doesn't really offer any substance, it's just too big

Verdict
Superhero specs let down by an operating system that offers little excitement and customisation that is little more than superficial