Review Archive

Results 26 to 50 of 67.

Guitar Hero 5 - Nintendo Wii
The start of a new era in rhythm rocking? 18 September 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Wide-ranging setlist, loads of new multiplayer modes, DS compatibility for Wii owners, Party Play and Mii Freestyle are excellent additions, far more approachable to casual users

The Bad
Instrument calibration is awkward

Verdict
Activision has really pushed the boat out with Guitar Hero 5, creating the most approachable and enthralling rhythm-rocking game to date
HP Dreamscreen digital photo frame - First Look
Is this more than just a photo frame? 17 September 2009 17:32 GMT

The Good
Wi-Fi, Apps, Facebook, Pandora, 2GB of on-board storage, memory card reader

The Bad
Not many apps at the moment, no Mac support, streaming options are limited

Verdict
This isn't a tablet as some have reported, but a rather impressive digital photo frame
ioSafe Solo rugged hard drive
Will this protect your data through fire and brimstone? 17 September 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Withstands flood, withstands fire, fast transfer speeds

The Bad
Big

Verdict
It might be boring, but it lives up to its claims making this a great backup device for those trying to advert data disaster
AKG K 340 headphones
Can this improve your listening on the go? 17 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Volume slider, if you can get a good fit they sound great

The Bad
Loose in the ear, hard to tell the R and L sides apart, lots of sound leakage

Verdict
The AKG K 340 earphones offer a good sound, but a lot of effort to make it happen
Acer TravelMate TM8371 notebook
Looking for a portable business machine? 17 September 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Excellent battery life, thin and light

The Bad
Looks very boring, poor gaming performance

Verdict
Excellent performance and oodles of battery life in a thin, light, but dull frame. It doesn't win any awards for gaming performance, but we don't suspect that's what it was designed to do
Motorola DEXT mobile phone - First Look
Another QWERTY Android? 16 September 2009 16:31 GMT

The Good
Great keyboard, full set of features present and correct

The Bad
Not the most attractive handset around, lacks onboard storage

Verdict
The best QWERTY-equipped Android handset around
Pentax X70 digital camera
Does this compact 24x zoom bridge camera get closer to perfection? 16 September 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Big zoom capability from relatively compact dimensions, easy to use intuitive operation for the most part, good results achievable shooting handheld if plenty of light available

The Bad
Plasticy build, resolution drops when choosing faster capture setting, no RAW capture option, disappointing results at ISO 800 and above, zoom disabled when shooting video

Verdict
Like many big zoom cameras that try and do it all, there’s as much here to delight as disappoint. The wider creative possibilities offered by that broader focal range shouldn’t be underestimated, and, once used, going back to that 3x zoom compact will seem tough
Samsung Galaxy i7500 mobile phone - First Look
Can this give HTC a run for its money? 15 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Thin, feature packed, they haven't messed with Android

The Bad
Android hasn't been boosted in any way, key layout can be seen as fiddly

Verdict
This is Android unspoilt, but the HTC Hero it is not
HP Mini 311 notebook - First Look
Does it really give you HD on the move? 15 September 2009 9:56 GMT

The Good
Great graphics handling, HDMI, great build quality, conventional trackpad button position

The Bad
Keyboard might not suit some, not the slimmest or lightest at this screen size, glossy screen

Verdict
The HP Mini 311 looks to combine some of the best features of the Mini series with great performance in a package that, whilst not the slimmest, has been considerately designed
Apple iPod nano (5th Gen)
So just how good is this video camera? 14 September 2009 15:59 GMT

The Good
Every bit as good as the last plus an FM radio and a bigger screen

The Bad
Camera resolution is dated, performance in low light is poor, it won't take stills and it's all too easy to cover up by accident

Verdict
If you could buy the 4th gen at a discount it would be worth it but it's still a very good MP3 player no matter the imaging
Plantronics Explorer 390 Bluetooth headset
Will this keep you connected? 14 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Very simple to use, nice comfy fit and a bucket load of very useful charging options

The Bad
Picks up a little too much in the way of background noise to be used on busy city streets

Verdict
A good value, entry-level device, if a little lacking in glamour
Packard Bell EasyNote TJ65 notebook
A budget model, but does it impress? 14 September 2009 9:19 GMT

The Good
Stylish and well-made, a great keyboard and well specified for the money

The Bad
Budget processor, could be faster

Verdict
Look elsewhere if you need outright power, but if you’re looking for a budget machine offering quality, comfort and style, then the Packard Bell TJ65 is well worth a look
Apple iPod touch (3rd Gen)
The Emperor's new iPod? 11 September 2009 18:55 GMT

The Good
Wonderfully fast, fantastically smooth and still a dream to hold

The Bad
Serious camera disappointment, bad headphones and fairly pricey

Verdict
Even more the pocket computer than it was before with the added power and bigger memory. It's not the gaming machine Apple wants it to be yet but it still the best in its class as a PMP.
Lexmark Prevail PRO705 printer
Looking for a mid-range all-in-one? 11 September 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Compact and stylish design, easy to set-up and use, range of useful features, decent text output

The Bad
Photo quality prints are generally quite poor

Verdict
Despite the fact that the Prevail doesn’t excel in any one area, it’s a solid enough offering for text-based tasks and would suit the home or small office
Crank: High Voltage - DVD
A wind-up or a turn-on? 11 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
The insanely paced, tongue-in-cheek direction means it’s never less than totally compelling

The Bad
Despite its dubious merits it’s also visibly risible, and just as likely to aggravate as amuse. And Geri Halliwell makes an appearance. I repeat, Geri Halliwell makes an appearance

Verdict
An absurdist bonanza of sex and violence that delivers a constant stream of gags and shocks, Crank: High Voltage will simultaneously appal and enthral – indifference isn’t an option
Genius G-Pen F350 tablet
An impressive entry-level tablet? 11 September 2009 9:09 GMT

The Good
Excellent value for money, Mac/Windows fully supported, works in Ubuntu out of the box but no hot spots, high sensitivity, slim and portable

The Bad
Pen feels a bit cheap, no eraser on pen

Verdict
The Genius G-Pen F-350 offers excellent value for money – a good quality tablet that doesn't take up your entire desk. If you've always fancied giving a tablet a go, you couldn't go far wrong with this
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey - Xbox 360
Tally-ho chaps! 10 September 2009 15:36 GMT

The Good
Easy to control in arcade mode, graphics, plenty of history weaved along the story

The Bad
Realistic and simulation modes let down by controller limitations, no German missions

Verdict
If you have an interest in aircraft with a penchant for a bit of history, then it is worth a shot
Livescribe Pulse Smartpen
Will this let you ditch the laptop for meetings? 10 September 2009 11:30 GMT

The Good
It's a pen, works like a pen, writes like a pen, backs-up your notes

The Bad
Can't transfer hand-writing to text without additional software

Verdict
If you are in the business of note taking we can't recommend this enough
Apple iPod nano 5th gen - First Look
Is it worth the upgrade? 9 September 2009 21:17 GMT

The Good
Video camera is a useful addition, core functionality remains great

The Bad
Lack of still photo taking capability is disappointing, price is always high with Apple

Verdict
Only the omission of a stills setting left us scratching our heads, but that doesn't detract much from what seems, from our brief play, to us to be an excellent, if overpriced, MP3 player and mini video recorder
Polar FT80 heart rate monitor
Your ultimate fitness gadget? 9 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Simple to use, STAR training programme keeps you in check, very conformable, useful for those weight training

The Bad
Cost, lack of access to data, synchronisation with polarpersonaltrainer.com not as open as we'd like

Verdict
The Polar FT80 is reliable, comfortable and an absolute pleasure to use, but we feel it is a little too expensive
Sony Ericsson W395 mobile phone
Can the W395 live up to the Walkman name? 9 September 2009 9:09 GMT

The Good
Price, build quality, keyboard, stereo speakers built-in

The Bad
No 3.5mm jack, video capture poor, poor bundled headphones

Verdict
A basic handset with limited spec that is a fair operator, but with a few noticeable shortcomings
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 digital camera - First Look
Lumix goes retro 8 September 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
720p video, small size, design, 3-inch screen, interchangeable lenses

The Bad
No optical viewfinder

Verdict
A small package with 720p video and a built-in flash means this should give entry-level DSLRs a run for their money
Ion Drum Rocker - First Look
The ultimate Rock Band accessory? 8 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Top-notch quality, takes a punishing, can be upgraded to a real electronic drum kit

The Bad
Takes a little getting used-to, whopping price-tag

Verdict
If you're frustrated by the imprecision, noise, and lack of durability of the kit that comes with Rock Band, and you're considering taking your drumming to the next level, then the Ion Drum Rocker looks to be worth the outlay
Samsung LE46B750 television
What Hertz the most? 8 September 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Colour, contrast, HD detail, no blur, DLNA networking

The Bad
Network connectivity issues, weak Contents TV, viewing angle, average audio

Verdict
The LE46B750’s weak points are overshadowed by the its impressive core ability to produce a cracking high-def picture that screams class
Sony Bravia 3DTV - First Look
Can Sony master the third dimension? 7 September 2009 16:02 GMT

The Good
Will bring certain content to life, great for gaming

The Bad
You'll have to upgrade your TV, not all content is great to watch, you'll have to wear sunglasses in your living room

Verdict
A stunning experience, especially if you're a gamer