Charlie Brewer Reviews Archive

News from Charlie Brewer

Results 1 to 25 of 82.

FIELD TECH - Panasonic CF-18 Toughbook
Technology for Field and Bush 2 May 2006 0:00 GMT

The Good
Harder than a Sherman Tank track, removable shock-proof hard drive, touch screen, sealed ports, integrated Wireless LAN, SD card slot

The Bad
Price, lacks internal CD/DVD drive, compressed keyboard configuration, unresponsive tablet function buttons

Verdict
A design and price that reflect the Toughbooks specialised nature, this tablet edition offers an armoured body around a fairly average PC chassis
Scandyna the dock iPod speaker system
iPod speaker system 6 April 2006 1:28 GMT

The Good
Looks, ease of use, capacity to take multiple iPod models, charges iPod on the stand

The Bad
Price, remote control lacks advanced features

Verdict
Simplicity and curves more than offset the slight gradient of the price tag. Choices of colour, to match your iPod, and speaker mounting options, offer great overall flexibility
Oregon Scientific Music Sphere
26 October 2005 0:00 GMT

The Good
Design, size, mounting options, remote control

The Bad
Low-volume buzzing noise, speaker-unit battery consumption

Verdict
A nice visual design, combined with flexibility of power source, location and multiple source inputs, a useful addition towards the
Lexmark P450 - FIRST LOOK
24 October 2005 9:08 GMT

The Good
Ability to print and burn CDs without computer

The Bad
Price

Verdict
The simple compact design coupled with the ability to print and burn images without the need for a computer might be a winner
Orange Nokia 9300 Communicator SmartPhone
20 October 2005 11:27 GMT

The Good
Reduced profile, useable keyboard, broad software offering

The Bad
Nokia PC suite software needs some usability work done on it, lack of camera, Blackberry configuration only through Orange

Verdict
The sort of device your jacket will feel incomplete without, and lighter without. Long battery life combined with some genuinely useful features make the 9300 well with considering
Sony Ericsson W900 - FIRST LOOK
19 October 2005 14:08 GMT

The Good
3G, 2 megapixel camera phone, 470Mb built in memory

The Bad
Bigger than the W800i

Verdict
Overall a promising offering, that we are keen to get our hands on for a longer play
Oregon Scientific STARK Music Medium Clock
A remote controlled radio alarm clock with weather station and remote sensors
19 October 2005 0:28 GMT

The Good
Design by Philippe Stark, remote sensor, detailed display, storable radio stations

The Bad
Cost, adapter cable, should be easier to deactivate alarm

Verdict
Snazzy design combined with easy set-up. A clock with auto-updates, a weather station with remote reading sensors and radio to wake you in the morning
Jessica Ogden TomTom handbag
18 October 2005 0:17 GMT

The Good
Each bag is hand made, pouches for technology, spacious interior

The Bad
Cost

Verdict
Bringing GPS systems to the designer masses. An attractive alternative to the boring black carry cases
Wanadoo LiveBox network box
27 September 2005 0:11 GMT

The Good
Simplicity, design

The Bad
Costs, capped internet usage

Verdict
A multi-function device with an Apple design feel. Lots of features and would be an excellent device without the handicap of Wanadoo’s 'wireless & talk' package
Lexmark P4350 All-in-One Photo Printer
13 September 2005 10:39 GMT

The Good
Cost, versatility, ease of use, screen, media card slots

The Bad
Software delivery limited on Mac’s, streaks in the blacks

Verdict
A lot of functions for the price. The 4350 can be used just as easily with or without a computer attached making for cheap speedy deployment.
ONeill H2 series CommEnt Jacket
26 August 2005 0:06 GMT

The Good
Design, Warmth, pockets, integrated media

The Bad
Cost, phone functions can be tricky to pair

Verdict
The iPod owners ideal winter jacket, warm, wind and water resistant with enough pockets to lose your keys in
Sony Ericsson W800i mobile phone
25 August 2005 11:03 GMT

The Good
Design, memory, MP3 player, camera, RDS FM radio, headphone jack

The Bad
Quirky file transfer process, confusing file structure, Sync software is PC only

Verdict
The first phone to carry Sony’s Walkman brand, and does so proudly. The larger memory means more songs but still with features galore, just as before
ONeill H2 series CommEnt Solar Backpack (Limited Edition)
18 August 2005 0:04 GMT

The Good
Design, Comfort, solar panels, multi-media hub

The Bad
Cost, complexity, compatibility of certain mobile phones

Verdict
Designed for extreme sports enthusiast to stash their gear away in waterproof safety and allow i-Pods and phones to be used without needing to open the bag.
Orange SPV M500 Smartphone
11 August 2005 0:04 GMT

The Good
Compact design, nice feel, flexible display and familiar operating system

The Bad
Battery removal, establishment of connectivity, lack of Alpha input, PC only

Verdict
Familiar features wrapped up in a very slinky new body. Clear display, understandable applications but without a keyboard this is a ‘viewing’ that than ‘doing’ device.
ACECAD DigiMemo A501 Digital notepad
9 August 2005 0:23 GMT

The Good
Built in and expandable memory, works, plenty of extras supplied in box.

The Bad
Not ideally designed for lefthanders, slightly mean internal memory, all files are stored in ACECAD proprietary file format, cost

Verdict
Something that could save loads of time by automatically giving you electronic versions of all your meeting notes, ready to e-mail or edit into reports.
BOSE 321 GS Series II DVD home entertainment system
21 July 2005 0:00 GMT

The Good
Look, size, sound, acoustic technology

The Bad
Price, display size, no recording capacity

Verdict
Another corking system from BOSE. The price is a little off putting, but the quality can’t be questioned and this system will cover all your needs.
Pakuma Choroka K1 Laptop Bag
20 July 2005 0:13 GMT

The Good
Size, design, materials, cost

The Bad
‘Cycle strap’ could with a more padding, notebook cocoon is not removable.

Verdict
A newly launched range of bags designed to keep your laptop safe while affording you strength, durability, climatic protection and comfort at the same time.
Sony Ericsson K750i Mobile Phone
7 July 2005 0:54 GMT

The Good
Looks, simple operations, screen, high-resolution camera, entertainment facilities

The Bad
Slow USB charge, Sync software, new charging point.

Verdict
A very impressive handset. The shape, feel, functionality and camera make it worth having in your pocket even if it never rings.
Pentax Optio 50 Digital Camera
4 July 2005 18:34 GMT

The Good
Size, price, functionality, ease of use

The Bad
AE in bright light, AF in low light, clearer indication of battery levels.

Verdict
Upping the ratio of Megapixel’s to pound spent, this is a camera that delivers all the features to get you started in digital photography, all at reasonable price.
NHJ VTV-201 Wristwatch Colour TV
14 June 2005 11:20 GMT

The Good
Small, versatile, easy to use, loads of accessories

The Bad
Special headphones needed, reception, limited watch functions and no getting it wet

Verdict
If you need TV all the time then this is for you. The reception is variable but with perseverance you can get entertainment from the comfort of you own arm.
Fujitsu fi-5110EOX2 ScanSnap Scanner
8 June 2005 0:00 GMT

The Good
Size, speed, supplied software

The Bad
Quality of some types scans, configurability, only works with PC

Verdict
Quick and compact, the ScanSnap is designed more for documents than fine print scanning, but the card scan function is handy
O2 X4 3G
26 May 2005 12:26 GMT

The Good
Simple, long battery life, fast connection speed, loud-speaker output and a decent camera

The Bad
Chunky, bland design, middle row of keys are too small, awkward charger, Duel band

Verdict
The 4th handset to be offered by O2 with 3G. Simple and offers nice features that work but nothing to write home about
Nikon Coolpix S1 Digital Camera
9 May 2005 11:33 GMT

The Good
Size, looks, different body colours, large viewing screen, Nikkor ED lens, D-lighting feature

The Bad
Special USB cable needed to transfer images, shutter release could be larger

Verdict
A super compact addition to the Nikon range. It’s reasonably priced and performed well in a wide range of situations.
Oregon Scientific Easy Thermo Projecting Clock
4 May 2005 0:00 GMT

The Good
Simple set-up, powerful projector, mains adaptor supplied

The Bad
Snooze button could be bigger, only measures temperature on degrees Celsius

Verdict
An accurate and hassle free clock, if you’ve after a large display alarm then this is a really great option. The thermometer features are also a handy bonus.
Navman R300 sport.tool
A GPS based tracking aid for runners promises to track your running 27 April 2005 6:59 GMT

The Good
Plenty of features, low cost, and rugged design

The Bad
Small display, only two control buttons, loss of GPS signal mid-run can lead to inaccurate times

Verdict
A useful monitoring tool. Some of the features could do with being more manual, such as the time keeping, although in general all the information given is useful