latest laptops in Eighteen-inch laptops compared -- is size everything?

We tend to like our laptops either really big or really small. Hence our fascination with both tiny Netbooks and oversize 18-inch laptops. We've reviewed four 18-inch models so far, and we expect to see even more in the future, as PC makers move from 16:10 screens to 16:9 screens. These 1,920x1,080 screens have the same native resolution as a 1080p HDTV, and make for an impressive package for movie watchers when coupled with a Blu-ray drive or other HD content (most current laptop screens are 16:10, which leave you with black bars on the top and bottom of your screen when viewing HDTV programs or Blu-ray movies).

Acer's Aspire 8920-6671 was the first laptop we'd seen with an 18.4-inch display. It was pricey, at $2,499, but included a unique set of touch-sensitive media controls (which we hear are unfortunately being dropped from future models).

The HP HDX18 shows mainstream PC makers getting in on the act, and the added edge-to-edge glass on the display (similar to what's on the new MacBooks), makes for a nice cinematic experience.

Sony is known for high-end, aesthetically pleasing, but expensive, systems. Of the 18-inch laptops we've looked at so far, the fixed-configuration $1,849 Vaio AW125J/H was surprisingly the least expensive Blu-ray-equipped model, beating out the HP HDX18 and the Acer Aspire 8920 by a few hundred dollars. Sony also offers similar models (such as the Vaio AW170) that can be configured with up to 1TB of hard-drive space and cost up to $3,299.

The odd man out in our first batch of 18-inch laptops was the Toshiba Qosmio G55. It has an 18-inch display, but no Blu-ray, and even the resolution was off--a mere 1,680x945. The selling points were some Web-cam gesture controls (which hardly worked), and a second Cell processor (just like the chip powering the PlayStation 3). Toshiba calls this combo "Quad Core HD," and uses the extra horsepower for accelerated video encoding (as long as you're using the included software).

Product name
Acer Aspire 8920-6671
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Acer Aspire 8920-6671

HP HDX18
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HP HDX18

Sony Vaio AW125J/H
Sony Vaio AW125J/H

Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802
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Toshiba Qosmio////////morecomputerinfo

new desktop slim latest technoligies

The slim tower PC trend makes perfect sense to us. For those who only need a basic desktop, why bother with a clunky midtower design?

Each of these trimmed-down PCs will provide all you need to get online, create documents, and play around with your digital media. And all but two of these units (bad show, Slimline and Inspiron) invite you to bring them into your living room and connect directly to your television via an HDMI output.

None of these sub-$1,000 desktops is a multimedia powerhouse, so forget about watching HD video, 3D gaming, or intensive editing. But for the basics, in a small, easy-to-like package, these slim tower desktops have a lot of appeal.

More Resources
Off-the-shelf desktop round-up,
New Mac Mini in January?,
eMachines slims down too,
The best desktops around

Product name
Asus Essentio
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Asus Essentio

Acer Aspire AX3200-U3600A
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Acer Aspire AX3200-U3600A

HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f - Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 2.8 GHz
HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f - Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 2.8 GHz

Dell Studio Hybrid
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Dell Studio Hybrid

Dell Inspiron I530S-114B
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Dell Inspiron I530S-114B
Price $649.99 $479.99 Check Prices $774.00 Check Prices
CNET editors' rating

*
3.5 stars
Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)



*
3.5 stars
Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)



*
3.5 stars
Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)



*
3.0 stars
Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)



*
3.0 stars
Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)

Average user rating
0 stars

0 stars

0 stars

3.0 stars

0 stars
Review date October 28, 2008 October 20, 2008 September 22, 2008 July 28, 2008 October 16, 2008
The Bottom Line The Asus Essentio is perhaps the best conceived of the recent round of living-room-friendly slim tower desktops. It's just powerful enough, and it comes with the right mix of features to allow it to do what living room PCs do best, without overreaching. As much as Acer's Aspire X3200 surpasses other pricier PCs with its wide array of useful inputs and outputs, you'll have a hard time choosing between it and its otherwise identical dual-core Acer linemate of the same price. If you're a multitasker on a budget, you'll likely prefer this model's triple-core CPU. As opposed to previous Slimline models, the HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f tosses aside home theater aspirations and targets budget buyers looking for a compact, cheap PC. If you're considering all of the computers in the $700 to $1,000 price range, the Dell Studio Hybrid is not very compelling. However, if you limit yourself to the very specific niche of small PCs, you'll appreciate this system's clever design and its relatively powerful hardware. On certain tests, Dell's off-the-shelf Inspiron 530s comes out ahead of its slim-tower competition, but its situational performance edge isn't dramatic enough to overcome its underwhelming features. You can find cheaper systems that might be a tick slower on certain tasks, but on balance they'll let you do more.
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Features
Graphics Controller Info unavailable NVIDIA GeForce 8400
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Intel GMA 3100 - 128 MB
Storage Removable Info unavailable None
None
None
None
TV Tuner Type Info unavailable None
None
None
None
Optical Storage (2nd) Info unavailable Info unavailable None
None
None
Floppy Drive Info unavailable None
None
None
None
Storage Controller Info unavailable Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-300 )
Serial ATA ; None
Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-300 ) ; None
Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-300 )
Type Info unavailable Personal computer
Personal computer
Personal computer
Personal computer
Hard Drive (2nd) Info unavailable - None
- None
- None
- None
Memory Allocation Technology Info unavailable Info unavailable Shared video memory (UMA)
Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
Printer Info unavailable None
None
None
None
Optical Storage Info unavailable DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM
DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM / BD-ROM with LightScribe Technology
DVD+/-RW
DVD?R (?R DL)
Manufacturer Warranty Info unavailable 1 year warranty
Info unavailable 1 year warranty
1 year warranty
RAM Info unavailable 4 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - PC2-5300
4 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 800 MHz - PC2-6400
2 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
4 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive (3rd) Info unavailable None
Info unavailable None
None
Cache Memory Info unavailable L3 cache
1 MB L2 cache
3 MB L2 cache
1 MB L2 cache
Dimensions (WxDxH) Info unavailable 10.4 in x 12.4 in x 3.9 in
Info unavailable 8.3 in x 7.8 in x 2.8 in
3.9 in x 17.1 in x 14.3 in
Weight Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable 4.9 lbs
19.4 lbs
OS Provided Info unavailable Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista
Vista Home Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista
Processor Info unavailable 1 x AMD Phenom X3 8400 / 2.1 GHz ( Triple-Core )
1 x AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ / 2.8 GHz ( Dual-Core )
1 x Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 / 2.1 GHz ( Dual-Core )
1 x Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 / 2.2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Hard Drive Info unavailable 1 x 320 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-300
1 x 500 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-300
1 x 250 GB - Standard - S-ATA
1 x 320 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-300
Product Description Info unavailable Acer Aspire X3200-U3600A - Phenom X3 8400 2.1 GHz
HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f - Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 2.8 GHz
Dell Studio Hybrid Studio Hybrid - Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1 GHz
Dell Inspiron 530s - Pentium Dual Core E2200 2.2 GHz
Voltage Required Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable AC 120/230 V
Info unavailable
Card Reader Info unavailable Card reader
15 in 1 card reader
Info unavailable Info unavailable
Product Form Factor Info unavailable Small form factor
Tower
Desktop slimline
Slim tower
Communications Info unavailable Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
None
Fax / modem - PCI - Plug-in card - 56 Kbps
Cache Per Processor Info unavailable Info unavailable 1 MB ( 2 x 512 KB )
3 MB
1 MB
Audio Output Info unavailable Sound card - 5.1 channel surround
Sound card - 5.1 channel surround
Sound card - 5.1 channel surround
Sound card - 7.1 channel surround
Environmental Standards Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Yes , EPEAT Gold
Info unavailable
Monitor Info unavailable None.
None.
None.
None.
Localization Info unavailable United States
English / United States
Info unavailable Info unavailable
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
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AMD: Netbooks? No thanks

• In case you missed it, Advanced Micro Devices is passing on Netbooks. At least as Intel and its partners have defined the category.
• 
  
• 
• AMD thinks that ultrathin 13-inch designs such as the MacBook Air address a more viable market than what it calls mininotebooks.
• (Credit: Apple)
• In fact, a lot of the media outlets missed this point completely, insisting that AMD is going to go head-to-head with Intel on Netbook processors--apparently because it satisfies a journalistic boilerplate that AMD must, just must, have a direct response to Intel's Atom.
• 
  
• Just to set the record straight, here's what AMD Chief Executive Dirk Meyer said Thursday: "We're ignoring the Netbook phenomenon--just thinking about PC form factors above that form factor."
• 
  
• I think that is a pretty unambiguous statement. But if that wasn't clear enough, here's what Bahr Mahony, director of notebook product marketing at AMD said: "We're going to offer the Congo and Yukon platforms as an alternative (to processors and chipsets for Netbooks). There are a fair number of people that are not satisfied with the experience they're getting on these mininotebook platforms." (AMD uses the terms Netbook and mininotebook interchangeably.)
• 
  
• Mahony added that the dissatisfaction with Netbooks "has been exhibited by the high return rates that have been seen on these mininotebooks."
• 
  
• Asus or Acer may have something to say about that, but at the very least, this offers a fresh perspective on this possibly overhyped category.
• 
  
• AMD's strategy seems solid, in my opinion. Go for a segment that is bigger and better than Netbooks. The ultraportable category (the MacBook Air being the best example) is full of attractive but expensive designs. Why not work with PC makers to offer an ultrathin, ultralight, full-featured 13-inch notebook that is priced a lot less than $1,800? Why not $600 or $700?
• 
  
• In addition to the conventional criticism of Netbooks (small screens, tiny keyboards), an underrated fact is that many users eventually get the feeling that they're stuck with an underpowered laptop.
• 
  
• And being underpowered often hinges on lackluster graphics. In a conversation Thursday with Pat Moorhead, vice president of advanced marketing at AMD, he pointed to the graphics capability of AMD's upcoming Conesus CPU, which will use ATI's RS780M graphics: better graphics and better user experience overall.
• 
  
• The MacBook Air offers probably the best proof of this thinking. Apple (which, if you haven't noticed, doesn't offer a netbook), originally went with Intel's integrated graphics in the Air, but due to customer dissatisfaction with graphics performance, it added Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics to its newest models.
• 
  
• Delivering a more powerful dual-core processor (such as AMD's Conesus) for this segment would also turn some heads and offer a more full-featured experience. Intel will be the first one to tell you that Atom is underpowered for many applications.
• 
  
• Are AMD customers clamoring for Netbooks like Intel customers are? "Frankly, I don't get the same answer when I talk to the customer base," AMD's Meyer said Thursday. Time will tell whether the CEO's strategy is right, but it offers a well-thought-out alternative to the Netbook as we know it. ....more read
  
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