Today has been a doozy of tech news, and Dell is just continuing the cycle. The XPS 15z is a .97-inch 15-inch machine that has taken extreme cues from the Macbook Pro design. Starting at a very reasonable $999, the entry-level XPS 15z has a 2nd-gen Core i5 processor clocked at 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M 1GB graphics with Optimus, a 15.6″ HD (at 720p, can be upgrade to 1080p) WLED Display with 1.3 megapixel webcam, a 500GB 7,200rpm hard drive, slot-loading DVD drive, WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0, a fully-backlit keyboard, and a purported 8 hours of battery life on a single charge.

For a $1000, that’s a lot of bang for your buck, but until I try one out for myself (or you do), then you can’t be too sure. Via: Dell

That is all. 18 months after release, Windows 7 has achieved 350 million+ copies sold. Congrats to big old Microsoft. Via: Windows Team Blog

Nothing is better than pwning n00bs in 3D with a 2.93GHz Core i7 processor to boot. Actually, there are many more things better than Black Ops, Counter Strike: Source, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and Bad Company 2 with the option to play in 3D. However, the aforementioned can be rather entertaining. I recently had the chance to review ASUS’ G53Jw, and I found out it’s a great laptop — but there are some nagging issues, and they’re not small.

Price As Reviewed: $1,379 with Razer Abyssus Gaming Mouse, a backpack (which it hardly fits in), and Nvidia 3D glasses — on Amazon.

Thanks To ASUS for this loaner.

Spec Sheet FTW, N00Bs

For under $1500, the G53Jw’s spec sheet isn’t sub-par, to say the very least. Specs in bullet-points are below, for your lengthy evaluation, reader.

• 1.73GHz Core i7 Q 740 processor, reaches speeds of up to 2.93 GHz, by default.
• 6GB of DDR3 RAM
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M with 1.5GB of VRAM (3D capable)
• 15.6-inch LED screen, with 60-120Hz refresh rate (it’s reflective as hell)
• 4X Blu-Ray drive
• 802.11n WiFi + Bluetooth
• 750GB hard drive at 7,200rpm
• Illuminated keyboard
• 2MP webcam
• Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, VGA, HDMI-out, microphone jack, headphone jack, and SD card slot

All Of Its Power Doesn’t Go To Waste

Everything is fit for a good gaming session. Moreover, the G53Jw fails — at getting hot. It’s strangely unbelievable, but true: it’s as cool as a cucumber on your lap, mainly due to its design taken from the F-117 stealth jet, and its dual-fans not being placed at the bottom of the system, but out in the back. Smart move by ASUS.

In a variety of games – Black Ops, Counter Strike: Source, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and Bad Company 2 — all successfully played using “medium” settings and 8x AA. I find that different games have different bugs, and that a title like Bad Company 2, which has superior graphics to Call Of Duty: Black Ops, runs better than the aforementioned (that being attributed to bugs, and little to zero optimization or fixes of any sort) and can sometimes be tuned to “high” settings all the time. Nevertheless, you can throw most games at medium settings and expect 50-60 frames-per-second, and jack it up to “high” and find it hovering at 40 FPS — nothing slouchy, really.

The G53Jw’s Look

Take a good look at it in this section. It’s big, and bulky. It’s awesome. You weren’t expecting a rig of this nature to be thin, were you? Did I mention that it loves fingerprints? It can’t live without them, unfortunately.

Another shot.

Look at it again, from another angle.

What the heck, look at it again. It’s good for you (I think).

Full 3D With Nvidia’s GeForce Glasses

There’s a 3D 120Hz refresh rate on this review unit (and every other G53Jw). The actual 3D effect is outstanding, however, how the content you’re viewing has used it varies. For example, the 3D effects in Black Ops are terrible. The views in Counter Strike: Source, Crysis 2, and Bad Company 2 are nearly perfect, and my K/D ratio went up in all games due to my better grasping of the large environments. Also, Nvidia’s Control Panel allows you to assign a customizable reticle so aiming in 3D is easier, and to adjust the depth to your eye’s maximum tolerance (I felt fine after 15 minutes on 100% depth). Also, turning away from the screen will deactivate your glasses, thus giving you normal vision. A brilliant touch, indeed.

So, What’s Wrong With It?

It’s sad really. I don’t have to go into details (thankfully) because all the problems are very simple, and because of that, it’s a shame that they’re even problems to begin with, possibly linked to this specific unit, but still problems.

First off, standby doesn’t work. A BIOS update, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, and whatever fix you throw at it, it just won’t go into standby. Neither will it shutdown — much like going to a standby, it stays there for minutes on end, not doing anything. And the same goes for hibernation, too. It’s a massive failure, and hopefully, just a problem with the G53Jw that ASUS sent me.

In order to shut it down, I have to use the power button. Lamesauce.

Besides that, the other error is the screen’s hue. To be more specific, when booting the screen has an almost brownish hue, and require a visit to the Nvidia Control Panel to revert it back to normal settings, despite saving the setting every time a change is made. Consistent disconnections (meaning every 2 hours)  to my WiFi network and other networks also ensue, despite updating the wireless card’s drivers to the latest version.

It’s a mess.

It Does Have A Battery, Right?

Of course it does! And it works — for about 1:30 tops, on “High Performance” mode. That’s all for the battery life, folks.

Final Verdict

Oh noes! Final verdict time! As one PR agent once put it to me, “You’re very harsh sometimes”. Huh.

I feel somewhat torn. I am at heart, an avid book-reader, student (sometimes an autodida ct) gamer, geek, and tech reviewer. Therefore the problems that I described a few sections ago would warrant me the right to say something like “no-go” or “never ever buy this or else you’re stupid”. Something like that. But I’m certain that ASUS isn’t shipping a super-defect laptop here, and I’ve spoken to a few owners who haven’t had these issues.

That being said — buy this laptop if you’re looking for 15.6-inches of 3D eye-melting power. But do a bit of searching to see if there are any recent problems. Although of course, ASUS will be coming out with new laptops, like every other OEM, due to the arrival of Sandy Bridge processors, so you may want to hold off, if you like being something we geeks call an early-adopter.

Today, there’s a new laptop walking the grounds (more than one, actually).  The one from Sony carries a 13.3-inch screen in its chassis, Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics with 1GB of VRAM, a Blu-Ray drive, a massive $150  extended battery which attaches itself all throughout the bottom of the laptop, and different SSD options. The whole package starts off at 3.9 pounds and costs $979 for the Core i5 version with the Radeon graphics setup and a 320GB hard drive. Pre-orders start later this evening. PR after the leap.

SONY PACKS PERFORMANCE IN THE NEW THIN AND LIGHT VAIO S SERIES LAPTOP

SAN DIEGO, March 7, 2011 – Sony Electronics today announced the VAIO® S Series laptop featuring the powerful performance of a larger full-sized PC packed into a thin one-inch profile design and 13.3-inch screen form factor. Incorporating all the mobility of VAIO laptops, this new line delivers ultimate portability and performance with the second generation Intel® Core™ i5 and Core i7 processor coupled with Hybrid Graphics as well as dual channel solid state drive options (select models).

Select S Series models sport a premium and elegant design in Black or White with magnesium and aluminum materials, and all of them incorporate a built-in lithium polymer battery that when coupled with the all new and advanced large-capacity optional sheet battery, you can stay mobile and unplugged for up to 15 hours. Intelligent charging enables you to charge the optional sheet battery separately and attach it to the system without shutting down for maximum flexibility.

“We continue to raise the bar when it comes to the mobile computing experience,” said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Networked and Technologies and Services Division at Sony Electronics. “The VAIO S Series laptop makes no compromises by offering the ultimate, full-featured ultra-mobile PC.”

Ultra Mobility and Performance
Performance is top priority with the second generation Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors that deliver even more performance automatically when you need it with a better visual PC experience built-in. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the processors increase speed automatically delivering the performance needed for multitasking.
AMD Radeon™ HD 6630 1GB Hybrid Graphics card (select models) gives a performance boost to your day-to-day processor functions for a faster, more optimized overall computing experience while lowering power consumption.

For maximum performance and mobility, select models features dual channel solid state drive with RAID 0 technology.
The S Series laptop comes with one-touch VAIO, ASSIST and WEB buttons, for launching Media Gallery™ software, VAIO Care™ software and access to the web without full boot-up into Windows, all with a touch of a button.

All models incorporate backlit keyboards, illuminating the lettering for typing in low light situations. The built-in web camera powered by an “Exmor” sensor also allows for great low-light performance. And with the built-in microphone you can video message with family, friends and coworkers. Face tracking technology allows the camera to automatically adjust focus and follow you as you move around while video chatting.

Packed with Multimedia
Sony knows entertainment is always at the forefront and the VAIO S Series delivers. Whether you’re watching a stunning Blu-ray Disc™ movie (select models) or enjoying video captured from your compatible camcorder. The versatile Blu-ray Disc drive on the VAIO S Series laptop (select models) combines the power of HD video playback with the convenience and utility of DVD and CD read/write functionalities. Providing the best picture and the best sound with stunning clarity, Blu-ray Disc technology is the ultimate way to enjoy your entertainment.
With Intel® Wireless Display 2.0, you can sit back and experience your favorite videos, photos and music on your TV. Stop crowding around a laptop screen and view and share content from your hard drive, home network or the internet wirelessly on your HDTV utilizing the adapter (sold separately).

Pricing and Availability
The VAIO S Series laptops are available for pre-sale today at www.sonystyle.com/sseries starting for around $970, and the optional sheet battery for around $150.

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Editor’s Note: For complete specifications and digital images, members of the news media are invited to visit Sony Electronics’ news and information web site at www.sony.com/news. For all things VAIO visit www.sonyelectronicscommunity.com. For information on ®, Sony’s in-store VAIO PC services and repairs division, log on to www.sonystyle.com/backstage.

It’s time to get downloading, because Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is live to all that own genuine Windows 7 PCs. The update packs a ton of improvements, bug fixes, and more. It’s precisely 1.95GB to download, and the Microsoft servers are getting hammered by the sheer amount of downloads, so this may take a while. Via: Microsoft