Photos: Top 10 reviews of the week
Sling Media Slingbox Pro
1. Sling Media Slingbox Pro
Editors' rating: 8.3
The good: Streams sources to any broadband-connected Windows PC or Windows Mobile device in the world; accepts HD video (with optional dongle); can accept as many as four A/V inputs (composite, S-Video, RF and component); no host PC or monthly charges required; simple, straightforward setup; excellent, easy-to-use software; controls almost all cable and satellite boxes and DVRs; excellent video quality over LAN, decent video quality via the Internet.
The bad: Component-video adapter and cell phone/PDA viewing software costs extra; no built-in wireless networking support; monopolizes the attached device during viewing; works with only Windows XP/2000 PCs and Windows Mobile devices at this time.
The bottom line: While its ability to accept multiple sources and optional HD is overkill for most users, the more-expensive Slingbox Pro makes sense for hard-core Slingers with gobs of video gear.
Energizer Energi To Go
2. Energizer Energi To Go
Editors' rating: 8.3
The good: The Energizer Energi To Go, which provides emergency cell phone power, is effective and easy to use.
The bad: The Energizer Energi To Go is optimized to run off lithium batteries, and it won't work with all cell phones.
The bottom line: The Energizer Energi To Go is an excellent source of back-up power.
Nokia 3250
3. Nokia 3250
Editors' rating: 8.0
The good: The Nokia 3250 mutlimedia smart phone has a stylish yet functional twisting design that rotates up to 270 degrees. We liked its large display and external music controls. Features include a 2-megapixel camera, a video recorder, a music player, a Micro SD card slot, a speakerphone and Bluetooth.
The bad: The Nokia 3250's navigation joystick isn't easily accessible when the phone is swiveled into camera mode, making it difficult to browse through the camera's options. The Micro SD card slot is located in a tiny, inconvenient spot.
The bottom line: Despite a few niggling design flaws, the 3250 is a great multimedia smart phone with a truly unique design.
Sling Media Slingbox A/V
4. Sling Media Slingbox A/V
Editors' rating: 8.0
The good: Streams sources to any broadband-connected Windows PC or Windows Mobile device in the world; no host PC or monthly charges required; simple, straightforward setup; excellent, easy-to-use software; controls almost all cable and satellite boxes and DVRs; excellent video quality over LAN, decent video quality over the Internet.
The bad: Cell phone/PDA viewing software costs extra; no built-in wireless networking support; monopolizes the attached device during viewing; works with only Windows XP/2000 PCs and Windows Mobile devices at this time; lack of pass-through outputs may require cable splitters or dual-output A/V sources.
The bottom line: The Slingbox A/V hits the sweet spot between affordability and functionality in the company's 2006 product line.
QuickBooks Premier 2007
5. QuickBooks Premier 2007
Editors' rating: 8.0
The good: Intuit's QuickBooks 2007 provides minor improvements to an already top-notch interface; new Google-specific marketing tools.
The bad: QuickBooks 2007 doesn't offer many new accounting goodies for QuickBooks 2006 upgraders.
The bottom line: Despite its lean list of improvements, QuickBooks 2007 remains a terrific small-business accounting package. Longtime QuickBooks users who haven't already upgraded to QuickBooks 2006 should leap to 2007 instead.
HP Pavilion dv9000t
6. HP Pavilion dv9000t (Core 2 Duo)
Editors' rating: 7.8
The good: Beautiful design; bright, crisp display; complete set of A/V controls, ports and connections, including an HD-DVD drive; long battery life; touch pad on/off button; excellent software.
The bad: Display resolution could be higher; media controls provide audible feedback when pressed.
The bottom line: Home users who want their laptop to double as a home entertainment center will love the high-end (and high-def) features on the Hewlett-Packard Pavilion dv9000t.
Canon EOS Rebel XTi
7. Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Editors' rating: 7.8
The good: Compact and lightweight; fast and responsive; intelligently designed with shooting-friendly layout.
The bad: Second status LCD has been eliminated; slow kit lens; no spot metering; poor exposure of backlit subjects.
The bottom line: The Canon EOS Rebel XTi remains a very good first dSLR, but ultimately a disappointing followup to the XT, which cedes its lead to the Nikon D80.
Nokia N93
8. Nokia N93
Editors' rating: 7.7
The good: The Nokia N93 is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera with video-recording capabilities, and it features a cool, swivel design. This Symbian smart phone includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a music player, FM radio and e-mail capabilities.
The bad: The Nokia N93 is clunky and heavy, making it awkward to use as a phone. Call quality was mixed in our tests, and the external display is small.
The bottom line: Though it won't replace your digital camcorder or camera, the powerful Nokia N93 does a respectable job of integrating quality multimedia capabilities into a cell phone. That said, it's a bulky handset and is best suited for convergence fanatics and gadget hounds.
2006 Honda S2000
9. 2006 Honda S2000
Editors' rating: 7.7
The good: A howling VTEC power plant gives the four-cylinder 2006 Honda S2000 performance equal to its V-6 competitors. Go-kart handling and a sweet sporty shifter add the confidence to open it up.
The bad: A bizarre arrangement of buttons for stereo and climate control are the main tech features of the S2000's claustrophobic cabin. Peak performance arrives at an eye-popping 7,800rpm, meaning that you need a clear road or a private racetrack to get the most out of the engine.
The bottom line: The 2006 Honda S2000 is a pure driver's car, designed for those who think that cabin entertainment starts and ends with a short-throw manual shifter. Some bizarre remote controls and a cramped cabin are all but forgotten when the open road beckons.
Alpine CDA-9857
10. Alpine CDA-9857
Editors' rating: 7.7
The good: The Alpine CDA-9857 car stereo offers AI-Net and integrated iPod support, making it very expandable. Its navigation interface is good, especially for large music sources, and its accompanying KCT-100BT Bluetooth module supports A2DP.
The bad: The unit took a minute or two after we hooked up large music sources before it would allow navigation. Its Bluetooth module won't allow for a really integrated-looking installation.
The bottom line: The Alpine CDA-9857 is a solid but unspectacular single-DIN car stereo. It really gets interesting when expanded through its convenient AI-Net port and dedicated iPod connection.