4K TVs: 9 Reasons You Should Buy One -- And 9 More Why You Shouldn't

Forbes - Like it or not, 4K (AKA UHD) TVs are coming. In fact, they’re already here. Recent sales data from Europe, for instance, shows that 17 per cent of all TVs sold in the UK in September carried the necessary 3840×2160 resolution, with this percentage rising to 40 per cent in the 50-59-inch category, and 57 per cent in the above 60-inch category.

The question is, should you care? Does 4K genuinely enhance your TV viewing experience? Or is it just another marketing tool designed to make you upgrade your TV again sooner than you wanted to?

Here I take a look at the many pros and cons of the current 4K/UHD TV world to help you decide if 4K is for you.

4K Pros

1. 4K pictures have more detail

The most obvious benefit of TVs with native 4K resolutions is that their pictures have more detail and sharpness. After all, their 3840×2160 pixel counts equate to four times the resolution of the full HD pictures most of us are used to. Every hair on people’s heads, every leaf on every tree, every blade of grass on a football pitch, every star in the sky… every everything, in fact, snaps into focus on a good 4K TV in a way you just can’t get with an HD set. So long, at any rate, as you’re feeding your 4K TV a good-quality native 4K source – more on this in the Cons section.   Read More

Hands on with PlayStation Now

Sony's ambitious streaming-only game service is about to hit public beta. Here's what to expect.

CNET - I've recently become enamored with the idea of replaying games from my past because unlike a favorite film, I don't often experience a game twice.

Backwards compatibility has been a point of contention in previous generations of consoles, but with the arrival of Xbox One and PlayStation 4, legacy titles have taken a backseat. While Microsoft has yet to flesh out plans on addressing this void, Sony has aggressively teased PlayStation Now, a game-streaming service that not only chips away at the backwards compatibility shortcomings of PS4, but will soon offer the ability to stream archive games across multiple Sony platforms.

I've had a few weeks with the closed PlayStation Now beta, and while I'm told almost everything I've seen is subject to change, here are my first initial impressions of Sony's ambitious service.   Read More

App Review: Scout finds your traffic-free commute

CNET - 

 

The Good Scout automatically alerts you to bad traffic on your commute. It includes a points-of interest database, a history list, and syncs with a website for saved destinations. The basic app is free.

The Bad You have to pay a fee to download maps in Scout. It does not include routes using public transit or bicycles.

The Bottom Line Scout offers a better feature set, including excellent help for daily commuters, than either Google Maps or Apple Maps, with similarly good route guidance.

Read the Full Review

Asus VivoBook S451LA Review - 14-Inch Notebook for $700

Alienware's Alpha Is A Gaming PC With The DNA Of A Console -- And It's The Real Deal

Forbes - A funny thing happened on the road between CES 2014 and E3 2014: Alienware went from showcasing a console-esque Steam Machine with unknown internals, to showing a legitimate living room PC with the unadulterated DNA of a game console. Frankly I’m surprised I’m uttering these words, but the Alienware Alpha is the real deal. It’s the system that finally makes PC gaming frustration free for anyone, even PC gaming virgins who don’t have a clue what Steam is.

I don’t make that statement lightly, so consider this: During my time with the Alienware Alpha, I didn’t see a traditional desktop, explorer window, or anything resembling Windows 8.1. So before we talk about what it is, it’s important to rule out what it’s not. It’s not an HTPC (Home Theater PC), nor is it a standard gaming PC stuffed into a compact form factor. It’s a “PC console,” designed from the ground up to offer performance comparable to a system like Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

Suppressing Windows

 

The Alienware Alpha boots directly to a streamlined user interface which Alienware designed. It’s clean and clutter-free, with large type and controller-based navigation similar to Steam’s Big Picture. In fact, you can launch into Big Picture from this UI and even execute certain Windows maintenance features. Perhaps best of all, it eliminates certain nags like Windows Updates reminders and imminent restart warnings so that you can stay immersed in your game. Unfortunately Alienware wasn’t allowing photos of the interface since it’s very early in development.   Read More

Century Arms C39 Centurion Review

Acer Travelmate Pro review: A laptop that delivers on speed and battery life

Acer Travelmate Pro (TMP645-MG-9419) review: This mild-mannered case conceals a powerful laptop

Acer TravelMate Pro (Model P645-MG-9419)
$1,300.00
 

For individual business users, this laptop offers a nice blend of modern features and solid performance. It's not stylish, but its input ergonomics are very good.

If you want to work incognito at the coffee shop, or blend discreetly into in the boardroom, Acer’s squarish, matte-black TravelMate Pro is the laptop to use. It doesn’t flip, fold, detach, or do any other fancy tricks. But staid is as staid does. The TravelMate Pro is light, rugged, secure, and fast. It has a vivid display with discrete AMD graphics, and it runs for nearly 6 hours on a single charge. It’s also cheaper than much of its business-oriented competition.

 

Acer sent us the TMP645-MG-9419 version of the Travelmate Pro, and that’s the last time I’ll mention the entire model name. Acer’s naming convention—and its website, with dozens of slightly different models—are needlessly confusing and need fixing. The Travelmate Pro Acer sent came outfitted with an Intel Core i7-4500u, 8GB of DDR3/1600 memory, a discrete AMD Radeon HD 8750M graphics processor, and a 256GB Toshiba SSD.    Read More

Massive makeover makes iOS feel new again - Apple iOS 7 review

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0Stars

Excellent

The good: Apple iOS 7 gets a complete design overhaul and adds useful features like automatic updates to make everyday use easier. Long-overdue Control Center gives quick access to most-used features. AirDrop and iTunes Radio are excellent additions.

The bad: Besides the massively overhauled design and Control Center, there are few ground-breaking new features. The flat design concept favors space over information so you'll generally need to do more scrolling to get the info you need. Some new features aren't available for iPhone 4 and 4S users.

The bottom line: Provided you take the time to find your way around, iOS 7's new design makes it a compelling upgrade that completely transforms Apple's mobile OS.

Read the Full Review

Lenovo ThinkPad 8 review - Pocket Windows, with a sharp screen

 

CNET - 

 

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0 stars - Excellent

$399.00

The good: The Lenovo ThinkPad 8 runs full Windows 8.1, has an excellent higher-res 8.3-inch display, 64GB of storage standard, all the basic ports you'd need, and fits into a super-slim package.

The bad: More expensive than other 8-inch Windows tablets; doesn’t come with a stylus, or keyboard; other tablets have better battery life.

The bottom line: If you’re craving full Windows 8 on a tablet the size of an iPad Mini, and want a great display, the ThinkPad 8 is one of the best we’ve seen...but not by much.

 

Read the Full Review!

CZ-83 Review: awesome archaic Czechnology

Over the past century virtually all major firearms manufacturers from countries all over the world have produced handguns chambered in .32 ACP. Czechoslovakia, the birthplace of the CZ-83, is no longer with us, but the CZ-83 is still dependable 30 years after its introduction.
History
CZ, Česká Zbrojovka (Czech Armory), was the primary firearms manufacturer in Czechoslovakia from 1936 until 1993. Succeeding the Cold War, the formerly communist country split into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Spanning a history of over 75 years, CZ still serves as the principal firearms manufacturer for the Czech Republic.

You may have heard of the CZ-75, Skorpion or the AK-like Vz. 58, but the CZ-83, civilian counterpart to Vz. 82, is one of the lesser known firearms produced by CZ. Firearms adopted by the Czech military are prefixed “Vz” which stands for “Vzor” (model). This is comparable to the U.S. military’s nomenclature where the prefix “M” designates official firearms; for example, the Beretta 92FS serves as the U.S. military’s M9 pistol. 

By the early 1980s, the official sidearm of the Czech military was the aging Vz. 52 chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev. The Soviet Union strongly urged its Warsaw Pact allies to adopt the standard Soviet Makarov pistol, the Makarov PM. CZ, unsatisfied with the design of the eight round Makarov PM, began work on their own 12 round pistol using the 9x18mm Makarov. It would receive the military designation of Vz. 82 and the civilian label of CZ-83.   Read More

Acer Chromebook C720P review: King of the budget Chromebooks

 

CNET Editors' Rating

3.5 stars - Very good

The good: The Acer Chromebook C720P has a good keyboard, an SD expansion slot, USB 2 and 3 ports, and HDMI, plus a touch screen. It also has more onboard storage (32GB) than most entry-level Chromebooks, and better battery life than most previous Chromebooks.

The bad: Low-end price is matched by its low-end feel. Chrome OS has natural limitations. Touch isn't always that useful in Chrome.

The bottom line: The Acer Chromebook C720P manages to get better at all the key things, adding up to a little laptop alternative that's better than any budget Chromebook we've seen before.

Read the Full Review

Chromecast vs. Apple TV vs. Roku 3: Which media streamer should you buy?

All three of the most popular streamers have their merits, so we'll help you decide which box is right for you.

CNET - If you're looking to buy a streaming box, it's likely you'll end up choosing between three products: Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV.

Those aren't the only streaming boxes on the market, but they're by far the most popular and for good reason -- they all come in models under $100 and offer a lot of value for your money. While the Roku 3 remains my favorite streamer and a CNET Editors' Choice, it's not necessarily the best choice for every buyer and the Google Chromecast and Apple TV are compelling alternatives.

So which media streamer is right for you? Let's take a look at all three options.

Roku 3 ($99)

 

Why it's great: Roku 3 is still the best box

If I could recommend just one streaming box, it would be the Roku 3. Here's why:

Over 1,000 apps: Roku is the undisputed winner when it comes to content, with a massive channel library that includes Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, MLB.TV, Amazon Cloud Player, Vudu, PBS, TWC TV, and (finally) YouTube. Roku is often the first to get new channels, plus the company has a good track record of bringing updates to its boxes years after they've been released.   Read More

SIG 522lr, Tactical Trainer

Guns.Com - In the late 1970s the Swiss Army was itching to replace their hard-hitting Stgw 57 Battle Rifle with something more NATO friendly (meaning in 5.56 NATO) and modular. They tested several models from a multitude of gun-makers and a carbine developed by SIG, the SG 541, was announced as the winner in 1983. The next year the Swiss Military predesignated the rifle, the SG 550 and developed a carbine version known as the SG 551.

Military fetishists the world round were drooling over the prospect of the new futuristic-looking assault rifle that seemed to do everything the M16 could not. The SG 551 has the light recoil of the 5.56 M16 with the incredible reliability of the AK platform. Strangely, the US imported only a handful before legislation made doing so impossible due to its cosmetic features. The executives at SIG saw an opportunity and in 1985, established a German subsidiary of Swiss Arms AG under the name Sigarms to import and distribute SIG firearms in the United States.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until 2006 that SIG began importing a modified version of the SG 550 to the United States. Known as the SIG 556, the American-friendly version utilized the STANAG magazines (much like the M16 and AR15) and a proprietary collapsable stock. While this upset purists and collectors, the new rifle proved reliable and robust. Hoping to expand upon its new rifle line, SIG released a .22 variant known as the SIG 522lr.   Read More

Lenovo ThinkPad X240 review: A no-nonsense business laptop

PCWorld - If Lenovo’s spendy ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the laptop every corporate drone craves, Lenovo’s thrifty ThinkPad X240 is the laptop their employer is more apt to spring for (assuming, of course, that the company’s IT department has standardized on Lenovo and not Dell, HP, Toshiba, or some other commercial laptop builder). 

You might think the ThinkPad X240 is too thick and too heavy to qualify for Ultrabook designation, but it’s only 0.79 inches thick and it weighs just 3 pounds. And there’s a very good reason why the X240 doesn’t taper to a knife edge like the X1 Carbon does: The X240 is outfitted with two batteries and a battery bridge that enables you to swap a depleted battery for one that’s fully charged without turning the machine off. That’s slick.

 

ROBERT CARDIN

Lenovo's ThinkPad X240 looks thick only next to wafer-thin notebooks like Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon. This machine is only 0.79 inches thick and it weighs three pounds.

PCWorld’s Worldbench suite rewards laptops equipped with SSDs—the configuration reviewed here includes a 256GB model—but the X240’s score of 282 leaves it slightly behind Dell’s XPS 12 Ultrabook Convertible (which has the same dual-core CPU) and Samsung’s Ativ Book 7 (which is powered by a third-generation Core i5-3337U, another dual core). This is a little surprising considering that the ThinkPad had twice as much DDR3/1600 memory: 8GB versus 4GB in the Dell and the Samsung.    Read More

2014 BMW 428i Review

Stunning BMW coupe maintains handling legacy

CNET Editors' Rating - 4.0 stars Excellent

$40,500.00  

The good: When equipped with the Dynamic Handling package, the 2014 BMW 428i corners beautifully, while its turbo four-cylinder engine combines power and economy. The coupe design is a thing of beauty, and available cabin tech includes good app support and connectivity.

The bad: In base configuration, the 428i lacks voice command or even Bluetooth audio streaming. The rear seat is only set up for two passengers and has limited headroom.

The bottom line: When optioned well, the 2014 BMW 428i achieves an excellent balance between being an exciting sports car and an everyday driver with modern, connected tech, and it looks good doing it.

Read The Full Review!

Nikon D5300 Review

A great everyday dSLR

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0 stars - Excellent

$788.00 to $799.99 

The good: Excellent photo quality, a great feature set, and speedy performance put the Nikon D5300 ahead of the pack.

The bad: The default settings could be better and Live View is still really slow to use.

The bottom line: The Nikon D5300 is a great choice as a general-purpose dSLR.

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Asus VivoBook V551LB-DB71T Review

Nice, but lacking for the price

CNET Editors' Rating

3.5 stars - Very good



$902.13 to $1,070.80

The good: The Asus VivoBook V551L is a thin, attractive, and seemingly well-constructed laptop. Its midrange discrete graphics card and 4th-gen Core i7 processor give it overall very good performance and battery life. And it has a 1TB hard drive and DVD burner.

The bad: For the V551LB's near-$1,000 price, the screen is pretty disappointing, as is its slow-spinning hard drive. Also, its keyboard is not backlit, which, again, for the price it should have.

The bottom line: An attractive, solidly built 15.6-inch thin laptop with overall good performance, the Asus VivoBook V551LB-DB71T is held back by its lackluster display.

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Dell's Alienware 18 - Gaming laptop as big as a tank, and as powerful

 

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0 stars - Excellent

$3,349.00  

The good: Dell's Alienware 18 is highly configurable, with dual video cards, tons of RAM and storage space, and an understated design that you won't hate.

The bad: The thick body raises the keyboard uncomfortably high, and getting primo parts costs a lot. Battery life is predictably poor, and this would have been a prime candidate for a better-than-HD screen.

The bottom line: There's a premium to be paid, but the massive Alienware 18 is a show-off-worthy desktop replacement that takes down even the newest PC games, and is just plain fun to use.

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2014 Jaguar F-Type review - A powerful roadster & exotic pet

 

CNET Editors' Rating

 

4.0 stars - Excellent

$69,000.00 

The good: The 2014 Jaguar F-Type boasts excellent power and noteworthy efficiency in both its V-6 and V-8 configurations. The V8 S model is packed to the gills with performance upgrades, yet still feels like an uncomplicated and pure roadster. Plus, it's simply beautiful.

The bad: Cabin tech feels like an afterthought. There's no voice command for navigation or hands-free calling. The Meridian "premium" audio system's distorted bass reproduction was disappointing in a car of this price.

The bottom line: We fell in love with the gorgeous curves and excellent performance of the 2014 Jaguar F-Type, but middling tech and a very big price tag have us looking twice at its German competitors.

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Apple iOS 7 feels like a whole new world - Review

Massive makeover makes iOS feel new again

CNET Editors' Rating   4.0 stars - Excellent

 

The good: Apple iOS 7 gets a complete design overhaul and adds useful features like automatic updates to make everyday use easier. Long-overdue Control Center gives quick access to most-used features. AirDrop and iTunes Radio are excellent additions.

The bad: Besides the massively overhauled design and Control Center, there are few ground-breaking new features. The flat design concept favors space over information so you'll generally need to do more scrolling to get the info you need. Some new features aren't available for iPhone 4 and 4S users.

The bottom line: Provided you take the time to find your way around, iOS 7's new design makes it a compelling upgrade that completely transforms Apple's mobile OS.

Read the Full Review