| MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012) Jun 18th 2012, 16:00  The last time we reviewed the MacBook Air, we didn't have a whole lot to compare it to. Sure, there was the original Samsung Series 9, but it was more expensive, at $1,649, and ran off a standard-voltage processor, often at the expense of battery life. Companies like Lenovo and Toshiba already had deep experience making ultraportables, but those notebooks generally weren't as light, or as skinny, as the Air. A year ago, too, Ultrabooks, as we now know them were little more than a concept as far as the computer-buying public was concerned. Today, there are 110-plus Windows-based Ultrabooks on the horizon, leaving consumers with an overwhelming smorgasbord of thin, shockingly powerful laptops. Apple, for its part, has stuck with the same Air design we liked so much the first time around, though it's refreshed the lineup with speedier Ivy Bridge processors and traded those USB 2.0 ports for 3.0. Additionally, the Air can now be configured with more RAM and roomier storage. Oh, and the 13-inch version now starts at $1,200, down from $1,300. (The 11-inch version still goes for $999 and up.) That sounds promising, making an already-excellent laptop faster and less expensive. Still, with so many comparable products on the Windows side, we have to wonder, does Apple really continue to define the category or have other companies narrowed the gap? Let's find out. Continue reading MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012) MacBook Air review (13-inch, mid 2012) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video) Jun 18th 2012, 15:49  Human antagonists can bring far more stress to a journey than a ticking clock. Phileas Fogg learned that, and now Tesla Roadster owner Rafael de Mestre is discovering it too. He wants to be the first to drive a standard EV (i.e. not solar- or hydrogen-powered vehicle) around the world, and just like Jules Verne's hero he intends to do it in 80 days -- but he's not alone. Two Frenchmen in a little Citroen C-Zero (a sibling of the Mitsubishi i) have the same ambition, and although they've budgeted a comfortable eight months for their trip, they already have a three-month head start over de Mestre. As things stand, the Roadster is on a ship bound for China, while the Citroen duo are trundling up through Malaysia. Fortunately, de Mestra's figured out another bit of racing wisdom: the importance of demoralizing your enemies with YouTube clips like the one after the break. Continue reading Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video) Tesla Roadster driver now halfway around the world, catching up with Citroen team (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Autoblog Green | Email this | Comments | | Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel! Jun 18th 2012, 15:27  Nothing like a good post-Father's Day contest to get you fired up for the week, and this time we have a new iPad up for grabs. The offering is made possible by Rebtel, the largest independent VoIP provider. The service recently launched its own iPad-specific app, which will hook you up with calls and texts over WiFi and 3G. It's free to chat it up with other folks using Rebtel, while you can get ahold of everyone else at an inexpensive cost. As for other platforms, Android and Windows Phone clients are on the way later this year. As an added bonus, the service is also throwing in a credit of $100 to the winner (see rules for details). As always, head downward and leave a comment in order to win! Continue reading Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel! Engadget Giveaway: win a new iPad (32GB with AT&T), courtesy of Rebtel! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Toughbook goes Ivy Bridge with 10-inch magnesium CF-19 Jun 18th 2012, 14:37  One thing we haven't seen too much of from the ongoing Ivy Bridge onslaught, is rugged notebooks. Sure, there was that Durabook from last week, but not much else -- and we all know the big name in indestructible laptops is Panasonic's Toughbook line. Luckily, for those of you with jobs or hobbies that tend to involve dust storms and head-on collisions, the CF-19 is on the way with a 3.3GHz Core i5 under its 10.1-inch hood. The €2,950 (roughly, $3,727), convertible notebook has an optional touchscreen, 500GB hard drive, SSD options for the drop prone, as well as lone USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. If you're a truly mobile warrior, there's even an HSPA+ upgrade available for the wireless card. Basically it's the Toughbook 19 we've all grown to know and love, but with some nice Intel upgrades on the inside. The updated rugged lappy should start shipping in Europe this July, but we're still waiting on availability info for the US. Toughbook goes Ivy Bridge with 10-inch magnesium CF-19 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Electronista | Email this | Comments | |
