Around the Web - Sony Vaio YB review, HP Touchpad tablet and RIM's PlayBook

Laptop Magazine reviews the AMD Fusion E-350 powered Sony Vaio YB. As compared to a Intel Core i3 ultramobile laptop (i3-330UM or i3-380UM) with Intel HD graphics the AMD solution gives just a bit over half of the processing power of a Core i3 "UM" chip, but the AMD graphics has almost doubles the graphics performance of the Intel HD graphics. Compared to a dual core Atom with Nvidia Optimus graphics, the AMD solution offers about 10% more processing power but falls about 5% short in the graphics performance.

Battery life of this AMD Fusion E-350 solution was tested by Laptop Magazine at 4 hours and 58 minutes. Laptop Magazine gave the Sony Vaio YB a rating of a only three out of five stars. Based on their review, I think it merits a four star rating. 

PCWorld reported on HP unveiling of the WebOS tablet the TouchPad. The TouchPad runs on a dual-core 1.2-GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon but has a Apple iPad like 9.7-inch 1024 by 768 pixel display. It comes with 16GB or 32GB of storage, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Size and weight are about the same as Apple's iPad. Sounds okay but a 720p HD display would seem to make more sense. Only question now is how much?

Phone Arena reports that the RIM's 7-inch PlayBook tablet will be selling as US$499 for the WiFi only version. Finally, something reasonably priced.

Posted in: Tablets,Ultraportables (under 4lbs.)