Best Ultrabook: 17 top thin and light laptops to choose from

 

Though computers are a part of our everyday lives, most of us don't actually need the amount of processing power available to us in large, hefty desktops or laptops.

The idea of the Ultrabook is to make laptops a bit more convenient, but powerful enough for most tasks.

The term Ultrabook is actually pure marketing, dreamt up by Intel for a new generation of portable PCs featuring its technology.

The best way to think of an Ultrabook is a MacBook Air that isn't made by Apple, a netbook that isn't underpowered or a laptop that's been on a crash diet.

The term Ultrabook was coined by Intel, and it specifies laptops with particular specifications, separating them from other ultraportable laptops. They'll all have Intel Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 processors, fast SSD storage to some degree, and now USB 3.0 connectivity, for speedy file transfers.

The idea is to offer something with the long battery life and and instant-on convenience of a tablet, without having to sacrifice a real, good-sized keyboard or the desktop software you rely on. That said, with Windows 8 touchscreen capabilities, we're starting to see the lines blur between Ultrabook and tablet.

Ultrabooks tend to be made with design in mind, so come in more expensive than most mid-range home laptops.

They tend to start from around £699 in the lower end, going to nearly £2,000 at the very high end. For the most part, you're likely to spend between £800 and £1,000 for a newer model, though you can get some older models for good prices.

So which of the many Ultrabooks should you consider? These are the best ones we've reviewed, along with some other great ones we've gone hands-on with.

1. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga isn't just a great device in itself, but also a superb flagship for Windows 8. This convertible touchscreen laptop has a 13-inch screen, making for rather a large tablet, but a great-sized Ultrabook. It's a brilliantly flexible machine all around, and offers good battery life in general use. It's not particularly powerful, but it's certainly fast enough for most people, and it looks great, too.

Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga review

2. Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A

When you look at the Asus Zenbook Prime's specs, it's no surprise that it comes at a premium price. You get the latest Intel processor and graphics, a good amount of solid-state storage, great build quality and, most impressively of all, a 1080p screen that blow nearly all other Ultrabooks out of the water. Adding those up equals a price of around £1500, so the Zenbook Prime UX31A is firmly for those looking for something in the high end…

Read our Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A review

3. Gigabyte U2442F

A gaming Ultrabook might seem like too much to ask - it's a lot of power to fit into a small chassis - but Gigabyte has done it with the U2442F. A strong Intel processor is combined with an Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics chip to give really impressive gaming results, getting superb framerates even in new games such as BioShock Infinite. The games look great on the 14-inch 1600 x 900 screen, and the U2442F even manages to deliver good battery life - and all still within a thin and light frame.

Read our Gigabyte U2442F review

4. Asus Taichi

It's fair to say that the Asus Taichi is one of the more unusual Windows 8 devices so far. This 11.6-inch laptop has two screens – one on the front, to use like normal computer, and one on the back of the display, so you can use it as a tablet when it's closed. Both are crisp 1080p screens, with Core i7 processor to power them. Yet there's no major hit on the design – the Taichi weighs just 1.1kg.

Read our hands-on Asus Taichi review

5. Gigabyte U2442

Gigabyte's first dip in the Ultrabook waters hits an excellent balance between power and affordability. The inclusion of discrete graphics and a load of RAM means performance is exceptional, while clever additions to the OS make day-to-day performance easy – even if you're new to computing. The screen is a strong point too, but all this mean you'll end up paying over £1000 for the Gigabyte U2442. It's not an unreasonable price, but it may be too high for many.

Read our Gigabyte U2442 review

6. Acer Aspire S7

Coming in both 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch versions, the Aspire S7 is one of the hottest Ultrabooks yet to be released. Designed with Windows 8 in mind, the S7's screen can fold all the way back so it's flat in line with the keyboard, and offers a 10-point touch display with Corning Gorilla Glass 2 to protect it. It's even a 1080p screen, as if it wasn't impressive enough already, and is one of the lightest Ultraportables we've seen yet.

Read our Acer Aspire S7 review

7. Lenovo IdeaPad U510

Though it pushes the idea of the Ultrabook to its limit, the Lenovo IdeaPad U510 is all about retaining some of the traditional features of the laptop, but still getting the advantages of Ultrabooks. So, it's thicker and heavier that most of the Ultrabooks here, and can even pack in a DVD or Blu-ray drive, but still resumes in around a second.

Read our: Hands on: Lenovo IdeaPad U510 review

8. Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 might be a little late to the Ultrabook party, but it's one of the prettiest portables we've seen.

Amazingly, Dell has squeezed an Intel Core i5 or i7 inside the trim chassis, along with 4GB of memory and a 128/256GB SSD. How thin is it? 6mm at its slimmest point.

Read our Dell XPS 13 review

9. HP Spectre XT TouchSmart

As befits the Spectre line, the Spectre XT TouchSmart is packing some notable technology. As its name suggests, it offers a multi-touch display, which means you can make full use of Windows 8, but it's very much an Ultrabook, boasting the latest Intel processors inside. In fact, it's HP's first lapop to offer Intel's ludicrously fast Thunderbolt connection. The 1080p screen is the real draw, though - it makes it an excellent work machine, and is great for HD movies.

10. Gigabyte X11

Thanks to a carbon fibre shell and 11.6-inch screen, the Gigabyte X11 manages to take the sought-after crown of being the lightest Ultrabook ever – just 975g! It's pretty thin as well, measuring 17mm at its thickest point. But things haven't been skimped on much to get it this light: you'll find an Ivy Bridge Intel Core processor, two USB 3.0 ports and a 128GB SSD. It won't among the cheaper Ultrabooks, but it's definitely one of the most notable.

Read our Hands on: Gigabyte X11 review

11. Toshiba Satellite Z930

The Toshiba Satellite Z930-10X manages to offer an excellent balance between power and affordability. It's a very accomplished Ultrabook – thin, light and powerful enough to handle a wide range of tasks simultaneously. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Ivy Bridge processor, which helps to keep the performance in line with other Ultrabooks available on the market, but the wide range of ports it offers are boon as well.

Read our Toshiba Satellite Z930 review

12. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is an attempt to match the lightness and portability of Ultrabooks (which are obviously desirable to road warriors) with the business features expected of corporate laptops. It's doesn't entirely succeed (there's a lack of connectivity, for example), but it comes close enough to be hard to resist. There's a brilliant keyboard, huge battery life (and rapid charging), a large and fast SSD drive and excellent performance. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Read our Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon review

13. Toshiba Z930

Toshiba's flagship Ultrabook range is one of the latest recipients of the new Intel Ivy Bridge processors. The result is the Toshiba Satellite Z930-10X. Although the computer keeps the same chassis as the original Toshiba Z830, the internal components have been given a serious shot in the arm. But is the boost enough to keep Toshiba competitive in the evolving and expanding Ultrabook market?

Read our Toshiba Z930 review

14. Asus Zenbook UX32A

The original Asus Zenbook is an Ultrabook that still takes some beating, so we always knew its successor would be a great offering. The design and usability are great, from the slickness of Windows 7 with the Ivy Bridge processor to the great keyboard with the subtle backlight. Like its predecessor, the Asus Zenbook UX32A is also slim and light enough to carry around all day and the range of connections, especially the three USB 3.0 ports, is excellent.

Read our Asus Zenbook UX32A review

15. Lenovo IdeaPad U410

The Lenovo IdeaPad U410's trick is really bring out a value proposition, offering offering a high-end hardware configuration in a mid-level assembly – it's an Ultrabook for the masses. The fact that the Lenovo IdeaPad U410 offers both a third-generation Intel core CPU and a dedicated GPU from Nvidia, along with a healthy amount of storage, makes this one of the most-efficient Ultrabooks that we've come across yet. The build quality may be pretty average, but this is all about bang for your buck, and it delivers.

Read our Lenovo IdeaPad U410 review

16. Dell XPS Duo 12

We're going to count the XPS Duo 12 as an Ultrabook, even it is a slightly odd one. Sure, it opens like a laptop, then the touch-enabled screen flips round and you can use it as a tablet. The design isn't new – Dell's used something similar before – but getting it with light and powerful Ultrabook innards is, as is the touch-friendly Windows 8. The screen is protect by Gorilla Glass, and it's a 1080p display, so it'll look brilliantly crisp. All this will come at a price, predicatably, but it'll be a great way to make full use of Windows 8.

Read our Hands on: Dell XPS Duo 12 review

17. Sony Vaio S Series 13P

The Vaio S Series 13P is one of the most expensive Ultrabooks we've seen yet, but if you've got the money, it could well prove to be worth it. Both the portability and usability are excellent – so much so, that the excellent specification could almost be forgotten, but you'd be letting yourself down. A Blu-ray drive, a Thunderbolt connection, a backlit keyboard, an SSD and good battery life… the only thing lacking is a 1080p screen.

New Fujitsu Ultrabook out-Retinas Apple's Macbook Pro

Fujitsu is looking to take a slice out of Apple's MacBook Pro with Retina display sales by launching a 14-inch Ultrabook with a super clear 3200x1800 pixel resolution display.

Fitting, then, that the company claims its new Lifebook UH90/L is "emblematic of the slender, solid and iconic beauty of a Japanese sword".

The new model gets its clarity from an IGZO panel manufactured by SHARP, which lends it a pixel density of 262 ppi (pixels per inch). Fujitsu says the display offers 2.7 times the detail of a full HD screen, rendering text sharper and photos more vivid.

In comparison, the display edges that on Apple's top end MacBook Pro with Retina display model, which features a 15-inch 2880x1880 pixel resolution display at 227 ppi.

 

Ultra skinny

The company also claims that the Lifebook UH90/L, which crams a 14-inch touch-sensitive display into a standard 13-inch form factor, is the thinnest of its kind, measuring 15.5mm at its thickest part.

Delving into the device's guts reveals Intel's 4th-Generation Intel Core i5-4200U 'Haswell' processor and a hybrid 500GB hard drive that combines solid-state storage with a mechanical disk drive. It also runs Windows 8, should you want it to.

The ultrabook is hitting the Japanese market on June 28. No word yet from Fujitsu on the question of wider availability.

E3 2013: what to expect from this year's show

 

The three E's of E3 stand for the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Hosted by the Entertainment Software Association, or ESA, it's an annual sneak peek at what's in store for the video games industry for next year.

But enough dry details, this E3 2013 promises to be the most revelatory in years. Why? Because of the coming console war. Sony's PlayStation 4 is about to square off against the Xbox One for living room supremacy.

But those aren't the only horses in the race. Nintendo's Wii U is already on the track, though Nintendo already revealed it's staging a semi-E3 hold out. And then let's not forget PC gaming and its de facto dark horse, the Steam Box by Valve.

What thrills, spills and chills will await us E3 2013? None can be too certain, but we have some predictions for what you'll see on stage and around the showfloor. So read our list, mull it over, have your say in the comments and check back June 11- June 13 for TechRadar's E3 coverage from the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Here's the latest we've heard about the conference:

1. Mad Catz gets into the console biz

Yeah, baby! Get ready for gaming accessory maker to introduce its very own gaming console at this year's E3.

The Android-powered device, named "Project M.O.J.O" for now, is the core offering in its GameSmart line, the company announced June 7.

You can be sure we'll go hands on with the "micro console" if it's available to check out, so stay tuned for our thoughts on the hardware as well as when and where you can get it.

• Read more about Mad Catz's groovy Project M.O.J.O console

2. Xbox One takes center stage June 10

Props to Microsoft for keeping its word on an Xbox-themed event for E3 - not that we ever doubted it would happen especially now that we know the new console is called the Xbox One.

The company sent out invites to a press briefing for June 10 in Los Angeles, one day before E3 officially gets underway. This is decidedly an Xbox event, and we hope to "continue the conversation" on the company's new Xbox One following its May 21 happening.

The company revealed in late May that the focus of its E3 keynote would, unlike its announcement event, would be games.

"I can confirm that we will have TV's (or similar) on stage to show the games," tweeted Larry Hryb, director of programming for Xbox Live. "That should be the extend [sic] of TV talk in your #E3."

Microsoft has even put a movie about it together:

That's not all: According to GTTV host Geoff Keighley, there are plenty of surprises in store for both Microsoft and Sony at E3.

"10 days until E3," Keighley tweeted in May. "Based on what I'm hearing both the Xbox and PS4 press confs will be the strongest in years. Lots of games and surprises.

We'll be there to cover the action live, so you'll be in on all the unexpected goodness if you check back in with TechRadar.

• Read more about Microsoft's June 10 event and what to expect from the company during the show

3. No Nintendo press conference

Nintendo has made the somewhat surprising decision to forgo its usual E3 press conference in favor of hosting a smaller, closed-doors events to focus primarily on software.

"We have decided not to host a large-scale presentation targeted at everyone in the international audience where we announce new information as we did in the past," said Nintendo President Satoru Iwata.

"Instead, at the E3 show this year, we are planning to host a few smaller events that are specifically focused on our software lineup for the U.S. market."

We must say we're a bit bothered by Nintendo's decision, if only in an altruistic way because it stands to loose some serious ground to competitors Sony and Microsoft.

To be sure, Nintendo won't be a complete E3 no-show in terms of a public presence. The company will broadcast a Nintendo Direct at 7 a.m. PT/ 3 p.m. BST on Tuesday, June 11. What's more, 100 Best Buy stores in the U.S. and Canada will have in store demos of unreleased Wii U games, bringing titles straight to the public.

We'll also be in attendance at a Wii U Software Showcase starting at 10:30 a.m. PT on Tuesday too, where we're going to get a look at games plus hear from Shigeru Miyamoto, game designer at the company, and Fils-Aim himself.

Let's hope Nintendo can power up at E3

"This year we're making E3 for the people," Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said in announcing the Best Buy partnership. "We want to make sure you get the chance to try our games as well."

Fils-Aime later followed up with a June 7 Facebook video outlining Nintendo's E3 strategy, saying that the company's approach to E3 is different this year, it's actually better.

• Read what the "The Regginator" had to say pre-E3

We're not complete Nintendo naysayers, to be sure, and somewhat respect its grass-roots approach to E3. Its newest console is not next gen, but it's not bad either. We gave it a three and a half stars in our Wii U review. The GamePad is cool, and finally seeing Mario in HD is a welcome uptick.

However, most of the world is for PS4 and One, or just sticking with their Xbox, as the nearly eight-year-old Xbox 360 sold four times as many units as the Wii U did last month. In fact, even the old Wii is selling better.

We know Nintendo has some game titles on the way and we hope it can build enough excitement around these titles to carry it into its next big offering. Whenever that happens.

Microsoft will tell us more about the Xbox One at E3

4. What awaits the Xbox 360?

Microsoft had a very big Xbox announcement on May 21, where the new Xbox was revealed as the Xbox One. The event went so far as to show us the full console (unlike the PS4 tease) including specs for the Kinect and even the new Gamepad.

While we've been told the conversation will continue at E3, there's also expectation that the older Xbox 360 is going to get some convention love in Los Angeles.

As the Xbox One moves to occupy the space of marquee console, those who still own the 8-year-old Xbox will be pleased to learn that there's news in store.

"We have a huge, I think it's huge, [Xbox 360] announcement for E3 that I keep wanting to talk about, but I can't," said Microsoft Game Studios Corporate Vice President Phil Spencer following the One's reveal.

"I think the [Xbox 360] is going to be very vibrant for many years," he effused.

Now that piques our interest.

5. We'll actually see the PS4

Despite not actually seeing the system, we liked Sony's PlayStation 4 launch event. We'd call it a mostly positive non-surprise. The focus on games and developers was admirable, as were the social functions of the system. And while not getting a peek at an actual PS4 console was frustrating, Sony has saved some magic for next time, and we're betting that next time will be E3 2013.

Despite Sony saying the reveal might come sooner than June, the smart money is on a PS4 reveal at E3 2013. Why? Because it needs a main attraction at the show where an appearance by its chief rival, the Xbox One, is guaranteed. Plus, E3 is mere days away, and why drop your eggs before your June 10 press conference?

Sony CEO Kaz Hirai talked up the PS4's primary role as a gaming device (unlike some other major machine we know...) and it will likely use it's time at E3 to talk about just what makes that so. There's still plenty of unanswered questions, including its own used game/DRM policies, plus how it will operate as more than a gaming console (we know, a bit hypocritical, but in this day and age you've got to have some mulch-functionality in your console).

Yes, we've seen the controller. Now where's the rest of it?

We're also still waiting to hear more on pricing info, online subscription details and a hard release date, something more specific than "holiday 2013." Sony may not be ready to to talk hard facts just yet, and simply wheeling the system out before a whooping crowd will buy it some time.

• Read about what you can expect from Sony during E3

6. The fate of the Vita

Vita, vita, vita. What is Sony going to do with you? The poor PS Vita is a lovely little system. It earned four tars in our PS Vita review. But subdued marketing and a lack of must-have have made it something of a non-start.

It's not completely Sony's fault. It's hard to sell a premium mobile gaming device these days. Most consumers are happy to play cheap games on the smartphone they already own, and who can blame them?

So how can Sony move units? Well, a price break worked in Japan, but Sony seems rather dead set against dropping the price in other markets. Still, we wouldn't be at all surprised to see the asking price get lowered at E3, because it seems that Sony will treat the Vita as a PS4 accessory.

Is there life left in the Vita?

Using the streaming service Gaikai, the PS4 will let you stream PS4 titles to your Vita, using an airplay like feature. Now this doesn't mean you can walk down the street playing Killzone Shadow Fall. As we understand it, it'll be more like the Wii U's second screen feature, which lets you move your game to the tablet if someone wants to use the TV for something besides watching you play Mario.

• Read more: PlayStation 4 first impressions: Sony is playing it safe

Still, Sony can't bet it all on the PS4 to save the Vita. It's asking a lot to expect consumers to pick up two pricey pieces of hardware. We're curious to see what else it may have in store to kick start its good but underloved handheld.

7. WWCBD? (What will Cliff Bleszinski do?)

If you're much of an Xbox fan, or you've played more than a few rounds of horde mode in Gears of War, you've probably heard the name Cliff Bleszinski. Or maybe you know him by an easier to spell moniker, like Cliffy B, Dude Huge, or the ex-Design Director at Epic Games.

That's right, in October of last year, Bleszinski left the pillar of the industry that is Epic Games to do...well we're not sure what yet, and that's the exciting part.

He hasn't stayed on the sidelines, however, giving a talk on VR at this year's PAX East and waxing long on the web's reaction to the online lynching of a now-ex Microsoft employee's thoughts on an always on Xbox and an always connected future as a whole.

Now, Bleszinski hasn't announced any plans to...announce any plans. So far he's not on the roster for any E3 presentations, and that makes him the perfect the surprise guest. Remember when Gabe Newell stepped on stage at Sony's 2010 E3 show? Well, imagine Bleszinski doing the same, acting as a consultant for Ubisoft, Volition or another developer on the cusp of breaking into the next level.

Or imagine him striking out on his own, announcing a new development house. Dude Huge Studios, Cliffy B Industries, or a some name that's far less terrible. No matter what, we're excited to see what the man does next, and E3 2013 is the perfect place to get the ball rolling.

8. The biggest titles of E3

E3 is known for surprises. Unexpected sequels and brand new IP's all step out of the shadows and into the spotlight at this celebration of the video game industry. So what will the biggest games of the show be? Surprises aside, we're prepared to make a few educated guesses as to what will have the fans clamoring come June.

First off, even though its been at E3 before, Watch Dogs is a game to watch. It blew audiences away with its detailed open world and insane techno-chaos. Sharp observers rightly guessed that it was next-gen title, and Ubisoft has confirmed that it will on both PS3 and PS4, as well the Xbox 360, and its successor, we presume.

Super Smash Bros. Wii U is highly anticipated title bound to create buzz. Nintendo has confirmed that the next installment of its character brawler franchise will have some presence at the show. Even if its just screens and a demo, fans will want to get their hand on it, and as entry in beloved Nintendo series, it's exactly the shot in the arm the Wii U needs.

As far as annual, excuse us, long-running franchises are concerned, a new Call of Duty game would shock no one. We'd say we're due for a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 pretty soon. Battlefield 4 is also a given, since it was announced at GDC 2013. There's also the pirate glory of Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag looming on the horizon.

Finally, Grand Theft Auto V will be a no show, but that won't stop anyone from talking about it. Its release has been delayed to Sept. 17, so Rockstar could demo it at the show, but that wouldn't be their style. The studio notoriously skips most E3s, leaving the crowd to build buzz about what the heck its up to. Hey, it's worked for them in the past!

9. Just how unreal is Unreal Engine 4?

L.A. Summertime. Thousands of game-heads. It could get a little trippy at E3, no doubt.

Unreal Engine 4, the ultra-powerful game engine we got a real-time demo of during the PS4's launch, could really rip the seams of reality if its makers unleash it on the E3 crowd.

Marketed as architecture that brings to life fully dynamic lighting features, shortened dev time and "less iteration on creative ideas," the pomp and circumstance for Unreal Engine 4 is certainly glitzy. Can it live up to its self-produced hype, though? Will it elicit authentic jaw drops and awed, "Dude, that's unreal!" exclamations?

We'll be very curious to see if the touted high-end visuals are as captivating in person as they seem in demos like the one above, plus what devs have to say about the potential for such power to be scaled and accessed in lower-end PCs.

We're hoping for amazing, and we think Unreal Engine 4 has the chance to deliver at E3.

Talk to us, Gabe!

10. Steam Box a no-show

There's arguably no other "alternative" console gathering as much, er, steam as Valve's Steam Box. Not only does it have popular gaming personality Gabe Newell at its helm, it's just a damn cool concept.

Some consider it a "console killer" while others are wary it can really stand up to Sony and Microsoft, becoming more of a niche PC product than a true gaming champion, but honestly we simply want to get our hands on the thing and see if its muster really stacks up.

So far we've only eyeballed a pseudo-Steam Box - the Xi3 Piston - in the flesh, but Valve recently said that it's distanced itself from the firm. That leaves us to wonder not only what caused the rift, but how it will effect the product we see Valve itself bring forth.

Not the Steam Box

Unfortunately, Valve has decided to sit E3 2013 out.

"Valve is not exhibiting at e3 [sic] this year," wrote Doug Lombardi, the company's vice president of marketing, in an April email.

So that makes Nintendo and Valve E3 no-shows. Huh.

Of course, as Gaming Blend pointed out, Valve could truly follow Nintendo's footsteps and host private off-site meetings to show off either its hardware or games destined for the console.

Newell said a short time ago that prototypes will be ready to ship to some Steamers in the next three to four months, a pronouncement made in early March, placing the ship date at around June or July. As E3 is in mid-June, we wouldn't be surprised if the Valve crew has something to show folks at E3, even if its not on the show floor.

11. Ouya talking to me?

OK, maybe there is another buzz-breaking system. Like Valve, Ouya has captured the imagination and burrowed into the hearts of gamers and developers, the Kickstarter darling that's launching on June 4 for $99.99/£99.99.

The console will be available in the U.S., U.K. and Canada then, giving many eager customers the gaming system they've been waiting for.

It seems like the mystery is all but gone from the device, but if you're thinking that, then you're (we're sorry to say) quite wrong. There are plenty of questions remaining, some we hope are addressed at E3.

For one we want to know how the company plans to address controller lag many in the press (including ourselves) experienced when testing the console. We imagine this will be fixed by release time, but Ouya should provide clear answers to a key hardware issue.

Ouya questions left unanswered

There's also been lots of talk by the company that the product will be in a state of near-constant evolution, so will there be more steps take between the June 4 release and the dates surrounding E3?

We're also curious about how many launch titles there will be, how the company plans to navigate the world of in-app purchases and what it plans to do about ESRB and PEGI ratings.

It's too early to talk about the Ouya 2, but we wouldn't be shocked if a new peripheral or two gets some press time as well.

12. 4K at E3

4K tech is still very much in its infancy. Yes, we have Samsung, ViewSonic, LG, Toshiba and Panasonic readying and releasing 4K-capable TVs and displays, but the content is lagging far behind. Games, as you can imagine, are on the peripheral of the 4K conversation looking in.

Sony confirmed 4K video output for the PS4, but so far not for games. 4K games could be something it's working on right now, however, and the company may be ready to make that known at E3.

Microsoft has thus far stayed out of the 4K foray, but might E3 be where we can get them in a corner, so to speak, and pick the company's brains on the tech? Might they let slip a little 4K ambition of their own?

The issues of making 4K games extend beyond console makers and into processor and content makers as well.

AMD recently revealed its Radeon HD 7990 "Malta" GPU, capable of playing titles in eye-popping 4K. Nvidia, AMD's arch nemesis, might want to cook up an answer to the hyper-drive graphics card.

4K is a few years off from making it into mainstream gaming, but we fully expect it to be part of the conversation at this year's E3. 4K is not just a facet of gaming future but the future of all digital content, and it's a topic that continues to be fascinating for many.

Samsung evidently pushes flexible AMOLED display release to 2013

Samsung is in no hurry to bring out its first commercial flexible AMOLED displays, thanks largely to the fact traditional displays are doing just fine.

Reports from Korean website ETNews indicate that Samsung has placed the bendy AMOLED screens on the back burner until next year.

Instead, the company apparently wants to focus on increasing flat display production.

Samsung is seeking to increase its AMOLED production from 56,000 units per month to a 64,000 unit per month yield to keep up with demand for current smartphones like Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.

To meet that increase in production, some of the pilot lines manufacturing flexible AMOLED displays have been converted to glass AMOLED lines, slowing bendy AMOLED progress.

All bent out of shape

Reports from earlier this year indicated that Samsung decided to delay flexible AMOLED screen production due to issues with the yield and production schedule problems.

At the time it was thought that if the flexible AMOLED issues were solved by the end of the year, consumers could expect to see the first devices using the technology by mid-2013.

Whether that 2013 marker will be affected by Samsung's take-it-slow attitude remains to be seen.

Samsung's bendable, twistable displays were last seen in December 2011 when the company released a concept video of the technology in action.

Unlike traditional glass AMOLED displays, the flexible screens are plastic-based, requiring a different production method but making them nearly indestructible.

A practical application for the curvy screens on a smartphone or tablet is still anyone's guess, but the technology has an undeniable cool factor that has everyone eager to see what form the malleable displays ultimately take.

Google Glass: what you need to know

 

Back in early 2012, before the world had heard of Google Glass, the tech world was ablaze with rumours that the search giant was beavering away on augmented reality goggles.

As the days went by, it was clear that not only was this true, but that Google's dream of wearable technology was far, far closer to release than anyone would have guessed.

Roll forward just over a year and the first versions are in the hands of developers who went into a lottery to fork out $1,500 for their own pair of spectacles.

TechRadar has had time with the Google Glass Explorer so you can find plenty more information right there.

But what exactly is Google Glass? Why is it attracting all this attention and what are the implications - both good and bad - of having a Google-eye view of the world?

Google Glass and its prism display

What is Google Glass?

Google Glass is an attempt to free data from desktop computers and portable devices like phones and tablets, and place it right in front of your eyes.

Essentially, Google Glass is a camera, display, touchpad, battery and microphone built into spectacle frames so that you can perch a display in your field of vision, film, take pictures, search and translate on the go.

The principle is one that has been around for years in science fiction, and more recently it's become a slightly clunky reality. In fact, the "heads-up display" putting data in your field of vision became a reality as early as 1900 when the reflector sight was invented.

Google Glass options

Google Glass uses display technology instead to put data in front (or at least, to the upper right) of your vision courtesy of a prism screen. This is designed to be easily seen without obstructing your view. According to Google the display is "the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away". There's no official word on native resolution, but 640 x 360 has been widely mooted.

Overlaying data into your vision has obvious benefits; many of which are already functional in Google Glass. Directions become more intuitive (although it sounds like there is no GPS on board so you will have to pair it with your phone), you can view real-time translations or transcriptions of what is being said, and you can scroll through and reply to messages - all on the fly.

Google Glass - certainly capturing plenty of attention

The embedded camera obviously does not need a viewfinder because it is simply recording your first-person perspective, allowing you to take snaps or footage of what you are actually seeing.

Any function that requires you to look at a screen could be put in front of you.

Controlling this data is the next neat trick. With a microphone and touchpad on one arm of the frame, you can select what you want to do with a brief gesture or by talking to the device, and Google Glass will interpret your commands.

Google Glass can also provide sound, with bone-induction technology confirmed. This vibrates your skull to create sound, which is both more grisly sounding and much less cumbersome than traditional headphones.

What can Google Glass do?

As well as Google's own list of features, the early apps for Google Glass provide a neat glimpse into the potential of the headset.

As well as photos and film - which require no explanation - you can use the Google hangout software to video conference with your friends and show them what you're looking at.

You'll also be able to use Google Maps to get directions, although with GPS absent from the spec list, you'll need to tether Glass to your phone.

"Is Glass cool and entirely novel? Yes, it certainly is. Is it a device that will change the life of, or even just prove useful to, the average consumer? That's doubtful."

To do that, Google offers the MyGlass app. This pairs your headset with an Android phone. As well as sharing GPS data, this means messages can be received, viewed on the display, and answered using the microphone and Google's voice-to-text functionality.

Google has given its Glass project a big boost by snapping up voice specialists DNNresearch.

That functionality will also bring the ability to translate the words being spoken to you into your own language on the display. Obviously you'll need a WiFi connection or a hefty data plan if you're in another country, but it's certainly a neat trick if it works.

Third parties are also already developing some rather cool/scary apps for Google Glass - including one that allows you to identify your friends in a crowd, and another that allows you to dictate an email.

The New York Times app gives an idea how news will be displayed when it's asked for: a headline, byline, appropriate image and number of hours since the article was published are displayed.

Google Glass - another reason not to miss your flight

Other cool ideas include a air carrier's suggestion that you could have flight flight details beamed to you while you are waiting at the airport. Basically, the sky's the limit.

If you want to know if Google Glass is any good - TechRadar's Alex Roth spent time with the device and said the following:

"Is Glass cool and entirely novel? Yes, it certainly is. Is it a device that will change the life of, or even just prove useful to, the average consumer? That's doubtful."

What are the Google Glass specifications?

As well as a mooted 640 x 360 display, the built-in camera is a 5MP snapper that can film at 720p.

Battery life is apparently a day, although that's with the usual "typical use" caveat, which probably excludes a lot of videoing.

There's 16GB of flash memory built into the device, although only 12GB will be available for user storage. The device will sync to your Google Drive in the cloud

Bluetooth and WiFi will be built in, but no GPS chip - so the Glass will probably work best alongside an Android phone, although you can pair with any Bluetooth enabled phone.

The frame will come with replacement and adjustable nosepads, and is expected to be both lightweight and extremely robust. It will also have a touchpad along one arm.

The sound will be produced through bone conduction transfer - vibrating your skull to transmit to your ears.

There is a Micro USB cable and charger for the dev versions, and all of the above specs are expected to be replicated in the consumer versions when they arrive.

Lastly, Google Glass will come in five colours: Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton and Sky. Using Glass's translation ability to turn that list from marketing speak to plain English, that's black, orange, grey, white and blue.

Google Glass will come in five colours

How much will Google Glass cost?

The Google Glass Explorer (the developer version being sent out now) costs $1,500 - around £985 or AU$1,449.

The consumer versions, which are expected to arrive by the end of 2013, are expected to be a little cheaper, although any actual prices remain speculative. They are unlikely to be super-cheap - but Google's success with the Nexus 7 tablet may prompt the company to subsidise some of the cost.

Google Glass - coming to a developer near you (if you live in the US)

When is the Google Glass release date?

A final release date has not been announced, but sources tell us that the original suggestion of 2014 was actually overly pessimistic and we could see Google Glass arrive in time for the end of 2013. So start readying your letter to Santa.

Google Glass - robust enough?

I already wear glasses. Will Google Glasses work for me?

Yes - Google is already working on designer versions which will include prescription lenses.

Google Glass with glasses

Who is providing the competition?

Of course, with something as high profile as Google Glass, every major company has been linked with building a competitor.

Apple and Microsoft are Google's most obvious rivals - and both are rumoured to be working on their own equivalents. Sony has gone so far as to patent a Glass-alike offering. Vuzix, Oakley and Baidu are other numbered among the potential Glass rivals, and they won't be the last.

There is going to be plenty of competition going forward

Interestingly, Google might already be considering its own successor to Glass if this patent is to be believed. The patented design looks more like regular glasses, following the style of Google's potential competitors.

Is Project Glass evil?

Obviously with any new technology there is the potential for misuse - and Google Glass is, of course, a little problematic when it comes to privacy.

Of course, Google would say that it is merely taking the functionality that we already have in our portable devices and making it more readily accessible.

Google Glass - is it evil?

A lot will come down to personal preference. For many, the prospect of being filmed by someone from their glasses will make them uneasy, having conversations logged and transcribed will be divisive, and the inclusion of facial recognition would clearly be problematic.

A strip club and a bar have already earned cheap publicity by pre-emptively banning Glass, and TechRadar columnist Gary Marshall has had his say.

6 best Smart TV platforms in the world today

 

Whether you're after BBC iPlayer, streaming movies, some on-demand 3D action or something else, smart TV is quickly maturing.

A range of apps are available on connected TV services offered by all the big manufacturers, bringing social networking to your living room screen alongside television series streaming, music, gaming and more.

But which is the best smart TV platform?

Here we separate the connected kings of television from those playing catch-up, and present them in descending order of greatness, to try to help you when choosing a new TV.

1. LG Smart TV

LG gets the nod largely because of its oh-so-simple design that puts seemingly disparate sources of video onto one home screen.

Our favourite part of LG's smarty-pants user interface hasn't got anything to do with apps, but rather with networking. SmartShare software displays any video, photo or MP3 file stored on a networked PC, Mac or NAS drive, USB flash drive or HDD, on the home screen - and as a thumbnail image.

It's beautifully simple, and file support is huge, though for those wanting an even more comprehensive treatment, LG also offers the Plex app.

Beloved of rampant downloaders and networkers it might be, but SmartShare is made complete by a thoroughly decent selection of apps - and that includes a useful 3D World.

The Premium page hosts BBC iPlayer, Lovefilm, Netflix, Acetrax and YouTube, with lesser-known apps comprising Absolute Radio, Red Bull TV, ITN, Autocar, YouTube, Blinkbox, CineTrailer, Cartoon Network, HiT, Picasa, iConcerts, AccuWeather and Box Office 365.

The SmartWorld app store, however, contains little of note aside from Skype, which requires adding LG's AN-VC400 smart TV camera/mic. It's not got the most extensive choice of apps, but LG's Smart TV platform succeeds on ease of use - and spectacularly so.

Six LG TVs with Smart TV:

• LG 50PM670T 50-inch Active Shutter 3D plasma TV
• LG 47LM860V 47-inch Cinema 3D LED TV
• LG 47LM760T 47-inch Cinema 3D LED TV
• LG 47LM960V 47-inch Cinema 3D Nano LED TV
• LG 55LM660T 55-inch Cinema 3D LED TV
• LG 47LM670T 47-inch Cinema 3D LED TV

2. Samsung Smart Hub

Sheer volume of apps wins the day here, though Samsung's Smart Hub has a polished look to it, too. It's strong on movie streaming services, counting new service KnowHow and niche film finder Curzon On Demand alongside PictureBox, Lovefilm and Netflix.

For once, BBC iPlayer isn't the sole source of catch-up TV, with the slick ITV Player app onboard, too. Common apps such as YouTube, Viewster, Dailymotion, Absolute Radio, TuneIn radio, Vimeo, HuffPostLive and FluxPlayer join in, but it's Smart Hub's exclusive apps that appeal most.

It's constantly evolving, but as it stands, Smart Hub's unique apps include Spotify, ITV Player, Curzon, Digital Theatre (live recordings of stage plays), Yabazam 3D, S[edition] (contemporary art) and myriad fitness apps and simple games.

Why doesn't Smart Hub grab top spot? It can't be customised enough, that's why, leaving all viewers forced to use an interface built with Samsung's own apps - Family Story, Fitness and Kids - at the centre. Some of those apps might be great for families, but must we all suffer them?

Meanwhile, some flagship TVs - such as the Samsung UE55ES8000 - go further, delivering voice control, gesture control, and even chucking in a second remote control with a touch-sensitive pad on it.

Six Samsung TVs with Smart Hub:

• Samsung UE55ES8000 55-inch 3D LED TV
• Samsung UE46ES8000 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Samsung UE46ES6300 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Samsung UE46ES7000 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Samsung PS60E6500 60-inch 3D plasma TV
• Samsung UE40ES7000 40-inch 3D LED TV

3. Sony Entertainment Network

Sony has two types of smart TV - its own Bravia TVs with SEN and its add-on NSZ-GS7 Google TV box. The latter could well be included on a Bravia TV soon, but for now we'll concentrate on SEN.

SEN works unlike all other smart TV platforms, principally by combining it with Sony's own Music On Demand, Video On Demand and PlayMemories cloud storage services.

Still, the common apps - and more - are all present. The BBC trio of iPlayer, News and Sport are available, as is Demand 5 - a catch-up app from Five that's here exclusively.

These sit alongside YouTube, Lovefilm, Netflix, Sky News, Sony Entertainment Television Network (old TV episodes), Eurosport, Sony 3D, Skype, Facebook and Twitter (though the latter social media sites are separate).

In terms of presentation, SEN is now much improved on 2011, with a live TV thumbnail and an altogether clearer, more confident design that's easy to navigate.

Six Sony TVs with SEN:

• Sony KDL-46HX853 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Sony KDL-26EX553 26-inch LED TV
• Sony KDL-40HX753 40-inch 3D LED TV
• Sony KDL-32HX753 32-inch 3D LED TV
• Sony KD-84X9005 84-inch Ultra HD 3D LED TV
• Sony KDL-46HX923 46-inch 3D LED TV

4. Panasonic Viera Connect

In terms of sheer at-a-glance simplicity, Panasonic's Viera Connect is hard to beat; press a shortcut on the remote to wake the smart stuff, and another to fire up BBC iPlayer. Now that's what we like, though there's arguably not enough going on elsewhere for true greatness to be achieved.

A highlight is Rovi TV, a web-powered EPG that's a huge advance on the dreadful EPG native to all Panasonic TVs.

But of wider appeal will be Skype, Netflix, Acetrax, YouTube, Picasa, Daily Motion, Vimeo, Viera 3D World, FetchTV, BBC News, BBC Sport, euronews, CNBC Real-Time, MLB.tv, the subs-based Eurosport Player, TuneIn Radio, SHOUTcast radio, Aupeo & iConcerts.

Squillions of games and more are available on the extensive Marketplace, which sells games downloads as well as 3D glasses and other TV accessories.

Arranged in a 3 x 3 grid with a large window for a live source (TV, Blu-ray, whatever), the need to navigate up and down through different pages is a pain, but Viera Connect is very simple to customise so frequently used apps can all appear on the front page.

The best looking, best behaving and most ambitious smart TV platform around, Viera Connect nevertheless feels like a separate service and isn't integrated into the TV quite as completely as it should be.

Six Panasonic TVs with VieraConnect:

• Panasonic TX-P50VT50B 50-inch 3D plasma TV
• Panasonic TX-L32E5B 32-inch LED TV
• Panasonic TX-P42GT50 42-inch 3D plasma TV
• Panasonic TX-L47WT50B 47-inch 3D LED TV
• Panasonic TX-L42DT50B 42-inch 3D LED TV
• Panasonic TX-L37E5B 37-inch LED TV

5. Toshiba Places

Toshiba Places is an attempt to put essential apps and 'social TV' in front of families, offering all members their own log-in if they want it.

That idea doesn't really make sense unless everyone watches TV alone; is a daughter really going to log in to her Twitter account on a TV with her brother sitting nearby? We doubt it, but there's more to Toshiba Places than personalised app arrangement.

The filing system - Video Place, Music Place and so on - is nicely thought through, but also serves to highlight the fact that there's not much in each folder. The only apps in TV Place are BBC iPlayer and a MediaGuide app, while Music Place is similarly bare, with just iConcerts and Aupeo! Radio inside.

We're not sure why it's home to a Skype app, but the Video Place folder is busiest - inside is Blinkbox, Acetrax, Cinetrailer.tv, Dailymotion, Viewster, YouTube and Womi. Social Place adds Flickr, Facebook and Twitter, though only clutter comes from News Place (Livesport, Euronews, France 24 and MeteoNews).

An overly fussy user interface and long winded navigation in and out of Toshiba Places leaves it languishing near the bottom, but for those merely wanting occasional access to BBC iPlayer, it ticks that particular box as well as any - and Toshiba TVs are famously affordable.

Six Toshiba TVs with Toshiba Places:

• Toshiba 47WL968 47-inch 3D LED TV
• Toshiba 42VL963 42-inch 3D LED TV
• Toshiba 46TL963 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Toshiba 55VL963 55-inch 3D LED TV
• Toshiba 55ZL2 55-inch Ultra HD, glasses-free 3D LED TV
• Toshiba 40RL953 40-inch LED TV

6. Philips Smart TV

It's got a thumbnail that displays - with sound - either live TV or a live video source, a Tweet button and a fresh design that puts all apps along the bottom of the screen. In fact, Philips has created a roomy smart TV interface that borders on classy.

That, however, it where the good stuff ends. Sure, BBC iPlayer is included, and so is Acetrax (if you look for it), but beyond those two and YouTube there's little to get excited about.

Twitter and Facebook (combined in a Social TV app) besides, there's Picasa, iConcerts, and a link to an App Gallery that includes stuff such as CNBC Real Time, Napster, Absolute Radio, Aupeo, Viewster, Funspot, Euronews, ebay, MeteoConsult, Foreca weather, the saucy trio of Hustler, Private and Brazzers, and... Tom Tom HD Traffic. Say what?! Blinkbox, a streaming movies app, is promised to also arrive soon.

Basic and in need of some content, Philips' smart TV effort is nevertheless straightforward to use and decidedly uncluttered - though there is an uncomfortable reason for that.

Six Philips TVs with Smart TV:

• Philips 46PFL9707 46-inch Moth Eye 3D LED TV
• Philips 55PFL6007T 55-inch 3D LED TV
• Philips 46PFL7007 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Philips 46PFL8007 46-inch 3D LED TV
• Philips 50PFL7956T 50-inch Cinema 21:9 3D LED TV
• Philips 46PFL9706H 46-inch Moth Eye 3D LED TV

Hands on: Nokia Lumia 925 review

 

The Nokia Lumia 925 is an odd device – on the one hand, a bold design, on the other, debatable specs for a flagship phone.
Known as the "Catwalk" phone for a long time, this is the phone that some fans have been clamouring for: a Nokia Lumia that brings an aluminium design with the same innovative features.
However, it's not all good news for the metal fans, as it's still got a polycarbonate back as Nokia hasn't worked out how to rock an all-aluminium chassis in the same way HTC managed with the One.
That's not to say the design of this 4G-enabled phone isn't impressive, as with the rounded aluminium edges you'd be hard pressed to notice that the back was made of plastic, albeit a premium version of that material – plus it will come in black, white and silver.
(By the way, well done Nokia for not giving the colours "magical" names. If it's white, call it that).
The front of the phone will also still wow a few, as it's using the same ClearBlack technology, coupled with an HD OLED screen, on a 4.5-inch display.

Underneath the hood there's a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset powering things along, as well as 1GB of RAM and an 8.7MP camera bolted on the back.

Some eagle-eyed readers will notice something about those specs: they're identical to the Nokia Lumia 920, launched in September 2012. In the ensuing period HTC and Samsung have both launched 2GB, quad-core powered devices with much larger HD screens.

We can't claim that they're miles ahead in smartphone terms though; while the specs don't compare at all, Nokia's well-integrated use of Windows Phone 8 means its phones generally rocket along in day to day use, and battery power is conserved as a result.
That said, there's no denying that the screen quality is a step down when viewed side by side with the likes of the One or Galaxy S4. It's not a bad screen at all, as it's bright and clear with decent colour reproduction, but the sharpness difference is noticeable when doing things like internet browsing.

Let's talk about what the Nokia Lumia 925 is really about though: an upgraded camera with all new functionality. If you use Nokia's Smart Camera technology as the default setting it allows you to take 10 photos at once and then allows you to do a number of cool things with said snaps.

Nokia calls this an 'evolution' of the camera technology on its phones, and it's true as you no longer have to faff about with separate 'lenses' to enable functionality.

It's a similar system as the one used by HTC in the One, where capturing a 3.6 second Zoe when taking your picture allows you to create action shots, change faces in case someone blinks, remove background objects and more.

In our quick test the Lumia 925, with its 10 photos to choose from, performed a little better at things like working out which object to remove, and was a lot better than the same functionality in the Galaxy S4, on top of being easier to manipulate images you take.

There is a caveat to all this awesome technology: the 925 is a little slow on processing. And when we say a little, we're being kind. If you're taking photos for your own pleasure and have time to mess about with them to get the perfect result, then the annoying time watching the little dots at the top of the screen (which pop up when the phone is working through a task) isn't an issue.
But Nokia's selling this phone as having great shots you can share with friends -and nobody wants to be the person saying they can take a really cool picture then waiting 15 seconds to even start editing.

The other bold claim made by Nokia is the "best lowlight images without using a flash" - again, taking on HTC with the One's Ultrapixel power. We couldn't test the two side-by-side, but there's no doubt that this is going to be a closely fought war, with Nokia stating it will be putting marketing budget behind proving its own Lumia camera sensor can eclipse the One.

It reckons it can do this on a sensor that's already been used on the 920 by adding in a sixth lens to the camera unit, helping to improve things like optical image stabilisation and general photo quality.
However it's one of the only things that's different between the two phones beyond the design, with everything else nearly identical or actually worse on the Nokia Lumia 925.

They both pack a 2,000mAh battery, a 4.5-inch screen (although the addition of OLED technology over LCD is a welcome one) the same processor and RAM. However, the Lumia 925 has half the internal memory, down to only 16GB - with no expansion in sight, this is going to be a real problem for a lot of users.

Wireless charging is also not included with this phone, something Nokia tells us is a bid to keep the weight of its new flagship phone right down. You can add that functionality back in through a protective case, but it still smacks of Nokia confusing its strategy given it's poured so much effort into talking up the technology.
The diet that the Finnish brand has subjected its newest handset to is impressive though, as it's now down to 139g over the 185g whopping weight of the predecessor.

It still feels weighty compared the 130g of the plastic Samsung Galaxy S4 (despite the closeness in weight), but we like heft and metal together, so we don't think this is necessarily a bad thing - plus the battery doesn't rattle around in the case any more, which we see as a win.
We haven't touched on the combination of Nokia and Windows Phone 8 yet - and with that you get a high level of extras out of the box. Mix Radio, HERE and clever features like Cinemagraph are all add value, and are key differentiators for Nokia.

Early verdict

The Nokia Lumia 925 is a tricky beast to rate. Nokia tells us that this is a phone designed for the more technologically minded, the person that wants the latest and greatest handset from the brand.
However it seems that person would be disappointed by the Lumia 925, with its average specs and minimal upgrade from the 920 - at least when it comes to the internals.
But there's no doubting that it's going to be a market-leading cameraphone, and with things like the dedicated camera button (sounds obvious, but makes a huge difference) the 925 is definitely going to be a front runner for anyone that wants one of the most powerful portable cameras around.
Given a lot of the functionality will be coming to the older phones though it's hard to guess whether the design update will be enough - but when you hold it in your hand and come to enjoy the combination of polycarbonate and plastic, we reckon it will be enough to sway a number of users.
Price is going to play a massive part here, and that could be where the Nokia Lumia 925 loses out to the competition. It will likely cost the same as the leading smartphones on and off contract, and if someone holds the HTC One and Nokia Lumia 925 together, they're going to be hard-pressed to pick the latter unless they're enamoured by Windows Phone's Live Tiles.
We're obviously going to reserve judgement here until we get the Nokia Lumia 925 in for review - word is this will be around the start of June, so it's not too long to wait now.