Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips

Notebook Review: Panasonic's Rugged Toughbook

Are you on your way to conduct seismic research at Mount St. Helens? Panasonic's new Toughbook Y2 ($2550) may be the notebook for you, says PC World's Michael Lasky. The ruggedized notebook's battery lasted 4 hours and 53 minutes in our tests; the machine weighs less than 4 pounds; and its screen looks good under most lighting conditions. What's not to like? Well, nothing, really, says Michael (who's not easily impressed, by the way).

You can go to the PC World Product Finder for the current prices.

Notebook News: ThinkPad's Fingerprint Reader

IBM's ThinkPad T42 notebook series now includes a biometric fingerprint scanner, for about $50 extra. Located on the palm rest's right side, the reader helps you prevent unauthorized users from accessing your data, IBM says. The notebooks also include IBM's embedded security chip and Client Security Software. When used with the fingerprint reader, these features let you manage passwords and log-ins on networks and Web sites.

Browse our Product Finder for the latest ThinkPad T42 prices.

Gadget Review: Latest Sidekick Is (Mostly) a Kick

The Sidekick II PDA/cell phone/camera, offered by T-Mobile for $300, is a much better cell phone than its predecessor, says PC World reviewer Grace Aquino. Its voice quality is about the same as most dedicated cell phones, but dialing numbers is still awkward. The device is great at instant messaging and e-mail. But you can't physically connect the Sidekick II to a PC, and you can't sync to Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes e-mail.

Gadget Review: Creative's Portable Video Player

PC World's Liane Cassavoy got her hands on a new Creative Zen Portable Media Center ($499), the first portable video player out of the gate based on Microsoft's Portable Media Center operating system. The verdict: TV addicts, especially those with Windows Media Center PCs, might be enamored of the sleek device. But with its inconsistent video quality, others may find the price isn't right.

For more on PVPs, read "Portable Video Players," my take on the subject.

Travelers' Tip: Some Hotels Now Offer IPods

Forgot to pack your IPod? A few hotels and resorts are offering guests the use of Apple's popular MP3 player, USA Today reports. Guests at Le Meridien Cyberport in Hong Kong, for example, can borrow an IPod Mini with preloaded songs for their workout at the hotel's gym.

Reader Response: Going Wireless at Church (Sort of)

In response to my call to readers for "cool hot spots," I heard from Bill Ranta, associate pastor of family and care ministries at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. The church operates the Coffee Connection, a cafe in the Westside area that offers free Wi-Fi service to its customers. The church "started in the mid-seventies with the surfing community," Bill writes, so it has surfing--both Web and water--in its blood, he adds.

Know of an offbeat, quirky, cool commercial hot spot? Send me e-mail.

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