Innovative Products, #8-#10
8. Dell XPS M2010
Photograph: Marc SimonSporting a cutting-edge design, the Dell XPS M2010 (starting price $2999) makes a bold and immediate statement. Not quite a desktop and definitely less portable than a standard notebook, this hybrid system neatly balances elements of both. You get a 20.1-inch screen, a slot-loading DVD drive, and a detachable, full-size Bluetooth keyboard, plus an integrated Webcam, eight built-in speakers, and a subwoofer. Powering this entertainment system are ATI graphics, an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, and up to 4GB of RAM. It also folds up into a briefcase-like bundle, complete with a handle--but it weighs a hefty 18-plus pounds.
9. Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB
Photograph: Marc SimonWith the growing popularity of video and music files in the past few years, storage capacity once again became an issue for PCs as hard drives' conventional longitudinal recording technology reached its limit. Enter perpendicular magnetic recording technology, which allows vendors to pack more data onto one platter than in the traditional approach. Laptops were the first to benefit from drives with the new technology, followed shortly by our pick, the $400 750GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 desktop model. Not only does this drive boast the highest capacity we've seen in a single desktop disk, but it outperforms standard drives--especially in write tests and on tasks that involve sustained throughput with sizable files.
10. T-Mobile Dash
Photograph: Marc SimonThe slim Motorola Q brought a usable QWERTY keyboard to Windows Mobile smart phones--and then the T-Mobile Dash came along and got the rest of the package right. Combining a stylish, superthin design with sculpted keys that correct the deficiencies we found on the Q, and offering both cellular service and integrated wireless capabilities, the Dash makes a great impression. You also get a 1.3-megapixel camera and a miniSD slot for expansion in this 4.2-ounce handset, and it's an affordable $250 with a two-year contract. Our minor pet peeves: The device's software bundle isn't as robust as that of some of its competitors, and its built-in user-accessible memory is a paltry 23MB.
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