Stories by: Dave Jansen

For notebook users, the idea of good sound is generally an idea best left forgotten. The integrated sound of most notebooks is only intended for basic use and excellent audio tends to get overlooked by most manufacturers. Creative Labs has come up with a simple solution that uses its exceptional X-Fi chipset. The SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook is an expansion card that fits into any Windows based notebook with an ExpressCard slot.

The Panasonic VIERA TH-50PZ700A is a 50in 1080p plasma television with a native resolution of 1920x1080. It can accept signals from 480p through to 1080p and does so with impeccable clarity and quality. We put the panel to the test with an extensive series of tests and found the image quality to be excellent across all modes.

An A5 form factor, the Fujitsu LifeBook P1610 has all the features you would expect of both a tablet and a notebook while also offering 3.5G wireless Internet. While the build quality and design are attractive, the performance could have been better with a Core Duo processor at around the same price.

Pioneer has gone back to the drawing board and created a new plasma television from the ground up.

A mixture of retro and modern tech, the ASUS Internet Radio (AIR) uses your home network to access online radio stations from around the globe. Simple and easy to set up, the unit is like opening a door to the world, with music from local radio stations, as well as locations as far reaching as Africa, Brazil and even Liechtenstein. You can also tune in to stations you wouldn't think possible. We particularly enjoyed the Air Traffic Control chatter at JFK Airport in New York.

The Enermax Aurora is a 104-key keyboard compatible with both PC and Mac. Made from solid brushed aluminium and using scissor key technology, its striking style is only matched by its ease of use.

The LG 32LB9D is a 32in LCD television with a native resolution of 1366x768. It is an exceptional television which tested with flawless results. We put it through the wringer with tests in high definition, standard definition and hooked up to a PC. In each test, it passed with flying colours.

The Viewsonic PJ760 is an LCD projector and jack of all trades. It is considered a business projector due to its 4:3 aspect ratio, but the wide range of AV ports makes it robust enough for video projection too. Unfortunately, with all this potential, including ability to accept 1080p video, the projector has visual flaws that relegate it to the middle of the pack behind high-end units in both the home theatre and business spaces.

The ASUS VW222 is a 22in LCD monitor with a native resolution of 1680x1050. With its excellent image quality and brightness, it is ideal for both business and gaming use. It certainly has the style and speed of a gaming monitor but the speakers are a quandary as they don't deliver the kind of quality a gamer would demand.

Sit back in your leather lounge and enjoy your new LCD TV.

The Sanyo LCD-47XR2 is a 47in LCD television with a native resolution of 1920x1080. It breaks the current mould of piano-black televisions and harkens back to a time when speakers were side mounted and widescreen televisions still looked wide. We ran an extensive series of tests and were surprised by how well the panel performed. It still had some minor issues here and there, but on the whole it is an excellent television, especially considering the price point.