Announced at the last Mobile World Congress, Note 8.0 is the new version of the Samsung range stylus. Really a smartphone, this large-format Note further attack 8'' tablet market with line of sight one competitor in particular: the iPad Mini.

In addition to its unique size in Samsung - who typed so far in the 7 or 10'' - Note 8 was at the time of its announcement, makes sense, thanks to the  PA3258U-1BAS possibility to use it as a phone. However, if you paste the idea of ​​such a device to the ear you bristling hair, do not worry: the only version currently available is equipped with WiFi only, and it is also one that makes the The purpose of this test. First observation, when captured for the first time the Galaxy Note 8.0: it is pure Samsung in design. Kinship with the Note II or the Galaxy S III is obvious here, even if the screen edges are wider than usual ...

The whole is always cast in a smooth, glossy plastic shell, which seems quite slippery at first, but that it has an impact on the grip in practice. Close to the mini iPad in its format, Note 8.0 is slightly larger, thicker and heavier. However, it is the VGP-BPS12 impression of lightness and solidity which predominate, confirming that the size 8'' seems to be an ideal compromise between appearance "16: 9" with a 7'' and the larger size of 10''.

Problematic stylus?

The connectivity and the location of the buttons are for their impeccable. It has quick access to micro-SD slot, volume buttons fall well under the fingers and the case to store the stylus / S-Pen (in the lower right corner as shown in the Note II) is both discreet and easy access. On this last point, however, we found a rather annoying problem: the  Battery  VGP-BPS9 extreme sensitivity of the recognition of the "withdrawal" of the S-Pen. Simply, most of the time, seize the tablet for it erroneously detects an output of the stylus from its location, automatically causing the output unit to standby. The screen changes suddenly its time to turn without being asked anything. Unclear whether this defect is specific to the SONY VGP-BPS8 device that was provided to us or if it is a simple software bug that will be a future update .... In contrast, the S-Pen itself is very pleasant to use, accurate and ergonomic. The comfort provided by the screen 8'' is not a stranger, and taking notes "in pencil" takes on a whole new dimension.

To screen its first tablet 8 ", Samsung has chosen a TFT capacitive display offering a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and a density of 189 ppi. Keeping with its policy, the Korean manufacturer and foremost on brightness and color and a very marked contrast, even lose a little fidelity. If Pavilion DV6 more demanding in terms of rendering will be always a little disappointed, hard to complain against the clarity and accuracy of the the Samsung screens have not much to prove this point.

Autonomy, in turn, is somewhat disappointing, especially compared to the excellent performance of the iPad mini. But not catastrophic, the quality of the DV5 Battery (5200mAh, yet) allow you to use it from one day to a day and a half. This result largely down during video playback (WiFi on, maximum brightness) as our test shows a shy 5:30, barely more than a Nexus Nexus 7 and less than 10, which were already quite down our comparison chart. However, the management of standby looks good, the battery level dropping to only a few% in 24h.

At the top of the podium performance

Although this is not the first argument of a tablet, the quality of the  HP Pavilion DV4  is always more important. Here, the surprise is quite good, since the 5-megapixel sensor offers outdoor photos pretty successful, offering accurate colors and satisfactory accuracy. No flash on the other hand, which immediately eliminates any possibility to take pictures in low light, the sensor is not big enough to support a context too shaded.

With a score of 17093 in AnTuTu Benchmark and 46.4 fps sources Epic Citadel, the Galaxy Note 8 is placed directly on the podium of the best performing market shelves, even monopolizing the top spot on AnTuTu. The four heart Exynos processor clocked at 1.6 Ghz worked wonders, as the Mali 400MP GPU. The user experience is all the better, the fluidity of the interface is rarely faulted, and playing flawless multimedia files. It's simple, in terms of HP 484170-001 raw performance, Note 8 seems to be what is currently the best in the segment of tablets 7-8 inches. Also nothing to complain about his part: the speakers are in the average and offer proper sound power (even if it still should not expect miracles on a tablet of this size). As for the sound output from the headphones, it is true, and no pronounced deformation.

Ideal for taking notes

One of the main arguments of the range rating is of course the famous S-Pen, which is accompanied by a battery of applications dedicated to note-taking, drawing and other scribblings. On this point, fans will be so filled with sketches, the unit covering almost all needs in this area. You can create a travel via "Journal", lay out a personalized magazine with "Magazine", create greeting cards, take "raw" notes, etc.. Handwriting is nice, and the stylus to draw quite accurately, the pressure on the screen is taken into account. If we are still far from the quality of a professional pen (as found in Wacom, for example), we can only applaud the compaq presario cq60 quality level offered by Samsung for a consumer product.

But the penguins pen reassure the Galaxy Note 8 may well be used "finger" and echo the principles of TouchWiz, found especially on the Galaxy SIII or Note II interface. No big surprises on this, so this fit perfectly overlay format 8''. If you are used laptop  XPS M1210 products, so you do not risk being homesick. Note that the windowing, function already present on the Note II (which allows you to view two applications at the same time, one on each side of the screen) wins again here in interest and comfort.

Finally, and not surprisingly, the Galaxy Note 8.0 proves a very good tablet 8'': powerful, comfortable to use and ideal when it comes to taking notes or view content. Slight defects mentioned above are not disadvantageous, however, hoping that the bug recognition pen is only very temporary. Dell Inspiron 1300 remains to address the issue of price: € 399 in the WiFi version, it clearly is at a rate that could put off those who want to acquire a "small" tablet to a consistent price. A little more expensive than the iPad Mini and more than the Nexus 7, the Galaxy Note 8, despite these undeniable qualities could be difficult to justify the pricing of these few hardware improvements. A reflection will however not unduly started our overall opinion: we stayed in love with this new Samsung tablet.

Tags: Dell studio 1558 ,  E6500 Battery , Dell XPS M1330

OCZ now offers shops stamped his latest SSD Vertex 3.20. Beyond simple index change, what are the changes from the model 3.0? Is it as Dell Studio 1558 effective? And at what price?

Since he decided in 2011 to invest the SSD market, OCZ multiplies the good things, like recently with the very grand entrance of his latest disc called NAND Flash Vector (see our test here ). However, on the sidelines of the launch of new products, the American company has not forgotten its ancient references provided, it continues to improve in small steps. This is now the case of Vertex 3, which is adorned with a new 3.20 index winner in passing some interesting Dell Inspiron 1545 fonctionnnalités.

And contrary to what is usually done, this renumbering owes nothing to chance. The number "20" in fact refers to the fineness of engraving that characterizes the new NAND Flash chips (Intel MLC) required for data storage. For the record, these are the same chips found in the Intel 335 Series products, and we had the opportunity to evaluate in a previous test. And as things are done well, the Intel and OCZ SSDs have the same controller, namely a LSI SandForce SF-2281.

However, let's be clear: if the  Dell E4300 Battery internal specifications leave hope for the best performance side, the packaging is meanwhile more minimalist, comprising only the disk without cables or hardware.

A renewal is good?

The side of the storage size, there is no particular distinguish change from version 3.0 of the range. OCZ still has two disks, one 120GB and the other 240GB, with, as you can see in the table below, the  XPS M1330 performance in sequential mode are identical. However, in random disk access is a bit different, for writing 4K block. Of course, these results provided by OCZ are shown on compressible data, on which the SF-2281 controller excels.

Not surprisingly, these are the numbers we decided to check first. Crystal Disk Mark with software that generates incompressible data, obtained some much the same IOPS performance. On the one hand, the

 Dell E4310 Battery test back 35,087 IOPS random 4K block read and 64,575 IOPS for writing the same data type.

On the ATTO test, which in turn generates highly compressible data, the speed is a little slower than expected, but it still remains on good performance with 539 MB / s sequential read and 514 MB / s sequential write. With the  HP G42 Battery test suite from Futuremark PCMark 7, the Vertex 3.20 offers the luxury of dropping directly in 6th place in the standings with 5278 points. Stronger yet, it moves just one point and even Samsung 830 passes over the last Sandisk SSD, the Ultra Plus 256 GB

As for pricing chosen, the gain is significant compared to the previous generation. Compare our Street-Hardware.com price, OCZ Vertex 3.20 shows a price of € 0.69 per GB. A comparison with the same SSD in the Intel HP G4 Battery  brand that appears to € 0.76 GB, OCZ drive is cheaper. In so doing, our performance index / price, it takes the fifth place on the all SSD passed through our hands. Undeniably, the consumer has won everything in this update, even if the software side still deserves some optimizations, Intel seems to have been carried out on its own SSD.

Tags:  HP G6 Battery,  G7 Battery, HP Envy 17T

GETTING STARTED

HP SpectreXT TouchSmart: a large touch ultrabook for home
This laptop PC ultrabook-screen 15.6 tactile inches is one of the flagships of the new HP range. Well finished and solidly equipped however, it is a little imposing and lack of endurance for you accompany everywhere.

the promise

HP unveils a new ultrabook, the SpectreXT TouchSmart 15-4000fr. Only available on the online shop of the

HP Pavilion DV6  manufacturer, to nearly 1400 euros, this machine equipped a touch screen of 15.6 inches is clearly positioned in upscale and equipped accordingly. Move to test.

reality

Le Spectre XT TouchSmart is beautiful and well equipped. The first contact with this Pavilion DV5 Notebook PC, which mixes brushed on top and magnesium silvery on the underside alu, is pleasant. Ranked in the family of ultrabooks, this Spectre XT is equipped with a screen 15.6 inch diagonal (39.62 cm). It displays beautiful images in high definition (1920 by 1080 pixels) and integrates a slab touchscreen that, associated with the very good keyboard backlit (without numeric keypad) and the general touchpad, facilitates the piloting of Windows 8.

A little heavy (2.2 kg) and thick (2.5 cm), this DV4 laptop PC HP did "of ultrabook» that its components. They consume and heat little but are powerful enough to rotate all applications, games set apart. However the machine sinneth by a too short autonomy: only 3 hours in video playback. His endurance and its format therefore do not make of SpectreXT TouchSmart a large nomadic but rather an occasional traveler, which finds more its place in the office than in the backpack.

Software and sound

HP 484170-001  preinstalls good software in full version on this ultrabook imposing. Norton Internet Security 2013 with two years update for security, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 10 for photo and video works or yet CyberLink PowerDVD 10 the reading of films. For the audio portion, HP always setting on pregnant and the signed audio Beats by Dr. Dre software, rendering correct.

Good components and of Thunderbolt

So that the SpectreXT TouchSmart meets the finger and the eye under Windows 8, HP retains an Intel (Intel Core i5-3317U, double heart clocked at 1,7 Ghz) processor latest generation supported by 4 GB memory and a module SSD of 256 GB of the machine. No engraver DVD, by against, and no way to enjoy the last 3D games. The video circuit of SpectreXT,  compaq presario cq60 integrated at Intel processor, is not powerful enough for that. To complete the equipment, HP garnishes the flanks of the machine a game of complete taken composed of taken USB 2, USB 3, of a network jack and HDMI and miniDisplayPort video outputs. This last is combined with of Thunderbolt. Finally, the wireless is of the part with Wi-Fi n and Bluetooth 4.0.

the verdict

The SpectreXT TouchSmart 15-4000ef of HP is a ultrabook imposing but well finished. One appreciates all installed software full version on delivery and quality of the touchscreen. Its price we seems globally justified if it is only the Dell XPS M1210 device sinneth by its autonomy a fair bit.

Tags:  Inspiron 1300, Dell studio 1558, Dell Latitude E6500

MSI is trying to compete with high-end motherboards "ROG" from Asus and "FTW" EVGA presenting the Z77A-G45 Gaming. The Z77A-G45 GAMING allows MSI to redo makeover on a platform based on Intel compatible socket 1155 processors. This time, Inspiron 1526 swapped the black and blue to follow the trend: black and red.

To give them a little "pep", the "Gaming" versions borrow the virtues of dragon decorating so the chipset heatsink and borrowing aesthetics scales of the beast for those power levels.

The chipset used is the Intel Z77 perpetual support for SATA 6Gbps storage devices and USB 3.0 natively.

To complete this offer, the Z77A-G45 GAMING favors multi GPU solutions with Lucid Virtu MVP and CrossfireX or SLI. Sound like the Pavilion DV4 network are key elements for gamers and that is why we find the "Killer Ethernet" feature to limit the effects of downturns but also "Sound Blaster Cinema" to provide a more realistic sound.

To ensure a long and infallible reliability, MSI has once again components "Military Class III".

Finally OC Genie II overclocking significantly simplifies the procedures and "Total Fan Control" allows precise control of fans dedicated to the cooling components. If offered such a comprehensive and attractive map as it is an excellent initiative that we welcome, she remains a good choice for players knowing that the release of the next generation of Compaq Presario CQ60 processors "Haswell" is imminent?

Introduction

MSI was able to offer many motherboards for Intel platforms with a very good value for money. For example, the Z77IA E53 mini-ITX had shown itself particularly convincing. Although Intel is expected soon to announce the availability of its new generation of processors "Haswell", MSI takes the risk of proposing yet another collection dedicated to families "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge." The Latitude E6500 manufacturer was indeed slightly behind the high-end segment usually reserved for overclockers as well as the only players represented by the "Power" collection. It therefore welcomes the efforts made by the manufacturer hoping that the result is convincing.

Thus the new motherboards "Gaming" MSI differ primarily on an aesthetic level, but also on-board equipment. It consists of four models, including three equipped with Intel Z77 chipset. Only B75A-G43 Gaming stands with B75 release. The Toshiba PA3465U-1BRS nuances between the various references are minimal.

They focus on cooling the floors of food, the type of components, the multi GPU and SATA interfaces support. It thus replaces the blue card by red more in tune with current trends and new features are introduced. But first the main features of the Z77A-G45 GAMING. We discover a map to shipping size ATX socket 1155 ccompanied by a famous last Z77.Ce chipset Intel warrants the media to the fastest SATA 6Gbps standard, USB 3.0 and various features such as Intel Smart Response Inspiron 1300 Technology, Rapid Start and Rapid Connect.

We also have 24 PCI Express lanes allowing the accumulation of several unlimited bandwidth with support for PCI Express 3.0 graphics cards. Getting closer now embedded on the Z77A-G45 GAMING it will stand out from the competition equipment. First Killer E2200 Ethernet Controller will reduce latency occurring in online games. A particularly complete application is proposed to make the most out of this tool. The audio is also another major concern of the players, the DV5 Battery  GAMING enjoys "Sound Blaster Cinema", an application enhancing the sound carries in games.

Finally always to achieve the best scores, two USB ports are switchable in 500 or 1000Hz to increase the reactivity of mice and keyboards. The Z77A-G45 GAMING is compatible with CrossFire and SLI. We can therefore combine the graphics card and MSI adds Lucid Virtu MVP, well known to increase framerates for example by adding computing power of the VGP-BPS8 processor IGP integrated 3D graphics application. Last trump the Z77A-G45 GAMING which has certified "Military Class III" with better overclocking potential, an advanced level of reliability as well as improved stability selected components.

Layout

Purified, it evokes the Z77A-G45 GAMING at first contact. Its classic black PCB seems stripped of components as they seem few. It is clear qu'MSI employs more integrated circuits leading to such results altogether convincing. Failing foolishly copy its close competitors, the Inspiron 1525 manufacturer drops the bright red for a little more Asian and therefore closer to the purple alternative. These are the radiators chipset and the power stages involved. The first features a dragon that is largely prefer to rounds of ammunition have met on other competing models.

The second radiators have the right to a perfect finish and design evoke the scales of the animal. They are divided into two blocks and are responsible for six VRM cooling. The Z77A-G45 GAMING 1155 features a socket permanently placed in the first half while the four ports will DIMM RAM. Let's get right to the bottom half of the Z77A-G45 GAMING on which there are three PCI Express x16 and four PCI Express x1 ports.

Below still on the edge, the deportees connectors show no originality like 99% of motherboards on the market.

Inspect the mismatched six SATA connectors. We would have preferred that those compatible with the third revision of the Pavilion DV6 standard differ only in color rather than their appearance. By cons MSI is well opting for remote USB 3.0 finally bent. Above the voltage measurement points are used to place a voltmeter. A mother "Overclocking" card is necessary, but on a "Gaming", the choice is debatable. Finally on the rear panel, the offer is complete with a PS / 2, four USB 2.0, two switchable in 500 or 1000Hz, a Clear CMOS switch, an obsolete digital coaxial output, S / PDIF, two USB 3.0, ethernet three video outputs VGA, DVI and HDMI, and finally six mini audio jack.

On the bundle, if efforts are made on those graphics cards with many games, some brands of motherboards MSI which part should shake a little more to offer than two SATA cables, a rear panel, a CD-ROM and various paper documents. When will real useful software (antivirus, ect) and not mere trial versions, groundwater quality and in sufficient numbers and adapters? Although the Dell Inspiron 6000  is not the more upscale but greatly help users to finalize their choice. In all cases, the Z77A-G45 GAMING offers an original and compelling successful aesthetic. It will delight those for whom the look is important.

BIOS

The BIOS of the Z77A-G45 GAMING being at exactly the same features than the Z77A-G45, we adapt dedicated to this new revision because only aesthetic change section. Evolved through backup features on USB key, it uses colors pleasing to the eye even if you wonder why the six menus arranged around the main window are also great. It would have been interesting to optimize the E6410 battery display by minimizing these huge buttons clickable. Moreover, if all the ingredients for a current BIOS options are present, we can hardly say that it is convenient to use and ergonomic.

Six sections therefore call on the Z77A-GD65 GAMING:

Settings
OC
ECO
Browser
Utility
Security

You should know that to use the alternative OS MSI, it is necessary first to make a removable storage medium that shipping system. The  HP 484170-001 Settings menu contains the basic options such as embedded devices but also the unique technologies of the Intel Z77 chipset and Z77A-GD65 GAMING as LucidVirtu. The options are clear and legible and UEFI BIOS of the motherboard supports multi language. The integrated help supposed to explain the different options could be more comprehensive and clear.

Overclocking the menu will push its processor in the last corner because all parameters are present: adjustment ratio of PLL voltages, the BCLK and many others. The RAM can also benefit from custom parameters such as voltage, frequency or CAS. Each specific processor features are grouped into a second menu and caters to the most strenuous overclockers. They allow the intervention parameters of the more sharp the CPU power. Finally, the Latitude E6510  possibilities for updating are simple, practical and effective. It only takes a few seconds to receive the latest UEFI BIOS of the Z77A-GD65 GAMING.

Applications

In recent months, MSI has undertaken a real effort to provide modern applications facilitating the setting and monitoring of its products. On the Z77A-G45 GAMING three major software package stand included with the card: Control Center II, Click BIOS II and Killer Network Manager. Start with Control Center II has a makeover in good and due form for this specific range. We thus find the colors now associated with this category.

The HP Pavilion DV2000 options remain faithful to the "Performance" series from MSI. Menu are essential tools related to overclocking, the ventilation management or control via mobile device.

The "Overclocking" tab includes all the necessary options to increase the frequency of the CPU and RAM as even the IGP. Tensions and other factors can be adjusted without the need to use the BIOS. The second menu will be responsible for automating overclocking the Dell Latitude e6400 processor as quickly as possible. This will prevent such beginners to have absorb technology but also terms may be too technical. The biggest advantage of this solution is especially not to take any risk to the health of the equipment where every wrong setting can be fatal if not properly characterized. The third tab is dedicated to the management of the fans. The Z77A-G45 GAMING manage up to three profiles including that of the processor. We especially appreciate this tool as the beaches of thermoregulation are important.

Can benefit from a silent operation at rest but also to enjoy a cooling more efficient in operation. Of course it is imperative to use appropriate fans and assemble the PC correctly to exploit its full potential. The last tab to activate need map control via smartphone or tablet. An option beyond the scope of this test. Active LED tab or off at will the LED on the power stage. These are at the top of the Dell Vostro 1510  and this option will allow purists precisely control the lighting of their machine.

Click BIOS II is a very interesting application conceptually speaking, as it allows changing the BIOS settings directly from the operating system. But in practice, Click BIOS II is largely improvable for two reasons:

Click BIOS II suffers from a painfully slow and a discouraging response. Furthermore any changes will restart the Sony VGP-BPS12 machine. Last detail of lesser importance, MSI has not seen fit to harmonize aesthetically Click BIOS II with Control Center II. This leaves an impression of oddity marketing rushed. Unsurprisingly, Killer Network Manager is a simplified application management QoS (Quality of Service). It would merely eg prioritization between voice and data.

We also emphasize responsible for MSI Live Update automatically download and install the BIOS, drivers and applications automatically. Failing to integrate the latest drivers, it keeps the advantage of simplifying and accelerating this daunting task.

Performance games

 3DMark Cloud Gate

Futuremark, the famous editor of the benchmark benchmark dedicated graphics cards: 3DMark 2011 offers a new version that includes three sets of tests: Ice Storm, Cloud Gate and Fire Strike. The first is reserved for DirectX 9, we do not include in our test. Cloud Gate is designed for platforms "performance" focusing on Post Processing effects and particle effects. A second sequence is for volumetric lighting but using a low level of geometry. The Dell Studio 1558 test of Cloud Gate simulates physical effects of rigid and deformable objects.

Virtu MVP saves a few hundred points with Lucid Virtu.

 3DMark Fire Strike

Second test includes the new 3DMark Firestrike addresses the most powerful configurations. It offers too heavy tessellation effects and complex smoke effects. We execute Fire Strike in extreme version.

Same conclusion with Cloud Gate but with a much smaller gap. Far mode, we find the behavior of 3DMark 11 where the VGP-BPS14  boost is much more comfortable when testing heavy computing power. After his release, Metro 2033 has put many graphics cards on the knees partly due to effects requiring significant computing resources. We use the DirectX 11 API to benefit from the latest innovations in visual effects.

For each resolution used, we always use three distinct levels of details:

Low: quality "Low" anti aliasing "NOAA" and texture filtering to 4.
Intermediate: quality "Medium" anti aliasing "AAx4" and texture filtering to 4.
High: quality "Very High" anti aliasing "AAX8" and texture filtering on 16.

Under Metro, the Dell Studio 1555 motherboard fully exploit our graphics card.

Conclusion

Do we have to face facts, the motherboard MSI Z77A-G45 GAMING Z77A-G45 is a slightly improved. Besides aesthetic tidy, there are adding new features like Killer E2200 Ethernet for network and Sound Blaster Cinema for audio. But these few upgrades are far from essential and will be rare to find an uncompromising real Latitude d830 performance gain or comfort game players

While the MSI Z77A-G45 GAMING has undeniable quality finish and will be quick and powerful center of a PC. Even if the BIOS limits the maximum CPU voltage to 1.52V which thwart the fierce overclockers, it remains more than enough to make the most of the installed processor.

The graphical overhaul BIOS as the Control Center II in line with the design of the card brings a welcome revival. Click BIOS II damage that does not benefit. These Latitude d630 applications are still compelling, practical and effective. We also liked the strategy that MSI Gaming developing its collection enriches its product in a clear and relevant.

If the choice of the additional equipment used is still debatable, we remain positive because it is the first generation that has to mature to compete with the ASUS ROG series or Asrock Fatality. Ultimately, it is mainly the price of the MSI Z77A-G45 GAMING tainting its release. Proposed for about 150 euros, it will be a lot of trouble convincing facing the Dell Vostro 1520 gaming version not available for only one hundred dollars. In other words, Killer Ethernet, Sound Blaster Cinema and Lucid Virtu MVP increase the rate of one-third or more than 30%. The bill is so salty for even a dragon growth phase and we hope that the MSI Z77A-G65 GAMING more upscale will show a much better value for money.

Tags: Dell Vostro 1400, XPS M2010, Dell XPS M1530

After Sony and HTC, it was the turn of LG released in France's new high-end smartphone. An efficient and well finished XPS M1210 product, but apparently sharing many similarities with the Nexus 4, for a higher price.

Output outside Europe in November, and at the same time as the Nexus 4, the LG Optimus G is only available from us since March in an oscillating between 500 and 550 € price. This price puts it directly into the "low" high-end smartphone range, where he met the Sony Xperia Z, HTC One and of course the Galaxy S4. At the reading of his characteristics, however, does not fail to note a number of commonalities rather disturbing with the Nexus 4: same size and resolution screen, same processor, same GPU, same amount of RAM ... Until his shell glass, which immediately recalls the takeover of the smartphone Google. Nothing too surprising, however, since the Nexus 4 was also designed by LG. We can then ask the question of what really differentiates the two devices to share the prize.

First observation: the Optimus G is beautiful, just as it is simple and classic in design. We said, it shares the same back cover glass as the Nexus 4, but adopts a slightly more straight edges, for a result that is more reminiscent of the  HP 484170-001. However, if the grip is very nice, it is a bit slippery due to the corners a little more rounded. That being said, and more generally, the finish of the Optimus G exudes quality and high-end: the buttons are perfectly placed, the metal strapping around the screen adds a touch of extra shine and only two screws visible in the lower part with a little swear all.

A perfect screen, a range in the average

The front screen of 4.7'' inch True HD IPS provides a definition of 1280x768, is reinforced by a Gorilla Glass 2, and seems excellent craftsmanship. In addition, it displays a very satisfactory brightness, accurate color (not too saturated or too dull) and a fine flawless display. Coupled with the Pavilion DV4 excellent responsiveness of the OS (we will), we obtain here a view of a very convincing quality.

Autonomy, meanwhile, is in the middle, slightly higher than what is usually found in this class of devices. The

DV5 Battery will probably not reach the peaks, but its life varies greatly depending on the use you make of the smartphone. Video playback, for example, the Optimus G is on a par with the Lumia 920, but is a notch below a Xperia Z. As part of a more conventional use (call, email, sms, surfing), can however count on a lifetime approaching the big day, plus night. A rather positive finding, then. A strange thing is however to note: sometimes the brightness crashes, especially when the unit heats up too much, and it is necessary to wait a few minutes before being again able to change this setting .

Correct APN, without

No real fault for the moment, the LG Optimus G manage to be as convincing as regards his camera? Equipped with a 13 megapixel sensor (a value that becomes the norm on smartphones in this category), the AFN has pictures of good quality, without reaching qualitative heights. Compared to the Nexus 4, the

HP Pavilion DV6 performance is more or less the same, despite the 8 megapixel camera of the latter. Outside, the record is pretty good, but with a little overexposure and this rendering sometimes dull colors.

In low light, the pictures are pretty convincing, despite a flash that tends to make the picture quite cold. Side finally capture video (up to 1080p), the camera betrays an update moderately responsive autofocus. Note the addition of a few widgets friendly (but already seen) as the SONY VGP-BPS8 deformation of real-time face or adding a decoration around a topic. Often unnecessary, but fun all the time ...

Responsive and pleasant Android

Let us recall now the overall performance of this phone, and the quality of the proposed everyday experience. If you followed, you already understand that the technical specifications stick very closely to those of the Nexus 4 ... Not surprisingly, therefore, the VGP-BPS9 performance is very good and the benchmark results are very close to those the Google phone, except on 3D Mark where Optimus is actually behind. All this leads to a reactivity without Android (version 4.1 here) fault, and impeccable fluidity, both when navigating the menus on the web.

Side overlay, customization, called Optimus UI 3.0 is generally good taste, with some cosmetic in here and there effects: zoom effect when you unlock the  Toshiba PA3258U-1BAS screen is very successful, as the QSlide function which brings up an app 'overlay another. Rather well thought out, this system allows for example to receive an SMS and then answer that one is on a web page or a video. Fortunately Tie (window size, transparency, etc..), However, shows QSLIDE is sometimes a little too invasive and some may prefer to quickly return to the  Inspiron 1300 traditional system of notification in the top of the screen, clean Jelly Bean.

Anyway, the overlay Optimus UI 3.0 is a very good surprise, since it embodies good taste not to slow down the OS while providing a interface finally close enough to the original Android Jelly Bean. Overall, it is also all of this LG smartphone that is a nice surprise with a high-end hardware, excellent performance, flawless finish and a 4G compatibility, it is difficult to find fault.

Finally, the Dell studio 1558 biggest complaint that could oppose him would be his too much resemblance to the Nexus 4, for a higher price (April 16 GB Nexus is trading at € 349, the Optimus G 32 GB to 499 €) . The question is whether you prefer to wager on storage space (which is not expandable on both devices) and future 4G coverage in France (which is not forthcoming). Anyway, the LG Optimus G is undeniably one of high-end smartphones to be considered in a purchase decision.

Tags: studio 1555, Latitude E6500, XPS M1330