This week on gdgt: Sony's RX100 II, HP's Slatebook X2 and keeping your iPhone 5
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Sony RX100 II
Sony takes the RX100 to a new level with the Mark II, adding a new sensor, an articulating LCD and a hot shoe to the popular point-and-shoot camera. The RX100 II keeps all the defining features that made the first iteration so great, but improves several key areas for a better overall experience. But, these new features come with a $100 increase in price, meaning the first generation camera is still a viable option (and a gdgt Must-have) if you don't consider the new feature set to be worth the higher investment.
Buy from $798
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It's okay to be an iPhone 5 in a 5s world
After Apple's latest flagship smartphone was announced on Tuesday, many consumers are considering an upgrade to a 5s and, for those who already have an iPhone 5, wondering if it's worth the investment. In this week's highlighted gdgt Central post, we discuss the advantages of holding on to your old iPhone when everyone else is moving on to the next big thing.
HP Slatebook X2
HP's first Android tablet, the Slate 7, was a disappointment. Its followup effort, the Slatebook X2, isn't much better. Although the X2 can dock with a special keyboard/battery combo device, there are several design flaws that prevent the X2 from succeeding in its attempt to capitalize on the convertible tablet market. In addition, even though it has a high-resolution screen, the viewing angles are mediocre and it isn't very bright. Pass on this one.
Buy from $456
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What do you want from a smartwatch?
While rumors continue to swirl around the possibility of Apple building a smartwatch, many companies, like Samsung and Qualcomm, are jumping on the craze by announcing their own wrist gadgets. In this week's featured discussion, we invite you to talk about what you find appealing or unappealing about having a smart device on your wrist, and what features would make a smartwatch worth buying to you.
Lenovo T431s
Though Lenovo is generally known for its high-quality, business-centric laptops, it seems to have missed the mark with the T431s. Though it is well-designed and portable, the surprisingly high price of the T431s doesn't reconcile with its lack of features. With a lackluster screen, average battery life and just enough power for productivity tasks, the T431s is a run-of-the-mill laptop that fails to impress.
