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Though it looks much like the 12-inch model, the 14-inch Apple iBook runs a pound heavier and comes with some higher-end components, including a marginally faster 1.42GHz PowerPC G4 processor, a 60GB hard drive, and a single-layer DVD burner. The 14-inch iBook has many of the same ports and connections as the 15-inch PowerBook, but it lacks such audiovisual connections as DVI and VGA ports and a microphone jack.

In addition, the PowerBook’s aluminum-alloy case makes it lighter, despite its larger screen size. Spec for spec, the 14-inch iBook isn’t quite as good a deal as the 12-inch model, but it still offers a competitive set of components, solid networking and connectivity options, and a terrific software package that includes iLife ‘05, AppleWorks, Quicken 2005, and the World Book Multimedia Suite.

Summary: The attractive 14-inch iBook G4 has most of the features, performance, and battery life a basic user will need, but the new Intel Core Duo-based Apple iBooks loom large on the horizon.

The arrival of the 12-inch PowerBook G4 at the beginning of this year was big news. The Apple faithful finally got an ultraportable; in fact, the 12-inch PowerBook was (and still is) the smallest notebook ever to come out of Cupertino. But to pare it down to size, Apple cut a few corners from the original. This update retains everything we like about the design, but it addresses many feature shortcomings by adding a faster processor and graphics, room for more memory, and analog and DVI outputs.

The 12-inch PowerBook is the smallest and lightest notebook available from Apple, albeit by a slim margin. It measures 1.2 by 10.9 by 8.6 inches and weighs 4.6 pounds. The more affordable 12-inch iBook is a few tenths of an inch bigger in all dimensions and weighs just less than 5 pounds.

Strengths: Smallest, lightest Mac; relatively fast processor and graphics; DVI and analog outputs; excellent keyboard; Bluetooth onboard.

Weaknesses: Few configuration options; Apple AirPort Extreme costs extra; no PC Card slot; no backlit keyboard; runs hot.

Summary: Apple’s petite PowerBook gets a boost of power and a few new features. Pound for pound, it’s the best PowerBook.

Most notable, the 13-inch aluminum unibody MacBook has been promoted to join the MacBook Pro family. It’s a move that makes sense, as the differences between the two lines were becoming increasingly blurred. To complete the transformation, the 13-inch Pro regains its missing FireWire port, making it even more useful for creative professionals on the go.

New to the Pro line is something we never thought we’d see on a MacBook: an SD card slot. Standard on the 13- and 15-inch Pro laptops, this corrects one of our main MacBook annoyances.

Some have strong feelings about the nonremovable battery–similar to those already found on the MacBook Air and 17-inch Pro. It’s a legitimate concern, but we think the promise of better battery life (Apple claims up to a 40 percent improvement), and three times as many recharge cycles as older batteries is just as important.

There are still a few items on our 13-inch wish list–matte screens, mobile broadband options, Blu-ray–but Apple has done an admirable job filling in some of the major missing pieces. By offering more features for less money, the 13-inch MacBook Pro remains one of the most universally useful laptops available.

Strengths: Adds SD card slot and reacquires FireWire; lower starting price; same solid unibody construction and giant multitouch trackpad.

Weaknesses: Nonremovable battery; no matte screen or discrete graphics options.

Summary: Previously known as the MacBook, Apple’s basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the “Pro” series, all while adding features and cutting the base price.

The much-rumored and even more longed-for update to the Nikon D80 has done its predecessor proud. The 12.3-megapixel Nikon D90 doesn’t replace the popular 10-megapixel D80, which moves down Nikon’s dSLR product line, and unsurprisingly, provides some significant enhancements over that 2-year-old model. Most notably, the D90 was the first digital SLR to support movie capture.

Though the inevitable comparison tends to be new versus new, the D90’s main competitor isn’t Canon’s significantly cheaper Rebel XSi, but the company’s older 10-megapixel 40D, as well as the 12.2-megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 and 14.6-megapixel Pentax K20D. The D90 comes in two versions: body only and a kit with the 18-105mm f3.5-5.6 lens.

At 1 pound, 10 ounces, the body is considerably heavier than most sub-$1,000 models, but it also feels sturdier and more substantial. The slightly more expensive A700 and K20D have more advanced dust and weather sealing, however. It’s about the same size as the D80 and takes the same battery and vertical grip. It also has the same wireless flash controls and high-speed flash sync features. Nikon improved the shutter durability and integrated the same dust-prevention system as that of the D300. And while it uses the same LCD as that camera, it’s covered by a polymer rather than glass.

Strengths: First-rate performance; solid, well-constructed body with nice viewfinder; video capture capability; great photo quality.

Weaknesses: Middling kit lens; poor HDMI output implementation.

Summary: Like the D80 before it, the Nikon D90 delivers an excellent dSLR for the money.

For years, Nikon users had been asking their favored camera maker for a dSLR with a full-frame sensor (the same size as a 35mm frame of film). Finally, Nikon caved, delivering the 12-megapixel D3; the result is a camera that reaches new heights in imaging with extremely low noise at astronomical ISO sensitivities, while maintaining the pro-level control and body design Nikonians have come to expect in the company’s flagship cameras.

Interestingly, Nikon seems to pit its flagship model against Canon’s 10-megapixel EOS-1D Mark III, with its APS-H size sensor, rather than the 21-megapixel, full-frame EOS-1Ds Mark III. That makes sense on some level, though, since the 1D Mark III and the D3 are really all-around cameras that combine the burst speed to handle the demands of sports shooters with ruggedness and image quality that should appeal to news photographers and many others.

Strengths: Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast.

Weaknesses: Resolution lags far behind the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and Sony’s forthcoming 24-megapixel dSLR.

Summary: Nikon’s flagship dSLR packs a full-frame 12-megapixel sensor and is a highly versatile imaging powerhouse that lets photographers create images previously impossible to capture.

The BlackBerry Bold delivers on a number of fronts. Its half-VGA display is one of the sharpest screens we’ve seen on a smartphone, which, combined with the stereo speakers, really boosts the multimedia experience.

The Bold also ships with the latest BlackBerry operating system, new productivity applications, and support for HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. This is on top of all the great messaging capabilities. Of course, it’s not perfect. The smartphone isn’t the sleekest device on the block, and the Web browser could use more work. It’s also not going to have the mass appeal of an Apple iPhone 3G, nor would we recommend it to the general consumer.

With its feature set and strong e-mailing capabilities, the BlackBerry Bold is very much a business-centric smartphone, but what is offers mobile professionals is a premium device that can handle work and play. The RIM BlackBerry Bold will be available November 4 for a slightly pricey $299.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.

Strengths: The RIM BlackBerry Bold boasts one of the sharpest displays we’ve seen on a smartphone and offers great multimedia performance. The smartphone also brings HSDPA support, more productivity tools, and an updated OS. Other goodies include Wi-Fi; GPS; Bluetooth; and strong e-mail support with full QWERTY keyboard.

Weaknesses: The Bold is a bit bulky and expensive. The Web browser isn’t as easy to navigate as the competition.

Summary: For those who waited, the RIM BlackBerry Bold won’t disappoint. The Bold impresses with its brilliant display, enhanced productivity tools, and excellent multimedia performance to deliver a more powerful and well-rounded smartphone to mobile professionals.

RIM

is the first BlackBerry to offer integrated Wi-Fi. The 8820 supports 802.11a/b/g standards and is compliant with Wi-Fi security protocols, giving users another avenue to connect to the Web–a good thing since the device shows no love for 3G just yet. It also continues to offer Bluetooth and GPS support like its older sibling, the RIM BlackBerry 8800, as well as push e-mail and multimedia.

It’s a device built with the business user in mind and definitely won’t have the mass appeal of a BlackBerry Pearl or BlackBerry Curve. There’s not even a camera option. That said, for the intended audience the 8820 will certainly deliver the goods and performance.

Strengths: The RIM BlackBerry 8820 is the first BlackBerry to offer integrated Wi-Fi. The smart phone continues to offer Bluetooth, GPS, and push e-mail capabilities as well as push-to-talk and multimedia functions. We were also impressed by the long talk-time battery life.

Weaknesses: There’s no 3G support and no option for a camera version. The QWERTY keyboard can be slippery, and the device uses a proprietary instant messaging client.

Summary: The addition of Wi-Fi makes the RIM BlackBerry 8820 an even more powerful communication device for business users, taking it beyond just e-mail and phone calls.

We imagine Sprint customers have been waiting a long time for this, but the time has finally come. Yes, the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 is now available, and it brings the same great design of its GSM counterparts and even adds 3G to boot.

Like the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8310 for AT&T, the Curve 8330 has integrated GPS so you can use it with Sprint Navigation or some other mobile mapping application to get driving directions and local search right on your smartphone. It also offers Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera with video recording, and BlackBerry’s tried-and-true messaging capabilities.

The only downsides were the lack of Wi-Fi and the less-than-pristine call quality. That said, the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 is still worth it. Plus, Sprint’s version of the Curve offers support for the carrier’s multimedia services and more instant-messaging clients, making it a better value than the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Curve. The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Sprint is available now for $179.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.

Strengths: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 offers integrated GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, and EV-DO. The compact smartphone continues to offer solid messaging capabilities and includes support for a number of features that the Verizon model does not.

Weaknesses: The BlackBerry Curve 8330 lacks Wi-Fi, and call quality wasn’t the greatest.

Summary: Despite some spotty call quality, the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Sprint is a great messaging device with the bonus of EV-DO and integrated GPS. Plus, it offers more services than the Verizon BlackBerry Curve.

T-mobile teased us at CES 2009 by introducing the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 but denying us any details on availability date and pricing. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait too long as the carrier has released the final details and has given us our own review unit.

In short, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a solid addition to T-Mobile’s smartphone lineup and one of the company’s top offerings, in our opinion. It replaces the Curve 8300 series, and brings several notable improvements, including a sleeker design that’s bolstered by a more solid construction and an amazingly sharp display, a faster processor, a full HTML Web browser, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. It also has integrated Wi-Fi with UMA support so you can make unlimited calls over a Wi-Fi network. However, our one big disappointment is the lack of 3G support. It’s a feature that could really have given the 8900 an edge over its competition.

Strengths: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 offers a sleeker and more solidly constructed design as well as a brilliant display. The smartphone features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS and brings new productivity tools, a full HTML Web browser, and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

Weaknesses: The Curve 8900 lacks 3G support, and the smartphone can occasionally be sluggish.

Summary: We’re disappointed by the lack of 3G, but the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a solid update to the Curve series, bringing a better design, improved features, and faster performance and is one of T-Mobile’s top smartphone offerings.

Both Sprint and Verizon Wireless made its customers very happy when they announced the July 12 release of the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630. However, when it came to launch time, Sprint didn’t quite deliver on its promise, as customers were met with back-order messages and in-store stock shortages. Though it’s not clear how this mess happened in the first place, Sprint has apologized for the delays via Twitter and said additional shipments are on the way and it is working with RIM to meet everyone’s needs.

While obviously not the best way to launch a product, the positive side is that the BlackBerry Tour 9630 is worth the wait. We finally received our review unit, and just like Verizon’s model, we think the smartphone offers a great combination of a slick but functional design, updated features, and great performance. The phone is a solid upgrade for BlackBerry owners and an excellent choice for Sprint’s globe-trotting customers whose needs can’t be met by the HTC Snap or the Palm Pre. The Sprint RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 is available for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates; at this time, Sprint has not announced a camera-less version of the Tour, like Verizon.

Strengths: The RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 boasts world-roaming capabilities as well as Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The smartphone features a high-resolution display and an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard. Sprint offers a number of services for the handset and it also supports BlackBerry App World.

Weaknesses: The BlackBerry Tour doesn’t offer Wi-Fi. You can’t save downloaded applications to a memory card.

Summary: Despite the lack of Wi-Fi, the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 is a feature-rich and well-performing smartphone that will serve Sprint’s globe-trotting customers well.