3D Laptops : Built For All Needs !

WANT AN EASY WAY TO GET INTO 3D? Invest in a triple-dimension laptop. They can power 3D games and movies (there's more than you'd think, from Werner Herzog to Cantonese p0rn that outsells Avatar). All these come with active-shutter glasses and have screens clocking a 120Hz refresh rate: essential for true 3D.

1 BEST ... OVERALL

ALIENWARE M17X

1,07,261 INR

For 3D gaming this is in the elite squad, packed with high-end features and the option to modify almost everything. The supplied 2GHz Core i7 processor, 4GB memory and 1.5GB GeForce GTX 460M graphics run Call of Duty : Black Ops at 32fps in 3D. Turn off the 3D and you can get 1080p visuals at 36fps.

The 120Hz, 17.3-inch edge-to-edge full-HD 3D screen is excellent with 3D Blu-rays looking vibrantly coloured and not too glossy with a 250GB solid state drive, four USB ports, HDMI and a 192-minute gaming battery, the M17X is fully armed , albeit expensively so.

Love : Best screen and the finest 3D on test.

Hate : Short on storage.

2 BEST ... BATTERY LIFE

DELL XPS 17 3D

80,766 INR

More tailored for Blu-ray films than gaming, the XPS 17's 120Hz full HD 17.3-inch 3D screen is very vibrant and detailed with the 2GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB RAM and Nvidia GTX 555M graphics to work on Call of Duty : Black Ops and it manages 30fps in HD though that drops to 24fps if you switch to 3D.

The nine-cell battery lasts for 145-minutes-long enough to watch your average blockbuster plus a few extras. Connections include 4 USBs, HDMI, a mini display and 500GB hard drive, not ideal for 3D gaming but still decent VFM.

Love : Excellent 3D screen, Lengthy battery life.

Hate : Below-par 3D gaming performance. 

3 BEST ... 3D

SONY VAIO VPCF21Z1E/BI

129,382 INR 

The Vaio F-Series 16-inch, 1080p screen incorporates Sony's Bravia 3D TV technology doubling the refresh rate necessary for 3D at 240Hz. Inside there's a 2GHz Core i7, 8GB of RAM, 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT540M graphics and a 640GB hard drive. The results are really superb.

3D Blu-rays have the brightest and deepest playback on test and Call of Duty : Black Ops is equally immersive with no visible ghosting though it can't break 30fps in 3D. The 2D to 3D conversion is also impressive - the best we've seen actually.

Love : Best 3D technology, Generally high-end specifications, Excellent display.

Hate : Very expensive. 

4 BEST ... AVOIDED

TOSHIBA SATELLITE A665-14Q

80,642 INR   

 

The A665 has been updated for 3D by adding the requisite 120Hz screen and external 3D IR receiver plus Nvidia's 3D Vision kit that bundles two sets of active-shutter specs. It all seems a bit of an afterthought though, as inside you get the same 1GB GeForce GTS 350M graphics, 4GB RAM and 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 560M processor as on the previous A665, Call of Duty : Black Ops runs in 2D at 32fps, but just a paltry 18fps in 3D. The 15.6-inch screen isn't full-HD, but to be fair 1366 X 768 is okay at this size with Blu-rays and DVDs. You also get a 500 GB hard drive, three USBs and a 115-minute battery life. Love : Lower-priced 3D. Hate : External 3D receiver. 5 BEST ... FOR MOVIES ONLY HP ENVY 17 3D 1,14,708 INR HP has opted for ATI 3D graphics instead of the Nvidia used for other laptop on test. ATI doesn't support as many 3D games, so despite the 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 580M processor, 6GB RAM and 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics, choice is limited. We couldn't get the Envy 17 to run Call of Duty : Black Ops in 3D at all, but it manages a passable 32fps in HD. If you mainly want to play 3D Blu-rays, the 17.3-inch 1080p screen is excellent with the 120Hz edge to edge display really impressing. HDMI, four USBs, a 1TB hard drive and 124-minute battery life also feature. Love : Stunning screen and 1TB storage. Hate : ATI 3D disappoints. 6 BEST ... FOR GAMING ASUS G53JW-IX162V 114,708 INR One of the smaller 3D laptops at 15.6 inches the Asus's screen has a 1366X768 resolution. At this size you won't notice the lack of full HD much and the picture is rich : 3D Blu-rays have great depth even if lower-definition content lacks detail. The 1.73GHz Core i7 processor, 8GB RAM and 1.5GB of GeForce GTX 460M graphics clock an impressive 52fps on Call of Duty : Black Ops Switch to 3D and you'll still get over 40fps. The raised keyboard is useful for fast-fingered gaming and you also get four USBs, HDMI, a 640GB hard drive and a 112 minute battery life. Love : Brilliant 3D gaming credentials, Useful keyboard layout. Hate : Pricey, Not full-HD.