With its superior handling and power, the Porsche Boxster S begs to be driven hard. A full array of cabin electronics is available for navigation, music, and cell phones, but this package could benefit from an in-dash CD changer.

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

As much flak we’ve given UMPCs throughout the first generation, at least most of those devices know what they’re all about: frustrating users with short battery life and lacking input options. Unfortunately, it’s a bit more confusing with this upcoming ELT408 from UMEC, since it sports a convertible display that folds up for a traditional laptop look… without a keyboard underneath. We suppose it might be nice to offer users a sort of adjustable stand, and hopefully UMEC is making good use of the space for a battery and whatnot, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t crazy for slapping such an appendage onto what looks to be an otherwise interesting UMPC. Based on a undetermined 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM, the ELT408 sports a traditional 7-inch LCD (at a untraditional supposed VGA resolution, but we’re hoping that’s a typo), a 40GB HDD, 1.3 megapixel camera, Ethernet and modem jacks, 802.11g WiFi, ExpressCard slot, 4-in-1 card reader, and, most surprisingly, two hole HDMI ports for use with your HDTV. Pretty dang odd, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for this when it debuts at CES to find out of UMEC can pull it all together.

[Via Carrypad]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Not the most practical car, the 2006 Volvo C70 looks very stylish with the top down or up, and its audio system is among the best we’ve heard. The navigation system isn’t a very worthwhile option, since it usually can’t be seen because of glare, and this car is not for the driving enthusiast.

The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT is a distinctively styled convertible with a sparse but comfortable cabin. Despite its powerful V-6 and sports-car profile, it’s happier changing lanes on the freeway than racing off the lights.

The 2006 Honda S2000 is a pure driver’s car, designed for those who think that cabin entertainment starts and ends with a short-throw manual shifter. Some bizarre remote controls and a cramped cabin are all but forgotten when the open road beckons.

Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

So apparently Toshiba has a Core Duo-powered update to the Tecra M4 convertible tablet waiting in the wings, and this one gives you a 100GB hard drive, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, and especially nice, a dual layer Super Multi drive that handles both flavors of recordable DVDs. Although we haven’t yet seen any pics of the 14.1-inch, WXGA+ Tecra M7, info on Toshiba’s European website seems to indicate that it will look similar to the M4 (pictured), but you’re getting a lot more muscle on the inside with either 1.66GHz or 1.83GHz Core Duo chips. Rounding out the specs are nVidia Quadro NVS 110M graphics, a 6-in-1 memory card reader, four USB ports, PCMCIA slot, video out, FireWire, and both WLAN and Bluetooth wireless radios. It’s not clear when this model will officially be released (pretty soon, we reckon), but we already have a good idea on pricing: it looks like you’ll be able to get a nice configuration for around $1,600 or $1,700.

[Thanks, Ethan]

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Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

It's been a little while since Gateway's widescreen CX200 Tablet PC has been on the scene, but Gateway's given it a spec bump and a badge nudge, bringing the CX210 / M285-E series (model based on where you buy it: home, or professional) up to date with Intel Core Duo processors. It also appears they've added standard Bluetooth and 802.11a (in addition to the already standard b/g), and an option for ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics, which should goose that $1399.99 base price a little.