Review - Daemon Tools Pro

For loading virtual disk drives, Daemon Tools is the best-known app around. The name comes from Disk And Execution MONitor, meaning that the program runs the minor task of drive emulation, so that virtual CD and DVD files can run.
The list of file types supported by the pro version of this program is impressive. B5T, B6T, BWT, CCD, CDI, CUE, ISO, MDS, NRG, PDI, and ISZ are all supported, as are up to 32 virtual drives. The benefits of running commonly-used discs from a hard drive instead of the disc itself are many, and go beyond reduced wear-and-tear on the disc. The app also converts discs into disc images, saving you the step of having to find a converter.
Daemon Tools also features events logs, device and image property displays, encryption, and panel locking, so that you can fix in stone the user interfaces' configuration. The UI is nothing to sneeze at, either, with a nav that naturally emulates the file explorer in Windows XP. For top-shelf disc image ripping and drive emulation, Daemon Tools is the premier choice for power users, but is easy enough to learn for beginners.
General Complaints n their solutions - Many people feel that the toolbar gets installed with it and other things come bundled but during installation you can uncheck them and install only what you need instead of an irresponsible "Next-Next-Done" install.
Also people feel that it does not have a 'system integration' and other similar features, but these features are available in the Daemon Tools Pro ver. which is offcourse a paid software and not a freeware unlike Daemon Tools Lite which is confused with the pro version.

What's new in the latest version:
Version 4.35.0308 includes: SPTD 1.62; New MDX (Media Data eXtended) format supporting; New powerful burning engine; GUI redesign and improvement; Windows 7 taskbar features for burning progress; Hotkeys in Image Editor.
Daemon Tools Pro--

• Price: Free to try (20-day trial); $35.77 to buy
• Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7

Review - Sony Viao X

CPU: 2.0-GHz Intel Atom Z550
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit)
RAM/Expandable to: 2GB/2GB
Hard Drive Size/Speed: 128GB SSD/N/A
Display Size/Resolution: 11.1 inches/1366 x 768
Weight: 2.2 pounds (with extended battery)

Price as Reviewed: $1499.00

t’s the ultimate status symbol—with a price to match. Once again Sony is shaking up the very clichéd netbook category, this time with a design that is not only half as light and half as thin other machines in its class, but also includes a battery that lasts twice as long as many models. It is the world’s lightest notebook, and at 1.4 pounds(with the four-cell battery).

So how was Sony able to achieve such a thin and light netbook? The VAIO X’s chassis is made of a magnesium alloy, and the lid is built from carbon fiber. The processor is Intel Atom Z-series processor, which uses less power but it is not the latest technology which means it will out date in another 6 months when new technologies further come in. With the exception of an undersized right Shift key, the keys were decently spaced and sized, but overall, it felt slightly cramped.

When watching content streamed over the Web or played off the VAIO X’s hard drive, the crispness and wide viewing angles of the display was impressive; you can turn it nearly 90 degrees to either side without seeing image reversal or egregious reflections. But while playing songs the baseline seems non-existent, and the speakers can barely fill a small room with sound.

The omission of an HDMI port is very surprising, although since this netbook isn’t designed to output HD content, it’s not a huge loss but you can forget about using it to play HD content on your TV when you don't have an HD content Player. While not overly detailed, video from the VAIO X’s VGA webcam is well balanced, and shows accurate skin tones in a call over Skype. But then it has integrated 3G and GPS.