The alaTest Blog

Barely more than a year ago, tablets were little more than overpriced Netbooks without keyboards, and there were plenty of arguments against buying a tablet, favoring laptops and Ultrabooks. Those tides are starting to change, and there are now quite a few compelling arguments in favor of tablets. So if you’re in the market for a new tablet, what are your best options? Read the rest of this entry »

Recently reaching a 51% market share, Android is undoubtedly the most popular smartphone platform. Its latest versions always offer innovative and compelling features, but unlike Apple’s iPhone, there is a disconnect between those who develop the Android OS and the manufacturers who build the devices.

Google develops Android such that anyone can build a device that runs it, but it’s up to the manufacturer to modify it and tailor it to run on the hardware they’re using. This process can take months, and it means that most Android devices out there are generally one or two versions behind. To get the most out of a new Android device, it’s important to know which are the most likely to be updated quickly. Read the rest of this entry »

Current HDTV technology has just about peeked. LCD TVs are about as affordable as they’re going to get before slowly disappearing from the market completely, and LED sets are nearly out of room for any more “value-added features.” High-end plasmas are still the top choice for anyone who wants the upmost image quality, no matter the cost, but they’re about to see some heavy competition. Read the rest of this entry »

The U.S.’s top cellular providers are often referred to as the “Big Four.” They consist of Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, and odds are, you’re one of their subscribers. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, you probably already know that they don’t all carry the same devices, and if you’re stuck with a particular carrier, you might like to know which devices are the best they have to offer. Read the rest of this entry »

Two new smartphones! Are you excited? We are. The HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III are the newest, fastest, fanciest smartphones available, but choosing one over the other isn’t an easy task. Our only option is to pit them head to head and see which comes out on top. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to smartphones, style is a big deal – it’s one of the reasons the iPhone is the single best selling phone on the market. Unsurprisingly, slimness is a major selling point for anyone who wants a stylish phone, but while the iPhone was the thinnest of them all for a while, it has become a bit of a fatty compared to current offerings (though that could change when the iPhone 5 comes out later this year). So what are today’s thinnest phones? Read the rest of this entry »

Smartphones don’t exactly come cheap, and most users expect their phone to last them about two years. Since even a short drop will almost certainly cause some unsightly cosmetic damage and potentially render a phone useless, it’s often wise to shield your smartphone with a protective case. Today, we’re taking a look at the most popular cases for our current top 5 phones. Read the rest of this entry »

Ultrabooks, or ultra-portable laptops, have been becoming increasingly popular lately. Their slim and lightweight design coupled with their superb battery life make them a very appealing buy for anyone looking for a new laptop, though they do have a few limitations. Surprisingly, out of the top 10 laptops reviewed on alaTest, 4 of them are ultrabooks. Read the rest of this entry »