The top 10 tech reviews of 2009

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This year may not have been the best year for the economy, to say the least, but that didn’t stop the tech from coming thick and fast.

There’s were some very significant technology launches of both hardware and software, and IT PRO was there to give you the low down with our product reviews.

We take a look back at 2009 and take on the tricky task of picking out our favourite top 10 reviews of the year.

Palm Pre

This year was undoubtedly the year of the smartphone, and the most eagerly anticipated handset was the Apple… oh hold on – it was actually the Palm Pre.

First previewed back in January at CES, it took a full six months to reach the shops – and then only US ones - it took until October for it reach UK shores. What the fuss was all about was that it was the first smartphone that could genuinely take on the iPhone thanks to features such as multi-touch.

It even bested it in some areas with true multi-tasking and wireless charging. Whether it will have the legs to maintain the pressure on the iPhone remains to be seen, but this was still the smartphone launch of the year.

HTC Magic

Before the Palm Pre, the main iPhone challenger was the HTC Magic. The Magic was the second Google Android based phone, which probably made it more significant than the first, the G1.

This was because it was better than the G1 as it was free of the chunky chassis and keyboard, but also because it marked the beginnings of a flurry of Android based phones – and despite newer software and flashier features, not all are better than the Magic.

The iPhone 3GS may have pushed things back in Apple favour, but the Magic showed that you could make a very usable and pocketable Google phone, and was one of the most significant launches of the year.

Ubuntu 9.10

Is there any group more vocal about their love than Linux fans? Ubuntu has become the ‘people’s’ Linux flavour, but that doesn’t mean its devotees are less passionate. The latest version of Ubuntu, 9.10, also known as Karmic Koala, is slicker, faster and easier to use than previous versions, and though it’s not as smooth looking as say Windows 7, it’s more than acceptable.

The sheer fact is that you can get a complete OS, pre-loaded with almost everything you need for free, makes this a very attractive alternative to adopting the Microsoft hegemony, and that makes it a highlight of the year’s releases.

Sony VAIO VGN-Z31VN/X review

Sony’s Z-series notebooks have always been a favourite of ours, cramming in everything you need in a small and powerful laptop – the true definition of a ultra-portable.

The VGN-Z31VN/X may not have a the catchiest name, but it’s got everything else – a high res 1,600 x 900 LED backlit display, a great keyboard, a powerful 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo and dual graphics chips giving a choice between power or stamina.

The latter delivers over nine hours - true all day computing without charging. SSD or standard HDDs are an option, and you get Wireless N, Bluetooth and integrated HSDPA. A true marvel of a machine, and all for a mere £1,781. Well, there had to be a catch somewhere.

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