PC Pro's hardware of the year

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 17 Dec 2007 at 15:32

Before the iPhone arrived on our shores, there was the HTC Touch, and it made a very credible stab at the touchscreen mobile.

The custom interface is wonderfully simple to use, although we did occasionally find ourselves unceremoniously plunged back into Windows Mobile without warning. If HTC can polish the interface then this could be a worthy, and cheaper alternative to the iPhone.

You can read our Life with the HTC Touch column here, or watch our video review.

8. HP "Shorty" Bladesystem c3000
Blades are a great solution for any company looking to reduce the space and power demands of their servers - the only problem is that their high cost normally puts them out of reach of small businesses.

HP changed all that this year when it introduced the c3000. It allowed small companies to streamline their data centres at an affordable price, cutting down on noise and energy costs.

9. HP EX475 MediaSmart Server
A mix of great hardware - including a smart custom-made chassis - and innovative software make the MediaSmart one of the best home servers we've seen yet.

A NAS box may still be a cheaper option, but it lacks the impressive features, polish and finesse that the MediaSmart offers, including automatic backup, swappable storage and web hosting.

10. Sony Vaio G11
As we have come to expect from Sony, the Vaio G11VN/TC takes portability seriously - every conceivable weight saving has been made, and the result is a very light and compact laptop.

With impressive battery life and more than adequate performance, the Sony makes an attractive proposition for business users. Unusually, though, it's also very attractive, which makes it stand out head and shoulders above the competition.