• of awful, low quality
• displayed in the worst way possible

The first issue is usually solved by using stock photos. There’s a bunch of free stock photo galleries and there’s even more with paid subscription. However, the second issue is tricky. In the past years you have come to know quite a few css/js powered image display tools like LightBox. Then there’s ThickBox, which I consider somewhat nicer. Both can be used in order to enlarge small thumbnails, but they both seem odd. Moreover, it depends on how you display the thumbnail, as some might not know immediately that clicking the image will provide a full size screen shot.

Brown

Take for example Brown University’s website in the screen shot. If you hover the images in the post, you will see a “+ Zoom” message in the upper left corner of the image. You will then try to go to that corner, and unfortunately, when you reach the “+ Zoom” button, it will start blinking (tested in Safari and Firefox). Now, that is really confusing. Not to mention that you can click anywhere in the picture to see the full size version. But oops, you do not know that.

Don’t panic, because I think I have found the best solution out there, and I am sharing this with you. If you check the latest version of Media Temple’s website, they too have screen shots in their control panel FAQ section. And those images are displayed perfectly. Rounded corners, borders, captions. But that’s not all of it. The great is about to be revealed. If you hover the image, in any given point, your pointer transforms into a “+” magnifying glass. What comes more natural to “enlarge” than a magnifying glass? Nothing! You even have text annotation, “Click to enlarge”, stupid.

Media Temple

Clicking will reveal a full size photo, more annotations, and in the upper central area of the image, navigation controls. YES! No need to scroll for next, previous etc buttons down to the bottom of your screen. You can even move the photo around, start slideshows, go to next picture, enlarge it even more and obviously hit the “X” close button. Now, if you do not want to go with the mouse around your screen to the “X” button, you will see your mouse pointer transformed into a “-” magnifying glass. Now, what comes more natural to “zoom out” than a magnifying glass with a minus inside it? Nothing!

Media Temple

Media Temple uses HighSlide JS, which is released under commercial license, but they do have a free version for you to try out.

Hands down for Media Temple!

Do you have a favorite or unique example of image handling you’d like to share?  Let us know via the comments section below.

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Overview
Laptopical is a brilliant resource for people who are looking for a new laptop to replace their old, worn machine. It’s for people who live in the US (I’m assuming from the currency symbols), and is great when it comes to looking for honest, solid reviews on what laptops are worth it, and which ones are “not so worth it”. Personally, I’m looking for a new machine to replace my rather old laptop, preferrably something with a good amount of RAM and can run Windows Vista (yes, Windows VISTA) without breaking a sweat – so let’s see how laptopical does in my search for a new laptop.

Usability
Quoting on general aesthetics the website is clean, and everything is tidy and ‘uncluttered’. These are exactly the qualities needed in such a site so you can open it out to be used by all age groups, and it seems laptopical has hit the nail on the head with its well thought out layout. You’ve got RSS feed and search in exactly the places I’d expect (top-right), along with the most recent laptop post which is larger than the other posts. All these traits are a sign of a well-built site.

Usability Grade: 8.5/10

Service Level
The information the site gives is relatively good – all the core specifications needed when deciding what laptop to buy are available. Personally, I wanted to try out a Macbook Pro as I wanted to try a whole new OS and a whole new style of computer, this is what I was taking a look at.

At first glance, after going through the specification I thought that it was a little dissapointing that all I got was a paragraph of information on the laptop, it’s specifications and then nothing else – but then I realized I could carry on scrolling down, to a full review on the laptop. The review itself was pretty personal in terms of it was based on a real individual’s thoughts and feeling on the laptop, not some nonsense quoted in order to sell the laptop. That’s what I like about Laptopical:

“The only problem with the 17-incher-it’s got mercury in it.”

Very bluntly put indeed.

In terms of making your action to purchase the laptop at hand, the website does not just provide you with one option to purchase, but multiple options. This is pretty good seeing as that one choice could be out-of-stock in that particular laptop.

Another great feature – pros and cons. The most simplest, but most effective way to represent any laptop is to have a list of the advantages and disadvantages for the potential buyer to think about, and I think that information on pros and cons that Laptopical provides is very valuable indeed.

Service Level Grade: 8/10

Summary

Usability: 8.5/10
Service Level Grade: 8/10

Verdict
I think when it comes to finding a good laptop to purchase, Laptopical is the way to go. It’s got a very good reputation as a laptop reviewer, and I would recommend it to all who are looking for a laptop to suit their needs and are in search for an honest opinion.

In this article, we present 9 Brilliantly Designed Portfolio Websites – so you yourself can see what makes a portfolio great.

All choices have been hand-picked from hundreds and hundreds of portfolios which we have encountered over the years, so it should be a very nice selection indeed. We’ve probably missed out a few we should have included – please don’t hesitate to send us recommendations via the comments at the bottom.

Please note that these are not listed in any particular order.

Flash-Based Portfolios

2advanced

4design

Static Portfolios

Web Design Beach

I first came across this website when I used to run a CSS gallery of my own; and I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. A very nice header indeed.

New Concept

Another one that was submitted to my old CSS gallery quite a few months ago, although some may not like it, I definately enjoy the clean lines and cool style of this portfolio.

Modstudio

Green, oh lush green. Modstudio have a wonderful nag for choosing good color, and I just love the apple!

Digimurai

Another cool portfolio, digimurai is definately worthy of praise – just look at that cool mascot.

Noe Design Studio

I fell in love with the twirly, abstract effects on this one – fair enough the rest is bland and minimalistic, but I just had to show you guys those twirls.

Adit Shukla

I decided to put this one up because it was a typical example of a good, bold portfolio. The background does wonders for this one.

nDesign Studio

The most incredible background I’ve seen in my life, full of color and life. Wonderful.

Suggestions/Comments?

Which are your favorite designs out of the lot? Which ones do you think have the best usability and accessibility? Which ones would you hire (if not all)? Have your say below.