July 28, 2010

iPhone 4 - US-3


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iPhone 4 - Canada


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July 31, 2009

Is the New iPod Nano Worth Buying?

Everyone probably knows what an iPod Nano so there's no need for an introduction.

Here's the most helpful review on Amazon:

261 of 278 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Some nice improvement but incompatible with Bose…, October 8, 2008
By     Joseph D. Snell "jsnell3388" (seattle, wa) - (REAL NAME)

Having 16GB of storage is a huge plus for the new version of the Nano.

The control wheel seems a bit "stiff" and it is not as responsive as past versions but it works fine.

The menus and setup choices have been improved. These are nice but don't make a major difference. "Shake" shuffle is a bit silly (in my opinion it is just as easy to push the advance on the control wheel) but it can easily be turned off.

BIG MINUS - Apple un-necessarily changed the plug on this version of the Nano. The unit will not charge using my older iPod chargers. The bigger issue is that my Bose and other expensive speaker units will play this Nano but they won't charge it.

Apple is beginning to act more and more like Microsoft - forcing its customers to make un-necessary software upgrades and expensive hardware changes in order to use their latest product versions.

Anyway - the Nano is a great product. If you already have a Nano the only justification I can find to upgrade would be the need for more storage or the desire to play video on a very small screen.

If you don't need the video or more music storage you should stick with your older Nano.

It's not very convincing is it? If you still want to buy it then go here.

As for me, I'd rather get it for free. - In US only :(

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July 29, 2009

5 Bestselling Digital Cameras

It looks like Canon owns the top 5. Remember the "bestselling" camera is not necessarily the "best" camera (Price and Value has a lot to do with it). Here's the top 5 as of July/August 2009:

1. Canon PowerShot SD890IS 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

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c1

Most Useful Review:
185 of 194 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars One fantastic camera, May 27, 2008
By     R. Dege (Buffalo, NY) - (REAL NAME)

Pros: image quality, shutter speed, amazing zoom, fast power on, lots of advanced features, etc. etc. The technical specs, and performance of this camera far exceeded any expectations that I could have expected from a pocket-sized camera.

Cons (All minor):
1) Charging requires the removal of the battery from the camera, and it being inserted into a separate battery charger. I'm accustomed to my old sony camera, where it charges in it's own cradle.

2) The power button itself requires some precision to activate. It's not difficult, or annoying to use, but again, I'm comparing it to my older sony camera, where it was a quick, simple flip.

3) The menuing system can be somewhat daunting to a new or novice user. Depending what mode your camera is in will change what menu options you're presented with. Using the camera && reading the manual will help with the familiarity process.

4) The spin dial (or whatever it's called). I have yet to see what benefit this dial has over the conventional directional pad. It's almost like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's quite helpful when you want to quickly flip through photos you've taken on the camera. On the other hand, it becomes challenging when trying to change scenes in scene mode, or when changing functions in the manual mode.

Overall, I love this camera. I bought it just before going on vacation, and was continually amazed by the quality of the photos and shutter speed performance throughout the trip. While traveling on a tour bus, I was able to take crystal clear photos of the countryside landscape, while the bus was traveling at about 60mph.

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2. Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD

c2

Most Helpful Review:
424 of 432 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars great little cam, some improvements from earlier powershots, some quirks, April 22, 2009
By     Omar Siddique (Ellicott City, MD USA) - (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The SD1200 has some big changes over its predecessor SD1100, and is the smallest, best designed Elph I've used thus far.

I've owned many models of Elph, this is my 6th or 7th, so my review is aimed especially at other serial Canon owners. I mostly compare the SD1200 to the SD1100.

* The big changes: Digic4 and a larger CCD sensor. The slight increase in CCD size (1/2.3" vs 1/2.5") should make for "cleaner" photos. And Digic4 promises faster/cleaner shots also.

* You get 10MP vs 8MP on the SD1100, and "medium" (M1) size is now 6MP. JPG quality is down to 2 setting: Fine or Normal.

* SD1200 is only slightly smaller than the SD1100, but feels notably smaller by virtue of curved edges and the LCD being flush with the body (no bump-out).

* The 1200 now feels as small as this design can shrink. Good news: my average-sized male hands can still comfortably hold it, barely not covering lens, flash, or resting on the LCD. But the round power-button is now almost too small to press if you had big fingers and no fingernails.

* 1200's new battery is a higher capacity 1000mAh (vs ~760mAh for SD1100). There's also a new charger (not compatible with the old batteries), a glossy white-colored model to blend into your wall.

* The buttons and menus are streamlined. There's now a button for review mode, pressing it a 2nd time takes you back to the previous state. Handy. The slider has dedicated AUTO and Manual settings, no longer need to use menus for that switch.

* Continuous mode and ISO now are in the Function Menu (on the SD1100, they had dedicated buttons).

* A SD card is no longer included. This makes sense to me, a 32MB card is barely useful, and with the downward pressure on electronics prices, I can't imagine Canon wanting to bundle a more expensive/bigger card. Some people will find this lack annoying.

* The A/V output is gone, and the USB connector now serves both purposes (both kinds of included cables now have a USB-end)

* A new version of Canon software is required for this model, Zoombrowser 6.3. Canon typically requires a new release for each new family/season of cameras. Unfortunately, the CameraWindow software has been intentionally dumbed-down in the 6.x software and no longer offers the options to delete your photos (have to go through the OS), nor to chose custom naming for the downloads. I say intentionally, since I asked Canon customer-support about it and they stated the changes were not bugs. The last Canon software to still have that functionality was 5.x, corresponding to the SD1000 and other cameras released that season.

* In casual indoor tests, the 1200 seemed more ready to go to ISO400 (often too "noisy" to be useful) when the SD1100 would have chosen ISO200.

* The SD1200 and SD1100 have identical specs on their optics. However, I noticed a more pronounced barrel-distortion on the 1200 at extreme wide-angle. (still only noticable in close-up shots of straight-edged items at wide-angle)

* In a casual speed test, the SD1200 took/stored photos notably faster the SD1100 (same scene, continuous-mode, same brand SD card), despite the 1200's image size being larger.

* Canon's paper manuals have been shrinking steadily. With this model, the only manual included is a quick-start guide, the rest is on CD-ROM.

* The packaging is even more efficient than before, about half the size of the SD1100's box.

* Sadly, there is no HD video mode, although all of the other Elphs released this spring had HD. SD1200 owners are stuck with 640×480 video.

Canon has several sub-series within the compact Elph line, varying mostly by asthetics and optics. The SD1200 is successor to the series that included the SD1100, SD1000, and SD600. These all favor a classic, slim design. If you're unfamiliar with Canon's Powershot cameras, there's lots of good material out there on camera sites such as dpreview.

In general, the small sensors and optics in all ultra-compact digital cameras lead to some optical quirks (such as barrelling), chromatic aberrations, over/under-exposure in bright sunlight/shade, and underpowered flashes. That's intrinsic to the size of camera, and vendors try to correct these effects in their on-board processing. My opinion is that Canon does a good job of correcting for these issues and the Elphs including the SD1200 take very good photos for their size.

It's questionable that a SD1100 owner would specifically find this a compelling upgrade other than the Digic4, but this is an excellent compact camera in all ways. Apart from the noteworthy quirks: the lack of HD and the limited features in the download software, this camera is Highly Recommended.

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3. Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

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c3Most Useful Review:
594 of 600 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Probably best in class, worthy upgrade, October 17, 2008
By     Kevin K. Fosler - (REAL NAME)

I've owned each new version of this camera since the Powershot S2IS. For me this is a worthwhile upgrade over the prior version, the S5IS.

I'll start by saying that I am not a digital camera "power user". I just want good quality photos without a lot of hassle. This camera provides that, yet also provides a lot of room for growth with plenty of custom settings that I can use if I want to learn how to use them in the future (for example, aperture priority).

Pros:
- In initial testing, the face detection technology seems to work well. I can take a self portrait now and the lighting comes out very good. I think the technology has gone from buzzword marketing to true usefulness.

- One side benefit of the face detection technology is that it enables the camera to intelligently take red-eye out of pictures without using the red-eye reduction lamp.

- The flip-out and rotating viewfinder has always and continues to set this camera apart from its peers from other companies. It allows for less intrusive candid photos and has many other advantages.

- Thankfully, the SD card door is separate from the battery door as it was with the S3IS. Thank you Canon! There are times that I just want to take a few pictures, and now I don't have to open the battery door to take the SD card out and put in my PC's card reader.

- Low battery warning. I think this is the first version to have that and it's very welcome.

- 28mm — I will never get another camera without wide angle built in. I have the Canon Elph 880IS too, which is a very powerful "pocketable" camera that complements this one well.

- Sharp 20x zoom. Pictures turn out very good even at high zooms. In an indoor-lit apartment, I can read fairly small print from a photo taken all the way across a room — it truly is amazing.

- The picture quality is better at higher ISO's than previous models. Each model improves on this and this one definitely continues that. I haven't tried out the "I-Contrast" setting (on vs. off) but I can say that in some outdoor pictures that I have taken detail is good in shadow areas.

- Finally, a standard lens-cap. It doesn't have a tether, but you can buy a cap attachment from a camera store that sticks on the front of the cap. The one that I got has an elastic band that goes around the base of the lens. I also got a better lens cap which can now be done since it's standard.

- Controls … I like the new placement of the controls such as dedicated on-off button and display button. I don't think I will like the scroll wheel but time will tell. For those not familiar with this camera, there is a dedicated video button so that you can take video quickly without having to mess with the controls.

- Weight and shape. I liked the shape of the S5IS a little better. This one seems too "boxy" and the grip seems too abrupt. It's bigger and heavier but not in a way that matters. It's expected with the new lens.

The only thing I would have liked to see improved is the size of the rotating display. It's usable, but the 3" one on my pocket SD880IS is much better, and competing cameras offer a larger display. In order to get a larger display though the electronic viewfinder would probably have to be eliminated which is something that many wouldn't like. I'd rather have a larger display.

I don't know if the compressed movie mode results in less quality because I didn't take movies with prior versions of this camera because the file size was larger. I like that videos take up less space now and I will use the video feature of this version.

Canon released a camera similar to this with HD video capabilities but it's not available, as far as I know, in the U.S. Check the Canon website for more info. if you want to research that.

There is not a way to screw filters on this camera as there was with the optional lens adapters available for the S5IS. It seems that Canon could have easily done this by threading the end of the lens but maybe I am missing something. I anticipate that Canon or some other company will come out with an adapter that will allow filters. My main use of filters was simply to protect the lens.

I don't know if the software is improved because I don't use it. If you want date / time stamps on your photos, you need to do it via software.

If you like this camera and are interested in a great pocket-sized camera to complement this one, check out the SD880IS. It has many of the same features such as the Digic 4 chip, face detection, wide angle, I-contrast, and in addition it has a beautiful 3" display.

Update 10-26-08
- I previously commented that I thought the shape was too boxy" and the grip "too abrupt". After using the camera for a while I have grown to like the shape because it helps keep the camera more steady and helps prevent dropping it. There is a ridge below where the index finger is, and above the other 3 fingers holding the camera. That helps keep a good grip on the camera which makes it steadier while shooting and helps prevent dropping it while carrying it around.

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4. Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD

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c4Most Useful Review:

240 of 243 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Pocket Camera with HD Video, March 16, 2009
By     U. Wilkins (San Jose, CA USA)

I just purchased this Canon on a whim, earlier today at Best Buy. I have been tinkering with it for the majority of the evening. My previous SD300 is still working like a champ, however I have been considering a video camera for some time…after some peering at the video camera counter I wandered over to the point and shoot table… what initially drew me in to the SD780IS was its appearance on the display stand. The sleek matte-black body is very eye-pleasing…then I looked at the specs. and realized that it shoots video in HD! (1280×720) Then all the other attributes made me realize that it was time to update my "everywhere, anytime" camera.

I proceeded to check out some of the other Canon SD cameras. The SD960 became the other candidate…it has a little more glass(4x)zoom, over the SD780's (3x)zoom. The SD960 has an appealing f2.8 apeture over the SD780's f3.2. The SD960's screen is more tailored for the HD video capture as it has a 16:9 ratio LCD panel. (Kinda nice for instant viewing ON THE CAMERA)

After some thought I went with the SD780 for these reasons:

1. The HD video capability is awesome and comparible with the SD960. It has a HDMI jack. The traditional 4:3 screen does not bother me, because the video is ultimately going to be viewed on a HD TV.(There will be an upper and lower bar on 16:9 playback through the SD780's LCD).

2.The weaker 3x zoom is not a big deal as this camera is for general shooting(out w/ freinds, bars, random afternoon at the beach, mountain biking, etc.)and with this camera EASLIY fitting in my jeans pocket or camelbak, the portability is what gives me the opportunity to document those moments, that would otherwise be missed. The SD960 is a little bulkier(but still small). I do also shoot with a Canon 40D, accompanied with L optics, but the weight and bulkiness do not lend to certain shooting circumstances. (as mentined above)

3. The user interface on the SD780IS is like most (if not all?) preceeding SD cameras. While there is not much control in the way of shooting settings, feature buttons like flash override, AE lock, AF lock, and exposure compensation are present on the camera body. The SD960IS has two buttons and a jog wheel, which lend to swims in the menu. I'm sure the new interface on the 960 is intuitive, but I liked the 780 due to its similarity to my old SD300.

I am very happy with the results produced thus far with the SD780IS. The HD video is excellant, however it should be known that once recording you can only zoom digitally. Low light cabilities and sound in video mode are excellent. The stills I have taken look great. Also, to the budget-minded who are upgrading from older digital point-and-shoots, a class 4 minimum 4GB or 8GB SDHC card would be well suited due to the demanding memory of the 12.1 million pixels, and HD video. Also, most old card readers will not process the the SDHC cards so you may have to purchase a new card reader as well.

I have to mention it again…the small size of the Canon SD780IS is mind-blowing…and the functionality actually mirrors its beauty.

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5. Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

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c5Most Useful Review:

483 of 487 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully full-featured camera at an unbeatable price, April 29, 2009
By     Rimesh Patel (Washington D.C.) - (REAL NAME)

I've had the T1i for about almost week now and after some extensive use, here are my thoughts:

1. 15.1 megapixel sensor. Yes, the high megapixel count is impressive, but keep in mind that, as you approach higher resolutions, you need to ensure the lens on the SLR can resolve that much detail. Sadly, the included 18-55mm IS lens is functional, but the high resolution really shows the so-so quality of the lens. Even if taken at the proper focus, pictures can appear soft with this kit lens. Shots I have taken with Canon EF-S 17-85mm and EF 70-200mm L lenses are crisp. I don't have any gripes on image quality. There are some issues with noise on the higher ISOs that don't seem to show up on the Nikon digitals, but overall, the quality is amazing for the price. Skin tones, textures, colors are reproduced very accurately.

2. Digic 4. The Digic 4 processor appears to process/save the 15 megapixel images in the same time (if not faster) than the Digic III processor on the XSi (even in RAW+Jpg mode). I have also noticed that at higher ISOs, the sensor and the Digic 4 produce images with less overall noise compared with its predecessors.

3. LCD. The 920,000 pixel LCD screen is large (3"), crisp, vibrant and fully visible even in bright sunlight. In comparison, the Canon XSi SLR (which the T1i replaces), also has a 3" LCD, but with 230,000 pixels. The viewing angle is great as well and the LCD can easily be seen nearly 180 degrees around.

4. ISO 12800. Canon and Amazon are correctly identifying that the T1i maxes out at ISO 3200. Some less reputable dealers are listing an ISO 12800, which you should disregard. The ISO 6400 and 12800 settings are expanded ISO settings. The pictures taken on these two settings are ISO 3200 images pushed to ISO 6400 or 12800 by the Digic 4 chip before saving to the memory card. These pictures are extremely grainy and contain a lot of noise to the point of only being usable as for snapshots or adding an artistic effect to certain compositions.

5. Penta-mirror. That Canon is still using one in the T1i is disappointing. The penta-mirror viewfinder image is functional, but still noticeably darker than that of the penta-prism viewfinder in the Nikon D90 (which is the T1i's main competitor). I really would have preferred if Canon had kept the XSi's 12.2 megapixel sensor, forgone 1080p video altogether, and maybe upped the cost of the camera slightly to cover the production cost of using a penta-prism in the T1i. Honestly, unless you are massively cropping your images, or creating large photos, the difference between 12.2 and 15.1 megapixels really is negligible.

6. Size. This is the same body as the XSi, and therefore a bit on the smaller side compared to other digital SLRs. I have small hands, so the T1i is comfortable for me. If you have big hands, I can see this being a very difficult camera to use over an extended period of time. If you haven't handled a Canon XT, XTi or XSi, I would suggest you go to a store and hold the T1i yourself before purchasing it online. (I will upload a picture of the T1i in my hands to the user gallery for a size reference.)

7. HD Video. Yes, the Canon marketing department made a horrible marketing decision and pushed the T1i onto shelves limiting the 1080p recording to 20fps (frames per second). Recognize this as a marketing gimmick that allows them put a 1080p sticker on the camera box. The 1080p @ 20fps is fine most times, but seems a choppy if you have a lot of action in the frame or are panning quickly. The T1i's 720p video is recorded at 30fps and is clean, smooth, and sufficient for all but the most discerning consumers. One major criticism though is that the sound is recorded in mono, AND there is NO input for an external microphone.

A lot of pre-production reviews of the T1i criticize its inability to automatically autofocus while recording. I wouldn't put much weight in this criticism, mostly because neither of the other two SLR cameras with HD recording capabilities (Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D90) can automatically autofocus while recording either. What you can do with the T1i is pan/zoom the lens and then press the AE lock (*) button to make the camera autofocus on the new subject (all while recording). A problem with using the AE lock button to have the camera autofocus is that the microphone for the camera is on the front upper left of the body near the lens mount. Therefore, the lens motor noise is picked up just as much as ambient sounds. Even with my quietest Canon USM (ultasonic motor) lenses, this lens motor sound is pretty loud in video playback. Although, remember, you can always manually turn the focusing ring on the lens to get your subject back into focus. It's not easy, but after a little practice, it's not all too hard, either.

Ultimately, you shouldn't let the HD recording limitations sway you one way or the other. This is an SLR camera — not a video camera. The HD video is a great feature, but if you're looking for something primarily to take video, look elsewhere. There are much better, cheaper VIDEO cameras out there which can record true 1080p.

8. Record button. For some reason, the record video button is next to the LCD screen (the same button used for direct printing). The first few times you take video, you'll intuitively find yourself using the shutter release button used to take pictures. The reason for this switch is that you can take a still picture while recording video, although, doing so will interrupt the recording.

9. Battery life. My first fully charged battery only lasted about 250 shots (no flash), but all charges since have given me in the range of 500-700 shots per charge. I'm guessing the first charge had such a short life because I spent quite a bit of time learning the camera, its menus, and settings.

10. Live View. I honestly can't review this as I haven't used it too much yet — I prefer using the viewfinder. One feature I can say is nice is that, on the LCD, you can digitally zoom in (up to 10x) on a section of your shot to ensure it is properly focused. This, and the fine focusing, can really help if you're into macro-photography.

11. HDMI cable. The T1i has an HDMI Type C output on the body to allow you to directly display pictures and video on an HDTV. A minor criticism is that the HDMI Type C cable is not included in the box. You have to buy it separately. It would have been nice if it were included, as it's not an expensive cable.

Conclusion. The T1i is a bit on the light end, yet the construction still feels solid. For the camera's price point, you'd be hard pressed to find any digital SLR out there which gives you all the capabilities and growth range of the Canon T1i. The camera is intuitive enough for those new to photography to pick and learn easily, yet configurable enough for advanced amateurs. If video is not a big deal for you, then get the Canon XSi. There is very little the T1i has (other than ISO 3200 and a sharper screen) that the XSi doesn't. Plus, with the release of the T1i, you can probably pick up a used XSi for a great price on eBay. My wife recently gave birth, and I'm not looking to record endless (never to be watched) tapes of video footage of our son, but I do want several minute clips of him as he grows through the years. I've always been more inclined towards photography, so this camera gives me a very versatile digital SLR that I need with the wonderful capability of recording HD video that I want.

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July 27, 2009

Macbook Air and Dell XPS M1530 for Free

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You can get both the Macbook Air and Dell XPS M1530 here.

You can buy both the Macbook Air and XPS M1530 if you have a lot of money to spare.

air

Macbook Air most useful review:

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fastest Computer I've Ever Used, November 29, 2008
By     Douglas R. McDonald "Doug" (Yokosuka, Japan) - (REAL NAME)
***MacBook Air works with World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King***

OK first of all, I put the above there because most people are concerned about MBA's power; also, lots of people (myself NOT included) play WoW, so I thought it'd be a good benchmark for the Air. Gamers, take note that the Air now has the NVIDIA 9400M graphics card, which plays WoW beautifully.

I was floored to find that my mom's new MacBook Air was, in fact, faster than my own ostensibly speedier iMac! It rarely lags behind my workflow - despite MBA's comparably slow processor and small amount of RAM, it actually handled my demands with distinction.

The SSD made a huge difference, IMO. I know this w/o using an HDD MBA because, like I said earlier, MBA is quicker at opening applications and navigating the OS than my "big daddy" iMac is. I have found myself longing to work instead on Mom's MacBook Air whenever I get a "spinning beach ball" wait sign on my iMac.

The weight of MBA is definitely a plus. The computer can be easily supported by one hand while the other navigates/types - try doing that with any other 13"+ laptop and you'll see the difference.

Battery life is exemplary. I can easily make the Air last six hours, albeit with intermittent breaks during which it Sleeps and I do something else, like check email on my white iPhone 3G or I talk to somebody. Waking the Air from sleep takes less than three seconds, if you didn't set it to require a password on wake. As Apple has advertised, yes, the screen is at full brightness after waking the computer.

Wi-Fi reception is awesome. Apple placed the antenna behind the screen so it's always in the best location to get a signal. The Air has 802.11n built in, plus Bluetooth.

The ports aren't really much of an issue. All I ever really do with the Air is the occasional thumb drive usage; software is installed via Remote Disk on my iMac. You can even wirelessly copy files to/from the Air and your PC or Mac.

Optical drive. Yes. The almighty Air boon. I'm glad Apple got rid of the drive! Just click the link below this paragraph to see just how much space inside the notebook that the optical drive wastes. If you disagree, I have the following to say to you: in today's day and age, where we have like 4GB thumb drives for less than $50, do you really need a 700MB CD or a 5GB DVD anymore? Buying/renting iTunes movies is either cheaper or comparably priced to DVD movies. Almost all new albums are released on iTunes. Most email clients allow attachments of up to 20MB (if yours doesn't do this for free, you seriously need to switch providers - GMail and MobileMe both support 20MB attachments, but I don't know about the other clients). The list that will condemn disks to the same fate as floppy drives goes on and on and on…
http://static1.ifixit.com/igi/qFsHP2uMXoMCagVy.large
The huge silver thing on the left is the optical drive. As you can see, it is a huge space waster. One could fit an entire other hard drive into that space.

The screen is the best I've ever seen. Simply stunning. It's bright, crisp, and the colors are vivid and accurate.

The keyboard is exemplary, but it collects fingerprints easily. A daily wipe-down fixes this.

The touchpad is excellent in comparison with the Windows laptops' ones I've used, however, MBA does NOT have the new glass trackpad, which I am in love with. (Seriously, you have to try the new trackpad. It's utter bliss…)

Voice recognition is fun! You can make the computer tell you jokes, tell you the time, tell you what day it is, control itself with only verbal commands, etc.

Overall, just get the MBA if you're getting a Mac laptop. The only exceptions are if you're too budget constrained (get a MacBook) or if you process video (MacBook Pro). In all other instances, MacBook Air!!!

xps

Most useful Dellj XPS M1530 review:
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Dell XPS M1530, May 7, 2009
By     J. R. Malone (NJ) - (REAL NAME)
I have owned my XPS for 1 year now. Overall I am very satisfied. This is my 4th Dell laptop and the build is the best of all, particularly the hinge on the screen. After a year it is as stiff as it was out of the box. I use this laptop for my business and I am usually on it 7-10 hours per day. The screen is bright and the media player controls are convenient.

The only problems I have had are on the touch pad and video card. I do not use a mouse, only the touch pad. Fortunately I purchased the 3 year In-Home warranty because I have already had the touchpad replaced twice and the mother board replaced once. I seem to wear out the left enter key below the touchpad but the entire board has to be replaced. I also lost my WSVGA capability due to a known NVidia 8600GT card problem. Since it is integrated into the motherboard, again the entire board had to be replaced. However, Dell did not hesitate to replace any of the components and sent a technician to my home within 24 hours. This may sound serious but it was repaired quickly and easily and my overall satisfaction with the laptop outweighs any inconvenience.

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July 15, 2009

Top 5 Bluetooth Headsets in July

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These are the top 5 bluetooth headsets found at BluetoothHeadsetdot.com. I have to agree that these are currently the best you can find in the market. But these things change. Technology moves so fast and you'll have a new list pretty soon.

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July 12, 2009

XBox 360 Elite for Free?

The XBox 360 Elite will probably be discontinued because people prefer only 2 versions of the XBox rather than 3. At least that's what I thought I read somewhere a while back. So this offer will definitely end pretty soon and I would then have to remove this link. It's valid for the states only.

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July 11, 2009

Which Plasma TV Would You Prefer?

Panasonic and Samsung plasma tvs are somewhat similar in quality performance and even price. This offer gives you a chance at owning either one of them if you vote. I have to say this is pretty cool. You don't get free plasma tvs everyday, do you?

You can also watch this video on youtube.

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July 9, 2009

Five 19-Inch LCD Monitor Recommendations

Dell S1909WX

Dell S1909WX

Great for what it is

Pros: -1440×900 resolution
-Great contrast
-Vibrant colors
-Ultra crisp image
-Fast 5ms response time
-Standout design
-VGA and DVI-D connections

Cons: -Limited Picture adjustment options
-No built in speakers
-Some washed out edges in dark rooms
-Difficult to press side control keys
-All inputs will be stretched to fit the screen, with no ability to adjust letterbox bars

Review: While it may not be the most high end monitor on the market it does stand out as a perfect option for graphic intensive or theatrical viewing. Though the lack of letterboxing options is irritating - especially when the monitor is being used as a PlayStation 3 display it does look and respond wonderfully. Blu-Rays look crisp and games look phenomenal.

So overall a nice monitior, and yes, given the chance - I'd have no problem getting it again.

"Another Great As Usual Viewsonic Monitor"

by jeffero444 on March 2, 2009

Pros: The monitor is designed well and has the high quality picture that Viewsonic is famous for. Not only does the exterior of the monitor look great but this is the one to buy if you need a great monitor for gaming and just all around PC enjoyment.

Cons: It may use somewhat of a low color count because of the fast response rate however just by looking at this monitor as you use it in game playing and surfing the net you can tell that it is a good one. Everything is very clear and crisp.

Summary: I don't agree with the review from the CNET critic because why would you say a cheaply made Westinghouse monitor that will likely only last a year or two and I'm quite sure has a worse picture than a Viewsonic especially this one, would be better? After having my first Viewsonic back in 2002 which was a VA520 15" LCD that had a great picture and lasted 6 years till I sold it in 2008 and I bet it's still is working great for the guy who bought it from me I was pretty much sold on the brand. Plus seeing them in places where I've worked and noticing how nice they were. Before buying this monitor I bought a similar Acer which isn't bad but can't compete as far as picture quality. I highly recommend this montior.

Westinghouse L1916HW

Westinghouse L1916HW

The good: Superlow price from Best Buy; good movie and games performance; built-in speakers.

The bad: Onscreen display buttons are too sensitive; low speaker volume.

The bottom line: The Westinghouse L1916HW has a superlow price and good performance in games, movies, and office tasks.

Specifications: Display Type: LCD display / TFT active matrix ; Diagonal Size: 19 in - Widescreen ; Max Resolution: 1680 x 1050

Buy/More info

Samsung SyncMaster 943N

samsung

Description: The samsung SyncMaster 943N is a 19 in, flat panel computer monitor.Compared to other flat panel monitors on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $180.This unit features a 1280×1024 native resolution.Weighs 8.4 lbs.

Pros: Has 1000:1 contrast ratio, which is higher than some similarly priced monitors.In fact, the average cost of a product with this high a contrast ratio is $480.Its wide viewing angle (170 degrees) is useful whenever the screen is being viewed by more than one person at the same time.This monitor meets the EPEAT Silver level criteria of environmental performance including a minimum of 65% recycleable or reuseable materials.

Cons: Has 0.294 mm dot pitch, which is somewhat less favorable than some similarly priced monitors.Also, this monitor has only 1280×1024 resolution, which is lower than some similarly priced monitors.For example, the ViewSonic VX1940W, a 19 in monitor at around $185, has 1680×1050 resolution.

Suitability: A flat panel monitor, suited for those who want a larger thin screen monitor.The 5 ms response time of this screen makes it ideal for fast-moving games and for watching movies.

Value: Given its relatively inexpensive price, this monitor has great features for the money.In fact, you would usually pay about 90% more to get a flat panel monitor having roughly the same viewable size.

Buy/More info

NEC Multisync LCD1990SX

Multisync

Description: The NEC MultiSync LCD1990SX is a 19 in, flat panel computer monitor.Compared to other flat panel monitors on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $465.This display features a 1280×1024 native resolution.Weighs 19.8 lbs.

Pros: Has 1500:1 contrast ratio, which is somewhat higher than some similarly priced monitors.In fact, the typical cost of a product with this high a contrast ratio is $690.This monitor meets the EPEAT Silver level criteria of environmental performance including a minimum of 65% recycleable or reuseable materials.Accepts DVI input, which allows for greater signal clarity than traditional VGA.

Cons: Has 0.294 mm dot pitch.Also, this monitor has only 1280×1024 resolution.This is not out of line with the product's price, but is lower than the average monitor on the market today.

Suitability: Built for those who want a spacious screen that will not hog their entire desk.The 8 ms response time of this screen makes it ideal for fast-moving games and for watching movies.

Value: Notwithstanding its relatively expensive price, this monitor has good features for the money.On the other hand, you would typically pay around 30% less to get a flat panel monitor having similar viewable size.

Buy/More info

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