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

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

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

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

watch?v=Mj7CiuBQLZA

Most 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

Most 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

Most 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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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.

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dell S1909WX

Great for what it is by Sup3rDVD - July 7, 2009

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

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

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.

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NEC Multisync LCD1990SX

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.

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Product Description

HDMI audio / video cables are ATC certified to provide the most reliable signal transfer for the purest picture. Unlike most HDMI cables, Inspire Audio video cables use individual, shielded twisted pair wires for unsurpassed video signal. Their outstanding design reigns over other HDMI cables, with true picture quality and detail; perfect for high resolution digital editing or for the discriminating video connoisseur. True shielded twisted pair, gold plated connectors, exclusive patented RF-BlokTM shielding and a beautiful design comes together for the perfect video transfer. Features: *ATC certified *Gold plated connectors *Patented RF-BlokTM *Foil shielding and copper tinned braiding *Shielded twisted wire pairs *Supports 720p, 1080p, and 8-channel digital audio.

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400 of 432 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Price performer!, April 1, 2006
By     J. Collins (Los Angeles, CA USA) - (REAL NAME)

HDMI is a digital signal. That means it's all or nothing–not like analog where you may have degradation due to signal loss, crosstalk, radio frequency interference, etc. As long as you have a decent HDMI cable to transmit the digital bitstream from point A to point B, you're set. I just purchased the new Sony Bravia S-series 32 inch LCD TV. To go with it, I trashed my old Apex with the missing remote and got a deal on a Sony DVP-NS70H upconverting DVD player that can synthesize "extra" lines of resolution. The player can send 720p or 1080i signal to the TV. (Current DVDs are 480p; that standard will change eventually with Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.) I knew that the upconversion feature only works through a digital connection, so I'd need to get an HDMI cable. Started checking prices and, no surprise, they were all over the place. Some were in the $100 range. Despite mild skepticism, I decided to try the cheapest one. This little beauty arrived in 3 days in a plain brown wrapper and a clear plastic bag. The cable is surprisingly robust, with nice build quality, supple insulation, and good connectors. I started to feel vindicated. So I plugged it in, put Harry Potter in the DVD player and WOW!! The DVD player and TV did their magic. Spellbindingly great picture and sound. I haven't tried a component analog connection–those cables are REALLY expensive and quality matters more there–so I can't compare component versus HDMI. Bottom line: this is an unbeatable price performer for around $10 incuding shipping. And no, this is not an April Fools joke.

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Watch the morning news without having to get out of bed, or while sun bathing in the back yard.

Does someone else have dibs on the TV room? Pull out your HLT71, and you've got your own TV room.

This handy little portable TV has a 7-inch LCD screen that switches between a 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio.

It has a built-in ATSC/NTSC tuner with detachable antenna enabling you to receive crisp reception of your favorite channels - even after the digital-to-analog switch in June 2009.

The HLT71 connects to other devices with an audio/video jack and coaxial output.

Watch with others using the built-in twin speaker system, or plug your headphones into the included jack to enjoy your favorite programs without disturbing those around you.

The rechargeable Li-polymer battery offers up to 2.5-hours of life between charges — enough time to watch an entire movie or several episodes of your favorite show without a recharge.

The HLT71 includes an AC power adapter, a car adapter and a Remote Control.- Buy/More info

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502 of 513 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC 7 inch portable LCD TV !, September 15, 2008
By     Tante Maren "Maren" (Ohio, United States) - (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I am really thrilled with my purchase of this Haier HLT71 7-inch, ATSC 2009-ready portable LCD TV! I have never heard of this name brand Haier, and I had heard many nightmare stories about some of the other name brands having poor pictures on these little screens, so I thought I'd give this Haier a try.

I ordered this tv directly from Amazon and it came to me from a seller on Amazon who goes by the name ANTOnline. The seller sent this perfect and fast to start with, which is always a big plus with me.

When I opened the box, the set looked very sleek and light weight, just perfect! The tv I received is exactly like the picture shows in this description, black (it is the picture that has the remote control next to the tv), with really simple control buttons on the front.

I then looked at the directions, but realized, I didn't need to read them at all! Everything is really obvious! The set has a little slide switch on the side to turn on the power. The antenna screws in really easy.

It comes with a plug for the inside electrical outlet, and a plug for the car lighter, and a lightweight rechargeable battery! It has a little remote control which they made very easy to read! After screwing on the antenna (or you can attach your cable cord if you are using it in the house), I basically plugged it in, slid the power switch on, pressed the button to scan for setting the channels, and it does it quickly! In about 1 minute, it was set! I then tried the small battery, and it played perfectly without the electric power!

The picture is absolutely gorgeous, as it has the new atsc digital signal receiver built in! To see the local programs in digital on this little screen was fantastic! Colors are crisp, sharp and vivid, just like a big hdtv!
I have noticed that some reviews are giving this tv a low rating because it did not pick up any channels with the single rabbit ear that comes with the set. This tv picks up EVERY signal that is being broadcast in your area.

Before you buy this tv, you should first go to a website called Antenna Web. On this site, you type in your address and it will show you exactly how many channels you can receive in your area and what type of antenna you will need to pick up the signals.

Antenna Web said that in my area I could receive 8 signals, and the single rabbit ear that comes with this tv picked up all 8 channels. When I used a stronger antenna, I picked up 3 more channels.

When I used my cable cord, I received over 60 channels, and when I used my cable cord with my box, I picked up 250 channels. Whatever I hooked up to the coaxial input on this tv, this tv picked up!

If you live in an area that receives no broadcast signals or you need a high powered antenna to pick up anything, it is not the tv's fault, but your broadcasters. So, if you want to be certain your tv is picking up the signals correctly, go to Antenna Web and check to see what channels you can get in your area and what type of antenna you need to pick up the signals.

My single rabbit ear, picked up everything including the hi-def channels, and the reception was crystal clear. (Also, don't forget to go to the tv's menu, and hit the little satellite dish picture, then hit the appropriate air or cable before you scan for your channels. This way you'll be certain your tv will receive the correct signals.)

The real plus for me on this tv, is the battery, because of so many electrical outages and bad storms, this is a must have item! The battery has a life of about 2-2 1/2 hours, perfect for a few shows while waiting out bad weather, or even for entertainment when traveling.

The fantastic picture really blew me away. I just love the light weight of the tv, even with the battery, it's like a feather! There is even a built in stand to put it on a table! The sound is incredible as well- two speakers and really loud! This is unheard of on these small sets!

They even thought of including a plug in for headphones, if you have them (headphones are not included), for quiet listening or for travel! Whoever designed this perfect set, knew what they were doing!
I am giving this perfect little tv 5 stars for being able to see a sharp, vivid, gorgeously colored hi-def picture, and set up without reading a direction, but especially because I can play it in my house, in my car, or carry it anywhere with the rechargeable battery, all at a great price too!

UPDATE: Haier vs. Axion 7 inch portable tv's
I am posting an update for anyone who is wondering what the differences are between these two portable tv's. A friend of mine purchased the Axion, and she immediately brought it over to compare it to my Haier.

Here is what I found:
RECEPTION: Antenna Web said I could receive 8 channels in my area. With the single rabbit ear antenna, Haier picked up all 8 channels. Axion picked up 7 channels, but one channel was very fuzzy. When attaching a cable cord, both sets picked up everything.

SOUND: For these small sets, the sounds were very similar, but when turning the volume louder, the Haier was louder and not as tinny sounding as the Axion.

PICTURE: Both have very nice pictures, with great color, but the Haier definitely has a more hi-def, sharper looking picture.

REMOTE CONTROL: Haier's is easier to read, larger and has volume control, where Axion's is smaller and has no volume control.

BATTERY: Haier's battery is a plug in and lasts about 2 hours before needing charging. Axion's battery is built in, cannot be removed and lasted a little less than 1 hour before needing to be charged.

Overall, the sets are very similar, my personal choice being the Haier, as I think the picture is sharper, the price is better and the battery lasts longer for my needs in bad weather. Haier also has way more picture settings and adjustments in the tv's menu, but the pictures on both these sets are so great, I've never found a need to use them. The bottom line for me is the better picture and price give the edge to Haier, since the reception on these two sets is almost identical.

JUNE 12th,2009 NEWS UPDATE ON THE DIGITAL CHANGE:

I just read an article on the new digital change taking place titled CHANGE TO DIGITAL TV BROADCASTS ALREADY GETTING POOR RECEPTION. And they mean POOR RECEPTION literally.

The article says the following:

Many broadcasters across the country are transmitting the new digital signals with temporary transmission towers, just to meet the June 12th deadline. Permanent new towers are needed in order to move to a new higher frequency broadcast that should be easier for people's antennas to pick up. Once the new towers are built, probably later in 2009, the stations will change to another channel, and everyone will have to re-scan their t.v.'s to receive all the new digital channels. Unlike the old analog signals, you will never have any snow or static on your set, you will either have a perfect picture or one that is totally unwatchable. At this time, with so many broadcasters transmitting with temporary towers, you need a powerful antenna to receive anything on your set.

I thought this article very important to let everyone know that right now, a powerful antenna is needed for reception, but by the end of the year, the permanent towers should be built and running full power, and that means any antenna should pick up everything. More importantly, remember to scan again to re-program your tv channels after June 12th, and again later in the year, when all the permanent towers are up.

This will get you all the stations that will be changing to a new channel with the new frequencies. I hope this helps everyone, so they'll get the most channels out of their tv's!

UPDATE: MISSING OR NO CHANNELS AFTER DIGITAL CHANGE

This is an update for anyone who has lost channels or who has no channels after the digital change took place June 12, 2009, whether you re-scanned or not. I received this information to share with all of you from contacting the FCC, CBS, Antenna Web and Elgato Systems Technical Support.

They were all very helpful in explaining to me what exactly is going on right now, which is this: Half of the nations tv stations (which at half is 1,760 stations) are running at full power, the other half of 1,760 stations are not. Some stations are completely off the air temporarily, and are available only through cable and satellite. In most major markets some channels are still in lower frequencies which many smaller antennas will NEVER pick up except MAYBE with the highest powered amplified antenna.

Digital tv was originally planned to be broadcast in UHF (digital loop antenna needed), which are the higher channels. VHF (rabbit ears), which are the lower analog channels (2-13) was supposed to be gone, but it is not. The new digital tv is being broadcast in 2 different ranges both UHF and VHF. In other words, channels are missing, many channels are in frequencies we cannot pick up and only half of our stations are running at full power! What a mess!

Antenna Web is now showing the new RF (Radio Frequency) channels in your area. Each station has 1 RF channel. If you see in your area, any low RF channels from 1-13 range, you will need a really high powered antenna to MAYBE receive your channels.

First, go to your tv to re-scan. Remove any batteries. Plug it in to the wall outlet. Find the satellite dish in your menu and set it to air (if using antenna) or cable (if cable is hooked up)and scan. You may have to do this several times and even more re-scans are needed over the next year or two!
The FCC recommends, if you are getting nothing, or very few channels, to do the following, before re-scanning:
1.) Re-orient the antenna
2.) Amplify the antenna (Not recommended by me, as these antenna's need electricity, which means it will be useless when used with the battery)
3.) Purchase a new HD antenna that will receive both VHF and UHF

When you buy an hd antenna for your set, try re-scanning it when you get home a few times to see what you get, if nothing works, return it and try another. (After re-scanning, make sure you try the tv with your battery to see what you can pick up for power outages.) Eventually one will work for your area and you'll be set for the next power outage.

With only 1/2 the stations at full power, many channels temporarily missing that went to cable and dish tv, and many running on low analog frequencies, it's amazing our antenna sets are picking up anything right now! Shop till you get a good antenna for your area, and be patient as it will be years before everything is being broadcast in higher frequency digital tv! I hope this helps everyone, as the right antenna is everything right now!

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