The Apple iPad – Should you buy it?

I’ll be upfront with my bias – I tend to use, and sell others on the concept, of Apple products.

On my desktop is a beast of a PC. It sees very little use since the introduction of my 24″ iMac. And every less after the Macbook Pro entered its company. Unlike some people, I will at least admit to favoritism.

Depending upon who you go to for technology reviews/news, there are numerous articles on the ipad. There are those who despise it, and there are those who are fanatics.

Recently, my neighbor asked I speak with her friend about the iPad. She wasn’t looking to drop a grand on a fresh macbook. Luckily my neighbor convinced her the Apple world is for her.

I was able, with ease, to convince her friend to get a 13″ Macbook (loaded with programs).

It makes sense she was looking at an iPad for its beginning price point of $499.00. Yet, this product seems so niche-based geared toward specific users’.

Let’s take a look at Apple’s price(s) for the iPad:

Wi-Fi + 3G 3G data plan sold separately. Learn more

64GB¹

• Ships: Late April
• Free Shipping
• $829.00

I won’t get into the 3G coverage, as it seems to me a silly concept to have it an a hand-held device. Because at the pricing of $629.00 and then the 3G coverage, you can purchase a laptop.

So, why spend that much for limited hardware and programs when you can purchase a laptop? This is one, of several, concerns about the iPad.

The ‘accessories’ only add to my confusion:

Intel’s 2010 processors bring the heat

Intel has raised the bar again, producing significant speed in their line of  desktop and mobile processors (i7, i5 & i3). The price points start at $196 (desktop) and $225 (mobile) to $284 (desktop) and $332 (mobile). The Intel®Core™ i5-670 base clock is 3.46, to an over-clock up to 3.73, with 733 (mhz) for graphic frequency.

Read the whole coverage.

Video, benchmarks, photos and more are available at www.intel.com/pressroom/CES.

Digitize Your Vinyl Records With This USB Turntable

The PT-01USB Turntable from Numark is designed to easily let you turn your old vinyl records into modern-day MP3 files. With its bundled software, the device can separate each side of an “album” into individual tracks. Senior associate editor Mark Sulllivan takes it out for a spin and lets you know his recommendation.

[PCWorld.com]

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ASUS Eee PC 1008HA ‘Seashell’ review roundup

For those near and dear to ASUS’ Eee PC netbook line, the 1008HA ‘Seashell’ is definitely a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t look like an Eee, it doesn’t feel like an Eee and it doesn’t boast a replaceable battery like an Eee; needless to say, only two of those three facts were lauded by reviewers across the web. Much like Apple’s MacBook Air, the battery in this here machine is not user-serviceable, and while tests proved that it could last well over three hours with “normal” use, ASUS has yet to make clear what plans it has for offering replacements. In any case, most everything else about the machine was found to be on par or above, with performance being satisfactory for basic tasks and the keyboard / trackpad being exceptionally yummy. Still, it feels as if ASUS is charging a bit much for a familiar lineup of internals, but those willing to pay for style should definitely take a closer look.

Read – Trusted Reviews (“a very refined and classy netbook”)
Read – T3 (“a good all-round package”)
Read – CNET UK (“great styling and a relatively light chassis”)
Read – Bit-Tech (“definitely worth considering, but looks come at a cost”)
Read – WhatLaptop (“a compelling proposition”)
Read – PCPro (“If you don’t mind paying a premium for fine design, then the Seashell is a tantalizing prospect”)

[Source: Engadget.com]

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Maximizing your Mac mini

Upgrading your mini is easy enough, but does it produce performance dividends?

by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com

Back in March when I reviewed the early-2009 version of the Mac mini, I concluded that if you’re going to be using the newest mini for more than the most basic tasks, you’ll want it configured more like the $799 model (2GB RAM, 320GB hard drive) than the $599 model (1GB RAM, 120GB hard drive). But I also noted that compared to the $599 model, the $799 model is a poor value. Shelling out the additional $200 for the $799 model gets you only those modest bumps in memory and storage—upgrades that, if you’re comfortable installing them yourself, would cost less than $100 with some frugal shopping.

The dilemma is that I was talking about a Mac mini, not a MacBook. Having taken apart previous Mac minis, I knew that many people wouldn’t feel comfortable performing such surgery themselves, so I also recommended an alternative: paying Apple $50 to bump the $599 mini’s RAM to 2GB, and then purchasing an external hard drive for additional storage (and, if you go the FireWire route, additional performance, as well).

But part of the beauty of the Mac mini is its compact size. Many people don’t want to expand the mini’s “footprint” by adding an external hard drive. So the two questions I heard most often from Macworld readers and anyone who follows me on Twitter were, “How difficult is it really to upgrade this Mac mini?” and “What about installing a faster internal hard drive?” So I decided it was once again time to get inside the Mac mini—specifically, Apple’s $599 entry-level model—and do some hands-on research.

For the upgrade components, I could have purchased a 320GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive for around $65 and a 1GB RAM chip for $20; these would have brought the $599 mini on par with the $799 model for just $684—a whopping $115 less. But I wanted to see what kind of performance increases I could get by upgrading, so I bumped the RAM up to 4GB and installed a drive, Western Digital’s 320GB Scorpio Black, that operates at 7,200-rpm and includes a 16MB cache. This do-it-yourself configuration costs only $747 at current retail prices—still less than Apple’s stock $799 model.

Entering without breaking

Apple’s policy on upgrading the Mac mini yourself has always been that as long as you don’t break anything in the process, your warranty is still valid. At the time of my review, I confirmed that this policy still applies. The bigger issue is that, as with earlier minis, getting inside the computer’s compact enclosure often feels as if you’re breaking it. But those of us who’ve successfully taken apart a mini can assure you that the little guy can take much more abuse than you think. (And once you’ve taken apart a mini without breaking it, you’re much more confident—and the process is much quicker—the next time.)

[Source: Macworld.com]

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Sprint MiFi 2200 EVDO hotspot announced

Sprint have announced that they too will be offering the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 “Intelligent Mobile Hotspot”, expected to launch on Verizon’s network come May 17th.  As with the Verizon version, the Sprint MiFi 2200 will share its EVDO Rev.A data connection with up to five WiFi clients; it will also offer access to the hotspot’s GPS functionality, something the Verizon version does not.

That GPS can be used to access mapping and location-based services.  Battery life is promised at up to four hours of use or 40hrs standby, and the MiFi 2200 supports WPA2-PSK and WEP encryption and has an SPI Firewall.  The whole thing measures just 3.50 x 2.32 x 0.35 inches and weighs 2.05oz.

Sprint plan to launch the MiFi 2200 in the first week of June, priced at $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.  Two service plans will be available: the cheapest, at $59.99 per month, offers simply 5GB per month of data, while there’s also a $149.99 Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband, which gives subscribers both phone service and 5GB of MiFi 2200 data.  Each plan charges $0.05 per MB for data outside of that 5GB.

Press Release:

At your home office, on the road or at the beach, Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot connects any WiFi-enabled device to the Sprint Now Network

The Sprint Simply Everything Plan(R) + Mobile Broadband = $599 savings annually vs. comparable Verizon plan

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May. 13, 2009– Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced plans to bring a WiFi hotspot to customers virtually anywhere and everywhere — and whenever they need it — on any WiFi-enabled device.

Sprint plans to launch the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 intelligent mobile hotspot device for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year service agreement (excluding taxes). The MiFi 2200, available in the first week of June on www.sprint.com, in Sprint retail stores and other select channels, will allow users to connect to the Internet by bridging WiFi-enabled devices like laptops, MP3 players and gaming devices to America’s most dependable 3G network* – the EVDO Rev A Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. Sprint will launch the service under the Sprint Mobile Hotspot name, and it will be the first in the U.S. to support MiFi’s GPS capabilities, allowing users to take advantage of select location and mapping applications.

[Source: SlashGear.com]

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ASUS M3A78-T 790GX AM2+ Motherboard Review

Introduction and Specifications

ASUS uses AMD 790GX chipset to keep AM2+ platform in the game

Last September, PC Perspective’s own Josh Walrath wrote a comprehensive article on AMD’s 790GX chipset and outlined numerous feature available with this chipset that will benefit the gamer and enthusiast communities. While the 790GX is still primarily based on the 780G and SB700, the chipset does offer Advanced Clock Calibration, which is an overclocking tool that increases the upper overclocking spectrum of current Phenom II processors.

(Courtesy of AMD)

AMD 790FX and AMD 790GX motherboards are the heart and soul of the “Dragon” platform.  This platform is based on its performance, visual experience, and energy efficiency, according to AMD. AMD claims combining the 790GX chipset with an AMD Phenom II processor and ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics card will “deliver screaming computing power for gaming with an efficient design and an unbeatable HD experience for the money.”

(Courtesy of ASUS)

This chipset has really been a great find for consumers looking to build a mid-range gaming or home theater PC. One vendor who has recognized this chipset’s potential is ASUS, which developed the M3A78-T AM2+ motherboard to accommodate this target audience who’s looking for a motherboard that fits in the $100 to $130 price range. This board features some unique things like onboard SidePort memory that’s 128MB of DDR3 1333 goodness. SidePort memory is what ATI calls the dedicated frame buffer memory for the integrated graphics chip. This memory runs much faster than system memory, therefore providing noticeable increases in performance over standard IGPs which constantly accesses system memory.

[Source: PCPerspective.com]

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LaCie “5big” NAS offers up to 10TB storage

LaCie has announced two new upgrades to its networked-attached storage (NAS) devices: the LaCie 5big Network and 2big Network. The product enhancements include improved performance, capacity expansion, and extra data protection with RAID settings. The 5big Network adds support for Time Machine backup software, along with improved multimedia server capabilities that allow users to stream multimedia files to UPnP players such as a PS3 or Xbox.

Other changes for its 5big Network prouct increase the storage systems capacity up to 10TB, and provide compatibility for the iTunes server. The added support enables iTunes users to access the NAS device from the application interface.

The smaller “2big” Network device adds support for Windows Active Directory (ADS) and local backup, Time Machine, and integration with MS Windows network domains. By enhancing its backup capabilities users can perform regular or scheduled backups to external devices. The storage device also ships with client licenses of Genie Backup Manager Pro for Windows and Intego Backup Manager Pro for Mac.

Both the LaCie 5big and 2big Network are available for purchase through the company’s website, and priced at $320 for the 2big or $800 for the 5big.

[Source: Electronista.com]

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Microsoft Surface SP1 released; promise of Windows 7 & WM7 integration

Microsoft have released Service Pack 1 for users of their Surface multitouch table, and while that may not affect many readers of SlashGear it comes with some news that likely will.  The Surface team have been tasked with developing a set of standardized gestures and motion controls, that will be used not only on their own multitouch computer but in Windows 7 and Windows Mobile 7; that means better integration between Surface, gestures, multitouch and touch across all of Microsoft’s platforms.

Video demo of the new features after the cut

As for the Service Pack specifically, that rolls out 128-bit identifier tags as you can see on the back of the card in the image above.  That card is a physical photo – the same as is currently on-screen – which was recognized when it was placed onto the Surface, and a shortcut to the photo viewer offered.  Check out the full demo in the video below.

There’s also support for Windows Update, stress tests for developers – which include testing to make sure apps won’t get overloaded by dozens of contact points at any one time – and better optimization for background processes so that cross-app notifications are handled more smoothly.  Hopefully we’ll see more of Surface’s technology cross over into Windows 7 as it edges toward launch.

[Source: SlashGear.com]

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TVs on the Internet: Interactive HDTVs compared

From Yahoo Widgets to Amazon Video on Demand to YouTube to video podcasts, today’s HDTVs can display much more than just television shows. TV makers are using Internet-enabled add-ons to differentiate their higher-end models from the droves of identical-looking flat-panels flooding the market. Here’s a slice of the ones we’ve recently reviewed, each of which guarantees there’s always something else to watch on TV.

Panasonic VieraCast: Found on the G10 and V10 series plasmas, this service recently got Amazon Video On Demand added to its portfolio of YouTube, Picasa, and the standard news and weather services. Amazon VOD includes high-def movie and TV shows to rent and buy, but of course it will cost you.

Samsung Internet@TV: Samsung’s offering consists primarily of Yahoo Widgets, which are kind of like (currently free) iPhone apps for your TV. Original widgets included weather, news, finance, and Flickr, and new ones available include games and Twitter. The real appeal of the service is its openness to developers, and Yahoo predicts availability of about a hundred widgets by year’s end. The downside? Currently the system is pretty sluggish.

Sony Bravia Internet Video: Even though the $199 Bravia Internet Video Link box was among the worst products of last year, Sony went ahead and built its functionality into its higher-end TVs this year–no box required. The service offers Amazon VOD and YouTube, plus a host of other streaming-video sites, most notably CBS (Note: CNET is a CBS Interactive property). Unfortunately, full CBS episodes are rare on the service, and most of the other streaming video is pretty niche–not to mention Web quality. Sony also includes Yahoo Widgets in its package, however, giving it the most complete content offering of the three.

[Source: CNet.com]

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