Showing posts with label 16gb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 16gb. Show all posts

8/09/2012

GSI MP4/MP3 "16 GB" Player with High-Definition Camera/Camcorder, FM Radio, Voice Recorder, USB Portable, 2.8-inch Touchscreen - Stylus Included - Upgraded Model Review

GSI MP4/MP3 16 GB Player with High-Definition Camera/Camcorder, FM Radio, Voice Recorder, USB Portable, 2.8-inch Touchscreen - Stylus Included - Upgraded Model
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First let me say, the seller was just fine. The product however, is not so fine. Although it said it is an upgraded model, which made me think it would work well, is a joke. The unit is hard to use, not user friendly in the least, and is down right slow to respond. It comes with a stylus to use to start your application. It takes several hits to make the application even open. I never could get it to actually download any songs after 3 hours I was ready to throw it through the nearest window. I returned the unit, and for $20.00 more bought a Sony Walkman.
This is not a good device to try to use unless you are a computer geek. Even then I imagine you will have some issues with the performance since it doesn't seem to be able to connect to anything. It's not cheap although for almost $80.00 I was surely expecting something with a better OS. Save your money and get either the Ipod or Zune.

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6/06/2012

Android 2.1 Tablet PC X220 flytouch2 with GPS and Webcam Review

Android 2.1 Tablet PC X220 flytouch2 with GPS and Webcam
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I ordered this tablet, my first Android device, and I was kinda wondering what I would receive...
So far I'm really pleased with this thing!
Being a Palm and iPod Touch user and early adopter of what people call "smart phones", I wasn't sure if I wanted a large-format device. I have friends who are pushing their Apple tablets at me and I'm an iMac user myself... but I just wasn't sure if I needed (read that as wanted) a tablet.
I bought this on "speculation" to see if I could have a little fun and perhaps learn something new.
I'm having the fun part right away and I can see that some learnin' is headed my way here with the Android operating system this tablet uses. Not hard learning, but with the "open-ness" of Android I expect to be finding new stuff to do for a good while.
Out of the box I received a durable-feeling device with a nice large screen. It turned-on first try and responded to the battery charger just like the (little) owner's manual predicted. There is a great deal more going on with this thing than the little booklet speaks of, but the manual is complete enough for anyone to realize all but the nuts and bolts of Android... I believe the manual was not intended to tech Android to a user but to simply expose the buyer to the capabilities of the tablet. The manual is a translation, but a good one with pictures and diagrams. Easy to read and understand.
I haven't done much with it yet, but I have connected to the net using my WPA-2 WiFi "Apple Airport Extreme" and had no problem with the setup. It reminded me of getting a Nintendo DSi connected... it was that easy. I am using MAC address filtering and that posed no problem after putting the tablet's MAC address in my list.
The Localization settings were easy with the only "snag" as yet being the temperature display in the Home screen is in Centigrade and I can't (as yet) figure out how to switch to Fahrenheit. It even "found" my little home town to use as the target city :)
The only other thing I haven't figured yet is if the operating system is consuming part of the 2 gig of memory, leaving only 1 gig free or if the device shipped with only 1 gig of memory.
I think this problem is my lack of familiarity with Android :)
I will attempt to provide a better review as time allows, but for now I'm happy.
One final note, the device is called a "MID" in the Owner's Manual and the following information appears in the "About Device" screen on the device it's self;
Model Number: deb
Firmwear Version: 2.1-update1
Kernel Version: 2.6.32.9 hzhao@emma #1
Build Number: deb-r2.1.1170
There is another tablet listed on Amazon called a "MID" but it does not seem to have a camera or a GPS receiver. This unit's GPS "antenna" is external and I think the little hocky-puck is both an antenna and receiver combined.
Update: (12/26/2010)
Liking the tablet! The hardware is working great, no problems at all, no glitches or silly business from the device or the Android "build" as is installed.
The only things I'm watching are;
- The "Home" button on the front is not indexed exactly right under the front cover. Not a problem but there was a moment where it was trying to get stuck.
- One of the tiny little "plugs" covering the cabinet screws has fallen out. This is no problem at all as there will come a day when I want to take those screws out myself and those plugs are going away on that day. As a side note, this tablet survived a drop from my desk top to the plastic carpet protector under the desk without a glitch.
- The Android "build" has a little trouble when rotating the screen. Two issues so far 1.) When you use Google's Star application, the Horizon is oriented incorrectly and does not correct even when you try the adjustments for screen rotation in Android or in Google's application. Weirdly, the names of planets and stars continue to rotate (to the wrong angle) even if you turn-off all the rotation controls. 2.) When you use the device in the "Landscape" orientation there is a very useful "Back" button in the screen in the top right... when you rotate to "Portrait" orientation that button goes away and you have to use the hardware buttons. Not really a big deal but the behavior of the on-screen "Back" button and the hardware button are not exactly the same in all applications.
- About keyboards, mice, and memory devices. USB supports all these but does not recognize anything else. I am using a Bluetooth "dongle" and my Apple "Magic Mouse" but my HID Bluetooth keyboard and Bluetooth GPS are not recognized. So far I have not found an application that can pair any Bluetooth devices that are not physically incorporated in the device (that's none so far). The Bluetooth dongle I have states it is a wired equivalent of a mouse and keyboard.. but that HID keyboard is not working.
That's all for now. It's worth the $230 to me so far but I'm new at this so I might not have the expectations a more seasoned Android user might have.
Update: (1/7/2011)
The people I got my tablet from are fantastic! I used email to talk to them about getting a registration number for the Android release on my tablet and they were really warm and responsive. It was like they actually liked the product!
I no longer see them listed as sellers but I will look for them the next time I want something from China.
(Beijing Ning Rong Technology Development Co. Ltd)
I Learned some stuff.
- There are a lot of "Widgets" and "Gadgets" that fail when used on a tablet... perhaps it's just this one, but I suspect the large screen is giving them trouble.
- You can use an Apple Magic Mouse and Apple Wireless Keyboard (Retail Packaging) by first pairing them on your desktop machine and then moving the Bluetooth "dongle" to the Flytouch. I use an IOGear USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter GBU421
- The "Escape" key on the keyboard functions like the "Back" button on the screen.
- F4 seems to first, put the device into "sleep" then shortly it will re-boot.
- F1 acts like the "Menu" button.
Still have not found any applications that provide USB support for other than keyboard, mouse, and memory. I hope the developers of Android see the tablet as a "future" for Android and start providing full support for USB attached peripherals.
The display is really nice indoors. Outdoors it's washed-out but usable.
Price jump. What's this about?!?
I'm a little disturbed that this tablet has jumped in price. I kinda was thinking about a second one for a friend but at this rate, she's probably going to get something else. Too bad, we like this one. :)
Update: (01/19/2011) - Sorry if this is turning into a "blog"...
An update to the Android OS has come out, not a big change like version 2.2 or anything, but it allowed me to see what and how upgrades look like and are done.
It did not go so well. I had to go onto the Internet and find the proper file myself and load it again using a micro SD card. After that everything was back to "normal". I had to find and re-load all the applications I had loaded and every setting had to be re-entered. I later found out that you can back-up these things and save yourself some time. Considering the changes to the Android OS, I will wait for a major update before going with another minor one again... too much hassle for not so much gain.
The tablet is still a winner! I have it running for several hours a day and am even now watching a DVD TV show (converted using "Handbrake" for the Mac). Playback is smooth at 720 x 400 and around 1100 bits per second (m-peg4). See, this thing is making me learn about stuff like Android OS and video data rates :)
Still can't set the Weather widget to Fahrenheit, but otherwise I'm still happy with the purchase.

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2/24/2012

Fujitsu LifeBook U820 Mini-Notebook Review

Fujitsu LifeBook U820 Mini-Notebook
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I love this little gem, but it's certainly not for everyone. First, let's talk about the basics. This is an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) and not a netbook. They're different, though often confused because they are both smaller than regular laptops. The main difference with a UMPC is that it's a touch-screen device, so this is not only a tiny laptop, it's a tiny tablet PC. And that's what you should be thinking about first if you are considering this. If you just want to surf the Net on a small little notebook while sitting on the couch, then get a netbook. Their screens are larger, their keyboards are larger and they're very well-suited to that task.
If, however, you are looking for something to use as a tiny, and less expensive, tablet PC -- taking handwritten notes, freeform drawing, interacting with your screen with a stylus, etc. -- then this is a great option. For me, it's the perfect size and form factor for what I wanted out of it... a travel laptop that takes up almost no space, and a notetaker to carry to meetings in place of a paper notepad or a PDA.
You can read the specs for yourself, so let me talk about the things I wondered before getting it as that's where I think these reviews are really helpful.
Size. It's smaller than you think from looking at the pictures. The distance from the heel of my palm to the ends of my fingers is longer than this in both dimensions. That's good from a portability standpoint, but does have implications for the screen.
Screen. With a resolution of 1280x800 on a 5.6" screen, it makes a gorgeous, sharp and crisp image, but the letters in Windows are very small. I had to increase my system fonts to a custom size of 136dpi to keep from having to squint too hard. I'm 51 and my close vision isn't what it used to be. With those settings, the dialogs are small, but fine, though there are some programs whose dialogs end up overwriting some of the letters. Fujitsu built-in a zoom utility, activated by one of the buttons, that will let you see the screen if something is just too small. It works, but certainly isn't the same as just seeing something well in the first place. Still, it's all workable. In a perfect world, I would take this exact same computer with a 7-8" screen, but such systems cost over twice as much and it's not worth the difference to me.
Speed. You have to wonder with a 1.6 GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM under Vista how fast this thing will be. Well, the answer is not fast, but fast enough. Remember, this isn't your main computer and it's not for big-time number crunching or game playing. It's a companion for travel and notetaking, etc. It did tend originally to spend way too much time grinding away at the HDD. That's Vista. So I went to some UMPC enthusiast sites and found lists of things to turn off to speed it up (indexing, Windows Defender, etc.). That has helped a lot and it's really quite responsive now... not as fast as my desktop or large laptop, but perfectly fine for what I ask of it. I will probably put Windows 7 on here as soon as it's released as the word is that it's much faster than Vista. Some people on forums have gone back to XP, but then you have driver issues, some features don't work and you get a lesser tablet experience.
Battery life. It's everything they claim. I haven't actually run tests, per se, but I am easily getting 5 hours while set on high performance (poorest battery life) mode. In low power mode (a built-in setting that turns off wireless radios, CF/SD slots, etc.), it was right on track to last 8 hours, though I haven't ever actually asked that of it. This is a huge difference versus the netbooks out there. They're all still getting laptop-like 2-3 hour battery runs. It comes with a 4-cell battery; that's what's sticking out the back in the images. You can also order a 2-cell if you want the battery flush, but I actually find that the battery is the best 'handle' for this little computer. It's the easiest and most secure part to pick it up by, so I don't think I'd want the small battery.
Connectivity. This is a real strong-point. It came with 802.11b/g/n wi-fi and bluetooth 2.0. You can order a version with an AT&T wireless cell phone card built-in, but I didn't. AT&T doesn't do well in my area, and I wouldn't want another cell phone account anyway, plus it's dead easy to use my Windows Mobile 3G smartphone as a modem for this when I'm not in wi-fi range. About two clicks on each device and it's online.
Build quality is excellent. For all that it's a small little thing, it has a very solid feel. It's well fitted and finished with a shiny piano-black top. Of course, the top is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but it's still quite nice when it's clean. The tablet screen turns around a folds flat, so there's a tiny bit of play in the hinge, but nothing that you wouldn't expect given the function. You do want to be gentle as you turn it back and forth between the tablet and laptop modes, but that's just common sense for a screen that's attached by a single point.
Extras. Fujitsu has gone out of their way to add a wide variety of useful extras, but have left some opportunities behind. It has both an SD and CF slot. That's a plus, but a bit disappointing in the implementation. The SD slot is regular SD, not SDHC so you're limited to 2GB regular SD cards. That's a real letdown given how little extra it would have cost to bring that up-to-date. I've read some people question having the CF slot at all, but for those of us who travel with DSLR cameras, that's a very useful thing. It's a bit slow, though. There is only one USB port and it's really a pain sometimes not to have a second. However, if you make good use of the Bluetooth, you can find non-USB substitutes for things like mouses, leaving the USB port free for flash drives. (I got a nice MS Bluetooth Notebook Mouse from Amazon and it works like a charm.) The VGA and wired Ethernet both come out of a proprietary port on the front with a dongle sort of adaptor. I could live with the adaptor since those are not common things to need, but it's a terribly awkward place to put the port. The built-in stylus for the touchscreen is terrible. Since taking notes is a major part of what I bought this for, I bought a separate regular-sized stylus pen to use in meetings. The built-in one is okay for light stuff if you're out and around, but plan to get a decent stylus.
Using it. Fujitsu envisions you holding this in both hands, using your thumbs both to use the pointing stick / mouse buttons and to type. The pointing stick and left/right mouse buttons work very nicely, but the thumb typing idea simply doesn't work. Your thumbs just don't bend that way. You'll need to either set it on a table or your lap to use the keyboard (though I've done a bit of one-finger while holding it with the other hand) or use it in tablet mode. I'm finding tablet mode to be more and more useful as I get used to it. The handwriting regonition is excellent and it's integration with One Note is superb. Another little plus in Vista that has come in handy for this is the built-in speech recognition. I don't use it all the time, but I've started using it to dictate emails when in tablet mode. It also comes with a fingerprint reader for logging on. The fingerprint reader will also keep track of web page logins, but I found that didn't work as well as I'd like so I only use the login feature. They thoughtfully built-in dedicated scroll keys and I use those all the time for scrolling through emails, web pages, eBooks, etc. The fingerprint reader will also scroll pages, but I like the dedicated keys better.
Improvements from the U810. I had found the U810 at a fantastic price of just under $600. (As I write this, it is over $800 in the Amazon Marketplace.) I almost got it, but then went ahead and paid the extra for the U820 and I'm glad I did. If you read of some those U810 reviews, you'll find people commenting on deficiencies in the keyboard. Well, it's still small (and so I do four-finger typing and still hit some wrong keys), but it has all the keys you'd want now... two shift keys, a separate tab key, arrow keys, etc. that the U810 lacked. The RAM is the same, but the processor is faster and supports hyperthreading. The U820 also adds a built-in GPS with Garmin's MobilePC maps for the US. It works quite well, though it's not as comfortable in your car to use a small laptop or tablet as to use a dedicated GPS unit. Where do you set it that you can see it easily? Still, if you don't have a dedicated GPS, this definitely does the job, but what it will probably do is end up convincing you that you want a dedicated GPS. Given the difference in prices between the U810 and U820 as I write this (a bit over $100), moving up to the U820 is a no-brainer. Since the U810 is discontinued, it's price will fall and you'll have to decide for yourself when the difference is worth it. For me, the U820 was the way to go. The money will be gone and forgotten soon, but the irritating quirks in the U810 keyboard will be with your for the life of the computer.
Overall impression. Listen, I totally understand that the need for somethig like this is a niche and that most people would probably be better off with a netbook with twice the screen at half the price. But once you understand what this is for, and if you need that, then it's one sweet little computer. I've used PDAs for many years and while they have been really useful, there have always been times that I had to agnoize over whether to pack the laptop for a trip (so I could run some Windows programs) or try to get by with just the PDA. I've travelled both ways and neither is completely satisfactory. This solves that problem as I have the small size of a PDA (okay, a bit bigger) with a full Windows computer. I'm not saying that I would want to...Read more›

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1/14/2012

Sony VAIO Lifestyle VGN-P688E/N 8-Inch Laptop - Gold Review

Sony VAIO Lifestyle VGN-P688E/N 8-Inch Laptop - Gold
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Maybe I got a fluke, but Sony's so-called "full laptop" computer in an 8" form factor is like trying to run Vista on your mom's old P3. Seriously, this thing absolutely crawls. All this would be acceptable were it not for the very mediocre battery life (forget 4 hours, I couldn't even manage 2 with moderately heavy use), when any other netbook (that's right, netbook) for well under half the price outperforms it in battery life AND performance. Ironic; the 1.33Ghz processor really is a step down from the 1.66Ghz Atoms in netbooks, despite what I've been told to the contrary about the different "architecture."
But that's just on the hardware front. It powers on fast enough, but right from the get-go you're slammed with loads of bloatware and tons of programs that are slow to load into memory, one after the other (that's right, it's not even a dual core). These can be uninstalled--though not cleanly, as they leave some registry junk data behind. But there's little that can be done about yet another software-related problem: drivers. The video driver on here is one of the worst experiences I've had to date with video displays. HD video was an absolute disaster, even though the chipset (google "Poulsbo" or GMA500) claims it to be able to decode 720p HD video. So when I tried to play a simple HQ youtube vid (not even HD) and met with stuttering far worse than my friend's Asus Eee PC, which cost about 350, I was understandably upset. As for the faster disk drive with the SSD, this may be true. But when you can't run even basic productivity apps at full speed, any HD speed increase was unnoticeable. My Eee for instance has a conventional "slow" HD but gets the job done (except for copying files) much more quickly.
A lot of this might be Vista's fault. But before you think of downgrading to the faster, lighter XP, let me warn you--you'll have even more issues with Sony's drivers. Linux? Forget about it; Intel's Poulsbo drivers are in a pitiful state there too. When the most appealing attribute of the system--the hi-res screen, mind you--is nearly unusable with any other options, one can't help but feel a bit ripped off. The webcam's quality isn't very good (the Eee wins again), and the WWan (mobile broadband) is locked to Verizon, so don't think about other companies unless you "unlock" the chip: more time and trouble. The wireless-N support is supposed to be great, but it was dodgy on my home network (maybe it was just my unit or config...or vista, but again, my other devices worked fine). They keyboard and ergonomics are fine, but again, the only good words for this unit, for this price, are surface-deep.
Parting advice: the reviews on this "Lifestyle PC" are low for good reason. I really wish I'd seen Amazon's reviews earlier. (This unit wasn't from Amazon but from Sony themselves).

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10/01/2011

Apple MacBook - Core 2 Duo 2 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HDD 80 GB - CD-RW / DVD - GMA 950 - Gigabit Ethernet - WLAN : Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) - MacOS X 10.4 - 13.3" Widescreen TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) - camera - white Review

Apple MacBook - Core 2 Duo 2 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HDD 80 GB - CD-RW / DVD - GMA 950 - Gigabit Ethernet - WLAN : Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft) - MacOS X 10.4 - 13.3 Widescreen TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) - camera - white
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My Macbook shipped to my home much sooner than the earliest anticipated arrival date, so I was pumped from the start. When I removed the laptop from the packaging (which was very secure, by the way), I was very pleased with the like-new condition the computer was in. The battery life is excellent, and I rarely have to charge the computer even though I browse the web a lot. I am used to having a Toshiba laptop, so I'm still in the habit of dimming the screen brightness and turning off the wireless internet card to save battery power. I do that with this Macbook, and can stay productive for much longer.
The computer itself is very quiet, and only gets loud when the fan kicks in to cool down the hardware. This typically happens when I'm watching a video or playing a video game, but that's to be expected. The initial configuration process was very easy as well.
I definitely recommend buying from this vendor. I'm not sure if I was "one of the lucky ones" but hopefully if YOU buy from this vendor, your product will arrive very quickly too!

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9/22/2011

Apple iPad (first generation) MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi) Review

Apple iPad (first generation) MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi)
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I've now spent the better part of a day playing with the new iPad, and while it excels in many things there are still some things anyone considering buying one should probably keep in mind.
First the good sides:
This thing is very fast, opening and closing applications is quick, the screen is incredibly responsive, there is no lag while typing, and the built in Safari browser does a great job of quickly loading even graphic intense pages.
The not so good sides:
As has been thoroughly pointed out, there is not presently much in the way of multitasking within the iPhone OS, but with most expectations pointing towards a summer release of OS 4.0 this might be remedied by mid summer, and almost certainly by a generation 2 release. That said, it should be kept in mind that on such a little screen being able to view multiple applications at once will likely never be something you'll use, and the speed by which you can open and close applications makes this less a headache than you might think. It isn't as fast as moving between open apps, but it isn't a deal breaker by any means. The lack of a camera in this generation is a little surprising, while I've purchased my iPad already, I honestly believe that with the number of competitors expected over the course of 2010 we're probably going to see a generation 2 by Christmas with a camera. It's still an amazing device, but the ability to video chat with it would definitely put it over the top, that's a feature worth waiting for. The lack of Flash support isn't as irritating as I expected it to be, but still something to consider. Many major sites have evolved to html5, or are in the process of doing so. This allows for full viewing by the Safari browser, and where it exists, it works great. The remaining sites still using Flash show up with annoying little boxes looking for a plugin that is likely never going to exist. If you spend a lot of time on flash heavy sites it really probably is worth considering holding out to see how the Slate/Android Tablets look in a few months, but if you're mostly just e-mailing and checking facebook (no Farmville) the lack of Flash support probably won't bother you too much.
As a laptop replacement:
The inclusion of the iWorks utilities gives this device a little bit of a laptop personality. Don't let that persuade you into believing that you don't need a computer though. You might be able to get away with ditching a laptop if all you really do is e-mail or very light word processing, but if you do anything more than that you'll like the freedom and ease a full computer offers for more complex tasks. That said, this device is a tremendous leap towards a future tablet style device that may very well be a replacement for your computer, but for now it is more of a casual use device than something you can really expect to do substantial work with. I have put together a presentation in keynote, which was easy enough to do, but pages isn't as intuitive as I'd have liked, and taking lengthy notes or writing long letters/e-mails/reports will probably make it worth considering buying either the keyboard dock or the wireless bluetooth keyboard.
Battery life seems to live up to the claims, I managed to get about 7 hours before getting the 20% remaining battery life indication, which puts it about right for 10 hours or so of total use. One very important thing to realize about charging the device is that presently (at launch) there is some issues with charging via USB from many computers. The iPad is different than other iPod products, it requires a bit more power to charge up, and unfortunately most USB ports aren't set up to support that higher power draw. This is something that may be fixed in a firmware update to allow for a slower charge, or it may simply be that you'll need to either rely on a new Mac (seems like they can handle the power issue) or rely on the wall charger. Just don't be surprised if you plug it into your computer and it doesn't show that it is charging.
All in all, the iPad is an impressive device that might make for a reasonable replacement of a netbook for casual users. For people who need something to really do a lot of work on, you may find that for the price that a netbook or laptop still offers the better value for your needs. Future generations of this device will probably transition into fitting that market better than this first generation. However, if you're an avid reader, casual gamer, music fan, who doesn't do much more on the web than check a few sites, and e-mail. This thing is definitely worth considering! If you're on the fence, nothing about this product is so incredible as to justify running out and buying one right now, but it is worthy of your consideration if you're thinking you might like a tablet style device. I definitely would encourage you to go play with one at best buy or an apple store to get a feel for it. With a number of competitors due out over the next few months we're likely to see some price movement, or a second generation release, so it may be worth it to wait it out a little while.
One final note, the screen is absolutely gorgeous while it is turned on. It is crisp, bright, and very easy to see from any angle. But when you turn it off, every finger print and swipe is suddenly very visible (while it is on the light is bright enough you don't see them fingerprints). If you are a neat freak, or just hate finger prints on your devices you'll have to invest in some microfiber cloths or get used to using your shirt sleeve!
In conclusion, it's a lot of fun, and I'm not the least bit sorry to have bought one. It does many things, and over the next months will do many more. If you think you want one, go play with one, and if you don't want to wait for a next generation this one is definitely awesome. If you have specific needs that aren't really addressed in this generation or by apple, don't let the hype or peer pressure bully you into this one, there are a number of devices coming with great potential, one of those might be a better fit.

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9/19/2011

Certified Pre-Owned iMac G5/2.1 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, 250 GB internal drive, internal SuperDrive, no modem installed, includes keyboard and mouse, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth installed, 20" TFT display with built-in iSight, OS CD is not included, OS 10.4.11 installed Review

Certified Pre-Owned iMac G5/2.1 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, 250 GB internal drive, internal SuperDrive, no modem installed, includes keyboard and mouse, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth installed, 20 TFT display with built-in iSight, OS CD is not included, OS 10.4.11 installed
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The Power PC G5 iMac series were/ are great computers. Like all Macs, their operating systems (from 10.3 to 10.4 for the G5 series) are very user friendly and naturally resistant to most computer viruses. They are solid performers, rarely crash and have a service life of 5-6 times that of PCs from a similar vintage. I'm still running my G5 iMac 4+ years after I bought it, and it works as well and as flawlessly as the first day I turned it on. The on-screen presentation and dock functioning are great, as are the customizable widgets that put a wealth of information updates at your fingertips (literally at the click of the center or right mouse button), and yes, that is customizable too (like almost everything else on the Mac).
As far as software goes, Macs are unparalleled with creative and artistic programs, especially when it comes to the learning curve and picking up new editing/ creating skills. They come with "iLife" pre-loaded, and this offers all that most users need to edit and manage their digital music, picture and video libraries. Do you have an aspiring home-video producer in your house? Then Mac's and iLife are the best place to start. And when you're ready for full-featured, professional music, image and video production, Apple has a full line of software ready to go. You'll likely be able to find programs like "Production Suite" and "Final Cut Pro" at serious discounts for these older G5 iMacs. Even in standard user applications like word processing, spreadsheets, and audio/video presentations, Apple has come a long way with its "iWork" line and (at least in my opinion) puts Microsoft Office Suite to shame. Within iWork, users get "Pages," "Keynote," and "Numbers," each of which rivals "MS Word," "PowerPoint" and "Excel" respectively. The documents, presentations and rough databases are superior and easier to learn than anything I've encountered in Microsoft's Office Suite. Numbers takes some getting used to, but once you are there, its quality and vibrancy make it worth the effort. My only complaint with the G5 series computers is that some of them don't run OS 10.5 (Leopard) very well.
Bottom line: I used to be a PC guy. Then I bought a Mac and haven't looked back. Yes, Macs are pricier, but just as in everything else in life: you get what you pay for. The G5 series iMac is a fine machine, and their resale value holds better than any thing in the PC world.

-CL

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9/03/2011

Apple iPad 2 MC985LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) NEWEST MODEL Review

Apple iPad 2 MC985LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) NEWEST MODEL
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
For anyone out there who is considering whether or not to make the leap and purchase the iPad 2, this review is for you. If you're still debating between the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 check out my review of the first generation iPad right here on Amazon to see a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses with a number of people commenting (both positively and negatively) over the past 11 months.
Let me begin by saying this upfront, I don't work for Apple, I don't own Apple Stock, and whether you buy an iPad, Xoom, a laptop or a pad of paper and pencil I don't get anything for writing this. I'm not an Apple "fanboy" although I can give credit where credit is due and lately Apple has deserved a lot of credit for some of their products.
Physical Characteristics
The iPad 2 is absurdly thin. More importantly than it's thinness is its tapered edge which feels more natural in your hand. One of the biggest complaints about the original iPad was it really wasn't tremendously comfortable to hold for long periods at a time. For a tablet device designed to be held, that's a pretty big deal. Apple really has done an amazing job of cramming everything into an even smaller space than before and the difference is really noticeable when you're holding the device. In addition to the tapered edge, Apple managed to reduce the overall weight of the iPad 2. That might not seem like a huge deal to most, especially when you consider the weight difference isn't tremendous when you're already under 2 pounds, but I spend a good part of my day holding the iPad in my hands and the weight difference is surprising by the end of the day. The first generation isn't heavy by any means, but the iPad 2 outshines it.
New and "Improved"
Apple doubled the RAM in the iPad 2 from 256MB to 512MB. What does that mean? For most casual users, probably not a whole lot. There is a performance bump that everyone will see the effects of in things like loading times for webpages that are open in the background, but 256MB was sufficient for most daily use and games. If you're planning to use your device for some of the more graphically intense games the iPad 2 does offer a better method of graphics processing that'll help deliver faster images with fewer jerky movements. If you're just playing Angry birds and reading e-mail you're not going to know the difference.
The screen is the same for all real purposes. It is technically a "new" part in that it isn't identical to the old, it's a bit thinner and more efficient, but it's the same resolution. The Glass is thinner though, and this amounts to a fair bit of the weight loss from one generation to the next. In playing with the device it seems surprising but despite feeling lighter it actually feels more sturdy in your hands. I still wouldn't suggest dropping it, but if it were to fall the iPad 2 certainly feels like it might stand a better chance to survive. Try not to drop it though.
The addition of 2 cameras was expected. Some were a bit surprised to see the first generation released without the cameras. Whether it was for a price point consideration, or a means to get people to upgrade, Apple held off until iPad 2. The cameras do a reasonable job, but they're not going to replace a dedicated digital camera, or really even the camera on your phone for most still images. The cameras do a substantially better job with video, and FaceTime is probably one of the best reasons to get the iPad 2 over the original iPad. For those who might not be familiar, FaceTime is Apple's face to face conferencing system, kind of like Skype, or if you'd rather, kind of like the Jetson's TV/Phone. With the push of a button you can be having a face to face chat with a loved one just about anywhere in the world (provided they're on a wireless network at the time). FaceTime doesn't work over 3G natively (it can be used over a wifi connection created by a 3G device however) so you're not going to be able to use it in your car anytime soon. This is probably a good thing though. It is incredibly easy to use and if you know other people with an iPad 2, iPhone 4, or Mac it's a lot of fun.
Smart Covers aren't really "smart" but they're really very useful. Not only do they provide a stylistic enhancement of the device, but they serve a practical and functional purpose of doubling as a screen protector and stand in 2 configurations. You can find them in a variety of colors and from third market suppliers, and it's a safe bet that more will be out soon to capitalize on the magnetic sensors in the iPad 2. It's unfortunate that this same feature can't somehow be retrofitted to the iPad 1, I wouldn't have thought a case would be a compelling reason to consider a product over it's competitor, but these covers are really so useful it's hard to understand why they've not been there since the beginning.
Multitasking Support
One of the biggest knocks against the iPad when first released was the lack of native multi-tasking support. Jailbreakers added the feature quickly and Apple soon realized it would be a requirement for any future device's success and released an OS update that included the feature. The iPad 2 capitalizes on that progress and takes it a step further with the increased RAM enabling more open applications to be suspended at once, and the time to open or close an application has improved as well. That said, even the first generation managed to open and close apps faster than most people would be used to on their computers, so while this is an improvement it's more akin to showing off.
Apps
One thing that Apple has clearly the advantage in for the moment is app availability. The App store has close to 70,000 iPad specific Apps, all of which will work on the iPad 2. The new cameras will undoubtedly see this list expand rapidly, as will the inclusion of a gyroscope for gaming and motion based uses. There are also a substantial number of professional applications ranging from document creation to photo editing and vector drawing. Chances are if you can dream it, there's an App for that (and if not you might want to get started on one to fill in the gap). The Android market is making a strong showing, and ultimately it'll likely be a strong competitor, for now it still has a ways to go, but any potential buyer should consider the strength of the application market before buying a tablet.
Pros:
Weight. Seriously. The minimal weight of this thing is by far the most impressive feature about it in my opinion. It seems to defy physics and logic that so much could be in such a small space working that hard for that long.
Battery Life. From full to dead my iPad 2 went just over 11 hours with the movie Robin Hood showing twice during that time, the screen at half brightness, wifi turned on, an Angry Birds marathon and a good portion of a book in ibook. That's better than a work day and that's constantly on.
Books. This is definitely a Pro, but reading itself could go either way. The great benefit to the iPad is having access to Google Books, ibook, Nook, and Kindle. This allows for some comparison shopping and price competition (although for the most part they're all usually about the same). Reading in the evenings in bed is great as the back light means you don't have to worry about keeping others awake, but the glass screen causes some glare trouble when trying to read outside or near a sunny window. If you're an avid outdoor reader the Kindle might still be your best bet.
Cons:
Still no dedicated USB support. While there is a camera add-on that allows for certain USB devices to be used there is no option for mass storage. Some of the Android Tablets allow for this and if you find yourself wanting to use your tablet as a standalone storage device this might be something to consider. The device can read from certain flash drives though, but is largely limited to photo and video files. Jailbreaks offer solutions to this, but those come with their own issues as well.
Still no dedicated SD card slot. This is troublesome on two fronts. First, if you want to import pictures from your camera you have to have an adapter which is just one more thing to carry around. Second, the lack of expansion means you're limited to what you purchase in terms of storage. I purchased a 32GB iPad last time and never filled it up completely, so for me capacity wasn't an issue. If you want to be able to have your entire movie collection with you though... you may want to consider whether the iPad 2 can meet your space requirements.
HDMI output. Really this is a Pro and a Con. The iPad does allow for HD output over HDMI but again it requires an adapter. All of these adapters are additional purchases for features that some tablets offer built in. This can be a pain, but then again if you're not likely to ever use HDMI Output then you're not paying for something you won't use.
No Flash Support. This is becoming less and less of an issue as the internet and web developers are moving away from Flash for many websites, but there are a lot still out there relying on Adobe's Flash to run properly (including a lot of web based games). Before you pick a tablet consider what kind of websites you frequent and try and determine if they are Flash driven or not. If they are you may really want to consider something from the Android offerings as it is expected that they'll have at least some Flash support. If you're in the market for a tablet device the iPad 2 should definitely be on your short list. If you're uncertain it is always best to go and play with these things hands on first if you can. Best Buy is a good place for that, so are Verizon Stores since they have the Xoom and 3G iPad. Don't get pulled into the hype...Read more›

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HTC Sensation Z710E Unlocked GSM Android Smartphone with 8 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, GPS--International Version with No Warranty (Black) Review

HTC Sensation Z710E Unlocked GSM Android Smartphone with 8 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, GPS--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Average Reviews:

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This phone is awesome! It has a 4.3 inch screen, which is gorgeous for watching video/TED talks/etc on, but it's definitely not bulky. In fact, it's even thinner than the iPhone 3G that I owned previous to this, even though it has a larger screen. It has an aluminum frame, so the phone definitely doesn't feel cheap, like all plastic devices.
Battery life is pretty solid, depending on what you're doing. For some reason, taking pictures and filming video really drains the battery, but for stuff like just browsing the web, battery life is great.
The screen is really great, qHD resolution. Like I mentioned earlier, great for watching video. The 16:9 display ratio means you can watch widescreen movies without pesky black bars taking up space. The screen is bright enough that you can use it in direct sunlight. The viewing angles on it are kind of so-so, but that only really matters if you are trying to share your phone with someone (and why would you want to share this beauty.)
Call quality is nice and crisp, very loud and clear. Definitely easier to hear calls on than my cousin's iPhone.
The 4G speeds are blazing fast. Web pages definitely load faster than on my previous iPhone 3G and downloading apps is a snap.
The 8 megapixel camera takes great pictures, although a little blurrier than a dedicated camera. One big difference between this phone's camera and my old iPhone's camera is that this phone actually takes a picture when you want it to and not five seconds later! On some pictures that I took I had to adjust the color balance, but I imagine that you'll need to do that on any camera that's in a phone. The flash is pretty good, too, and not too bright where it looks harsh.
Video recording is gorgeous in 1080p, although it uses the battery pretty quickly. I mostly use it to take video of my cats, and it does an excellent job capturing a whole range of motion: jumping, pouncing, swiping, etc. Sound quality is decent, too.
Altogether, this phone is a beast, with a 4.3" screen, qHD resolution, 4G, a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. A HUGE upgrade from my iPhone 3G and I'm definitely happy with my purchase. Now, back to playing Angry Birds (and everything else I can throw at it)!

Click Here to see more reviews about: HTC Sensation Z710E Unlocked GSM Android Smartphone with 8 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, GPS--International Version with No Warranty (Black)



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7/07/2011

Apple iPad 2 MC774LL/A Tablet (32GB, Wifi + AT&T 3G, Black) NEWEST MODEL Review

Apple iPad 2 MC774LL/A Tablet (32GB, Wifi + ATandT 3G, Black) NEWEST MODEL
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
For anyone out there who is considering whether or not to make the leap and purchase the iPad 2, this review is for you. If you're still debating between the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 check out my review of the first generation iPad right here on Amazon to see a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses with a number of people commenting (both positively and negatively) over the past 11 months.
Let me begin by saying this upfront, I don't work for Apple, I don't own Apple Stock, and whether you buy an iPad, Xoom, a laptop or a pad of paper and pencil I don't get anything for writing this. I'm not an Apple "fanboy" although I can give credit where credit is due and lately Apple has deserved a lot of credit for some of their products.
Physical Characteristics
The iPad 2 is absurdly thin. More importantly than it's thinness is its tapered edge which feels more natural in your hand. One of the biggest complaints about the original iPad was it really wasn't tremendously comfortable to hold for long periods at a time. For a tablet device designed to be held, that's a pretty big deal. Apple really has done an amazing job of cramming everything into an even smaller space than before and the difference is really noticeable when you're holding the device. In addition to the tapered edge, Apple managed to reduce the overall weight of the iPad 2. That might not seem like a huge deal to most, especially when you consider the weight difference isn't tremendous when you're already under 2 pounds, but I spend a good part of my day holding the iPad in my hands and the weight difference is surprising by the end of the day. The first generation isn't heavy by any means, but the iPad 2 outshines it.
New and "Improved"
Apple doubled the RAM in the iPad 2 from 256MB to 512MB. What does that mean? For most casual users, probably not a whole lot. There is a performance bump that everyone will see the effects of in things like loading times for webpages that are open in the background, but 256MB was sufficient for most daily use and games. If you're planning to use your device for some of the more graphically intense games the iPad 2 does offer a better method of graphics processing that'll help deliver faster images with fewer jerky movements. If you're just playing Angry birds and reading e-mail you're not going to know the difference.
The screen is the same for all real purposes. It is technically a "new" part in that it isn't identical to the old, it's a bit thinner and more efficient, but it's the same resolution. The Glass is thinner though, and this amounts to a fair bit of the weight loss from one generation to the next. In playing with the device it seems surprising but despite feeling lighter it actually feels more sturdy in your hands. I still wouldn't suggest dropping it, but if it were to fall the iPad 2 certainly feels like it might stand a better chance to survive. Try not to drop it though.
The addition of 2 cameras was expected. Some were a bit surprised to see the first generation released without the cameras. Whether it was for a price point consideration, or a means to get people to upgrade, Apple held off until iPad 2. The cameras do a reasonable job, but they're not going to replace a dedicated digital camera, or really even the camera on your phone for most still images. The cameras do a substantially better job with video, and FaceTime is probably one of the best reasons to get the iPad 2 over the original iPad. For those who might not be familiar, FaceTime is Apple's face to face conferencing system, kind of like Skype, or if you'd rather, kind of like the Jetson's TV/Phone. With the push of a button you can be having a face to face chat with a loved one just about anywhere in the world (provided they're on a wireless network at the time). FaceTime doesn't work over 3G natively (it can be used over a wifi connection created by a 3G device however) so you're not going to be able to use it in your car anytime soon. This is probably a good thing though. It is incredibly easy to use and if you know other people with an iPad 2, iPhone 4, or Mac it's a lot of fun.
Smart Covers aren't really "smart" but they're really very useful. Not only do they provide a stylistic enhancement of the device, but they serve a practical and functional purpose of doubling as a screen protector and stand in 2 configurations. You can find them in a variety of colors and from third market suppliers, and it's a safe bet that more will be out soon to capitalize on the magnetic sensors in the iPad 2. It's unfortunate that this same feature can't somehow be retrofitted to the iPad 1, I wouldn't have thought a case would be a compelling reason to consider a product over it's competitor, but these covers are really so useful it's hard to understand why they've not been there since the beginning.
Multitasking Support
One of the biggest knocks against the iPad when first released was the lack of native multi-tasking support. Jailbreakers added the feature quickly and Apple soon realized it would be a requirement for any future device's success and released an OS update that included the feature. The iPad 2 capitalizes on that progress and takes it a step further with the increased RAM enabling more open applications to be suspended at once, and the time to open or close an application has improved as well. That said, even the first generation managed to open and close apps faster than most people would be used to on their computers, so while this is an improvement it's more akin to showing off.
Apps
One thing that Apple has clearly the advantage in for the moment is app availability. The App store has close to 70,000 iPad specific Apps, all of which will work on the iPad 2. The new cameras will undoubtedly see this list expand rapidly, as will the inclusion of a gyroscope for gaming and motion based uses. There are also a substantial number of professional applications ranging from document creation to photo editing and vector drawing. Chances are if you can dream it, there's an App for that (and if not you might want to get started on one to fill in the gap). The Android market is making a strong showing, and ultimately it'll likely be a strong competitor, for now it still has a ways to go, but any potential buyer should consider the strength of the application market before buying a tablet.
Pros:
Weight. Seriously. The minimal weight of this thing is by far the most impressive feature about it in my opinion. It seems to defy physics and logic that so much could be in such a small space working that hard for that long.
Battery Life. From full to dead my iPad 2 went just over 11 hours with the movie Robin Hood showing twice during that time, the screen at half brightness, wifi turned on, an Angry Birds marathon and a good portion of a book in ibook. That's better than a work day and that's constantly on.
Books. This is definitely a Pro, but reading itself could go either way. The great benefit to the iPad is having access to Google Books, ibook, Nook, and Kindle. This allows for some comparison shopping and price competition (although for the most part they're all usually about the same). Reading in the evenings in bed is great as the back light means you don't have to worry about keeping others awake, but the glass screen causes some glare trouble when trying to read outside or near a sunny window. If you're an avid outdoor reader the Kindle might still be your best bet.
Cons:
Still no dedicated USB support. While there is a camera add-on that allows for certain USB devices to be used there is no option for mass storage. Some of the Android Tablets allow for this and if you find yourself wanting to use your tablet as a standalone storage device this might be something to consider. The device can read from certain flash drives though, but is largely limited to photo and video files. Jailbreaks offer solutions to this, but those come with their own issues as well.
Still no dedicated SD card slot. This is troublesome on two fronts. First, if you want to import pictures from your camera you have to have an adapter which is just one more thing to carry around. Second, the lack of expansion means you're limited to what you purchase in terms of storage. I purchased a 32GB iPad last time and never filled it up completely, so for me capacity wasn't an issue. If you want to be able to have your entire movie collection with you though... you may want to consider whether the iPad 2 can meet your space requirements.
HDMI output. Really this is a Pro and a Con. The iPad does allow for HD output over HDMI but again it requires an adapter. All of these adapters are additional purchases for features that some tablets offer built in. This can be a pain, but then again if you're not likely to ever use HDMI Output then you're not paying for something you won't use.
No Flash Support. This is becoming less and less of an issue as the internet and web developers are moving away from Flash for many websites, but there are a lot still out there relying on Adobe's Flash to run properly (including a lot of web based games). Before you pick a tablet consider what kind of websites you frequent and try and determine if they are Flash driven or not. If they are you may really want to consider something from the Android offerings as it is expected that they'll have at least some Flash support. If you're in the market for a tablet device the iPad 2 should definitely be on your short list. If you're uncertain it is always best to go and play with these things hands on first if you can. Best Buy is a good place for that, so are Verizon Stores since they have the Xoom and 3G iPad. Don't get pulled into the hype...Read more›

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Apple iPad 2 MC773LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi + AT&T 3G, Black) NEWEST MODEL Review

Apple iPad 2 MC773LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi + ATandT 3G, Black) NEWEST MODEL
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
For anyone out there who is considering whether or not to make the leap and purchase the iPad 2, this review is for you. If you're still debating between the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 check out my review of the first generation iPad right here on Amazon to see a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses with a number of people commenting (both positively and negatively) over the past 11 months.
Let me begin by saying this upfront, I don't work for Apple, I don't own Apple Stock, and whether you buy an iPad, Xoom, a laptop or a pad of paper and pencil I don't get anything for writing this. I'm not an Apple "fanboy" although I can give credit where credit is due and lately Apple has deserved a lot of credit for some of their products.
Physical Characteristics
The iPad 2 is absurdly thin. More importantly than it's thinness is its tapered edge which feels more natural in your hand. One of the biggest complaints about the original iPad was it really wasn't tremendously comfortable to hold for long periods at a time. For a tablet device designed to be held, that's a pretty big deal. Apple really has done an amazing job of cramming everything into an even smaller space than before and the difference is really noticeable when you're holding the device. In addition to the tapered edge, Apple managed to reduce the overall weight of the iPad 2. That might not seem like a huge deal to most, especially when you consider the weight difference isn't tremendous when you're already under 2 pounds, but I spend a good part of my day holding the iPad in my hands and the weight difference is surprising by the end of the day. The first generation isn't heavy by any means, but the iPad 2 outshines it.
New and "Improved"
Apple doubled the RAM in the iPad 2 from 256MB to 512MB. What does that mean? For most casual users, probably not a whole lot. There is a performance bump that everyone will see the effects of in things like loading times for webpages that are open in the background, but 256MB was sufficient for most daily use and games. If you're planning to use your device for some of the more graphically intense games the iPad 2 does offer a better method of graphics processing that'll help deliver faster images with fewer jerky movements. If you're just playing Angry birds and reading e-mail you're not going to know the difference.
The screen is the same for all real purposes. It is technically a "new" part in that it isn't identical to the old, it's a bit thinner and more efficient, but it's the same resolution. The Glass is thinner though, and this amounts to a fair bit of the weight loss from one generation to the next. In playing with the device it seems surprising but despite feeling lighter it actually feels more sturdy in your hands. I still wouldn't suggest dropping it, but if it were to fall the iPad 2 certainly feels like it might stand a better chance to survive. Try not to drop it though.
The addition of 2 cameras was expected. Some were a bit surprised to see the first generation released without the cameras. Whether it was for a price point consideration, or a means to get people to upgrade, Apple held off until iPad 2. The cameras do a reasonable job, but they're not going to replace a dedicated digital camera, or really even the camera on your phone for most still images. The cameras do a substantially better job with video, and FaceTime is probably one of the best reasons to get the iPad 2 over the original iPad. For those who might not be familiar, FaceTime is Apple's face to face conferencing system, kind of like Skype, or if you'd rather, kind of like the Jetson's TV/Phone. With the push of a button you can be having a face to face chat with a loved one just about anywhere in the world (provided they're on a wireless network at the time). FaceTime doesn't work over 3G natively (it can be used over a wifi connection created by a 3G device however) so you're not going to be able to use it in your car anytime soon. This is probably a good thing though. It is incredibly easy to use and if you know other people with an iPad 2, iPhone 4, or Mac it's a lot of fun.
Smart Covers aren't really "smart" but they're really very useful. Not only do they provide a stylistic enhancement of the device, but they serve a practical and functional purpose of doubling as a screen protector and stand in 2 configurations. You can find them in a variety of colors and from third market suppliers, and it's a safe bet that more will be out soon to capitalize on the magnetic sensors in the iPad 2. It's unfortunate that this same feature can't somehow be retrofitted to the iPad 1, I wouldn't have thought a case would be a compelling reason to consider a product over it's competitor, but these covers are really so useful it's hard to understand why they've not been there since the beginning.
Multitasking Support
One of the biggest knocks against the iPad when first released was the lack of native multi-tasking support. Jailbreakers added the feature quickly and Apple soon realized it would be a requirement for any future device's success and released an OS update that included the feature. The iPad 2 capitalizes on that progress and takes it a step further with the increased RAM enabling more open applications to be suspended at once, and the time to open or close an application has improved as well. That said, even the first generation managed to open and close apps faster than most people would be used to on their computers, so while this is an improvement it's more akin to showing off.
Apps
One thing that Apple has clearly the advantage in for the moment is app availability. The App store has close to 70,000 iPad specific Apps, all of which will work on the iPad 2. The new cameras will undoubtedly see this list expand rapidly, as will the inclusion of a gyroscope for gaming and motion based uses. There are also a substantial number of professional applications ranging from document creation to photo editing and vector drawing. Chances are if you can dream it, there's an App for that (and if not you might want to get started on one to fill in the gap). The Android market is making a strong showing, and ultimately it'll likely be a strong competitor, for now it still has a ways to go, but any potential buyer should consider the strength of the application market before buying a tablet.
Pros:
Weight. Seriously. The minimal weight of this thing is by far the most impressive feature about it in my opinion. It seems to defy physics and logic that so much could be in such a small space working that hard for that long.
Battery Life. From full to dead my iPad 2 went just over 11 hours with the movie Robin Hood showing twice during that time, the screen at half brightness, wifi turned on, an Angry Birds marathon and a good portion of a book in ibook. That's better than a work day and that's constantly on.
Books. This is definitely a Pro, but reading itself could go either way. The great benefit to the iPad is having access to Google Books, ibook, Nook, and Kindle. This allows for some comparison shopping and price competition (although for the most part they're all usually about the same). Reading in the evenings in bed is great as the back light means you don't have to worry about keeping others awake, but the glass screen causes some glare trouble when trying to read outside or near a sunny window. If you're an avid outdoor reader the Kindle might still be your best bet.
Cons:
Still no dedicated USB support. While there is a camera add-on that allows for certain USB devices to be used there is no option for mass storage. Some of the Android Tablets allow for this and if you find yourself wanting to use your tablet as a standalone storage device this might be something to consider. The device can read from certain flash drives though, but is largely limited to photo and video files. Jailbreaks offer solutions to this, but those come with their own issues as well.
Still no dedicated SD card slot. This is troublesome on two fronts. First, if you want to import pictures from your camera you have to have an adapter which is just one more thing to carry around. Second, the lack of expansion means you're limited to what you purchase in terms of storage. I purchased a 32GB iPad last time and never filled it up completely, so for me capacity wasn't an issue. If you want to be able to have your entire movie collection with you though... you may want to consider whether the iPad 2 can meet your space requirements.
HDMI output. Really this is a Pro and a Con. The iPad does allow for HD output over HDMI but again it requires an adapter. All of these adapters are additional purchases for features that some tablets offer built in. This can be a pain, but then again if you're not likely to ever use HDMI Output then you're not paying for something you won't use.
No Flash Support. This is becoming less and less of an issue as the internet and web developers are moving away from Flash for many websites, but there are a lot still out there relying on Adobe's Flash to run properly (including a lot of web based games). Before you pick a tablet consider what kind of websites you frequent and try and determine if they are Flash driven or not. If they are you may really want to consider something from the Android offerings as it is expected that they'll have at least some Flash support. If you're in the market for a tablet device the iPad 2 should definitely be on your short list. If you're uncertain it is always best to go and play with these things hands on first if you can. Best Buy is a good place for that, so are Verizon Stores since they have the Xoom and 3G iPad. Don't get pulled into the hype...Read more›

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