Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition - Red (PRS600RC) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been following the e-book readers for some time, and I wanted several things for me to "jump on the bandwagon." ***Since I have received many questions, I am now including a video to demonstrate my favorite features***
1) I have a number of PDF reference books, so a Reader needs to handle these well. Since my books are text, these reflow well on the Sony.
2) Because I will use (and now am using) the Reader for reference books, it was important that I be able to access my notes directly from my computer to use in other documents. I actually began using the software on my desktop several months before I purchased the 600, and was pleased with its capabilities.
3) I enjoy the free epub books from my library. The Sony accesses these easily. There are also a number of locations besides Sony selling the epub or Adobe digital books (usable by the Sony Touch) giving me more choice in my decision.
4) The Touch handles my regular documents well - as a public speaker, I love having my speeches available to study on the reader, without having to print them out!
But for those looking for the points I already love (thus the 5 stars)
1) I love having the touch turn capability, just a brush of my thumb!
2) I enjoy the sideways and zoom features for PDFs that you want to keep "standard"
3) After only a couple of minutes, I forgot I was even using a reader and I got involved in the book.
*** I live in an isolated area - so neither Whispernet for the Kindle nor the upcoming 3G connection on the more expensive Daily model would be helpful - I'm just as happy to order my books "in advance" and carry them with me.
I enjoy the feel of the Reader by itself, but since I will be carrying this "library" with me, and I was worried about protection, I purchased the M-edge Executive Jacket for Sony Reader PRS-505 (Genuine Leather--Pebbled Grey w/ Black) - SALE! which fits it perfectly.
I also purchased the Sony AC Charger for PRS505SC and PRS505LC to ensure that I can charge up my reader when my computer isn't around.
Edited after 2 weeks and 10 books
Some people have mentioned the glare - since my previous reading was on my laptop - this isn't an issue for me. I keep my lighting at my side, and it is not a problem at all. It is more noticeable in a dark room with a single light source.
Another issue I have encountered isn't with the reader - but with the interaction between Windows and the software. It is pretty touchy. I have learned to be careful of some PDF documents which have caused problems.
It is also important that when importing books that aren't loaded through the reader that you "maintain" the link by not moving them once they are imported. Like Powerpoint and other programs, the desktop ebook reader doesn't store the book in the program - it links to it on your computer. Breaking the link means it can't find the book - and it can't upload the book.
*** A special touch for a "Grandma" is the ability to be able to load photos of my granddaughter to carry with me. There is even a feature that permits showing the photos as a slide show. While the photos are in black and white, they are very sharp and it is a nice touch when I travel.
*** Edited after 2 months -
A recent update in the software has removed some of the software connection problems I originally experienced. So, that's a plus!
However, I have recently added some PDF files that did NOT flow the same way as my original "professional" files reflowed. After checking with those more knowledgeable, I have been told that the problem is not with the Sony, but with the way the PDF files have been set up. The PDF is supposed to include "tags" that will help the pages to reflow correctly. My recommendation is that anyone with PDFs they need to carry on the reader download the free computer software and attempt to read them using this software. If it works on your computer, it will reflow correctly on the Sony. If it does not - then it will not do so on the Reader either.

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Brand 160GB Hard Disk Drive/HDD for IBM ThinkPad 390 600 600E 600X A20 A20m A21m A22m A30 A31 A31p G40 G41 R30 R31 R32 R40 R40e R50 R50e R51 R52 T20 T21 T22 T23 T30 T40 T41 T42 T42p T43 X30 X31 Review

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(More customer reviews)I do not think this hard drive is compatible for IBM Thinkpad T42 Laptop. Its been wrongly marketed by the seller. Please be aware of it. It is waste of ordering it. Because of the compatibility error 2010. I bought it and tried fixing it but my computer repeatedly displayed an error 2010, which is either the firmware or the device is not compatible for the said machine. But the seller is very prompt in his payments and everything. I would also like to have my product return shipping charge from the seller too cause they should have mentioned that it is not compatible with the machine what am I using. The seller should know about the product that what they are selling for. Hence, they lack the basics and marketing the product. I am really disappointed with the product totally.

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Cooler Master C-2010-W1S0 Choiix Power Fort 10-Watt Hours Battery Pack Basic (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Choiix Portable Power Supply

Design: Overall the product has a wonderful design. The button to turn on the flash light and begin charging mobile devices recessed and as such sits flush against the beautiful glossy white finish giving the appearance of a completely smooth exterior. Underneath that is a grey rubber with a good texture that's easy to grip and also feels strong at the same time. There are four easy to use blue LEDs that are at the top which light up while they are charging, and decrease in number as the power supply is exhausted. As an added bonus there's a reasonably bright set of white LED lights attached at the bottom that can be used as a flash light in a pinch. While initially I didn't find the use for them, as I began to carry the mobile charger with me more; the more times I've used it to look under my car seats or at night. Also included inside the package is a convenient felt bag which will house the multitude of accessories that are generously included, a very convenient USB car charging adapter, a micro USB cable, regular USB cable, and an adapter for an outlet which features a number of different heads for connecting to the varying standards used internationally. If there are any flaws to the design it would have to be the medium length cables included. In addition to this, the plastic casing can get cracked and after having it in my pocket along with keys during a fairly heavy jog I realized it was broken. To nitpick, sometimes it's inconvenient that the plug to charge the power supply and the outgoing USB port to begin charging another device are both located on the top. Also, because the three small LED lights which are embedded near the bottom of the unit are lined up in a row, they are not arranged in a manner where they all amplify together to create a focused beam on a singular spot which leads to an acceptable light output but one which unfortunately doesn't travel far before it becomes too dim.

Design Rating: 4.5/5, people often stop to ask me what exactly my mobile charger is which is a testament to it's beautiful and efficient design; unfortunately I had to dock points because the plastic on the top cracked which would lead me to question its long term durability.

Usability: This category is very straight forward and should be simple enough for a wide variety of people to master. You plug the mobile charger in as you would a regular cell phone and when its fully charged you can take it on the go. Whenever you want to charge any device that uses a USB cord (which most every device will nowadays) then you plug that into the mobile charger and it will generally begin to automatically charge it. Clicking the top button 3 times will turn the light feature on or off.

Usability Rating: 5/5, it really can't get any simpler than this.

Efficiency: Efficiency as in how well does it charge. To be fair the mobile charger actually takes less time to become fully charged than my cell phone, which is a testament to the product because it will fully charge my phone from dangerously low battery life levels to full charge, and then be able to charge it again from that low battery threshold to over half of its capacity without needing to plug it back into the wall. This product will also fully charge the new Apple iPads to a full battery life but that will typically drain a full charge of the product, an impressive feat nonetheless considering the larger battery capacity they possess. The thing that puzzles me however is that this product is easily three times the size of my phone battery, which one would assume would lead to three to four times as many charges. However, I believe that the designers did this intentionally to ensure that the product would be as light as possible; indeed it is feathery, easily weighing about a third of what my cell phone does so I can't in good conscience deduct points for this. What does bug me however, is the fact that when the battery is depleted on the power supply you can't simply plug the mobile charger in along with your cell phone to charge both items. This only results in your cell phone blinking on and off as the product siphons off energy in order to charge itself up. It's a pretty extreme nitpick though because this is easily solved by simply charging both items separately.

Efficiency Rating: 4.5-5 / 5, and the 4.5 is for those that wouldn't mind trading off a little extra bulk for a little more juice, but as it stands it's got an extremely good weight to charge ratio and as such most people would find this to be a 5.

Usefulness Rating: Funny anecdote, when I first received this item in the mail my wife couldn't believe what a waste of space it was. I tried to explain how it could definitely be useful in a lot of situations but she didn't really want to hear it. A few days later I woke up in the morning to find that my mobile charger was missing and she was on the bed using it to charge her cell phone while she was on it. The "I Told You So" alone is worth a 5 rating, but as such I also find myself using the mobile charger often as having my 4G on and browsing a lot of websites tends to deplete my battery rather quickly - and instead of using this as a fallback option in case the phone dies I find it very handy to be able to charge a device while you're using it. It's like having a wall outlet at your disposal wherever you go. I'm thinking about buying another one so we can always have one fully charged and ready to go and/or so my wife can stop taking mine when she knows she'll be out a long time with no nearby charger or when she wants to charge her phone and the small cord they give out with your phone just won't reach.

Usefulness Rating: 5, if it can convert a non believer it's definitely worth the price tag. You'll find yourself using it a lot more than you'd thought you would.

Overall rating, 4.75 - 4.875 out of 5. The bottom line is we're living in an increasingly wireless world, and with that you need an easy to use wireless solution. Honestly, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.


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Power Fort is a portable battery charger that provides an instant power anytime, anywhere. Power Fort can charge almost every electronic device with USB port, such as mobile phones, portable gaming device, and mp3 player a boost of power wherever you may be. Also, the special bypass circuit design prevents the battery from the damage resulted from the charging-discharging process and thus ensures a longer lifetime compared to similar products on the market. (AC plug or laptop USB port). Furthermore, Power Fort features built-in battery life LED, Flashlight, Short Circuit, Over-Charge, Discharge protection, Over Temperature Protection which you can charge the battery up to 500 times and still remains at 85% battery capacity. In addition, the Power Fort comes with travel bags, USB cables, and interchangeable plugs to recharge in different locations. It is easily portable and perfect for anyone on the go.

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ASUS Eee PC 1001PX-EU17-WT 10.1-Inch Netbook (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned this netbook for a week now, and wanted to share my thoughts. I will try to update this review after a few months as well (6 month update at the end).
Pros:
1. Beautiful design and light weight. This is part of the ASUS seashell design family, with beautiful curves and design details. The netbook surfaces are textured to minimize fingerprint smudges. For that reason, I think white looks much better than black since the texturing shows more on the black and makes it look more grey or brown than an elegant black. The white looks very elegant. The netbook weighs very little (about the weight of a textbook).
2. Performance and features. It's a lot faster than I was expecting, and multitasks quite well (granted, the worst I have been subjecting it to has been installing many programs, streaming videos, and some video processing). There are times when you can notice a definite slower response than a laptop but those instances have been few so far. Also a note on memory - I think the 1GB memory is more than enough for me. I have not had a sluggish performance problem, and my free memory has always been >200MB while running multiple applications. This is a plus as I won't have to upgrade to 2GB memory right away as most netbook users do.
Overall on performance, I would say it is 80% of a laptop (and not 50% or lower as one might expect). I can see myself not needing my laptop for anything other than MATLAB or intensive programs from now on.
3. Features. I like the beautiful bright LED screen and multitouch touchpad (scroll with two fingers etc).
4. Small power adapter. The power adapter is half the size of laptop power adapters, which is excellent for travel.
5. Little bloatware. Few (4-5) pre-installed programs. Dell is notorious in this category.
Cons:
1. Battery life. It's a 3-cell battery, and rated only to 4 hours max. I have been getting around 3 hours using it normally with screen brightness at 50% (with this screen, 50% is plenty - 100% is too bright). I will definitely have to take my power adapter with me wherever I go. This might be a serious problem for some of you. Consider some of the other ASUS models (8-11 hours battery life) if it is.
2. Temperature. Minor issue, but it gets a little warm while running. You won't need a cooling pad or anything but you'll notice. Actually, you might not even notice depending on what you're used to. I am used to a Thinkpad laptop which has one of the best cooling.
3. Windows starter. It lacks in features compared to higher versions, such as the ability to change your desktop image. Not an issue for me but might be for some of you.
4. Touchpad and keyboard. Again, being used to a Thinkpad's amazing touchpad and keyboard, this one takes a little getting used to. The touchpad buttons are hard to press. The keyboard is a little cramped. It shouldn't take more than 2 weeks to get used to though.
5. Only 2 USB ports. It does come with a SD/MMC card reader though.
PS: I got this during the thanksgiving sales for 230 dollars. I would say anything around 250 is a good deal for this netbook. But I would not pay 300 or above for it.
*** Update: May 2011 ***
I have owned this netbook for six months now and it is going strong. Still boots and runs fast and smoothly. The trackpad has been annoying at times (the multitouch is nowhere as good as a mac and it often misinterprets scrolling to be resizing etc). Other than that and the poor battery life, this is a good netbook. But see if you can get one of the newer ASUS netbooks (with 11 hrs battery life and dual core processors) on sale - they might come down to $320 or so which is not much more than what this is selling for. But overall I am happy with my purchase and the price that I paid (200 + tax etc = 230).

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Patriot Signature 4 GB PC3-8500 (1066 MHz ) DDR3 SODIMM Notebook Memory PSD34G10662S Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a Toshiba A-665-S6054 laptop. It came with 4 GB RAM (2 2GB modules). I wanted to upgrade to 8 GB RAM. The Patriot 4 GB RAM module was the most reasonably priced memory stick. Since Amazon had free shipping, I thought I would order one to test compatibility. I saw some online comments stating that some Toshiba laptops were finicky about RAM. When I replaced one of the 2 GB OEM modules with the Patriot 4 GB module, it worked very well. My computer immediately saw 6 GB of RAM and was working faster using the more resource-consuming programs. I therefore ordered another Patriot module. I replaced the second 2 GB OEM module with the Patriot 4 GB one and the computer refused to boot up. I requested a replacement. Amazon's customer service was quick to respond. They sent out another module and e-mailed me a prepaid label to ship the old one back via UPS. The new module came quickly. I installed it in the computer and unfortunately had the same problem--no booting up. I decided to give it one more try and asked for another exchange. With no hassle at all, Amazon repeated the easy return process and this time sent the replacement memory via one day UPS air, at no cost to me. The third Patriot memory stick worked like a charm. My conclusion is that if you are willing to go through this process and risk initial problems, then the Patriot memory is a bargain compared to the competition which costs much more for 8 GB memory. I also contacted Patriot to ask whether there was a compatibility issue while I was going through the multiple exchange process. They said no, but were also very willing to make good if I had continuing problems. I was impressed with Amazon's quick response and good customer service. Even though the hassle of having to make two exchanges was a pain, I feel that I got a bargain for a significant memory upgrade. It was worth it. My Toshiba laptop is running great with the Patriot RAM.

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Incase CL57802 Neoprene Sleeve MBA 13 - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I order two cases for my 2010 13" macbook air. The first case was the "Sumac Brand Macbook Air Carrying Case" and the second was this case. This is by far the superior case. The Sumac case was stiff, clunky, took up a lot of room (why have a macbook air if the case takes up as much room as a regular sized laptop), ill fitting (there was too much room in the case for a macbook air), and not very protective (there is no padding where the zipper is, so the edges of the computer are completely unprotected). This Incase case, however, solves all these problems. The case is just the right size to fit snugly over a macbook air without making it difficult to get the computer in and out. The case is sleek and light, yet well padded - even at the corners, since there is no zipper. I highly recommend this case!

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Wireless Mouse - Camaro White with Blue Stripes Review

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(More customer reviews)This mouse is amazing. It works great. Slides nice and smooth across a mouse pad or even my desk or coach ( when i tried it at home). I always have people stopping by to ask where i got it and to say how awesome it is.

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AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 15 Inches and Above (OLD VERSION) Review

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(More customer reviews)Is AppleCare worthwhile? Here's my story:
My wife just started graduate school last week, and was grumbling that the battery on her early 2008 15" MacBook Pro wouldn't last a full day of classes.
For some reason, the next day she tried to snap a self-portrait with Photo Booth, and the iSight camera wouldn't work. We made an appointment and set off to the Apple store (five minutes away).
The genius did the usual voodoo with the PMMU and PRAM, then booted off of the Apple network, none of which brought the camera back, so he said it wouldn't take too long to fix it with a new screen assembly.
He brought up the MBP's repair history, looked up and said, "You qualify for a new Mac." It seems that after replacing the DVD drive, the hard drive, the logic board, and the trackpad, the iSight was the trick.
We went home with a new i5. That's one way to get extended battery life! I installed Cody Krieger's gfxCardStatus to keep the NVIDIA GPU from burning up the battery. The i5 runs way cooler on the Intel integrated graphics, and the NVIDIA is just a click away.
Oh, and we qualify for a rebate of about $80 on the remaining months of AppleCare for the old MBP! Altogether a good day!

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Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to three years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.

This version of AppleCare covers purchases of MacBook Pro laptop computers with screens 15 inches and larger.



** For Mac computers preconfigured with Mac OS X Server, the AppleCare Protection Plan covers server administration and network management issues using the graphical user interface of Mac OS X Server. For advanced server operation and integration issues, purchase Mac OS X Server Software Support.

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Apple 15" New Version MacBook Pro A1281 Battery - For New Aluminum Unibody Macbook Pro. 6-cell 56Whr Battery Lasts up to 7.5 hrs Longer Than Apple Macbook Pro 50Whr A1281 Battery Review

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(More customer reviews)So they say this battery lasts up to much more than the apple one, when you get it it comes with a paper that says charge it overnight with your laptop turned off and then use it all and repeat the charging instructions for 3 days today. The first three days was great 5 hours or longer, but now is day four and the battery is in it's 100% and only lasts up 1:50 like what is it I didn't pay to get 50% more battery life for three days.

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Seagate FreeAgent Go 250 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST902503FAA2E1-RK (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a professional photographer who fills up two portable drives a year (I swap the onsite and offsite copies after each shoot). The Western Digital (WD) Passport portables I've been using, at 320 GB each, are full to the brim with all my 2008 'raw' work. Wanting to preserve the data on them, I went shopping for two more portable drives, and came across the Seagate 500 GB GO models.
You can't really go wrong with either drive (both companies offer a great five-year warranty), but I like the form factor of the Seagates a bit better (they're a fraction of an inch smaller in all dimensions but LOOK even more svelte than they are). Also, an Amazon promotion currently offers a free dock with the Seagate drives, much like an iPod dock -- just slide the device onto the connector and it mounts on your desktop. Handy and elegant. The WD drives don't have this option.
The downside to using the Seagate dock (and this is why I give this setup 4 stars, not 5) is that, for reasons I don't comprehend, it takes up TWO USB ports on your computer. Those have to be powered ports, so you can't use a non-powered USB hub (at least that doesn't work with my one-year-old iMac and my el-cheapo hub -- your mileage may vary). The alternative is buying a powered hub, OR just not using the dock, instead connecting the drive directly to a single USB port on the computer with the supplied cable.
Speaking of USB connections: Apart from the dock, another advantage of the Seagate drive over the WD Passport is that it seems more power-efficient. At least, I can use the Seagate with my aging Powerbook and a single (supplied) cable, no problems. The WD drives, on the other hand, won't mount on my Powerbook's desktop unless I purchase a special three-plug "power booster" USB cable that (again) takes up two of the machine's ports. This may be a small thing, but it's meaningful to me. With the Seagates, I can finally just slide a capacious drive into a shirt pocket or any other available small space, and use the device on the road, nothing else necessary beyond a standard mini-to-regular USB cable (supplied) -- no booster cable, no power supply.
There is also a Mac version of the Seagate drive. I inadvertently purchased the PC version but it makes zero difference, I believe: the thing works fine, no drivers needed. The Mac version contains platform-specific backup software and maybe a couple of other goodies that I don't need or won't miss.
Due to the idiosyncracies of file systems and how bits and bytes are counted in the computer industry, the usable capacity of the 500GB Seagate drive is actually just 465Gb. That 'shortcoming' goes for every drive on the market, though -- no big deal, just something to keep in mind.
The Seagate's speed is fine: on my Mac, it took just under 4 minutes to copy 5 gigs' worth of smallish files. So it's neither a speed demon nor a slowpoke.
One more thing about the dock: It comes with a nice enough black leatherette padded sleeve for the drive. That bonus really should have been packaged with the drive instead of the dock, but I'm not complaining. The Passport drives come without a case or sleeve, and I paid another 30 bucks for two Case Logic soft-side cases at the time. I will continue to use the Case Logic cases for the Seagate GO drives, because the Seagates, outfitted with their own leatherette sleeves, fit snugly inside the Case Logic clamshell design -- double protection and peace of mind.

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Free Agent GO Drive - 250GB 5400RPM 8MB Cache USB 2.0 up to 480MB/s

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ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for Apple MacBook Pro 17 -Inch 2nd Gen Unibody (Full Body) Review

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(More customer reviews)I put the full body shield on my new 17" MBP. It was a nerve wracking experience. The second I peeled the bottom shield from the paper, it rolled up and stuck to itself like saran wrap. I was sure it was toast. It took me 10 minutes to wrangle it apart. Finally, after a ton of sprays form the adhesive liquid, I was able to lay it on the MBP. This is where the nervousness started. I had liquid dripping all over the case of my MBP - no fun and I was sure it would get in my case and short everything out.
In the end, I put the top, bottom, and palm guard on successfully. It's GREAT. Very grippy and I don't get shocked every time I touch my MBP.
I love it but would have a hard time recommending it due to the ridiculously tricky installation process. It's a nightmare. I would love to take a MBP to one of those airport/mall kiosks and watch the guy try to install it. Funny stuff.
Pics: it's a little shiny but I don't care. I know my MBP is protected and won't slip out of my hands.

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Intel X25M 80 GB Solid State Drive with Internal SATA and Power Cables SSDSA2MH080G2K5 Review

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(More customer reviews)I decided to take a leap and finally get an SSD for my system. I am using this drive for my OS and apps and use a secondary drive for data on my desktop. I'm using this with Windows 7 Ultimate and it's working great.
I have no regrets in getting this drive. The first time using it, I immediately noticed the difference. Applications now launch instantly which is really nice.
Be sure you download and install the Intel SSD Toolbox after you get it installed to optimize it for your system. It doesn't come with the drive, just search for it on your favorite search engine.

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The Intel X25-M Mainstream 80 GB SATA solid-state drive provides faster disk performance and greater durability than traditional spinning platter drives. It stores data using 34 nm multi-level cell NAND flash memory. The internal SATA interface offers data throughput of up to 3.0 Gb/s. A downloadable Intel SSD Toolbox application helps you manage the health and optimize the performance of the drive. The X25-M is RoHS compliant and uses less power than traditional hard drives.

Intel X25-M Mainstream SATA Solid State Drive Everything you need for easy installation is included in the box. View larger.

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Creative Labs SB1090 USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Audio System Review

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(More customer reviews)Under 'Creative audio control panel,' be certain that 'high speed' (2.0) is checked, and not 'full speed' (1.1). This may or may not solve lag and other commonly cited audio issues. That said,
I do not like this sound card. In fact, it's not really a sound card at all. More truthfully, it is a (large) software suite connected to a big volume knob. As far as I can tell, and from what I have read and seen in task manager), all of the real work is done with your computer. Well, this shouldn't be too much of a problem on modern machines, right? I mean, aren't the days of needing external chips to alleviate workload on the CPU long gone and irrelevant?
Maybe. But the fact is that I feel that I could have attained the same, cheap audio tricks via any number of winamp plug-ins, equalizers, et al. What I wanted was a superior external DAC than the noise coming from my onboard RealTek 'high definition' audio. The truth is that I can tell no difference between the two outputs until I turn on the effects of the x-fi, which are really annoying to a music purist. They produce listener fatigue and unwelcome distortion (music was not meant to be heard in simulated surround, and 'crystalizer' can get downright 'screechy').
The simulated surround or EAX is fine for watching movies and playing games, though. But if you are primarily a music buff and have decent speakers, I advise looking elsewhere.
There is good news, though. While Creative has a history of not supporting older cards on a newer OS, there is a functioning beta driver for Windows 7 already at their site. You won't be experiencing what thousands of people did when trying to use their XP cards on Vista, etc. However, the overall performance of the card is sluggish both on my XP install and my Win 7 beta. Adjustments are cumbersome and opening the severe bloatware of sound options is unacceptably slow even on fairly well-equipped hardware. I'd consider this a fluke of my install, but on two separate disks, and with two different OSes (XP and 7)? No. It's just bloated.
I got this new for virtually nothing, but I'd still not buy it again because I can honestly achieve the same effects by using the EQ of the iTunes, Mediamonkey, etc. Again, this is nothing but a ton of sound software that happens to have a physical body. You can do better for not much more money. However, as a solution for a broken onboard chip / output jack, this is an economical solution. But even then I'd almost recommend one of those USB thumb drive-type cards as they won't take up unnecessary desktop space or clutter your install with a ton of software that, btw, takes 20 minutes to install).
If the x-fi surround were anything but a fancy software suite, I'd rate it higher. Sorry. Just trying to save someone the grief if they are looking for a music solution. That's what these reviews are for.

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Adding the USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 sound card is the easiest way to make your music andmovies sound their best. X-Fi Technology restores details and vibrance your music and movies lostduring compression, making them richer and fuller, and expands stereo into surround sound withheadphones or speakers. Plus it includes PowerDVD software via free download for the ultimate PCmovie entertainment experience.

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HP ENVY 15-1050NR 15.6-Inch Laptop (Magnesium Alloy) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had the Envy 15 for over three months and have enjoyed almost every minute of it. I have been very pleased with its performance and ease of use. The processor is simply amazing, the video card is more than enough for my needs, and the screen is the best I've seen in a laptop. I consider myself a pretty heavy user, often running more than 150 processes at a time, and rarely feel any lag. For the power you get, the size and weight are pretty impressive. The laptop does get warm when under heavy use, as is to be expected with a quad-core machine, but its quiet, effective cooling system does a great job of keeping the system within acceptable/tolerable temperature limits.
The drawbacks, as I expected, relate to its battery power. The processor is restricted to a "Low Frequency Mode" when running on battery power, which for the i7-720QM limits the processor speed to 931 MHz per core. This results in a noticeable difference when doing anything more than simple tasks such as reading e-mail or browsing the web while running on battery power. Despite this restriction, the battery life still isn't very impressive. Under normal use, it runs for just under two hours; under heavy use (3D gaming or streaming HD video), it only runs for about an hour on a charge.
In short, if you find yourself near a plug most of the time, this machine is awesome. If you need more portability, this probably isn't the best choice - you might want to consider something with a dual-core i5 processor.

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XGear Shadow Premium Carbon Protection for 15-Inch MacBook Pro Unibody Review

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(More customer reviews)In the middle-through-late 1990s, I traveled quite a bit with a dark-carbon PowerBook for which I purchased a very solid, seemingly bulletproof case that battered and bruised my body as I lugged it on and off of planes and through multiple airports and, although the case was built to hold the power cord and adapter and keep them from banging against the PowerBook (and I had protected space for a leather portfolio, file folders, and pens), the PowerBook was not designed for an internal modem so I carried an extra large suitcase to protect my expensive external modem (an aluminum 14.4k Intel modem and then a V.90 USR external modem, each of which had a huge, heavy power adapter).
I received this 15.6-inch, 1680x1059, Intel Core i7 aluminum Unibody MacBook Pro with anti-glare display as a gift. Because Apple places the large foam pad in the tops only of the retail boxes for these expensive notebooks (which are ergonomic, fast, and attractive but vulnerable to dents and scratches), I immediately noticed a dent in the bottom of the case of the first unit and repacked it for an exchanged.
I have a a sturdy notebook/laptop backpack but wanted to protect the MacBook Pro from scratches and minor damage when carrying it for short distances. I know that this very aesthetically pleasing notebook computer will eventually endure its first scratch, but I wanted a reasonably decent cover with a soft inner lining, protection against minor bumps (and had no delusions of XGear's promise of "rugged impact protection"), and compatibility with the 15.6-inch aluminum MacBook Pro Unibody with back-lit black keyboard, smart card slot, and newer MacSave power port.
I found this XGear protective cover, which I knew was not carbon fiber (although I expected an exterior with more resistance than crepe paper), for $45 and -- based on my wasted research -- it met my modest protection expectations and was compatible with my MacBook Pro (including access to all ports, even the MagSave adapter port).
XGear has the nerve to include a large clear sticker of their logo with the Shadow Premium cover without any documentation or instructions at all (and the cardstock band that is the display/hanging "packaging" is illegible bilingual advertising copy with the mistaken combination of tiny white text on a glossy black surface). Plus, the copy on the back describes a "space age" shield "for [the?] 13-inch MacBook," although the the front copy states in English and French, "For MacBook 15-inch."
The bottom of the case cover appeared to be warped but after I cleaned the remnants of yellowed adhesive tape and all of the dust and lint from the section of the case, I realized that the bottom and top are warped but the thin construction would make them malleable. The Apple logo is not properly centered even when positioned correctly and the edge of the bottom is so close to the insulated cable for the MagSafe connector that the section of the connector toward the back of the case is lifted by the cover (a full-contact connection that does not put stress on the delicate connection between the adapter cable and the MagSafe plug) is possible only if I cover all of the ports on the left side of the MacBook Pro by inserting the plug "backwards." The light on the plug, although it is not fully inserted toward the back of the case, because of XGear's poor design, illuminates a steady amber while charging and a steady green when the notebook is charged -- but the plug is not properly inserted and the connection is under stress.
I was impressed by what I learned about Pelican's protective cases for notebook and laptop computers but the cases are expensive and the information on the Web is confusing and contains insufficient details.
I have heeded the warnings by people who have purchased plastic shells for their MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers, only to have their pristine aluminum notebook cases scracatched by particulate matter (dirt particles or grains of salt) that have a propensity to get trapped within such unlined plastic cases.
I cannot recommend this product, even if you have low expectations.

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Acomdata Samba USB 2.0 3.5-Inch IDE/SATA Hard Drive Enclosure SMBXXXU2E-BLK (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This enclosure is solidly built, finely finished, with good fit for 3.5" internal hard drives of various brands, and easily to assemble. It offers IDE or SATA to USB 2.0 interfaces. The blue colored part is an aluminum case that helps dissipate the drive heat without cooling fan noises (the remainder gray parts are plastic). There are three popular colors in matte finish to choose from: red, blue, and black. The vertical stand is attached to the enclosure by a groove and two screws for added stability. The blue indicator light is an approximate match to the blue color of the enclosure case.
I used a Seagate IDE 250GB and a Hitachi SATA 500GB in the enclosure for the trials. Windows XP and Windows Vista readily recognized the assembled external hard drives. They were shown as USB devices with their respective hard drive product numbers and not the identity of the enclosure chipset. This could be important as some hard drive's proprietary software, such as Seagate DiscWizard, require the presence of the branded hard drive in order to be run. The data transfer was reliable, whether the file size was 2MB (photo files) or 49GB (a backup file). The data transfer rates were normal if not a little faster compared to my other external hard drives. The drives never got hot, just slightly warm during the data transfer or after being left on overnight.
I am particular about the position of the power switch. I do not buy any enclosure which power switch is jammed in between the power cable and the USB cable. This enclosure has the power switch conveniently located above the cables.
The tray that houses the hard drive is plastic, preventing the hard drive from making direct contact with the aluminum case for more effective heat dissipation. The side panel with the circuit board and internal connectors is screwed to the plastic hard drive tray, making frequent drive changes a risk of unthreading the screw holes.
Overall I am fond of this external hard drive enclosure, for its nice design and finish, dual internal hard drive interfaces, aluminum case, and reliable data transfer. I am using the Hitachi SATA 500GB in this enclosure permanently. I have also acquired a red for a 640GB SATA.

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Samba USB Obsidian Black Enclosure Kit.Create your own high-performance external hard drive with an AcomData Samba Enclosure. The daring Samba features a precision-extruded aluminum case in a seductive satin finish whisper-quiet fanless operation hot-plug-ability and (get this) an on-off switch. The smart chassis design and fully illustrated guide make installation simple and like the Samba itself extremely fast. So take charge now and transform that useful but utilitarian PATA or SATA IDE hard disk into a versatile reliable and super speedy external drive. The AcomData Samba is sure to enhance your desktop as well as your data storage.

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Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 LED TruBrite 11.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Amazon merged the two models into one page and fixed most of their info, but they have the battery life listed as nine hours in one place and six hours in another; the six hour figure is correct (thanks, Philip!).
Also, the cheaper model (T115D-S1120) has a single core 1.6 GHz processor, not a dual core 1.5 GHz processor. This is currently still incorrect on one part of the page.

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Toshiba Satellite T115D: Ultra-Thin Portability with Long Battery Life and 11.6-Inch ScreenBuilt for your everyday life on the go, the affordable Toshiba T115D laptop (model T115D-S1120) with 11.6-inch screen is Toshiba's thinnest and lightest Satellite model yet, offering the performance, flexibility and functionality you expect in a standard-sized laptop but in a highly portable and efficient package. Featuring a power-efficient AMD mobile processor and Windows 7, the T115D powers up quickly from standby mode and provides energy saving enhancements that deliver up to 5.5 hours of battery life. It's also been given a number of comfort-driven, eco-focused design elements that are capped by the stunningly stylish Fusion finish in Nova Black.
The Satellite T115D is engineered to feature the comfort and convenience of a standard laptop yet in an ultra-thin package. It features a full-sized keyboard and full-sized touchpad with multi-touch capabilities, enabling greater flexibility to browse and control what's happening on-screen with gesture commands--including two-finger pinch, swipe, rotate and scroll. It's also been designed to be environmentally conscious with a power-efficient, mercury-free LED backlit display that also provides brilliantly colorful imagery for photos and video thanks to the native HD TruBrite screen.
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

Key Features
11.6-inch high-definition, LED-backlit TruBrite display for amazing color depth and clarity (1366 x 768).

1.5 GHz dual-core AMD Turion Neo X2 L325 mobile processor provides the highly responsive, balanced multi-tasking performance you demand for your mobile lifestyle. In addition to excellent HD video playback, you'll also enjoy a higher battery life rating thanks to an energy-efficient design and AMD PowerNow! Technology.

250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) with an impact sensor that helps safeguard your data by "parking" the hard drive heads in the event of a drop or sudden movement.

2 GB of RAM (DDR2; upgradeable to 4 GB)

Integrated ATI Radeon 3200 graphics with up to 1919 MB of dynamically shared memory allocated by the system.

54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g)

1.3 megapixel webcam with Face Recognition capabilities for added security. And if you're using one laptop for several users--say for the whole family or for a small business--Toshiba Face Recognition lets you switch profiles with one simple look.
Built-in stereo speakers
Fast Ethernet (10/100)
5-in-1 memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Multi Media Card, xD Picture Card
Three USB ports with one Sleep and Charge port on the left side, allowing you to charge your mobile phone and other devices even when the notebook is asleep or off.
HDMI output lets you connect to an HDTV for full 1080P high-definition video and sound. A standard analog VGA video output is also included.
Full-sized 85-key keyboard with 10-key pad
Enjoy proactive PC health--without the worry. For your peace mind, this laptop comes with an innovative PC Health Monitor that constantly keeps tabs on things like your machine's power usage, temperature and hard drive--so you won't have to.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 5.5 hours of battery life with 6-cell (5600 mAh) battery

Weight: 3.5 pounds

Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.3 x 1.35 inches (WxDxH)
Warranty: 1 year warranty with international limited warranty coverage
Energy Star 5.0 certified
Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact.
RoHS compliant effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances

What's in the Box This package contains the Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.
It also comes with the following software: Norton Internet Security 2010 (30-day trial), Toshiba PC Health Monitor, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Edition (60-day trial), Windows Media Player, Google Toolbar, WildTangent Orb Game Console

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